We Were Restless Things

De: Cole Nagamatsu

Narrado por: Sophie Amoss, Tom Picasso

From debut author Cole Nagamatsu comes an atmospheric contemporary fantasy about three teens coming of age in the wake of a mysterious death.

Last summer, Link Miller drowned on dry land in the woods, miles away from the nearest body of water. His death was ruled a strange accident, and in the months since, his friends and family have struggled to make sense of it. But Link's close friend Noemi Amato knows the truth: Link drowned in an impossible lake that only she can find. And what's more, someone claiming to be Link has been contacting her, warning Noemi to stay out of the forest.

As these secrets become too heavy for Noemi to shoulder on her own, she turns to Jonas, her new housemate, and Amberlyn, Link's younger sister. All three are trying to find their place—and together, they start to unravel the truth: about themselves, about the world, and about what happened to Link.

Unfolding over a year and told through multiple POVs and a dream journal, We Were Restless Things explores the ways society shapes our reality, how we can learn to love ourselves and others, and the incredible power of our own desires.

A great pick for readers who want:

• YA contemporary books with touches of YA fantasy

• Modern ghost stories and fairytales

• Young adult LGBT books with an asexual character

©2020 Cole Nagamatsu (P)2020 Recorded Books

Bookclub read, magical and beautiful

I read reviews before selecting this for our book club, and even though it didn’t seem to be very popular, I was intrigued. The imagery and storytelling is beautiful. I could picture certain descriptions on the big screen. The story may not have conflict but it’s beautiful nonetheless. I really enjoyed this book.

Atmospheric but a Little Disconnected

We Were Restless Things has an incredibly unique and intriguing premise, one that immediately pulls you in with its atmosphere and mystery. However, the story doesn’t unfold as cleanly as it could.

The timeline jumps around in a way that can feel disorienting, and the character development falls short. You want to connect with the characters and their relationships, but that emotional depth never quite comes through.

While the concept is rich with potential, the execution left me wishing for a more cohesive narrative and stronger character engagement.