What do you think?
Rate this book
Blackwicket
In the coastal town of Nightglass, Blackwicket House looms on the cliffs, far from the charming streets bustling with wealthy visitors seeking to experience a bit of real magic. Once an esteemed Inn with a reputation for healing, it now serves only as a grim warning to anyone tempted by curses. With Fiona Blackwicket, its sole caretaker, newly deceased, it stands empty - a dangerous thing for Blackwicket House to be.
Compelled out of hiding by the sudden death of her sister, Eleanora Blackwicket is forced back to her infamous family home with hasty intentions to bury Fiona and return to her life on the run. Her plans are waylaid when the Brom, an underworld organization specializing in black-market magic, catch wind of her presence and turn an interested eye on her rumored affinity for curse eating.
To complicate things, Victor Harrow, a ruthless yet alluring inspector for the anti-magic government agency, The Authority, has arrived in Nightglass. His one job: to cripple the Brom and anyone associated with them, including, and especially, the last Blackwicket.
But there's something more sinister to Inspector Harrow than his government agenda, a violent history intrinsically linked to Eleanora's darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her life and open a long-hidden door to the worst kind of magic, setting all the monsters free.
Compelled out of hiding by the sudden death of her sister, Eleanora Blackwicket is forced back to her infamous family home with hasty intentions to bury Fiona and return to her life on the run. Her plans are waylaid when the Brom, an underworld organization specializing in black-market magic, catch wind of her presence and turn an interested eye on her rumored affinity for curse eating.
To complicate things, Victor Harrow, a ruthless yet alluring inspector for the anti-magic government agency, The Authority, has arrived in Nightglass. His one job: to cripple the Brom and anyone associated with them, including, and especially, the last Blackwicket.
But there's something more sinister to Inspector Harrow than his government agenda, a violent history intrinsically linked to Eleanora's darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her life and open a long-hidden door to the worst kind of magic, setting all the monsters free.
420 pages, Paperback
Published September 9, 2025
296 people are currently reading
20819 people want to read
About the author
Bea Northwick
3 books692 followersBea Northwick is a lover of magical, spooky, and romantic things. She owns too much perfume, can’t pick an aesthetic, and loves 80s movies. She lives with her husband, children, dogs, and a black cat in the sunny American South where she dreams daily of Irish cottages and rain swept Scottish castles.
Praise for THE CRUEL DARK
"Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance as Millie explores the dark secrets hidden in Willowfield’s shadows..." - Kirkus Reviews
"This gothic is sumptuous, jolting, and occasionally—like Willowfield’s gardens—blooming with hope." BookLife
Praise for BLACKWICKET
This dark, eerie fantasy makes it clear from the start that it’s impossible to hide from your destiny—or your mistakes..Northwick’s themes of family, secrets, and isolation dominate, mixed with moments of lush romance and fierce self-scrutiny that tease the promise of lighter moments on the horizon for this besieged heroine." Publishers Weekly BookLife
Praise for THE CRUEL DARK
"Northwick presents a dark love story that sparkles with elements of gothic horror and more modern romance as Millie explores the dark secrets hidden in Willowfield’s shadows..." - Kirkus Reviews
"This gothic is sumptuous, jolting, and occasionally—like Willowfield’s gardens—blooming with hope." BookLife
Praise for BLACKWICKET
This dark, eerie fantasy makes it clear from the start that it’s impossible to hide from your destiny—or your mistakes..Northwick’s themes of family, secrets, and isolation dominate, mixed with moments of lush romance and fierce self-scrutiny that tease the promise of lighter moments on the horizon for this besieged heroine." Publishers Weekly BookLife
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
August 3, 2025
The dark atmospheric of this novel is incredible! I absolutely loved this book, from beginning to end. It was eerie, emotional, mysterious, tense and sad. This is more of a slow paced read, that is both plot and character driven. It was very thought provoking, easy to read and came with effective visuals. It is beautifully written, came with a clear thesis and is full of dark fantasy! The magic, secrets and the horror that this book came with was extremely entertaining! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!
“Blackwicket” is book one of the Dark Hall series. It is a novel about a Blackwicket house, which is nested off of the cliffs. It is currently a relic for curses, but it used to be a healing inn. Eleanora Blackwicket comes back to the town, to bury her sister who passed away suddenly. Her plan takes a turn and ominous things start happening! The authority gets involved and Eleanora’s dark forces will get released if they are provoked! This is an amazing dark and eerie novel that you don’t want to miss out on!
I think fans of gothic horror, along with supernatural realism, would really enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include death, grief and violence and trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Bea Northwick and Northwick Books for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on September 9, 2025!
“Blackwicket” is book one of the Dark Hall series. It is a novel about a Blackwicket house, which is nested off of the cliffs. It is currently a relic for curses, but it used to be a healing inn. Eleanora Blackwicket comes back to the town, to bury her sister who passed away suddenly. Her plan takes a turn and ominous things start happening! The authority gets involved and Eleanora’s dark forces will get released if they are provoked! This is an amazing dark and eerie novel that you don’t want to miss out on!
I think fans of gothic horror, along with supernatural realism, would really enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include death, grief and violence and trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Bea Northwick and Northwick Books for this digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is expected to be published on September 9, 2025!
August 3, 2025
3.5 stars
Gothic and atmospheric, with beautiful prose. Blackwicket has the perfect vibes for an autumn or spooky-season read.
Our main character, Eleanora, is a Curse-Eater, quite literally, who has unsuccessfully spent her adulthood trying to escape her heritage. When she is called back to her hometown after the passing of her sister, she’s forced to face her past head-on, while avoiding being ensnared in a plot by an underground, illegal-magic organization and an Inspector who is searching for any reason to take her down.
Stepping into the coastal town of Nightglass is reminiscent of Fairydale to me, which I greatly enjoyed, as they both share similarities of mysterious townsfolk, unnatural occurrences, and secrets of the past coming to light in a vintage setting.
I found the magic system to be unique, but I struggled to follow it throughout the book, which made me disengage with the story at times and heavily influenced my rating.
It’s important to note that this is a slower read, which is not a criticism, but if you’re looking for something fast-paced I’d recommend saving this for a time when you’re able to slow down and give it the attention it requires. Even though it wasn’t a 5 star read for me, I’d absolutely recommend this book for the vibes and beautiful writing.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Gothic and atmospheric, with beautiful prose. Blackwicket has the perfect vibes for an autumn or spooky-season read.
Our main character, Eleanora, is a Curse-Eater, quite literally, who has unsuccessfully spent her adulthood trying to escape her heritage. When she is called back to her hometown after the passing of her sister, she’s forced to face her past head-on, while avoiding being ensnared in a plot by an underground, illegal-magic organization and an Inspector who is searching for any reason to take her down.
Stepping into the coastal town of Nightglass is reminiscent of Fairydale to me, which I greatly enjoyed, as they both share similarities of mysterious townsfolk, unnatural occurrences, and secrets of the past coming to light in a vintage setting.
I found the magic system to be unique, but I struggled to follow it throughout the book, which made me disengage with the story at times and heavily influenced my rating.
It’s important to note that this is a slower read, which is not a criticism, but if you’re looking for something fast-paced I’d recommend saving this for a time when you’re able to slow down and give it the attention it requires. Even though it wasn’t a 5 star read for me, I’d absolutely recommend this book for the vibes and beautiful writing.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
November 24, 2025
This was a hard one; not because I didn’t enjoy this book, because I immensely enjoyed it. I seriously enjoyed it so much to the point where it was at times impossible to put down. But yet I feel like I didn’t understand half of what was going on. I needed so much more context to what was going on, more of the magic and how it worked, and what some things were and honestly? I just needed a damn glossary for the terms. At times it really was so confusing because some things just aren’t gone into detail mom not sure if this was on purpose to kind of string you along and to keep you on your toes or maybe we will find out more in the next book? Because it dos end off on a huge yet confusing cliffhanger.
If anyone has read this book and you had more of a sense what was going on, please don’t hesitate to let me know because your girl is in the dark as much as others it seems🤣 While it was a little confusing at times, I still absolutely loved this story and ate it up. I just NEED a little more clarification on some things and to have more terms, places, and things explained to me so I can have more of an understanding with what is going on because the parts I did know? It was amazing and dark, and so unique and all of the twists and turns going on in this book had me on a wild ride. There were at times were I was seriously thrown for a loop and was completely shocked by what happened. I honestly cannot wait for the next one, hoping and praying for a glossary😩
*Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author Bea Northwick for the ARC!*
If anyone has read this book and you had more of a sense what was going on, please don’t hesitate to let me know because your girl is in the dark as much as others it seems🤣 While it was a little confusing at times, I still absolutely loved this story and ate it up. I just NEED a little more clarification on some things and to have more terms, places, and things explained to me so I can have more of an understanding with what is going on because the parts I did know? It was amazing and dark, and so unique and all of the twists and turns going on in this book had me on a wild ride. There were at times were I was seriously thrown for a loop and was completely shocked by what happened. I honestly cannot wait for the next one, hoping and praying for a glossary😩
*Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, and the author Bea Northwick for the ARC!*
September 9, 2025
Thank you so much Victory Editing NetGalley for the arc!
"What we can do, most people forgot how to. It hurts them too much to remember."
- Prohibited magic
- Magical syndicate
- Slow-burn
- 1920s/30s setting
- Family legacies
What I liked:
- I loved the worldbuilding right away. It reminded me of a classic film noir but with added roaring 20s vibes! Department stores with enchanted displays, gloomy towns with velvety nightclubs and the biggest magical syndicate is selling a forbidden kind of twisted magic! Soo good! Additionally there’s also a creepy gothic cliffside mansion the town’s children make rhymes about.
What I didn’t like:
- The magic system was unique and complex but unfortunately it was never explained enough. Especially in the beginning terms like Dark Hall, Curse Eater, Drudge were constantly used, never explained, yet you were expected to grasp the dire situation the main character was in. My constant questions unfortunately distracted me from enjoying the story the as much as I could have.
Writing style: 2,5/5
Characters: 3/5
Story & Plot: 3/5
Vibes: 4/5
"What we can do, most people forgot how to. It hurts them too much to remember."
- Prohibited magic
- Magical syndicate
- Slow-burn
- 1920s/30s setting
- Family legacies
What I liked:
- I loved the worldbuilding right away. It reminded me of a classic film noir but with added roaring 20s vibes! Department stores with enchanted displays, gloomy towns with velvety nightclubs and the biggest magical syndicate is selling a forbidden kind of twisted magic! Soo good! Additionally there’s also a creepy gothic cliffside mansion the town’s children make rhymes about.
What I didn’t like:
- The magic system was unique and complex but unfortunately it was never explained enough. Especially in the beginning terms like Dark Hall, Curse Eater, Drudge were constantly used, never explained, yet you were expected to grasp the dire situation the main character was in. My constant questions unfortunately distracted me from enjoying the story the as much as I could have.
Writing style: 2,5/5
Characters: 3/5
Story & Plot: 3/5
Vibes: 4/5
September 19, 2025
2 stars (upon reflection)
I think this is a really hard review to write as I wanted to really like this, but I really had a hard time wrapping my mind around the world and magic system. I’m also very confused if this is supposed to be a standalone or a series as the ending is very open ended.
I think a glossary and a map would have really helped out a lot in terms of clearing up many of the words/terms that I couldn’t understand.
The romance was very meh because it barely gets any page time. It’s like they were strangers one second and then the next bang they were having s@x. I think showing the times they spent off page meeting each other (before the events in the book happened) would have built more tension and intrigue around the romance.
Really this book should have been two separate books or there should have been 200+ more pages. I feel like Northwick tried to accomplish too much in just 400 pages. I liked the idea for this story, but it just needed to be fleshed out better and it needed more page time to accomplish that.
Honestly, I would love to see Northwick re-edit this into a series or a longer book. She has talent, but this book felt rushed and crammed into just 400 pages.
I’m still confused on the concept of their magic system and the drudges and how curses turn into drudges. And how some drudges are sentient and others are not 😅 It got to be very confusing. I would have also appreciated more explanation of Elsewhere, the war, and how kids are made in Dark Hall but somehow aren’t drudges (but are basically cousins to drudges).
I did like the gothic vibes, the atmospheric writing, the characters for the most part, and the 1920s/30s esque setting. I also enjoyed that I couldn’t guess most of the plot twists (which may have been because I couldn’t understand what was going on half the time 😅). Which was a big complaint I had for Cruel Dark.
I will read more from this author and I hope she keeps writing more gothic horror.
I think this is a really hard review to write as I wanted to really like this, but I really had a hard time wrapping my mind around the world and magic system. I’m also very confused if this is supposed to be a standalone or a series as the ending is very open ended.
I think a glossary and a map would have really helped out a lot in terms of clearing up many of the words/terms that I couldn’t understand.
The romance was very meh because it barely gets any page time. It’s like they were strangers one second and then the next bang they were having s@x. I think showing the times they spent off page meeting each other (before the events in the book happened) would have built more tension and intrigue around the romance.
Really this book should have been two separate books or there should have been 200+ more pages. I feel like Northwick tried to accomplish too much in just 400 pages. I liked the idea for this story, but it just needed to be fleshed out better and it needed more page time to accomplish that.
Honestly, I would love to see Northwick re-edit this into a series or a longer book. She has talent, but this book felt rushed and crammed into just 400 pages.
I’m still confused on the concept of their magic system and the drudges and how curses turn into drudges. And how some drudges are sentient and others are not 😅 It got to be very confusing. I would have also appreciated more explanation of Elsewhere, the war, and how kids are made in Dark Hall but somehow aren’t drudges (but are basically cousins to drudges).
I did like the gothic vibes, the atmospheric writing, the characters for the most part, and the 1920s/30s esque setting. I also enjoyed that I couldn’t guess most of the plot twists (which may have been because I couldn’t understand what was going on half the time 😅). Which was a big complaint I had for Cruel Dark.
I will read more from this author and I hope she keeps writing more gothic horror.
September 8, 2025
This was such a unique, captivating story that sucked me right in from the very first chapter. I loved pretty much everything about it. From the old fifties feel, to the magic and mystery. The romance was a nice added bonus that I was not expecting. Overall, this was just such a fun yet dark story that kept me turning the pages and coming back for more.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Want to read
March 6, 2025I AM SITTING RIGHT HERE UNTIL IT IS PUBLISHED!!!
I literally can't wait!
I literally can't wait!
September 23, 2025
arc review to come 🖤
Want to read
May 11, 2025Listen, how does a girlie apply for an ARC because I was FERAL for THE CRUEL DARK and LOVER and istg, I recommend them at least once a week.
August 20, 2025
Sadly a DNF for me. Slogged through to 43% and still waiting for it to connect. Loved the setting and the gothic vibe - no doubt the author is a strong writer - but I found the pacing slow and didn’t care for the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity.
August 14, 2025
“𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲.”
So, for starters: WHAT THE HECK?! Leaving me in the dark like that is unkind, and quite frankly, should be a chargeable offence. I need more and I need it right now.
The first half of this book? Pure atmospheric bliss—gothic, ghostly, and gloriously ghastly, just the way I like it! Then the second half started, and oh boy, did the plot get thick! Every time I thought I could breathe, something twisted me sideways and left me stunned. And, BAM! Another twist, and honestly, I wasn’t mad about them! Well, maybe a few because the villain is a grotesque slimebag that needs to perish immediately.
The romance in this was scrumptious. When I’m reading romantasy, I like my men dark, broody and broken, and our MMC delivers on all fronts. Our FMC managed to slowly break down his walls and his mask, and what happened next I was… phew, I can’t even say but I wasn’t ready. Now, I’m not much of a smut reader, and I don’t really care about it when I do read books that have it, but this one had me cold showering—no, like, I literally had to have a cold shower because of it.
Northwick crafted an incredibly intriguing and atmospheric world that I’m quite happy doesn’t exist. The side characters were not just there for filler; they each brought something unique to the story. And the writing was a dream! I do wish the magic system was fleshed out a little more, but it was kind of refreshing to learn about it as our FMC was.
This book was a wild mix of spine-tingling suspense and heart-pounding romance, and I can’t wait to read more by Northwick.
Thank you Bea Northwick and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
So, for starters: WHAT THE HECK?! Leaving me in the dark like that is unkind, and quite frankly, should be a chargeable offence. I need more and I need it right now.
The first half of this book? Pure atmospheric bliss—gothic, ghostly, and gloriously ghastly, just the way I like it! Then the second half started, and oh boy, did the plot get thick! Every time I thought I could breathe, something twisted me sideways and left me stunned. And, BAM! Another twist, and honestly, I wasn’t mad about them! Well, maybe a few because the villain is a grotesque slimebag that needs to perish immediately.
The romance in this was scrumptious. When I’m reading romantasy, I like my men dark, broody and broken, and our MMC delivers on all fronts. Our FMC managed to slowly break down his walls and his mask, and what happened next I was… phew, I can’t even say but I wasn’t ready. Now, I’m not much of a smut reader, and I don’t really care about it when I do read books that have it, but this one had me cold showering—no, like, I literally had to have a cold shower because of it.
Northwick crafted an incredibly intriguing and atmospheric world that I’m quite happy doesn’t exist. The side characters were not just there for filler; they each brought something unique to the story. And the writing was a dream! I do wish the magic system was fleshed out a little more, but it was kind of refreshing to learn about it as our FMC was.
This book was a wild mix of spine-tingling suspense and heart-pounding romance, and I can’t wait to read more by Northwick.
Thank you Bea Northwick and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
This book was so good that I was so upset that work and sleep interrupted it. Seriously, it's just so rude. My only issue with the book - could have used some flashbacks or a bit more explanations about things, like the curses, the war, even the different divisions like the Authority. There's enough that you can understand in content but more history would be good. Maybe a prequel book?
The book is super spicy, for those who are want to know that before reading the book. If you are looking for a clean book, this is not the one for you.
Definitely would recommend this!
This book was so good that I was so upset that work and sleep interrupted it. Seriously, it's just so rude. My only issue with the book - could have used some flashbacks or a bit more explanations about things, like the curses, the war, even the different divisions like the Authority. There's enough that you can understand in content but more history would be good. Maybe a prequel book?
The book is super spicy, for those who are want to know that before reading the book. If you are looking for a clean book, this is not the one for you.
Definitely would recommend this!
September 22, 2025
Bravo, Bea Northwick!!! Blackwicket reminded me of a Hitchcock film—full of suspense, atmosphere, razor-sharp dialogue, and that delicious feeling of being more voyeur than reader. The magical system and the drudges are unlike anything I’ve ever encountered, and I love a fresh, original storyline. So much today feels recycled, but this one pulled me in with its uniqueness.
I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to find my footing, but once I did, I was hooked. Every character is layered and complex, each playing their own dangerous game. There’s not a single innocent in the cast—this is a world where the powerful devour the weak, and the strong not only survive but thrive.
At its heart is Eleanora, a curse eater who walked away from Blackwicket House and her heritage to escape a gift she never wanted. She’s pulled back to Nightglass after her sister’s death, where William Nightglass—like his deranged father Grigori—plans to use her powers to fuel his own. But he doesn’t count on Victor Harrow, the Authority’s boogeyman, whose Jekyll-and-Hyde personality hides dark secrets…and whose dangerous attraction to Eleanora might unravel everything.
Victor and Eleanora’s chemistry is explosive. Enemies-to-lovers tension, close proximity, and raw desire collide into a primal, scorching bond. Add in sinister villains, creepy twists, and an ending I absolutely didn’t see coming, and you’ve got a Gothic Romance that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Bea Northwick is a natural storyteller with a sharp, imaginative mind. Blackwicket is fresh, dark, and unforgettable—I’m already craving whatever she writes next. Until next time, luvs 😉💋
I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to find my footing, but once I did, I was hooked. Every character is layered and complex, each playing their own dangerous game. There’s not a single innocent in the cast—this is a world where the powerful devour the weak, and the strong not only survive but thrive.
At its heart is Eleanora, a curse eater who walked away from Blackwicket House and her heritage to escape a gift she never wanted. She’s pulled back to Nightglass after her sister’s death, where William Nightglass—like his deranged father Grigori—plans to use her powers to fuel his own. But he doesn’t count on Victor Harrow, the Authority’s boogeyman, whose Jekyll-and-Hyde personality hides dark secrets…and whose dangerous attraction to Eleanora might unravel everything.
Victor and Eleanora’s chemistry is explosive. Enemies-to-lovers tension, close proximity, and raw desire collide into a primal, scorching bond. Add in sinister villains, creepy twists, and an ending I absolutely didn’t see coming, and you’ve got a Gothic Romance that kept me turning pages late into the night.
Bea Northwick is a natural storyteller with a sharp, imaginative mind. Blackwicket is fresh, dark, and unforgettable—I’m already craving whatever she writes next. Until next time, luvs 😉💋
Want to read
June 12, 2025I can already feel the 5 star energy coming off this.
September 21, 2025
This book needs to be adapted into a movie, but not just by any production. It has to be one that lives up to Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), because it haunts you with the same intensity, mixing terror, suspense, and romance. The author narrates such a gripping story with a gothic prose that traps you in a well-crafted atmosphere, perfect for the spooky season ahead.
The plot is novel, with an undefined and vague magical system that works in the setting, as the town of Nightglass is trapped in a cloak of silence, where a prohibited magic seems to be a valuable open secret, as various dangerous organizations hunt its users to seize its power to benefit from it. But our protagonist unwillingly will have to return to her family home, dragged back by the past she has tried so hard to escape, unearthing more than one generational secret and making enemies wherever she goes. Eleanora is the perfect heroine for this book: strong-willed, independent, and full of female rage; she doesn't shy away from violence to protect whom she loves. And in a bloody world like hers, she will need it.
Mystery is the main plot point, laden with an oppressive atmosphere where you can trust no one, but romance also shines through, and boy does it ever! There are certain aspects of the book that could use better explanation, and when the action takes over the plot in the last chapters, it all feels a bit disjointed, as everything is so abrupt and rushed. That's my only complaint, but overall I'm very happy and surprised by this discovery; I will certainly have to read more by this author.
The plot is novel, with an undefined and vague magical system that works in the setting, as the town of Nightglass is trapped in a cloak of silence, where a prohibited magic seems to be a valuable open secret, as various dangerous organizations hunt its users to seize its power to benefit from it. But our protagonist unwillingly will have to return to her family home, dragged back by the past she has tried so hard to escape, unearthing more than one generational secret and making enemies wherever she goes. Eleanora is the perfect heroine for this book: strong-willed, independent, and full of female rage; she doesn't shy away from violence to protect whom she loves. And in a bloody world like hers, she will need it.
Mystery is the main plot point, laden with an oppressive atmosphere where you can trust no one, but romance also shines through, and boy does it ever! There are certain aspects of the book that could use better explanation, and when the action takes over the plot in the last chapters, it all feels a bit disjointed, as everything is so abrupt and rushed. That's my only complaint, but overall I'm very happy and surprised by this discovery; I will certainly have to read more by this author.
August 10, 2025
4⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Blackwicket by Bea Northwick in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blackwicket is a gothic romantasy that delivered exactly the kind of atmosphere I love — dark, mysterious, and dripping with intrigue. 🖤 I especially enjoyed the sentient, old, creepy house 🏚️ with its own secrets and lurking monsters 👁️🕷️. It was the kind of setting that felt like a character in its own right.
The first half of the book was a solid 5⭐ for me — beautifully paced, brimming with tension, and full of that eerie, “something’s not right” feeling. The second half dipped closer to 3⭐, not because I didn’t enjoy the plot reveals (I did), but because some of the momentum felt lost, and the spice scenes 🌶️ weren’t really my thing. A few lingering questions also went unanswered, which left me a little unsatisfied.
Would I recommend it?
Yes ✅. If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric, gothic romantasy with mystery, monsters, and a house that feels alive 🕯️🌑, Blackwicket is worth stepping into.
#Blackwicket #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Blackwicket by Bea Northwick in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Blackwicket is a gothic romantasy that delivered exactly the kind of atmosphere I love — dark, mysterious, and dripping with intrigue. 🖤 I especially enjoyed the sentient, old, creepy house 🏚️ with its own secrets and lurking monsters 👁️🕷️. It was the kind of setting that felt like a character in its own right.
The first half of the book was a solid 5⭐ for me — beautifully paced, brimming with tension, and full of that eerie, “something’s not right” feeling. The second half dipped closer to 3⭐, not because I didn’t enjoy the plot reveals (I did), but because some of the momentum felt lost, and the spice scenes 🌶️ weren’t really my thing. A few lingering questions also went unanswered, which left me a little unsatisfied.
Would I recommend it?
Yes ✅. If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric, gothic romantasy with mystery, monsters, and a house that feels alive 🕯️🌑, Blackwicket is worth stepping into.
#Blackwicket #NetGalley
September 4, 2025
Gothic Fantasy/Sci-fi
Romance
Grim
Mystery
Family Legacies
Book 1 of a series
Everyone avoids the women from Blackwicket house. Eleanora’s attempt at moving away from the cursed house and the reputation that comes with being a Blackwell ends when she if forced to return after the sudden death of her sister.
I thought this was a great book. It is very different from anything I have read before and I was thoroughly entertained. This book is very dark with so much action and mystery. There is what I can only describe as a mafia of magic known as the Brom who has taken an interest in Eleanora and to make things even more complicated, the inn has a very unwanted guest who creates all sorts of havoc with her feelings.
I honestly recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc.
Romance
Grim
Mystery
Family Legacies
Book 1 of a series
Everyone avoids the women from Blackwicket house. Eleanora’s attempt at moving away from the cursed house and the reputation that comes with being a Blackwell ends when she if forced to return after the sudden death of her sister.
I thought this was a great book. It is very different from anything I have read before and I was thoroughly entertained. This book is very dark with so much action and mystery. There is what I can only describe as a mafia of magic known as the Brom who has taken an interest in Eleanora and to make things even more complicated, the inn has a very unwanted guest who creates all sorts of havoc with her feelings.
I honestly recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing for this e-arc.
August 25, 2025
Blackwicket is a moody, poetic venture into gothic fantasy, worth exploring for the lovers of dark romance, even if the world-building occasionally leaves you wanting more.
This Gothic romantasy grips with its dark beauty and emotional pull. The romance crackles between Eleanora and Victor, grounded by rich prose and set against an evocative coastal-curse backdrop.
However, if you're someone who craves clear-cut fantasy mechanics or fully fleshed side characters, you might find this book lacking.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for a review)
This Gothic romantasy grips with its dark beauty and emotional pull. The romance crackles between Eleanora and Victor, grounded by rich prose and set against an evocative coastal-curse backdrop.
However, if you're someone who craves clear-cut fantasy mechanics or fully fleshed side characters, you might find this book lacking.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for a review)
August 29, 2025
HOLYFKNAIRBALL
I NEED TO PROCESS AND THEN WRITE MY REVIEW, AND I WILL BE BACK WITH A LOT OF THOUGHTS, BUT AT THE MOMENT, MY MIND IS GOING ABSOLUTELY FERAL!!!
THIS BOOK WAS INSANE AND MY BRAIN IS WAY TOO TINY TO APPRECIATE ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THIS INSANE, CRAZY SPOOKY, SCARY BRILLIANT STORY.
I AM ACTUALLY SO MAD THAT THIS IS OVER. HOW DID THE AUTHOR COME UP WITH SOMETHING THIS AMAZING?!
UPDATE!!
So Blackwicket by Bea Northwick… wow. This book took me by surprise!! We’re thrown into Nightglass, a city where magic is forbidden... and rotting.
The magic system is honestly wild, and so different from anything I’ve read! Magic here rots into curses, and those curses take pieces of your soul. Drudges feed on that rotted magic, growing bigger and hungrier, while Curse Eaters are the unlucky ones who eat curses to stop them from spreading. But here’s the kicker, even if you remove the curse from someone and dump it into a dead body, it still eats away at your soul, leaving traces of curses/magic behind that attract more drudges. The whole thing is this vicious cycle, and Bea doesn’t hold back in showing just how destructive it is. And when someone consumes a curse, they get this temporary high, psychic strength, a euphoric rush, but with the side effect of this aching, toothache-like pain in your chest. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to drug lords, black-market dealers, and cartel-style power struggles. It feels intentional, and it makes the book feel so raw and grounded, even with all the gothic supernatural vibes.
The Authority, aka the government, is supposed to regulate Nightglass, but of course they’re completely corrupted. They’ve banned magic, but they’ve also created this messed-up system where black-market dealing thrives, and the “official” procedures for dealing with curse trading honestly just show how deep the rot goes in society (hehe get it?!). It felt like every layer of this world, whether it was the streets of Nightglass, the black-market dealings, or the politics of the Authority, was working against the characters. And I loved it!!
Now, character-wise… nobody in this book is good lol. And I mean nobody. Every single person has blood on their hands, skeletons in their closet, or secrets they’re desperate to keep. There are no neat “hero arcs” here, it’s just people doing whatever they can to survive in a city that’s basically built to crush them. I think that’s one of the things I loved most about Blackwicket. Everyone is morally gray, and you constantly find yourself questioning who you can actually root for. Eleonora, our main character, has been on the run for years under different names, and even though the story is told through her perspective, she is not this squeaky-clean heroine. And then you add Inspector Victor Harrow, basically Peaky Blinders vibes. The banter, the tension, the mistrust, all so delicious. And you’ve got this slow-burn, gothic romantasy that just works.
Every chapter had a twist, and Bea is honestly so clever with how she writes them. She drops tiny breadcrumbs (little magical objects, details you don’t think twice about) and then by the final chapters, everything comes full circle in ways that left me actually shocked. And not just once, I mean multiple times!! Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, she reveals something new about the same mystery that completely changes your perspective. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you sit back and think that was genius.
Note that the magic system is a lot to take in at first. But once I worked through it, it made the whole experience so rewarding, like unlocking a puzzle box where everything inside clicks together perfectly.
So yeah, this was book was dark, morally complex, mysterious, and completely addictive. Blackwicket is a gothic supernatural romantasy that had me flabbergasted more times than I can count, and I already know I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
I NEED TO PROCESS AND THEN WRITE MY REVIEW, AND I WILL BE BACK WITH A LOT OF THOUGHTS, BUT AT THE MOMENT, MY MIND IS GOING ABSOLUTELY FERAL!!!
THIS BOOK WAS INSANE AND MY BRAIN IS WAY TOO TINY TO APPRECIATE ALL THE ELEMENTS OF THIS INSANE, CRAZY SPOOKY, SCARY BRILLIANT STORY.
I AM ACTUALLY SO MAD THAT THIS IS OVER. HOW DID THE AUTHOR COME UP WITH SOMETHING THIS AMAZING?!
UPDATE!!
So Blackwicket by Bea Northwick… wow. This book took me by surprise!! We’re thrown into Nightglass, a city where magic is forbidden... and rotting.
The magic system is honestly wild, and so different from anything I’ve read! Magic here rots into curses, and those curses take pieces of your soul. Drudges feed on that rotted magic, growing bigger and hungrier, while Curse Eaters are the unlucky ones who eat curses to stop them from spreading. But here’s the kicker, even if you remove the curse from someone and dump it into a dead body, it still eats away at your soul, leaving traces of curses/magic behind that attract more drudges. The whole thing is this vicious cycle, and Bea doesn’t hold back in showing just how destructive it is. And when someone consumes a curse, they get this temporary high, psychic strength, a euphoric rush, but with the side effect of this aching, toothache-like pain in your chest. I couldn’t help but draw parallels to drug lords, black-market dealers, and cartel-style power struggles. It feels intentional, and it makes the book feel so raw and grounded, even with all the gothic supernatural vibes.
The Authority, aka the government, is supposed to regulate Nightglass, but of course they’re completely corrupted. They’ve banned magic, but they’ve also created this messed-up system where black-market dealing thrives, and the “official” procedures for dealing with curse trading honestly just show how deep the rot goes in society (hehe get it?!). It felt like every layer of this world, whether it was the streets of Nightglass, the black-market dealings, or the politics of the Authority, was working against the characters. And I loved it!!
Now, character-wise… nobody in this book is good lol. And I mean nobody. Every single person has blood on their hands, skeletons in their closet, or secrets they’re desperate to keep. There are no neat “hero arcs” here, it’s just people doing whatever they can to survive in a city that’s basically built to crush them. I think that’s one of the things I loved most about Blackwicket. Everyone is morally gray, and you constantly find yourself questioning who you can actually root for. Eleonora, our main character, has been on the run for years under different names, and even though the story is told through her perspective, she is not this squeaky-clean heroine. And then you add Inspector Victor Harrow, basically Peaky Blinders vibes. The banter, the tension, the mistrust, all so delicious. And you’ve got this slow-burn, gothic romantasy that just works.
Every chapter had a twist, and Bea is honestly so clever with how she writes them. She drops tiny breadcrumbs (little magical objects, details you don’t think twice about) and then by the final chapters, everything comes full circle in ways that left me actually shocked. And not just once, I mean multiple times!! Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, she reveals something new about the same mystery that completely changes your perspective. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you sit back and think that was genius.
Note that the magic system is a lot to take in at first. But once I worked through it, it made the whole experience so rewarding, like unlocking a puzzle box where everything inside clicks together perfectly.
So yeah, this was book was dark, morally complex, mysterious, and completely addictive. Blackwicket is a gothic supernatural romantasy that had me flabbergasted more times than I can count, and I already know I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
November 24, 2025
Really enjoyed this dark, gothic style fantasy romance. The magic system was interesting and felt unique (which isn’t easy these days!) and I like that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the story but still had lots of tension.
A lot was rushed into the last few chapters, with lots of reveals and ends tied up, ready for the next book.
A lot was rushed into the last few chapters, with lots of reveals and ends tied up, ready for the next book.
August 12, 2025
2.5 stars rounded up ⭐️
I really wanted to love this. Blackwicket had such great potential but fell short for me with the complexity of the world building and limited explanation of the magic systems.
One thing I will say is that Bea is consistently able to paint an eerie and haunting atmosphere; this is evident if you’ve read the Cruel Dark and Lover, which I personally loved. She excels in creating an environment that viscerally unsettles and immerses you at the same time. I can’t fault her lyrical writing as it was beautiful, I just wish it was accompanied with the success of a cohesive plot.
Even after finishing the book, I can confidentially say I have absolutely no idea how the Drudges and curse eating works. There felt like simultaneously so much information and yet not enough to grasp the concept. As the story began to conclude I found myself with more questions than answers, especially with the introduction of new worlds? I barely grasped the original.
Whilst unique in its premise, it wasn’t fully explained and felt like there were critical gaps missing which needed further explanation. This made me disengage with the book frequently and struggle to want to continue.
The author is an excellent writer and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another of her books as she writes beautifully. Perhaps this book was just not a fit for me personally, which is a shame as I love gothic fantasy and had high hopes based on the synopsis.
I really wanted to love this. Blackwicket had such great potential but fell short for me with the complexity of the world building and limited explanation of the magic systems.
One thing I will say is that Bea is consistently able to paint an eerie and haunting atmosphere; this is evident if you’ve read the Cruel Dark and Lover, which I personally loved. She excels in creating an environment that viscerally unsettles and immerses you at the same time. I can’t fault her lyrical writing as it was beautiful, I just wish it was accompanied with the success of a cohesive plot.
Even after finishing the book, I can confidentially say I have absolutely no idea how the Drudges and curse eating works. There felt like simultaneously so much information and yet not enough to grasp the concept. As the story began to conclude I found myself with more questions than answers, especially with the introduction of new worlds? I barely grasped the original.
Whilst unique in its premise, it wasn’t fully explained and felt like there were critical gaps missing which needed further explanation. This made me disengage with the book frequently and struggle to want to continue.
The author is an excellent writer and I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to pick up another of her books as she writes beautifully. Perhaps this book was just not a fit for me personally, which is a shame as I love gothic fantasy and had high hopes based on the synopsis.
August 2, 2025
2.5 ★ [rounded up]
Pretty, atmospheric writing with elegant prose, but the excessive descriptions made pacing feel slow at times.
While the magic was unique and intriguing, I also found it very confusing. The concepts of curses, drudges, dark hall, and how the magic system worked needed clearer explanation.
I thought the romance was good—slow burn and didn’t overshadow the plot. I liked the connection between Victor and Eleanora.
Overall, not bad but it didn't work for me. Loved the vintage 1920s/30s setting. Unfortunately, the messy magic system and slow pace made it hard for me to stay fully engaged.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
🥀gothic horror
🥀magical organized crime
🥀morally grey everyone
🥀monstrous lover
🥀slow burn romance
🥀enemies to lovers
🥀🌶️🌶️/5
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
Pretty, atmospheric writing with elegant prose, but the excessive descriptions made pacing feel slow at times.
While the magic was unique and intriguing, I also found it very confusing. The concepts of curses, drudges, dark hall, and how the magic system worked needed clearer explanation.
I thought the romance was good—slow burn and didn’t overshadow the plot. I liked the connection between Victor and Eleanora.
Overall, not bad but it didn't work for me. Loved the vintage 1920s/30s setting. Unfortunately, the messy magic system and slow pace made it hard for me to stay fully engaged.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭:
🥀gothic horror
🥀magical organized crime
🥀morally grey everyone
🥀monstrous lover
🥀slow burn romance
🥀enemies to lovers
🥀🌶️🌶️/5
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
October 4, 2025
‘ℑ’𝔡 𝔩𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔢𝔡 𝔢𝔫𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔱𝔬 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔡𝔞𝔯𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔡𝔢𝔳𝔬𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔡 𝔭𝔢𝔬𝔭𝔩𝔢 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔦𝔫𝔰𝔦𝔡𝔢 𝔬𝔲𝔱 𝔴𝔞𝔰 𝔬𝔣𝔱𝔢𝔫 𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔯 𝔬𝔴𝔫.’
“𝔗𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℑ 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔥 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔴𝔢𝔩𝔩.”
“𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔩𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔦𝔱,”
“𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔦𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔪𝔢, 𝔰𝔬𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔞𝔠𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔣𝔣𝔩𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫. 𝔅𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔫𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔦𝔰 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔭𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔣𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯.”
🖤🥀
Blackwicket was another one of my highly anticipated reads for September for good cause.
The premise of a gothic/horror story filled with female rage and a Jekyll/Hyde element? Yes please.
I was so curious to see how the magical system and Jekyll/Hyde element was going to work in this!
This was intriguing, filled with mystery and nuances that had me wondering what each chapter would bring. Eleanora (what a beautiful name fitting for the story) is running from her past, her origins. Despite everything she does, she just can’t slip away..
This story follows her tribulations of trying to escape her past. Her origins. Everything that she is, is in that old town, that old house.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading along to figure out what the FMC would do next. This was like a goose chase of strong magical oddities and in a world at war with the essence. The romance was slow to appear, and the tension that this provided was perfect. There magical system was very profound and complex, at times a little hard to follow along, but nonetheless intriguing and a strong element for the story. That house?! I found the pacing for this could be a little stand still in the first half, but moved well in the second and definitely towards the end.
I have questions about that ending! It was a beautiful way to tie it up.. but will we be seeing more of this?
Thank you for the arc Victory Editing NetGalley + to the author! 🖤
“𝔗𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔟𝔩𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 ℑ 𝔨𝔫𝔬𝔴 𝔢𝔞𝔠𝔥 𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯 𝔴𝔢𝔩𝔩.”
“𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔥𝔞𝔳𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔨𝔫𝔢𝔩𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔦𝔱,”
“𝔅𝔲𝔱 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔦𝔤𝔫𝔦𝔱𝔢 𝔪𝔢, 𝔰𝔬𝔬𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔞𝔠𝔥𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔞𝔣𝔣𝔩𝔦𝔠𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫. 𝔅𝔢𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔫𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔦𝔰 𝔩𝔦𝔨𝔢 𝔣𝔢𝔢𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔰𝔭𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔞𝔣𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔢𝔫𝔡𝔩𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔴𝔦𝔫𝔱𝔢𝔯.”
🖤🥀
Blackwicket was another one of my highly anticipated reads for September for good cause.
The premise of a gothic/horror story filled with female rage and a Jekyll/Hyde element? Yes please.
I was so curious to see how the magical system and Jekyll/Hyde element was going to work in this!
This was intriguing, filled with mystery and nuances that had me wondering what each chapter would bring. Eleanora (what a beautiful name fitting for the story) is running from her past, her origins. Despite everything she does, she just can’t slip away..
This story follows her tribulations of trying to escape her past. Her origins. Everything that she is, is in that old town, that old house.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading along to figure out what the FMC would do next. This was like a goose chase of strong magical oddities and in a world at war with the essence. The romance was slow to appear, and the tension that this provided was perfect. There magical system was very profound and complex, at times a little hard to follow along, but nonetheless intriguing and a strong element for the story. That house?! I found the pacing for this could be a little stand still in the first half, but moved well in the second and definitely towards the end.
I have questions about that ending! It was a beautiful way to tie it up.. but will we be seeing more of this?
Thank you for the arc Victory Editing NetGalley + to the author! 🖤
September 3, 2025
3.5 ★
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
Blackwicket follows a young Eleanora, who has tried her whole life to escape her past and heritage, until news of her sister's death brings her back to the place she first ran from, forced to confront all that was left behind.
This book is a perfect gothic, paranormal story for anyone who loves dark themes, family mysteries, slow-burn, and monsters 🥀 I enjoyed the atmospheric writing, as well as the unique magic system. The family mysteries and the eerie Blackwicket house had me wanting to know more and more behind them! If you love a slow burn, then you would enjoy Eleanora's and the Inspector's romance. For me, I found it a bit too slow to then all of a sudden, so I wasn't fully convinced of their relationship. Buuut, I did really like that they're both morally grey
I did find the book had a lot of telling rather than showing, as well. Some descriptions were difficult to imagine which made for a lack of engagement. The author's writing is beautiful, but some things weren't fully explained, and I found certain details to be confusing. It picked up towards the end, but I was often drifting and zoning out, just skimming the words.
I do recommend this to anyone who loves a good, eerie book. Especially in time for the fall!🖤
Thank you to the author for an ARC!
Blackwicket follows a young Eleanora, who has tried her whole life to escape her past and heritage, until news of her sister's death brings her back to the place she first ran from, forced to confront all that was left behind.
This book is a perfect gothic, paranormal story for anyone who loves dark themes, family mysteries, slow-burn, and monsters 🥀 I enjoyed the atmospheric writing, as well as the unique magic system. The family mysteries and the eerie Blackwicket house had me wanting to know more and more behind them! If you love a slow burn, then you would enjoy Eleanora's and the Inspector's romance. For me, I found it a bit too slow to then all of a sudden, so I wasn't fully convinced of their relationship. Buuut, I did really like that they're both morally grey
I did find the book had a lot of telling rather than showing, as well. Some descriptions were difficult to imagine which made for a lack of engagement. The author's writing is beautiful, but some things weren't fully explained, and I found certain details to be confusing. It picked up towards the end, but I was often drifting and zoning out, just skimming the words.
I do recommend this to anyone who loves a good, eerie book. Especially in time for the fall!🖤
September 6, 2025
2.5⭐️ this started out so promising, the writing and the atmosphere and the world was so rich I was convinced it would be a 5 star. But then the magic system just got so convoluted and confusing, the pacing was sooo terribly slow and the romance was weird. It felt solely physical to me and I also did not think he would be the love interest, I was imagining him to be not someone who could be a potential love interest anyway. I think it would make a great movie with the rich setting and the fun premise, I can imagine the drudges would show great on screen. I loved the writing, I would definitely pick up something from this author again but this was just a bit too slow paced and confusing magic system for me. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc. Due to be published 9/9.
September 24, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ It could be a five-star read if I had a better grasp of the magic system and the whole curse eating thing
October 29, 2025
A surprisingly good story! My hopes these days for KU is pretty low but this was genuinely good. Perfect for October reading, this book conveyed the gloomy tense atmosphere of Nightglass and the creepy gothic Blackwicket house really well. The approach to magic was quite unique, if not fully fleshed out, and I really enjoyed the tension between the FMC and the MMC. I especially liked that the romantic relationship was secondary to the building plot. I think it lost some steam towards the end with the finale not quite hitting the mark for me, but it seems like it was a set up for a second book? I will happily read more from this author.
August 27, 2025
This was so good and now I have to wait for the next part!
Fantasy is a genre that I'm still new at and I can't believe that I stumbled upon this book! I loved it throughout and the characters became my favourite.
The beginning was a bit confusing for me, owing to my inexperience with the genre. It was set in a place where the protagonist of the story, Eleanora Blackwicket lived, in a cleverly disguised manner. Then the story took her to her native place, the place she was always hiding from, Nightglass. And from there on, the book became unputdownable!
I was stunned by the characters, especially how Eleanora returns to her nightmarish life. How she learns the differences in her hometown since her departure. Meanwhile suspense remained as to who Fiona (Eleanora's sister) really was.
As far as the romance was concerned - it was the best! I loved the chemistry between Eleanora and Inspector Harrow. Their romance was slow burn but intense and with enemies-to-lovers trope.
This romantasy doesn't end here and it's really difficult to wait for the next part, knowing that there is a lot of twists and turns to come!
Fantasy is a genre that I'm still new at and I can't believe that I stumbled upon this book! I loved it throughout and the characters became my favourite.
The beginning was a bit confusing for me, owing to my inexperience with the genre. It was set in a place where the protagonist of the story, Eleanora Blackwicket lived, in a cleverly disguised manner. Then the story took her to her native place, the place she was always hiding from, Nightglass. And from there on, the book became unputdownable!
I was stunned by the characters, especially how Eleanora returns to her nightmarish life. How she learns the differences in her hometown since her departure. Meanwhile suspense remained as to who Fiona (Eleanora's sister) really was.
As far as the romance was concerned - it was the best! I loved the chemistry between Eleanora and Inspector Harrow. Their romance was slow burn but intense and with enemies-to-lovers trope.
This romantasy doesn't end here and it's really difficult to wait for the next part, knowing that there is a lot of twists and turns to come!
October 8, 2025
*4.5 stars
August 14, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
Blackwicket is gothic, magical, and straight-up addictive. The magic system? Totally unique. The romance? Villains-to-lovers—but they’re both villains—and the tension is chef’s kiss. Spicy, but every bit of it is earned. That “good girl” moment? Yeah, I squealed. If you want mystery, intense magic, and romance that makes your heart race, read this.
Blackwicket is gothic, magical, and straight-up addictive. The magic system? Totally unique. The romance? Villains-to-lovers—but they’re both villains—and the tension is chef’s kiss. Spicy, but every bit of it is earned. That “good girl” moment? Yeah, I squealed. If you want mystery, intense magic, and romance that makes your heart race, read this.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews