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A review by bookphenomena_micky
A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Headlines:
A fantasy world under the sea
Two awkward people
Connections through letters
There's so much uniqueness in this story, this world under the sea, coral reefs, sea creatures and of course the societies inhabiting. The world seemed futuristic possibly to our world and vague references were made to a previous civilisations and possible climatic issues. That said, the world of this story was visceral, colourful and kept my imagination busy visualising.
The story was told in epistolary format, with a somewhat formal tone. That was a little jarring initally but I did settle into the format and the letters got more informal as time went on. There was a mystery afoot in this story, some missing main character and siblings of the missing E and Henerey also conversed through letters in their grief and search for answers. I did have to concentrate quite hard initally to be certain if this was a letter between E and Henerey or a letter between their respective siblings.
The characterisation authentically wove in some mental health issues with a rather anxious E and a contrast in the support and understanding or lack of she got from her siblings. Siblings on both sides were queer characters. For me, Henerey and E were a delight and while the sibling brought key parts to the story, I was always eager to be back with those two MCs.
I'll definitely be reading on, I need to know the what next. Will the next book be epistolary, I wonder? I can't see that it would need to be but who knows!
I both read this and listened on audio for larger parts and the narration was very good, assisting with the POV changes through voice.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the review copy.
A fantasy world under the sea
Two awkward people
Connections through letters
There's so much uniqueness in this story, this world under the sea, coral reefs, sea creatures and of course the societies inhabiting. The world seemed futuristic possibly to our world and vague references were made to a previous civilisations and possible climatic issues. That said, the world of this story was visceral, colourful and kept my imagination busy visualising.
The story was told in epistolary format, with a somewhat formal tone. That was a little jarring initally but I did settle into the format and the letters got more informal as time went on. There was a mystery afoot in this story, some missing main character and siblings of the missing E and Henerey also conversed through letters in their grief and search for answers. I did have to concentrate quite hard initally to be certain if this was a letter between E and Henerey or a letter between their respective siblings.
The characterisation authentically wove in some mental health issues with a rather anxious E and a contrast in the support and understanding or lack of she got from her siblings. Siblings on both sides were queer characters. For me, Henerey and E were a delight and while the sibling brought key parts to the story, I was always eager to be back with those two MCs.
I'll definitely be reading on, I need to know the what next. Will the next book be epistolary, I wonder? I can't see that it would need to be but who knows!
I both read this and listened on audio for larger parts and the narration was very good, assisting with the POV changes through voice.
Thank you to Orbit Books for the review copy.