Review by Booklist Review
Set in a fantastical realm where letters serve as the primary mode of storytelling, this epistolary novel follows the intertwined lives of its characters as they navigate personal struggles, romantic entanglements, and the enigmatic disappearance of two individuals. The story begins with the correspondence between Sophy and Vyerin, who are connected by tragedy when their siblings, E. and Henerey, mysteriously vanish. As Sophy and Vyerin delve into the letters left behind by E. and Henerey, they uncover clues about their relationship and the events leading up to their disappearance. Through these letters, a tale of love, friendship, and secrets unfolds, captivating readers with its whimsical charm and intriguing plot twists. In her debut, Cathrall skillfully addresses themes of mental health and anxiety, adding depth and authenticity to the characters' experiences. With its cozy-fantasy atmosphere and rich character development, A Letter to the Luminous Deep will appeal to fans of epistolary novels and readers who enjoy stories with elements of romance, mystery, and fantasy.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cathrall spins a captivating tale of mystery and romance set in an enchanting underwater society in her wondrous debut. When shy amateur scholar E. Cidnosin makes a fascinating scientific discovery near her home beneath the sea, she reaches out to renowned aquatic-dwelling academic Henerey Clel, sparking a tender epistolary love story as the two work to unravel the secrets of the depths. But tragedy strikes when both E. and Henerey disappear after a devastating seaquake. A year later, their grieving siblings discover their letters and come together to solve the mystery of their disappearance. As they search for answers, they uncover secrets that could forever transform their world. The epistolary format creates a feeling of intimacy between the well-shaded characters and allows the central duo's unlikely romance to unfurl with heartwarming tenderness. The conceit is well used and never feels overly clever or gets in the way of the luscious worldbuilding and slow-burning plot. This poetic and emotional tale announces the arrival of a skilled storyteller. Agent: Natasha Mihell, Rights Factory. (Apr.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
When the reclusive E. makes a beautiful scientific discovery outside her underwater home, she begins a correspondence with scholar Henerey Clel. The ensuing correspondence is passionate, expressing E.'s and Henerey's interest in the world around them and their growing feelings for each other. Then, after a mysterious explosion destroys E.'s house, the two vanish. A year later, E.'s sister Sophy and Henerey's brother Vyerin are left to sort through their papers and figure out what happened to them. What they discover could upend everything they know about the world. Cathrall's debut is set in a lush underwater world filled with beauty and mystery. Claire Morgan, Joshua Riley, Justin Avoth, and Kit Griffiths narrate the four characters through letters as they discover the truths about their beloved underwater homes. Though it maintains a charming cozy fantasy atmosphere, the novel also explores themes of family, scholarship, mental health, and sexuality. VERDICT This first installment in Cathrall's "Sunken Archive" series will leave listeners anxiously awaiting the second book. Share with those who enjoyed Heather Fawcett's Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.--Elyssa Everling
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
This story of pen pals turned lovers unfolds in a series of letters and "Automated Post missives" as the two learn more about their underwater world. Struck by curiosity, E. Cidnosin writes a letter to Scholar Henerey Clel hoping he'll help her identify an "Elongated Fish." Through their ongoing correspondence--as well as later letters between members of their families--we learn more about E. and Henerey and the world around them. For instance, one of Henerey's scholarly publications says this: "Ever since the tragedy of the Dive ushered in our new Society, people who seek to understand the creatures with whom we share this world have published great Treatises to prove themselves as worthy Scholars." In this new society triggered by the mysterious event called "the Dive," people live primarily underwater in places like Boundless Campus and Intertidal Campus, as well as on the Atoll, which is the "only known landmass in the world." E. lives "a few hundred fathoms off-coast" of Boundless Campus in a family home called "Deep House." She suffers from "a Malady of the Mind that made certain things--like leaving the house, interacting with strangers, or not obsessing over the fragility of her own mortality--very difficult." Even so, as her correspondence with Henerey grows, so does her fondness for him. The diction and syntax of the letters revel in a bygone era's romance and quick wit, showcasing the art of letter writing. The long-distance friends eventually meet at a gala hosted by E.'s brother, Arvist, at Deep House, where their conversation ingeniously continues on the back of the event's "programme." The scholarly search for knowledge to better understand this underwater world propels the plot into the unknown, where many curiosities are yet to be uncovered. Additionally, the letters between E.'s sister, Sophy Cidnorghe, and Henerey's brother, Vyerin Clel, allude to something that has happened to the couple, and Arvist makes a last-minute confession that sets further mysteries in place to be unraveled in the next book in this series. Whimsical and heartfelt, with a radar trained on delight. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
