Remarkably Bright Creatures Review

Hello, all!

I'll be the first to admit that it takes a lot for me to give a book 5 stars, but Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt deserved all of them.

Pub Date: 5-3-22
Adult - Fiction

Tova Sullivan has endured her fair share of grief over the years. Her son mysteriously disappeared on Puget Sound thirty years ago, and her husband recently passed away after an illness. Since his passing, Tova has spent her nights working at the Sowell Bay Aquarium. Keeping the place tidy helps keep Tova's mind from wandering too far into sadness, and despite what all her friends think, she enjoys the work. She's also come to share a strange bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium.

Cameron Cassmore has never known who his father is. His mother has always been in and out of his life dealing with substance issues, leaving Cameron to be raised by his aunt. When she passes along some of Cameron's mother's old belongings, Cameron finds a picture of his mother with a man and a worn high school ring. Cameron believes this man is his father and decides to track him down. His investigations bring him to a small town in the PNW, where he takes a job as a cleaner at an aquarium to pass the time. Here, he meets Tova, with who he feels a strange connection. Now, it's up to the most unlikely detective, Marcellus, the octopus, to help show them the truth before his time is up.

Simply put, I loved this book. It was such a unique premise and one I don't think I've ever seen done before. I loved all the characters, especially Marcellus. His POV made the story much more interesting, and his chapters were probably my favorite part. I thought Van Pelt did a wonderful job addressing heavier topics such as grief, loneliness, and familial issues without making the narrative feel too dark. Seeing all the characters go on their perspective journeys was so satisfying. It was such a tender and heartwarming story and one that'll stick with me for a while.

Rating: 5/5