Castle Swimmer: Volume 1

Castle Swimmer #1

by Wendy Martin

In the gorgeous first installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer, two young mermen reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger, featuring exclusive bonus material.

From the moment Kappa tumbles into existence on the ocean floor, his life’s purpose is already decided for him: He is the Beacon, a light to all sea creatures, and destined to fulfill their many prophesies. In high demand and under immense pressure, Kappa quickly realizes that fame and glory are small compensation for a life of predetermined self-sacrifice.

Unable to resist the call of destiny due to a magical yellow cord that appears from his chest and pulls him inexorably to any sea creatures he swims by, Kappa ultimately finds himself drawn to the Shark kingdom, where he is immediately imprisoned. The Sharks’ prophecy states that the curse maiming their people will only be lifted once their prince, Siren, kills the Beacon. But when Prince Siren decides to defy fate and help Kappa escape, Kappa realizes that there might be more to life than fulfilling endless prophesies, leading to a raucous adventure as big and unpredictable as the ocean itself—and a romance that nobody could have predicted.

Episodes 1-19 of Webtoon's Castle Swimmer Season 1 is collected in this stunning graphic novel, which also includes a never-before-seen bonus chapter featuring Kappa and Siren.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Queer, Comics, Young Adult

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 22, 2024

Reviews

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS THE FUCKIN CUTEST SHIT I EVER READ FOR REAL.
EVERY SINGLE INTERACTION BETWEEN KAPPA AND SIREN LITERALLY MAKING ME SQUEEEEEE

STOP.
Even if you're not a webtoon girly pop, this shit was FIRE. 🔥 The art is FIRE. 🔥 The blushing and awkward interactionssssssssssssssss between Kappa and Siren will give you life.






*I got this on Netgalley*

[Drusilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siren and Kappa are so stinkin' cute, unbelievably wonderful. A very nice story, but also quite bloody. Hmm, I think it's addictive. I found myself watching it for much longer than I had planned 😍🐠😍

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

“You can read minds? Amazing! I didn’t know the beacon could do that!”
“… No, I can’t read your mind.”
“Oh.”

Two mermen are stuck in their prophecies. Maybe together, they can be free.

This was SO CUTE.
I loved the art style and the concept, and the main characters were adorable.
The magical underwater world and the prophecies were very interesting, and I’m curious to see what other adventures these cutie mermen get up to.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 3.5★

though the premise is v intriguing, this was a bit of a slow start for me. i was surprised at how little action overall happens in this first volume. i would read the next volume or continue on webtoons though bc i hear it picks up.

the art style is very cute and i love the mermaid designs, but i did feel like the choice to have monochromatic color themes to panels made it feel a bit underwhelming sometimes.

the extra content however was very intriguing, i liked the extra details and thought put into little things about this world!

an honest arc review ♡

[Ben Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 was a great read. It has a really interesting world and plot, and great characters. The artwork is stunning, the underwater atmosphere was perfectly captured. The character art-style in particular was amazing; Siren and Kappa are so cute (especially the opening scene with baby Kappa!).

Kappa is The Beacon, meaning he's the one who will fulfil the prophecies of the many underwater Mer communities. Siren is the prince of the Sharks, and their prophecy says that in order to break the curse on their people he must kill the Beacon.

The two meet under these unfortunate circumstance and bond over both being in tough situations they don't want to be in. Siren doesn't want to kill Kappa, but he doesn't want his people to continue to suffer. Kappa is tired of living for other people and not himself, of only being the Beacon. I really loved their relationship and seeing the beginnings of their friendship (with a side of their cute crush).

[Krysta ꕤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

still love this series.. Kappa and Siren are adorable.

[KaylaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

✰5 stars✰

I was beyond excited when I saw that this was being released as a paperback later this year, and I knew I immediately had to request it on NetGalley.

I started reading this comic when it first started being released years ago on WEBTOON, and I've followed it ever since.

This release was the perfect opportunity to go back to the beginning and read Volume 1. Having read this in the WEBTOON format originally, getting to see the transition to a book comic format was super cool. I think that it was done beautifully and nothing was disrupted from the initial reading medium.

This comic holds a special place in my heart because it was probably one of the first queer pieces of fiction that I consumed when it was first being drawn.

Kappa and Siren hold my heart and I can honestly say that are probably my Roman Empire because I think about them easily several times a week.

I will recommend this comic until the day I die. Wendy Martin you can have all of my money because I will be buying this physical copy for myself and several of my closest friends.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent this book as an advanced copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.

🥹🥹

I had been hearing about Castle Swimmer for YEARS and yet I somehow never started reading it (I'm a fool). I was really happy to be able to snatch an ARC on ng but needless to say one volume wasn't enough and I had to go read everything that's on the webtoon app. I'm only here to review this first volume though, so I will premise that it's very much introductory to the rest of the story (which...!!) but it manages to set the tone and feel for it beautifully. Oh, and the art style is really gorgeous. I really can't recommend it enough!

[Anniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kicking myself for not reading this Webtoon sooner, but I'm so glad I finally did! I'm so glad this is getting published physically, because it's AMAZING and I know I'm going to need a copy. It's the perfect amounts of dark and suspenseful yet cute, cosy and funny. If that sounds strange, I'm sorry, I can't explain it any better. I thought this was so well done, and I already adore both characters.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVEEE

[Langleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have given this 5 stars if it was the whole version we have on Webtoon. This was pointless to have as a physical book with the limited plot line. I read this as a Webtoon when I was in high school and remember being so excited for the rest of it. I was so excited to see this in the library because I thought that meant that this story was not only successful enough to turn into a physical, published book but that it was also a completed story. Unfortunately, it was not completed. The plot had barely even began by the time I finished the book. And I get that it was volume one but there was just nothing there. It was extremely disappointing, and felt a little lazy. I understand that this stuff takes time but I got an entire college degree and they’re still not done with this story. Why publish such a small part of the story. I checked the Webtoon and they’ve got three seasons out and are about to release their 4th season. I feel like we could have at least put the second season in this 1st physical volume. This felt lazy and disappointing, especially since I already know and loved this story!! If this was my first time picking this story up, I don’t think I would pick up the second volume, purely from the limited plot we got. The webtoons is like an 9/10 from what I remember, I loved it. Yet this physical book form of it was a 4/10. :( 4/10

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! After seeing a couple rave reviews on goodreads from friends, this went from a maybe to must read for me and I was thrilled to be approved for an ARC from NetGalley.

I really like the premise of two characters connected by opposing roles in a prophecy who both bond because of it and struggle with it. We got to see some personality and sweetness between them and their shared experiences of being othered and saddled with intense expectations due to this prophecy.
It feels like it’s going an interesting direction with free will and destiny and obligations to self and others, and I’m really looking forward to the next volume.

I wish more happened in this first volume, but we’ve been set up with a solid cliffhanger and I’ve got a feeling I might enjoy future volumes even more as the adventure really gets rolling.

Definitely recommend, a great graphic novel that is volume 1 in a longer series to be published in the future.

[Neon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful graphic novel.

5 out of 5 stars.

Castle Swimmer: Volume 1 by Wendy Martin is a mermaid story with a difference. Kappa is the Beacon - the light of the ocean.
The illustrations are simply beautiful and I really enjoy the colours and differences in characters, for example: between Kappa and the shark prince Siren. Apart they are beautiful, but side by side they're truly a vision.
The plot is simple: each part of the ocean has a prophecy involving the Beacon - the shark one shows the prince slaying the Beacon which doesn't feel right to Siren. Over his visits the two become close, learning about each other and themselves.

Would highly recommend this book to literally everyone.

[Matthew Elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Leni ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Castle Swimmer since it was on WEBTOON, in fact it was one of the first WEBTOONs I read when I downloaded it seven years ago so I immediately knew I had to request it.

The art is gorgeous. Martin does a great job with creating different species and incorporating diverse character designs. As well as making the setting feel bright and alive.

Kappa and Siren are the cutest. Even in this short volume you could really get a feel for their characters and their struggles of being tied to the prophecy.

Finally, the plot of the book is slow to start since I know that it builds up later with lots of twists and turns. However, every page still kept me hooked.

Overall, one of my favourite WEBTOONs ever.

[rayhanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore these gay fish boys and the setting/world is so unique and intriguing! I'm very interested to see how it plays out :)

[Finn Lampe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Copy for review via NetGalley

It's a beautiful comic about the burden of having to fulfil a prophecy you disagree with.
...
Kappa is the castle swimmer, the beacon. The chosen one, who has to fulfil the prophecies of all the merfolk and bring them riches in that way. It's a lonely life of only living to bring others happiness.
When Kappa is pulled to the castle of the sharks, he figures the prophecy to fulfil is of him dying at the hands of the prince, Siren.
Siren who was raised to fulfil the prophecy is beginning to doubt the way the prophecy has to be fulfilled and his doubts only grow after meeting Kappa.
The two share a burden of the prophecy and try to make it work another way. While the other folk also want a share of the beacon's presence.
I loved this first volume of the comic and am very curious to find out how this story will continue.
I loved the amazing artwork! The storytelling was quick to my taste, but that's more often the case with comics. All together this is an amazing comic with hints of love, anxiety and purpose, a good combo.

[fia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this is the right author (since the other listed books are vastly different); I'll update this post if I need to. Anyways, this series is so good. Not only is it really cute, but the writing is incredible. Each character feels so real and likable while also being distinct and unique to one another, and I feel myself rooting for everyone. I don't think I've ever felt so connected to so many characters before. The pacing is perfect, and the story never felt boring or dragged out. Also, the wide range of representation is *chef's kiss*. And yes, I did binge this series--that's how good it is.

I also loved watching the art evolve. While it was still good in the beginning, it dramatically improved in the second season. Each background and character is perfectly drawn to bring the world to life.

[Manon (bookswithonno) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I NEED MORE!!!! NOWWWW

[Basia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 * story
5* artwork

[Ezran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. Both Kappa and Siren looked very good. I liked the illustrations although they were a pretty dark color since the story took place mostly in caves.
To be honest, I haven’t been this interested in what happens next in a comic for quite some time. I will probably continue on with this series (with the next 2 seasons that are available on Webtoons where I read this).


4/5

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! This is my first written review for a reason. The story was sweet in ways I didn’t expect. I hope the next volume will come shortly!

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This webtoon was originally recommended to me by a friend ( shoutout Adalynn!!!) and it is absolutely amazing. The art style is cute, the premise is phenomenal, the characters are precious. I kinda felt that basing each merspecies off of fish was a little questionable, but it grew on me overtime, especially as it became more incorporated into the story and not just aesthetic. All of the characters are so unique in personality and design, they are all fleshed out a full of life. Even the characters that barely appear are so memorable, but not in the way that overwhelms the reader. Neither of the main characters feel typical. Both are completely individual, with separate goals and motivations, which makes for an interesting dynamic. Syren’s moral dilemma at the beginning of the story is a perfect introduction, and this beginning novel, even though it is just the beginning of their story, is so outrageously well written. This story emotionally wrecked me, from both main characters. I 100% encourage everyone to read this because you will fall in love with these characters and this world.

But, I’m just a stranger on the internet, so my opinions don’t really matter lol

[Eva Blr · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was such a cute read and for once I'm intrigued.

The drawing are absolutely adorable especially in way baby are drawn .
I don't have much to say it is a first volume so it was more about settling few base point for the story .
It was pretty chill . Not much action happened but it was really adorable .
I don't know yet if it going to be a full on romance but the tag and the interactions between Kappa and Siren are really foreshadowing a little queer romance which I LIKE.
The idea of multiple prophecies may mean that Kappa should not be the only one of his kind
Apart from the fact that it does not resemble any of the species we have met so far, each kingdom has its own prophecy and if every prophecies were to be fulfilled , Kappa will not succeed without missing one or more.

[Teeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC for early review.. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

I was *much* younger when I first read Castle Swimmer on Webtoon. So I can understand why I feel a sort of disconnect with it now. It's for a younger audience than me at this point, and I think that audience will genuinely enjoy getting to know Kappa and Siren and their unique relationship. This isn't exactly "high angst," but there's plenty of hard feelings and troubling events for both characters to experience. The romance is mostly flirting through the first volume, and very cute, which matches with a very cute art style. There is "gore" but it is very clean and, uh... Friendly? It's not gross to look at. I feel like this would be a nice story for even middle grade graphic novels readers to enjoy, and I'm happy to see it moving to physical printing, even if I've somewhat outgrown it.

[Eliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Castle Swimmer Vol 1
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 7.42/10 overall

Characters - 7

Atmosphere - 8

Writing - 8

Plot - 7

Intrigue - 8

Logic - 7

Enjoyment - 7

Overall Thoughts:
I read this originally on Webtoon years ago so when I saw this at the library I thought I would give it a reread. It's been long enough that I don't remember most of details of what happens, just the jist. It definitely still stands up. :)

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute YA m/m romance between two merfolk. One of them, Kappa, the Beacon, is destined to fulfill various prophecies, the other‘s fate is to kill him and lift a curse on his people by doing so.

I read the first three episodes online through Webtoons.com. Here is the link to the first episode:
https://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/c...

I assume that Siren (the one destined to kill Kappa) will not go through with it. They fall in love, lots of adventures follow, etc. Not continuing for now, it‘s too YA for my taste. Cute though, with nice artwork.

The first volume, with Episodes 1-19, is currently available on Netgalley.

[Emmaline Savidge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a cute and whimsical read. I’m not sure if this is being marketed as YA but if you love series like Heartstopper I think this might appeal to you. I remember checking out this comic back when I first began on webtoon, but I didn’t keep up with it. It was really fun to get to return to the story now that more has been completed. I really loved all the different types of mermaids that were shown throughout this book. Going for something more nontraditional and visually interesting was definitely the way to go. This was a great start to a series and I’m excited for Kappa and Siren to get to go on some little adventures.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[haitske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still as (bitter)sweet and wholesome as when I first read this on webtoon! I love everything about Kappa and Siren; the witty dialogue, the awkward and clumsy but adorable interactions between them!!

The art style is so beautiful and the colours so vibrant. The characters look distinctive and there are just so many varieties in species, which is really cool!

Not a whole lot happens in vol. 1, which is fine because I know the story will pick up more in the next one. Definitely a must read for fans of Heartstopper and The Girl from the Sea

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Netgalley for an arc copy*

This was such a cute graphic novel that was so enjoyable!

I loved the art style, and the story itself was so good. I love anything relating to merpeople, and this is no different.

I really want the next instalment to know what happens!!!