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saurahsaurus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.75
This is such a beautiful story, that I’m going to cherish for a very long time. As an animal lover, it gave me an even deeper appreciation and understanding for octopuses. I smiled, pondered, laughed, and cried in turns throughout this book. It balanced exploring serious subjects, such as grief and abandonment, with celebrating life—both human and animal—and love in its many forms—familial, platonic, and romantic.
The reflections that I came away with will stay with me for some time. I can already see myself revisiting this beautiful story later in life, as its message is timeless. Respect all life forms, embrace love, and hug your loved ones tight while you can.
The reflections that I came away with will stay with me for some time. I can already see myself revisiting this beautiful story later in life, as its message is timeless. Respect all life forms, embrace love, and hug your loved ones tight while you can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Grief, Death, and Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Suicide, Animal death, Pregnancy, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Dementia
jaimc's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Animal death
Minor: Cancer, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, and Confinement
astuart89's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Cancer
ehoustonmyatt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
I listened to this one and the narrators were great, especially the one for Marcellus. This was a very sweet story about grief and how we move forward through it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Suicide, Confinement, Death, and Addiction
baearles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, Child death, and Death
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Addiction, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Animal death, and Terminal illness
partly_stars's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a bit dofferent than expected ngl. While the friendship between Tova and Marcellus, the octopus, was a part of the book, it wasn't the main focus. It was more of a contemporary slice of life novel with emphasis on dealing with change, loss and grief. Asking and acceoting help and growing as people, and finidng family and sense of belonging. Marcellus ended up being a quite small part of the book, but I did enjoyvreading about Tova and Cameron. I figured out the connection between them a while before it was confirmed but it didn't make reading frustrating. I enjoyed it although it seems like the marketing around the Octopus created a bit of a diffetent expectation for me that hasn't been met. I also loiked the setting being a small run down town on the coast, slowly developing and I found characters interesting and likable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Child death
Minor: Drug abuse and Terminal illness
jess_vitale's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet story that I enjoyed, even if it was very predictable, and despite a couple of the characters being extremely annoying and weirdly written. Sad but also heartwarming. The octopus chapters were a fun perspective and the best part by far - I wish he had featured more throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Terminal illness
kelly_e's review against another edition
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."
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."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Animal death
Minor: Cancer, Alcohol, Mental illness, Addiction, Drug use, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Drug abuse
partner death, overdose, accident, drowningvickybuka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is not a book I would normally pick for myself but it was highly recommended to me so I decided to give it a try. It was not at all what I was expecting. The author writes from the perspective of the octopus in a way that does not feel cheesy. There were some parts in the middle that were a little bit slow for me, but overall I was really happy how everything wrapped up in the end. The additional of the octopus adds uniqueness and fun to an overall predictable story. Some of the characters annoyed me at times (though it is apparent why they act the way that they do), but they all came around for me eventually. I like the idea that we are so connected to those around us, which is a big theme of this story. I love a happy ending, so the final chapter was really cute to read and gives us closure from the entire story. That said, I thought the ending on Marcellus would have been an amazing and more impactful way to end the story. I just loved his last line and thought it was a great wrap up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Child death
Minor: Abandonment, Drug abuse, and Pregnancy