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robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
chanlo1994's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The format is refreshing, as nearly entry is written as a letter or some sort of hand written note by the characters. Everyone speaks very formally, so it makes the pace of the book go by slower.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
devynreadsnovels's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Medical trauma, and Mental illness
kerrygetsliterary's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a cool book! I don't read many books in epistolary format, and when I do, I always love the experience.
I took notes while reading at the start, then promptly forgot about them as I was too engrossed in the story to remember to jot down any thoughts for a review. Oops. I did manage to mention that I loved the writing. The prose is excellent and the diction is lovely; it all flows nicely.
After that, I was hooked! I very much enjoyed reading all of the letters between E. and Henery, and between Sophy and Vyerin. Their characters were well developed, which I Imagine is not an easy task solely through letters. E. and Henery's romance was so wholesome and it made my heart swell reading their nerdy and adorable correspondence.
The concept of the Deep House was so cool and unique. It would be fascinating to be able to visit such an underwater dwelling. I relished in imagining this one-of-a-kind home, picturing the incredible views of the captivating and enigmatic ocean and its creatures. Even Sophy's missions sounded interesting, even though I would probably never join them out of fear.
I also appreciated the anxiety and agoraphobia representation in E. As a recovered panic disorder sufferer and agoraphobic, I could empathize with E. and her struggles.
And I loved that many characters were queer and it was just known and accepted. <3
The pacing can feel a bit slow, as there is a lot of world building and set up and attempting to figure out what happened to E. and Henery, but it's worth it to continue on and read to the end. I'm very much looking forward to book two!
I took notes while reading at the start, then promptly forgot about them as I was too engrossed in the story to remember to jot down any thoughts for a review. Oops. I did manage to mention that I loved the writing. The prose is excellent and the diction is lovely; it all flows nicely.
After that, I was hooked! I very much enjoyed reading all of the letters between E. and Henery, and between Sophy and Vyerin. Their characters were well developed, which I Imagine is not an easy task solely through letters. E. and Henery's romance was so wholesome and it made my heart swell reading their nerdy and adorable correspondence.
The concept of the Deep House was so cool and unique. It would be fascinating to be able to visit such an underwater dwelling. I relished in imagining this one-of-a-kind home, picturing the incredible views of the captivating and enigmatic ocean and its creatures. Even Sophy's missions sounded interesting, even though I would probably never join them out of fear.
I also appreciated the anxiety and agoraphobia representation in E. As a recovered panic disorder sufferer and agoraphobic, I could empathize with E. and her struggles.
And I loved that many characters were queer and it was just known and accepted. <3
The pacing can feel a bit slow, as there is a lot of world building and set up and attempting to figure out what happened to E. and Henery, but it's worth it to continue on and read to the end. I'm very much looking forward to book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Mental illness
mariebrunelm's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
In a submarine world wrought with mysteries, two sets of correspondence draw the outlines of new friendships and potential love in the wake of grief.
I think the best adjective to define this book would be “charming”. It feels very quaint and old-fashioned in a good way, and highlights the best parts of its characters — their unshakable faith in the fact that there’s some good in this world. All of the characters (we follow four epistolary writers) are very endearing and kind-hearted.
I haven’t read lots of epistolary novels (mostly classics) but with a generous suspension of disbelief it worked really well. There were some parts that felt a bit repetitive, but it’s easy to blame them on the characters’ anxiety and desperate need to be understood. I did wish we as readers learnt more about the worlds, but it would make zero sense for characters to start explaining things they know to each other. The trick of having one character living in isolation enabled the author to get the necessary elements to the readers fluidly.
I loved the atmosphere of curiosity and research that pervaded the book. I think it’s the first “light academia” book I’ve read, but I have no doubt it belongs to that subgenre. I would have enjoyed a little darkness myself, to balance the pastels and fluffiness, but I understand it was not the place for it. Well, not all of it is cheerful since we know from the start that two of the correspondents are dead. But believe me when I say the author handles that fact with the utmost delicacy and though you might find your heart wringing at times, it really is a cute story.
Rep: MC with OCD and possibly demisexual, sapphic MC, bi MC, MC with social anxiety.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Confinement
purplepenning's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Science-fantasy academia with a little bit of hope punk? I understand the comparisons to Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Fairies, but don't be drawn in by the House in the Cerulean Sea comparison (or A Marvelous Light, really). This is a quiet, scholarly-toned epistolary that lets small measures of mystery and taut adventure seep in around the margins before finally being awash with other worldly mystique.
It's a little slow for my tastes (and I wish I would have realized that it wasn't a standalone before I started it) but I'm glad I stuck with it. The writing is excellent and the characters finally won me over (despite my annoyance at the excessive self-deprecation in the majority of the letters!).
It's a little slow for my tastes (and I wish I would have realized that it wasn't a standalone before I started it) but I'm glad I stuck with it. The writing is excellent and the characters finally won me over (despite my annoyance at the excessive self-deprecation in the majority of the letters!).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
folkofthebook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
My dear E., I have thought of nothing else but you and your letter over the past day or so, and I do not intend to start thinking of anything else anytime soon.
rating: 4.25
this was a beautifully written story about discovery, family, and the unknown.
agoraphobic (and i believe has ocd?) and brilliantly curious "e." has suddenly vanished along w her penpal, scholar henerey clel. their siblings begin corresponding first in condolence and mourning, then in earnest exploration as they start to uncover the mysterious disappearance (and what may have preluded it...).
To think that a person’s entire life could be summed up in the jumbled, incomplete assortment of ephemera they leave behind.
personally, while it took a moment for me to adjust to the epistolary style that is first primarily following siblings sophy and vyerin, the more i got to know e and henery the more i became invested - especially as the mystery of the "luminous circumference" developed. sylvia cathrall has created a fantastical world where many of the inhabitants live under or on water. there is lots of creatively playful reimagining of marine life that is reminiscent of the life aquatic with steve zissou.
mental health was a strong theme, with e being agoraphobic and having anxiety & (i think from author's note?) ocd. various characters including henery and his brother vyerin both discuss depression as well as other characters. almost all of the characters are also queer, with much bi/pan representation. science, academia, and exploration are a central theme as well (chancellor rawsel, it's on sight).
if you have thalassophobia or fear of the deep ocean, this might make you feel claustrophobic haha. i think some things to be aware of is that this is only the first book in a series (so sorry, a bit of a cliffhanger!) and the slower-paced writing & challenge for the reader to slowly "uncover" and piece together info along w our new penpals may put some off, but if you have the patience for it you'll be rewarded with many heartfelt moments, charming humor, fun uncoverings, and even romance.
i'm very excited for this to release and even more excited for its follow-up!
If we happen to make a slight detour into that luminescent world – well, then, I will consider myself lucky to do so in your company.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
meganpbell's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you’d dare to immerse yourself in a light academia fantasy under the sea, you won’t discover one more enchanting and earnest in equal measure than this epistolary debut! A Letter to the Luminous Deep is lush, romantic, and mysterious, unique, queer, and neurodivergent, and bubbling over with the magic of discovery—whether scientific, world-changing, or tenderly personal. Highly recommended for fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Mental illness
Minor: Death of parent and Medical content
idesofmarch's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Mental illness
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