A very unique story told entirely in letter format. The correspondence between E. and Henrey started as an inquiry that turned to friendship and then more. We get to see their relationship blossom through their siblings investigations of their letters to each other.

I enjoyed the format and I usually like character driven books but I really wanted more action. I will read the next installment. This was a good start.

What to expect:
*Character driven
*mystery
*academia

Sylvie Cathrall’s debut LGBTQIA+ fantasy, “A Letter to the Luminous Deep,” is the first entry in the “Sunken Archive” series. The novel is an epistolary academic romance between the reserved and curious Erudition "E" Cidnosin and the esteemed scholar Henerey Clel, who discover a connection as profound as the boundless depths they explore. The story shifts between the initial correspondence of "E" and Henerey, and the letters, sketches, and field notes exchanged by their siblings as they attempt to unravel the mystery of Henerey and E's relationship following their sudden disappearance when a seaquake destroys E’s home.

In the year 1002, agoraphobic amateur scholar "E" makes a fascinating scientific discovery of a new species outside the window of her underwater home. She reaches out to the renowned academic scholar Henerey, sparking a back-and-forth epistolary academic relationship that blossoms into a tender love story (as evidenced by their initial letters starting with "Dear Scholar Clel" and signing off with "Sincerely," progressing to later correspondence that begins with "Dearest" and ends with "Yours in love.)"

It is now the year 1003, and Philosophy "Sophy" Cidnorghe, E’s sister, notices a box of correspondence from Henerey to E. Intrigued, she reaches out to Henerey’s brother, Captain Vyerin Clel. The duo embarks on a quest for truth in understanding their siblings’ correspondence between the past and the present.

A side plot in the novel involves Sophy’s romantic relationship with her wife, Eliniea “Niea” Forghe. During Sophy's mission to the Ridge to view and catalog new species at "The Point of Interest," she and Niea begin a courtship. Niea becomes Sophy’s rock when Sophy must unexpectedly flee the ship to help assist her sister after a catalytic seaquake wrecks the Deep House.

Cathrall’s novel explores themes of mental health and agoraphobia, intertwined with scientific exploration, philosophy, and academia. Slowly, at a snail’s pace, Cathrall’s fantasy world is built in the depths of the ocean, and its slow-moving plot makes the novel a tedious read. While epistolary romances are among my favorites (such as "Divine Rivals" and "The Exception to the Rule"), this novel had very little action, and most of E and Henerey’s interactions with one another occur off the page. Aside from E’s character, the remaining characters were not fleshed out. There are no defining characteristics and mannerisms that separate Vyerin from his husband Reiv nor from Henerey aside from occupation. Niea and Sophy could easily be swapped, and the reader would not be able to distinguish between the two. This disconnect, combined with the novel being written entirely in an epistolary format, makes it hard to enjoy the book without feeling like one is reading a scholarly document.

Rating 2.5/5

Thank you NetGalley, Orbit, and Sylvie Cathrall for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I requested a copy of "A Letter to the Luminous Deep" by Sylvie Cathrall, thinking letters could be cool. But it just didn't click for me. I thought the letters would be used to enhance the story, not the whole book. The language was also off-putting. It felt over the top and pretentious. I tried to give it a good shot but after a few chapters the language choice just prevented me from connecting with the characters and the plot.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sylvie Cathrall, and Orbit for the opportunity to read this book early.

This novel presents a captivating blend of an underwater world and academic intrigue, setting a unique stage for exploration. Through the exchange of letters between the separated siblings, Sophy and Vyerin, the narrative delves into profound themes of grief and loss, adding depth to the storyline. The epistolary format is skillfully executed, allowing each character's personality to shine brightly, a testament to the author's adept storytelling.

While the plot initially unfolds at a measured pace, gradually building momentum, it's the unraveling mystery that propels the reader forward. Although there were moments where the narrative lacked an immediate hook, the culmination of suspense at the end ensures a satisfying payoff, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Personally, I found myself drawn into the mystery, eagerly anticipating how it would unfold, and I'm looking forward to diving into the sequel.

Thank you to the publisher, Sylvia Cathrall, and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. Publish Date: April 23rd, 2024

I fell absolutely in love with this world from the very first letter! A Letter To The Luminous Deep was an extremely captivating and cleverly written epistolary novel. We follow a mysterious journey of two characters who start corresponding with each other to work through their grief from the sudden loss of their siblings, and to find more about what had happened to them. The entire book is written in letters and transcripts, which I normally have a hard time following. However, I honestly loved reading the letters and watching the mysteries and romance unfold. There were times that I was giddy reading the letters just like I would if I received it myself. I was not aware that this was just the first book in a series though! The book left us with some major cliff hangers, and I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the sequel!

This was so cozy! I love a book with letters, texts, etc. and that's what the majority of this is. I might continue the series, I might not - there was nothing wrong that I could particularly pinpoint aside from the pacing being a little slow. I wish there were more drawings (and maybe there will be in the finished copy).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this uniquely written novel! It was a slow burn story but the world building was fascinating and the style of writing through letters was so interesting! I look forward to reading more from this author!

I was so excited for this book because the synopsis sounded so unique and interesting. Despite this, I really struggled with this book. The format of it (letters between different characters) threw me off and took me a really long time to get used to. I also found the setting hard to understand. The characters describe aspects of it through their letters but I just found it really hard to piece everything together. All in all I felt this book just wasn’t for me.

Thank you NetGalley, Orbit, and the author for the opportunity to review this eARC!

The premise of the book piqued my interest. It is a light academia, marine biology, light romance read. There is a bit of a steampunk element to it as well. So, in terms of atmosphere, it is right up my alley. However, the execution was lacking.

The book is set up as letters written between the characters. The whole world is built through the lens of the letters as well so I couldn't get a solid grasp on the geography/mapping of the world. This isn't to say the author didn't paint a fantastical world. I just couldn't envision the world easily. I wished the author had set aside some time to set the stage at various intervals of the book just so that I could better understand when and where the events of the letters were taking place. I do understand this is a stylistic choice to write a book in letter format, but I just prefer a bit more background/stage setting. Lastly, the letters did not give me the ability to connect with any of the characters. All of the letters had the same voice so I really couldn't figure out the various characters' personalities.

I got extremely invested towards the end of the book, but then it stopped on a cliffhanger.

All in all, it was an ok read. Not my cup of tea. 3/5 stars

In the last year or so I've found that I love epistolary style writing, and so when I saw this was in that format, I jumped at the opportunity.
That being said, I found the letters to start formal, and STAY formal, to the detriment of the characters having distinct voices and personalities.
Other than that this book was beautifully set up and I had a vivid vision of its world and its people. I was invested in the mystery, but could not for the life of me attach myself to the main characters.

I saw and still see so much potential in this world and its author, but not quite sure yet if I'll continue this series!

Thank you Orbit for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.

Rating: 3.8

Who would have thought you could blend epistolary story telling with cozy mystery, science fiction/fantasy, romance and academia with an underwater setting?

Sophy Cidnorghe and Vyerin Clel are trying to learn more about the missing siblings E. Cidnosin (Sophy's sister) and Henerey Clel (Vyverin's brother) and the budding relationship E and Henerey built over the year prior to their disappearance.

E and Henerey's slow-build romance made me so giddy. Understanding E's personality, it was so heartwarming to see her grow and draw closer to Henerey. I was rooting for these two nerds!

I also found myself grabbing a notebook and taking notes on their underwater world, their education system and how the world functions. I was also keeping a running timeline...I was turning into a little scholar myself!

If you're a binge reader, be prepared to pace yourself -> letter based story telling takes time to build. It did take a few chapters for me to get into the rhythm of reading in this format, but it was worth the adjustment. I felt like I was the fourth Cidnosin sibling and deeply caring for E and wanting so badly for her to grow.

Speaking of which, when can we start the countdown for book two? I need to know what happens next!!!

Happy Pub Day Review

This is my first epistolary story and while it took me some time to get into, I ended up really enjoying it.

I was completely enamored with the cover. How beautiful is it?

While this is a slower moving book, there are so many unique things that really drew me into this story. I loved the world building. The underwater world is always a mystery to me and while I am extremely afraid of deep water, I am always so intrigued with what is on our ocean floor. Cathrall’s descriptions really allowed me to visualize a whole world I am still picturing and miss.

I also really enjoyed the exploration of family dynamics and the bonds we share. Multiple points of view is always my favorite and I especially loved E and Henery’s correspondence.

It would seem this is the first in a series so I really looking forward to seeing what happens next!

What a beautiful read! I have never read something like this before; a story told in the form of letters. It was like a cozy mystery book wrapped up in a dreamy watery world. I loved that there were mental health representation, detailed world building, and a lot of piecing-together-the-information that the reader has to do.

I went into this book blind and it didn't disappoint. I enjoyed the melancholic, poetic, light academia stylization, which made this book really stand out to me. I found myself hooked because the epistolary style of the book was like a puzzle to be solved; one letter at a time.

This book may not be for everyone because it doesn't provide that clear/ instant gratification in plot development or character development. However, for those that take the time to savor the book will find it very enjoyable. This is not a standalone, and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you NeGalley, Orbit, and Slyvie Cathrall for the e-Arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

In this fantasy novel, we're immediately introduced to two grieving characters who want to piece together the last day of their respective siblings. As they investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the natural disaster that killed their loved ones, they realize both that there may be more than they realize going on, and that they have found true kindred spirits in each other.

I liked this one, but I didn't love it. The book is written entirely in letters, journals, research notes, transcripts, and other ephemera. While this was a fun structure, I felt like the craft was too obvious. You may know I'm a real slut for structure when it's well-done (and if you didn't know before, I guess you do now!). With this book, I spent a lot of time thinking "oh, kind of an interesting way to write it..." rather than letting myself get immersed in the world. To belabor the point, it felt like watching the stagecraft rather than getting lost in the play. Also, it ends on a cliffhanger. I did really like the characters and the watery worldbuilding! I hope that the next book lets me feel really emotionally connected with the whole thing rather than appreciating the structure from afar.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

My dearest reader,
I hope this letter finds you well, an occurrence that I cannot say the same for this book. Originally, my hopes soared over the concept of this book. The comparisons to Emily Wilde and maybe Divine Rivals but ocean themed had me over the moon. Sadly, this is no longer the case.

Whilst the potential and intrigue of the epistolary format drew me in, unfortunately what seemed to be the dryest of tones also seemed to stretch endlessly across the missives of each character. When the book opens, you the reader, are thrust quite quickly into the midst of a disappearance that is quite mysterious in deed. However, how we got there and only within the first few pages remains an unknown peculiarity.

Alas, as a result, with all these regrettable issues, I must say that this was my first DNF of 2024.

Yours truly,
Your Local Cryptid
(Also known as Amber)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for providing an eARC of this book for my review and opinions

This one just wasn’t for me.

I read 27% and then called it quits. I was finally able to keep the characters straight, and I did like the correspondence-style narration, but I have so many questions that weren’t being answered and it caused me to lose interest. What is the calendar year? Why 1003? What happened? Are the characters living in our ocean? I didn’t recognize any of the place names.

I know two characters are missing but truly didn’t care enough to read more and find out why- I just didn’t get connected enough with them because I was too confused/flustered.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep was not what I expected, so I had to take a pause and return to it when I was in the right mindset for it. This is a story told in very flowery and formal letters between characters. I did not expect the formality, and while this book is often described as light academia, it took the same level of attention to language.

Overall, I found the story to be beautiful, the world building was fascinating, and I felt very connected to the character's development. The greatest challenge I had with this book was that the writing style of the narrators were so similar to one another that I often struggled to keep track of who said and felt what.

In A Letter to the Luminous Deep, two strangers exchange letters in the attempt to uncover why their respective brother and sister mysteriously disappeared. I really enjoyed the aquatic setting, the intriguing world-building, and the questioning of a scholar/university-led culture. BUT. A Letter to the Luminous Deep is an epistolary novel, and so the pace is SLOW (only the mystery kept me reading after a while). Overall, I can't imagine this story or its format appealing to wide audiences. Its original appeal to me was how whimsical it sounded and the fantasy/mystery combination, BUT this is not a stand-alone book. I did not see this mentioned anywhere, and after finishing and realizing that I'll have to wait for another book to complete the mystery (which was keeping me going this whole time)...I feel let down.

This was a captivating and mysterious fantasy debut written in the epistolary style. I enjoyed the characters, worldbuilding, sibling relationships, and fantasy-equivalent OCD and anxiety representation. The letters and email-like communications were humorous and engaging. The characters were charming. The world was interesting.

My favorite part had to be the worldbuilding. I was very intrigued by the idea of the world before “the Dive” when human society lived in the sky rather than so close to the sea (or under it in the cases of E. and others in the Cidnosin family). Because the author chooses to unveil the details of time before the Dive so gradually, the book, while fantasy, also gave off a distinctly dystopian impression. There were moments toward the end when portions of this book also reminded me of A Wrinkle In Time or The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi.

The story and writing style can rightfully be described as light academia (versus dark) and came with similar humor as the Emily Wilde’s series by Heather Fawcett. With that being said, I did struggle a bit with the changes in voice and switches between which character’s letter I was reading. The voices were not as distinct as they could be and although sometimes the characters admit they are “starting to write like” another character, I wasn’t sure I liked this sort-of breaking of the fourth-wall. The pace was very slow for a long while, but in the last 30% I could hardly put it down as the mystery unfolded. My final struggle was that I went in with the expectation that I would be reading about E. and Henerey’s romance and correspondence, which I was, but far more emphasis is placed on the characters of Sophy and Vyerin (their respective siblings) than I anticipated. I’d almost categorize this more as a story about Sophy and Vyerin’s friendship or the Cidnosin siblings than a story of E. and Henerey’s pairing. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to the next installment in the Sunken Archive series.

Overall, I was charmed but not enthralled by this book. I wanted to like it more than I did, but it was a solid debut and I will read more from this author.

It took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to connect with this book. I have theories about why that was, which include the typeset of the ARC and the odd names given to the characters and their honorifics which made it very difficult for me to know the gender of each.
Also, I need to admit that neither science-fiction nor fantasy are my usual genres of choice.
I wish that I had started a character tree illuminating for my visual brain the relationships among characters. Maybe next time, except there are so many other books that I <B>want</B> to read, I'm pretty sure I won't get back to this one.
I kept trying to find out more about the author, where is she from? That could help me place names. Anything I found was very ambiguous.