This was really, really slow to get going. About halfway through it picked up nicely, and had some pretty good twists. But overall, this one fell kind of flat for me. I enjoyed June Farrow so much more, but will still definitely check out more of Adrienne Young's books. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc!

A Sea of Unspoken Things
by Adrienne Young
Pub Date: Jan.7, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
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.
I love the cover!! Stunning!
A small departure from her previous two books this book still felt like them even being darker and as always I stayed up until I finished it. Well done I will always read Young!

WOW! I was extremely impressed with A Sea of Unspoken Things! This is so different, story wise, from Fable/Namesake and June Farrow, but I was so immersed in the feeling that Young created in this book.

I loved this book from beginning to end. Young is so descriptive in her writing, and it made me feel like I was actually in the places she was describing. The small town, inside of the National Park, created a great setting for the mystery part of the story. The people in the town know everything about one another and share gossip about one another, but are also very skeptical of new people, so you get that close knit community with a touch of dysfunctional small town vibes.

Young’s writing in this book really grabbed my attention. There is a weighted feeling to the closeness of the National Park, the small town and the secrets that are being kept. It adds a smothering, oppressive, ominous feel to the story and I felt like James was feeling all of those feelings too, as she found out things about her brother, that she had missed out on, over the past several years. I also loved seeing how the connection with Johnny still existed, and brought a touch of the supernatural to the story.

If you have read any other Adrienne Young books, then I would highly recommend A Sea of Unspoken Things. It is beautifully written, and definitely holds its own among her other amazing books.

An Adrienne Young novel can promise you a few things - magic, a constant need to turn pages, and poetic language that will have you soaking up every word. While different than Spells for Forgetting or The Unmaking of June Farrow - there is always an otherworldliness that permeates Adrienne's worlds that make them undeniably special.

Johnny and James share a unique bond as twins that has united them throughout their life - but is it also now driving them after Johnny's death. James returns home to Six Rivers to unravel the mystery of Johnny's death - uncovering uncomfortable truths, rekindling old relationships, and taking her down new paths in the woods she's always known. The novel unwinds and keeps you constantly guessing if Johnny is a hero or a villain - and I suppose the answer lies in who you ask.

This is a master class in unraveling a mystery slowly, and meticulously - and it makes sense, because our protagonist, James, is so guarded. It takes time for James to reveal the clues she does know to us, but when the truth comes out - it lands with impact. Throughout the book you may spot clues, but you'll also keep guessing. And the world Adrienne creates is so vivid, you can see the gorge, the trees, Smoke running in the yard, and the photography in your mind's eye through the richness of her words - it all comes together in a crystal clear vision. While I think this book doesn't have as much magical realism than her other novels, it still is so unique, the soft hand of a deceased Johnny guiding us along the way - even when you don't know when to trust it or not. Adrienne is an auto-buy author for me, and this cements that.

I think Young is a beautiful writer and I enjoyed many things about this novel. However, I prefer her magical realism more.

⭐️: 4.5/5

If you’re looking for an atmospheric, wintery, small-town suspense book with hints of magical realism, then look no further. All of Adrienne Young’s books have this in common, which is great because you know exactly the vibe you’re getting when you pick up one of her books. There’s always such a specific kind of magical realism that combines nature-y magic with small town drama that makes such a good reading experience, especially in the cold weather months with a warm beverage to go along with it.

This was probably the most straightforward mystery/suspense book that I’ve read by Young thus far, since the two previous books I’ve read by her were on the fantasy edge of the magical realism genre. In this one, a woman with an almost supernatural connection to her twin brother finds herself back in the small town of her youth when her brother is found shot in a remote area of the woods, and she just knows that there’s something more to the story than a hunting accident.

The drama of the past was a little bit heavy-handed, and it took a little longer than I’d have liked for the reader to understand why James was so nervous about who her brother was, but the claustrophobia of the small town was really well done, and had you not sure if you could trust anyone, with all the secrets that they all seemed to have.

Of the three books by Young I’ve read, this has been my favorite so far, which is saying something because I loved the other two also. While the twists and turns of the story definitely read as a mystery book, it’s also a book about finding who you are and where you belong.

Thank you to @netgalley and @delacortepress for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

When her twin brother is lost to an accidental firearm incident, James returns to Six Rivers, the hometown she left and never returned to again. With nothing but a gut feeling and a twin connection to go on, James sets out to discover the real truth behind what happened to Johnny.

I absolutely adored Young’s last two novels—The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting—giving them both five stars, so this was a highly anticipated read for me. Young has a true talent for creating magical, small-town atmospheres and enchanting stories which are strongly featured in her two previous novels as well as in her latest, A Sea of Unspoken Things. Young writes worlds that I want to stay in forever and read about forever even if there is absolutely nothing else going on. Fortunately for readers though, there is plenty going on in this story which comes together with compelling character relationships; small-town secrets; sharp, flowing prose; and a touch of magical realism that Young does so well. As with her other stories, there is a romantic sub-plot in this novel which I usually am not a fan of but here, it doesn’t feel cheap or cheesy or childish; it feels just right. A couple complaints that I have with this story are that, at times, it was repetitive and, at other times, felt achingly similar to her previous work, Spells For Forgetting—especially in the beginning.

Having another slice of Young’s creative mind in A Sea of Unspoken Things was a true treat for me and I think many readers—like myself—will find themselves lost in the pages and reach the end begging for more.

Thank you Random House for the early copy in exchange for an honest review! Available Jan. 7 2025

This is a tricky book for me - I liked the story but felt like it was a little too long and repetitive. This was my first book to read by Adrienne Young, and I still plan to read more!

I have LOVED her last two releases but this one did not do it for me. I didn’t care for the mystery and prefer her more magical realism vibes. I will still hope for an another fall release next year. 🤞

Swinging between a 3-3.5

I really loved Adrienne Young’s The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting and was really excited to have the chance to read this ARC (thanks NetGalley for sending one my way).

I was a big fan of this one too but I felt like there were a couple of things that kept it from being really great.

All the characters seemed to be obsessed with the past but we rarely heard any details that had them still thinking about it 20 years later. I really enjoy Young’s style of writing so I was engrossed even though I wanted more.

One other area I wanted more from was the kind of “magical” element here. At first I wasn’t sure if the lead character was just grieving or if she was actually experiencing something *more*. Even still I’m not sure what Young intended here because it just kind of touched the surface.

I'd still recommend this one for people who like her stuff- I won’t pass up an option to read what Adrienne Young does next. Keep an eye our for this one on January 7 2025.

**Book Review: A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young**

**Rating: ★★★★★**

In Adrienne Young's gripping mystery/thriller, *A Sea of Unspoken Things*, we are introduced to James Golden, an artist living in the bustling city of San Francisco. Her world is turned upside down when she receives the devastating news of her twin brother Johnny’s tragic death. Returning to her small hometown for the first time in two decades, James is faced not only with the sorrow of her loss but also with the weight of unresolved past relationships and buried secrets.

Set against the backdrop of a tight-knit community, the story beautifully unfolds as James reconnects with her first love, Micah, who happens to be Johnny’s best friend. As she navigates her grief, she begins to dig deeper into Johnny's life, discovering unsettling secrets that suggest his death may not have been an accident. This investigation leads her to confront not only the ghost of her brother but also the complexities of her own emotions and the supernatural bond they shared.

What I loved most about this book was its fast-paced, suspenseful narrative, interwoven with supernatural elements that added a layer of intrigue. The relationship dynamics among James, Johnny, and Micah are deep and complex, exploring themes of love, loss, and the sometimes painful choices we make in the name of protection. The fact that the characters are in their late 30s provides a refreshing perspective on family dynamics and first love, illustrating that these experiences are as poignant and relevant at any age.

Overall, *A Sea of Unspoken Things* captivates with its perfect blend of mystery, emotional depth, and supernatural intrigue. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of Adrienne Young and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story about complex family relationships and the lingering impacts of love and loss.

“A Sea of Unspoken Things” (ARC REVIEW) 📸
publication date: Jan 7, 2025

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻 I loved “The Unmaking of June Farrow” so I was SO EXCITED to read this!

💭 I really enjoyed this! I read it pretty quickly because I was so intrigued by the storyline. I’ll admit, I went into this one completely blind. Although I felt the story started off slowly— you take your time connected with the characters. I loved the twin telepathy aspect between James and Johnny because it showed how deep their connection really was, even in a season of doubt. The suspense, the romantic entanglement, and the small town vibes really set this storyline up for a great mystery.

💬 Mini Synopsis: James is returning to her home town in leui of her twin brother, Johnny’s, passing. He was supposedly out on the forge working on his upcoming photography project when he was shot and killed. Although, James can sense this is not the case. She knows her brother. She is connected to him in ways no one else understands. James is determined to uncover the truth about her brother’s death— even when she digs up the unknown along the way.

I went into this book not quite knowing what to expect, but I was met with such an interesting story, it was hard to put down. Adrienne Young weaves a complex tale of family, the desire to run away from your past, and personal tragedy. At times, I didn't know how the story would resolve itself and was as shocked as James when she learned certain things. I found myself really connecting to the characters here, and part of that was made possible by the way that the town and the woods are almost characters of their own, they set such a realistic setting.

After her twin brother's tragic death, James must return to her hometown, that she left 20 years ago. Guided by her deep, lingering connection to her brother and the boy she left behind, she embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about what really happened to him.

Adrienne Young has officially become one of my auto-buy authors. Her writing is so beautiful, and I've loved everything I've read from her. This book was a bit different, with its mystery element and less of magical realism that I love. I thought I had figured things out but I was wrong and then there was another twist that surprised me.

Reviews

3.75⭐️ rounded up
When James returns to her small town to investigate the accidental death of her twin brother, she has to revisit her own past and reconnect with her past love. Adrienne Young is a master at small town atmospheric writing, beautiful prose, and mixing in just the right amount of magical realism. This is a slow burn mystery, which I enjoy, but the pacing was a bit off. It does seem to drag for the first half of the book. The action picks up in the second half but also felt a bit rushed. I was not as invested in the characters as I have been in her other books. I still loved the writing and enjoyed how the mystery unfolded in this one. I will continue to read anything she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

So this was a murder mystery where our Heroine James try’s to figure out what happened to her brother Johnny after she left their small remote logging town. She also reconnects with her old flame and solves a bunch of questions while attempt to learn who her brother really was while reconciling her and her brothers past. I am usually a huge Adrienne Young fan she is one of my automatic buy and read authors but this one I just couldn’t really get into, i was confused at the beginning thinking they were twin girls and then they were brother and sisters and he was super protective of her but she was kind of not sure if she should be to scared of him.

I received this as a ARC from NetGalley in advance of its 2025 release. As usual, Adrienne Young delivers mystery with an edge of mystical in the most heartbreaking way.

The story of a woman returning to her hometown after the death of her twin brother to find answers. She has always had a connection outside of understanding with her brother and she feels in her bones that his death wasn’t the accident it was chalked up to be.

As she digs deeper into the time before his death, she also has to revisit some of her own demons.

As she plucks at each thread she finds, the story begins to unravel to a finish I did not see coming.

P.S. Micah is Chad Michael Murray and you cannot convince me otherwise!

When her twin brother dies in what is perceived to be an accident, James Golden must make her way back to the one place she’s been running from. As she attempts to wrap up her brothers affairs, she begins to pull at loose threads that threaten to unravel everything she believes or wanted to believe about her brother and the connection they shared.
My absolutely favorite thing about this book or any book by Young is her way with words and descriptions. This book started a little differently than her other books and for me was a bit of a shift. While not my favorite book that she’s written, her storytelling more than makes up for the slow build and the lack of emotion seen in James.

Adrienne Young is a master of magical realism. The way she pulls you into a story by giving life to not only her characters but the world she builds is stunning! I am continually in awe of her books. They all live rent free in my brain and I will play the story over and over.

If you enjoyed Spells for Forgetting or The Unmaking of June Farrow (my personal favorite) this will be right up your alley. Set in a mountain small town in the PNW, the overall mystical & sometimes almost spooky atmosphere is all encompassing. When James returns to town after years away to solve the mystery of her brother Johnny's passing, old secrets are brought up along with the truth of his death. The twists and turns will keep you turning the pages to the end where (if you're like me) you will be completely surprised. I highly recommend!

4.5 stars!

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC! I love this author and this book does not disappoint. It is so atmospheric and gave me a lot of unsettling feelings. The book is about James and Johnny who are twins. Johnny dies in an accident, but is it? James is set to find out. But first she has to go back to her hometown and confront a secret from when she was a teenager involving her brother and an old flame.

4.5 stars, I loved it!