After absolutely falling for A Letter to the Luminous Deep, I couldn’t wait to return to this unique, epistolary world and follow E. and Henerey’s story—now finally together in person!

While the novel delivers on many of the things I loved in the first book, I have to admit this one didn’t quite capture me in the same way.

Still, there’s a lot to admire and recommend here—especially if you’re in the mood for something quiet, clever, and deeply imaginative.

Summary:
Dive into the charming conclusion to the Sunken Archive duology, a heartwarming magical academia fantasy filled with underwater cities, romance, and found family—perfect for fans of Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries.

In A Letter from the Lonesome Shore, former correspondents E. and Henerey—long used to loving one another from a distance—find themselves unexpectedly reunited and stranded in an underwater city. This new world is home to a peculiar society obsessed with the pursuit of knowledge. As the two come to terms with the idea that they may never return home, they begin to build a life together filled with research, discovery, and romance.

Meanwhile, their siblings Sophy and Vyerin embark on a journey through mysterious entries to bring them back, unknowingly awakening a threat of cosmic proportions…

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Book Review: A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie Cathrall
✨ Duology Finale | An Epistolary Fantasy | 3 Stars ✨

After absolutely adoring A Letter to the Luminous Deep, A Letter from the Lonesome Shore was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. I couldn’t wait to dive back into this whimsical, watery world and reunite with dear E. and Henerey—whose shy, long-distance love story stole my heart in book one. So when I got my hands on an ARC of this conclusion, I was beyond excited.

And while this sequel is still stunning in many ways, for me, it didn’t quite live up to the magic of the first.

Told entirely through letters and archival records (yes, again!), we pick up right where the first book left off. E. and Henerey have just traveled through the mysterious Structure and find themselves stranded in a strange world ruled by scholars obsessed with knowledge. As they try to adapt to their new reality, they begin to build a life together—one filled with wonder, learning, and love.

Meanwhile, Sophy and Vyverin—sisters to the main characters—launch a rescue mission to bring them home. But not everything in this new world is what it seems, and a shadowy predator lurks in the deep, waiting.

What I Loved

  • The Relationship: E. and Henerey are finally together—and it’s everything I hoped it would be. Their love is tender, respectful, and beautifully written. Watching them support each other through their anxiety and self-doubt was incredibly heartwarming.
  • The Setting: This world is lush, immersive, and strange in the best way. The scholarly society, the oceanic creatures, the obsession with knowledge—it all felt delightfully unique and vivid.
  • The Format: Once again, the fully epistolary storytelling is impressive and so fun! Sylvie Cathrall has such a gift for weaving plot, character, and world building through letters and footnotes as well.

Why it was a 3 star read for me:

  • Repetition: At times, it felt like the same thoughts and emotions were being repeated over and over. I get that the letters are meant to reflect deep emotional bonds, but the pacing dragged because of it.
  • The Reveal: The major plot twist near the end felt underwhelming. It was mostly told rather than shown, and wrapped up too quickly for how long the build-up had taken.

Final Thoughts

The Sunken Archive duelogy is a truly original piece of fantasy, unlike anything else I’ve read. If you enjoy immersive worlds, academic-style storytelling, and character-driven plots with queer romance, this series is worth exploring. While I personally connected more with the first book, I’m still glad I followed E. and Henerey to the end of their journey. And I’ll definitely be reading whatever Sylvie Cathrall writes next!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Let’s Chat!
Have you read A Letter from the Lonesome Shore yet? Did it live up to the first book for you? Let’s discuss in the comments—or over tea and footnotes.

📚 What to Read if You Like A Letter from the Lonesome Shore

  1. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
    Perfect for fans of magical academia and prickly-but-endearing scholars. Emily is a dry, brilliant faerie folklorist whose field research leads to mischief, mystery, and unexpected romance.
  2. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
    A bookish fantasy filled with enchanted grimoires, magical libraries, and a romance between a sword-wielding librarian and a mysterious sorcerer. A beautiful standalone with cozy vibes and high stakes.
  3. The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
    If you're craving more tales of missing people, magical realism, and heartfelt sibling bonds, this one hits hard in all the right places. Think Narnia meets grief and hope.

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