3.75 stars!

I’ve read all of Adrienne Young’s adult mystery novels, so when I saw the announcement for A Sea of Unspoken Things, I added it to my TBR list without hesitation. I was also fortunate to receive an early copy of this book, which was already one of my most anticipated reads of 2025.

Mystery novels like this one are my absolute favorite, and I realized how much I’d missed this genre after diving into it. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book like this, and it was refreshing to reconnect with it.

The pacing was a bit slower at first, and it took me some time to truly connect with the story. However, once I got into it, I couldn’t put the book down. As always, I ended up finishing it in the middle of the night.

When it came to solving the mysteries, my mind was all over the place. While the plot twists were still unexpected, I was hoping for something a bit more mind-blowing. Don’t get me wrong—it was still incredible, but I had anticipated something even more intense and spooky. There were also a few lingering questions for me, but they didn’t detract from the story, as everything else wrapped up quite nicely.

If you’re a fan of Adrienne Young’s previous adult novels, you’ll definitely enjoy A Sea of Unspoken Things!

A Sea of Unspoken Things I would categorize as a literary mystery. Adrienne Young’s writing and story telling is much more slow and lyrical almost than what I am used to. I didn’t hate this book by any means but I did contemplate DNFing this around 50% because the pacing was too slow for my taste. I pushed through though and really enjoyed the story and how everything wrapped up nicely at the end. The big reveals didn’t pack a huge emotional punch but everything just felt softer and quieter in this story which might not be for everyone. I personally had to be in the right mood to read this book otherwise it would have flopped hard but I found enjoyment in the right moments

Adrienne Young delivers another atmospheric read that I couldn’t put down!

Our main character James returns home after the tragic loss of her twin brother.

I would say this book is a haunting thriller. Johnny is gone but through James’s POV, we feel his presence. The magic is their connection, their bond that transcends more than just the twin bond. Something isn’t right and I felt it in the pages of this book. I wouldn’t say this is fast paced, the writing is a slow buildup but it had me eagerly turning the pages to figure out where the story was heading.

I wish this book was longer. I wanted more from the side characters especially Micah- our second chance romance. I wish this was developed and explored a bit more. A part of me wished for Johnny’s POV rather that be leading up to his death or even in the after.

This quote stuck with me

“ And I learned the hard way that wishing things were different only drove deeper how unfair it was that they weren’t”

I would recommend this to fans of Adrienne Young as well as readers that enjoy an atmospheric thriller with a touch of magical realism.


Thank you so much to Delacorte Press, Adrienne Young and Netgalley for this ARC!

A Sea of Unspoken Things is a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric tale of love and loss.

James is returning to her hometown of Six Rivers. It's been 20 years since she left and never looked back. Her twin brother was killed in an accident, and she needs to sort through the research study he was working on when he passed. But returning brings up lots of memories James would prefer to keep in the past. And when she starts to did more into the circumstances around Johnny's death, it begins to look less like an accident, and more like he was killed - for what she doesn't know. But the connection she's always felt to Johnny hasn't disappeared = it seems to be getting stronger, and encouraging her to look deeper. But difficult family dynamics and old flames bring up a painful history, and James must decide if Six Rivers is better left in the past.

I enjoyed this story quite a bit! The writing is beautiful and the pacing kept me hooked throughout. I read the book in one sitting. James is an interesting character - she got out of a small town and made a name for herself, but can't really escape her roots. I enjoyed the twin dynamic - I do believe there are forces that aren't fully explained, and the connection between twins is one of those, so it was interesting to see that explored here. There was a little bit of romance between James and her ex - Micah. It was nice to see them reconnect, though 20 years is a long time to be out of someone's life, and you can see how they are both not the same people they were as teenagers. There were some interesting twists - some I anticipated and some I did not. My only issue with this book was how similar the premise was to Spells for Forgetting, which I loved. So many elements felt similar to that book - which I liked, but also made me view this book through that lens. Overall though, I enjoyed it and I look forward to more from this author!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own!

It is an atmospheric, dark, beautifully written novel by Adrienne Young, who never disappoints. I was drawn into the story from the first line, and it held me for the entire book. It is a book of love, loss, mystery, finding yourself, and what is important to you. 4-1/2 stars

I received an ARC for free and gave my honest opinion voluntarily.

**spoiler alert** This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review This review may contain spoilers.

3.5

I was very excited to receive this ARC because I loved The Unmaking of June Farrow. While it took me a while to get into A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young, I found myself unable to put it down during the last half of the book.

I went into the story blind and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the plot involved twins. Being a twin myself, I was immediately drawn to the supernatural connection between James and her twin brother, Johnny. However, as much as I was intrigued by their bond, I felt it lacked the payoff I expected. Johnny’s spirit seemed poised to play a larger role in the mystery, but his appearances were minimal and ultimately didn’t significantly contribute to James’s journey or the resolution of the plot. James solved the mystery largely on her own, with her connection to Johnny primarily providing an initial hunch that something wasn’t quite right. His later appearances felt more haunting than helpful. While the magical elements were fascinating, they served more as atmospheric enhancements than pivotal components of the story’s progression.

I really enjoyed James as a character, particularly her resilience and the way she navigated the layers of small-town history. I also appreciated the reignited spark between James and her teenage love, though I found myself wanting more romantic moments between the two to deepen their connection. The mystery surrounding the town was compelling, and while I initially felt underwhelmed by the culprit’s reveal, the ending tied things together in a satisfying way. Without giving away spoilers, the final chapters provided the closure I needed. I did predict the final reveal, but it was one theory among many, and I was content with how it played out.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. While the slower pacing in the beginning made it harder to engage at first, the intricate mystery and rising tension in the second half kept me hooked. Fans of Adrienne Young’s other works will likely appreciate her knack for blending compelling characters with atmospheric settings. A Sea of Unspoken Things is a slow-burn mystery, but it delivers a satisfying conclusion that makes the journey worthwhile.

An absolute STUNNER from Adrienne Young. I am so glad this was my first book of 2025. What're the chances your first read will almost certainly be one of your top for the year too?!

Atmospheric, creepy, haunting, emotional, introspective...it delivered a cast of characters in a setting I won't soon forget. This was the best kind of genre-bender in Young's signature angsty style: part mystery, part magical realism, part thriller, part romance.

I loved The Unmaking of June Farrow, and this has a similar vibe, but where that book felt like it read slower to me, Sea of Unspoken Things kept me flipping pages and unable to set this down. I finished the book in 2 days and the pacing did not let up!

The story follows James Golden (twin to Johnny Golden), as she (James) attempts to solve what she believes to be his murder, not a hunting accident. Forced to return to the small town and its secrets she escaped 20 years before, her quest for the truth about her brother, however painful, stirs up all the secrets this small-town has been hiding. Set in the woods of Northern CA, the trees, gorges and ravines and wildlife were all but personified as they were given life in this book.

Young just has a way of pulling you right into the character's experience and I struggled right along with James as she grapples with themes of accepting those you love with their imperfections, facing your own truth, trying to find a sense of belonging, and listening to your intuition.

This review wouldn't be complete without a moment for Smoke, the never-aging wolf-dog, grim? I loved him. Cheers also to Micah, a love interest I couldn't root for more.

This book absolutely cemented Adrienne Young as an auto-buy author for me.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book.

I went into this book not really knowing what to expect. I’m a big Adrienne Young fan so that was the sole purpose of wanting to read this book. I was not expecting it to be a thriller and it 100% was and I loved it! The magical realism was just enough to keep my heart happy because we all know I love a little magic. So good and 100% recommend if you’re a thriller person.

When I got accepted for A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young eARC, I was beyond thrilled and she did not disappoint! This mystery/ thriller kept me guessing till the very end and the added magical aspects made it right up my alley! I had this book figured out and disproven so many times it’s embarrassing and that is exactly how I love it! I am so ready for this book to be released because I need to talk this story out?

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Lyrical and intriguing but with a few issues

James (our FMC) and Johnny Golden are twins with a connection that lies in the supernatural realm. She can feel and experience what he feels, so when Johnny is killed, James knows it has happened and lives through it even before the news officially reaches her.
Now, James is back in the rural town of Hawthorne, California, after twenty years to sort out her twin’s work and find out what actually happened. She soon realizes her brother is trying to communicate with her from wherever he is but it is too overwhelming. After all, James left the town after an incident that changed a few lives. Being back means she also has to deal with the past, especially her first love Micah, the man who has been with her brother’s friend all these years and might be the only one to help her connect the dots.
The story comes in James’ first-person POV.

My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author (I was declined the last time) and I can see why her works are popular. Though there are many elements I dislike, the writing style has a haunting quality.
The atmosphere is next level. Most of the story is set in and around a dense forest, so it’s already my favorite place. However, this forest is not magical. It is dark, mossy, thick, suffocating, oppressive, and overwhelming. It closes in from all sides and traps you inside. But… it is still my favorite. For the FMC, the forest is a representation of what she has escaped but couldn’t let go. This is apparent on many pages.
Since the story is in James’ first-person (don’t worry, she tells us right in the first chapter why she has a male name), there’s a lot of suppressed information. She doesn’t want to even think of it which means we go around in circles in the first half. Still, after the slow start, the momentum picks up. Little bits of information are scattered in the monologues. Collecting it is our responsibility.
Micah is a nice guy; a bit intense but then the FMC is intenser (I know it’s not a word), and Johnny seems to be intensiest. We don’t directly meet the dead man but he is everywhere (to the point of possibly coming out of the Kindle screen as smoke).
However, don’t expect to connect with any of them. At around 10% I realized this is a book where everything has a surreal tinge. The characters are no exception. If you can connect with them, good; if not, nothing to worry about. I don’t think we are meant to.
Despite the FMC being 37, she acts like a late teen the majority of the time. That’s probably coz it was the age she left the forest town without a proper closure. When she returns, she falls into the same pattern despite thinking she should be an adult. Such a character would annoy me (did too), but it seemed to fit here.
So, why the relatively lower rating? One, because of how the story goes in circles until 60%+, and then we get reveal after reveal in quick succession. Two, the sort of love triangle wasn’t necessary since the other guy barely had any active role. Three, quite a few questions remain unanswered, which dim the enjoyment of the epilogue. Fourth, it is easy to guess the secret.

To summarize, A Sea of Unspoken Things has a great atmosphere and a few possible triggers. It was an intriguing read but not without flaws. I would be happy to read more books by the author. The prose is excellent!
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Delacorte Press), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This book was so good! Its about a woman who has to go back to her home town 20 years later because her twin died. The love of her past still lives there. She also feels unsettled about her twins death. I loved it he magical realism it this book. I honestly think it would be a really good movie. I couldnt put it down. I read it in one day. I loved the mystery, thrill and plot twists.

Just, WOW!! This book was riveting and I love Adrienne Young's writing so much; the eeriness of it and just all of the emotion... it's so, so good! The ride this story took me on was unexpected and exciting. Highly recommend! What a way to start off the year!

A Sea of Unspoken Things follows James whose twin brother Johnny was accidentally killed by a hunter while working with owls. She returns to her hometown to finish his work and tie up loose ends. James meets up with Micah who is her brother's best friend and her first love. She slowly uncovers her brother's secrets and the truth about his death.

Adrienne Young really has a great way of immersing readers in her stories and the surrounding environment. She writes so beautifully they you want to read and digest every word. I didn't know what to expect with this novel but I could not put it down. It was drama, small town life, romance, and suspense all rolled into one. I loved it!

Thank you to Random House Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read before release date. I enjoyed the book but felt like it was drawn out a bit, I lost interest a couple times. However, This book is a shorter read and would be a good pallet cleanser. Enjoy and happy reading!

I have posted my review on Goodreads my user name is Erica casimir

Yet another incredible atmospheric mystery thriller with a touch of the supernatural. Adrienne Young became one of my favorite authors after reading The UnMaking of June Farrow last year. While not quite to that height, A Sea of Unspoken Things grabbed me from the very first page and did not let go. When Jame's Twin Johney is shot and killed in what seems to be a hunting accident, James must return to the hometown she ran from and deal with secrets from both the past and the present. I loved how the supernatural connection that exists between James and her brother is understated but present throughout the story. Enough to add intrigue and questions, but without any sense of certainty or interference on the part of the ghost. The story had me guessing all the way through and pulled me into the dynamic of the small town characters. There is some romance and certainly more than one mystery to be solved, but what drives the story is the characters and Young never fails to weave a rich tapestry of connections and complicated motivations into their humanity. I loved this! 4.5 stars rounded up.

Unfortunately this book didn’t work for me.
This book tried to be a thriller but it was just way too slow of a burn to build up any suspense. I found the plot very boring up until about 70% where things finally got a little interesting. There was also very little character development of James or Micah so I felt unconnected from both of them. The author spent so much time trying to get the reader to understand Johnny, that the development of the other characters suffered. I also usually like Young’s atmospheric writing but in this story, it just felt long and drawn out. Overall, I did not enjoy this one.

SYNOPSIS
- A grieving twin sister returns to her gloomy hometown to settle her late brother’s affairs. As she navigates her loss, she begins to uncover long-buried secrets about her brother, herself, and their past.

MY THOUGHTS
- While the premise had promise, the execution didn’t quite deliver. The book read more like a YA novel, which made it feel less impactful than I had hoped.
- The gloomy setting was atmospheric and fitting for the mystery, but the slow pacing often bogged down the narrative.
- I would categorize this book as a mystery with some magical realism sprinkled in.
- Character development was one of the book’s weakest points. I never felt like I got to know anyone, and I was never invested in any of the characters.
- The ending was particularly disappointing. After all the buildup, the resolution felt anticlimactic and unsatisfying, leaving me wishing for more depth and closure.
- While the setting and hints of magical realism were intriguing, the lack of character development and the slow pacing made this a less-than-memorable read. If you’re looking for a light mystery with a somber tone, this might be worth a try, but it’s unlikely to leave a lasting impression.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐⭐️ A promising premise with an atmospheric setting, A Sea of Unspoken Things ultimately falls flat due to slow pacing, underdeveloped characters, and an unsatisfying, anticlimactic ending.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Delacorte Press & Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchanges for an honest review. This book will be published on January 7, 2025.

If there is one word that sums up all of Adrienne Young’s adult books so far, that word would be “atmospheric.” Whether it’s a remote island village, a mountainous farming area, or a small town in the middle of the California redwood forests; you feel as if you are there with the characters in an incredibly visceral way.

I don’t tend to gravitate toward thrillers because I solve them quickly and then tend to be bored if there isn’t enough character depth and development to hold my interest. The ones I enjoy flow like this one, where the suspense builds slowly and the story is built upon the character layers and development in such a way that it’s tied to the mystery. I had my suspicions early on, but the mood, the characters, the setting, and the hints of magical realism kept me entranced even after I was pretty sure about what happened and why.

The pacing is deliciously slow because we are unpacking so much history and emotional content between the main character and the town she left behind twenty years prior. We are on her journey to figure out what caused the death of her brother, but we also see her journey toward combining who she was in the past and who she is now to figure out what she wants for her future.

For me, this was another hit novel by Young, and I’ll be sticking around to see what she comes up with next! Thank you so much for the advanced copy of the book, Netgalley and Random House/Ballantine!

3.5 - her prose is absolutely captivating and so beautiful. I was immediately drawn into the story and could feel and picture everything. It made me want to read every other book by this author.

The pacing for me was my biggest issue. It felt a bit slow until 60% and then I couldn’t put it down, because everything started moving at rapid speed.

This is an atmospheric and moody mystery meets general fiction, with a little romance and magical realism. I think if you’re a fan of this type of read and don’t mind a slowwww burn, you’ll enjoy it.

Hauntingly Beautiful. It’s hard to find words for this one. Small town, magical realism, slow burn mystery, atmospheric suspense, a suspicious death. Each chapter left you wanting more. The main character James Golden returns to the small town she grew up in to investigate her twin brother Johnny’s death. (Yes, her name is James) She ran from this town and the people there at the age of 18 but now needs to settle Johnny’s affairs. What she was told was an accidental hunting accident begins to feel off to her. The more she learns the more she knows she needs to know what really happened. I loved this book, the characters, the setting, the writing. 5 stars.