spoiler free

I loved nearly everything about this book. The characters, the setting, the humor, the suspense, and the marvelous Marcellus. Never did I think I would be reading from the perspective of an octopus, but it was done so wonderfully and I fell in love with the character.

The setting of this book felt like those small towns you walk into and feel like you’re in another world. From the descriptions of Tova’s house and it’s backstory along with her family’s, the bay and board shop, the town’s grocery store and it’s owner, the aquarium. Everything was written in such a way that you felt like you were really there. A charming little movie in your mind.

The character’s and their development was also done so wonderfully in this book. You get the backstory of each of our main character’s and how that has shaped how they view themselves and the world around them, which adds so much to the story. They’re not just thrown into the story for plot, they make you feel things.

Tova’s relationship with Marcellus and his view of her was one of the sweetest most heart warming things. Unexpected and random but done in a way that it is not weird or strange at all. I don’t know how the author did it, but it’s special from the beginning to the end of the story. He does things that in the moment you’re like “what is he planning, where will this go, why did he do that?” and then a few chapters later will leave you in awe of the intelligent creature.

I could say so many good things about this book. The only things that I didn’t enjoy about it were the moments the author tried to use Gen Z slang and it fell sooo flat, if you are a Gen Z you will most likely cringe a bit. Other than that, the book is five stars for me. I was in tears at moments throughout the book. While some parts of the book seem to drag on a littttle too long for me, you will be on the edge of your seat for these characters and wanting to keep reading to see how the story unfolds.