Reviews tagging 'Injury/Injury detail'

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

20 reviews

emmakchapman's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective 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

5.0


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dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is really exceptional and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like Remarkably Bright Creatures. A mix of coziness and magical realism, this book will grab your heart with Van Pelt’s prose and unique characters. The multi-POV was a bit confusing at first (I didn’t see the whole point for certain characters’ POV), but it ultimately makes sense in the end. Definitely would recommend reading if you’re looking for a heartwarming, found family contemporary featuring a blunt octopus and beautiful prose. 

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itsy719's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0


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stacy837's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

4.5


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immovabletype's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Title: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Author: Shelby Van Pelt
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: May 3, 2022

T H R E E • W O R D S

Heartwarming • Hopeful • Special

📖 S Y N O P S I S

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in the Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight tentacles for his human captors—until he forms an unlikely friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

💭 T H O U G H T S

There's no denying Remarkably Bright Creatures was one of the most hyped and beloved releases of 2022. Yet for me, it was the one I was the most uncertain about because animal voices do not often work for me. Despite this, I still knew I'd be picking it up at some point in 2023, and I am so glad that I did.

What an absolutely beautiful story! I fell in love with each of the characters, their stories and how everything intertwined. Shelby Van Pelt does an incredible job in Marcellus' characterization. He is the star of the show. It's no secret that curmudgeons are some of my favourite characters and it's safe to say Marcellus has been added to that list. His dry humour, wisdom, and keen observations about human beings was so unexpected and well done.

Set in the Pacific Northwest, the writing transported me to the small town and made me want to pack a bag to go exploring. Despite suspecting how things would tie together, the pacing kept me interested and the deeply human characterization was a gentle reminder of the importance of connection and friendship. On a deeper level, Tova and Marcellus' unique friendship showcases the power of animals.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is one of those quiet books where not a whole lot happens, yet it was truly special, leaving a lasting impression on my heart and a smile on my face. It is a hug in book format, a gem of a debut. With a little over a month left to go, it's safe to say, it will be making its way onto my end of year favourites list. I will also be eagerly awaiting news of what Shelby Van Pelt is working on next as I will automatically add it to my list.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of heartwarming stories
• anyone who has ever lost someone
• book clubs

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Why can humans not use their millions of words to simply tell one another what they desire?"

"My death is imminent. But I am not dead yet."

"Some trees aren’t meant to sprout tender new branches, but to stand stoically on the forest floor, silently decaying."

"Being a parent is not for the faint of heart." 

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sargasso_c's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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grunbean's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of my favourite books of this year. A quote on my editions says ‘I defy you put it down’. And it would be a challenge to!

I am not the most eloquent when describing what I like about the work of certain writers, but I really enjoyed every part of this book. It is written beautifully, and I fell in love with the characters and their lives very quickly. It is very hard not to root for them and towards the end I was turning the pages with anticipation with my fingers crossed that things would unfold how I wanted. 

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kimveach's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Who knew I liked reading animal thoughts?  After Lessons in Chemistry and now this book, it appears that I do.  This was the perfect book for me right now.  I loved the Puget Sound setting, the characters, and the wise old octopus.  Though the book focuses on loneliness and loss, it feels like you've been given a warm hug.

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