Review by j_emerson18 - Remarkably Bright Creatures

j_emerson18 's review for:

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

4.5

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The only reason this book is not rated a five-star rating for me is that I wish it were longer. We spend so long with each character and discovering their motives/personalities/faults/etc, that the final scenes almost read rushed and wrapped with a neat bow. For the characters, I adore Tova to pieces, I wish she were my actual grandmother because she's so lovely and her approaches to her grief and the way through her we see that grief is not linear is so well done by the author. Another character I enjoyed was Marcellus, the sassiest GPO to ever exist and his conclusion in the book, which I will not spoil, is so incredibly satisfying

if not also incredibly sad, happy for him but damn my heart

to see it come to fruition in the way that it did. Now Cameron, I was less thrilled with, but eventually I warmed up to him as a character, not that this in any way justifies any of his actions or inactions. Best character was the side character of Ethan, what a wonderful comedic relief and sounding board for our human characters. The emotions he invokes with his interactions and motivations resonated deeply within me.

The interactions were written so well, especially in regards to Tova and her loss and how patient he is with his unrequited (for the time being) affection to her.

I would 100% read another book by this author, if she decides to publish any more of her work as this is her debut novel.

Two of my new favorite quotes will live with this book:

Maybe we all have sea monsters living in our brains... (pg. 68)
How much longer will she herself stand before something stokes the embers of her frailty? (pg. 185)

Content Warnings