Reliquary by Hannah Whitten Review | A Haunting Horror Debut
Introduction
Cover image of Reliquary by Hannah Whitten
First, I would like to start this review by thanking the staff at Hachette and Orbit Books who attended NYC BookCon 2026 and gifted me an e-ARC of Reliquary.
I am a big fan of Hannah Whitten’s Wilderwood duology, so I was extremely interested in getting my hands on a copy of this release, especially since it is her first book published in the horror genre. I am excited to have read it and to continue supporting Hannah in this new chapter of her writing career.
I am new to the horror genre, only having read a few books in the past that fit the bill, but this book was something else entirely. The beginning of the book’s blurb describes it best: “A young woman is lured to her late fiancé's remote island estate—only to uncover eerie family secrets, a haunting past, and a monstrous hunger stirring beneath the sea in this deliciously atmospheric horror debut.”
A Horror Story that Feels Like A Movie
Reliquary was written like a horror movie. I was sitting and reading, knowing there was something off, screaming at Claire to “GET OUT!” and “RUN!” and asking “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” with several other variations of concern and advice.
Claire, Ash, and the Red Flags
This story explored what people may let slide when they are lonely, grieving, or looking to belong. With a narrator who was all of the above, it was hook, line, and sinker into the horrifying cult-like sacrifice role for her. Claire, haunted by her late fiancé Elias’s passing, presence, and a traumatic past, was encouraged by Elias’s family that this is where she belongs despite the warning bells going off in her head. Ash, her would-be brother-in-law, is the only one in Harrow Point who seems angry about her arrival and does not want her around.
Feeling a mix of emotions for Claire was imminent as I read. I kept wanting to give her a hug for all she was dealing with while simultaneously leaving her to rot because the signs were so clear. She kept letting crazy things slide, and I thought, maybe she belongs and deserves everything about to happen? Not that anyone would ever deserve being a bodily sacrifice for an ocean squid-like deity, but still. Get it together, Claire!
Claire and this story’s saving grace was Ash. He is the character that reminds the readers that we do, in fact, know what is going on; we know there are an abundance of red flags waving, and he’s our voice throughout the story (when it’s not being muffled by seaweed), telling Claire in any way he is capable to leave.
This bodily and psychological horror gave me nightmares. It wasn’t outrageously scary, but I chose to read this in bed every night and found myself waking with a start a few more times than I am proud to admit. The imagery was so vivid, the setting beautiful, and you could taste the fear mixed with the salt water in the air.
Final thoughts And Rating
As this genre is not typically my go-to, I am happy to report how much I enjoyed reading it. Therefore, I am rating Reliquary an 8 out of 10 stars. I found myself trying to guess the plot, what would happen next, and then giving up and going along for the ride because it was nothing like I expected it to be. Reliquary will stick with me. It could very well creep up on me next time I am near the ocean or haunt my thoughts if I ever find myself in a submarine. It was powerful and moving despite the fear, because it showcases the strength it takes to fight when overcoming the numbness of grief.
As always, thanks for reading! 💜
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/10