It’s pretty unusual for me to get gushy and emotional over a book, but Mother of Merlin, this story has affected me in so many ways and really changed the way I see certain aspects of life.If you get the time, or even if you don’t, make sure you read this book. I picked it up expecting a quick and easy read, something to take my mind off reality for a while, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book in his family’s bookshop. She waited. But Henry never came.
Now Rachel has returned to the city—and to the bookshop—to work alongside the boy she’d rather not see, if at all possible, for the rest of her life. But Rachel needs the distraction. Her brother drowned months ago, and she can’t feel anything anymore.
As Henry and Rachel work side by side—surrounded by books, watching love stories unfold, exchanging letters between the pages—they find hope in each other. Because life may be uncontrollable, even unbearable sometimes. But it’s possible that words, and love, and second chances are enough.”
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley is a 349 page YA contemporary novel, it was released on the 30th of August 2016 by Knopf Books. This story captures the life of Rachael, an eighteen year old girl who just lost her brother – Cal – and decides to move back to the city where she originally lived before they travelled to a small sea-side town. Rachael is grieving, and she isn’t handling life too well; after failing year twelve, loosing her connection with her mother and pushing away anybody that tries to get close. But everything from before Cal’s death resides in the city; her best friend ex-Henry, the talented Hollows and a peaceful second-hand book store called Howling Books, which is coincidentally owned by Henry’s family. Can Rachael stomach the ghosts of her past life, or will the grief of loosing her only brother swallow her whole?
Life was good – in fact, life was great for Rachael before the end of the world. It wasn’t really an apocalypse, but her ninth grade class decided to pretend it was. They all made plans to confess their undying love or get drunk for once, Rachael and Henry decided to spend it at Howling books together. That was until Henry abandoned her for Amy, an upperclassmen that oozed confidence and sexuality in a way that made it hard to resist. You see, before this night, Henry and Rachael were inseparable, they had grown up together in the Letter Library at Howling Books, browsing through the pages and searching for lost confessions of adoration. So Rachael left for her sea-side town and Henry settled with Amy – a few years went by and suddenly Rachael’s back where she started; but this time with no Cal, no Henry and no desire to be anything but miserable. As expected, things get rough and relationships are challenged, but there’s also plenty of joy along the way and just enough romance to keep you edging from your seat.
Words in Deep Blue has officially made my list of top five favourite books. I can’t say that it was very dramatic or thrilling, but the story was wholesome and made me feel a connectedness that only happens a few times in your life. I found this book to be a slow-burn, but in a good way; the events weren’t rushed and I was able to savour them as they passed. The ending made me feel warm and content inside – despite wanting to curl up in a hoard of blankets and sob – it was satisfyingly imperfect. One of the most important things about this book is that it’s realistic, Rachael was awfully moody at times and Henry made a handful of mistakes within the first few chapters. They felt real, as if they were tucked away in a corner of my heart to keep for later. And that’s how an author makes their writing so popular among all demographics, by allowing the readers to relate to their characters and the tale they’ve weaved. Crowley has done an excellent job at this, her style is like nothing i’ve read before and she has this John Green/Rainbow Rowell feel about her.
I’m dishing out five out of five stars for Words in Deep Blue, and not just because I resonated with it; the plot and characters are believable and realistic, Crowley’s style is imperfect but beautifully executed and I was treated to an arrangement of laughter, sadness, joy and burning frustration while reading. If you’re looking for something you’ll connect with forever or just need something to make you feel good about the world, Words in Deep Blue is the book for you.
A most bookish of regards,
The Book Owl.
Tea, Books and Honey 