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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
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.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
This story follows two mermen fighting against what they were destined to do. Siren is a prince destined to save his people. The Beacon is the key. Will they be able to fight against prophecy to forge their own paths?
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The art was adorable. I enjoyed how many different types of merpeople there were. The story was funny at points and heart-wrenching at others. Sirenโs conflicted feelings with his responsibility to his people and his destiny made my heart hurt for him. Itโs an impossible choice. I look forward to the next book!
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The art was adorable. I enjoyed how many different types of merpeople there were. The story was funny at points and heart-wrenching at others. Sirenโs conflicted feelings with his responsibility to his people and his destiny made my heart hurt for him. Itโs an impossible choice. I look forward to the next book!
This story is about Kappa, a beacon that grants prophecies, and Siren, a prince that has to kill the beacon in order to save his kind from a curse. I read this first on Webtoon and was pleased to find out that they released it in book format. I'm glad that the formatting was so well done, since Webtoon is a story shown vertically by scrolling, and now the story is on paper, which requires some tweaking. This first volume starts the story off slowly, focusing on Kappa and Siren, their growing relationships, but also their individual worries for the future and their ยซ destinies ยป. Both characters have immense pressure put on their shoulders since birth and have to live with the guilt of wanting to choose their own path in life. I can already tell that the next volume will have a lot of action, so I can't wait to see it!
Thank you Netgalley for the eArc. These are all my honest thoughts and opinions.
Thank you Netgalley for the eArc. These are all my honest thoughts and opinions.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
๐๐ด๐ป๐ด๐ฐ๐๐ด ๐ณ๐ฐ๐๐ด: October 22, 2024
๐๐ฐ๐๐ธ๐ฝ๐ถ: โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ
๐ผ๐ ๐๐ท๐พ๐๐ถ๐ท๐๐:
Absolutely adorable. A mer-boy born as the Beacon and the prince who must kill him for a prophecy.
Kappa and Siren had the BEST meet cute.
Omg, the artistry really showed what they thought at first sight and my heart exploded in giddiness!
And then Kappa opened his mouth and Siren laughed, and I KNEW this one was going to be amazing.
My heart ACHED for both Kappa and Siren.
Kappa was the Beacon.
That was who he was.
He travelled and fulfilled prophecies.
But he wanted so much more.
And Siren had done nothing with his life because he was protected.
He felt useless.
Watching these two, sweet mer-boys get to know each other was perfect.
The sweetest little mer-romance is brewing.
I canโt wait for more!
Iโm definitely going to invest in a physical copy of this series because itโs too gorgeous not to!
๐ ๐ง๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ฎ ๐ค๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ค๐ . ๐ผ๐ก๐ก ๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฃ. ๐๐ช๐ค๐ฉ๐๐จ ๐ข๐๐ฎ ๐๐ ๐จ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ค๐ง ๐ง๐๐ข๐ค๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ก ๐ซ๐๐ง๐จ๐๐ค๐ฃ.
There is so much I want to say about this comic, that I donยดt know where to start. Castle Swimmer is one of the first comics I read on Webtoon and it has a special place in my heart, Kappa and Siren own my whole heart and they are the reason I believe in love. This story is so much more than their romance tough, itยดs about self-sacrifice and deciding your destiny. I did cry multiple times because of it.
This is a still ongoing comic so the start feels a bit slow but it picks up soon enough and after that is so much fluff and trauma!! Somehow!!!
The art style and the colors are just breathtaking and this reminds me I have to read more comics / graphic novels.
fast-paced
A host of different species of mermaids all hoping to encounter a merman called the Beacon so that their prophecies can be fulfilled. A gay shark-merman prince is tasked with killing the Beacon so that he can break the curse on his people. The shark-merman doesnโt want to kill the Beacon after realizing heโs just another person and a small romance starts blossoming. What I loved most was that the charactersโ sexualities arenโt questioned, they just are. Thereโs no coming out scene or any internal or external conflict because of the charactersโ sexuality. A refreshing take on a queer romance with a nice art style and narrative. Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Iโll definitely pick up the next volume.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Iโm ecstatic that I finally got the chance to read Castle Swimmer. Iโve read plenty of webtoons, but this one had been on my list for a while, and Iโm so glad I got around to it. The artwork is stunning, filled with vibrant colors that really stand out. I read it on both my iPad and Kobo Color, and while the colors still shine on the Kobo, I recommend keeping the brightness up to fully appreciate all the details.
Castle Swimmer follows the story of Kappa, a Merboy destined to fulfill prophecies as the Beacon of the underwater world. His role is far from easy, and one prophecy leads him into the life of Siren, the shark prince. Siren's kingdom is cursed and falling apart, and the prophecy says that only by killing the Beacon can Siren free his people. Despite this grim fate, Kappa and Sirenโs growing bond complicates their paths, adding a captivating layer of tension between their duties and their personal feelings.
Siren and Kappa are unbelievably cute and lovable characters, and their journey is both heartwarming and intense. However, a quick warningโthere are a few scenes involving blood for anyone squeamish. The story also explores the difficulty of setting aside personal feelings for the greater good, which is something both Siren and Kappa struggle with as their connection deepens.
Iโm really excited to continue this series and see where their journey takes them! Thank you to Ten Speed Graphic and NetGalley for the Digital Advanced Readerโs Copy.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Castle Swimmer is a story about prophecies, making the right decisions, and finding love. This first volume focuses on how those prophecies affect us and the world around us. It shows us how sometimes, we can lose ourselves in blindly following what weโre told.
This was such a cute and cozy read with amazing artwork. I read it in one sitting and look forward to seeing how Kappa and Sirenโs story develops!
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!