Scan barcode
laurakershaw's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!
I enjoyed a lot of the world building aspects (it felt like another world that had a lot of indirect description and mystery to it) but it was really hard to believe the writing style of some of the letters. The overly complimentary tone between main characters was really distracting for me because I’ve never seen letters written in such a “I really loved to receive your letter, you are such a wonderful person and everything about you is beautiful” way. The parts I was most frustrated by was how much of it seemed to be that type of fluff - I think it could’ve been one book easily and when I got to the end there was barely a cliffhanger.
I wouldn’t read the second book most likely unless it’s also available on NetGalley (in which case I would pick it up to see the ending - I hate leaving things unfinished).
Still writing showed potential and the world was interesting so lowest I can give is 3/5
I enjoyed a lot of the world building aspects (it felt like another world that had a lot of indirect description and mystery to it) but it was really hard to believe the writing style of some of the letters. The overly complimentary tone between main characters was really distracting for me because I’ve never seen letters written in such a “I really loved to receive your letter, you are such a wonderful person and everything about you is beautiful” way. The parts I was most frustrated by was how much of it seemed to be that type of fluff - I think it could’ve been one book easily and when I got to the end there was barely a cliffhanger.
I wouldn’t read the second book most likely unless it’s also available on NetGalley (in which case I would pick it up to see the ending - I hate leaving things unfinished).
Still writing showed potential and the world was interesting so lowest I can give is 3/5
alyssamhull's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keri_barber's review against another edition
4.0
It begins with a letter to Scholar Henerey Clel from E. Cidnosin and continues with more correspondence between siblings of the aforementioned characters, Sophy and Vyerin, who begin a "project" of compiled letters and other documents involving Henerey and E., themselves, and associates during the timeline of their evolving friendship, in an attempt to memorialize their lost siblings and understand what might have happened. Through numerous missives, deeper and more intimate relationships develop amongst the characters, and more details emerge, hoping to shed light on the mystery of their disappearance.
This was a very unique story told through documented letters, transcripts, and correspondence between multiple characters. It is written in a very scholarly manner with an air of constant learning and mystery. At times, I found myself skimming through the correspondence as it seemed so trivial and unimportant, but I understand the story is supposed to mirror personal correspondence letters. It was left on a cliffhanger, so the story is incomplete and leaves one feeling the loss of closure. It was frustrating, to say the least. Overall, it was an interesting read.
This was a very unique story told through documented letters, transcripts, and correspondence between multiple characters. It is written in a very scholarly manner with an air of constant learning and mystery. At times, I found myself skimming through the correspondence as it seemed so trivial and unimportant, but I understand the story is supposed to mirror personal correspondence letters. It was left on a cliffhanger, so the story is incomplete and leaves one feeling the loss of closure. It was frustrating, to say the least. Overall, it was an interesting read.
pupupuddlecat's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
strawberrymilky's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
heathenhousewife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
cadoca's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
brewdy_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Cozy Fantasy • Mystery • Romance Subplot
Published 25 April 2024
Thank you @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for the digital review copy 🪸🐚 🌊💘
The cover of this book is magnificent and absolutely drew me in, along with the synopsis which described this as a “whimsical epistolary fantasy set in a mystical underwater world with mystery and heart-warming romance.”
Unfortunately, I had issues with the writing style, the plot (circuitous, contrived, with many logical issues), and the pacing (mind numbingly slow). The main characters are 3 siblings and their SOs, although they don’t trust each other/can’t get over their own selves enough to confide in one another until the final pages of the book.
The whole thing is written as a series of letters between 5-6 people. The tone of the letters can only be described as humble self-deprecation taken to the extreme, which in moderation might have been charming, but was so overdone as to almost seem condescending. The use of postscripts and post-postscripts added much lengthiness with no content coming off pretentious. Had it been only one character, I could have understood this to be a peculiar character quirk, but alas all characters suffer from a verbosity befitting word diarrhea.
I almost DNF. I put this book down for two months after reaching the mid-point with little plot revealed. I credit the audiobook as the only factor that allowed me to finish. The multi-cast narrators did a nice job bringing these characters to life.
However, in an astonishing turn and to add insult to injury, the end of the book is a non-ending leaving the mystery unanswered, with it “to be continued” in the next book. Some positives: queer rep and disabilities rep both very normalized throughout the book. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this one.
Published 25 April 2024
Thank you @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for the digital review copy 🪸🐚 🌊💘
The cover of this book is magnificent and absolutely drew me in, along with the synopsis which described this as a “whimsical epistolary fantasy set in a mystical underwater world with mystery and heart-warming romance.”
Unfortunately, I had issues with the writing style, the plot (circuitous, contrived, with many logical issues), and the pacing (mind numbingly slow). The main characters are 3 siblings and their SOs, although they don’t trust each other/can’t get over their own selves enough to confide in one another until the final pages of the book.
The whole thing is written as a series of letters between 5-6 people. The tone of the letters can only be described as humble self-deprecation taken to the extreme, which in moderation might have been charming, but was so overdone as to almost seem condescending. The use of postscripts and post-postscripts added much lengthiness with no content coming off pretentious. Had it been only one character, I could have understood this to be a peculiar character quirk, but alas all characters suffer from a verbosity befitting word diarrhea.
I almost DNF. I put this book down for two months after reaching the mid-point with little plot revealed. I credit the audiobook as the only factor that allowed me to finish. The multi-cast narrators did a nice job bringing these characters to life.
However, in an astonishing turn and to add insult to injury, the end of the book is a non-ending leaving the mystery unanswered, with it “to be continued” in the next book. Some positives: queer rep and disabilities rep both very normalized throughout the book. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this one.
kellishinn's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
magsapt's review against another edition
It's written in letter form (the MCs exchange correspondence) and I just didn't have it in me to push through that.