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jadeyfish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved it! Very tense for the majority of the book, ended up reading it all in one sitting. If you’re looking for something reflective/thought provoking that will keep you engaged the whole time, this is that book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Cancer, Suicide, and Death of parent
rejectscanon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ruined me in the best way. Got a copy from the library and regretted it exactly 43 pages in because I wanted to highlight a line, but couldn’t. Cried a lot, and would read this book again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend, but be mindful of possible triggers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Pandemic/Epidemic
toadyzgotsoul's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Great and easy read. I learned a lot about whales and other marine life. Jay's struggles in the whale, both emotionally and physically were inspiring and can help any one look back at complicated family relationships.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
goodnekovibes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
kjurewicz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
When I first picked up this book, I was curious how the author would make such a simple concept (a diver being swallowed by a whale) last for 300 pages. And I was not disappointed. I liked the way that the author interspersed present time (marked by Jay’s PSI) with flashbacks to the past. It made the pacing a lot faster, especially since each chapter was short. I found myself rooting for Jay by the end, despite the fact that I found him to be unlikable (although I had to keep reminding myself that he is 17 and therefore is expected to make stupid decisions). I thought the symbolism of the whale made sense, though was a bit heavy-handed. It took a while to get used to the writing style (but when I saw he was inspired by Ralph Ellison, it made sense), but I thought the use of scientific facts balanced out the inner dialogue. The ending was also sad, yet satisfying.
Overall, I liked this book and think it is a good fit for some who likes adventurous reads or has a complex parental relationship, especially YA/New Adult.
Overall, I liked this book and think it is a good fit for some who likes adventurous reads or has a complex parental relationship, especially YA/New Adult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Gore
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
lady_n_beautiful_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Suicide
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
localpeachthief's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
Intense and emotional. I wasn't prepared for this. Just as much about Jay's relationship with his dad as it is about being inside a whale. I should have read the author bio first because I also wasn't prepared for the explicit descriptions of illness, injuries, and whale innards.inirac's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
While I enjoyed this book I strongly recommended checking out the content warnings. I know nothing about diving or whales, but I have been in the area the characters discuss!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
denverhawkeye's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
A very moving book