A review by astoriareader
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

SYNOPSIS
  • A grieving twin sister returns to her gloomy hometown to settle her late brother’s affairs. As she navigates her loss, she begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her brother, herself, and their past.

MY THOUGHTS
  • While the premise had promise, the execution didn’t quite deliver. The book read more like a YA novel, which made it feel less impactful than I had hoped.
  • The gloomy setting was atmospheric and fitting for the mystery, but the slow pacing often bogged down the narrative.
  • I would categorize this book as a mystery with some magical realism sprinkled in.
  • Character development was one of the book’s weakest points. I never felt like I got to know anyone, and I was never invested in any of the characters. 
  • The ending was particularly disappointing. After all the buildup, the resolution felt anticlimactic and unsatisfying, leaving me wishing for more depth and closure.
  • While the setting and hints of magical realism were intriguing, the lack of character development and the slow pacing made this a less-than-memorable read. If you’re looking for a light mystery with a somber tone, this might be worth a try, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐⭐️ A promising premise with an atmospheric setting, A Sea of Unspoken Thingsultimately falls flat due to slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and an unsatisfying, anticlimactic ending.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press & Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book will be published on January 7, 2025.
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