A Letter to the Luminous Deep

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. Agent: Natasha Mihell, Rights Factory. (Apr.)