Hannah Whitten may be known for her lush fantasy storytelling, but the author of The Wilderwood duology and Nightshade Crown trilogy is wading into new territory with her August 2026 release. Reliquary marks her first foray into horror, though you wouldn't know it from how impressively the novel comes together. At just under 300 pages, it's well worth checking out.
Reliquary opens with the death of our main character, Claire's, fiancé. It's a strong emotional hook, and it's immediately followed by layers of mystery that incentivize readers to lock in. Not only does a CAT scan show strange things going on with Elias's brain — suggesting he should've died much earlier — but it rapidly becomes clear that he was hiding things from Claire in life.
Those secrets come rushing to the surface when Elias's estranged family contacts Claire, wishing to get together in the wake of their shared loss. She sets out for their family home, Harrow Point, which is located on a private island. There, she finds the comfort and belonging she's seeking from them comes at a cost. As the sense that there's something wrong builds, readers will be strung along for a wild ride. Elias's family has much bigger plans for Claire, and they don't exactly account for her well-being.
Reliquary uses trauma and loneliness to drive its story forward
From the moment Claire arrives at Harrow Point in Reliquary, it's clear there's something not quite right about the manor and the people staying there. In fact, I'd wager that sense of wrongness looms over the entirety of the book, even before Claire makes the trip. Whitten does an excellent job of building that sense of dread in the reader, even before it makes itself known to Claire. It's the novel equivalent of yelling, "Girl, get out of there!" while watching a horror movie.
And while that may sound frustrating, Reliquary makes Claire's inability to see what's in front of her believable. The book uses her trauma and isolation to fuel its narrative. After losing her family to an accident at sea, and spending most of her life disconnected from everyone but Elias, it's no surprise Claire is willing to overlook the massive red flags surrounding him and his kin. She doesn't pick up on the ritualistic happenings until it's too late to escape them.
It sets up a compelling internal journey for the book's main character, one that allows it to unpack the realities of trauma and the way it shapes people. It makes Claire harder to relate to at times, but that's the entire point. And Whitten writes her grief and longing in a way that's palpable, persuading readers to sympathize with her regardless.
Hannah Whitten's novel is atmospheric and disturbing
Claire's emotional journey throughout Reliquary lands, but horror needs more than a convincing and sympathetic main character to succeed. It requires set dressing and imagery that disturbs its audience, as well as an intriguing plot. Fortunately, Reliquary features all of the above.
The atmospheric nature of the novel is one of its greatest strengths, as readers are constantly aware of the sea and the dangers it poses. It's evident in Claire's backstory, in the grotesque visions of Elias she keeps having, and in the fact that Harrow Point is surrounded by it.
It's enough to make anyone claustrophobic, and that's something Reliquary does very well. Claire may go along with the odd requests of Elias's family for a time. However, even after she realizes she needs to escape, there's the overwhelming sense that there's nowhere for her to go. She's not in control; no one is when forces of nature, like the ocean, are involved.
The horrifying reality of that, along with the disturbing imagery Whitten works into the story, makes this a tense reading experience throughout. There's some great body horror. (If that makes you squeamish, be warned.) There's also supernatural stuff at play, which meshes Whitten's fantasy and horror expertise nicely.
Greed is the true villain of Reliquary (and that makes it timely)
Trauma may lay the foundation for Claire's circumstances, and the ocean might be a looming force, but Reliquary's truest villain is greed. The reason Elias's family sets their sights on Claire leads back to their unending desire for power and privilege. Their greed is as unending as the ocean, and just as destructive. It gives Whitten's story another powerful through line and makes it all the more timely.
Unfortunately, this element of the novel does mean its villains aren't as nuanced as some readers might like. As an observation of the way greed hollows people out and extracts their humanity, it fits with the story. However, it does make it difficult to understand the Ashburys at times. The exception is Elias's brother, Ash, who showcases well-written moral complexity throughout. His dynamic with Claire is a highlight, and he's a breath of fresh air compared to his mostly uncaring, self-interested family members.
Reliquary is the perfect summer read
For those considering Whitten's latest, Reliquary is an ideal summer read — and not just because it centers on the ocean. The short chapters and punchy writing will allow readers to make quick work of it. It's a great choice for traveling, sitting on the beach, or even just an afternoon in the air condition. It's consistently engaging and still manages to have poignant discussions. It strikes a great balance, proving itself a promising first horror novel. I'm excited to see what Whitten does next in the category.
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