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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
The world of Castle Swimmers is honestly something so unique! A society of merpeople, with all of them having a prophecy involving the Beacon. The Beacon, is a special merperson with the ability to complete these prophecies, although not always in the way they think. The story does start slow, with only explaining the basis of the Beacon's place within the world, and focuses on the Shark's prophecy. The volume is honestly just setting the stage for the rest of the overall story. They also managed to reformat the webtoon style of the comic panels into a more traditional comic format. The readability is actually even better than it was when reading it in the original format. I look forward to reading more volumes on this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Webtoons Ch. 1-19
Castle Swimmer starts with an interesting concept: a merman destined to fulfill prophecies who doesn't want to, and a mershark at the heart of a prophecy he doesn't want to fulfill. Unfortunately, I think that this text lacks both world and character building, so there's little buy-in for the reader to follow along or care. Only surface-level details of the two main characters are shared, neither of them apparently have any friends or interests, and they're both literally stuck in the same setting as they fail to come up with ideas on how to change their situations.
I wanted to like this text and unfortunately do not, so I will not be continuing to read it in subsequent volumes.
ARC copy obtained via NetGallery in exchange for review.
Castle Swimmer starts with an interesting concept: a merman destined to fulfill prophecies who doesn't want to, and a mershark at the heart of a prophecy he doesn't want to fulfill. Unfortunately, I think that this text lacks both world and character building, so there's little buy-in for the reader to follow along or care. Only surface-level details of the two main characters are shared, neither of them apparently have any friends or interests, and they're both literally stuck in the same setting as they fail to come up with ideas on how to change their situations.
I wanted to like this text and unfortunately do not, so I will not be continuing to read it in subsequent volumes.
ARC copy obtained via NetGallery in exchange for review.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
So cute! I love the art style. The adventure part of the story hasn't come yet, but this is a good introduction to the world and gets you emotionally invested in the two main characters. I'll definitely read future volumes.
So cute! I love the art style. The adventure part of the story hasn't come yet, but this is a good introduction to the world and gets you emotionally invested in the two main characters. I'll definitely read future volumes.
ARC REVIEW: Castle Swimmer: Volume I
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book # for 2024: #56
SYNOPSIS: Siren and Kappa her mermen on the opposite side of a prophecy. Kappa is the Beacon, who is the one who grants prophecies. Prince Siren is destined to be the one who kills Kappa in order to save his people from a curse.
MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this graphic novel immensely. It was a nice break from all of the heavier things I’ve been reading lately. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous! I loved the relationship between Kappa and Siren. They have both lived a life that was predetermined for them. They have never made decisions for themselves. They immediately connect because of how they’ve lived. I cannot wait to see where their relationship goes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Format: eARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book # for 2024: #56
SYNOPSIS: Siren and Kappa her mermen on the opposite side of a prophecy. Kappa is the Beacon, who is the one who grants prophecies. Prince Siren is destined to be the one who kills Kappa in order to save his people from a curse.
MY THOUGHTS: I enjoyed this graphic novel immensely. It was a nice break from all of the heavier things I’ve been reading lately. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous! I loved the relationship between Kappa and Siren. They have both lived a life that was predetermined for them. They have never made decisions for themselves. They immediately connect because of how they’ve lived. I cannot wait to see where their relationship goes.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Castle Swimmer is Wendy Lian Martin's first published graphic novel and can also be read online on Webtoon. It is a lighthearted fantasy series inspired by aquatic--especially marine--wildlife; all the character designs stem from real animals. The series follows Siren and Kappa, two young men with very different backgrounds who are actually quite similar. Kappa is the Beacon, who swims around destined to solve/enact other peoples' prophecies, while Siren is prince of the Sharks, destined to kill Kappa to save his people. Enamored with each other and opposed to their fates, these merfolk decide to try and find a new solution, together. Volume One of this series contains Chapters 1-19 of the webcomic, plus adorable bonus material.
I've been a fan of this comic for years and was ecstatic to learn it would be getting a print edition. I love everything about this series, from the expressive, full-color illustrations to the overall lighthearted tone of the story, which also doesn't shy away from darker elements later on. Martin's balance of humor, plot, and character is well-executed, as well as color palette and even font choice. This is a great series for fans of light fantasy, aquatic lifeforms, and merfolk stories. I can't wait for Volume 2!
Readers who enjoy this series may also like: Covenant by LySandra Vuong, Boyfriends. by refrainbow, Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley, Tristan and Lancelot: A Tale of Two Knights by James Persichetti and L.S. Biehler, The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer, and The Little Trashmaid by s0s2.
Castle Swimmer is Wendy Lian Martin's first published graphic novel and can also be read online on Webtoon. It is a lighthearted fantasy series inspired by aquatic--especially marine--wildlife; all the character designs stem from real animals. The series follows Siren and Kappa, two young men with very different backgrounds who are actually quite similar. Kappa is the Beacon, who swims around destined to solve/enact other peoples' prophecies, while Siren is prince of the Sharks, destined to kill Kappa to save his people. Enamored with each other and opposed to their fates, these merfolk decide to try and find a new solution, together. Volume One of this series contains Chapters 1-19 of the webcomic, plus adorable bonus material.
I've been a fan of this comic for years and was ecstatic to learn it would be getting a print edition. I love everything about this series, from the expressive, full-color illustrations to the overall lighthearted tone of the story, which also doesn't shy away from darker elements later on. Martin's balance of humor, plot, and character is well-executed, as well as color palette and even font choice. This is a great series for fans of light fantasy, aquatic lifeforms, and merfolk stories. I can't wait for Volume 2!
Readers who enjoy this series may also like: Covenant by LySandra Vuong, Boyfriends. by refrainbow, Navigating With You by Jeremy Whitley, Tristan and Lancelot: A Tale of Two Knights by James Persichetti and L.S. Biehler, The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer, and The Little Trashmaid by s0s2.
Siren and Kappa are so stinkin' cute, unbelievably wonderful. A very nice story, but also quite bloody. Hmm, I think it's addictive. I found myself watching it for much longer than I had planned
I liked the concept of this book and it was really easy to jump right into the story. The art in this comic is really beautiful and well made.
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*
*Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.*
This was so good I need rhe rest of the series right freaking now, Kappa and Siren are SO adorable!!!!