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The Ocean's Menagerie: How Earth's Strangest Creatures Reshape the Rules of Life
A transporting exploration of the deep sea, and how our planet’s strangest, most ancient and astonishing creatures have urgent relevance to cutting-edge science today.
Hundred-year-old giant clams, coral kingdoms the size and shape of cities, and jellyfish that glow in the dark: ocean invertebrates are among the oldest and most diverse organisms on Earth, seeming to bend the rules of land-based biology. Although sometimes unseen in the deep, these incredible spineless creatures contain 600 million years of adaptation to problems of disease, energy consumption, nutrition, and defence.
Marine ecologist Dr Drew Harvell takes us diving from Hawaii to the Salish Sea, from the Caribbean to Indonesia, to uncover the incredible underwater ‘superpowers’ of spineless creatures: we meet corals many times stronger than steel or concrete, sponges who create potent chemical compounds to fight off disease, and sea stars who garden the coastlines, keeping all the other nearby species in perfect balance. As our planet changes fast, the biomedical, engineering and energy innovations of these wondrous creatures hold ever more important secrets to our own survival.
The Ocean’s Menagerie is a tale of biological marvels, a story of a woman’s passionate connection to an adventurous career in science and a call to arms to protect the world’s most ancient ecosystems.
Hundred-year-old giant clams, coral kingdoms the size and shape of cities, and jellyfish that glow in the dark: ocean invertebrates are among the oldest and most diverse organisms on Earth, seeming to bend the rules of land-based biology. Although sometimes unseen in the deep, these incredible spineless creatures contain 600 million years of adaptation to problems of disease, energy consumption, nutrition, and defence.
Marine ecologist Dr Drew Harvell takes us diving from Hawaii to the Salish Sea, from the Caribbean to Indonesia, to uncover the incredible underwater ‘superpowers’ of spineless creatures: we meet corals many times stronger than steel or concrete, sponges who create potent chemical compounds to fight off disease, and sea stars who garden the coastlines, keeping all the other nearby species in perfect balance. As our planet changes fast, the biomedical, engineering and energy innovations of these wondrous creatures hold ever more important secrets to our own survival.
The Ocean’s Menagerie is a tale of biological marvels, a story of a woman’s passionate connection to an adventurous career in science and a call to arms to protect the world’s most ancient ecosystems.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 22, 2025
71 people are currently reading
5134 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 31, 2025
When I think of ocean animal life, it’s sharks and whales and dolphins and schools of fish and an occasional sea lion that come to mind — but other than an occasional Kraken I tend to overlook the invertebrate life. And the ocean invertebrates are apparently actually amazing.
Harvell’s book focuses on sea sponges, corals, sea slugs, sea fans, giant clams, octopuses and jellies. All these creatures, besides being quite cool and some pushing the limits of what an average person would consider an “animal” also have quite amazing superpowers which may also benefit us, if we need other reasons to admire them besides their awesomeness.
Starfish skin is absolutely amazing, changing its properties in a fraction of a second. Seagrass fields can help clean up the filthy ocean messes that are our doing. Many important chemicals and organelles that sea creatures rely on for survival are actually ingested from their prey in a very strange symbiosis, and if we figure out how some of this stuff works it may be life-changing as far as organ transplants go. Sponges are hosts for bacteria that can have amazing implications for medicine. Far from being a sedentary slow creature, starfish is quite a “superpowered predator” and shapes the entire environments around itself. Octopuses’ shapeshifting and camouflage abilities are from the realm of fantastical, really. And of course, amazing coral reefs built entire ecosystems, and luckily it seems that some strains may be better able to tolerate changing climate, so maybe those amazing ecosystems are not they completely doomed.
I think a few more photos in addition to the lovely drawings would have been nice (but I read the ARC version, and I’m not sure if final book has those), but at least I spent hours online looking up endless photos of the ocean’s menagerie.
Now, I do wonder why it took me weeks and weeks to finish this book, and I can only chalk it down to something about it making my attention slide off the pages after a few minutes each time, although every time those few minutes weren’t actually boring. But in any case, I’ll keep an eye out for Harvell’s books.
3.5 stars.
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Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Also posted on my blog.
“But the vertebrates are essentially all variations on the same theme: a head with brain and often eyes, a backbone and often four limbs in equal numbers on both sides of the body. It’s the invertebrates, in the thirty-four other groups, that are bursting with ancient and unusual capabilities, born of hundreds of millions of years of living in the sea.”
Harvell’s book focuses on sea sponges, corals, sea slugs, sea fans, giant clams, octopuses and jellies. All these creatures, besides being quite cool and some pushing the limits of what an average person would consider an “animal” also have quite amazing superpowers which may also benefit us, if we need other reasons to admire them besides their awesomeness.
Starfish skin is absolutely amazing, changing its properties in a fraction of a second. Seagrass fields can help clean up the filthy ocean messes that are our doing. Many important chemicals and organelles that sea creatures rely on for survival are actually ingested from their prey in a very strange symbiosis, and if we figure out how some of this stuff works it may be life-changing as far as organ transplants go. Sponges are hosts for bacteria that can have amazing implications for medicine. Far from being a sedentary slow creature, starfish is quite a “superpowered predator” and shapes the entire environments around itself. Octopuses’ shapeshifting and camouflage abilities are from the realm of fantastical, really. And of course, amazing coral reefs built entire ecosystems, and luckily it seems that some strains may be better able to tolerate changing climate, so maybe those amazing ecosystems are not they completely doomed.
“Marine invertebrates are my life’s passion and somehow, it’s the very ancient and seemingly simpler ones that I find most captivating and surprising: the sponges, corals, jellyfish, and sea slugs. Although less well known than beloved whales and dolphins, the spineless biota manages the balance of nature in the oceans through creating habitats like coral reefs, controlling the flow of energy through entire food webs, and engineering transformations that baffle scientists to this day.”
I think a few more photos in addition to the lovely drawings would have been nice (but I read the ARC version, and I’m not sure if final book has those), but at least I spent hours online looking up endless photos of the ocean’s menagerie.
Now, I do wonder why it took me weeks and weeks to finish this book, and I can only chalk it down to something about it making my attention slide off the pages after a few minutes each time, although every time those few minutes weren’t actually boring. But in any case, I’ll keep an eye out for Harvell’s books.
3.5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
May 23, 2025
I love this book. It is both exciting and excruciating. The blob says it all: An elegant survey of ocean invertebrates and their bizarre “superpowers,” blending cutting edge science of the strangest creatures on our planet with the promising discoveries they hold for those of us on land, by a leading marine biologist.
Ocean creatures are so fascinating and we still know so little about them while they suffer because of man-made climate change and environmental damages. Some points:
- Bioluminescent jellyfish do not have the genes to synthesize the bioluminescence chemicals–they acquire them by eating sea shrimps and other crustaceans.
- Potential cancer drugs from sea creatures
- Potential smart material behaves like sea star skin that can quickly change its properties
- Seagrasses are great ocean cleaners although they also suffer from climate change
- Sea star is a key species in maintaining marine ecological system
- Corals across the globe are dying because of ocean warming, but some might be better equipped to cope. Scientists are helping them to survive by assisted evolution.
Perhaps instead of becoming a tree, I should turn myself into a deep sea creature–loaded with toxins, with regenerative ability, shape shifting like an octopus and having 9 brains, a comprehensive bioluminescent system, a whale’s roar and swimming superpower.
Chapters:
The Sponge’s Pharmacopoeia
The coral’s Castle
The Sea Fan’s Ancient Defences
The Sea Slug’s Sting
The Giant Clam’s Light Trick
The Octopus’s Shape Shift
The Jellyfish’s Light Show
The Sea Star’s Sticky Skin
Ocean creatures are so fascinating and we still know so little about them while they suffer because of man-made climate change and environmental damages. Some points:
- Bioluminescent jellyfish do not have the genes to synthesize the bioluminescence chemicals–they acquire them by eating sea shrimps and other crustaceans.
- Potential cancer drugs from sea creatures
- Potential smart material behaves like sea star skin that can quickly change its properties
- Seagrasses are great ocean cleaners although they also suffer from climate change
- Sea star is a key species in maintaining marine ecological system
- Corals across the globe are dying because of ocean warming, but some might be better equipped to cope. Scientists are helping them to survive by assisted evolution.
Perhaps instead of becoming a tree, I should turn myself into a deep sea creature–loaded with toxins, with regenerative ability, shape shifting like an octopus and having 9 brains, a comprehensive bioluminescent system, a whale’s roar and swimming superpower.
Chapters:
The Sponge’s Pharmacopoeia
The coral’s Castle
The Sea Fan’s Ancient Defences
The Sea Slug’s Sting
The Giant Clam’s Light Trick
The Octopus’s Shape Shift
The Jellyfish’s Light Show
The Sea Star’s Sticky Skin
June 8, 2025
I have relatives who dive on a regular basis, and I get to see all kinds of creatures I would not otherwise see when they post their photos on line. It's a fascinating and beautiful look into life below the surface. I won't even swim in the ocean, so pictures are as close as I'll get.
This book gave much information about that sea life, the kind that rarely or never come near the surface. As much as it makes me shudder, I admire those who can strap on those tanks and trust that they'll survive far below the surface, even living in pods to study the life patterns of some of the earth's oldest creatures. It was interesting to hear of Harvell's research.
There's a lot to learn from this book, if one is so inclined. It got a little more into the academic weeds than I prefer, which could temporarily make my mind wander. But when it was giving more everyday information, it was interesting and informative, especially when discussing the way these studies can help us care for our planet and those among us who may be sick or injured. It also offers a wake-up call for the ways in which the health of our oceans and all who inhabit them are crucial for even those of us living on land. After all, life is intertwined in so many ways it's like playing pick-up-sticks with all our lives.
3.5 rounded down
This book gave much information about that sea life, the kind that rarely or never come near the surface. As much as it makes me shudder, I admire those who can strap on those tanks and trust that they'll survive far below the surface, even living in pods to study the life patterns of some of the earth's oldest creatures. It was interesting to hear of Harvell's research.
There's a lot to learn from this book, if one is so inclined. It got a little more into the academic weeds than I prefer, which could temporarily make my mind wander. But when it was giving more everyday information, it was interesting and informative, especially when discussing the way these studies can help us care for our planet and those among us who may be sick or injured. It also offers a wake-up call for the ways in which the health of our oceans and all who inhabit them are crucial for even those of us living on land. After all, life is intertwined in so many ways it's like playing pick-up-sticks with all our lives.
3.5 rounded down
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May 20, 2025Unfortunately this book is too sciency for my not-sciency brain 🥲
April 30, 2025
This wasn’t the most attention-grabbing but I always love learning about the ocean and harvell knows what she’s talking about
November 4, 2025
Fascinating book about the wonders of the spinless creatures that inhabit the world's oceans. The book focuses on novel biological "superpowers" and symbiotic partnerships present in our oceans and their value to humanity. I found the discussion of keystone species and how nudibranches use ingested coral nematocysts for defense fascinating. The passion and knowledge behind Harvell's writing shines through.
April 29, 2025
I feel like a jerk for saying this but I did not love this book. I love the ocean and spent many years working the aquatic fields and have a ton of diving experience so I may not be the target audience. I grew weary of the name dropping and of every chapter being a “turning point in my career”.
I feel like the author was incredibly lucky to have had so many experiences but, this format is not captivating them the way she thinks it is. To me this is a book talking about a couple of cool technologies developed from the sea but, that is more of the afterthought than her monologue/memoir. The book is missing the personal impact these experiences have had on the author, her family, her students, the world and so on. Just monologuing about diving in all over the world seems more like bragging than anything else. The tone just isn’t sitting right with me.
I feel like the author was incredibly lucky to have had so many experiences but, this format is not captivating them the way she thinks it is. To me this is a book talking about a couple of cool technologies developed from the sea but, that is more of the afterthought than her monologue/memoir. The book is missing the personal impact these experiences have had on the author, her family, her students, the world and so on. Just monologuing about diving in all over the world seems more like bragging than anything else. The tone just isn’t sitting right with me.
December 25, 2025
Ich fang mitem Positive ah: Catherine Drew Harvell isch e Marine Ökologin wo sich vor allem uf wirbellosi Meerestier spezialisiert het und glaub/hoffentlich, sowiit ich das als Laie beurteile chan, uf ihrem Fach guet drus chunt.
Ihres Buech isch i 8 Kapitel unterteilt und jedes leit de Fokus uf es anders Tier und sini ganz spezielli Fähigkeit, "Superchraft".
Sie verzehlt usschlüsslich us eigene Erfahrige und stellt d Fähigkeite vo de einzelne Meeresbewohner in Kontext vo de hütige Forschig, vor allem im Bezug uf menschlichi Erfindige und de Suechi nach Lösige für Problem wie Chrankheite und schlussendlich au de Klimawandel.
Die biologische und biotechnische Aspekt sind spannend und informativ, mer mues sich zwüscheddure ziemlich guet konzentriere zum mitcho.
Jedes Mal, wenn sie is Detail gaht und vo ihrem Fach verzehlt, merkt mer, dass sie uf ihrne Gebiet Erfahrig het.
Aber wenn sie über Erlebnis brichtet macht sie das uf e Art, wo mich immer wieder, im ganze Buech, a ihrere Professionalität zwiifle lah het und villicht lieht das eifach ah ihrem Schriibstil und de Tatsach, dass sie viel Persönlichs mit ihbaut, oder Informatione teilt wo nüt mit de Thematik vom Buech z tue hend, aber es het mich bim Lese zuenehmend gstört.
Usserdem isch sie sehr interessiert ah Genmanipulation und es würkt so, als würi sie sich kei moralischi Frage stelle, sondern begeisteret si vo dem, was WüsseschaftlerInne bis jetzt und in Zuekunft mache chönd. Sie wiederholt oft, wie wichtig ihre s Lebe im Meer isch und dass es gschützt wird, erwähnt aber im gliiche Satz, wie mer z. B. d Funktion vo diverse Oktopusarte wo ihri Hutstruktur und Farb ändere chönd, technisch nahstelle chönne söll, zum effizienti Tarnahzüg herstelle.
Sie spricht sich gege Usbütig vom Meer us und bütets gliichziitig, mit dere Art vo Gedanke, selber us?
Ich han e sehr gspalteni Meinig über das, was vo ihrere Persönlichkeit innerhalb vom Buech sichtbar worde isch, vor allem, will ich de Meinig bin, dass viel z wenig hinterfrögt wird, au wenns beeidruckend isch, was Mensche mittlerwiile vo de Natur lerne und "nahstelle" chönd.
Gwüssi Sache müend mir, als Spezies, minere Meinig nah, eifach nöd chönne, will sie anderne Spezies vorbehalte sind.
Usserdem erwähnt sie, nebed de Fakte über Meerestier und neui Entdeckige vo Wüsseschaftler im Bezug uf die Tier de Klimawandel oft, was wichtig und unabdingbar isch im Bezug uf s Thema vo dem Buech, em Ozean.
Aber det, wo er durch d Menschheit chönti verlangsamt werde; Überfischig, unnachhaltigi und brutali Fischerei, Ölbohrige und vieles meh, wo d Weltmeer usbütet und nachwiislich (mer chan das z.B. i "Ocen" vom David Attenborough oder "What the wild sea can be" vode Helen Scales nahlese) für eusi Gsellschaft selbst uf kapitalistischer Ebene unnötig sind, redet d Autorin nöd drüber.
Sie fokusiert sich usschlüsslich uf Genveränderige, mit dene mer z. B. Koralle so manipuliere chönt, dass sie sich a wärmers Wasser gwöhned und dementsprechend in Zuekunft überlebe chönd.
Villicht isch das en Gedanke wert, aber Genmanipulatione stoped bzw. verlangsamed de Klimawandel nöd und sind en riesige Ihgriff id Natur. Usserdem bin ich de Meinig, das d Mensche zerst ah sich selber und ihrere Lebensart öppis söttet ändere, bevor sie das bi Organisme mached.
Immerhin het die Lektüre mich zum Denke ahgregt und mir zeigt, dass es Lüt git, wo d Welt und eusi Möglichkeite als Spezies mit ganz anderne Auge gsehnd als ich und obwohl d Harvell ihri Ahsichte, so wie s überechunt, nöd hinterfrögt, mach ich das als Leserin und ich hoffe, andere Lesendi macheds au.
Ihres Buech isch i 8 Kapitel unterteilt und jedes leit de Fokus uf es anders Tier und sini ganz spezielli Fähigkeit, "Superchraft".
Sie verzehlt usschlüsslich us eigene Erfahrige und stellt d Fähigkeite vo de einzelne Meeresbewohner in Kontext vo de hütige Forschig, vor allem im Bezug uf menschlichi Erfindige und de Suechi nach Lösige für Problem wie Chrankheite und schlussendlich au de Klimawandel.
Die biologische und biotechnische Aspekt sind spannend und informativ, mer mues sich zwüscheddure ziemlich guet konzentriere zum mitcho.
Jedes Mal, wenn sie is Detail gaht und vo ihrem Fach verzehlt, merkt mer, dass sie uf ihrne Gebiet Erfahrig het.
Aber wenn sie über Erlebnis brichtet macht sie das uf e Art, wo mich immer wieder, im ganze Buech, a ihrere Professionalität zwiifle lah het und villicht lieht das eifach ah ihrem Schriibstil und de Tatsach, dass sie viel Persönlichs mit ihbaut, oder Informatione teilt wo nüt mit de Thematik vom Buech z tue hend, aber es het mich bim Lese zuenehmend gstört.
Usserdem isch sie sehr interessiert ah Genmanipulation und es würkt so, als würi sie sich kei moralischi Frage stelle, sondern begeisteret si vo dem, was WüsseschaftlerInne bis jetzt und in Zuekunft mache chönd. Sie wiederholt oft, wie wichtig ihre s Lebe im Meer isch und dass es gschützt wird, erwähnt aber im gliiche Satz, wie mer z. B. d Funktion vo diverse Oktopusarte wo ihri Hutstruktur und Farb ändere chönd, technisch nahstelle chönne söll, zum effizienti Tarnahzüg herstelle.
Sie spricht sich gege Usbütig vom Meer us und bütets gliichziitig, mit dere Art vo Gedanke, selber us?
Ich han e sehr gspalteni Meinig über das, was vo ihrere Persönlichkeit innerhalb vom Buech sichtbar worde isch, vor allem, will ich de Meinig bin, dass viel z wenig hinterfrögt wird, au wenns beeidruckend isch, was Mensche mittlerwiile vo de Natur lerne und "nahstelle" chönd.
Gwüssi Sache müend mir, als Spezies, minere Meinig nah, eifach nöd chönne, will sie anderne Spezies vorbehalte sind.
Usserdem erwähnt sie, nebed de Fakte über Meerestier und neui Entdeckige vo Wüsseschaftler im Bezug uf die Tier de Klimawandel oft, was wichtig und unabdingbar isch im Bezug uf s Thema vo dem Buech, em Ozean.
Aber det, wo er durch d Menschheit chönti verlangsamt werde; Überfischig, unnachhaltigi und brutali Fischerei, Ölbohrige und vieles meh, wo d Weltmeer usbütet und nachwiislich (mer chan das z.B. i "Ocen" vom David Attenborough oder "What the wild sea can be" vode Helen Scales nahlese) für eusi Gsellschaft selbst uf kapitalistischer Ebene unnötig sind, redet d Autorin nöd drüber.
Sie fokusiert sich usschlüsslich uf Genveränderige, mit dene mer z. B. Koralle so manipuliere chönt, dass sie sich a wärmers Wasser gwöhned und dementsprechend in Zuekunft überlebe chönd.
Villicht isch das en Gedanke wert, aber Genmanipulatione stoped bzw. verlangsamed de Klimawandel nöd und sind en riesige Ihgriff id Natur. Usserdem bin ich de Meinig, das d Mensche zerst ah sich selber und ihrere Lebensart öppis söttet ändere, bevor sie das bi Organisme mached.
Immerhin het die Lektüre mich zum Denke ahgregt und mir zeigt, dass es Lüt git, wo d Welt und eusi Möglichkeite als Spezies mit ganz anderne Auge gsehnd als ich und obwohl d Harvell ihri Ahsichte, so wie s überechunt, nöd hinterfrögt, mach ich das als Leserin und ich hoffe, andere Lesendi macheds au.
May 10, 2025
A wonderful exploration of the deep and lesser knowns species in our marine world. Harvell puts to words a career of scientific study on marine invertebrates in a manner any audience can understand and appreciate. A worthy read.
April 25, 2025
4.5 rounded up to 5. Full disclosure, I love almost anything to do with ocean life and read this soon after snorkeling at the crater off Maui.
This book is an interesting and engaging blend of information, perspective, and memoir about the author’s experience with ocean invertebrates (think coral, sea stars, octopi, jellyfish…).
It’s best if you have some experience with scuba, snorkeling, or living on a coast, but I loved learning about the symbiotic relationships in the ocean, what makes sea stars excellent predators, why jellyfish glow, the details of what causes coral bleaching, how marine scientists track harmful bacteria on reef formations, etc.
It was also quite interesting to hear how the author discovered new areas of interest throughout her career and how she pushed herself to do things even when she was scared.
It wasn’t a perfect read, but it was definitely educational, interesting, and enjoyable.
This book is an interesting and engaging blend of information, perspective, and memoir about the author’s experience with ocean invertebrates (think coral, sea stars, octopi, jellyfish…).
It’s best if you have some experience with scuba, snorkeling, or living on a coast, but I loved learning about the symbiotic relationships in the ocean, what makes sea stars excellent predators, why jellyfish glow, the details of what causes coral bleaching, how marine scientists track harmful bacteria on reef formations, etc.
It was also quite interesting to hear how the author discovered new areas of interest throughout her career and how she pushed herself to do things even when she was scared.
It wasn’t a perfect read, but it was definitely educational, interesting, and enjoyable.
August 21, 2025
EXCELLENT!! Notes to come
May 7, 2025
Wow! This is much more educational than I thought it would be, but I am definitely jealous of the fantastical sights this author has seen. The underwater realm is brought to vibrant color with amazing descriptions of life in our oceans. I am so glad to have been able to participate, even vicariously, in this journey and to understand more fully the devastating effects of climate change.
August 25, 2025
3 Stars
It was an interesting listen, but not meant for an audiobook. I had trouble visualizing some of the ocean creatures just based on verbal description. I saw in other reviews there are pictures within the book which would have been helpful.
The octopus chapter was my favorite. Having some understanding of unusual sea creatures, I was very surprised to find out that octopuses can shape shift to the extent that they do.
The night dive portions gave me anxiety. It is extremely brave to be going into extremely dark & deep water at night.
Very informative book and it is well organized. I would just recommend reading it, rather than listening to the book.
It was an interesting listen, but not meant for an audiobook. I had trouble visualizing some of the ocean creatures just based on verbal description. I saw in other reviews there are pictures within the book which would have been helpful.
The octopus chapter was my favorite. Having some understanding of unusual sea creatures, I was very surprised to find out that octopuses can shape shift to the extent that they do.
The night dive portions gave me anxiety. It is extremely brave to be going into extremely dark & deep water at night.
Very informative book and it is well organized. I would just recommend reading it, rather than listening to the book.
December 10, 2025
I loved learning more about the research and role marine biology can play in the study of antibiotic resistance, immunology, and possible vaccine development. Admittedly, I am not a diver nor do I enjoy snorkeling or spending time in the ocean in general. Do I live on the coast? Did I take oceanography in undergrad? suuure. But that doesn't mean this is a particular area of interest. The author did a good job sharing information about her research and her personal anecdotes and illustrations made this book more compelling. The biggest take away--I'm armed with more cool "creature facts" to share with G.
May 2, 2025
Dr. Harvell weaves captivating stories of her own research experiences (including spending an hour in the pitch dark of the night ocean watching amazing bioluminescent invertebrates float by) with descriptions of the complicated and surprising biology of nudibranchs, giant clams, corals, and more - and the scientific studies that have helped us understand their superpowers. I learned a lot, and have even more appreciation for the ocean's spineless creatures and why we need to take action to address the threats they face today.
December 9, 2025
I love this topic but the writing style was so boring and drawn out that by the time it got to the interesting part of the topic my brain was already spaced out. There would be 6 pages of how to set up diving gear in great unnecessary detail and then one paragraph about what was seen- it was hard to appreciate the content I was actually seeking after glazing over during the build up. I have finally decided to give up so I can get this back to the library, as their reminder return emails keep reminding me how disappointing this book was.
December 15, 2025
The fundamental problem with reading science books these days, especially books about how amazing and wonderful and weird and cool the world is, is that the final chapter is inevitably about how much of it has been and will be destroyed in our current climate crisis that absolutely no one is taking seriously enough.
Which is kind of a bummer, to put it lightly.
Having said that, invertebrates of MINDBENDINGLY WILD and I really appreciated this glimpse into their fascinating world and all the ways in which life has so much more to it than bilateral symmetry wrapped around a spinal chord.
Which is kind of a bummer, to put it lightly.
Having said that, invertebrates of MINDBENDINGLY WILD and I really appreciated this glimpse into their fascinating world and all the ways in which life has so much more to it than bilateral symmetry wrapped around a spinal chord.
October 29, 2025
Don’t get me wrong, this author has done some really interesting and powerful research, but how they describe their work was consistently self righteous. There are certainly some great takeaways and learning to be had throughout this book, but it is incredibly dense and difficult to read if you are at all outside of the realm of evolutionary biology.
July 5, 2025
This is easily digestible for those with limited exposure to stem. The photos and explanations included seemed sufficient for those who have the skills of using context clues even if they are not into stem.
May 13, 2025
A great read.
dnf
May 20, 2025I wanted to learn about ocean animals, not about all the authors experience and prestige.
June 11, 2025
Great description of ocean invertebrates
Great book on invertebrate marine life. Covers so many species and how they are, or may important for human life.
Great book on invertebrate marine life. Covers so many species and how they are, or may important for human life.
June 21, 2025
3.5 stars.
June 25, 2025
a boring book for a layman wanting a better understanding. sorry but I need color photos and less personal info.
June 25, 2025
If you love marine life and super hero's then what about marine life with superpowers. This book is full of surprises and how marine life can hold the answers to some of our biggest questions.
June 28, 2025
3.5 Stars
September 12, 2025
okay, i liked learning about the octopuses, but a bit repetitive in places, got about 45% the way through - not really for me.
September 26, 2025
Great for anyone with a curious itch for the oceans corals
October 18, 2025
Really interesting, but don’t think too hard about any of it or you’ll get sad bc climate change is ruining everything cool 🥲
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews