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Witches of C.R.O.W. #1
Shady Depths
A witch running from heartbreak, a merman who hunts the stars, and the Shade which binds them both.
Keir Simmons, a bounty hunter for the Coven for the Regulation and Oversight of Witches, has made a career out of running away from his problems. Blindsided by a break-up, he leaps at the first assignment he’s offered, one that will take him far away from his ex: chasing a rogue lorelei to the edge of the European continent.
When a chance encounter with a midnight diver leaves the pair inextricably linked, Keir is caught between his responsibilities as a C.R.O.W. Enforcer, his past as a questionably wicked witch, and his broken, but beating heart. With C.R.O.W. breathing down his neck and the lorelei continuing to evade capture, it becomes harder and harder to turn away from his unlikely ally — a man with a secret lurking just beneath the surface.
Keir Simmons, a bounty hunter for the Coven for the Regulation and Oversight of Witches, has made a career out of running away from his problems. Blindsided by a break-up, he leaps at the first assignment he’s offered, one that will take him far away from his ex: chasing a rogue lorelei to the edge of the European continent.
When a chance encounter with a midnight diver leaves the pair inextricably linked, Keir is caught between his responsibilities as a C.R.O.W. Enforcer, his past as a questionably wicked witch, and his broken, but beating heart. With C.R.O.W. breathing down his neck and the lorelei continuing to evade capture, it becomes harder and harder to turn away from his unlikely ally — a man with a secret lurking just beneath the surface.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2023
62 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
B.L. Brown
14 books76 followersB.L. Brown is a writer of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and fantasy. She loves a good slow burn but recognizes that sometimes two characters collide with explosive chemistry that must be acknowledged. And boy, is it fun to read.
Random musings appear on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
There's also a newsletter that releases new material with less frequency than George R. R. Martin.
https://brittawritesthings.com/contact/
Random musings appear on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
There's also a newsletter that releases new material with less frequency than George R. R. Martin.
https://brittawritesthings.com/contact/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 8, 2023
Holy smokes this was amazing!
“Shady Depths” is the first installment of B.L. Brown’s new “Witches of C.R.O.W.” Series. The novella hits the ground running and is packed with action, adventure and romance right from the jump!
We follow Keir who is a reluctant enforcer for the Coven for the Regulation and Oversight of Witches (C.R.O.W.). He’s on the heels of a breakup and on assignment tracking a lorelei that has gone rouge when one night a chance encounter changes everything.
Full of mystery, great world building, romance, spice, vulnerability, a unique magic system, heartbreak, friendship and heart pounding suspense - “Shady Depths” was the perfect introduction to the “Witches of C.R.O.W.” Series and I’m so excited to see what else B.L. Brown has in store!
Thank you to B.L. Brown for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
December 4, 2023
ARC review (received this book for my honest review)
Shady Depths is the first in a new series and follows the absolutely beautiful relationship that take place between a Dark Witch who works for C.R.O.W and a Merman who finds and accepts him. It was beautifully written, from the character descriptions to the descriptions of everything else. It will capture you immediately and sweep you away. It was hard to put down! I loved watching their relationship flourish and openly squealed several times from the cute moments plus the spice was so good. This is more of a HFN than a HEA but now I NEED to read the entire series because I have to have more and see other characters stories as well.
Shady Depths is the first in a new series and follows the absolutely beautiful relationship that take place between a Dark Witch who works for C.R.O.W and a Merman who finds and accepts him. It was beautifully written, from the character descriptions to the descriptions of everything else. It will capture you immediately and sweep you away. It was hard to put down! I loved watching their relationship flourish and openly squealed several times from the cute moments plus the spice was so good. This is more of a HFN than a HEA but now I NEED to read the entire series because I have to have more and see other characters stories as well.
April 17, 2023
This is the first book I ever read as an ARC and I chose to read it along with my book club. I don’t typically read mermaid books so this was new to me and definitely a risk. However, this book ended up being one of the most beautifully written books that I have read in a while, and it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions that I am so glad I went on. From the beginning, the story we are plunged into is corporeal and captivating. I truly felt like I was in The Netherlands with the characters sludging through snow and icy water. The author’s ability to paint a picture of a scene in such a vivid and detailed way is truly impressive and made for such an enjoyable read.
The characters were interesting, the story riveting, and the smut was absolutely delectable!! During this book, I laughed, I screamed, I cried, but generally I just had a great time. This book is a woven masterpiece of fun, excitement, sex, and a little bit of horror. I am so looking forward to where this series goes and I truly can’t wait for the next books to come out!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters were interesting, the story riveting, and the smut was absolutely delectable!! During this book, I laughed, I screamed, I cried, but generally I just had a great time. This book is a woven masterpiece of fun, excitement, sex, and a little bit of horror. I am so looking forward to where this series goes and I truly can’t wait for the next books to come out!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 16, 2023
I devoured this book in a handful of hours! It's well-written, the smut is top tier, and the descriptions were amazing. It is more of a HFN ending than a HEA, but that just makes me want the rest of the series more, honestly. I fell in love with the characters and I need the second book to be out immediately because I need more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2023
Shady Depths was a beautifully written novella and a wonderful start to a series. I loved the descriptive world building! The Scottish slang definitely didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. It was written well enough that context clues keep the story flowing. Keir and Realta were an adorable couple. Toby was a good side character. This book really fed my love for mythology and the stories of creatures told in Scottish mythology. I am hoping that Keir and Realta eventually gets a happily ever after in the series because they deserve it 😭. I hope we get more of them later. Overall, 10/10, I will be recommending this to others. And I also will have to add this to my physical copy collection.
So many thanks to BL Brown for the ARC. I enjoyed your storytelling so much and can’t wait to read the next!
So many thanks to BL Brown for the ARC. I enjoyed your storytelling so much and can’t wait to read the next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 8, 2023
A very interesting world, I loved the main setting in the Netherlands (don't see our country featured often and it felt really accurate). It's a reasonably HFN book, to be continued. I have had some experience reading "Scottish" and more than enough Dutch and German to follow all the non-English sentences, but I don't know how that would work out for readers without this background. The time that the MCs spent together was beautiful and I really hope that they will reconnect in another book. C.R.O.W feels pretty awful.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Booksprout and am happy to leave a voluntary review.
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May 16, 2023A few authors I highly respect have used this space to post general updates about their books, and honestly? I love them for it. So here we go.
5/16/23
Shady Depths has been in the world for a WHOLE MONTH. It's hard to believe it, but here we are! In that time, it received some excellent reviews and fantastic feedback. An author is nothing without readers and so I've acted on some of that feedback to, hopefully, create a more immersive and enjoyable reading experience.
Shady Depths now has a glossary (of sorts)! In both ebook and paperback, I've included a page from Keir's grimoire detailing the Ways (veins of magick) and what they can do. If you've already purchased a paperback or ebook edition, THANK YOU, and that new page can be found here.
5/16/23
Shady Depths has been in the world for a WHOLE MONTH. It's hard to believe it, but here we are! In that time, it received some excellent reviews and fantastic feedback. An author is nothing without readers and so I've acted on some of that feedback to, hopefully, create a more immersive and enjoyable reading experience.
Shady Depths now has a glossary (of sorts)! In both ebook and paperback, I've included a page from Keir's grimoire detailing the Ways (veins of magick) and what they can do. If you've already purchased a paperback or ebook edition, THANK YOU, and that new page can be found here.
April 9, 2023
》A witch running from heartbreak, a merman who hunts the stars, and the Shade which binds them both.《
Favorite quote: "Keir was a witch of control. ~ This stranger, this not-man, was the sea during a storm. " 💙
Review -
This book is the entryway into an urban fantasy world that I can't wait to return to!
Keir is a lovable, clumsy guy who loves passionately, even when it's clearly a risk. I absolutely love his brand of dark magick and seeing how he wrestles with his power and control.
Réalta is a man of mystery, but without being a typical "dark and broading" love interest. (I won't reveal much more about him because watching these two learn about each other was absolutely delightful.)
While, usually, I'm not someone who enjoys an instant attraction and connection - these two stole my heart. Toby was the main side character, and he shone in his own way. While Lou ended up not being 100% how i expected her to be by the end of the book. These character's all feel so well developed, and I'm sure we'll see more of them as the series continues.
Plus, other mentioned characters and larger plots are clearly going to come into play. I'm thoroughly dedicated to finding out how they all fit together.
Overall, Brown's writing is beautiful and descriptive without being too flowery.
As with most new fantasy books - especially ones with references and bits of real locations and curltures I'm unfamiliar with - the beginning had a lot of "wait, what is that?" moments. But, I've come to learn that comes with all well-built and detailed worlds. There is also a bit of Scottish slang that I had to look up, but it wasn't enough to break the immersion.
(I received this book as an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!)
Favorite quote: "Keir was a witch of control. ~ This stranger, this not-man, was the sea during a storm. " 💙
Review -
This book is the entryway into an urban fantasy world that I can't wait to return to!
Keir is a lovable, clumsy guy who loves passionately, even when it's clearly a risk. I absolutely love his brand of dark magick and seeing how he wrestles with his power and control.
Réalta is a man of mystery, but without being a typical "dark and broading" love interest. (I won't reveal much more about him because watching these two learn about each other was absolutely delightful.)
While, usually, I'm not someone who enjoys an instant attraction and connection - these two stole my heart. Toby was the main side character, and he shone in his own way. While Lou ended up not being 100% how i expected her to be by the end of the book. These character's all feel so well developed, and I'm sure we'll see more of them as the series continues.
Plus, other mentioned characters and larger plots are clearly going to come into play. I'm thoroughly dedicated to finding out how they all fit together.
Overall, Brown's writing is beautiful and descriptive without being too flowery.
As with most new fantasy books - especially ones with references and bits of real locations and curltures I'm unfamiliar with - the beginning had a lot of "wait, what is that?" moments. But, I've come to learn that comes with all well-built and detailed worlds. There is also a bit of Scottish slang that I had to look up, but it wasn't enough to break the immersion.
(I received this book as an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!)
April 16, 2023
The story about a witch and a merman that you didn’t know you needed. Pick this up for the mythology stay for the character getting to know each other. For the humor and a MMC that can’t get out of his own way, in the best of ways. This novella is a strong start to what may be a gripping world of magic and mythology and I cannot wait to dive deeper.
Thank you BL Brown for letting us into your world and for the the advanced copy.
Thank you BL Brown for letting us into your world and for the the advanced copy.
March 20, 2023
What a lovely story. This novella is the first entry into B.L. Brown’s witchy world of the paranormal, set in contemporary earth where the monsters are mostly hidden by hardworking witches self-governed by an organization called CROW.
This particular story is about Keir, a witch running away from a recent heartbreak and throwing himself into trying to catch a Lorelei with his witty friend Toby.
In trying to snare this slippery creature if German myth, Keir meets a mysterious man and falls for him.
This book contains lovely connections both with the friendship that Keir shares with his colleague Toby and also an enchanting one with Realta, the mysterious man of the sea. The spice is hot, and the romance charming. This little novella packs in a nice arc with suspense and action, and makes the reader want more of this witchy world. Brown is detail oriented and has thorough research to make the reader feel as if they are wandering through w the Netherlands. Keir is soulful and witty; an interesting character who draws you in.
In a nutshell: Quick read, great spice, tender romance, and good action. A heartbreaking end as well!
This particular story is about Keir, a witch running away from a recent heartbreak and throwing himself into trying to catch a Lorelei with his witty friend Toby.
In trying to snare this slippery creature if German myth, Keir meets a mysterious man and falls for him.
This book contains lovely connections both with the friendship that Keir shares with his colleague Toby and also an enchanting one with Realta, the mysterious man of the sea. The spice is hot, and the romance charming. This little novella packs in a nice arc with suspense and action, and makes the reader want more of this witchy world. Brown is detail oriented and has thorough research to make the reader feel as if they are wandering through w the Netherlands. Keir is soulful and witty; an interesting character who draws you in.
In a nutshell: Quick read, great spice, tender romance, and good action. A heartbreaking end as well!
May 11, 2023
Stars: 4.25, rounded up to 5
MMC(s): Keir, Réalta
Tropes: Unique magic, romantic harlingen, wandering merman, terrible puns, bromance, a lorelei far from home, sad witchy boy
>Reviewer add: Real world with magic, peril, complete magic system, European setting, magical violence, serious injury
Perspective: Third person
Plot or character driven: Both
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? Yes
> Detailed? Yes
> Multiple, with only one character? No.
> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes.
> Personal favorite? The one in the water.
> Anything else to note? Do not at me about these water scenes. I have a weakness.
Burn speed: Fast, 35%
Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes, as this is the first I’ve read in this universe, but see my review for further details.
Re-Readability: Yes, almost a necessity due to the level of worldbuilding and terminology.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Cliffhanger ending, memory loss.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
“The longer he stayed on his sister’s team performing the tasks C.R.O.W. asked of him, the more he lost sense of himself. He needed to leave his role as an Enforcer behind. Maybe put his degree to use and help desecrants and Shades alike to move on.”
Keir is a Dark Witch working for C.R.O.W. that wishes he wasn’t. He’s sent out with his bro, Toby, to take care of a lorelei that’s misbehaving and ends up finding something/someone he didn’t expect to find. Enter Réalta.
Every once in a while I venture out of my normal spheres and back into my home sphere of fantasy. And here we are. This is marketed as a novella, but at 200+ pages, this is only a novella compared to the fantasy epic tomes and this one is meaty. As other reviewers have stated, having a lexicon would have been fabulous, but the author was also fabulous and has one on her IG that I enjoyed. A lot of the language that is not English can still be understood using clues around the sentence to understand what was said, though I would have appreciated frequently used words to have also been in the lexicon.
That said – there’s a very interesting magic system at play, and I thoroughly appreciate the setting of the book along the edge of the Wadden Sea. I loved Keir, love the intricacies of the relationships around him, and I loved the world building aspects of it. A lot of time went into the language around the witches, and the magic system in general. I loved the development of Kier and Réalta’s relationship, but that ending, damn. This is a really, really fascinating world, and not going to lie, I want to see more of Keir and Réalta. MORE.
And oh, that cliffy hurt.
However, I really enjoyed the storytelling, and the story, and I hope we see them again.
I’m just a greedy fiend and I want more. If you want an immersive tale with a completely different magic system, here it is.
MMC(s): Keir, Réalta
Tropes: Unique magic, romantic harlingen, wandering merman, terrible puns, bromance, a lorelei far from home, sad witchy boy
>Reviewer add: Real world with magic, peril, complete magic system, European setting, magical violence, serious injury
Perspective: Third person
Plot or character driven: Both
Spicy scenes breakdown:
> Present? Yes
> Detailed? Yes
> Multiple, with only one character? No.
> Multiple, with both/multiple characters? Yes.
> Personal favorite? The one in the water.
> Anything else to note? Do not at me about these water scenes. I have a weakness.
Burn speed: Fast, 35%
Can this be read as a stand-alone: Yes, as this is the first I’ve read in this universe, but see my review for further details.
Re-Readability: Yes, almost a necessity due to the level of worldbuilding and terminology.
Content/Trigger Warnings/Enticements: Cliffhanger ending, memory loss.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book, and this is my voluntary, honest review.
“The longer he stayed on his sister’s team performing the tasks C.R.O.W. asked of him, the more he lost sense of himself. He needed to leave his role as an Enforcer behind. Maybe put his degree to use and help desecrants and Shades alike to move on.”
Keir is a Dark Witch working for C.R.O.W. that wishes he wasn’t. He’s sent out with his bro, Toby, to take care of a lorelei that’s misbehaving and ends up finding something/someone he didn’t expect to find. Enter Réalta.
Every once in a while I venture out of my normal spheres and back into my home sphere of fantasy. And here we are. This is marketed as a novella, but at 200+ pages, this is only a novella compared to the fantasy epic tomes and this one is meaty. As other reviewers have stated, having a lexicon would have been fabulous, but the author was also fabulous and has one on her IG that I enjoyed. A lot of the language that is not English can still be understood using clues around the sentence to understand what was said, though I would have appreciated frequently used words to have also been in the lexicon.
That said – there’s a very interesting magic system at play, and I thoroughly appreciate the setting of the book along the edge of the Wadden Sea. I loved Keir, love the intricacies of the relationships around him, and I loved the world building aspects of it. A lot of time went into the language around the witches, and the magic system in general. I loved the development of Kier and Réalta’s relationship, but that ending, damn. This is a really, really fascinating world, and not going to lie, I want to see more of Keir and Réalta. MORE.
And oh, that cliffy hurt.
However, I really enjoyed the storytelling, and the story, and I hope we see them again.
I’m just a greedy fiend and I want more. If you want an immersive tale with a completely different magic system, here it is.
April 26, 2023
MM with a Twist
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Going into the book I had not read the blurb and only had a few of the tropes to go off of. I knew this was MM, dealt with a merman and witches, was urban fantasy, and some mystery elements. I was intrigued and was ready to dive in!
The beginning portion of the book is a little difficult to grasp at first with the strong dialect of the MMC Keir and the various languages used, including spells. There isn’t a pronunciation guide and I found myself having to translate quite a bit. There’s also the world building accruing in introducing us to C.R.O.W., which is basically a task force of witches of varying skills (also another part that isn’t straight up explained but you’re able to get the idea of them as you go through the book). Having a guide/glossary for future books would definitely be helpful in keeping track of everything.
With that being said, as a debut novel, B.L. Brown gives us a pretty solid footing for subsequent novellas and the first book in the series. We follow in third person, but it is easy to read and keep up with characters as they are introduced.
Keir has a history of shacking up with various desecrants (other mythical beings outside of witches) while on the job, and it’s no surprise when he starts to fall for a mysterious “not-human”. There is instant attraction and steam between them. Keir’s co-witch, Toby is on the job with him and essentially his best friend. As they hunt down the mysterious Lorelei, things start to get interesting. Keir discovers his “not-human” is actually a merman. Réalta is everything Keir has never experienced before: being dominated, loved and cared for, an attentive lover, and someone who anchors him when his darkness starts to take control. The spice is kicked up a notch and let me tell you, was hot! Definitely a new read for me as a merman taking Keir in the water!
Then all of a sudden all heck breaks out and the plot twist was not on my radar and the ending was a surprise. The Epilogue fast forwards 2 years and shows POV from Lou, Keir’s sister. That last line just threw me and now I want to know more!
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
Going into the book I had not read the blurb and only had a few of the tropes to go off of. I knew this was MM, dealt with a merman and witches, was urban fantasy, and some mystery elements. I was intrigued and was ready to dive in!
The beginning portion of the book is a little difficult to grasp at first with the strong dialect of the MMC Keir and the various languages used, including spells. There isn’t a pronunciation guide and I found myself having to translate quite a bit. There’s also the world building accruing in introducing us to C.R.O.W., which is basically a task force of witches of varying skills (also another part that isn’t straight up explained but you’re able to get the idea of them as you go through the book). Having a guide/glossary for future books would definitely be helpful in keeping track of everything.
With that being said, as a debut novel, B.L. Brown gives us a pretty solid footing for subsequent novellas and the first book in the series. We follow in third person, but it is easy to read and keep up with characters as they are introduced.
Keir has a history of shacking up with various desecrants (other mythical beings outside of witches) while on the job, and it’s no surprise when he starts to fall for a mysterious “not-human”. There is instant attraction and steam between them. Keir’s co-witch, Toby is on the job with him and essentially his best friend. As they hunt down the mysterious Lorelei, things start to get interesting. Keir discovers his “not-human” is actually a merman. Réalta is everything Keir has never experienced before: being dominated, loved and cared for, an attentive lover, and someone who anchors him when his darkness starts to take control. The spice is kicked up a notch and let me tell you, was hot! Definitely a new read for me as a merman taking Keir in the water!
Then all of a sudden all heck breaks out and the plot twist was not on my radar and the ending was a surprise. The Epilogue fast forwards 2 years and shows POV from Lou, Keir’s sister. That last line just threw me and now I want to know more!
May 12, 2023
Rescuing Keir . . .
Keir Simmons is an enforcer (bounty hunter) who chases after felons for C.R.O.W., the monitoring agency of the witches. His current assignment is to track a rogue lorelei which leads to an encounter which may change his life. He meets up with a “not-human” midnight diver who turns out to be a merman named Réalta. The merman protects him from the lorelei who was trying to kill him, then he takes him to land where Toby can get to him with a dry coat as he shivered from the cold. But as Toby approached, his rescuer swam away, leaving him in Toby’s care. Will Keir ever see his rescuer again? Will he find out what he is? Where will this encounter ultimately lead him?
This story was a bit difficult to read at times because of the foreign words and accents which I found distracting. But the overall story was good and kept the reader’s attention. There is much more to follow, so grab your copy and see what the future has in store for Keir and his mysterious savior.
Keir Simmons is an enforcer (bounty hunter) who chases after felons for C.R.O.W., the monitoring agency of the witches. His current assignment is to track a rogue lorelei which leads to an encounter which may change his life. He meets up with a “not-human” midnight diver who turns out to be a merman named Réalta. The merman protects him from the lorelei who was trying to kill him, then he takes him to land where Toby can get to him with a dry coat as he shivered from the cold. But as Toby approached, his rescuer swam away, leaving him in Toby’s care. Will Keir ever see his rescuer again? Will he find out what he is? Where will this encounter ultimately lead him?
This story was a bit difficult to read at times because of the foreign words and accents which I found distracting. But the overall story was good and kept the reader’s attention. There is much more to follow, so grab your copy and see what the future has in store for Keir and his mysterious savior.
May 11, 2023
I loved love loved reading this book. The characters were witty and cute and lovely. They cared for each other very deeply and went to great lengths to protect each other. They also allowed themselves to be vulnerable around each other and that’s one thing you don’t find in a lot of books. Two headstrong characters that fall to each other’s feet. I honestly wish this book was longer so I could keep giggling and kicking my feet and adoring the love that these characters shared. I would highly recommend this book. It’s a short and fun read. The author did an amazing job of bringing the characters struggles to life. It made the book much more real and intense which in turn made the characters love even more genuine and pure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2024
Thats how it ends?!?!
I was little lost in this book the background with the magic and the c.r.o.w.s wasnt explained very well or with keir and his sister why she wont just let him go also so many different languages that was hard to follow
****Spoilers ahead*******
But that ending was sooo disappointing like i will probably not read any more of this authors books because of it. They just erase his memory of his merman which was so messed up they were so sweet together and make him think he seduced that other girl
And the pov epiloge in his sisters pov years later and they still haven't found eachother again and he states that merman arent real whaaat?? That was so heartbreaking and so disappointing 😭 and there was no like notes in the back of the book even hinting at another book between the 2 mmcs
I was little lost in this book the background with the magic and the c.r.o.w.s wasnt explained very well or with keir and his sister why she wont just let him go also so many different languages that was hard to follow
****Spoilers ahead*******
But that ending was sooo disappointing like i will probably not read any more of this authors books because of it. They just erase his memory of his merman which was so messed up they were so sweet together and make him think he seduced that other girl
And the pov epiloge in his sisters pov years later and they still haven't found eachother again and he states that merman arent real whaaat?? That was so heartbreaking and so disappointing 😭 and there was no like notes in the back of the book even hinting at another book between the 2 mmcs
April 19, 2023
The story about a witch and a merman is a whole new take on magic and Mythology that is unlike anything you’ve ever read. This will have you staying for the MMC and the humor. The MMC tends to get in his own way and it’s for the best. This is a strong start as a novella for a series and new world you can’t wait to delve deeper into!
Shady Depths is the first in a new series with a relationship that takes place between a Dark Witch who works for C.R.O.W and a Merman. The writing is perfectly written with the characters, descriptions and dialogue. You will get pulled in immediately and continue to stay for everything to unfold. This was a fast read I didn’t want to put down.
Shady Depths is the first in a new series with a relationship that takes place between a Dark Witch who works for C.R.O.W and a Merman. The writing is perfectly written with the characters, descriptions and dialogue. You will get pulled in immediately and continue to stay for everything to unfold. This was a fast read I didn’t want to put down.
April 30, 2023
~A witch running from heartbreak, a merman who hunts the stars, and the Shade which binds them both.~
This book was SO GOOD! It took me a few chapters to get used to the way they talked (some Irish and German dialect), but once I did I couldn't put it down! My family was about ready to send out a search party to look for me, but I finished the book in one day lol. It was my first mm romance and now I'm hooked! I can't wait for the next book to come out later this year!
(I received this book as an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.)
This book was SO GOOD! It took me a few chapters to get used to the way they talked (some Irish and German dialect), but once I did I couldn't put it down! My family was about ready to send out a search party to look for me, but I finished the book in one day lol. It was my first mm romance and now I'm hooked! I can't wait for the next book to come out later this year!
(I received this book as an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.)
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January 9, 2025I have no idea how to rate this. I really enjoyed the story -- the friendship yet overseer relationship between Kier and Toby is only background but it's beautifully complex. What's between the MCs is gorgeous and some amazing yearning. But that ending is just...NOT what I wanted. I feel cheated. Part of me wants to read Ritual Income, but only if I have some sort of guarantee that Kier will find his own HEA, and I doubt I'm gonna get that reassurance. Sigh. I want to give it a chance, but...I also don't wanna waste my reading hours.
March 4, 2025
3.5 stars, maybe rounded up to 4. This is a novella, so it's not really focused on going into depth with worldbuilding and how the magic system actually works, and relies more on a quick-moving narrative and characters to push it along, along with tension between the main charcters as love interests. It works, overall, and it's a fun little dark read with some fun m/m smut paranormal scenes thrown in.
Nothing serious, but well-done short focus, and I actually enjoyed the shift with the end.
Nothing serious, but well-done short focus, and I actually enjoyed the shift with the end.
August 26, 2025
Beautiful and bittersweet. I wish I had read this CROW book first instead of last (it is technically the first, I just read them all out of order because of course I did) because now I’m feeling the need to reread Ritual Income and Ritual Dues to get that (eventual) comforting HEA goodness after this HFN. The author has an incredible way of eliciting emotion and I’m once again going to be stuck thinking about these characters for a long, long time.
July 18, 2025
Wow. This was so good. It had me hooked almost instantly.
I picked it up at a signing and the author recommended reading Ritual Income since it has more world building. I’m not sure I’d agree, the world building was enough in this one.
The story is engaging. The characters are so wonderful. The ending is just…ugh!
I picked it up at a signing and the author recommended reading Ritual Income since it has more world building. I’m not sure I’d agree, the world building was enough in this one.
The story is engaging. The characters are so wonderful. The ending is just…ugh!
May 2, 2023
It’s an amazing & beautiful relationship between a Dark Witch who works for C.R.O.W & a Merman who finds accepts him. It had me immediately hooked!! Once you start you won’t want to put it down! The spice was soooo good 👀 I definitely need more !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2023
its complicated to read tbh. i read many books but this was one of the most complicated to understand.
May 29, 2023
A compelling story beautifully written with great characters, a lovely romance, and lots of intensity.
July 5, 2023
Actually did not finish, a rarity for me. Just not my "cup of tea!"
April 2, 2024
My review for this book is crazy late so let's just say this one was the beginning of my love for Witches of C.R.O.W. and the lead male character <<.......
April 15, 2024
good
This was a good book. But be warned, this doesn’t end on a happy ever after or even a happy for now. I’m really sad, especially for the Other.
This was a good book. But be warned, this doesn’t end on a happy ever after or even a happy for now. I’m really sad, especially for the Other.
January 1, 2025
3.5 I was intrigued by this, but it was ultimately not a good fit for me.
June 13, 2023
Shady Depths by B.L. Brown is the 1st book in The Witches of C.R.O.W series which is not complete.
Tropes:
✔️ MM Relationship
✔️ Witch / Merman
✔️ NO HEA
✔️ Available on KU
POV: Third Person Single 🧑
Rating: 4/10 (⭐️⭐️)
🌶️🌶️/3
🌶 Starts about 30%
Im not really sure what I just read… I was and am pretty confused about the magic system and world in general. I also had Siri read me part of it and that did not help me at all especially with the dialogue (language/ accent used). I’m not sure if I was supposed to read something before this that would help me out but overall I was in a constant state of WT Fuck.
Was it hot… definitely, am I pissed about the ending… also definitely like what the hell was that.
✨“You do not need to beg,” Réalta mused. His fingers curled around Keir’s aching cock, pumping once. “Not when you have been so good.”✨
A witch running from heartbreak, a merman who hunts the stars, and the Shade which binds them both.
Keir Simmons, a bounty hunter for the Coven for the Regulation and Oversight of Witches, has made a career out of running away from his problems. Blindsided by a break-up, he leaps at the first assignment he’s offered, one that will take him far away from his ex: chasing a rogue lorelei to the edge of the European continent.
When a chance encounter with a midnight diver leaves the pair inextricably linked, Keir is caught between his responsibilities as a C.R.O.W. Enforcer, his past as a questionably wicked witch, and his broken, but beating heart. With C.R.O.W. breathing down his neck and the lorelei continuing to evade capture, it becomes harder and harder to turn away from his unlikely ally — a man with a secret lurking just beneath the surface.
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨: Death, Depression, Violence
Tropes:
✔️ MM Relationship
✔️ Witch / Merman
✔️ NO HEA
✔️ Available on KU
POV: Third Person Single 🧑
Rating: 4/10 (⭐️⭐️)
🌶️🌶️/3
🌶 Starts about 30%
Im not really sure what I just read… I was and am pretty confused about the magic system and world in general. I also had Siri read me part of it and that did not help me at all especially with the dialogue (language/ accent used). I’m not sure if I was supposed to read something before this that would help me out but overall I was in a constant state of WT Fuck.
Was it hot… definitely, am I pissed about the ending… also definitely like what the hell was that.
✨“You do not need to beg,” Réalta mused. His fingers curled around Keir’s aching cock, pumping once. “Not when you have been so good.”✨
A witch running from heartbreak, a merman who hunts the stars, and the Shade which binds them both.
Keir Simmons, a bounty hunter for the Coven for the Regulation and Oversight of Witches, has made a career out of running away from his problems. Blindsided by a break-up, he leaps at the first assignment he’s offered, one that will take him far away from his ex: chasing a rogue lorelei to the edge of the European continent.
When a chance encounter with a midnight diver leaves the pair inextricably linked, Keir is caught between his responsibilities as a C.R.O.W. Enforcer, his past as a questionably wicked witch, and his broken, but beating heart. With C.R.O.W. breathing down his neck and the lorelei continuing to evade capture, it becomes harder and harder to turn away from his unlikely ally — a man with a secret lurking just beneath the surface.
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨: Death, Depression, Violence
April 22, 2023
This book was so good!!! The drama, the spice, the relationship between the two MCs! I’m giving it a 4 star tho cause it was a little hard to follow at times. There are uses of different languages (I.E. Irish & German) that I didn’t understand. After a while tho you pick up and the story just sucks you right in! 10/10 recommend if you are looking for a spicy M/M romance with magic and mermaids!
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