Sadly this wasn’t for me. I loved the setting, the gothic style but at 43% I still feel like I haven’t connected with thr story or the characters and it’s a DNF for me. The writing is strong and I’d read the author again.

This one hooked me right away with its gothic atmosphere and unusual premise. The opening sets a moody, slightly vintage-feeling world (somewhere between the 1930s–50s, but with a fantasy twist) that feels both eerie and intriguing. I loved the setup—curse eating, family secrets, and the looming menace of both a crime syndicate and the Authority circling Eleanora.

The characters are where this book shines. Eleanora isn’t perfect—she makes mistakes, lashes out, and carries regrets—but she also cares deeply and fights to do right where she can. That blend of flawed and compassionate made her compelling. Victor, meanwhile, is not your typical “dangerous” male lead. He’s tough, angry, and carries a kind of monstrosity that feels new and different in the genre. Their dynamic isn’t a sweeping romance, but the tension and interplay between them kept me hooked.

The story itself is full of strong moments and even a few twists I didn’t see coming, which I loved. My one sticking point was the worldbuilding: while the mysteriousness adds to the gothic mood, I found myself wishing for more clarity about the magic system earlier on. A bit of exposition could have helped ground me without spoiling the mystery.

Overall, Blackwicket is a dark, intriguing romantasy with a fresh spin on its characters and magic. If you like gothic fantasy settings, morally complex leads, and a touch of monstrous romance, it’s well worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF. This just wasn’t the book for me. Wasn’t fully understanding what was going on and I didn’t really appreciate how much horror/gothic nature it would be. Its probably a great book for those interested in that but just not for me. I got to the point where it felt like an effort to pick up my kindle to read it so i knew i had to stop.

I'm not sure how to explain my love for this book. A Gothic romantasy set in the seaside town of Nightglass, Eleanora is called back home to Blackwicket House upon hearing of the death of her sister. Eleanora is stuck trying to untangle the knots of what happened to her sister alongside the broody Victor Harrow, who has more secrets than smiles. The magical world that Northwick builds is so beautiful and subtle, I felt simply like I was learning of another place that could exist a train-ride away. Her imagery is powerful and every side character, phrase, and word has so much intention behind it. I questioned how it would end the entire time, along for the ride of twists and turns and eerie happenstance.

If this is the last I'm seeing of Eleanora and Victor, I WILL riot. I love them so much and I can't wait to read more/re-read this one, I'm done for.

Thank you Bea Northwick and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this ebook. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

P.S. I have a highlighted note that says, "it's giving Kartik", and IYKYK and you're welcome because it's sublime.

4.5 ⭐

I was a bit confused at the start of this book, and kind of remained that way with all the different warring factions and some of the names and descriptions.

But! Everything else in this book was wonderful. I loved the entire vibe. Gothic, noir, haunted. The book ended with less of a cliffhanger than a good setup for the next book that I can't wait to read when we get there.

Overall, this was a refreshing change from what I've been reading and stole my entire life for the 2 days it took to read it. I will absolutely reread this one.

I loved the immersive gothic setting that Bea Northwick set out for the reader in this book! I felt like I could really sink into the setting. I thought the characters were fairly well developed and they were definitely true enemies to lovers! I went into the book blind and at first wasn’t sure who the love interest would be, but once it became clear, I was all aboard.

The biggest issue for me that resulted in 3 stars was the magic system was never explained. I felt confused often when it was talked about, and kept wishing that the terms (and places relating to magic) had been explained more.

The pacing was a bit slow at times. Overall, it was an okay read for me. I have previously enjoyed Bea’s writing and would definitely read more by her, this one just wasn’t completely for me.

The dark atmosphere with beautiful writing and descriptions that transported me into the story made this book feel like a gothic dream. The story was interesting, even if the characters weren’t the most likable bunch.
I would’ve liked the magic and curses to be explained better, I found myself confused a lot of times and it was difficult to imagine what the drudges looked like, but the prose makes up for it.

Thanks to NetGalley and BeaNorthwick for this free copy of "Blackwicket."

So many words to describe this amazing book: immersive, creative, atmospheric, gothic, magical, romantic... and I could go on.

The blurb doesn't begin to describe the detailed world-building in this story - with rich history, classes of magical abilities, realms of magical worlds, family lineages and alliances, and more.

It's like being dropped into this world where you don't quite understand the language yet and it takes a bit to sort it out. So now that we're fully engaged, there had better be a sequel so we can find out what happens next OR a prequel to describe what happened before "Blackwicket"!!

Haunted houses, deadly secrets, and a forbidden romance wrapped in gothic curses—I was hooked from the first page.

The story follows Eleanora Blackwicket, who once fled her cursed family home - Blackwicket House, a sentient, haunted place bound to her bloodline. As a Curse Eater, she abandoned her duty and assumed a false identity, hiding from both The Authority (a ruthless anti-magic government) and Brom (an underworld network trading in black-market magic). Both would kill to exploit her powers.

But when she learns of her sister Fiona’s death, her estranged father forces her back to Blackwicket House. Grief-stricken and guilty, Eleanora must once again confront her repressed powers. To make matters worse, Inspector Victor Harrow of The Authority takes a suspiciously close interest in her, ensuring she cannot run this time. As Eleanora searches for the truth behind Fiona’s mysterious death, the threats from The Authority and Brom close in, leaving her with nowhere to hide.

What a gothic read! I was completely swept away into the eerie, spellbinding world of this book.

The gothic atmosphere absolutely captivated me. Yes, the story was longer than I expected, but every page was worth it—the slow build of secrets, mysteries, and haunting revelations kept me glued until the very end. And even then, the open ending left me desperate to know how Eleanora and Victor’s story will continue.

Now, let’s talk about the tension between Eleanora and Victor. Delicious. Their guarded secrets, the slow unraveling of trust, and the forbidden edge of their connection had me on edge. Every twist in their relationship felt earned, and when the truths finally came to light, it was wrapped together so perfectly that I was in awe.

This is gothic romantasy at its finest—dark, mysterious, and utterly addictive.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Tropes:
• Gothic romantasy / curses
• Sentient haunted house
• Family secrets
• Mysterious murders
• Secret identities
• Enemies to lovers
• Slow burn romance
• Powerful FMC
• Protective MMC
• Monster spice 🌶️
• Morally grey characters

Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Bea Northwick for the ARC!

I absolutely adored this book and read it in two days. Such great character building, world building... It is just a blast to read and I highly suggest for everyone to experience Blackwicket.

I had so much fun with this one. Blackwicket: Dark Hall is the kind of book that pulls you into its moody, gothic little world and doesn’t let go. The whole vibe was so atmospheric.it honestly felt like I was walking through some haunted old manor with secrets just oozing from the walls.

I really liked the main character. She felt real,flawed, a bit lost, trying to do the right thing even when things got murky. And don’t even get me started on the magic system. It was weird and kind of gross (in a good way) and unlike anything I’ve read before. I didn’t always understand how it worked right away, but weirdly I didn’t mind? It felt like the kind of story where you’re supposed to just get swept up in it and figure things out as you go.

The romance was a slow burn, a bit grumpy and sharp-edged, and honestly gave me that little spark I was hoping for. Definitely some tension there, especially toward the second half. I also really liked the little twists.I didn’t guess them all, which is always a bonus.

It’s got that perfect mix of creepy magic, family secrets, and slow-burn enemies-ish to lovers. If you’re into gothic vibes and don’t mind things getting a bit dark and twisty, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

This is such a gorgeous gothic romantasy. The world building is so good and the magic system is unique and layered. It was creepy and haunting in all the right ways.

The story follows Eleanora as she returns to Nightglass to find nothing is as she left it. She attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding her home and the demise of her sister and discovers that absolutely nothing is as it seems.

I was so invested in this story. It’s beautifully written and leaves you wanting more. I can’t wait to see where the story takes us next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This was a super fun read with a magic system that felt familiar to a character from Jujutsu Kaisen, who also eats curses. The mystery subplot added just the right amount of suspense, keeping me curious the whole way through. What I loved most were the characters—they felt real, had great chemistry, and their personal journeys made the story even more engaging.

This book automatically pulls you into the mystery and unsettling environment. I could feel myself wandering dark corridors, chased by persistent spirits and heavy grief. It's so lovingly written, it made it really easy to read.

Some of the turns of phrase are exceptionally beautiful - the imagery is impossible not to feel. The magic system is really intricate and very interesting to explore as you get further into the book and understand more about what the different characters can do.

There is definitely still a need for editing here as there were a handful of grammar and punctuation mistakes that pulled me out of the story for a moment but I know that this is an advanced reader copy so I assume that those will be caught in later editing versions.

Overall, I thought this was a really lovely book and very good at balancing aspects of darkness and despair and creepiness with elements of hope and connection and humanity. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a touch of monster romance or supernatural mystery a bit of house-related horror.

Did I devour this book or did it devour me? The atmosphere is completely haunting in this dark gothic fantasy ! The story unfolds like a classic horror film and the romance slow burns until it ignites. I did not want it to end. I’m so looking forward to more from this author!

First off I want to thank you for the opportunity to review this title. I loved Bea Northwick's previous works and was so excited for this one. That being said, I was a little let down here. The premise and atmosphere was amazing! Exactly what I expected and then some. But the details of the magic system and the lore were extremely lacking. I felt myself being pulled out of the immersive atmosphere by all the questions I had about what things were and how exactly things were supposed to be working. It became hard to focus on the story and the romance that I was enjoying when I kept being confused by so many unexplained details.

I will not be posting my review anywhere online due to the negative feedback. Again Thank you for the opportunity to review this title!!

This book had such a dark, atmospheric vibe and I loved it from start to finish. It was eerie, emotional, mysterious, and a little heartbreaking too. The slower pacing worked perfectly because it let the characters and story breathe. The writing was beautiful, the visuals so vivid, and the mix of dark fantasy, secrets, magic, and horror kept me hooked.

Fans of gothic horror and supernatural realism will eat this up. It does touch on death, grief, trauma, and violence, but in a way that feels raw and real. The plot twists caught me off guard, and the romantic subplot had just the right amount of tension to keep me invested.

By a few chapters in, I was questioning everyone’s motives and rooting for Eleanora’s survival. And Victor? The perfect broody, dangerous antihero. You don’t trust him, but you can’t stop wanting him.

The world was creepy, gothic, and addictive. Messy emotions, haunting halls, and magic that bites and I’d 100% recommend it.

4 stars of dark, haunting goodness, and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this book but it’s a DNF for me. I slogged through 20% of this book and was still waiting for something to happen. Unfortunately, it was feeling like a whole LOT of work for no reward. It just didn’t hold any interest for me. But I’ve absolutely no doubt there are people out there who are going to love this!

Thank you to Bea Northwick and NetGalley for the arc of this stunning story!

Set in a world with a unique magic system, Blackwicket is a dark gothic fantasy romance. On the run and accused of murder, Eleanora must return to her family home to put her sister to rest, but not all is as it seems and she must try to find out the secrets that Fiona left behind…

The world building in this book is superb, without it being too much at once. Instead you have to discover the story along with the main character, Ellie, as she figures out what happened to her sister and the life she once knew.

There were so many twists and turns to this story and I found myself completely hooked the entire way through.

There is a romance plot, which is unexpected but a pleasant surprise, a strong set of complex side characters and excellent prose. I’m super excited to see where this series is going to go!

⭐️ 3.5/5

In a crumbling gothic world of shadows and secrets, a young woman burdened with her family’s curse must unravel the mysteries of Blackwicket Hall. As she shoulders the darkness her sister embraced, she finds herself trapped between bloodlines, desire, and a love that blooms in the bleakest places.

This book left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, the story itself—the premise, the atmosphere, the themes of loneliness and forgiveness—was beautifully gothic and haunting. On the other hand, the writing style often left me feeling lost, like I was wandering through Blackwicket’s halls without a lantern. The storytelling leans heavy, rich with atmosphere, but sometimes at the expense of clarity. There were entire stretches where I didn’t fully understand the magic system or even the mechanics of the world. I had to consciously let go of that need to fully grasp every detail just to enjoy the unfolding of the story.
The heroine starts off selfish and naive, which was frustrating, but as the layers peeled back, I saw her for what she really was... broken, lonely, and trying to carry too much of a burden. That realization shifted everything and made me root for her more. The romance is slow burn, but when it finally comes together, it feels earned; a love born from understanding, forgiveness, and acceptance of being.

What worked best was the gothic atmosphere: dark, moody, and unapologetically gloomy. It felt like the story was draped in fog, with flashes of emotion cutting through like candlelight. The twists weren’t shocking, but they were organic, growing naturally from the narrative. By the end, I found myself unexpectedly teary.

Favorite Quotes:
“I’d learned enough to know that the darkness that devoured people from the inside out was often their own. But for a Curse Eater, for my family, it was the darkness that didn’t belong to us, the darkness we borrowed. My sister had chosen this future, but I refused.”

“The frequency with which I’d worn someone else’s gore on my skin was beginning to disturb even me.”

“I’d experienced desire in both my body and beyond it, a desire that compelled me to remember I was more than just blood and bones, destined to be swallowed by the earth.”

Thank you to Bea Northwick and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review