Vesper grew up thinking she was a normal kid. Sure she knew she was different because she was the daughter of horror icon Constance Wright, and her mother's frequent filming trips meant that the two never really bonded like she felt a mother and daughter should. And sure, her community was extremely religious, but that didn't really seem all that abnormal. It wasn't until Vesper confessed that she didn't really believe in the same things her family did and was put out into the world on her own that she realized that her life wasn't all that normal after all.
While Vesper has kept her connection to her mother on the down-low, she quickly realizes that the bigger secret she had to keep to herself is that, yes, her family was ultra-religious, but it seems even in the realm of religion, her community's own faith is somewhat unorthodox. Vesper isn't on her own long before she realizes that she shouldn't tell anyone that she comes from a family of Satanists. While she doesn't see it as any different than any other religion, it seems that everyone else has a much worse view on the matter.
Several years after being on her own, Vesper receives a wedding invitation. It seems that her community's rules about never being able to return once you leave are going to be lifted for Vesper. Someone really wants her to attend her cousin's wedding. While Vesper initially feels happy for her cousin and best friend, when she realizes that Rosie is marrying Brody, the only boy Vesper has ever loved, her thoughts turn a bit sour.
Despite some waffling, Vesper decides to attend the wedding, though even she isn't quite sure about her motives. She wants to see her family again, but she also knows that she won't fit in. All of the people she grew up with were so sure about their religious beliefs, but Vesper was never sold on the idea. It isn't even that Satan is their lord and should be worshiped; Vesper just hasn't had a whole lot of faith in anything ever.
At first, Vesper's return goes exactly how she expects. Her aunt, Rosie's mother, is happy to see her. Rosie is welcoming to her best friend and Brody is, well, even though he is marrying Rosie, Brody seems a bit hesitant now that Vesper is around. Vesper feels like, in the grand scheme of things, nothing has really changed in her hometown, but what she can't figure out is, who exactly sent her the wedding invitation. It seems like everyone is surprised to see her return, and, for the most part, they are all happy with her appearance. The only possible exception is, of course, Vesper's mom. Constance continues to be distant and judgmental of her daughter.
The events around Rosie and Brody's wedding are just the start of Vesper's journey in this book as she will come to realize that she doesn't even begin to understand her family's darkest secrets.
At first, Black Sheep feels like a "you can't go home" type of story where a girl on her own returns to her ultra-religious hometown and doesn't fit in anymore. It just so happens that in this story, that religion is Satanism. But it isn't long before the book takes a darker turn. While the reveal that Vesper's family are Satanists is an early twist, I felt it was worth spoiling that in this review. That is a subject that could easily and quickly turn people away if they didn't know it was a central topic. That being said, I don't think there is anything too offensive in Black Sheep. It is a fantasy book, after all, but your views could easily differ in this regard. Personally, I think Harrison wove a great yarn and I enjoyed it from start to finish, but I can see how some might want to skip this entry altogether.
