Scan barcode
A review by brewdy_reader
A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
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.