Reviews with content warning for Death - Remarkably Bright Creatures

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

569 reviews

val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 46%

(Tried to read this in January 2025)

The most interesting thing about this book was having the POV of an an OCTOPUS and we barely get it. I understand why people would love to read what this woman is going through with her grief after losing her son but I’m not the target audience for this book. And even if I loved the octopus and reading about this woman’s journey, there’s this Cameron guy ruining the book for me!
The way Cameron acts I thought he was in his early 20s but he’s a 30yo loser. From the beginning I didn’t like him and I didn’t think he was a good person because of the way he regarded his girlfriend. He’s so angry with the world. He’s an immature man child. He’s annoying and so whiny. Like dude can you stop whining for a second? he keeps blaming his mother, it's been 21 years! She was battling addiction! And is not like you ended up in an orphanage but maybe your whiny ass deserved it and your lovely aunt should've taken care of another more grateful and nice kid. And the ONLY reason why you're trying to find your father is because you want his money, assuming it's him. Which makes me so mad because later I know Tova will be so excited to have a grandkid but he will be only happy because he will inherit all the money from her! This poor lady might be lonely but she does NOT deserve that asshole of a grandson coming to her life now. And my God he’s stupid, like how do you end up stranded because you travel with very valuable things but instead of taking them with you, you left them in a regular bag and of course they get lost. And what do you mean he goes around with dirty clothes and his face dirty chocolate? Huh? Dude you’re more than THIRTY years old, a disgusting mess with bad hygiene 😭. Even to lie to get a job he’s stupid as hell because how do you end up saying you got experience at FOUR years old!! God, he makes me so mad.
In summary, I had a WHOLE different idea on how it was going to go, I mean I thought there was going to be more ocean for one, and that it was going to be a bright and full of life young woman connecting somehow with the octopus and that it was going to be all about that dynamic, but nooooo they had to give us very few chapters and short ones at that with the octopus, the woman is an old lady with a sad life (at least she isn't annoying, I can't fault her for her life), the author for some reason gave us the guard Ethan pov and I have to put up with Cameron's annoying ass because of an obvious connection with the old lady! Oh, and the whole thing on how the octopus is going to help her with the mystery of her dead son? I'm 40% into the book and there's no progress at all on that front!!
The key to not have a 1 or 2 star book is to DNF, I had enough of those last year and I'm still learning. If I continue with this I'll most likely rate it 2 stars even with whatever emotional ending there is so yeah, bye. Fuck you, Cameron for ruin this book for me, what a terrible character.

Content Warnings

ariana3's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book was pretty good, it isn't what I expected but I enjoyed it towards the end. I thought the octopus would have a larger role in this, but he felt more like a supporting character in the store. Which makes sense because he's...and octopus...This book was moreso about aging and the loneliness that accompanies it. It isn't something I thought would be in it, but it's the central core of the story. I think it told that theme really well.
Plot summary:

Tova lost her husband recently, but her son mysteriously died in what everyone said was a suicide around 30 years before. Tova never thought it was a suicide but that something else happened. Cameron was raised mainly by his aunt because his mom had drug problems and couldn't take care of him. He's had a tough life and can't seem to catch a break, so he goes in search of his father to see if he can get some money and start a new life. Marcellus is an elderly octopus at the local aquarium where Tova works as a janitor at night. They form an unlikely friendship in the best way. He can read body language remarkably well and understands English, of course. Cameron goes to work at the aquarium and he and Tova become friends. Marcellus helps the story unfold and shows Tova what really happened to her son so many years ago. In the end, in his last days or even hours, Tova releases him into the ocean where he was captured (rescued and rehabilitated from an injury) from so many years earlier. Turns out Cameron's mom was Tova's son's secret girlfriend. He died in a tragic accident when they went for a late night boat ride together. She apparently never told anyone and that's where her issues and addictions likely began. Tova, her husband, nor their son ever knew she was pregnant at the time, if she even knew then! So it's a happy ending where Tova realizes she does indeed have living kin and they live this wonderful new life together.

Content Warnings

lokeefe's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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: Yes

Uplifting story that truly takes your mind away from everything in the day to day.

Three characters brought together by one octopus, Tova. How? Well, you'll have to read and see and be swept away in this novel.

Content Warnings

mia_m00n's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful 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: Yes

Content Warnings

emilyosterloh's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Wow, did I love this book so much.

The detailed writing style really brought me into the world, and the start of the book pulls you in immediately, with a promising beginning. I mean, how often do you get a POV from an octopus? It is so interesting to see an author delve into the mind of this species, and to have Marcellus speak to us about his previous life and his captivity in the aquarium. Despite this factor being a highlight of the story, all of the human characters were still just as fascinating to read into. I felt myself caring for them very early on, especially Tova. Not many books I have read detail the life of elder people, and she was just so endearing with her no-nonsense but motherly ways. Sowell Bay was also described in great detail, and I loved that small-town feel I got from the book (I also love a good beach town). Washington was an excellent choice with plenty of coziness.

While Tova is dealing with getting older, working at the aquarium and getting to know Marcellus, and continuing to grieve the loss of her son and husband, we are also introduced to Cameron, who never grew up with a normal family and embarks on a trek to find the man in a photo with his mother, who he believes may be his estranged father. The plot of the book is not the fastest-paced, but the build-up is for a reason. I always felt compelled to return to this book and see what would happen next (even as I have been studying for my exam), and I think the biggest testament to my enjoyment of the book was reading half of it in one day when I was on vacation before I began studying.

The major themes of this book I found were friendship, family, and togetherness. And it really was wonderful to read about Tova's new friendship with Marcellus, her friendship with the Knit-Wits and Ethan, and even the bond she forms with Cameron, despite their differences. I was not a big fan of Cameron at first, but he had redeemable qualities for sure, especially once he came to Sowell Bay (and the other characters he met provided nice foils, even Marcellus). The prose was really just so intriguing and witty, especially for a debut novel. I found myself very attached to the characters as I carried on through the book, and I definitely cried near the end. Marcellus makes a huge difference in Tova's life and I am so glad he was the driving force for so much of the story.

After I closed this book, and even as I was wrapping it up, I knew this was a book I could see myself reading again in the future. Most times when I read a book, I feel satisfied reading it once, but I loved this one so much that I knew it would deserve another read in the future. Any book that gives me that feeling is worthy of a 5-star rating. I'm so grateful to have experienced it at least once so far.

Content Warnings

asourceoffiction's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful 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: Yes

It's the wonderful characters that make this story. The conclusion actually stared me in the face from about half way through, but it didn't stop me desperately wishing they'd get there - and occasionally yelling at Tova or Cameron in my head...

I love the way all the stories interweave, especially when they start so disparate. And some tiny, seemingly throwaway connections keep adding more layers and more beauty. But of course, Marcellus steals the show. Even in the chapters that don't involve him, his presence is everywhere and the book is better for it.

Such a lovely story, so full of heart. Three of them, in Marcellus's case. But I had one complaint; it just needed more octopus!

Content Warnings