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Of Swamp & Sea #2

Of Swamp & Sea, Volume Two

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304 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2026

6 people are currently reading
179 people want to read

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Mia Jay Boulton

7 books6 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
Profile Image for Ink & Ivy.
44 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2025
I absolutely loved the second volume! It really feels like the story comes into its own here. We get to explore some amazing new locations, encounter cool spirits and monsters, and learn more about Jonah. And! Without giving anything away, I especially loved seeing Mercy take control of her life and start making choices for her future.

I’m super excited for the next volume and can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

Thank you to First Second Books / 23rd St. for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Carmen.
755 reviews23 followers
October 8, 2025
I received a copy from 23rd St. through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

After Mercy Gray Harding accidentally got possessed by the mist wolf that killed her father, things have gotten crazy. She has to leave home and never come back, and now that she has feelings for Jonah, she’s not entirely sure going back is something she wants to do. Together, they’re on a mission to get the wolf mist’s spirit out of her, but what if Mercy isn’t entirely sure that’s what she wants anymore? If only Jonah would stop insisting to lead a lonely life until the mystery behind his supernatural eye catches up to him…

I was so excited to start the second volume of this series. We’re back to following Mercy and her monster hunting friend, Jonah. This time around, we got some solid backstory on Jonah, which I was super interested in. Plus, it’s clear the two of them have feelings for each other, but Jonah is the stubborn party here. Though, I guess I don’t blame him once we learn about The Visitor and how he’s connected to it.

That said, we got to meet a new cast of characters and slowly set up the next volume in the process. I really enjoyed the group of traveling musicians they met. While I doubt we’ll see them again, it’ll be interesting to see if they pop up again, especially after the way things turned out. I also loved meeting Jonah’s old friend and getting confirmation on something I suspected might happen when I read the first volume.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and seeing the character growth that occurred. The artwork was stunning as always, and I really enjoyed the concept art at the end. I’m really enjoying this series, and now that it’s really picking up speed, I’m even more excited for the next volume than I predicted I’d be!
Profile Image for Lucy  Larsen.
605 reviews3 followers
December 1, 2025
I would first like to thank the publisher, the artists, and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this as a follow-up to the first volume. In my review of the first book, I was very excited about the plotline as well as the light and color based art style and I can say that those particular things continued to stick out to me in this volume but there was even more that made me love this volume.

First of all, HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME HANGING LIKE THAT?! I need the next volume now. What happens next!

I also just particularly love the side characters in this volume. The first volume was really a time for us to get to know the two main characters (Mercy and Jonah) and this one was really to get some more character set up and world building. There was a lot of continued development for Mercy and Jonah, but I also fell in love with some of the others that they met (wish I had more about Briar and Augustus – they were so cute!) and am intrigued by a new character introduced right at the end of this volume. The spicy rating was a level 1.

Overall, I would rate this a 5 out of 5 stars and I can’t wait for the third volume’s release.
Profile Image for The Library Lass.
117 reviews22 followers
October 26, 2025
A huge thank you to NetGalley and 23rd St. for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

“Just try to keep calm. I’ll find you. I promise.” *swoons*

Let me start by saying that this was a fairly angsty read, and I LOVED IT. The tension between Jonah and Mercy was perfect. On one hand, you have Jonah, who battles with his overall angst as we learn more about the monster plaguing him beneath the eye cover. On the other hand, we have Mercy's struggles, which were truly the highlight of this volume. Watching her struggle with massive life changes and the fear that goes along with them was truly powerful. With that cliffhanger ending, I shall be waiting in anticipation for the next volume.
Profile Image for Jamie Beth.
123 reviews
March 17, 2026
4.5 stars

I loved getting Jonah's backstory and learning more about why he's the way he is. Mercy on the otherhand is learning more about herself and what she wants going forward. Their interactions are only getting better!

We have some new characters thrown into the mix, and it was (mostly) a cute addition, with 1 person being sus AF. I would have loved more info on Briar, but I can see why that wasn't really needed.

I can't wait for the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Profile Image for Frank Chillura (OhYouRead).
1,774 reviews83 followers
November 12, 2025
Okay now this volume was exactly what I was looking for when I started the series.

Of Swamp and Sea has the vibes of Supernatural with a dash of Sinners and in this volume, a bit of The Greatest Showman. 🤯 I know! It was so action packed and exciting, that it brought a new life to my want to continue it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
Profile Image for Maddie.
401 reviews11 followers
November 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and 23rd St for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book! I felt like learning more about Jonah’s backstory and what was happening with Mercy was such an interesting intersection to see unfold.

I liked learning more about the world and the implications of what is good/evil. This was such a delight! I loved the art and side characters too!

I think my one gripe is Jonah can too broody sometimes. I felt there was a lot of repetition of “woe is me” from him, and it’s just,,,I was getting really annoyed with him. Mercy is my girl though!!
Profile Image for Red Wolf Reads.
129 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
January 6, 2026
English:

This story keeps giving me more and more reasons to keep reading. Both the first book and this one end on an open ending, clearly designed to build anticipation for what’s coming next.

The characters continue to be well written, and as the story progresses, they become more developed, which I really love. I especially liked that in this volume we get to explore more of Jonah’s backstory—a character who was very mysterious in the first volume.

While he remains mysterious, we’re given glimpses of his past that help us better understand why he is the way he is.

The truth about Mercy is definitely a turning point in the story, and I need to know what’s going to happen with that in the next volume.

It’s a light, fast-paced read that makes it hard to stop once you start. I think I finished it in about 30 minutes because I was so hooked.

I’m still in awe of the artwork in this graphic novel. The illustrations are beautiful and colorful, and I would absolutely love to own it in physical format someday so I can fully appreciate the art in all its glory.

Español:

Está historia solo sigue generando más y más ganas de seguir leyendo. Tanto el primer libro como este dejan un final abierto para generar expectativas sobre el siguiente.

Los personajes siguen estando bien escritos, a medida que avanza la historia van desarrollándose más y eso me encanta. Me gustó que en este tomo podamos conocer un poco más del trasfondo de Jonah, personaje que en el primer volumen era muy misterioso.

Si bien sigue siendo misterioso, tenemos un poco más de su pasado y ahora podemos ir entendiendo un poco mejor porque es como es.

La verdad sobre Mercy es algo que sin duda hace un quiebre en la historia y necesito saber que va a pasar con eso en el siguiente tomo.

Es una lectura ligera que hace que no quiera parar de leer hasta terminarla, creo que la termine en 30 minutos de lo enganchada que me tenía.

Sigo admirando el arte que traen los dibujos de la novela gráfica, son hermosos, coloridos y sin duda me encantaría poder tenerlos en algún momento en físico para poder admirarlos en todo su esplendor.
Profile Image for ABlikesbooks.
40 reviews4 followers
March 24, 2026
Vol. 2 starts off very shortly after 1 left us. There's no recap, so if you haven't read vol. 1, you'll need to.
Our story starts with something vol 1 didn't give us, and that's back story on our hero, Mr. Jonah, and how he came to wear a kerchief over one of his eyes all the time. (Long story short, he was tricked but trust me when I say you'll want the long story). Meanwhile our girl Mercy is trying to figure out what her life will look like after everything is sorted. She thinks she can just go back home, but Jonah assures her that's not going to be possible after what happened (in vol. 1). However the two of them are also feeling a closeness to each other, one that it seems Mercy is willing to pursue, but Jonah isn't.
During the Night Jonah is insistent that they move one quickly and they hitch a ride with a band of traveling musicians and exchange for helping them through a risky short cut. Naturally nothing goes as planned and Jonah and Mercy are once again on foot. When they finally reach their destination things once again do not go as planned, because when have they ever?

This volume is really about seeing our two main characters grow closer, while one continues to try to keep the other at arms length. It's also to really see Mercy become more secure and confident within herself and her abilities that she has obtained since vol. 1. She has a lot of choices she has to make and some very big ones at that. She no longer has a family and the person she is currently feeling the closest to is constantly trying to push her away for his own reasons, supposedly.

An observation I made during this vol that I can't believe I missed during the first one is that Jonah is very much Malcolm Reynolds coded, for my Firefly fans out there. Heck he even almost has the outfit and haircut. He's the hero for hire that is handsome and that the girl wants to fall for and who is, probably also falling for the girl, but in denial. Though in this case it's not the fancy lady and more like a mash-up of Zoë and Kaylee. Of course all of it's on a planet and not in space, but he is still fighting monsters.

Like the first one the art continues to just be beautiful. The wolf art is haunting, and some of the scenes with the musicians and just so visually funny they don't even need words. The words are just bonus. The facial expressions are great. At the end of this volume we get a bit of bonus art which was lovely, and is always so fun to see.
Profile Image for Snarky Hatter.
126 reviews2 followers
October 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and 23rd St. for an advanced reader copy Of Swamp & Sea, Volume 2.

For the sake of transparency, before I received this copy, I had never read or heard of the Webtoon Of Swamp & Sea, but the summary sounded interesting and I liked the art style, so I requested copies of Volumes 1 & 2 via NetGalley. I only received a copy of volume 2, so that left me with a bit of conundrum. I wanted to give volume 2 as much of a fair shake as I could, so I looked up the series on Webtoon and read the first few chapters available for free on the site.

I'm glad I did. While the storylines in volume 2 are easy to follow, having just that extra bit of knowledge of how the whole series started really helps give a better weight and understanding to Mercy's plight.

Additionally, volume 2 is where we get to learn more Jonah's past and his connection to a creature called The Final Visitor. Through this knowledge we see that Jonah's desire to help Mercy doesn't just stem from guilt, but from a subconscious desire to free himself from his own monster, which he has projected onto Mercy. It's makes for an interesting dynamic, and a great set up for Jonah to embrace the more monstrous parts of himself.

Admittedly, that is where I am assuming the story is going, because it seems like Mercy and Jonah are set up to be parallels and/or foils to each other. That being said, I could be 100% wrong.

Whatever direction the story goes, I think it will be fun. There's a lot of action, adventure, and heart packed into every chapter, making this a delightful read.
Profile Image for Ashley Smith.
79 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
After loving the first installment, I was excited to dive back into the world of Of Swamp & Sea. Volume 2 continues Mercy and Jonah’s story, slowly peeling back more layers of who they are and how they came to be the people we met in the first book.

This volume focuses more on character development than major plot movement. We learn more about Jonah’s past and how he became the fearless hunter we see now, which adds depth to his character and helps explain some of his guarded nature. At the same time, Mercy and Jonah grow closer as they begin to recognize something they share—both of them are outsiders in a world that treats them differently.

Their dynamic continues to be one of the most compelling parts of the story. Mercy seems to view their shared outsider status as a sign that they belong together, while Jonah struggles with the idea, wanting Mercy to have a normal life without being tied to him.

Once again, the artwork is absolutely beautiful. The illustrations bring so much atmosphere and emotion to the story, and many moments feel even more powerful because of what’s conveyed visually rather than through dialogue.

While this volume felt a bit like a bridge between larger events in the story, it still left me intrigued—especially with the introduction of a mysterious new character at the end. I already have Volume 3 ready to go, and it took serious restraint not to jump straight into it the moment I finished.

If you enjoy graphic novels with rich artwork, slow-building character dynamics, and fantasy elements, this series is definitely worth picking up.

Thank you to Mia Jay & Laurel Boulton, First Second Books, and NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Sara.
33 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 6, 2026
Of Swamp and Sea, Vol. 2 continues Mercy and Jonah’s journey with higher stakes and deepening emotions. Mercy is still grappling with her wolfish possession, but this volume shines a light on the monster Jonah carries within as well. His past begins to take shape as we learn more about the first encounter with the creature called the Final Visitor and the devastating power he now shares with it—a power that draws danger closer each time it’s used. With the Final Visitor on Jonah’s trail and time running out to free Mercy, their journey to Port Falrest feels increasingly urgent. New threats are introduced, and the tension steadily builds, making the story hard to put down. The romance remains a slow burn, but it’s gradually heating up through quiet moments, meaningful conversations, and the growing challenges they face together.
The artwork continues to be stunning throughout, with some of the most striking moments appearing when the wolf spirit takes over the page—eerie, powerful, and absolutely beautiful.
Overall, Of Swamp and Sea, Vol. 2 is a strong continuation that deepens the world, strengthens the characters, and sets up exciting possibilities for what’s ahead. I cannot wait for Volume 3 and highly recommend this series to fans of atmospheric fantasy, slow-burn romance, and gorgeous illustrations.

Be warned: this volume ends on a cliffhanger that left me desperate for more.

A special thanks to First Second Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader’s Copy for review. My reviews always reflect my honest thoughts and feelings.

4.5 stars rounded up
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Laura.
3,284 reviews104 followers
October 6, 2025
In this second book in the series, we learn a little more about Jonah and his monster hunting days, and why he covers his one eye. We also learn more about the wolf monster inside here, that Jonah wants to make sure is removed, at any cost.


Along the way to getting to where the magical person who can remove the spirit of the wolf monster, they meet a traveling group of musicians, where they get to relax a little. But only a little.


Not wanting to spoil anything, it is nice to see the pair kiss, and it is also nice to see them laugh. Especially with such evil following Jonah, and Mercy torn about if she should fall in love with him, nor not.
The illustrations are wonderful, and full of life. So much movement, and use of space, and viewpoint.


There will be, of course, a volume 3. So, though this one ends, we see the setup for the next volume. I very much enjoyed the world building, and am quite happy to continue to find out more about this couple, or non-couple, as the case may be. There appears to be a lot more than we know of going on, which is fine.


Thanks to Netgalley and First Second Books for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the 17th of March 2026. The first volume is already out.
Profile Image for Steff Fox.
1,624 reviews169 followers
November 17, 2025
A long time ago. Back when I was younger and didn't know better...
...than to take people at their word.

It's official, I am just straight obsessed with Mia Jay Boulton's Of Swamp & Sea. The characters are phenomenal, the world is fascinating, the story is absolutely brilliant. Honestly, I don't think I could say a bad thing about this series no matter how hard I tried to find one. There's an absolute brilliance to how expertly Boulton has pulled me in and engineered such a deep emotional investment to what happens to all of these characters.
Beautiful can still be deadly.

It honestly sort of drives me insane, every time I reach the end of one of the volumes, to not have more to continue reading immediately. And yet the pacing of the story is excellent, each adventure finding a fitting place within the parameters of the story. These are certainly books that I can't wait to add to my shelf.
You're smart. Capable. That life you might have led... You deserve better. Small towns. Trust me, you don't need 'em.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lexa Riffe.
146 reviews12 followers
October 21, 2025
We start this volume right where the first ended with a flawless transition. Mercy and Jonah continue along their journey to rid Mercy of the wolf.

We get a bit more of a back story about Jonah in the beginning. This back story will bring us closer to understanding him a bit better and recognizing one of his big motivations to rid Mercy of the wolf. We learn that he has a devastating and destructive power, a power that he has from "The final Visitor". While Jonah was tricked into a job that almost cost him his life, he just barely escaped and is now cursed with this power.

The Final Visitor is getting closer to Jonah, and every time he uses the power, he draws him even closer. After he used the Final Visitors power to save himself and Mercy, he knows they need to get to Port Fairest, and soon. As they walk through the woods, they come across a group of traveling musicians and are lucky to catch a ride.

While Mercy and Jonah travel with their new musical friends, Mercy admits to herself and her new friends that she has feelings for Jonah. This realization that one day Jonah will leave, and she will be alone, makes her not want to give up her wolf. Mercy has lost so much, and not only does she not want to be alone, but she also wants to feel safe.

Once they get to the port, will she be able to give up both her wolf and Jonah? That's the question she faces.

Volume two will draw you in just as Volume one did. The art remains beautiful and original. The new characters all are unique and fit into the story without distracting from the main plot line. I enjoyed how they both interact with the musical group members, Mercy is easier to trust and open up, where Jonah stays on alert and keeps mostly to himself. The cliff hanger at the end made me wish I could have the next volume right away. I really hope Mercy is up for this next part of her story, and I hope she doesn't have to go into it alone. Shes stronger and braver than she thinks, and I think she is about to truly find the inner strength she has.

Thank you NetGalley and First Second Books | 23rd St. for the Digital ARC.
Profile Image for Skyler.
72 reviews4 followers
October 10, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and 23rd st publishing for the eARC!!!

I'm so excited i got this arc to be able to continue reading the series!!!
The second installment Of Swamp and Sea picks right where we left off in volume 1

I really loved getting Jonah's backstory as it adds to his character and how he has changed over the years as he gains more experience being a monster hunter. Mercy's character development on how to handle the wolf going from scared to a confident queen was excellent to see. I loved all the side character but wish we got more with musicians but I have a feeling they might make a return in a future volume. I loved Snarl's character design and laughed out loud when Mercy realized she was inbetween two stunning people, same girl same. The monsters were so cool to see and love that we get descriptions for them in the bts portion of the arc. Seeing the concept art and character designs at the end of each chapter is so fun to see and the full graphic novel is filled with even more beautiful artwork like the first volume. Can not wait to buy this book as a trophy for my shelves!
Profile Image for Kristen ⭐️ (beansbooktrove).
239 reviews24 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 9, 2026
Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel to Of Swamp & Sea for a little while now so I’m so thankful to read an advance copy! This was a fun sequel that had all the magical monster madness of the first! We delve deeper into Jonah’s past which was SO interesting! (hope we continue to learn more) and grow Mercy and Jonah’s relationship!

This sequel did feel a bit rushed throughout however. We meet a new band of characters but their purpose in the story was so short that it had me questioning why they were even involved! And when one of the new characters stays behind, I was a bit confused! Where did that come from?

I do also feel like we need more from Mercy and Jonah’s relationship. They advanced it in this story, however I wanted more! Mercy is such an innocent FMC that we never get that slow burn, pining feeling between the two before disaster strikes!

But the overarching monster fighting storyline holds solid! I’m intrigued to learn more about monsters and the world of seedy monster hunters, so I will continue into another volume!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tara.
515 reviews35 followers
October 5, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.


Favorite quote(s):

“Just try to keep calm. I’ll find you. I promise.”

Review:

I thought this was a great next instalment in the story. The art was just as great as the first volume, and I loved the details. Mercy and Jonah were great, and I loved their teamwork and bonding. I loved meeting new characters and going to new places and seeing how Mercy reacted to it all. Learning Jonah’s story and what happened to him was heartbreaking, but it does explain why he is how he is and his struggles. I loved that it showed Mercy changing with everything regarding the wolf and how it affected her. It did seem to be a bit slower pace than the first one but it was nice. I cannot wait for more to see what happens next with Mercy and Jonah and their relationship, as well as with the wolf and the Visitor that Jonah must deal with, and that thing is creepy. That ending has me worried for Mercy and what will happen with her being hunted. Overall, I enjoyed this and am excited for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda Iman.
625 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 17, 2026
I've been reading this comic on Webtoon for a little while, but was so excited to get the eARC of the full Volume 2 graphic novel version. This 2nd volume finishes out the back half of Season 1 on Webtoon.

I really loved this installment of the story from the Boultons. The chemistry between Jonah and Mercy is great, and I like how their friendship (and more) develops throughout. I also enjoyed the added characters from the traveling band, the city of ruins, and Cassady Snarl. The names of the characters are fantastic.

The artwork in this section of the story is also stunning. I really like how the Boultons illustrate light in their work. As a reader, you totally buy that something is glowing or lit by a fire. And the way the wolf is drawn around Mercy is always gorgeous. I was very impressed by the layout changes from Webtoon to print as well.

I also appreciated the bonus artwork and prose in the back of the book. I'm really looking forward to more installments to come out.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Athena 💗.
877 reviews14 followers
October 10, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers at First Second Books for an ARC of Volume 2 in the Of Swamp And Sea graphic novel series. I’m not much of a graphic novel reader but something about this series keeps having me come back for more.

Volume 2 picks up right where 1 left of. Mercy and Jonah are on a mission to help save Mercy’s soul from the beast that lives inside her. It’s crazy how just a few blurbs and illustrations on a page can bring so much life to a story. Jonah is a tormented, monster hunter destined to live a life of solitude. Mercy’s wolf has destroyed everyone and everything she holds dear in life and has hired Jonah to help remove the wolf’s spirit from her body. Now the two must work together to help Mercy.

I love following their journey and just like the last book, this one had me turning the pages. It always leaves you wanting more and now I must patiently wait for volume 3.
Profile Image for Chelsey Hostetler.
311 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
January 5, 2026
Of Swamp and Sea Volume 2 brings us back to Mercy and Jonah and we finally get some answers. Jonah was once tricked into being a sacrifice to capture a creature called The Final Visitor. Thankfully, he evaded being a sacrifice, but he now shares the power of the Visitor and it is constantly looking for him. Mercy wants to stay with Jonah and adventure together, but she hesitates to tell him. Along their journey the duo meet with a travelling musical group and discover ruins that still hide secrets. But, do both of them have feelings they will ever admit? Or will they tragically part ways?
Overall, I was delighted with Volume 2. The artwork continues to be stunning and the storyline of action, fantasy and romance has me hooked. I may not be able to wait for the next volume and head right to Webtoon. If anyone is looking for a book with similar vibes to The Witcher series, but more age appropriate for younger readers, this is a great graphic series to grab.
Profile Image for Anastey.
572 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 18, 2026
Thank you Netgalley, Mia Jay Boulton, and Laurel Boulton for sending me this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, and a wonderful continuation to the series. I loved how they used light and dark to give so much emotion to the characters.

There is so much depth drawn into these pages, and a lot of deep pain too. I also loved the small beginnings of romance, and am excited to see where this leads in future books. There is so much delicous tension between Mercy and Jonah, while also dealing with the trauma that has happened to them as well. I do with Jonah was a little less broody though, it did get annoying after a while.

The new side characters are fantastic, and give a bit of lightess and even a bit of ceomedic relief to the overall darker story.

Overall I really enjoyed this, and can't wait to see what happens in Vol 3!
Profile Image for Lindsey.
1,253 reviews48 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 9, 2026
✨ Review ✨ Of Swamp & Sea Volume 2 by Mia Jay Boulton; Laurel Boulton

Thanks to First Second Books | 23rd St. and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Mercy and Jonah return in the second volume of this series. Mercy and Jonah continue on to Port Falrest to try to heal her, but they face several complications: 1) Jonah faced down a monster known as the Final Visitor when he was younger and now it's hot on his tracks again; 2) they hitch a ride with a band of traveling musicians, but when they go through a mazelike abandoned town, they face challenges together.

I thought this was a great follow-up to the first book and while it didn't leave me hanging with the same sort of GASP as the first book, I really appreciated how it developed. I loved the band of musicians and wish they had carried on even longer in the story!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: fantasy graphic novel with some romance
Setting: fantasy
Pub Date: March 17, 2026

Read this if you like:
⭕️ fantasy graphic novels
⭕️ dynamic duos
⭕️ angsty love connections
Profile Image for Kathryn .
205 reviews4 followers
October 4, 2025
This was just as good as the first volume, but packed with even more plot.
In the first volume there are a lot of different monsters the pair go up against. There are fewer beasts in this volume, but more new characters to meet and love. And a few not to love.
The development of the relationship between Mercy and Jonah was nice, though the ending left us with a big cliffhanger. The development of Mercy's character was the standout of this volume and I'm excited to watch it progress further. The tone veered towards cozy in a few places, which added some necessary lightness to the story. The art remains charming and visually interesting, though I would like some more varied faces in the character designs.
This was another solid installment that left me wanting more.

Thank you to First Second Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Brittany.
487 reviews10 followers
October 4, 2025
This series is so much fun! "Of Swamp and Sea" follows Mercy, who hires a monster hunter named Jonah to kill the spirit wolf that killed her father. When the job goes wrong, Mercy accidentally gets possessed by the spirit wolf, and she and Jonah embark on a journey to set things right.

The story is super engaging and I couldn't stop reading! I read both books 1 &2 back to back. The artwork is so cute - the characters are vibrantly colored and really charmingly drawn. I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out! This series would be great if you like romantasy where the relationship builds super slowly and is wholesome and sweet. This series would be fine for both teens and adults.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and First Second Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for McKenna.
268 reviews11 followers
November 3, 2025
In Of Swamp & Sea, Volume Two we get to learn more about Jonah and dive deeper in to who/what Mercy is. These two are on a journey that takes them through new places, where they'll meet a variety of friendly (and not so friendly) faces.

Yum I ate this up and I'm already asking for more! This series is so cozy, it's becoming a comfort of mine. Mercy and Jonah are complex and clearly a wonderful pairing. As they go on their journey we get to see more of their world and meet new people. These side characters are just as important and add to the story, expanding the relationships our characters have. The ending sets up for the next volume smoothly, I can't wait to see what happens next!

Of Swamp & Sea: Volume Two is out March 17, 2026.

Thanks to First Second Books, 23rd St., NetGalley, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Sam.
160 reviews
November 24, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and First Second Books for the digital ARC for review.
I was so excited to see that the second installment of one of my favorite graphics of the year was available on NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this continuation! We get more of Jonah’s backstory, which is even more heartbreaking than I could have guessed.
We also get to learn more about Mercy and the wolf. I really like how we got more background on these characters this volume. I feel more connected to them and care even more about their happiness.
I love how they can relate to each other and listen to each other in such a thoughtful way.
I also really enjoyed the introduction of new characters. It really added to the reading experience. I hope we see more of these characters in future volumes.
If you love Romantasy books with adventures and slow-burn, I high recommend this series.
Profile Image for Haleigh Gravgaard.
237 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 5, 2026
Of Swamp & Sea, Volume 2 by Mia Jay Boulton & Laurel Boulton builds beautifully on the first volume, deepening both its eerie fantasy world and its emotional core. Mercy continues to struggle with her wolfish possession, while Jonah’s connection to the terrifying Final Visitor raises the stakes — every use of his power bringing the monster closer.

The art remains atmospheric and expressive, perfectly capturing the witchy forests, strange encounters, and quiet, character-driven moments. A traveling band adds a fresh dynamic and some lighter tension, especially as Mercy tries to keep her secret hidden.

While the pacing slows slightly in the middle, the growing bond between Mercy and Jonah is heartfelt and compelling, blending supernatural danger with a tender slow-burn romance. A strong continuation that leans into mood, character, and emotional stakes.
Profile Image for Ana.
359 reviews5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
Thank you First Second Books | 23rd St. for the early digital copy of this graphic novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this second volume of the Of Swamp & Sea series! We see a lot of growth from Mercy and learn more about Jonah's background in this volume. We also meet a bunch of new interesting characters and monsters. Each new interaction sets up a future event/meeting that we know is coming but don't know quite yet what to expect and I love the foreshadowing. The relationship/romance/tension between Mercy and Jonah really builds throughout their journey, to the point that everyone around them can tell even if they aren't openly admitting it to themselves or anyone else yet. I love the way they are with each other, even when they are frustrating, and can't wait to see what happens next after that ending!
Profile Image for Katherine Gisleson.
717 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 11, 2026
5 ⭐️
🫑 - kissing only
1st person, single POV

The art was still amazing! There were multiple scenes that made an extra impression, especially when the musicians were dancing. Everything is so easy to follow and it’s beautiful 😍

This volume was packed with so much! We got to see Mercy and Jonah’s quest continue, their relationship develop, and meet new characters along the way. I appreciated seeing more of Jonah’s back story, too.

I was not expecting things to work out with the wolf the way they did, but it was kind of poetic. And GAH, that ending!! I’m on the edge of my seat for the third volume.

I was so happy to get more bonus content again - the bonus art and excerpts from the prose version of the story were amazing 🤩

Thanks to NetGalley, First Second Books, & 23rd St. for the advance copy 💝 Previously on Webtoon, releases March 17th!
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