A review by maralyons
We Were Restless Things by Cole Nagamatsu

4.0

'We Were Restless Things' by Cole Nagamatsu is an atmospheric and poetically written YA novel with elements magical realism. The plot revolves around Jonas and Noemi and a mystery of how a classmate drowned in a forest the year before. The story begins when Jonas moves to a new town into a home with his father, his girlfriend, and girlfriend’s daughter-Noemi. The aftermath of the friend’s death is felt by Noemi and her friends, who Jonas gets to know. Noemi and Jonas live near the forest that took their friend’s life. The descriptions, especially of the forest and magical elements, are stunningly beautiful. Though the concept is fascinating, the plot is a bit uneven. There is not a lot of action through much of the novel. Sophie Amoss and Tom Picasso excellently narrate the audiobook, each taking turns to narrate parts in the perspective of the young women and young men in the story. They really enhance the eerie atmosphere of Nagamatsu has created in their writing.

Thank you RB Media and NetGalley for providing this audiobook ARC.