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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This graphic novel has amazing art, but the story is confusing and frequently implausible. Sometimes, I went back and reread pages because I thought I was missing something, but the reader has to draw their own conclusions about the vague elements.
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
The art style of this graphic novel was great, especially when there were any sea illustrations as the colour palette rose to the occasion with deep, dark blues. It really managed to capture what light looks like underwater, too.
I loved that the story was about healing from grief through family, either blood or chosen. At the forefront was a daughter mourning her dad, a brother mourning his brother, and how some sea creatures returning in their lost loved one’s diving suit brings them together again. The character development in the uncle was particularly good, as he realises legacy isn’t a good guide for him or for the people and creatures around him. But Sodapop’s development in bravery was also remarkable.
Another think I liked was the dynamic of the sea creatures’ found family. It was delightful, and brought levity to the emotional themes of the book. Furthermore, I appreciated the commentary on water parks and animal cruelty, and how this played into both plot and character development.
My one criticism with this book is regarding its time jumps. They are used to skip over events that I thought should have been included. For example, the developing friendship between the MC and the sea creatures, and then the changing dynamic between the uncle and his work . The only one that worked was the one at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Grief
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail
Major: loss of loved one
Moderate: drowning, seizure
funny
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Key points of the story are told through pictures, which meant I missed them the first time through. (Graphic novel fail!) For the more picture attuned this is a good an interesting story of friendship and loss with fantastical elements.
Read for Librarian Book Group
Read for Librarian Book Group