Some books whisper their darkness. Blackwicket does not. It leans fully into curses, blood-soaked legacies, and the uneasy pull of home, all while delivering prose that feels cinematic and deeply intentional. This is a story about monsters—both literal and human—and the dangerous magic of choosing yourself in a world determined to define you first.

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The Cover

Blackwicket’s cover is beautiful! Lusciously dark, the cover artist, Lena Yang, expertly combines geometric and organic shapes with delicate balance. Using a limited palette provides tremendous impact and makes this cover pop! The typography conveys the gothic tones of the story while remaining clear and readable. Extra points for not going overboard with type! The tagline “home is where the curses are” subtly tucked in is such a fantastic nod to the subject matter and the sometimes irreverent tone of the FMC.

Interior

The Kindle ebook was well-formatted and easy to read.

Did the design affect whether I bought the book?

The design of Blackwicket’s cover had an impact on my desire to read this book. I was interested immediately, intrigued when I read the description. What ultimately sold me was a post from the author with samples of the writing.

Every character in Blackwicket exists on a spectrum of moral grey-ness. With no shining example of a moral beacon, the character’s choices are understandable to varying degrees.

Eleanora Blackwicket, the main character, has the most obvious growth arc in which she comes to terms with who she is and where she’s from. As she finds herself, she also finds love, reconciliation with members of her family, and found family.

Gorgeously written, Blackwicket is nothing short of cinematic. Northwick exercises a vast vocabulary without pretension or elitism. Word choice paints vivid vignettes and builds the world and magic system with attention to multi-sensory details. Moody, dark, and unafraid of body horror, the scenes unfold clearly but with a sense that something mysterious is just out of reach. First-person storytelling that is aware of other characters’ motivations without losing sight of their limited knowledge.

The primary theme seemed to be about being unapologetically who you are and fighting for what you believe is right.

Family ties and the bonds of shared history are explored in depth.

Themes of abuse run heavily throughout. Proceed with caution.

While the authorities see this as a Dark Gothic Romantasy, I might argue that the romance is a secondary plot line to the much more prominent political/magical/familial storylines. It is indeed both dark and gothic. Sublimely atmospheric, emotional, and blends horror with romance and mystery.

There were elements of the magic system that took a long time to understand, which might have benefited the reader to have a bit more clarity earlier.

I loved Blackwicket! This was my introduction to Bea Northwick and an early example of gothic romance for me, and I am so thrilled that I picked it up.

While this kind of dark gothic Romantasy might not be for everyone, if you do favor the genre be sure to give it a read!

I read Blackwicket to fulfill the 2026 Playing Card Reading Challenge prompt: Read a book with a color in the title.

Blackwicket could also fulfill: Read a romance. Read a fantasy novel. Read a book with a beautiful cover. Read a book with a one-word title. Read an indie/self-published book. Read a book with LGBTQ+ representation. 

Do you read Dark Gothic Romantasy? What is your favorite?

May your life be as full as your bookshelf and as long as your TBR list.

Happy Reading!