Book: Reliquary by Hannah F. Whitten
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4.5/5
What makes a story genuinely terrifying is entirely subjective, but this one hit me right where it hurts. I was initially hesitant to pick up Reliquary because I have pretty severe thalassophobia (the fear of deep water), and I knew it had the potential to scare the pants off me.
Scare me, it did. Not only is the setting anchored right by the ocean with living quarters that sit partially submerged, but there is also a sequence involving a submarine that sent my anxiety THROUGH THE ROOF during that scene.
We follow Claire, who is left entirely numb after the sudden loss of her fiancé. Having never met his family, she accepts an invitation to visit their private island. Her desperate need for familial connection clouds her judgment at times, but as her grief and backstory unfolds, her choices become entirely understandable.
Reliquary is a masterclass in gothic cosmic horror, so expect a slow buildup with creeping dread. While some readers found certain stretches a bit slow, the deep water and underwater creatures being my absolute kryptonite meant I was locked in and clutching my emotional support cat the entire time. Whitten nailed the atmosphere. Every family member and servant Claire encounters feels unsettlingly off, yet her grief and need for belonging makes her ignore the glaring red flags. Trying to piece together the twists along the way was half the fun.
This is the ultimate read for that awkward limbo between summer and fall. Pairing a classic seaside vacation setting with the sinister, eerie undertones of autumn creates an absolute killer combination. If you are looking for a gothic horror where both the house and the sea function as living, breathing characters, this one is definitely for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC. All opinions are my own