A Letter to the Luminous Deep
A Novel
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4.5 • 11 Ratings
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
★ An Amazon Best Book of the Month
★ An IndieNext Pick
“An underwater treasure-chest to be slowly unpacked, full of things I adore.” —Freya Marske
A charming fantasy set in an underwater world with magical academia and a heartwarming penpal romance, perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries and The House in the Cerulean Sea.
E. is content with a solitary life in her extraordinary underwater home, until the discovery of a strange, beautiful creature outside her window prompts her to begin a correspondence with renowned scholar Henerey Clel. The letters they share are filled with passion, at first for their mutual interests, and then, inevitably, for each other.
But when a mysterious seaquake destroys E.'s home, she and Henerey vanish.
A year later, E.'s sister Sophy and Henerey's brother, Vyerin, must piece together the letters, sketches and field notes left behind and learn what their siblings’ disappearances might mean for life as they know it.
“A shimmering, delicately crafted delight.” —H.G. Parry
“A fascinating and charming story told in a uniquely elegant voice.” —Louisa Morgan
“Both the setting and the story are exquisite.” —Megan Bannen
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Cathrall spins a captivating tale of mystery and romance set in an enchanting underwater society in her wondrous debut. When shy amateur scholar E. Cidnosin makes a fascinating scientific discovery near her home beneath the sea, she reaches out to renowned aquatic-dwelling academic Henerey Clel, sparking a tender epistolary love story as the two work to unravel the secrets of the depths. But tragedy strikes when both E. and Henerey disappear after a devastating seaquake. A year later, their grieving siblings discover their letters and come together to solve the mystery of their disappearance. As they search for answers, they uncover secrets that could forever transform their world. The epistolary format creates a feeling of intimacy between the well-shaded characters and allows the central duo's unlikely romance to unfurl with heartwarming tenderness. The conceit is well used and never feels overly clever or gets in the way of the luscious worldbuilding and slow-burning plot. This poetic and emotional tale announces the arrival of a skilled storyteller.
