Book 1 of the Sunken Archives
E. Cidnosin, a recluse young woman, who lives in a house under the sea starts corresponding with the renowned scholar Henerey Clel after she discovers a sea creature she’s never seen before. This initial letter starts a correspondence between the two that flourishes into a courtship and the two meet up at E,’s house. Henerey falls madly in love with E. and shortly thereafter the two disappear.
E.’s younger sister Sophy – their parents named their children Artistry – Arvist, Erudition – E. (who hates her full name) and Philosophy – Sophy, – starts corresponding with Henerey’s brother Vyerin start corresponding about their siblings. These two become good friends through their correspondence. Sophy and her wife are newly married and don’t have children. Vyerin and his husband have two children.
E. is a very shy woman who doesn’t like to leave her home. She suffers from a ‘malady of the brain’, according to herself in one of her letters to Henerey. He describes her as the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen.
This was not an easy read and it took me a few days to get through it. The entire book is made up of letters, it is an epistolary novel.
There are four main characters: E., Henerey, Sophy and Vyerin. However, there are some entries by E. and Sophy’s sister-in-law and their brother Arvist. It took me a while to get into the story and at one point I was sure I wasn’t going to finish the book.
I persevered. And I’m glad I did, because it is a lovely read. And now I’m really interested what happens in the second book.
I have to say, that this book wins when it comes to the most beautiful cover! It is the reason why I bought it 🙂
Read for the Read Between the Lines Reading Challenge 2025
Prompt 43: At Least 3 POVs in the Book
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
