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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Merman Kappa is “The Beacon,” the one who fulfills all of the disparate prophesies under the ocean. He has spent his life drawn from place to place, meeting the needs of others. Shark prince Siren has a prophecy of his own to fulfill; he is destined to kill The Beacon, ending the long-standing curse that has led to the injury and death of multitudes of his people. Things get complicated, though, when Kappa, driven by the confusing forces of the “surface god” to the home of the sharks, is captured to be killed by Siren. Siren isn’t sure that killing Kappa is justified, and the two find that they enjoy each other’s company more than expected, making it hard for Siren to do what his mother, the queen, insists he needs to do. But every day that the curse goes unbroken more people are injured and killed, and Siren has to decide what to do to protect both his people and this new friend that he is quicky and quietly falling for.
I really enjoyed the characters, who are both complex and lovable. In particular, Siren is fantastic. He is kind, thoughtful, and loyal, continually torn between being fair to the other sharks, for whom he has love and compassion; making his mother, with whom he is a complicated but sweet relationship, happy; and acting with kindness toward Kappa, who he is getting increasingly attached to. I also found the mother to be an interesting character. At first she seems harsh and cruel, but she turns out to be a complex blend of loving, dutiful, and firm in her convictions.
The budding romance is subtle but incredibly sweet. It’s slow-burn for sure, so don’t expect any big demonstrations of love, but the building feelings are very cute, demonstrated mostly through the characters’ nervousness around each other and their eagerness to get to know each other.
I also enjoyed the color palettes in the illustrations. Most of the book is made up of beautiful, marine blues and greens, broken up by the brilliant shining gold of The Beacon, which draws the eye. The exception to this is that a few characters (that have small roles in this book but I think will have larger roles in later ones), have their own palettes that create an enjoyable break.
I have two qualms about the book, though. I was disappointed that the blind character seems to live alone in what he calls “his lair,” instead of having a life with the rest of the sharks. Why is the only blind character being othered like that? My other issue is that the story arc felt off to me. The climax of the story lacked intensity, and the resolution was unsatisfying. In short, the book didn’t feel like it successfully solved a conflict.
This graphic novel provided some kindness and cuteness that I needed just now, and I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the next volume.
dark
emotional
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:
No
It was so fun to revisit the beginning of this series! I had so much anxiety at certain points knowing what happens later in the story susca susca when I catch you when you susca when I catch you but still very enjoyable as a stand-alone story. The bonus content was really cool and so is the artwork and seeing Kappa and Siren’s relationship start!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence
This was super cute! Definitely a good middle-grade graphic novel. I loved the art style, and the characters were fun! They had some good depth (hehe, underwater characters, depth, okay, I'll stop), and they both seemed done being tied to the prophecy. Their interactions were super cute. The worldbuilding and lore were also pretty great, especially for a graphic novel, where it can sometimes be harder to fit everything into the story. I really enjoyed the book!
I would recommend it if you want a middle-grade graphic novel with fun, magical illustrations, a good storyline, and characters that are still growing and learning about themselves.
I would recommend it if you want a middle-grade graphic novel with fun, magical illustrations, a good storyline, and characters that are still growing and learning about themselves.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
What a beautiful graphic novel.
5 out of 5 stars.
Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin is a mermaid story with a difference. Kappa is the Beacon - the light of the ocean.
The illustrations are simply beautiful and I really enjoy the colours and differences in characters, for example: between Kappa and the shark prince Siren. Apart they are beautiful, but side by side they're truly a vision.
The plot is simple: each part of the ocean has a prophecy involving the Beacon - the shark one shows the prince slaying the Beacon which doesn't feel right to Siren. Over his visits the two become close, learning about each other and themselves.
Would highly recommend this book to literally everyone.
5 out of 5 stars.
Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin is a mermaid story with a difference. Kappa is the Beacon - the light of the ocean.
The illustrations are simply beautiful and I really enjoy the colours and differences in characters, for example: between Kappa and the shark prince Siren. Apart they are beautiful, but side by side they're truly a vision.
The plot is simple: each part of the ocean has a prophecy involving the Beacon - the shark one shows the prince slaying the Beacon which doesn't feel right to Siren. Over his visits the two become close, learning about each other and themselves.
Would highly recommend this book to literally everyone.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is not my first time reading Castle Swimmer by Wendy Martin. I like many other readers started reading it on Webtoon years ago. But I personally struggled with Webtoon's format and a bad connection. So, I'm so happy and excited that Castle Swimmer is being released as a comic/graphic novel series!
It has been so long since I read Castle Swimmer on Webtoon that I didn't remember much of the story. What I did remember was I loved Castle Swimmer. I may be a bit bias. However, this was the first nostalgia read for me that felt like I was reading it for the first time all over again. The Characters, the lore, the art, the plot its so good! It all just pulled me in and I was and am content to stay.
The main characters Kappa and Siren are precious and relatable. I just want to hug them. They deserve hugs with the trauma they carry. Speaking of which, this volume cut off at the perfect moment. Nearly all the characters are left in intense time sensitive situations. The cliff hanger has me wishing the second volume was already out. Even though this (the first) volume isn't even out yet. (One of the downside to ARCs).
Overall, I'm excited for the next volume. Not just because I love the story and characters, but because I do remember one big event in this series and it didn't happen in this volume. I could see it being set up through the actions of different characters. I am so ready for more. Are there going to be more types of Mer? Whats going to happen to Kappa? Whats to become of the seemingly doomed budding romance? I can't wait to find out, I can't wait to finally finish reading this story. Lastly I want to say that the little extras included at the end were delightful.
It has been so long since I read Castle Swimmer on Webtoon that I didn't remember much of the story. What I did remember was I loved Castle Swimmer. I may be a bit bias. However, this was the first nostalgia read for me that felt like I was reading it for the first time all over again. The Characters, the lore, the art, the plot its so good! It all just pulled me in and I was and am content to stay.
The main characters Kappa and Siren are precious and relatable. I just want to hug them. They deserve hugs with the trauma they carry. Speaking of which, this volume cut off at the perfect moment. Nearly all the characters are left in intense time sensitive situations. The cliff hanger has me wishing the second volume was already out. Even though this (the first) volume isn't even out yet. (One of the downside to ARCs).
Overall, I'm excited for the next volume. Not just because I love the story and characters, but because I do remember one big event in this series and it didn't happen in this volume. I could see it being set up through the actions of different characters. I am so ready for more. Are there going to be more types of Mer? Whats going to happen to Kappa? Whats to become of the seemingly doomed budding romance? I can't wait to find out, I can't wait to finally finish reading this story. Lastly I want to say that the little extras included at the end were delightful.