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The Jellyfish Problem
A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish in this richly imagined, wholly original debut.
Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people. Her best friend, Aldo, was the exception, but he died seven months ago. So she spends her days hidden away at an underfunded aquarium with her specimens and a draft of the jellyfish guide she and Aldo had been working on together. His voice is alive in the notes in the margins, and it’s enough. Almost.
Until she receives a call from Nadia, one of the few other humans she’s loved but whom she hasn’t heard from in years, asking for her help. Nadia tells her a grand tale of a giant jellyfish terrorizing her tiny island off the coast of Maine and sends a grainy video of the creature. Frankly, the footage looks fake, but Jo drops everything to fly across the country to see Nadia again, and to find this supposed sea beast. She couldn’t save Aldo, but perhaps she can help Nadia.
But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is nowhere to be found, and the islanders she meets each have something different to say about the creature they’ve dubbed Clementine . . . a jellyfish who changes all who see it.
At turns an ode to classic sea monster stories and a vibrant tale of human connection, The Jellyfish Problem is an unforgettable debut that announces a new talent.
Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people. Her best friend, Aldo, was the exception, but he died seven months ago. So she spends her days hidden away at an underfunded aquarium with her specimens and a draft of the jellyfish guide she and Aldo had been working on together. His voice is alive in the notes in the margins, and it’s enough. Almost.
Until she receives a call from Nadia, one of the few other humans she’s loved but whom she hasn’t heard from in years, asking for her help. Nadia tells her a grand tale of a giant jellyfish terrorizing her tiny island off the coast of Maine and sends a grainy video of the creature. Frankly, the footage looks fake, but Jo drops everything to fly across the country to see Nadia again, and to find this supposed sea beast. She couldn’t save Aldo, but perhaps she can help Nadia.
But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is nowhere to be found, and the islanders she meets each have something different to say about the creature they’ve dubbed Clementine . . . a jellyfish who changes all who see it.
At turns an ode to classic sea monster stories and a vibrant tale of human connection, The Jellyfish Problem is an unforgettable debut that announces a new talent.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Tessa Yang
3 books97 followersTessa Yang is a reader, writer, and shark enthusiast from New York State. She received her MFA from Indiana University where she served as the Editor of Indiana Review.
Her debut story collection, The Runaway Restaurant, was published by 7.13 Books in 2022. Her debut novel, The Jellyfish Problem, will be published by Berkley in 2026. Tessa's stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, The Cincinnati Review, Foglifter, and elsewhere, while her flash fiction has been featured in Best Small Fictions, Flash Fiction America, and Wigleaf's Top 50 Very Short Fictions.
For irregular musings on writing or to learn more about Tessa's work:
🦈 sign up for Tessa's newsletter
🌐 Check out her website
🦋 Follow her on Bluesky
Her debut story collection, The Runaway Restaurant, was published by 7.13 Books in 2022. Her debut novel, The Jellyfish Problem, will be published by Berkley in 2026. Tessa's stories have appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, The Cincinnati Review, Foglifter, and elsewhere, while her flash fiction has been featured in Best Small Fictions, Flash Fiction America, and Wigleaf's Top 50 Very Short Fictions.
For irregular musings on writing or to learn more about Tessa's work:
🦈 sign up for Tessa's newsletter
🌐 Check out her website
🦋 Follow her on Bluesky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 255 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 3.5 ⭐️ Did you guys know that the jellyfish predates the dinosaurs? They are older than sharks, trees and some of the most ancient organisms on this planet. Yet, they are some of the most ancient organisms on this planet but remarkably fragile! If removed from the sea, they die within minutes. Isn't it interesting how some organisms who seem like big bad ocean monsters in actuality have a very fickle life?
The Jellyfish Problem falls within the sci-fi, literary fiction category, blending grief and healing into the loneliness and peacefulness of nature/marine life, slowly showing us how nature can quietly help us process pain. It mainly focuses on the human connection and belonging, very character driven and more on an introspective level. It's tender and quiet, perfect summer read by the lake on a gloomy kind of day (definitely not a beach read!). While the book tries to feel a bit mysterious, there isn't much of mystery to it. It's pretty straight forward--a woman navigating through grief and comes to a secluded island and connects with nature.
In summary:
Josie is a marine scientist who blames herself for her co-writers fatal diving accident. An old friend reaches out for help and Josie accepts an invitation to a troubled Maine Island. But when Josie arrives, her friend seems to be missing and her husband is not concerned at first. When Nadia doesn't return after a few days, Josies fear resurfaces. On the island, inhabited by merely forty seven people, a giant jellyfish seems to be a menacing problem. Josie soon realizes that there is something deeper happening on the island. Is the jellyfish really a big bad monster or a beautiful sea creature that is anything but a monster?
I wanted to point out and say that comparing this book to Remarkably Bright Creatures is a big mistake. It's nothing like it, very different and unique in its own ways. The only real comparison that they have is the sea life and nothing else. It would be a disservice to both authors and say they are very alike when two books carry a completely different meaning.
Why is this not a 4 or 5 star read?
As much as I loved the backdrop of marine life and jellyfish science/facts, I found it hard to root for the main character. Understanding that Josie may be neurodivergent, she felt very messy to me. There are times she was very hot but also very cold. Dealing with grief is never easy, it can make us either very withdrawn or more blunt. In the novel, I found Josie awkward, making it hard to connect with her character. Aside from her grief and loss of Aldo, we don't know much about Josie as Josie. We know her through the lens of her relationship with Aldo. The flashbacks showed us their friendship and the pain that came with his loss, but it never really gave us much about Josie.
Pacing was another issue. As a lover of literary fiction, sometimes slower is necessary to show all the complexities of emotions, characters and personal transformation. I thought that the pacing here was too slow for my liking, taking a while to 'get to the point'. The middle portion was drawn out and frankly I was a bit bored. You have to be in the right headset to start and finish a story as such and I think this would have been better as an audiobook. I waited for something to hook me but even by the end it was just ok.
I enjoyed how Yang used a mysterious giant jellyfish to represent grief. The jellyfish became a symbol for the grief she is carrying--something big, impossible for her to control. It mirrored her pain and belonging and was used as a tool to relay the message of isolation and human connection. Josie is someone who prefers marine life to people but the big jellyfish pushes her back towards friendship, community and transformation. Grief changes people, as it changed Josie, so in essence the jellyfish here can be read/viewed as a tool that helped Josie survive her loneliness and loss.
What's your most favorite sea creature? Mine is a tie between an octopus and a humpback whale, especially the one that I swam with in the depths of the Alaskan wild.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Tessa Young for an early ARC.
Publication date: June 2, 2026
The Jellyfish Problem falls within the sci-fi, literary fiction category, blending grief and healing into the loneliness and peacefulness of nature/marine life, slowly showing us how nature can quietly help us process pain. It mainly focuses on the human connection and belonging, very character driven and more on an introspective level. It's tender and quiet, perfect summer read by the lake on a gloomy kind of day (definitely not a beach read!). While the book tries to feel a bit mysterious, there isn't much of mystery to it. It's pretty straight forward--a woman navigating through grief and comes to a secluded island and connects with nature.
In summary:
Josie is a marine scientist who blames herself for her co-writers fatal diving accident. An old friend reaches out for help and Josie accepts an invitation to a troubled Maine Island. But when Josie arrives, her friend seems to be missing and her husband is not concerned at first. When Nadia doesn't return after a few days, Josies fear resurfaces. On the island, inhabited by merely forty seven people, a giant jellyfish seems to be a menacing problem. Josie soon realizes that there is something deeper happening on the island. Is the jellyfish really a big bad monster or a beautiful sea creature that is anything but a monster?
I wanted to point out and say that comparing this book to Remarkably Bright Creatures is a big mistake. It's nothing like it, very different and unique in its own ways. The only real comparison that they have is the sea life and nothing else. It would be a disservice to both authors and say they are very alike when two books carry a completely different meaning.
Why is this not a 4 or 5 star read?
As much as I loved the backdrop of marine life and jellyfish science/facts, I found it hard to root for the main character. Understanding that Josie may be neurodivergent, she felt very messy to me. There are times she was very hot but also very cold. Dealing with grief is never easy, it can make us either very withdrawn or more blunt. In the novel, I found Josie awkward, making it hard to connect with her character. Aside from her grief and loss of Aldo, we don't know much about Josie as Josie. We know her through the lens of her relationship with Aldo. The flashbacks showed us their friendship and the pain that came with his loss, but it never really gave us much about Josie.
Pacing was another issue. As a lover of literary fiction, sometimes slower is necessary to show all the complexities of emotions, characters and personal transformation. I thought that the pacing here was too slow for my liking, taking a while to 'get to the point'. The middle portion was drawn out and frankly I was a bit bored. You have to be in the right headset to start and finish a story as such and I think this would have been better as an audiobook. I waited for something to hook me but even by the end it was just ok.
I enjoyed how Yang used a mysterious giant jellyfish to represent grief. The jellyfish became a symbol for the grief she is carrying--something big, impossible for her to control. It mirrored her pain and belonging and was used as a tool to relay the message of isolation and human connection. Josie is someone who prefers marine life to people but the big jellyfish pushes her back towards friendship, community and transformation. Grief changes people, as it changed Josie, so in essence the jellyfish here can be read/viewed as a tool that helped Josie survive her loneliness and loss.
What's your most favorite sea creature? Mine is a tie between an octopus and a humpback whale, especially the one that I swam with in the depths of the Alaskan wild.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author, Tessa Young for an early ARC.
Publication date: June 2, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think a big reason new releases don't get good reviews is that they're marketed as a comparison of previously beloved books, such as the case with The Jellyfish Problem and Remarkably Bright Creatures. I've yet to read Remarkably Bright Creatures, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I thoroughly liked this book. I'm a lover of any marine animals, so the title of this really caught my eye.
The Jellyfish Problem starts with our fmc Jo, who receives a call from an old college friend about a mystical jellyfish near an island that's scaring the locals. Jo is a marine biologist whose life focus is jellyfish. She's currently in a state of grief due to the passing of her best friend, so when she receives the strange request to visit the remote island, she does not hesitate since it's a possible distraction for her.
The story is layered with so many elements. It's a mix of grief, horror, and mystery, scientific curiosity, and magic realism. Everything on the island is strange, and the author does a great job creating that atmosphere. It's not very action-packed, very tender and somewhat slow-paced, which I surprisingly enjoyed. I loved the way this was written, too. You can tell that Tessa Yang really did her research on marine life, but does not overcomplicate it. The story is a bit unusual, but so creative!
From what I can tell, the only similarity between this book and Remarkably Bright Creatures is that both books contain a marine animal focus. I definitely would recommend this book, but make sure to ignore any promotional stuff about the two books being similar.
The Jellyfish Problem starts with our fmc Jo, who receives a call from an old college friend about a mystical jellyfish near an island that's scaring the locals. Jo is a marine biologist whose life focus is jellyfish. She's currently in a state of grief due to the passing of her best friend, so when she receives the strange request to visit the remote island, she does not hesitate since it's a possible distraction for her.
The story is layered with so many elements. It's a mix of grief, horror, and mystery, scientific curiosity, and magic realism. Everything on the island is strange, and the author does a great job creating that atmosphere. It's not very action-packed, very tender and somewhat slow-paced, which I surprisingly enjoyed. I loved the way this was written, too. You can tell that Tessa Yang really did her research on marine life, but does not overcomplicate it. The story is a bit unusual, but so creative!
From what I can tell, the only similarity between this book and Remarkably Bright Creatures is that both books contain a marine animal focus. I definitely would recommend this book, but make sure to ignore any promotional stuff about the two books being similar.
June 21, 2026
After I heard the comparison of this to "remarkably bright creatures," I had to get my hands on a copy. So many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me this ARC.
"A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish."
Update:
While the premise of The Jellyfish Problem was genuinely interesting, I feel that comparing it to Remarkably Bright Creatures did the book a disservice. I personally found the main character hard to root for, and it is quite the slow-burn. It’s not a bad book, just one that didn't fully resonate with me. 3 stars
Pub Date Jun 02 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own! ✨🖤
"A marine biologist makes the discovery of a lifetime when called to rescue the inhabitants of a small Maine island being menaced by a giant, glowing jellyfish."
Update:
While the premise of The Jellyfish Problem was genuinely interesting, I feel that comparing it to Remarkably Bright Creatures did the book a disservice. I personally found the main character hard to root for, and it is quite the slow-burn. It’s not a bad book, just one that didn't fully resonate with me. 3 stars
Pub Date Jun 02 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own! ✨🖤
Read
June 2, 2026~AUTHOR NOTE~
Hi, it’s me, the author! Today my debut novel about grief, ghosts, and jellyfish swims out into the world. I want to thank everyone who’s already taken the time to rate and review—yes, even if you didn’t like it—and share some insights about the writing of this book for anyone who’s interested in that sort of thing.
1) I started The Jellyfish Problem in 2021 while working full-time as an English professor in a “hybrid” COVID-era classroom (half my students, masked, in front of me on campus; the other half in Zoom squares on my constantly crashing laptop). Though I deliberately set Jo’s story in 2019 to avoid having to think about the pandemic’s impact on Shattering Point, I consider this to be a pandemic book because its themes of grief, isolation, and community were so prevalent in my life during the writing of it.
2) This book is also a love letter to people with unusual interests. Some of mine include: sharks, yoyos, and license plates.
3) I spent two years researching jellyfish, as well as scuba diving, Japanese folklore, and a host of smaller subjects that appear in the novel. An early breakthrough was the discovery of MBARI’s video on deep-sea siphonophores. If you like ocean aliens, I bet you'll love it as much as I did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUy8g...
4) “Jellyfish Problems” was the hasty title I gave the Word document where I started writing, and I definitely didn’t think it would evolve into the title of the book.
5) Across its five major drafts, the book gradually became lighter and more uplifting. Something I realized about myself during this process is that I can’t seem to write a story that doesn’t wrestle with heavy themes, but I also can’t bear to leave my characters (or my readers) stranded in a hopeless place.
Thank you again for your interest in Jo—my beloved “bug-eyed weirdo”—and Clementine, Aldo, and the rest of the crew.
Hi, it’s me, the author! Today my debut novel about grief, ghosts, and jellyfish swims out into the world. I want to thank everyone who’s already taken the time to rate and review—yes, even if you didn’t like it—and share some insights about the writing of this book for anyone who’s interested in that sort of thing.
1) I started The Jellyfish Problem in 2021 while working full-time as an English professor in a “hybrid” COVID-era classroom (half my students, masked, in front of me on campus; the other half in Zoom squares on my constantly crashing laptop). Though I deliberately set Jo’s story in 2019 to avoid having to think about the pandemic’s impact on Shattering Point, I consider this to be a pandemic book because its themes of grief, isolation, and community were so prevalent in my life during the writing of it.
2) This book is also a love letter to people with unusual interests. Some of mine include: sharks, yoyos, and license plates.
3) I spent two years researching jellyfish, as well as scuba diving, Japanese folklore, and a host of smaller subjects that appear in the novel. An early breakthrough was the discovery of MBARI’s video on deep-sea siphonophores. If you like ocean aliens, I bet you'll love it as much as I did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUy8g...
4) “Jellyfish Problems” was the hasty title I gave the Word document where I started writing, and I definitely didn’t think it would evolve into the title of the book.
5) Across its five major drafts, the book gradually became lighter and more uplifting. Something I realized about myself during this process is that I can’t seem to write a story that doesn’t wrestle with heavy themes, but I also can’t bear to leave my characters (or my readers) stranded in a hopeless place.
Thank you again for your interest in Jo—my beloved “bug-eyed weirdo”—and Clementine, Aldo, and the rest of the crew.
June 19, 2026
4 stars. The Jellyfish Problem was such a unique little surprise - part ocean mystery, part grief story, part giant glowing jellyfish chaos. Jo’s search for answers on a small Maine island pulled me in, but it was the friendship, loss, and quiet healing underneath it all that gave the story its heart. Unexpected in the best way, thoughtful, and totally outside the usual box!
June 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
What if the sea monster story was told by a jellyfish scientist?
The Jellyfish Problem is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. Set on a remote island off the coast of Maine, it follows Dr. Jo Ness, a jellyfish researcher who is still grieving the death of her best friend and research partner, Aldo. When her college friend Nadia contacts her about a massive jellyfish unlike anything anyone has ever seen, Jo heads to Hansen Island to investigate.
If you loved the oceanic wonder and quiet emotional storytelling of Remarkably Bright Creatures, this is probably the closest comparison I can make, although this book is much stranger and more introspective. There are hints of magical realism, a mysterious sea creature, and a deeply atmospheric island setting that feels isolated in the best possible way.
One of my favorite elements was the structure. Every chapter opens with excerpts from the jellyfish book Jo and Aldo were writing together, and throughout the novel we get academic observations, personal notes, and glimpses into a friendship built around a shared love of these fascinating creatures. The grief at the center of the story felt authentic, and Jo is such an easy character to root for. She’s insecure, carrying a tremendous amount of guilt, and still trying to figure out who she is without Aldo.
This is definitely a quiet novel. The plot unfolds slowly, prioritizing atmosphere, grief, friendship, and wonder over action. I would have loved more development for some of the island residents and more time spent with the children on the island. A few side plots, particularly the romantic elements, felt underdeveloped and didn’t quite go where I expected, which occasionally made the pacing feel uneven.
Will this end up on every “Best Books of the Year” list? Probably not. But it’s thoughtful, unusual, and refreshingly original. I’m glad I picked it up, and I’ll absolutely read whatever Tessa Yang writes next.
📚 Recommended for readers who enjoy:
• Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Quiet literary fiction
• Coastal Maine settings
• Stories about grief and friendship
• Light magical realism
• Unusual science-centered narrative
What if the sea monster story was told by a jellyfish scientist?
The Jellyfish Problem is one of the most original books I’ve read this year. Set on a remote island off the coast of Maine, it follows Dr. Jo Ness, a jellyfish researcher who is still grieving the death of her best friend and research partner, Aldo. When her college friend Nadia contacts her about a massive jellyfish unlike anything anyone has ever seen, Jo heads to Hansen Island to investigate.
If you loved the oceanic wonder and quiet emotional storytelling of Remarkably Bright Creatures, this is probably the closest comparison I can make, although this book is much stranger and more introspective. There are hints of magical realism, a mysterious sea creature, and a deeply atmospheric island setting that feels isolated in the best possible way.
One of my favorite elements was the structure. Every chapter opens with excerpts from the jellyfish book Jo and Aldo were writing together, and throughout the novel we get academic observations, personal notes, and glimpses into a friendship built around a shared love of these fascinating creatures. The grief at the center of the story felt authentic, and Jo is such an easy character to root for. She’s insecure, carrying a tremendous amount of guilt, and still trying to figure out who she is without Aldo.
This is definitely a quiet novel. The plot unfolds slowly, prioritizing atmosphere, grief, friendship, and wonder over action. I would have loved more development for some of the island residents and more time spent with the children on the island. A few side plots, particularly the romantic elements, felt underdeveloped and didn’t quite go where I expected, which occasionally made the pacing feel uneven.
Will this end up on every “Best Books of the Year” list? Probably not. But it’s thoughtful, unusual, and refreshingly original. I’m glad I picked it up, and I’ll absolutely read whatever Tessa Yang writes next.
📚 Recommended for readers who enjoy:
• Remarkably Bright Creatures
• Quiet literary fiction
• Coastal Maine settings
• Stories about grief and friendship
• Light magical realism
• Unusual science-centered narrative
June 27, 2026
5 star reading experience - this book won’t change my life, but it was propulsive, fascinating, well written and thoroughly enjoyable! (sometimes a mushy middle but honestly, didn’t linger for long! Also don’t comp this to Remarkably Bright Creatures. It’s its own thing!)
January 19, 2026
The Jellyfish Problem is a fresh, imaginative take on sea-monster stories with heart. There is mystery, quirky characters, and real emotion as marine biologist Jo investigates the strange case of a giant glowing jellyfish. The writing is vivid and thoughtful, and the mix of humor, grief, and connection kept me hooked from start to finish. Highly recommend if you’re into something original and surprisingly moving!
Thanks to NetGallery for providing me with an ARC to review!
Thanks to NetGallery for providing me with an ARC to review!
January 31, 2026
I was so excited to read this as I had just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures and read that the vibes of this were similar. Whoever said that was WRONG. The only comparison to be made here was that each book had an invertebrate oceanic animal.
I love ocean creatures especially jellies so I was pumped to read this. It started off great, was really getting into it. But then it got weird, and then it got far fetched, and then there was some weird fantasy and folklore element that didn’t really work here. I loved the concept of the unidentified jellyfish causing havoc on this island and the scientists have to figure out a way to stop it. However, without spoiling the book, the reasons and the way it was terrorizing the town, wasn’t what you expected.
None of the characters were that memorable. They were just boring and not very likeable. Ultimately, I felt like nothing really happened throughout the book. I didn’t really understand why Roger was the chosen one (vague to prevent spoilers). I think Nadia would have been a better choice and would have brought the overall drama and emotion of the book up a level. I found there was more brainstorming than actual presentation of the plot. So many ideas that just didn’t get portrayed well enough.
I did enjoy the little blurbs at the beginning of each chapter. They were little snippets of the book Jo and Aldo were working on together. However, it wasn’t clear that’s what it was and the little text communication between them referring to their book thoughts. The formatting was bizarre there and needs some differentiation for the final copy. It wasn’t very clear that it was a text thread. I changed all my kindle settings trying to fix it until a third of the way in, when I clued in. I think the cover is very pretty and one of the reasons I was drawn to reading.
I was pretty disappointed in this book and really had to force myself to finish it as I had an ARC. It’s alright if you’re looking for a book with minimal stimulation. But I found it quite boring.
I love ocean creatures especially jellies so I was pumped to read this. It started off great, was really getting into it. But then it got weird, and then it got far fetched, and then there was some weird fantasy and folklore element that didn’t really work here. I loved the concept of the unidentified jellyfish causing havoc on this island and the scientists have to figure out a way to stop it. However, without spoiling the book, the reasons and the way it was terrorizing the town, wasn’t what you expected.
None of the characters were that memorable. They were just boring and not very likeable. Ultimately, I felt like nothing really happened throughout the book. I didn’t really understand why Roger was the chosen one (vague to prevent spoilers). I think Nadia would have been a better choice and would have brought the overall drama and emotion of the book up a level. I found there was more brainstorming than actual presentation of the plot. So many ideas that just didn’t get portrayed well enough.
I did enjoy the little blurbs at the beginning of each chapter. They were little snippets of the book Jo and Aldo were working on together. However, it wasn’t clear that’s what it was and the little text communication between them referring to their book thoughts. The formatting was bizarre there and needs some differentiation for the final copy. It wasn’t very clear that it was a text thread. I changed all my kindle settings trying to fix it until a third of the way in, when I clued in. I think the cover is very pretty and one of the reasons I was drawn to reading.
I was pretty disappointed in this book and really had to force myself to finish it as I had an ARC. It’s alright if you’re looking for a book with minimal stimulation. But I found it quite boring.
June 25, 2026
Rating a novel part way through is not appropriate, in my opinion. So, I will hold off on the rating until I finish this debut novel by Tessa Yang. However, logging in observations and comments so that they are freshly delivered along the journey is my new reviewing jam! "The Jellyfish Problem" was gifted to me pre-publish by NetGalley and was indeed recently published on June 2, 2026.
There will inevitably be comparisons to "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by sheer dint of the similarities in topic or theme.
It is not that. And yet, in many ways, it is that.
It is a magnificent debut, and based on my current mindset... it will be a memorable and remarkably bright addition to my love of the world of literary magical realism. Thus far, it is proving to be both a literary and a healing piece of storytelling!
More to follow once the reading is done...
I'm finished, and I'm ready to add additional observations to my mid-read notes. This novel was (and continued to be throughout) a story rooted in a deep admiration for scientific wonder and discovery with a focus on the ocean and what is known and unknown about some of its mysteries. Yang also wove the extremely human themes of family, chosen family, and offered unique depictions of how a group of diverse folks can (and do!) build and nurture one another within their community. The story also did some heavy lifting as well when it focused upon topics of life, death, loss, grief, loneliness, comfort, and hope.
Thank you, Tessa Yang, for your debut novel! I, for one, think there are additional stories to be told about these book folks that you so lovingly introduced here! Might there be a sequel hiding above or below the waves that ebb and flow around the island of Shattering Point? This reader certainly does think there might be and hope that perhaps you do as well!
#TheJellyfishProblem
#TessaYang
#magicalrealism
#NetGalley
There will inevitably be comparisons to "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by sheer dint of the similarities in topic or theme.
It is not that. And yet, in many ways, it is that.
It is a magnificent debut, and based on my current mindset... it will be a memorable and remarkably bright addition to my love of the world of literary magical realism. Thus far, it is proving to be both a literary and a healing piece of storytelling!
More to follow once the reading is done...
I'm finished, and I'm ready to add additional observations to my mid-read notes. This novel was (and continued to be throughout) a story rooted in a deep admiration for scientific wonder and discovery with a focus on the ocean and what is known and unknown about some of its mysteries. Yang also wove the extremely human themes of family, chosen family, and offered unique depictions of how a group of diverse folks can (and do!) build and nurture one another within their community. The story also did some heavy lifting as well when it focused upon topics of life, death, loss, grief, loneliness, comfort, and hope.
Thank you, Tessa Yang, for your debut novel! I, for one, think there are additional stories to be told about these book folks that you so lovingly introduced here! Might there be a sequel hiding above or below the waves that ebb and flow around the island of Shattering Point? This reader certainly does think there might be and hope that perhaps you do as well!
#TheJellyfishProblem
#TessaYang
#magicalrealism
#NetGalley
January 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC.
3.5 🌟
Tessa Yang’s novel is a beautiful dive into grief, connection, and the mysteries of the natural world. The story follows Dr. Jo Ness, a lonely jellyfish scientist, who is drawn to an isolated island by a glitchy video of a massive, mystical jellyfish sent by an old college friend she hasn’t spoken to in over a decade. After the death of her longtime friend and peer, Jo is just going through the motions, carrying guilt and unresolved grief. When her friend Nadia asks for her help with a jellyfish problem, Jo jumps at the chance to reconnect, but once she arrives, Nadia is nowhere to be found, and everyone in town acts odd and all over the place around her. It isn’t until she encounters the jellyfish, Clementine, that everything shifts, revealing that appearances are not always what they seem.
What I appreciated most was how the novel explored life, connection, and the emotional pulls that make us human. I really connected with the grief aspect of losing a close friend. While my experiences are not the same, I saw myself in Jo’s self-sabotaging behavior and the guilt she carried. I also loved the scientific elements. Coming from a biology background, it was a fun blast from the past, and the marine biology details, especially the subtle digs at sea turtles and sharks, were delightful. Yang’s perspective on jellyfish resonated deeply, and I found it fascinating to see her approach from a marine biologist’s lens, a viewpoint I haven’t encountered in fiction before.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a gripping man versus nature story with emotional depth. Tessa Yang elevates the genre to something wholly unique, full of surprises and unpredictability. Beyond the adventure, the story touches on universal human experiences, grief, guilt, and connection, and emphasizes inclusivity in subtle but meaningful ways. It is a thoughtful, immersive read that lingers long after the last page.
3.5 🌟
Tessa Yang’s novel is a beautiful dive into grief, connection, and the mysteries of the natural world. The story follows Dr. Jo Ness, a lonely jellyfish scientist, who is drawn to an isolated island by a glitchy video of a massive, mystical jellyfish sent by an old college friend she hasn’t spoken to in over a decade. After the death of her longtime friend and peer, Jo is just going through the motions, carrying guilt and unresolved grief. When her friend Nadia asks for her help with a jellyfish problem, Jo jumps at the chance to reconnect, but once she arrives, Nadia is nowhere to be found, and everyone in town acts odd and all over the place around her. It isn’t until she encounters the jellyfish, Clementine, that everything shifts, revealing that appearances are not always what they seem.
What I appreciated most was how the novel explored life, connection, and the emotional pulls that make us human. I really connected with the grief aspect of losing a close friend. While my experiences are not the same, I saw myself in Jo’s self-sabotaging behavior and the guilt she carried. I also loved the scientific elements. Coming from a biology background, it was a fun blast from the past, and the marine biology details, especially the subtle digs at sea turtles and sharks, were delightful. Yang’s perspective on jellyfish resonated deeply, and I found it fascinating to see her approach from a marine biologist’s lens, a viewpoint I haven’t encountered in fiction before.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a gripping man versus nature story with emotional depth. Tessa Yang elevates the genre to something wholly unique, full of surprises and unpredictability. Beyond the adventure, the story touches on universal human experiences, grief, guilt, and connection, and emphasizes inclusivity in subtle but meaningful ways. It is a thoughtful, immersive read that lingers long after the last page.
April 8, 2026
The Jellyfish Problem starts off as a science fiction novel, but slowly transforms into an allegory for grief. How grief affects the individual and the community, holding on as it slowly destroys. Just like Clementine, you never fully see it in its entirety, but it’s there pulsing beneath the surface. Being trapped by it causes anger, confusion, and recklessness. Yet even after its crushing weight, the relief of making it through feels like a ship that’s made it through a storm. The future becomes optimistic even if a little bit of grief remains to be later called upon.
Thank you to Berkely for this giveaway win in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Thank you to Berkely for this giveaway win in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 28, 2026
Marine biologist Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people. Since her best friend Aldo died seven months ago, she's been hiding away at an underfunded aquarium, finishing the jellyfish guide they were writing together and keeping his voice alive through his notes in the margins. When Nadia, one of the few other humans she's ever truly loved, calls out of nowhere asking for help with a giant glowing jellyfish terrorizing her tiny island off the coast of Maine, Jo drops everything to go. But when she arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is gone and the islanders each have something wildly different to say about the creature they've named Clementine.
I'm torn on this one and honestly I've been going back and forth on my rating since I finished it. After writing the review I'm going to round it up to 4 instead of down to 3.
What works: the concept is genuinely unique and it's obvious a ton of research went into the jellyfish science. I learned things about jellyfish I never knew or even thought to wonder about, which doesn't happen to me often as a reader. The prose is soothing and almost meditative, the magical realism is well thought out without ever feeling forced, and the snippets from Jo's jellyfish guide at the beginning of each chapter are a really lovely touch. I also liked Jo's growth throughout the story and the way we learn about Aldo and their relationship through small flashbacks. Those hit harder than I expected.
I literally just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures at the lake last week and I loved it. I think I went into The Jellyfish Problem expecting that same vibe and that's completely on me. These two books are nothing alike despite both involving a sea creature. Where Remarkably Bright Creatures is heartwarming and plot-driven, The Jellyfish Problem is much more literary. There's a mystery here but it's less a "mystery book" and more a contemplation on the world around us, how we connect to nature and each other, and what it means to truly see something. It leans hard into magical realism but stays firmly rooted in science and human relationships.
You can probably tell from that paragraph that I'm having a hard time with this review. That's kind of the point this is a book that resists easy categorization and I'm still turning it over in my head.
At almost 400 pages it felt a little long, BUT I think that might be a me problem. I've been exhausted this past week and falling asleep while I read, which is extremely unlike me. So the pacing issue could have nothing to do with the book and everything to do with the fact that I need a nap. The last chapter saved me though, it gave some closure to feel satisfying without over-explaining, which is exactly the right move for a book like this.
If you enjoy thought-provoking literary fiction, books that sit with you after you finish them, and stories that are more interested in asking questions than answering them, you'll probably love this. But if you're looking for something fast-paced and heartwarming that you can't put down, this probably isn't it. It's quiet and contemplative and a little strange. I just don't think I was in the right headspace for it.
The Jellyfish Problem comes out June 2, 2026. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
I'm torn on this one and honestly I've been going back and forth on my rating since I finished it. After writing the review I'm going to round it up to 4 instead of down to 3.
What works: the concept is genuinely unique and it's obvious a ton of research went into the jellyfish science. I learned things about jellyfish I never knew or even thought to wonder about, which doesn't happen to me often as a reader. The prose is soothing and almost meditative, the magical realism is well thought out without ever feeling forced, and the snippets from Jo's jellyfish guide at the beginning of each chapter are a really lovely touch. I also liked Jo's growth throughout the story and the way we learn about Aldo and their relationship through small flashbacks. Those hit harder than I expected.
I literally just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures at the lake last week and I loved it. I think I went into The Jellyfish Problem expecting that same vibe and that's completely on me. These two books are nothing alike despite both involving a sea creature. Where Remarkably Bright Creatures is heartwarming and plot-driven, The Jellyfish Problem is much more literary. There's a mystery here but it's less a "mystery book" and more a contemplation on the world around us, how we connect to nature and each other, and what it means to truly see something. It leans hard into magical realism but stays firmly rooted in science and human relationships.
You can probably tell from that paragraph that I'm having a hard time with this review. That's kind of the point this is a book that resists easy categorization and I'm still turning it over in my head.
At almost 400 pages it felt a little long, BUT I think that might be a me problem. I've been exhausted this past week and falling asleep while I read, which is extremely unlike me. So the pacing issue could have nothing to do with the book and everything to do with the fact that I need a nap. The last chapter saved me though, it gave some closure to feel satisfying without over-explaining, which is exactly the right move for a book like this.
If you enjoy thought-provoking literary fiction, books that sit with you after you finish them, and stories that are more interested in asking questions than answering them, you'll probably love this. But if you're looking for something fast-paced and heartwarming that you can't put down, this probably isn't it. It's quiet and contemplative and a little strange. I just don't think I was in the right headspace for it.
The Jellyfish Problem comes out June 2, 2026. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
Tiktok @speakingof.books
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A sincere thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!
This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It is very clear that the author spent an exorbitant amount of time researching jellyfish, Marine biology, and ocean sciences in general.
The book was intelligently written, there were hints of Mystery and Thriller, and it wraps up very nicely at the end. The author believes in the intelligence and capabilities of her readers and does an excellent job of "show and don't tell".
Its exploration of the power of grief, and the process of healing from loss, was incredibly touching. I teared up more than once.
Though this is not the kind of book I would normally pick up, I will highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys quality writing and an emotional story. The mystery kept me turning pages until the very end.
I look forward to reading other works by Tessa Yang.
This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. It is very clear that the author spent an exorbitant amount of time researching jellyfish, Marine biology, and ocean sciences in general.
The book was intelligently written, there were hints of Mystery and Thriller, and it wraps up very nicely at the end. The author believes in the intelligence and capabilities of her readers and does an excellent job of "show and don't tell".
Its exploration of the power of grief, and the process of healing from loss, was incredibly touching. I teared up more than once.
Though this is not the kind of book I would normally pick up, I will highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys quality writing and an emotional story. The mystery kept me turning pages until the very end.
I look forward to reading other works by Tessa Yang.
March 23, 2026
This won’t be for everyone, but it was for me.
June 23, 2026
This is a weird book. We have two different storylines going with the same main character.
One-explores college love affairs and platonic friendships and their loss. Two- we have the “Creature of the black lagoon/the blob” where a tiny island off the coast of Maine is being terrorized by a jellyfish who won’t let them leave the island .
Our main character is a 30 something year-old woman who never quite fit in. She had a brief love affair with another woman Nadia in college who promptly dumped her as soon as they graduated. She gets a job in a small (and failing) aquarium where she dedicates herself to studying jellyfish. She was writing a book with Aldo, a platonic partner who recently died in a scuba accident. She is still grieving his death when out of the blue, she gets a phone call from Nadia- asking her to come to this remote Maine island to investigate a gigantic -never before seen- jellyfish. Both intrigued by the scientific prospect, as well as possibly kindling the long, lost love affair- She jumps at the chance and hops on a plane.
When she gets to the island- all is not as it appears. Firstly, the Islanders are openly hostile and her friend is missing. The author does a really nice job here peeling back the layers and letting us figure out what’s going on at the same time as our main character. We need some truly oddball characters from a seemingly psychic child, and an elderly couple who are trying to literally kill each other. However, in the middle parts of the book really dragged for me, especially the ghost Aldo scenes, and I found myself skimming them. The ending of how they solve the “problem” was just… Weird and very unrealistic . I can’t image you would have people actually doing “that”, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I did enjoy the book however, and would recommend it for someone who’s looking for a completely unpredictable read.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a chance to review this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 23, 2026
I wanted to like this more than I did. It was just alright. Pretty cute though, I liked the parts with Jo and Aldo’s book before each chapter. I feel like the story could have been more streamlined. The ending seemed really abrupt to me as well.
June 24, 2026
very cool story!!!! i loved the reveal at the end. just wish it had been a bit shorter. also a lot of the characters felt a lil lifeless. i am so baffled by people comparing this to remarkably bright creatures bc they are not even remotely similar books and everybody needs to read more ❤️
June 24, 2026
I love the marine biology aspect and dealing with a giant jellyfish like creature. But overall this book had too much going on and not enough biology and investigating
June 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. A bit of a happy coincidence to be watching Widow's Bay and find a book with another very different cursed island (nowhere near as scary, though).
June 30, 2026
I liked the magical realism and learning about Clementine.
Agree with other reviews that this is not a comp to Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Audio
Agree with other reviews that this is not a comp to Remarkably Bright Creatures.
Audio
June 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!
This novel was a deep dive into grief and the architecture of interpersonal relationships across time, trauma and maturity. Jellyfish are the essential language the story is told in. There were fun parallels between a non-fiction book the main character is writing (specifically looking to dispel the negative public perception of jellyfish) in the story vs the real world application of such a book. It was a bit of a slow starter as so much of the opening chapters the reader is lost to the internal dialogue of Jo as she navigates a recent loss, a hyper fixation on an past relationship, and the difficult relationship with her mother.
The real fantastical mystery of the story is told across a handful of chapters and I would have enjoyed a little more attention on that part of the storyline. There was so much buildup based upon the character relationships, both past and present. Clementine received little attention on the page, similarly to the growing dynamic between Jo and Tony. These were true light points to keep the narrative on an upward momentum. Overall, from my personal reading experience, the book felt very heavy.
This novel was a deep dive into grief and the architecture of interpersonal relationships across time, trauma and maturity. Jellyfish are the essential language the story is told in. There were fun parallels between a non-fiction book the main character is writing (specifically looking to dispel the negative public perception of jellyfish) in the story vs the real world application of such a book. It was a bit of a slow starter as so much of the opening chapters the reader is lost to the internal dialogue of Jo as she navigates a recent loss, a hyper fixation on an past relationship, and the difficult relationship with her mother.
The real fantastical mystery of the story is told across a handful of chapters and I would have enjoyed a little more attention on that part of the storyline. There was so much buildup based upon the character relationships, both past and present. Clementine received little attention on the page, similarly to the growing dynamic between Jo and Tony. These were true light points to keep the narrative on an upward momentum. Overall, from my personal reading experience, the book felt very heavy.
June 2, 2026
I have not wanted a FMC to die more in a book than any I have ever read before. This speculative story follows an absolutely self absorbed women who is unable to think of any concept outside of herself. I.e. page 123, "I cared about what I cared about; the rest can go to hell." Jo, our main character, inner monologues every encounter with someone to include injuring an elderly, crippled man coming her way if he were to come at her, to thinking she could have a queer relationship with any character with a vagina. Typical man hating, queer leabo who "always expect the worst of people", who never matured during her 11 years post college.
I had such high expectations for the propose storyline of this novel thinking it would be so much more. Instead I am following an annoying, immature twat who should have died in the first part of the book. I would have much rather followed another character like Nadia or even from the perspective of the freaking jellyfish...so disappointed.
I had such high expectations for the propose storyline of this novel thinking it would be so much more. Instead I am following an annoying, immature twat who should have died in the first part of the book. I would have much rather followed another character like Nadia or even from the perspective of the freaking jellyfish...so disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Somewhere between Here Beside the Rising Tide and Bear, *The Jellyfish Problem* is less scary and less laugh‑out‑loud funny, but it’s all heart as with those books. Tessa Yang grounds her story in a richly drawn Japanese American family and a tight‑knit island community, capturing small‑town life at its best and its worst: the comfort of familiar faces, the sting of gossip, and the way everyone’s business is always a little bit yours, too.
I loved the symbolism threaded through the jellyfish appearances and the way the “monster” becomes a mirror for grief, belonging, and intergenerational expectations more than a source of horror. The family dynamics feel lived‑in and specific, and the quiet moments between parents, children, and neighbors often land harder than the scenes of suspense.
That said, I found myself wanting a bigger showdown with the creature. After all the build‑up around what the jellyfish can do and how the islanders have tried to deal with it in the past, the final confrontation felt more like a tentative swim‑about than a true reckoning. I would have loved a bit more detail about earlier attempts to stop or appease the monster, and a climax that pushed the characters further both emotionally or physically.
It’s also worth noting that this is, ultimately, a very gentle book. No one dies or is seriously harmed, and the ending leans into a happily‑ever‑after tone (with one small exception) that suits the novel’s warmth more than its horror trappings. Still, given the premise, I think there was a missed opportunity to weave in more explicit climate themes or ocean conservation especially when jellyfish and shifting marine ecosystems are such ripe territory for talking about our impact on the planet.
Overall, *The Jellyfish Problem* is a quietly engaging, sweet read: less creature feature and more tender character study. It’s the kind of book that would pair perfectly with a breezy afternoon and the sound of waves in the background, especially if you’re spending part of your summer along the North Atlantic coast.
I loved the symbolism threaded through the jellyfish appearances and the way the “monster” becomes a mirror for grief, belonging, and intergenerational expectations more than a source of horror. The family dynamics feel lived‑in and specific, and the quiet moments between parents, children, and neighbors often land harder than the scenes of suspense.
That said, I found myself wanting a bigger showdown with the creature. After all the build‑up around what the jellyfish can do and how the islanders have tried to deal with it in the past, the final confrontation felt more like a tentative swim‑about than a true reckoning. I would have loved a bit more detail about earlier attempts to stop or appease the monster, and a climax that pushed the characters further both emotionally or physically.
It’s also worth noting that this is, ultimately, a very gentle book. No one dies or is seriously harmed, and the ending leans into a happily‑ever‑after tone (with one small exception) that suits the novel’s warmth more than its horror trappings. Still, given the premise, I think there was a missed opportunity to weave in more explicit climate themes or ocean conservation especially when jellyfish and shifting marine ecosystems are such ripe territory for talking about our impact on the planet.
Overall, *The Jellyfish Problem* is a quietly engaging, sweet read: less creature feature and more tender character study. It’s the kind of book that would pair perfectly with a breezy afternoon and the sound of waves in the background, especially if you’re spending part of your summer along the North Atlantic coast.
July 6, 2026
It just feels.. forced. Like nobody told this author “kill your darlings”
Some of the idioms feel like it’s trying to show off, and the beginning is far too slow and full of extraneous details, like someone who writes a book as if it’s for TV, describing food that doesn’t matter and settings that don’t add to imagery or plot. Too much is happening in real time in the main character’s head, but it’s not an interesting stream of consciousness. I think it would have been SIGNIFICANTLY better in 3rd person point of view.
I actually thought the plot and the concept were interesting, but the delivery fell flat.
Some of the idioms feel like it’s trying to show off, and the beginning is far too slow and full of extraneous details, like someone who writes a book as if it’s for TV, describing food that doesn’t matter and settings that don’t add to imagery or plot. Too much is happening in real time in the main character’s head, but it’s not an interesting stream of consciousness. I think it would have been SIGNIFICANTLY better in 3rd person point of view.
I actually thought the plot and the concept were interesting, but the delivery fell flat.
May 27, 2026
To be published June 2, 2026
This really worked for me! I loved the island setting, learning about jellyfish, dealing with grief, the mystery of what to do with Clementine, all of it! This is a great read to usher in the summer. My only complaints are that I wish we’d leaned in harder with the folklore aspect of the yokai, and that we had another scene with Sidney (I think that’s the kid’s name) at the end to see how he feels about the islander’s solution.
Overall a great read and I’ll look forward to any other work by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
This really worked for me! I loved the island setting, learning about jellyfish, dealing with grief, the mystery of what to do with Clementine, all of it! This is a great read to usher in the summer. My only complaints are that I wish we’d leaned in harder with the folklore aspect of the yokai, and that we had another scene with Sidney (I think that’s the kid’s name) at the end to see how he feels about the islander’s solution.
Overall a great read and I’ll look forward to any other work by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2026
4.5⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! I was enthralled by the unraveling mystery of Clementine, the giant glowing jellyfish and her slimy hold on the people of Shattering. This book was right up my alley with all its marine biology and mystery. I really appreciated the exploration of grief and the community that shone as bright as the jelly herself. The writing was nothing short of exceptional start to finish and I hope more people decide to dive into this book!
July 1, 2026
1. i would never describe a jellyfish, nor any amount of jellyfish, as a problem.
2. jo is an incredibly dislikable main character who i think is supposed to be more likable than she is. i want to root for her but she has no real personality traits outside of being gay, depressed, and mean. i understand that she’s grieving but she can do other things at the same time.
3. not enough jellyfish, not enough speaking about jellyfish, not enough information about jellyfish, not enough interaction with jellyfish
4. terrible ending
5. changes tense from past to present to past. i hate that. who edited this and why didn’t they fix that
2. jo is an incredibly dislikable main character who i think is supposed to be more likable than she is. i want to root for her but she has no real personality traits outside of being gay, depressed, and mean. i understand that she’s grieving but she can do other things at the same time.
3. not enough jellyfish, not enough speaking about jellyfish, not enough information about jellyfish, not enough interaction with jellyfish
4. terrible ending
5. changes tense from past to present to past. i hate that. who edited this and why didn’t they fix that
June 6, 2026
Themes of grief and isolation, but I appreciated the way humor was woven in, too.
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