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emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
These characters are so frustrating and flawed, yet I grew to care so deeply about them and their happiness.
I credit that to the writing of their different points of view. Tova was quietly independent - but oblivious to how her solo decisions hurt her friends who wanted her to let them in. Cam has to learn to get over his entitlement and immaturity, and we start seeing glimpses of him figuring his stuff out - notably through seeing Avery as an extremely capable mom and business owner. And then there's Marcellus, our bored and curious octopus, whose commentary on human behavior is funny yet insightful. And I don't want to forget Ethan, who is so welcoming and forgiving but doesn't realize how his chattiness reads as judgemental gossip to both Tova and Cam.
Just like its characters, this book has its flaws, but I'm happy to overlook them because of the story's overall impact.
I credit that to the writing of their different points of view. Tova was quietly independent - but oblivious to how her solo decisions hurt her friends who wanted her to let them in. Cam has to learn to get over his entitlement and immaturity, and we start seeing glimpses of him figuring his stuff out - notably through seeing Avery as an extremely capable mom and business owner. And then there's Marcellus, our bored and curious octopus, whose commentary on human behavior is funny yet insightful. And I don't want to forget Ethan, who is so welcoming and forgiving but doesn't realize how his chattiness reads as judgemental gossip to both Tova and Cam.
Just like its characters, this book has its flaws, but I'm happy to overlook them because of the story's overall impact.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Suicide attempt
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, what an unexpected journey in navigating grief and finding unexpected care from unexpected places! The most of the characters are well developed and have very realistic pain and motivations. I did guess the twist in the story somewhat earlier on, but the story also reveals it to us pretty quickly. Despite the there being tension, this book wasn’t stressful to read. I do have issues with how adamant the book is on blood relationships over found family , but I did enjoy the story overall.
By far my favorite character is Marcellus the Octopus. My least favorite is Cameron; although we do see growth he points blame in other places instead of reflecting on his actions.The way he behaves can’t entirely be chalked up to not having parental figures, at some point he needs to take accountability, but we don't see that happen in the book. Quite frustrating!
By far my favorite character is Marcellus the Octopus. My least favorite is Cameron; although we do see growth he points blame in other places instead of reflecting on his actions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment
It took me a bit to get into this but once I did, I fell in love with the characters and ended up loving the book. Such a wonderful story of unconnected threads connecting and getting all tied up. Marcellus’ POV was a delight and I loved seeing the other characters’ growth and development over the course of the book. Audio was the way to go for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief
Minor: Addiction
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
A bit of a slow start…but stick with it!! Nominee for my favorite book of the year. Charming and gripping, like Marcellus.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Drug abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the octopus bits were frankly a bit ridiculous, even with my usually vast ability to suspend disbelief. why would an octopus understand human genetics. or know what a cuckold is. what. minus 2 stars bc those parts completely broke me out of the flow of the story
otherwise, the found family aspect (is that the term for non-queer versions of this?) was really sweet, and I liked the mystery of it all. cute read! the writing felt nice on the eyes
otherwise, the found family aspect (is that the term for non-queer versions of this?) was really sweet, and I liked the mystery of it all. cute read! the writing felt nice on the eyes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Lovely read. The audiobook is narrated beautifully, I would highly recommend it. My only complaint is that the author doesn't seem to have written anything else since and I've badly fallen in love for her writing. Alas...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, Abandonment
“Humans. For the most part, you are dull and blundering. But occasionally, you can be remarkably bright creatures.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Grief