A Sea of Unspoken Things: A Novel
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • In this captivating atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow, a woman investigates her twin brother’s mysterious death while confronting the ghosts of her own haunted past.
James and Johnny Golden were once inseparable. For as long as she can remember, James shared an almost supernatural connection with her twin brother, Johnny, that went beyond intuition—she could feel what he was feeling. 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 secluded town of Six Rivers, California, to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to revisit the ominous events of their shared past and finally face Micah, the only other person who knows their secrets—and the only man she has ever loved.
But as James delves deeper into Johnny’s world, she realizes that their unique connection hasn’t completely vanished. The more she immerses herself in his life, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was hiding something, and he’s not the only one. The deeper she digs, the more she is compelled to unravel the truth behind the days leading up to Johnny’s death. Ultimately, James must decide which truths should come to light, and which are better left buried forever.
James and Johnny Golden were once inseparable. For as long as she can remember, James shared an almost supernatural connection with her twin brother, Johnny, that went beyond intuition—she could feel what he was feeling. 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 secluded town of Six Rivers, California, to settle her brother’s affairs, she’s forced to revisit the ominous events of their shared past and finally face Micah, the only other person who knows their secrets—and the only man she has ever loved.
But as James delves deeper into Johnny’s world, she realizes that their unique connection hasn’t completely vanished. The more she immerses herself in his life, the more questions she has about the brother she thought she knew. Johnny was hiding something, and he’s not the only one. The deeper she digs, the more she is compelled to unravel the truth behind the days leading up to Johnny’s death. Ultimately, James must decide which truths should come to light, and which are better left buried forever.
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Readers say *A Sea of Unspoken Things* is a slow-burn, atmospheric thriller blending magical realism and mystery, with vivid descriptions of its small...
A Sea of Unspoken Things is a slow-burn thriller about a woman named James who returns home after her brother Johnny’s death. The two are twins and have always shared a close connection, but James insists she could feel what he felt at times. Upon her return, she reconnects with their childhood friend Micah, her first and only love and deals with a resurgence of feelings regarding her own past. In researching what happened to Johnny, James is convinced that certain things are not adding up, and that maybe Johnny’s death was not an accident.
The pacing of the book is medium to slow at first, but this was not a problem for me as the mystery is interesting and the novel is steeped in atmospheric imagery. I loved the descriptions of the town and the woods. It is easy to relate to the feeling of going home and seeing people one used to know and all the memories that uncovers for a person. The pacing towards the end of the book picks up and everything comes together pretty fast. I loved the book overall and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The pacing of the book is medium to slow at first, but this was not a problem for me as the mystery is interesting and the novel is steeped in atmospheric imagery. I loved the descriptions of the town and the woods. It is easy to relate to the feeling of going home and seeing people one used to know and all the memories that uncovers for a person. The pacing towards the end of the book picks up and everything comes together pretty fast. I loved the book overall and I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Adrienne Young has just become an auto buy author for me. I loved this book. The way she writes just draws me in fully to the characters and the story. She is similar to Taylor Jenkins Reid in that sense. I love how she perfectly weaves magical realism with a mystery element, and makes both completely believable. This story was so atmospheric! Full on vibes read. Love, love, loved it!!
When I pick up an Adrienne Young book, I know I’m guaranteed an atmospheric read, and once again she delivers in her latest adult novel, A Sea of Unspoken Things.
Set in Six Rivers, a small town nestled in the forests of northern California, Young paints a mysterious and haunting picture of a town closed off and protected by the surrounding trees.
Our story centers on James, an artist who escaped Six Rivers and made a life in San Francisco. She is reeling from the sudden death of her twin brother Johnny, a photographer who had never moved from Six Rivers. His death has been ruled an accident, but she’s not so convinced. She reluctantly returns to settle his affairs and can’t help searching for answers.
Along with the physical distance, James and Johnny had grown apart, somewhat keeping each other at arm’s length for various reasons which we learn throughout the tale. As James reconnects with people from her past, trying to get an idea of just what Johnny was involved in, she discovers various trails to follow.
And of course one of those connections is her old flame Micah, who was Johnny’s best friend and James’ first love.
While I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t quite as engaging as Young’s previous novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow. Without spoiling anything, this one seemed to have some plot holes, or the appearance of plot holes, if that makes sense. I don’t feel like I got all the answers I needed, and some of the answers I got felt rushed and too predictable.
I feel like most of Young’s novels are told from various POVs but this one is all James’ POV, which would be fine, except that I never really felt like I knew or understood her brother Johnny. I wanted a little more of his story. Maybe some flashbacks from him woven throughout would have helped make the connection??
However, if you’re a fan of Young’s, you should enjoy this one! Beautifully written with all the magical elements we’ve come to expect from her stories, it would especially be a good one to read cuddled up by a fire, inside OR outside!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
Set in Six Rivers, a small town nestled in the forests of northern California, Young paints a mysterious and haunting picture of a town closed off and protected by the surrounding trees.
Our story centers on James, an artist who escaped Six Rivers and made a life in San Francisco. She is reeling from the sudden death of her twin brother Johnny, a photographer who had never moved from Six Rivers. His death has been ruled an accident, but she’s not so convinced. She reluctantly returns to settle his affairs and can’t help searching for answers.
Along with the physical distance, James and Johnny had grown apart, somewhat keeping each other at arm’s length for various reasons which we learn throughout the tale. As James reconnects with people from her past, trying to get an idea of just what Johnny was involved in, she discovers various trails to follow.
And of course one of those connections is her old flame Micah, who was Johnny’s best friend and James’ first love.
While I enjoyed this one, it wasn’t quite as engaging as Young’s previous novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow. Without spoiling anything, this one seemed to have some plot holes, or the appearance of plot holes, if that makes sense. I don’t feel like I got all the answers I needed, and some of the answers I got felt rushed and too predictable.
I feel like most of Young’s novels are told from various POVs but this one is all James’ POV, which would be fine, except that I never really felt like I knew or understood her brother Johnny. I wanted a little more of his story. Maybe some flashbacks from him woven throughout would have helped make the connection??
However, if you’re a fan of Young’s, you should enjoy this one! Beautifully written with all the magical elements we’ve come to expect from her stories, it would especially be a good one to read cuddled up by a fire, inside OR outside!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for providing me with a copy.
this was a slow paced mystery. very different from her last book. this one had you thinking about things you didn't think you would. while also giving you a couple mysteries in the mix.
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