"All Things Seen and Unseen" by RJ McDaniel is a poignant and incisive novel that delves into the complexities of identity, wealth, and survival through the lens of a queer narrative.

The story follows Alex Nguyen, a university student in her early twenties who, after a suicide attempt and an extended hospitalization, finds herself grappling with the aftermath. Jobless, homeless, and still dealing with the emotional aftermath of a broken relationship, Alex's life takes an unexpected turn when a wealthy high school friend offers her a job housesitting at her family's vacant summer mansion on a gulf island.

Set against the backdrop of a remote and insular community, Alex must navigate the challenges of being an outsider while also confronting the trauma she has repressed. The novel explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and the impact of wealth on identity. As Alex grapples with her past and forges new connections, the narrative unfolds against the atmospheric backdrop of a gulf island, where the beauty of nature contrasts with the complexities of human emotions.

"All Things Seen and Unseen" promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of personal growth, resilience, and the unseen challenges that individuals face. The intersectionality of identity, the exploration of queer experiences, and the portrayal of a character navigating through the aftermath of trauma contribute to the depth and richness of the narrative. Readers can expect a literary journey that combines emotional depth with an evocative portrayal of both the seen and unseen aspects of life.

I want to thank NetGalley and ECW Press for this arc. "All Things Seen and Unseen" is a story about pain, with a touch of horror. I didn't find it particularly scary and I wouldn't classify it as horror, but the author got my attention from the start.

The book tells the story of Alex, a struggling queer person that accepts a job, offered by a friend, to housesitting a mansion in the middle of nowhere. Alone for the first time in a long period, Alex needs to fight against personal demons and past trauma, always questioning their sanity.

It was a great book, especially since it's the author's first novel, but it could move a little faster. And since this was an arc, there were several typos that I hope get fixed when published.

A dark and introspective story on pain, self discovery, and traumatic memories. Please read the trigger warnings before reading this book.

Alex Nguyen, a chronically ill college student, seemingly lost everything after an attempt that left her hospitalized. She is given a second chance when an old friend offers her a job to house sit an empty mansion over the summer on a remote island. Alex must find herself, with the help of the community, before dark events threaten to ruin her second chance at life.

This story paints a beautiful yet haunting picture of life when all hope is lost. It has friendship and love woven between memories of trauma and pain. I caution those who read this, as I found it hard to read at times. The ending is beautiful, as are you and your life. Take care of yourself, dear reader.

Thank you to Netgalley and ECW Press for this ARC.

This book lacks a content advisory but features potentially triggering content. Here are my content warnings: intimate partner violence, suicide attempts & suicidal ideation, mental illness (paranoia), transphobia and other violence against LGBTQ+, medical institutionalization, financial & food insecurity.

Note on pronoun use: Alex is referred to as she/her through most of the book and they/them later. I am using she/her because that is the pronoun used in the book’s description, and the shift in pronouns later relates to a major plot point.

Alex Nguyen, the MC, is the most interesting part of the book. She has several intersecting identities that impact her life in various ways, and following her mindset as she navigates them and trauma of her experiences often feels emotionally true.

The main issues I had with this book are the pacing and plot. It drags through each section, with very little driving the action forward. Relatedly, sections may appear chronologically, but they don’t build a clear narrative. It’s feels more like a reel of highlights that Alex experiences, which I can attribute to her mindset coloring events. I still found the jumps between sections confusing as topics shifted with little transition and seemingly important plot points dropped with no explanation.

DNF - This was a case of me not being the right reader for this story. I found the beginning drag in a melodramatic way that I do not necessarily enjoy reading. With that being said, the right reader will adore this one.

This book delves into identity, wealth, and survival through Alex's compelling queer journey on a remote gulf island. The close-knit community setting adds depth, exploring race and queerness authentically. Alex's hope-filled summer job at a lavish mansion brings growth and opportunity to the narrative. It's a powerful story of overcoming adversity and embracing one's true self, making it a highly recommended, thought-provoking read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

This book definitely felt very tense with elements of darkness and suspense throughout. Definitely recommend it.