All Things Seen and Unseen by RJ McDaniel

This novel was hard to put down and is proving even harder to forget … RJ McDaniel has created something unique and powerful in All Things Seen and Unseen.

It has been a few weeks since I finished reading All Things Seen and Unseen and my head is still spinning. This novel was hard to put down and is proving even harder to forget. Something about the pain and confusion portrayed in the story has stuck with me. I catch myself staring into the distance wanting more and wondering what ever became of Alex.

This modern gothic horror follows Alex as she attempts to find peace in a world that has repeatedly tried to beat her down. Upon release from rehab, she discovers that she can no longer remain in her university housing so will be homeless in a matter of days. Not knowing where to go and with no one to turn to, she struggles to find a reason to keep going until, out of the blue, an old friend reaches out and gives her an opportunity to house sit at her parents’ island mansion for the summer. Suddenly, Alex has a place to live, a pay cheque and a glimmer of hope for the first time in a long time. Packing her things, she heads to the coast for what she hopes will be a summer of healing. What she is met with is far from what she imagined on many levels. Alex must face her innermost fears, a community of uninviting individuals and a potential romance all at once on top of the strange things that start happening at the house she is staying in. Is it all in her mind, or is there really something lurking in the shadows?

First, I must talk about how much I loved the writing in this novel. RJ McDaniel is a master at describing the beauty of nature. I felt completely immersed in the surroundings of the island and could see every detail clearly like I was watching a National Geographic special unfold in my mind. Breathtakingly beautiful writing. You can really sense how much the author loves nature and how important it is for healing and rejuvenation.

Now I need to discuss the characters and I honestly don’t know what to say except wow. I don’t think I have ever read a book that delves so far into the mind of a character. To be honest, this novel kind of scared me! The level of intensity is out of this world, and I found myself gripping the arm of the chair as I read because I knew our main character was barely hanging on and had no idea when things might go too far. Parts of this story are still so questionable. I can’t decide what was real and what was imagined. Alex was the most intense, terrifying, and haunting character that I have come across in a very long time.

RJ McDaniel has created something unique and powerful in All Things Seen and Unseen. This novel is rich with vivid imagery and jam packed with the most intense emotions. I felt terrified by the traumas that Alex dealt with and even now, weeks later, I am still wondering if Alex is ok. This story is definitely an eye opener and one that teaches some very important lessons. Trauma of any kind should not be taken lightly and those most affected need to have others to lean on when they hit rock bottom. Sometimes we need help being pulled from the darkness and it is important to know when to ask for help. Everyone needs a light and safe place to heal, and Alex’s story is a perfect example.

RJ McDaniel is a writer, at least for now. Their essays on baseball and other topics have been featured in Catapult, PRISM, and VICE Sports, among others. They live in Vancouver. This is their debut novel.

Publisher: ECW Press (April 23, 2024)
Paperback 5.5″ x 8.5″ | 248 pages
ISBN: 9781770417090

Laura Patterson

Laura Patterson is a Registered Acupuncturist and a QA Lab Technician from rural New Brunswick where she lives with her husband and twin boys. She has a BSc in Biology and a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. When she's not working in the lab or in her clinic, she enjoys camping and adventuring with her family, reading many books, and writing book reviews.