A Letter to the Luminous Deep

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 198 ratings

Price: 21.83

Last update: 12-18-2024


About this item

A charming fantasy set in an underwater world with magical academia and a heartwarming penpal romance, perfect for fans of A Marvellous Light, Emily Wilde's Encylopaedia of Faeries and The House in the Cerulean Sea.

“An underwater treasure-chest to be slowly unpacked, full of things I adore: nosy and loving families, epistolary romance, gorgeous worldbuilding, and anxious scholars doing their best to meet the world with kindness and curiosity.”—Freya Marske, author of A Marvellous Light

A beautiful discovery outside the window of her underwater home prompts the reclusive E. 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.

Together, they uncover a mystery from the unknown depths, destined to transform the underwater world they both equally fear and love. But by no mere coincidence, a seaquake destroys E.'s home, and she and Henerey vanish.

A year later, E.'s sister Sophy, and Henerey's brother Vyerin, are left to solve the mystery, piecing together the letters, sketches and field notes left behind—and learn what their siblings’ disappearance might mean for life as they know it.

Inspired, immersive, and full of heart, this charming epistolary tale is an adventure into the depths of a magical sea and the limits of the imagination from a marvelous debut voice.

Praise for A Letter to the Luminous Deep

“A shimmering, delicately crafted delight.”—H.G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter

“A fascinating and charming story told in a uniquely elegant voice.”—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“Both the setting and the story are exquisite.”—Megan Bannen, author of The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy


Top reviews from the United States

  • SMS
    5.0 out of 5 stars If you love epistolary novels and quirky or cozy books, this one is for you
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
    I had such a blast with this one. This story is told entirely through letters and notes, and follows Sophy and Vyerin as they attempt to track their missing siblings last year of life. E. and Henerey, the siblings in question, struck up a friendship and then romantic relationship the year prior and on a in person meeting in Sophy and E.’s childhood home were lost when the home in question was destroyed in a seaquake. Now through the worst of the grief the two siblings begin to read the letters E. and Henerey share back and forth, and also exchange their own notes and letters.

    Once you get used to the way we slide between letters (and you do need to read the headings to check who is writing and when) this story is a joy. In the current era we see Sophy and Vyerin slowly become tight and wonderful friends, a development I loved more than almost anything else in this. While in the past we see E. and Henerey fall in love, but primarily we explore the world itself which is delightful. Once a world in which the peoples dwelled in in the sky, now everyone lives on or in the water. We glimpse the history of the world and see what might be hiding beneath the surface in a set of surprising twists toward the end of the book.

    I highly recommend this for fans of epistolary novels, especially those who like quirky or cozy feeling books. This has those lovely vibes and honestly left me with such a big smile. I had to order my own copy for my shelves and I cannot wait for the next in the series.

    5 out of 5 bioluminescent nautilus
  • Jessie W.B.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet, Light Academia
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2024
    I really enjoyed this light academia romance told through epistolary style. The story is told through the point of view of the couple's siblings after their disappearance. I enjoyed the found family aspect of the sister of "E"and brother of Henry bonding in the search for answers. This was a sweet romance that gently unfurled throughout the story. I look forward to uncovering the mysterious circumstances of what happened to them, and the potential for them to be alive and well in another "realm" in the next book.
  • mostserene1
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sharp cliffhanger
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2024
    I would have liked the pacing to be more balanced. It was a very slow build and as I was really getting invested, it ended like I'd run into a brick wall. Also, I was wondering why this isn't marketed as steampunk. That's what it felt like to me.
  • Marianne K. Schaefer
    5.0 out of 5 stars if you like underwater stories
    Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2024
    I never thought a book just written in letters could be so engaging. So don’t be discouraged by the format, the book is utterly charming with wonderful world building. Cannot wait for the sequel!
  • Tara Alemany, Emerald Lake Books
    4.0 out of 5 stars A slow start with a cliffhanger
    Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
    "A Letter to the Luminous Deep" tells the story of two people trying to piece together the last days of each of their siblings, who disappeared while in each other's company, never to be seen again. The story is told through a series of letters between Sophy and Veyrin. But to piece together what happened to E. and Henerey, they share letters written between the pair that demonstrated their unfolding romantic attachment as well as research that they've done into the events mentioned in the letters and other secondary sources. There are also extensive explorations of mental health among the characters as well in an open and matter-of-fact manner, which is refreshing to see.

    By using letters, each new revelation is relatively short and the book moves swiftly. However, there are a lot of characters, most of whom with unusual names, so it makes for a challenging read at first. Thankfully, once you get the swing of who's who, the story picks up pace and the various letters showcase an unusual world and culture unlike our own.

    While it took a while for me to get into the book, and I had to pay close attention while reading it or risk having to re-read passages to figure things out, I did the enjoy the story and was eager to find out how it all turned out.

    Imagine my surprise, though, when the story ended in a cliffhanger! There is nothing in the description or the book to indicate it's the start to a series or that another book is soon to follow. (Or even when a second book might be available.)

    So as I'm writing this review, I'm feeling conflicted. Epistolary novels are always harder to read, so to make it to the end requires a keen desire to know how things will turn out. The relationships are predominantly with same-sex partners, which isn't "my thing." Add in the surprise cliffhanger, and I'm left feeling a bit disappointed.

    However, the writing is strong, the story is compelling, and the worldbuilding is intriguing. The cover is gorgeous too! And I still want to know how the story ends. Lol! And when a writer can take their reader to a place where they willing suspend disbelief, it's always a beautiful thing. So, whenever the mysterious Book 2 does come out, I'll be eager to read it.

    Thank you to Sylvie Cathrall, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.
  • B. Speer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Such a delightful journey
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
    Well written with a unique voice and tone. A compelling story that engages and delights. A gentle cliffhanger that is more of a launch point for the next installment

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