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kmilazzo's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
You know it’s going to be a good book when it makes you tear up in the first 2 pages. I would’ve never expected to fall in love with a story about a man turning into a shark but here I am! What a creative, gut-wrenching, thoughtful, and intricate story that manages to evoke so many heavy feelings in such a careful way. The author takes some creative liberties with form throughout that are somehow cohesive and help the story come together. This one is the definition of “trust the process.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Grief, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Alcoholism
cait's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Terminal illness
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Hard to say how I feel about this book. I think the closest I can get to it is that it’s bittersweet. Love lost, family lost, family created, love found, metamorphoses, letting go, hope - these are all the things the book is about. Dispute its many unresolved issues, the ending still provides a kind of unexpected closure. The only open question for me is whether or why or how Wren is a common denominator no one in the book considers. Three people in her life, two of whom she loved dearly, end up with illnesses that are presumably extremely rare. Yet she knows three such people. So what is she doing to be on the receiving end of that so many times?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Child death, Grief, and Physical abuse
eviemayhem's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
- 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
I chose this as my Book of the Month, unsure if I would like it. As someone who has both lost a child and has a turbulent relationship with my mother, the premise spoke to me and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The book is beautifully written; lyrical and flowing like a river. It is hard to believe this is the author's first book. There were so many points where I wanted to cry, and at times I didn't want to finish because my heart was breaking for Lewis and Wren. As someone who lives with a chronic disease, it is easy to see the story fold out from both sides: Someone living with a disease that is changing them at their core and that they can't stop, and the person giving up themselves to take care of a loved one.
Bring a box of tissues.
Bring a box of tissues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Medical content, Abandonment, Violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
jacquelynrovene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy and Medical content
Minor: Terminal illness, Body horror, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
astoriareader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
SYNOPSIS:
- Wren & Lewis are in their first (and last) year of marriage.
- The world is the same as ours, except people can inherit genetic mutations where they change from human to animal. Shortly after getting married, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark.
- Wren’s mother, Angela, similarly experienced an animal mutation diagnosis, and her story is woven throughout as well.
MY THOUGHTS
- A beautifully written book. It is hard to describe, but it truly is art.
- The writing structure is written different than other books I’ve read, but in a really good way. I thought it was quite clever to include play/scene sections throughout the book.
- Frankly, I am shocked I ended up loving this book. I thought it wouldn’t be for me, but it ended up being one of the most unique, oddly beautiful books I’ve ever read.
- As far out as the book may sound, it is an emotional ride, and it explores being a caretaker, finding peace, transformation, family, love, loss, grief, & how relationships grow and change.
- I am shocked this is Habeck’s debut novel, as it is the best writing I’ve ever read. I was so moved by her writing.
- What an imaginative, unique plot.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Beautifully written. The book is truly a work of art. Although the plot may sound silly, trust me: you don’t want to miss this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Animal death, Death, and Pregnancy
abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC in exchange for a review!
What an unexpected delight of a novel! I am not usually one for judging a book by its cover, but when I first joined Netgalley I spotted this one and could not resist it. Very glad to report that the contents match the stunning cover! 🦈🌺
What an unexpected delight of a novel! I am not usually one for judging a book by its cover, but when I first joined Netgalley I spotted this one and could not resist it. Very glad to report that the contents match the stunning cover! 🦈🌺
Shark Heart focuses on Wren and Lewis, a newly married couple who receive possibly the worst news you could get during your first year of wedded bliss: Lewis is transforming into a great white shark. In the world delicately crafted by Emily Habeck, some people are born with genetic mutations which see them slowly transform into various animals, from zebras to Komodo dragons. The first part of the book follows Lewis & Wren as they get to grips with the new state of their reality and try to plan for the future.
I absolutely fell in love with both of these characters. Habeck brings them to life so vividly, when I realised the next section of the book was moving onto Wren’s mother I was genuinely devastated. But I shouldn’t have worried, as the author put just as much love and thought into Angela’s story as well, and soon enough I was enraptured with that narrative too. Habeck explores heavy topics like abuse (physical and emotional), parent-child relationships and health & illness with a light touch that never feels insensitive. The chapters are extremely short, some just a few lines long, but every word feels carefully chosen, imbued with warmth and tenderness.
I find it hardest to write reviews of books I love with no criticism, I came to look for my notes on Shark Heart only to find I hadn’t taken any. I was utterly absorbed in the story, loathe to put my iPad down for even a second and leave these characters. The way Habeck explores various relationships, with some casual queer rep in there, hooked me completely.
Gorgeous, striking prose, emotional depth, a unique concept - a definite favourite of the year for me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
thecottoncandyunicorn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think you will either love or hate this book. If super short chapters and just going with the bizarre (people turning into animals is not uncommon) isn’t your thing, I might skip it. Luckily, I love weird books with short chapters, and l loved it. The book is divided into three parts, and I loved how each part gave further insight into the characters. It was really beautiful and moving (and I absolutely love the cover). The one part that I wasn’t a fan of was the epilogue.
I HATE the woman has to have a kid at the end of the book trope, and I was disappointed this book fell into that. It kind of makes sense with the story, but I really wanted more. It definitely felt like the author was unsure how to give Wren a happy ending, and just thought I know! I’ll give her a kid!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
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