Release date: January 7 2025
Publisher: Quercus Books
Pages: 288
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I received an E-ARC from Netgalley and then I bought a hardback from Waterstones
Rating: 4.25/5 stars
Synopsis
The only thing James and Johnny Golden have ever had is each other. For as long as she can remember, James’s deep connection with her twin brother, Johnny, has gone beyond intuition—she can feel what he feels. So, when Johnny is killed in a tragic accident, James knows before her phone even rings that her brother is gone and that she’s alone—truly alone—for the first time in her life.
When James arrives in the rural town of Hawthorne, California to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to rehash the ominous past she and Johnny shared and finally face Micah, the only person who knows about it. He’s also the only man she’s ever loved.
But James soon discovers that the strange connection she had with Johnny isn’t quite gone, and the more she immerses herself into his world, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was keeping secrets, and he’s not the only one. What she uncovers will push her to unravel what happened in the days before Johnny’s death, but in the end, she’ll have to decide which truths should come to light, and which should stay buried forever.
Review
A Sea of Unspoken Things is the newest release from Adrienne Young, author of The Unmaking of June Farrow. The story follows James Golden, a woman who returns home to the remote rural town where she grew up following the death of her twin brother Johnny. When she arrives she feels like Johnny hasn’t really left and as she begins to delve into his life, she discovers he had more secrets than she thought. James has questions surrounding Johnny’s death, but will she be able to uncover the truth and the many secrets that surround the town of Six Rivers?
This is my first book from Adrienne Young and I completely devoured this. It was atmospheric, gripping and so well paced. I must admit this is a bit different to what I would typically read – the fantasy elements are very light – but I really enjoyed this mix of fantasy, mystery, and family drama. Adrienne Young has an absolutely beautiful writing style and her writing completely swept me away in this story. I loved the small town setting in the book and Young’s writing really brought to life this isolated community hidden in the trees.
This story is very much about relationships and grief. Young does a brilliant job of diving into James’ past, the reasons she left Six Rivers, her relationships with Johnny, with Micah, and other people in the town. The characterization in this book was terrific and I felt like James could have been a real life person. The mystery kept me engaged right till the end and while I did guess where some of the plot was going, the final reveal was definitely a surprise.
A Sea of Unspoken Things is a gorgeously written story, full of atmosphere and mystery. If you’re looking for a book that will have you gripped right till the very final page, this is definitely one to pick up. I didn’t want to put this book down and I cannot wait to read more from Adrienne Young in the future.
Stone Blind tells the Greek myth of Medusa, a young woman whose life is changed forever by the Gods. When Medusa finds herself transformed into a Gorgon her life will never be the same again. Medusa shies away from her sisters, living a life of solitude until one day Perseus arrives on a quest to retrieve the head of a Gorgon.
The Legacy of Arniston House is the fourth installment in T. L. Huchu’s Edinburgh Nights series. We pick up after the events of book three, with Ropa now working for English magic. When Ropa discovers that her grandmother has been murdered, she must work to uncover who is responsible whilst also being the prime suspect in her death. Ropa soon uncovers a much more sinister plot to take over Scottish magic and bring back a dark lord. Can she uncover the truth behind Gran’s death as well as the truths about her own family?
Moonstone is a YA fantasy story that follows a young woman called Camille who is sent to stay with her godmother following a scandal with a young man. Her godmother is a recluse and spends her days living in the forest and looking after her daughter Lucy who has a strange illness. As the two spend more time together Camille soon discovers there is much more to Lucy and her illness than meets the eye.
The Company of the Wolf is the second installment in David Wragg’s The Tales of the Plains series. Following on from the events in book one, we follow Ree and Javani as they travel across the mountains in search of a new life. When they encounter someone being beaten up by bandits, they end up stepping in. They seek refuge in a nearby village Ar Ramas, only to discover the bandits are a mercenary company who provide “protection” for the village. When the company comes knocking Ree and Javani discover there is far more going on than meets the eye and must work together before the village is torn apart.
Kavithri is an engrossing South Asian inspired epic fantasy that follows Kavi. Kavi is a Taemu. Taemu are treated as the very lowest of society and Kavi will do anything to escape her life and realise her dream of attending the mage academy. Kavi wishes to rise above her station, but those around her only want to break her. Kavi will do whatever it takes to succeed and she will make them remember her name.
The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is a gothic historical fiction novel that follows a young woman named Julia Pearlie. Julia is desperate to find a new role after the horrible events during her previous role as a governess. With no references she has very few options but when she is offered the role of companion and etiquette teacher to a young woman named Olivia Richmond, Julia knows she has no choice but to take the role. When Julia arrives at Mistcoate Hall she hears rumours about the Mistcoate witch and Olivia’s strong belief that she can commune with the dead. As Julia gets to work training Olivia for the upcoming London season, she is soon sucked into the darkness and mysteries that surround Mistcoate hall. Will she be able to save herself and those she has grown to care for?
The Book of Witching is the newest release from The Nesting author C J Cooke. The story follows a woman named Clem who receives a call telling her that her daughter Erin is in hospital. All Clem knew was that Erin was on a hiking trip in the Orkney Islands but she soon discovers Erin’s boyfriend is dead, her best friend is missing and Erin has burns all over her body. When Erin wakes she doesn’t recognize Clem, but says her name is Nyx. Clem must travel to Orkney to uncover what really happened to Erin, encountering an ancient cursed book and the story of a woman wrongly convicted of witchcraft.
Heads Will Roll is a dark and addictive slasher horror from The Shadow Glass author Josh Winning. The story follows Willow who signs up to attend Camp Castaway following her cancellation on social media. The camp is a digital detox with no phones or technology of any kind. When Willow arrives she soon learns the story of Knock Knock Nancy – a local legend about a witch who was killed where the camp now sits. Willow doesn’t believe the story, but when campers begin vanishing Willow must uncover the truth behind the tale if she has any hope of getting out alive.
Old Wounds follows two trans teens – Erin and Max as they attempt to journey cross country to California to a new life. When they become stranded in a small town in the middle of nowhere they soon find all is not what it seems and must do everything they can to escape.
The Bibliophile Chronicles 