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A Vast, Untethered Ocean
Ollie died five years ago, but his lingering ghost makes moving on difficult.
Haunted by his late husband’s spirit, Brooklyn has become increasingly disturbed and teeters on the brink of suicide. But as a last attempt at revitalization, he decides to drive their beloved Ford Ranger to the place where they met, hoping that retracing their life together will somehow free him from Ollie’s ghost.
Along the road, Brooklyn meets the free-spirited Zinnia, feisty Dahlia, and a dreamer named Aven who remind him about what it means to keep living and challenge his views on what awaits him at the end of his drive.
A Vast, Untethered Ocean is a contemporary and poignant novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and how we deal with devastating loss.
Haunted by his late husband’s spirit, Brooklyn has become increasingly disturbed and teeters on the brink of suicide. But as a last attempt at revitalization, he decides to drive their beloved Ford Ranger to the place where they met, hoping that retracing their life together will somehow free him from Ollie’s ghost.
Along the road, Brooklyn meets the free-spirited Zinnia, feisty Dahlia, and a dreamer named Aven who remind him about what it means to keep living and challenge his views on what awaits him at the end of his drive.
A Vast, Untethered Ocean is a contemporary and poignant novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and how we deal with devastating loss.
284 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2020
5 people are currently reading
2073 people want to read
About the author
R.D. Pires
7 books110 followersRD Pires has found there's always a story to tell, and so he spends his time writing them down. A writing project is always on his mind, even when there aren't enough hours in a day to work on them.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 21, 2020
“I’m not forgetting you,” Brooklyn continues. “But I need to move on.”
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A Vast, Untethered Ocean by RD Pires: 4/5 stars 🌟
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This book was definitely a refreshing read. It was something different than my usual romances, thrillers, historical fiction, etc. My favorite thing about this book was the amount of detail RD Pires put into describing each character, the different towns, and each emotion Brooklyn was feeling. I felt like I could slowly see that dark cloud of grief and mourning hanging over Brooklyn start to clear with each conversation he had with the friends he met on his road trip and each epiphany he had along the way.
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Special thanks again to the author for sending me the ARC. I enjoyed this book and reading about Brooklyn’s journey. I feel like we all just need to take some time to ourselves sometimes to reset, especially when life gets tough. I encourage everyone to give this book a read!
.
A Vast, Untethered Ocean by RD Pires: 4/5 stars 🌟
.
This book was definitely a refreshing read. It was something different than my usual romances, thrillers, historical fiction, etc. My favorite thing about this book was the amount of detail RD Pires put into describing each character, the different towns, and each emotion Brooklyn was feeling. I felt like I could slowly see that dark cloud of grief and mourning hanging over Brooklyn start to clear with each conversation he had with the friends he met on his road trip and each epiphany he had along the way.
.
Special thanks again to the author for sending me the ARC. I enjoyed this book and reading about Brooklyn’s journey. I feel like we all just need to take some time to ourselves sometimes to reset, especially when life gets tough. I encourage everyone to give this book a read!
September 27, 2020
Brooklyn’s journey was something I savored from the very beginning of the book. The story itself was a very fresh take on coming to terms with death of a loved one and learning to live a completely different life after having an old one disrupted with death.
I enjoyed Brooklyn’s journey and felt happy to be along with this ride. I even felt that I was learning a bit about myself along the ride as I felt a lot of similarities with Brooklyn’s hesitation to step out his comfort zone or to accept the reality of a life that isn’t what he imagined it to be. Each character he met along the way brought something new and important to the table (well maybe dashboard) and I was happy to meet each one of them.
By the end of the book, it wasn’t necessarily the story that really hooked me and pulled me deep, it was the writing. RD Pires has a talent at creating gorgeous lines and descriptions. I was constantly surprised by his ability to craft these scenes that were both realistic and captivating.
Wonderful story and even better writing.
I enjoyed Brooklyn’s journey and felt happy to be along with this ride. I even felt that I was learning a bit about myself along the ride as I felt a lot of similarities with Brooklyn’s hesitation to step out his comfort zone or to accept the reality of a life that isn’t what he imagined it to be. Each character he met along the way brought something new and important to the table (well maybe dashboard) and I was happy to meet each one of them.
By the end of the book, it wasn’t necessarily the story that really hooked me and pulled me deep, it was the writing. RD Pires has a talent at creating gorgeous lines and descriptions. I was constantly surprised by his ability to craft these scenes that were both realistic and captivating.
Wonderful story and even better writing.
September 6, 2020
A moving, beautifully worded story with the power to invoke deep emotions from the reader and leave them questioning not only their own thoughts and feelings about life, but to become curious of other peoples around them too.
The language is beautiful and poetic and I was immediately drawn to the powerful connection between Oleander and Brooklyn. From the very beginning I was questioning how it would come to be that these two soulmates had become separate from one another and yet, not quite.
Since the death of his one true love, Brooklyn has been contemplating where he fits in society now that he is alone, and whether he fits anywhere at all. Pires brilliantly captures the complex emotions caused by the death of a loved one and toys with the idea of closure and whether it is possible to move on and recover from something like that.
I felt like I was the fourth passenger they had picked up along the way.. but I was actually the first. From the very beginning I was in the Ford Ranger with Brooklyn and Oleander and their travelling companions along the way. I could see the landscape stretching out ahead, I could feel the cold air coming in through the window, I could see the conversations happening around me and I felt the pain Brooklyn felt along the way.
Not only did I become a part of the story, I learnt from it. Free spirited Zinnia taught me life is an adventure that shouldn’t be squandered away. To take more risks and to feel everything. Every emotion to the maximum. To dare to do something big...something risky...something greater.
Feisty Dahlia with her years of wisdom taught me to laugh more and care less about other people’s thoughts of me, and Aven the Dreamer taught me that if you dare to even dream of something crazy and scary and new, you might just have the power to make it work. To change your life.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story at first, I wasn’t sure it would be one that would capture my imagination and hold it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even the cover which I silently questioned (I wondered what the relevance of the colours was) I now feel connected to. The colours beautifully swirl into one another and are a lovely memento of a journey I have just been on. With Oleander, and Brooklyn, and Zinnia, and Dahlia, and Aven...from the back of a beautifully painted red Ford Ranger.
The language is beautiful and poetic and I was immediately drawn to the powerful connection between Oleander and Brooklyn. From the very beginning I was questioning how it would come to be that these two soulmates had become separate from one another and yet, not quite.
Since the death of his one true love, Brooklyn has been contemplating where he fits in society now that he is alone, and whether he fits anywhere at all. Pires brilliantly captures the complex emotions caused by the death of a loved one and toys with the idea of closure and whether it is possible to move on and recover from something like that.
I felt like I was the fourth passenger they had picked up along the way.. but I was actually the first. From the very beginning I was in the Ford Ranger with Brooklyn and Oleander and their travelling companions along the way. I could see the landscape stretching out ahead, I could feel the cold air coming in through the window, I could see the conversations happening around me and I felt the pain Brooklyn felt along the way.
Not only did I become a part of the story, I learnt from it. Free spirited Zinnia taught me life is an adventure that shouldn’t be squandered away. To take more risks and to feel everything. Every emotion to the maximum. To dare to do something big...something risky...something greater.
Feisty Dahlia with her years of wisdom taught me to laugh more and care less about other people’s thoughts of me, and Aven the Dreamer taught me that if you dare to even dream of something crazy and scary and new, you might just have the power to make it work. To change your life.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this story at first, I wasn’t sure it would be one that would capture my imagination and hold it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Even the cover which I silently questioned (I wondered what the relevance of the colours was) I now feel connected to. The colours beautifully swirl into one another and are a lovely memento of a journey I have just been on. With Oleander, and Brooklyn, and Zinnia, and Dahlia, and Aven...from the back of a beautifully painted red Ford Ranger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2021
"A Vast, Untethered Ocean" is an incredible story from start to finish. It tells a tale that may be familiar to many, but in a way that may not be so familiar. It's a refreshing look at love and loss, as well as the inner workings of the human brain and soul.
The way we reach out to others, find common ground, or perhaps embrace our differences. How one copes with or handles a situation may not be how another does so, but which way is better? Perhaps each are good in their own way, or maybe another path is required.
My favorite part about this novel is not necessarily the characters or the narrative itself - all fantastic, by the way - but in how it delights in sharing the raw, unfiltered movements and emotions of the mind. We all have thoughts that are often difficult to work through, and again, they might be unique to us... but we can at least see a bit of ourselves in these struggles.
We can relate, perhaps not by having the exact same thoughts, but by drawing our own connections to these thoughts from our own experiences. I might not have done that precise embarrassing thing as this character in the novel did, but I know how it FEELS to be that embarrassed over something. To be that angry. To feel that free. To be entirely lost in that moment, that song, that company, that road...
The best part about those emotions and those thoughts is that it does not shy away from the truth, either. Though these characters may be fictional, their struggles and their thoughts are all too real. Too daunting at times. Just like real life. Through these fictional exchanges and reflections, perhaps we can take some lessons away into our own everyday lives.
At the foot of a hill or the bottom of a tree, to the edge of the ocean itself, may our journeys be as thoughtful and fruitful as the adventure experienced in this novel.
The way we reach out to others, find common ground, or perhaps embrace our differences. How one copes with or handles a situation may not be how another does so, but which way is better? Perhaps each are good in their own way, or maybe another path is required.
My favorite part about this novel is not necessarily the characters or the narrative itself - all fantastic, by the way - but in how it delights in sharing the raw, unfiltered movements and emotions of the mind. We all have thoughts that are often difficult to work through, and again, they might be unique to us... but we can at least see a bit of ourselves in these struggles.
We can relate, perhaps not by having the exact same thoughts, but by drawing our own connections to these thoughts from our own experiences. I might not have done that precise embarrassing thing as this character in the novel did, but I know how it FEELS to be that embarrassed over something. To be that angry. To feel that free. To be entirely lost in that moment, that song, that company, that road...
The best part about those emotions and those thoughts is that it does not shy away from the truth, either. Though these characters may be fictional, their struggles and their thoughts are all too real. Too daunting at times. Just like real life. Through these fictional exchanges and reflections, perhaps we can take some lessons away into our own everyday lives.
At the foot of a hill or the bottom of a tree, to the edge of the ocean itself, may our journeys be as thoughtful and fruitful as the adventure experienced in this novel.
October 4, 2020
R.D. Pires’ brilliant debut novel A Vast, Untethered Ocean follows Brooklyn as he embarks on a cross-country road trip of healing and self-reflection in the wake of his husband Oleander’s death. Interwoven with chapters detailing his most cherished and painful memories with Oleander, Brooklyn’s journey takes several detours—both geographic and emotional—and is dramatically impacted by the presence of Zinnia, Dahlia, and Aven: three strangers he picks up along the way.
As he connects with these three very different people, Brooklyn discovers that the transformational experience of grief is a universal thread that binds us to those around us in unexpected and poignant ways. A Vast, Untethered Ocean is ultimately a deep exploration of love: how it propels us toward our higher selves, how it exposes our hidden wounds, and how its loss shapes and alters our path and purpose in life. R.D. Pires examines this complex emotional landscape with a level of honesty and poetic consciousness that is the hallmark of an incredibly thoughtful artist.
A touching story from a very talented author. Highly recommended.
As he connects with these three very different people, Brooklyn discovers that the transformational experience of grief is a universal thread that binds us to those around us in unexpected and poignant ways. A Vast, Untethered Ocean is ultimately a deep exploration of love: how it propels us toward our higher selves, how it exposes our hidden wounds, and how its loss shapes and alters our path and purpose in life. R.D. Pires examines this complex emotional landscape with a level of honesty and poetic consciousness that is the hallmark of an incredibly thoughtful artist.
A touching story from a very talented author. Highly recommended.
October 22, 2020
This is such an incredibly written journey about love, loss, and grief. I could feel my heart aching at the descriptions of Brooklyn’s pain. The author puts the reader in settings of beautiful landscapes and scenery paired with relatable descriptions of just how acutely raw and painful grief can be.
It reminded me of just how wide the spectrum of life truly is - we can experience some of the most beautiful and the most painful things simultaneously and we are just continuously traveling back and forth along that spectrum. Like Brooklyn’s experience, sometimes we are rapidly vibrating between the two ends where the beauty and the pain become intertwined.
I always like a book that makes me reflect on my own experiences and perspective on life. I also like when a book makes me feel deeply and wrecks my soul emotionally. And that’s why I LOVE this book.
It reminded me of just how wide the spectrum of life truly is - we can experience some of the most beautiful and the most painful things simultaneously and we are just continuously traveling back and forth along that spectrum. Like Brooklyn’s experience, sometimes we are rapidly vibrating between the two ends where the beauty and the pain become intertwined.
I always like a book that makes me reflect on my own experiences and perspective on life. I also like when a book makes me feel deeply and wrecks my soul emotionally. And that’s why I LOVE this book.
September 16, 2021
This is such a well-written book and it has a powerful meaning. It is different from what I usually read, but I greatly enjoyed Brooklyn's journey and loved to witness his character's growth as he met new people during his adventure. I also liked how he slowly started to step out of his comfort zone because I can relate to some issues Brooklyn had. All three of his passengers really brought something unique that helped Brooklyn in many different ways and I loved getting to know each of them. I also love that I was able to feel the characters' emotions throughout the book and I was very satisfied by the ending. In brief, I highly recommend this novel and will definitely read it again.
Thanks to the author for sending me this book.
Thanks to the author for sending me this book.
December 23, 2020
Apologies for such a late review - I have been inactive from Goodreads for a couple of months!
I found this novel to be beautiful, honestly. It captures healing and grief in a whole another level that it really 'touched' my heart, you know? I think the way Brooklyn's journey was utilised to highlight such themes was just unique and powerful. I can see myself re-reading this every month just to feel something!! I would definitely be sharing this book to other people, it deserves all the love.
Big thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book!
I found this novel to be beautiful, honestly. It captures healing and grief in a whole another level that it really 'touched' my heart, you know? I think the way Brooklyn's journey was utilised to highlight such themes was just unique and powerful. I can see myself re-reading this every month just to feel something!! I would definitely be sharing this book to other people, it deserves all the love.
Big thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book!
did-not-finish
May 6, 2025DNF @ 35%
I wanted to like this more than I did, and maybe one day I'll pick it back up, but the messaging came across a little too heavy-handed, and I found myself wanting to see more of Brooklyn and Ollie's relationship in the past. Once Zinnia was introduced, the momentum oddly enough stalled; or maybe it was that the author tried to make her so vibrant—too vibrant to feel like a real person—and be the force that compelled Brooklyn to change. I liked Brooklyn and Ollie's relationship, though, which is why I might one day return to this.
I wanted to like this more than I did, and maybe one day I'll pick it back up, but the messaging came across a little too heavy-handed, and I found myself wanting to see more of Brooklyn and Ollie's relationship in the past. Once Zinnia was introduced, the momentum oddly enough stalled; or maybe it was that the author tried to make her so vibrant—too vibrant to feel like a real person—and be the force that compelled Brooklyn to change. I liked Brooklyn and Ollie's relationship, though, which is why I might one day return to this.
October 29, 2020
My husband won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. The author included a very sweet personalized note so I made it my "next read." This was a well written book and there were moments when I found myself close to tears. The relationship between the characters was easy to visualize and relate to. The structure was, at times, confusing. Unfortunately, I can't elaborate without spoiling some plot points.
February 20, 2021
This was one of the most beautifully written books that I have ever had the privilege of reading. It is about the profound loss of the love of your life and the myriad of emotions that follow. How do you begin to deal with the overwhelming grief. Travel with Brooklyn, and Ollie, across the country. Share the last ride with them and the friends they meet along the way. This book touched my heart! Thank you to Goodreads.
November 20, 2020
This is such a beautifully written book, I was transported to the exact spot that the characters were at. This book was emotional and heartwarming. It truly took you on an adventure.
October 28, 2020
So far this book has been really amazing. I love the characters and how it’s written. I find myself reading at a slower pace to enjoy the book thoroughly. Sonder is one of my favorite words as I often find myself constantly enjoying it in my lifestyle, so to see a character have so much sonder in their lifestyle and personality is amazing. Brooklyn is a wonderful character and I find lots of pieces of him within myself. I can’t wait to continue the journey with him.
The characters Brooklyn picks up on his journey are like the friends people always need in their life and don’t really know it. I love the storyline and how Brooklyn connects with them all. He always seemed like a person who didn’t like interacting with people but he was oddly good at it. The relationship with Ollie was lovely to see in the flashbacks. I rather enjoyed them all. It’s a lovely story that I was slow to devour as I was never quite ready for the story to be finished. I liked the little story Dahlia told and how it came into play at the end. I still want to know if Ollie finished the book Brooklyn got him. Or did I miss that small fact in the wonderful emotions I obtained in the end?
The characters Brooklyn picks up on his journey are like the friends people always need in their life and don’t really know it. I love the storyline and how Brooklyn connects with them all. He always seemed like a person who didn’t like interacting with people but he was oddly good at it. The relationship with Ollie was lovely to see in the flashbacks. I rather enjoyed them all. It’s a lovely story that I was slow to devour as I was never quite ready for the story to be finished. I liked the little story Dahlia told and how it came into play at the end. I still want to know if Ollie finished the book Brooklyn got him. Or did I miss that small fact in the wonderful emotions I obtained in the end?
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews