In ‘ A Letter to the Luminous Deep’, Cathrall crafts a genuinely original and charming tale of a sister’s pledge to unravel the mystery behind her sibling’s dramatic disappearance. This is a satisfying epistolary novel, which exploits the genre to great effect, exploiting multiple narrators and timelines, without compromising the dynamic pace and forward motion of the plot. A great read in a deeply immersive narrative, I am already keenly anticipating the follow up!

"A Letter to the Luminous Deep" is an unexpected delight. The title and the blurb had hooked be enough to bypass by difficult relationship with epistolary novel, and what a good thing it was ! This format tends to put me too far from the characters, and there is some of that here, but it felt really balance and well crafted, giving that sense of intimacy and curious glance into the various chacaters' life. Shifting from one corresondance from another really helped in that regard, allowing the reader to glance for different elements of each character depending with whom they were writing. The added journal notes and even a trasncript were also a delightful touch, really bring the whole thing together and delivering a interesting, touching story.
The tone of the book alternates between something close to a sort of cosyness, grief, love and mystery, overall a balance I throuroughly enjoyed in its variety. Seeing relationships develops, other already well grounded with a sense of familiarity really wass a great adventure, supporting the mystery lurking underneath it all.
And the scenery ! Original (I never read something close to this), well crafted, delivered bit by bit, never overwhelming nor underwhelming, disorienting in a good way, exactly what I love when I read a fantasy book. Such sense of wonder and marvel! And queer normative, seemlessly so, wonderful. And, of course, the academic environment was fun to see and well crafted too.
As for the characters, they all have a sense of presence unique to them, even if we only meet them through their words, I'm amazed. Well flesh-out, with their own personnalities and narrative. I enjoyed each one of them for who they were and their relationship with others. Witnessing the love (romantic or platonic) blooming was lovely, and trying to piece the mystery together as we got information was fun. I can't say I was surprised by the resolution part, but I wasn't expecting too and didn't want too, so it's not a weakness for me.
I'm curious to see where to the story is going with the second book, I will absolutely read it !

A big thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book group for providing me with an early access copy of this book.

I will start off by saying that the main letter format of storytelling took some getting used to. I found it confusing remembering who’s who and their relation to one another. I also feel that I missed some key world building in these initial letters which impacted my initial enjoyment of the book. However, once I grew used to it, I began to love each of the characters.
Each person was an utter delight to read, their unique voice and personality carried through in each letter. I felt as though I too was helping to unravel mystery of E’s disappearance.

Mainly, I wanted to say that this is the best and most realistic representation of OCD in a book I’ve ever read. I want to thank the author for writing such a compelling character who didn’t let her ailment define her.

Lastly, this book has been one of the most unique and delightful experiences I’ve had with a book. Each character letter and correspondence created a vibrant narrative that immersed me in the underwater world of the luminous deep.

5 stars

I will post this review on the book’s goodreads page using my account on the 11th of April 2024.

Sylvie Cathrall's "A Letter to the Luminous Deep," captured me from the minute I opened the pages. It was a magical, delicate universe.

Letters between recluse E. and famous scholar Henerey Clel create an intimate bond that transcends the pages. The undersea environment, characterised as a treasure trove waiting to be opened, captivated me. Nosy and loving families, epistolary romance, and mystical academia are expertly woven by the author.

E. and Henerey's sweet penpal romance drives the plot. Their letters reflect their common interests and their inevitable and heartfelt devotion. Reading about their love, I hope for it to transcend the unknown depths they explore.

The major mystery, a finding from the unfathomable depths, keeps the pages turning. E. and Henerey vanish after the seaquake ruins their house, adding a dramatic twist. E.'s sister Sophy and Henerey's brother Vyerin's search for the truth shows the strength of family.

Cathrall's worldbuilding excels. The reader is immersed in the aquatic realm with vivid descriptions and amusing nuances. The author's ability to mix the fanciful with the real, such worried researchers being nice and curious, lends complexity to the story.

As I read the story, fellow writers' appreciation rings real. I enjoyed Mary McMyne's undersea setting, H.G. Parry's wonderful romance, and Lyra Selene's charm in Cathrall's debut as I turned each page.

"A Letter to the Luminous Deep" is a captivating work that defies description. The epistolary narrative and oceanic world-building produce a genuinely human and wildly fantastic tale. Sylvie Cathrall's watery tale stands out for its beautiful backdrop, sincere intimacy, and well-developed characters. This story was captivating from start to finish, unlike anything I've read before.