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emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Had my heart from page 2.
Was not aware of the mystery element going in, but it really made the book.
Was not aware of the mystery element going in, but it really made the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death
Minor: Suicide
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
I loved everything about this book. A friend had been trying to get me to read it forever and I kept putting it off and had to go to her with my tail between my legs to tell her she was right. From the first time I heard Marcellus's narration to the last page I was hooked. I have the unpopular opinion of not hating Cameron. I was skeptical of him at first, but I truly loved all the character development in this story. I would love to see this turn into a series. It very much reminds me of The One and Only Ivan, but for adults
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief
emotional
funny
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
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator(s): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes, etc: Intelligent Animal, Found Family, Mysterious Death
POV: Multiple, 3rd and 1st Person
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narrator(s): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes, etc: Intelligent Animal, Found Family, Mysterious Death
POV: Multiple, 3rd and 1st Person
Brief Summary: As the end of his lifespan draws near, an octopus in captivity observes the woman who cleans the aquarium at night and nudges her toward the thing she’s been missing in life.
The Praise: I love the concept of intelligent animals and befriending them, so I was excited when my friend picked this for our book club. I loved Marcellus and how much he cared for Tova. I also really enjoyed the side characters, like Ethan and Avery. Marcellus’s chapters were my favorite; I loved how funny he was. The audiobook narration for Marcellus was great as well, very fancy.
The Critique: Tova was endearing but also so frustrating sometimes! There were times when I just wanted to shake her and demand that she let the people in her life care about her. And I guess this next critique is more for God or the universe or whatever, because why do octopi have such a short lifespan?!
Final Thoughts: This was really bittersweet and I enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse
Minor: Suicide
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Abandonment
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
This book was so lovely to read. The first half was a bit slow, but as I read on, I couldn’t put down the book!
It’s a heartwarming story about friendship and family. I absolutely adored Marcellus the octopus and found myself tearing up toward the end. Tova was such a wonderful character too - reading this right after The Life Impossible, I’ve fallen in love with old ladies on their own exploring life again.
It’s a heartwarming story about friendship and family. I absolutely adored Marcellus the octopus and found myself tearing up toward the end. Tova was such a wonderful character too - reading this right after The Life Impossible, I’ve fallen in love with old ladies on their own exploring life again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
What a sweet and heartwarming story! Marcellus was the absolute best and the best most naughty octopus ever. I loved all the characters and how the mystery unfolded.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Drug abuse
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Suicide, Grief
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Such an endearing book! The characters are charming, the plot device to move the story (an octopus’s point of view of events) was fun, and the way all of the strings tied together was satisfying. I wish we had gotten more of Avery and Cameron’s character could have used more tweaking or started his character development a little earlier in the book. But overall, it was a wonderful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death