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A review by thehighshelf
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
5.0
When Jay decides to dive to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean of the coast of Monastery Beach, he only has one mission: find his dead father’s remains and bring them home to the family. Maybe then he can unload some of the guilt he’s been shouldering - guilt over not being there as his father battled cancer. Guilt over not being there when his father begged to see him again. Over not being there when his father decided to take his own life rather than suffer any longer. His father was one of the best divers in the area and he taught Jay everything he knew. So Jay is pretty confident that a rescue mission for his father’s remains is something he can safely accomplish. But after only a short time in the water, the unthinkable - the seemingly impossible - happens. Jay is swallowed alive by a whale.
Thus begins one of the BEST books I have read since I first read the Zebulon Finch duology (also by Kraus). I honestly have no notes on how this book could be any better than it already is. Whales my favorite animal, and Kraus is my favorite author, so I had high expectations going in, but this book did not disappoint me in the slightest.
Not only is the story deep and profound, exploring the ways in which we feel and comes to terms with guilt and grief and parental relationships, but the *descriptions*. I could SEE the bioluminescent squid and jellyfish. I could FEEL the walls of the whale’s stomach grinding and pulsing. I could HEAR the whale's haunting, mournful call out into the wild ocean. If David Attenborough were to narrate a ocean horror documentary, it would be this book.
Also, I have to add that I rarely react visibly or out loud when reading a book, but the number of times I gasped, winced, and cringed throughout this story - I couldn’t help it. Parts of it even had me almost screaming in shock/horror. The writing had me so submerged in the story. The pacing was also absolutely brilliant, I could have read the entire book in one sitting but I forced myself to read it slower just to make it last longer. Even then, I only managed to make it last three days.
I still feel beyond lucky and grateful that I received an arc of this book - thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it. I’ve already preordered my hard copy and absolutely cannot wait for it to arrive so I can read Whalefall all over again. Highly, highly recommend. 10/5 stars.
Thus begins one of the BEST books I have read since I first read the Zebulon Finch duology (also by Kraus). I honestly have no notes on how this book could be any better than it already is. Whales my favorite animal, and Kraus is my favorite author, so I had high expectations going in, but this book did not disappoint me in the slightest.
Not only is the story deep and profound, exploring the ways in which we feel and comes to terms with guilt and grief and parental relationships, but the *descriptions*. I could SEE the bioluminescent squid and jellyfish. I could FEEL the walls of the whale’s stomach grinding and pulsing. I could HEAR the whale's haunting, mournful call out into the wild ocean. If David Attenborough were to narrate a ocean horror documentary, it would be this book.
Also, I have to add that I rarely react visibly or out loud when reading a book, but the number of times I gasped, winced, and cringed throughout this story - I couldn’t help it. Parts of it even had me almost screaming in shock/horror. The writing had me so submerged in the story. The pacing was also absolutely brilliant, I could have read the entire book in one sitting but I forced myself to read it slower just to make it last longer. Even then, I only managed to make it last three days.
I still feel beyond lucky and grateful that I received an arc of this book - thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review it. I’ve already preordered my hard copy and absolutely cannot wait for it to arrive so I can read Whalefall all over again. Highly, highly recommend. 10/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Gore
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent