This was a really interesting read! Bonus points for diversity with representation, including varied cultures, gender identities, sexualities, and some mental health rep as well!

Quick note to anyone interested in reading this book that they should check the content warnings as there are some heavy themes and topics that are throughout this book including a history of mental illness and suicide attempts. Unfortunately the copy provided through NetGalley doesn't have a content warning page so I will be providing feedback to the publisher to hopefully ensure one is included before the pub date.

Alex goes through a lot throughout the story and does some things that are not uncommon for people who have been through mental illnesses such as abruptly stopping meds (I have done that, it doesn't go great). Alex completely abandons her job (house sitting) because it is overwhelmingly creepy at the mansion but whether things that are happening to Alex are real or from their own mind is not always easy to identify due to Alex's point of view not always being based in reality.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, I have since lost my initial interest in the story. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

"All Things Seen and Unseen" feels a lot like remembering something from long ago. Something distant but deeply important.. Hazy, but vivid. Only remembering the things your brain deems most important.
Alex is a college dropout: thanks to her lengthy and unexpected stay in rehab. But just when she thinks she has nowhere to turn and is sure to end up homeless, a childhood friend provides her the opportunity of a lifetime. House sitting. For her rich parents, on a beautiful remote island.

(Alex uses both “she” and “they” pronouns throughout the book, switching a few times. I will be using “she” for this review as is done for the majority of the book.)
(Other note, this contains plenty of very possibly triggering content. While I recommend this book, maybe be careful if you would be upset by the following: graphic suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and domestic violence.)

Firstly, this book is beautifully written. The prose is elegant but not extravagant. The descriptions of the town and the island and nature really stuck with me, I felt like I could be there. It feels like there's a greater meaning behind everything and it was really satisfying to finally understand and to "connect the dots" perse. Overall, I would consider this an incredibly well written novel, especially for a first novel.
My main issue with this book comes from the fact that the setup and relationship both felt extremely unrealistic in the beginning. For a book grounded in reality, I just couldn't convince myself that it could happen. This did grow on me as I read further and I think for someone else, it would be a non-issue. I also personally didn’t connect with Alex’s mindset even though I connected to her struggles.
I was a little disappointed that Alex’s Vietnamese identity wasn’t explored more, especially considering some of the setup done in the first act. Her queer identity is delved into quite a bit, and so is her chronic illness, but all her racial identity seems to do is cause her problems unfortunately.

This is a fresh and nuanced novel. It might take a bit of effort to get through but it has a really beautiful conclusion and satisfying payoff. I enjoyed it myself, but I think for someone else this could be much more resonant.

I was so surprised with this book, I had no idea what to expect going in. I love going into books knowing as little as possible, and that really helped the atmosphere of this book.

An unsettling journey of self discovery, identity, depression, grief and self acceptance. With an unreliable narrator, and full access to their thoughts, Alex’s story is unsure and tentative, going into an unknown situation when they are unsure about themselves.

Really loved this book, a great dive into so many different issues, and so well written with gorgeous prose. I’m so happy I had access to read this through NetGalley!

I found myself resonating with the main character a lot, mainly with their previous relationship, disassociation, and paranoia. As the reader, the constant confusion about what was happening and real was sometimes over the top and disjointed. I felt by the end I still didn’t understand everything. Some plot points felt too drawn out and unnecessary but I liked the character’s new relationship a lot and the demonstration that there can be hope and light. My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story about pain but has aspects of horror and reads like horror. I was hooked from the beginning and really enjoyed reading this book.

This is a queer story about Alex, who house sits in a mansion that has nothing surrounding it. Of course, that is just asking for scary :)

I couldn't believe this was the authors debut novel because it was written well and kept me wanting to read.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

I really enjoyed the diversity and representation of this one - it was unique to see things from behind Alex's eyes! Unfortunately, the pacing lacked a bit and I found myself putting this one down a few times before finishing it. While I did appreciate Alex's POV, some parts felt like a ramble of her thoughts rather than events that keep the plot moving - but maybe that was the point? Nonetheless, I'm impressed this was McDaniel's first novel and I plan on looking out for what more is to come!

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

The focal point of the narrative lies in Alex, the protagonist, whose multifaceted identities significantly influence her life. The portrayal of her mindset as she navigates these aspects and grapples with the trauma of her experiences resonates emotionally.

However, the book grapples with issues related to pacing and plot development. Each section unfolds at a languid pace, lacking a compelling force to propel the story forward. Despite a chronological presentation, the narrative fails to construct a coherent storyline. Rather than a cohesive tale, it reads more like a series of highlights from Alex's life, shaped by her perspective. The transitions between sections are abrupt, leaving readers puzzled as important plot points are introduced and then seemingly abandoned without adequate explanation.

This was a dark novel to read at times with the MC fighting past trauma. The pronoun switching made it a little difficult to follow at times. But overall, I liked this book. This is the authors first book and I'm impressed with what they've written. I'm looking forward to see what they write in the future!

I really liked this! I was excited to read this based on the description and it definitely delivered on the description. Fresh in perspective, I think the author provides a much needed voice and am excited to see what they write next. The novel was introspective in nature and didn’t have a lot of plot to it, the interest is more in its deep exploration of the main character.

A tense novel that whole heartedly embraces a confusing perspective, leaving lots for the reader to digest. This was a somewhat challenging book to read, and often dark, but it was not without payoff or joy. I thought the structural choices were an interesting way to showcase the main characters mental state. I appreciated the jarring way that the novel would move and how the main character would gloss over important things, reflecting their mental state.
Thank you to ECW for the ARC

"I am not my body".

Alex (she/they) is a queer, chronically ill university student who we meet following a suicide attempt, with no home, money, or identity, and a past full of trauma. This book explores her mental state - paranoia, confusion, doubt her own mind and what's real. I think it does a great job at showing that and putting you in their shoes - I'm still not sure if I know what really happened. Their past haunts them and impacts every future relationship and interaction. The final confrontation was powerful. I would've liked more horror, but it does a great job at creating an atmosphere of confusion and unknown. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Thank you to ECW Press for this ARC!
⭐️I want to preface my review by saying that in this book Alex switches between she and they pronouns. I am going to use she, because that is how Alex was introduced⭐️

Alex is ill. After a 2 month stay in the hospital she gets out but has nowhere to live, no money, and no one to ask for help. Fortunately an old friend comes to Alex and offers her a good deal: house-sitting for her rich parents at their summer house (mansion).

This was a fever dream of a book, I was confused a lot of the time, but enjoyed it! The way this is written made me feel Alex’s paranoia with her, and had me questioning everything along with her. What is real, what is in Alex’s head… I’ll be honest, you don’t get a lot of solid answers on that but that’s ok. This was interesting to read, and made me feel a lot of things like paranoia, confusion, sadness, and hope, and I genuinely did enjoy this book! I will say that there are some spots in the second half of the book where pronouns are switching at a rapid pace, sometimes using different pronouns for Alex in one sentence, and it does get a little confusing.

This is in your wheelhouse if you like: LGBTQIA+ friendly, character driven, diverse characters, redemption stories, literary fiction

‼️ Trigger warning: self-harm, suicide

"All Things Seen and Unseen" by RJ McDaniel is a poignant and incisive novel that delves into the complexities of identity, wealth, and survival through the lens of a queer narrative.

The story follows Alex Nguyen, a university student in her early twenties who, after a suicide attempt and an extended hospitalization, finds herself grappling with the aftermath. Jobless, homeless, and still dealing with the emotional aftermath of a broken relationship, Alex's life takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy high school friend offers her a job housesitting at her family's vacant summer mansion on a gulf island.

Set against the backdrop of a remote and insular community, Alex must navigate the challenges of being an outsider while also confronting the trauma she has repressed. The novel explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and the impact of wealth on identity. As Alex grapples with her past and forges new connections, the narrative unfolds against the atmospheric backdrop of a gulf island, where the beauty of nature contrasts with the complexities of human emotions.

"All Things Seen and Unseen" promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of personal growth, resilience, and the unseen challenges that individuals face. The intersectionality of identity, the exploration of queer experiences, and the portrayal of a character navigating through the aftermath of trauma contribute to the depth and richness of the narrative. Readers can expect a literary journey that combines emotional depth with an evocative portrayal of both the seen and unseen aspects of life.

Despite having potentially triggering material, this book does not include a content advisory. The following are my content warnings: violence against LGBTQ+ people in personal relationships, thoughts of suicide and attempts, mental illness (paranoia), transphobia, medical institutionalization, and food and financial hardship.

Regarding pronoun usage, Alex is addressed as she/her for the majority of the novel and as they/them at the end. Since that pronoun is used in the book's description and the change in pronouns later on ties to a significant narrative issue, I am choosing she/her.



The most fascinating aspect of the book is Alex Nguyen, the main character. Her life is impacted by multiple crossing identities, and it frequently feels emotionally authentic to follow her perspective as she navigates these identities and the tragedy of her experiences.





The narrative and speed of this book were my two biggest complaints. Every segment is laboriously paced, with minimal elements propelling the action ahead. Similarly, even though sections might be presented chronologically, they don't create a cohesive story. I may explain this by saying that Alex's perspective colors events; it feels more like a highlight reel of her experiences. The topics in each segment changed with little to no transition, and significant narrative points seemed to be dropped with little explanation, so I was still confused by the section breaks.

I want to thank NetGalley and ECW Press for this arc. "All Things Seen and Unseen" is a story about pain, with a touch of horror. I didn't find it particularly scary and I wouldn't classify it as horror, but the author got my attention from the start.

The book tells the story of Alex, a struggling queer person that accepts a job, offered by a friend, to housesitting a mansion in the middle of nowhere. Alone for the first time in a long period, Alex needs to fight against personal demons and past trauma, always questioning their sanity.

It was a great book, especially since it's the author's first novel, but it could move a little faster. And since this was an arc, there were several typos that I hope get fixed when published.

A dark and introspective story on pain, self discovery, and traumatic memories. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.

Alex Nguyen, a chronically ill college student, seemingly lost everything after an attempt that left her hospitalized. She is given a second chance when an old friend offers her a job to house sit an empty mansion over the summer on a remote island. Alex must find herself, with the help of the community, before dark events threaten to ruin her second chance at life.

This story paints a beautiful yet haunting picture of life when all hope is lost. It has friendship and love woven between memories of trauma and pain. I caution those who read this, as I found it hard to read at times. The ending is beautiful, as are you and your life. Take care of yourself, dear reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for this ARC.

This book lacks a content advisory but features potentially triggering content. Here are my content warnings: intimate partner violence, suicide attempts & suicidal ideation, mental illness (paranoia), transphobia and other violence against LGBTQ+, medical institutionalization, financial & food insecurity.

Note on pronoun use: Alex is referred to as she/her through most of the book and they/them later. I am using she/her because that is the pronoun used in the book’s description, and the shift in pronouns later relates to a major plot point.

Alex Nguyen, the MC, is the most interesting part of the book. She has several intersecting identities that impact her life in various ways, and following her mindset as she navigates them and trauma of her experiences often feels emotionally true.

The main issues I had with this book are the pacing and plot. It drags through each section, with very little driving the action forward. Relatedly, sections may appear chronologically, but they don’t build a clear narrative. It’s feels more like a reel of highlights that Alex experiences, which I can attribute to her mindset coloring events. I still found the jumps between sections confusing as topics shifted with little transition and seemingly important plot points dropped with no explanation.

DNF - This was a case of me not being the right reader for this story. I found the beginning drag in a melodramatic way that I do not necessarily enjoy reading. With that being said, the right reader will adore this one.