Book Review: A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

About A Letter to the Luminous Deep:

Title: A Letter to the Luminous Deep

Author: Sylvie Cathrall

Series: The sunken Archive #1

Page Length: 432

Publication Date: April 25, 2024

Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis: Dive into the curious correspondence of Sylvie Cathrall’s delightful debut novel, A Letter to the Luminous Deep.

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other.

Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.’s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.’s sister Sophy, and Henerey’s brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery of their siblings’ disappearances with the letters, sketches and field notes left behind. As they uncover the wondrous love their siblings shared, Sophy and Vyerin learn the key to their disappearance – and what it could mean for life as they know it.

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This is a tough review to write, because I went into the book excited to read it, and it was not what I had hoped. I loved the cover and premise, and the epistolary style was so intriguing. Unfortunately, the book fell flat for me, and though I buddy read it with Leah @ Leah’s Books and Leslie @ Books Are the New Black, and they both finished it, I didn’t end up finishing the book.

The underwater world and setting overall are so unique and interesting, and it was one of my favorite parts of the story. The unusual creatures, dwellings, and objects, as well as the undiscovered fathoms that are being explored, are described vividly and create an original and immersive world. The mystery behind E and Henerey is also intriguing, and though I was a little curious to find out what happened with them, I just didn’t enjoy the slow pacing, meandering plot, and lack of distinct voices enough to continue.

I was excited to learn the story is told in an epistolary style. Using letters to reveal personality, relationships, the passage of time, etc. can be so powerful and layered. This style definitely worked in showing the complicated and layered relationships in the novel. We see a strong sisterly bond, the beginnings of a new romance, and a friendship brought together by shared grief. However, the voices of the characters were too similar, and I found myself constantly having to refer back to see who was writing. Only a couple of characters really stood out, and they were few and far between. The letters also are not all written in the same time, and they jump from past to present, so it can be confusing when reading.

I think that a lot of people will enjoy this read. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. Thanks to Orbit Books for sending me a copy. All thoughts are my own.

DNF

Since I didn’t finish this, I’m not giving it a rating.

Sylvie Cathrall writes stories of hope and healing with healthy doses of wonder and whimsy. She holds a graduate degree in odd Victorian art and has handled more than a few nineteenth-century letters (with great care). Sylvie married her former pen pal and lives in the mountains, where she dresses impractically and dreams of the sea.