A Letter to the Luminous Deep is the first book in a wonderfully engaging romantasy by Sylvie Cathrall. Released 23rd April 2024 by Hachette on their Orbit imprint, it's 400 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is an epistolary fantasy romance, told entirely throughout by letters and "email (equivalent)" telegram/messages between the chief characters. There's a strong theme of academic exploration and research which becomes more personal and romantic between the daughter of a famously academic family (though she's a shut in), and a well renowned professor and researcher. Emily and Henerey disappear in a catastrophic event and it's left to their siblings to piece together what happened by sharing the letters, sketches, and other extant materials left to them by E and Henerey.
The story arc is set to be told in a duology, with the second volume due out in 2nd quarter 2025 from the same publisher. It should probably be said that although this volume is very well written, with often moving prose and descriptions, it does end on an absolute cliffhanger. There's precious little denouement or resolution to be found.
Due to the nature of epistolary storytelling, it's slow to develop, and formal through the first third of E's and Henerey's correspondence. It's not derivative, but fans of Heather Fawcett (Emily Wilde series), and Marie Brennan (Natural History of Dragons) will be right at home.
Four stars. Well written and developed; a treat for academic fantasy fans.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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