I enjoyed this read a lot and loved getting to know each character individually. The pace is steady and isn't rushed. This book is dark academia set in the woods with a strict school system of 7 years. You are cut if you are not up to their standards. Six girls we focus on are attending this elite witching school, studying to be the best, until they get tangled up in something dark. Six girls dwindle to five now. Fast forward, and they are all adults having to come back and face their past, attending their professor's funeral at the school. A single will left by their professor changes the trajectory of the remaining five witches into a path they are not willing to take.

We are told how terrible this professor is, who forced and took advantage of these young girls just trying to learn magic. We are kinda shown how terrible she is with her teaching methods and how straightforward and cruel she was. I just expected more with how traumatized they seem. The professor was overall a strict teacher who expected her students to make the world's greatest discovery without any guidance. I wish there were more depth to her, as much as there is in each of the students. The main cast of six girls each had their own personality, setting them apart from each other and their part in the group. I feel bad for Bea, considering she was an orphan. She thought she had a family, but in the end it ended terriblyyyy for her. My favorite in the group was Alicia, and that fire she had was so strong; I admired it.

The plot was okay. I was a little scared halfway through the book when we almost got nowhere and kinda got confused, but it worked out in the end. The past versus present was well-paced, making it easy to catch up. I didn't regret any pov changes or skip anyone because everyone had such an important part.

With that all being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was fooled… and I loved it. C.G. Drews has a way of dragging you into the story and into the mind of the character themself. You see what they see and even feel their emotions. Johnathan is such a soft, lonely boy who struggles with his self-identity in an abusive household. He awakens the sea god, Scorpion Deep, bringing out what should have been kept locked away. It’s gory. Disgusting. Dark. We even get a baby kraken in here.

Thank you sooo much Netgalley for providing this arc read!! C.G. Drews is such an auto by author for me so I highly recommended!!