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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.
cassie7e's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
A mysterious, slow burn sci fi/fantasy set in a watery, academic world.
Re: comparisons to Emily Wilde, the only thing they have in common is an academic theme and the formal writing style of the characters. It is less action packed or plot focused, as it is not a first personal diary of events but a slow revelation of world and relationships through the exchange of new and inherited letters, creating a distance between the reader and the story. Emily Wilde feels like you are going through the story with her; this story feels like piecemeal detective work through old archive documents. And in fact it it the mystery and promise of discovering ancient technology of a fantastical civilization that enticed me to keep reading. Relationships progressed interminably slowly and with little drama, so I don't recommend reading this *for* the romantic subplot.
It also uses stylistically florid language throughout, which I often adore but also takes more concentration. In this case it further distanced me from connecting with the characters and contributed to my impatience with the plot, since everyone took forever to say what they meant! I suppose it did successfully mimic more Edwardian or Victorian era styles of speech/letter writing.
I had no issues with the story unfolding over multiple time periods and jumping between them. The only timeline thought I had was disbelief that everything, including a period of mourning, happened within two years. The Sophie letters feel like so much more time has passed before she started sorting through E's letters, plus the book moves so slowly it feels that ages longer must have passed!
Some readers express difficulty differentiating the character voices since they are all equally florid, but I read this as an audiobook and enjoyed the audibly different voices of the narrators so I did not have the same issue.
Re: comparisons to Emily Wilde, the only thing they have in common is an academic theme and the formal writing style of the characters. It is less action packed or plot focused, as it is not a first personal diary of events but a slow revelation of world and relationships through the exchange of new and inherited letters, creating a distance between the reader and the story. Emily Wilde feels like you are going through the story with her; this story feels like piecemeal detective work through old archive documents. And in fact it it the mystery and promise of discovering ancient technology of a fantastical civilization that enticed me to keep reading. Relationships progressed interminably slowly and with little drama, so I don't recommend reading this *for* the romantic subplot.
It also uses stylistically florid language throughout, which I often adore but also takes more concentration. In this case it further distanced me from connecting with the characters and contributed to my impatience with the plot, since everyone took forever to say what they meant! I suppose it did successfully mimic more Edwardian or Victorian era styles of speech/letter writing.
I had no issues with the story unfolding over multiple time periods and jumping between them. The only timeline thought I had was disbelief that everything, including a period of mourning, happened within two years. The Sophie letters feel like so much more time has passed before she started sorting through E's letters, plus the book moves so slowly it feels that ages longer must have passed!
Some readers express difficulty differentiating the character voices since they are all equally florid, but I read this as an audiobook and enjoyed the audibly different voices of the narrators so I did not have the same issue.
jillian_elizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
"An underwater treasure chest to be slowly un-packed, full of things I adore: nosy and loving families, epistolary romance, gorgeous world-building, and anxious scholars doing their best to meet the world with kindness and curiosity. Take a deep breath and dive in."
—Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light
I recommend the digital or printed version for this book. I tried to listen to this as an audiobook, but I struggled with the letter format and worldbuilding/names in the audio version. I requested and waited for the ebook, and I’m so glad I did! The book slowly enveloped me into the world, and I found myself falling in love with the characters and their anxieties and their affections. I am excited for the second in the series!
I recommend the digital or printed version for this book. I tried to listen to this as an audiobook, but I struggled with the letter format and worldbuilding/names in the audio version. I requested and waited for the ebook, and I’m so glad I did! The book slowly enveloped me into the world, and I found myself falling in love with the characters and their anxieties and their affections. I am excited for the second in the series!
jaustin4's review against another edition
Very hard to read because the language was superfluous and the timelines were very confusing. I was also very confused by the world this book takes place in.