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The Jellyfish Problem
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Expected 2 Jun 26Win a free print copy of this book!
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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
Expected publication June 2, 2026
About the author
Tessa Yang
3 books73 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
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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 66 reviews
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.
Want to Read
January 14, 2026After 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. I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS ONE.
"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."
Pub Date Jun 02 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own! ✨🖤
So many thanks to Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me this ARC. I AM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS ONE.
"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."
Pub Date Jun 02 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own! ✨🖤
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
March 23, 2026
This won’t be for everyone, but it was for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌅 I was expecting a story similar to Remarkably Bright Creatures, and it really wasn't. This book completely surprised me. I went in expecting a quirky marine biology story and got something far deeper: it was part mystery, part quiet horror, part emotional unraveling of grief, all wrapped in an eerie, ocean-soaked atmosphere that I couldn’t shake.
We follow Jo, a marine biologist who prefers the predictability of jellyfish to the messiness of people. I liked that she was written as neurodivergent with social difficulties but still able to connect with a couple of individuals. However, she’s been barely functioning since the death of her best friend, carrying guilt that clings to her like a sock fresh from the dryer. When an old friend from college reaches out with a strange request, Jo doesn’t hesitate. The request? Come to a remote island off the New England coast to investigate an unusual jellyfish. It’s something to focus on. Something that isn’t grief.
But when she arrives, things are… off. The friend who called her is missing. The islanders are uneasy. And the jellyfish at the center of it all isn’t just unusual, it's mythical. To Jo, everything feels wrong. Too large. Too powerful. The jellyfish's appearance seems to be connected to everything happening on the island.
What unfolds is a layered story that moves between scientific curiosity, creeping dread, and emotional healing. I loved how the book blends grounded details about marine life with something much stranger. Each chapter opens with insights about jellyfish, which not only adds texture but subtly mirrors what Jo herself is going through as she struggles with her grief: fragility, survival, transformation.
This book shines in its atmosphere and themes. The coastal setting feels isolated and slightly unsettling, building tension without constant action. The emotional arc, especially Jo’s guilt and her struggle to reconnect with people, felt honest and grounded. I also appreciated how the story explores community, isolation, and the quiet ways people try to survive loss.
The pacing is definitely on the slower side, especially at the beginning, and it takes time for the story to fully reveal what’s going on. Some of the more surreal elements, particularly the deeper connection between the jellyfish and the events on the island, felt a little abstract and may not work for readers who prefer clear explanations.
The side characters also feel a bit distant at times, but that seems intentional, since we’re experiencing everything through Jo’s emotionally closed-off perspective.
Overall
I really liked this. It’s not a fast, plot-heavy thriller. It’s a reflective, slightly eerie story about grief, science, and the unknown. If you like books that blend literary fiction with a touch of the uncanny, this is absolutely worth picking up. I appreciate NetGalley and The Berkley Publishing Group providing me with this ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion. And thank you to Tessa Yang for this fun fictional read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 stars)
#BerkleyPublishing #TheJellyfishProblem #NetGalley
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We follow Jo, a marine biologist who prefers the predictability of jellyfish to the messiness of people. I liked that she was written as neurodivergent with social difficulties but still able to connect with a couple of individuals. However, she’s been barely functioning since the death of her best friend, carrying guilt that clings to her like a sock fresh from the dryer. When an old friend from college reaches out with a strange request, Jo doesn’t hesitate. The request? Come to a remote island off the New England coast to investigate an unusual jellyfish. It’s something to focus on. Something that isn’t grief.
But when she arrives, things are… off. The friend who called her is missing. The islanders are uneasy. And the jellyfish at the center of it all isn’t just unusual, it's mythical. To Jo, everything feels wrong. Too large. Too powerful. The jellyfish's appearance seems to be connected to everything happening on the island.
What unfolds is a layered story that moves between scientific curiosity, creeping dread, and emotional healing. I loved how the book blends grounded details about marine life with something much stranger. Each chapter opens with insights about jellyfish, which not only adds texture but subtly mirrors what Jo herself is going through as she struggles with her grief: fragility, survival, transformation.
This book shines in its atmosphere and themes. The coastal setting feels isolated and slightly unsettling, building tension without constant action. The emotional arc, especially Jo’s guilt and her struggle to reconnect with people, felt honest and grounded. I also appreciated how the story explores community, isolation, and the quiet ways people try to survive loss.
The pacing is definitely on the slower side, especially at the beginning, and it takes time for the story to fully reveal what’s going on. Some of the more surreal elements, particularly the deeper connection between the jellyfish and the events on the island, felt a little abstract and may not work for readers who prefer clear explanations.
The side characters also feel a bit distant at times, but that seems intentional, since we’re experiencing everything through Jo’s emotionally closed-off perspective.
Overall
I really liked this. It’s not a fast, plot-heavy thriller. It’s a reflective, slightly eerie story about grief, science, and the unknown. If you like books that blend literary fiction with a touch of the uncanny, this is absolutely worth picking up. I appreciate NetGalley and The Berkley Publishing Group providing me with this ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion. And thank you to Tessa Yang for this fun fictional read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4 stars)
#BerkleyPublishing #TheJellyfishProblem #NetGalley
Follow along & like!
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https://www.tiktok.com/@1stlight.dawnreads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Like many precocious children who grow into introverted adults, Dr. Josephine "Jo" Ness prefers the company of non-human subjects - in her case, jellyfish. Of course, there were exceptions to this rule - Nadia, her college friend, and Aldo, her fellow jellyfish researcher. But Nadia hasn't spoken to her in over a decade, and Aldo is dead. Jo spends her days secluded with her beloved jellyfish in a backwater lab, picking away at the manuscript she and Aldo were working on together, adrift in her own thoughts, her own grief, her own guilt.
Then out of the blue, Nadia calls her, enticing her with the bizarre tale of a giant jellyfish haunting the waters of her current home on an island off the coast of Maine. WIth nothing more than a grainy phone video and Nadia's word to go on, Jo drops everything in pursuit of science - and perhaps in pursuit of the long-lost friendship with Nadia and ethereal ideas of redemption for the friend she couldn't help, Aldo. But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is MIA, and the islanders are as elusive as Clementine, the creature from the depths who has come to change them all...
I am on something of a sea creature kick with my reading having also just finished "Remarkably Bright Creatures", and I certainly did not have falling in love with marine life on my 2026 bucket list, but here we are. I will absolutely not be taking up diving lessons anytime soon, though - enjoying spooky tales of the ocean and its wonderful, bizarre, terrifying creatures and reflecting on what they can teach us about human connection are enough for me, thank you. After reading this, you may also consider the risk versus benefits of an island getaway a little harder too.
While overall this is the story of a creature from the depths that happened to change an island one summer, it is a greater story of human connection, grief, guilt, belonging, and the forces that ebb and flow throughout our lives. I felt lost in my own thoughts a lot while reading this book and took a lot of time to reflect on the connections in my own life, and feel this would be a good book for readers who want a little of the ocean, a little of the reflection, and more than a touch of the horror and mystery only a mist-capped island off the coast of Maine and the horrors within and without can deliver. This was a fantastic debut, and I would love to read more from this author in the future - after reading 3-4 more books about jellyfish, of course.
Then out of the blue, Nadia calls her, enticing her with the bizarre tale of a giant jellyfish haunting the waters of her current home on an island off the coast of Maine. WIth nothing more than a grainy phone video and Nadia's word to go on, Jo drops everything in pursuit of science - and perhaps in pursuit of the long-lost friendship with Nadia and ethereal ideas of redemption for the friend she couldn't help, Aldo. But when Jo arrives on Shattering Point, Nadia is MIA, and the islanders are as elusive as Clementine, the creature from the depths who has come to change them all...
I am on something of a sea creature kick with my reading having also just finished "Remarkably Bright Creatures", and I certainly did not have falling in love with marine life on my 2026 bucket list, but here we are. I will absolutely not be taking up diving lessons anytime soon, though - enjoying spooky tales of the ocean and its wonderful, bizarre, terrifying creatures and reflecting on what they can teach us about human connection are enough for me, thank you. After reading this, you may also consider the risk versus benefits of an island getaway a little harder too.
While overall this is the story of a creature from the depths that happened to change an island one summer, it is a greater story of human connection, grief, guilt, belonging, and the forces that ebb and flow throughout our lives. I felt lost in my own thoughts a lot while reading this book and took a lot of time to reflect on the connections in my own life, and feel this would be a good book for readers who want a little of the ocean, a little of the reflection, and more than a touch of the horror and mystery only a mist-capped island off the coast of Maine and the horrors within and without can deliver. This was a fantastic debut, and I would love to read more from this author in the future - after reading 3-4 more books about jellyfish, of course.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dive into the poetics of the ocean and the majestic royalty that lives below. One of the scariest things in our universe is the ocean due to its vastness and largely unexplored masses. So, how do we know if monstrous jellyfish are not already lurking on our coasts? We simply must hope! Or maybe the marine biologist in you may be enticed by this possibility. We always speculate on the unknown because it is up to our imagination to truly understand the concept of what may exist in the ocean. Jellyfish are beautiful creatures that are often overlooked – like the way society overlooks the many beauties around us and fears it instead.
The queerness of all is inclusive and really creates a narrative that is for everyone. More horror that flows so naturally to remind you that we exist as real people too. And then there is Clementine - who will challenge your perspective – so take a swim for this one. Maine was the perfect setting because think of all the unexplored ocean there. If you have ever been to Maine for even a vacation it will make sense. This is also a story about how we isolate ourselves in moments of grief and take any excuse to find ourselves through this isolation.
This is a horror that is exploring the human psyche through narrative. Exploring the why behind our motives. Grief can be both motivating and debilitating. What does Clementine metaphorize? These are the type of questions that Tess Yang so delicately weaves into her writing. I devoured this narrative in a day nearly wishing for more. There is so much to learn about the ways of the jellyfish that translate to a nuanced horror. Horror is inherently a nuanced genre that if you are here – you have learned to appreciate the taste for.
Finally, this is a discovery narrative. We are looking for the living in everything we digest. So why not look deeper into the mysteries of the jellyfish? What does Aldo leave behind that truly show us the desires of the human condition versus the motivations of the sea. There is so much to unravel as the mysteries of the deep become clearer as they surface. It is the surface that truly throws a tidal wave of insecurities our way. Thank you Tess Yang, Netgalley ,and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Read more reviews, impressions, and tarot readings at my blog, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
The queerness of all is inclusive and really creates a narrative that is for everyone. More horror that flows so naturally to remind you that we exist as real people too. And then there is Clementine - who will challenge your perspective – so take a swim for this one. Maine was the perfect setting because think of all the unexplored ocean there. If you have ever been to Maine for even a vacation it will make sense. This is also a story about how we isolate ourselves in moments of grief and take any excuse to find ourselves through this isolation.
This is a horror that is exploring the human psyche through narrative. Exploring the why behind our motives. Grief can be both motivating and debilitating. What does Clementine metaphorize? These are the type of questions that Tess Yang so delicately weaves into her writing. I devoured this narrative in a day nearly wishing for more. There is so much to learn about the ways of the jellyfish that translate to a nuanced horror. Horror is inherently a nuanced genre that if you are here – you have learned to appreciate the taste for.
Finally, this is a discovery narrative. We are looking for the living in everything we digest. So why not look deeper into the mysteries of the jellyfish? What does Aldo leave behind that truly show us the desires of the human condition versus the motivations of the sea. There is so much to unravel as the mysteries of the deep become clearer as they surface. It is the surface that truly throws a tidal wave of insecurities our way. Thank you Tess Yang, Netgalley ,and Berkley Publishing Group for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
Read more reviews, impressions, and tarot readings at my blog, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jo, a jellyfish scientist, is called out of the blue by a decade old connection to an island off of Maine to investigate a strange jelly phenomenon. The mysteries on the island get tangled with Jo's internal battles and it seems like both problems will need to be solved if she has any chance of making it out alive.
I liked the supernatural and sci-fi elements that were woven in the novel and how it was juxtaposed with chapter headings about jellyfish facts. The jellyfish facts were part of a book Jo and Aldo were writing together and the sidebar comments they added really brought the two characters to life. The jellyfish problem on Shattering was looking to be so inexplicable, I was really happy that the final explanation fit in the realm of real life jellyfish behavior.
This book had a lot going on and played with a ton of different genres. From thriller to horror to romance to magical realism to comedy to sci-fi, Yang throws it all at us and nails each mood when we are in that moment. As a whole though, genre switching this much was a bit overwhelming and felt distracting to the main storyline. The pace of the novel slows exponentially in the middle as we wait a month for another full moon/jellyfish reappearance. Jo fills this time by working on herself and fulfilling side quests from other characters. It was strange to spend so much page time in this 30 day waiting period and then almost no time at all on what happens on the island once a solution is discovered.
And finally, I don't think domestic abuse should be written about lightly or used for comedic relief and this book unfortunately leans heavily on that approach. There are no repercussions to the destruction and harm we are shown and it feels like this was a missed opportunity to comment on who the real villains in our world are.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy of The Jellyfish Problem, all opinions are my own.
I liked the supernatural and sci-fi elements that were woven in the novel and how it was juxtaposed with chapter headings about jellyfish facts. The jellyfish facts were part of a book Jo and Aldo were writing together and the sidebar comments they added really brought the two characters to life. The jellyfish problem on Shattering was looking to be so inexplicable, I was really happy that the final explanation fit in the realm of real life jellyfish behavior.
This book had a lot going on and played with a ton of different genres. From thriller to horror to romance to magical realism to comedy to sci-fi, Yang throws it all at us and nails each mood when we are in that moment. As a whole though, genre switching this much was a bit overwhelming and felt distracting to the main storyline. The pace of the novel slows exponentially in the middle as we wait a month for another full moon/jellyfish reappearance. Jo fills this time by working on herself and fulfilling side quests from other characters. It was strange to spend so much page time in this 30 day waiting period and then almost no time at all on what happens on the island once a solution is discovered.
And finally, I don't think domestic abuse should be written about lightly or used for comedic relief and this book unfortunately leans heavily on that approach. There are no repercussions to the destruction and harm we are shown and it feels like this was a missed opportunity to comment on who the real villains in our world are.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy of The Jellyfish Problem, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for this gifted ARC!
This was such a unique and interesting book. I absolutely loved the plot, the mystery, the little touches of romance we got were really sweet as well. It was just overall an amazing and captivating time. This was more than a book on a giant mysterious jellyfish, it was about loss and grief and community. It was amazing, and I loved the New England backdrop. I'm from Maine/New Hampshire and this was just really nice to read of some familiar places.
Jo is a fantastic main character, and I related to her quite a bit. She's a bit awkward in intimate situations, she doubts herself somewhat when she is dealing with people and she prefers creatures to people most of the time. She is dealing with the loss of a very important person in her life and she blames herself for his death. This book is really heavy on dealing with grief and trying to find some closure. I felt for her so much, I understand grief and it's heaviness and what it takes to get through some tough days of dealing with it and this demonstrates it really well.
The jellyfish aspects of the book were phenomenal. It honestly makes me want to do a ton of deep dive research on jellyfish and learn even more about them. Each chapter beginning has jellyfish facts and it was so cool. I was not only excited to read to continue the plot, but also excited to continue to get to more jellyfish information. It was so incredibly cool.
If you enjoy a story on dealing with grief and loss and how important community can be, definitely give this a read. Bonus if you're into learning about sea life, that aspect was just really fun and exciting to read. This comes out June 2nd!
*This ARC was given by Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
This was such a unique and interesting book. I absolutely loved the plot, the mystery, the little touches of romance we got were really sweet as well. It was just overall an amazing and captivating time. This was more than a book on a giant mysterious jellyfish, it was about loss and grief and community. It was amazing, and I loved the New England backdrop. I'm from Maine/New Hampshire and this was just really nice to read of some familiar places.
Jo is a fantastic main character, and I related to her quite a bit. She's a bit awkward in intimate situations, she doubts herself somewhat when she is dealing with people and she prefers creatures to people most of the time. She is dealing with the loss of a very important person in her life and she blames herself for his death. This book is really heavy on dealing with grief and trying to find some closure. I felt for her so much, I understand grief and it's heaviness and what it takes to get through some tough days of dealing with it and this demonstrates it really well.
The jellyfish aspects of the book were phenomenal. It honestly makes me want to do a ton of deep dive research on jellyfish and learn even more about them. Each chapter beginning has jellyfish facts and it was so cool. I was not only excited to read to continue the plot, but also excited to continue to get to more jellyfish information. It was so incredibly cool.
If you enjoy a story on dealing with grief and loss and how important community can be, definitely give this a read. Bonus if you're into learning about sea life, that aspect was just really fun and exciting to read. This comes out June 2nd!
*This ARC was given by Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a different book. It seemed to be realistic fiction and as you got deeper into the story you realized there was a huge fantasy component to it. Jo Ness is a marine biologist specializing in jellyfish. She is not a social person. She has worked for years for a small aquarium that is basically a dead-end job, but it allows her to research and write a tome on jellyfish. She also lost her best friend Aldo a number of months ago (in a scuba accident she feels responsible for) and now she is surviving and going through the motions of life. Out of the blue she is called by Nadia, one of her few friends who unfortunately dropped out of her life ten years previously. Jo is immediately drawn in as she has mourned the loss of Nadia all these years.
Nadia has had many jobs, but she now lives on Shattering Point, a small island off the coast of Maine. She sends Jo a picture of a huge jellyfish and wants her help and expertise. Jo drops everything (which is not difficult as she has felt she has no life anyway) and travels to Maine. Once she gets to Shattering Point, she finds out that Nadia is not there. There is so much going on that Jo is not aware of and it turns out that is a bad thing, and it gets worse.
In some ways this was a hard book to get into. It takes a while for the story of Jo and Aldo to come out and what is happening on Shattering Point adds to the confusion. I would give it 3 stars except the book did pull you in and I enjoyed the ending.
Nadia has had many jobs, but she now lives on Shattering Point, a small island off the coast of Maine. She sends Jo a picture of a huge jellyfish and wants her help and expertise. Jo drops everything (which is not difficult as she has felt she has no life anyway) and travels to Maine. Once she gets to Shattering Point, she finds out that Nadia is not there. There is so much going on that Jo is not aware of and it turns out that is a bad thing, and it gets worse.
In some ways this was a hard book to get into. It takes a while for the story of Jo and Aldo to come out and what is happening on Shattering Point adds to the confusion. I would give it 3 stars except the book did pull you in and I enjoyed the ending.
Review of advance copy
Every once in a while a book comes along that restores my hope and heals my heart especially at a time in our country that feels so hopeless. Theo of Golden was one and The Jellyfish Problem is another. It’s the story of a giant jellyfish. Kind of. It’s definitely a story of people and a community that is struggling to survive an untenable situation. Jo Ness is a scientist who studies jellyfish. In fact she’s obsessed with them. But she has also recently lost her best friend and has been overcome with grief, self blame, and a new terror of the waters she loves. When a long lost friend sends her a video of what looks like a giant jellyfish she runs to help even though she really believes it’s a hoax. She also wants to reconnect with this friend that she loves and regrets losing. What she finds on Shattering Island leaves her stunned and eager to help while doubting her ability to do so. The story is one of overcoming grief and self doubt, relying on a community of people for strength when the preference is to go things alone and finally finding joy and love and self renewal after loss. The book is also dispersed with lots of wonderful information about jellyfish and I really learned a lot. I was on an international flight home that suffered a great many glitches and snags and a mad dash through an airport to make a connection that left me in tears. I read this book and it truly uplifted my spirit. I recommend it to everyone
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jo Ness is a marine biologist specializing in jellyfish. Ever since her best friend died, she's become even more buried in her work. And she's doing a pretty good job of avoiding her grief and other people, until Nadia, an old college crush that she hasn't talked to in a decade, sends mysterious video footage of what may or may not be a giant jellyfish. Jo doesn't know what to believe, but she's curious and could use a distraction.
When she arrives on the island of Shattering, the locals are strange and all seem to be in on something. Jo is having a hard time locating Nadia, despite the invitation. Nadia's husband, Roger, doesn't know where she is either. Some islanders seem intent on getting Jo to leave the island, and a few others want her to find the rumored jellyfish. It's only once she uncovers the secret that she understands how big her problems are, and that her fate is now intertwined with everyone else on the island.
I was drawn to this novel for the strange premise, and I enjoyed how the author combined dreamy nature sequences with thriller-like jump scares. It's hard to categorize this book because it has elements of several genres: thriller, mystery, science, action, horror, and domestic drama. Toward the end, the drama relied on some cliche dialogue in the vein of "I need you to trust me," which fell flat. However, this is a unique story overall with unexpected execution, and I recommend it.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When she arrives on the island of Shattering, the locals are strange and all seem to be in on something. Jo is having a hard time locating Nadia, despite the invitation. Nadia's husband, Roger, doesn't know where she is either. Some islanders seem intent on getting Jo to leave the island, and a few others want her to find the rumored jellyfish. It's only once she uncovers the secret that she understands how big her problems are, and that her fate is now intertwined with everyone else on the island.
I was drawn to this novel for the strange premise, and I enjoyed how the author combined dreamy nature sequences with thriller-like jump scares. It's hard to categorize this book because it has elements of several genres: thriller, mystery, science, action, horror, and domestic drama. Toward the end, the drama relied on some cliche dialogue in the vein of "I need you to trust me," which fell flat. However, this is a unique story overall with unexpected execution, and I recommend it.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An intriguingly fresh monster mystery featuring a frustrated academic, a long-lost love, and a poignant exploration of grief.
Dr. Jo Ness is floundering after the death of her best friend and collaborator, Aldo, in a scuba diving accident. When "the one who got away" from college, Nadia, calls asking her to travel to an isolated island to investigate a mysterious jellyfish, she jumps at the chance, despite the decade of silence between them. But when she arrives, she finds Nadia missing and nothing quite as she expected. Even worse, Aldo's ghost - or something worse - keeps showing up at inopportune times.
But when Jo finally meets the giant jellyfish Clementine, she's even more mesmerizing than she imagined. But she soon finds out that Clementine may be endangering the lives of everyone on the island, unless Jo and the villagers can figure out a way save her and themselves.
This story comes alive through its quirky cast of side characters. Even the villagers who appear for only a scene or two are vividly drawn, a testament to the author’s talent for sketching big personalities in just a few strokes.
The author's at her best when she's describing Clementine through Jo's eyes. Her breathless enthusiasm draws the reader - even those who've never given jellyfish a second thought - into her love of the marine animal.
This one became an instant favorite. I hope Jo has more adventures involving jellyfish, and I wouldn't even mind a prequel with her and Aldo (hint to the author!)
Dr. Jo Ness is floundering after the death of her best friend and collaborator, Aldo, in a scuba diving accident. When "the one who got away" from college, Nadia, calls asking her to travel to an isolated island to investigate a mysterious jellyfish, she jumps at the chance, despite the decade of silence between them. But when she arrives, she finds Nadia missing and nothing quite as she expected. Even worse, Aldo's ghost - or something worse - keeps showing up at inopportune times.
But when Jo finally meets the giant jellyfish Clementine, she's even more mesmerizing than she imagined. But she soon finds out that Clementine may be endangering the lives of everyone on the island, unless Jo and the villagers can figure out a way save her and themselves.
This story comes alive through its quirky cast of side characters. Even the villagers who appear for only a scene or two are vividly drawn, a testament to the author’s talent for sketching big personalities in just a few strokes.
The author's at her best when she's describing Clementine through Jo's eyes. Her breathless enthusiasm draws the reader - even those who've never given jellyfish a second thought - into her love of the marine animal.
This one became an instant favorite. I hope Jo has more adventures involving jellyfish, and I wouldn't even mind a prequel with her and Aldo (hint to the author!)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Jellyfish Problem blends together cozy mystery and science fiction.
When an mysterious creature surfaces near a quant island, Josephine receives a frantic call from an old college schoolmate. Struggling with the grief of losing a close friend, she takes the opportunity to reconnect...and find out more about a jellyfish that has never been seen before. But when she finally lays her eyes on the magnificent beast, she discovers that everyone on the island is in danger. And they need her help before it's too late.
The Jellyfish Problem was an enthralling adventure that had just the right amount of science, conflict, interpersonal relations, problem solving. The conundrum of a jellyfish that shouldn't exist yet brings together the small community of Shattering Point is a story that explores much more than just a marine biologist trying to find herself again after the death of her closest friend. Between the grief, we see how much we as people rely on each other in times of need. I love that the main character is gay, but that this story isn't about being gay. I find it incredibly satisfying when the character's simply just are because that is what real life is like, at least for me. I too would be curious of the cute B&B owner who also rehabilitates injured animals.
If I had to compare it to anything, I would say The Jellyfish Problem is as if Tessa bottled up an episode of Gilmore Girls and put it in a book.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this!
When an mysterious creature surfaces near a quant island, Josephine receives a frantic call from an old college schoolmate. Struggling with the grief of losing a close friend, she takes the opportunity to reconnect...and find out more about a jellyfish that has never been seen before. But when she finally lays her eyes on the magnificent beast, she discovers that everyone on the island is in danger. And they need her help before it's too late.
The Jellyfish Problem was an enthralling adventure that had just the right amount of science, conflict, interpersonal relations, problem solving. The conundrum of a jellyfish that shouldn't exist yet brings together the small community of Shattering Point is a story that explores much more than just a marine biologist trying to find herself again after the death of her closest friend. Between the grief, we see how much we as people rely on each other in times of need. I love that the main character is gay, but that this story isn't about being gay. I find it incredibly satisfying when the character's simply just are because that is what real life is like, at least for me. I too would be curious of the cute B&B owner who also rehabilitates injured animals.
If I had to compare it to anything, I would say The Jellyfish Problem is as if Tessa bottled up an episode of Gilmore Girls and put it in a book.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book feels hard to rate. Jo is an autistic coded FMC, who turned her obsession with jellyfish into a career. I loved that she found a job she was happy in that allowed her the freedom to study and research jellyfish.
This is a story about grief, acceptance and moving on as much as it is about a mystery jellyfish trapping an island.
Jo learning how to deal with the recent loss of her best friend, and facing the reality that her former best friend in college never felt what she did is hard for her.
The story gets pretty mystical and magical - and while I do love the bits with Aldo's ghost (and the back and forth comments on the paper that are writing), the connection to the jellyfiah and effects it had were eyebrow raising and a little baffling.
It's definitely got a slow and steady feel to the writing, and while I liked Jo and Tony, I found the rest of the Islanders a little flat as Jo herself never allowed much of a connection. Even Margo who I loved, didn't contain much substance as Jo was always rushing away from her.
Overall I liked the story, and it was a very different kind of book. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Jellyfish and the island, and while there is no animal voice, there is a deep connection between the creature and the humans.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
This is a story about grief, acceptance and moving on as much as it is about a mystery jellyfish trapping an island.
Jo learning how to deal with the recent loss of her best friend, and facing the reality that her former best friend in college never felt what she did is hard for her.
The story gets pretty mystical and magical - and while I do love the bits with Aldo's ghost (and the back and forth comments on the paper that are writing), the connection to the jellyfiah and effects it had were eyebrow raising and a little baffling.
It's definitely got a slow and steady feel to the writing, and while I liked Jo and Tony, I found the rest of the Islanders a little flat as Jo herself never allowed much of a connection. Even Margo who I loved, didn't contain much substance as Jo was always rushing away from her.
Overall I liked the story, and it was a very different kind of book. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Jellyfish and the island, and while there is no animal voice, there is a deep connection between the creature and the humans.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Like many others, I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures and hoped this novel would offer a similar experience. Sadly, it fell short of those expectations.
Jo Ness is a marine biologist summoned to a small island off the Maine coast to investigate what appears to be an unknown species of jellyfish. She arrives burdened by two painful pasts: a brief relationship with Nadia that ended eleven years ago, and the recent loss of her colleague Aldo, for whose death she feels responsible. Shatterling Island itself is richly populated with memorable characters, most notably Tony, who becomes central to Jo's time there. A line of Tony's struck me as the novel's most fitting epigraph: "Things die, Jo, she said quietly, so that others can live."
I enjoyed the short quotes opening each chapter, and particularly loved the exchanges between Jo and Aldo that followed them — these felt true to both characters and were among the book's highlights. Unfortunately, they weren't enough to elevate the novel as a whole. The story carries too many subplots, each competing for attention without fully earning it, and the frequent use of scientific nomenclature felt more distracting than immersive.
A disappointing read, though not without its moments.
Thank you to Berklt Marketing for an advance copy of this book.
Jo Ness is a marine biologist summoned to a small island off the Maine coast to investigate what appears to be an unknown species of jellyfish. She arrives burdened by two painful pasts: a brief relationship with Nadia that ended eleven years ago, and the recent loss of her colleague Aldo, for whose death she feels responsible. Shatterling Island itself is richly populated with memorable characters, most notably Tony, who becomes central to Jo's time there. A line of Tony's struck me as the novel's most fitting epigraph: "Things die, Jo, she said quietly, so that others can live."
I enjoyed the short quotes opening each chapter, and particularly loved the exchanges between Jo and Aldo that followed them — these felt true to both characters and were among the book's highlights. Unfortunately, they weren't enough to elevate the novel as a whole. The story carries too many subplots, each competing for attention without fully earning it, and the frequent use of scientific nomenclature felt more distracting than immersive.
A disappointing read, though not without its moments.
Thank you to Berklt Marketing for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure how to rate this book. It had moments were it captured me and I found the storyline really compelling and interesting and other times where I just found the storyline to drag on. I found it especially hard to connect with any of the characters. I just felt like we didn't really know the characters that well or the information we did learn was pretty surface level.
I would classify this book as a realistic fiction that has elements of fantasy to it. 'The Jellyfish Problem' not only discusses jellyfish, but it also deals with themes of grief, acceptance.
I actually really did love the moments we got to learn more about the mysterious jellyfish and all their wonderful quirks. 🪼 I loved the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter that included editing comments from the main characters from their book on jellyfish. It was something I haven't really seen before in other books I've read and I thought it added such a funny and refreshing touch to the storyline.
Overall, I feel this book would be good for readers who are looking to slowly be introduced into the fantasy genre but who still want some realistic aspects to the storyline. 2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of 'The Jellyfish Problem' by Tessa Yang in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I would classify this book as a realistic fiction that has elements of fantasy to it. 'The Jellyfish Problem' not only discusses jellyfish, but it also deals with themes of grief, acceptance.
I actually really did love the moments we got to learn more about the mysterious jellyfish and all their wonderful quirks. 🪼 I loved the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter that included editing comments from the main characters from their book on jellyfish. It was something I haven't really seen before in other books I've read and I thought it added such a funny and refreshing touch to the storyline.
Overall, I feel this book would be good for readers who are looking to slowly be introduced into the fantasy genre but who still want some realistic aspects to the storyline. 2.5 ⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of 'The Jellyfish Problem' by Tessa Yang in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
The cover is gorgeous. This title is marketed as "for fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures." This book is nothing like that title and is very misleading. I forced myself to finish it because it is a slow paced novel without a lot of action. I don't feel like anything was actually resolved. I guess I wanted more about Clementine and was expecting more of a mystery/thriller vibe since Nadia disappears but that wasn't the case either.
Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people except her best friend, Aldo, 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.
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.
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.
The cover is gorgeous. This title is marketed as "for fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures." This book is nothing like that title and is very misleading. I forced myself to finish it because it is a slow paced novel without a lot of action. I don't feel like anything was actually resolved. I guess I wanted more about Clementine and was expecting more of a mystery/thriller vibe since Nadia disappears but that wasn't the case either.
Dr. Jo Ness prefers jellyfish to people except her best friend, Aldo, 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.
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I requested an early copy of this book due to a marketing email that compared it to Remarkably Bright Creatures, which I loved. It took me a few chapters to wrap my head around the fact that this novel is nothing like that one, so be aware that the books are nothing like each other. The Jellyfish Problem focuses on Marine biologist Josephine (Jo) who has focused all her research on jellyfish and works at a tiny aquarium near Joshua Tree. When she gets a call for help from college friend Nadia who is living on a tiny island off the coast of Maine telling her about a giant, glowing mysterious jellyfish that is causing issues, Jo jumps on a plane to help. Once she gets to this island of not even 50 people however, she finds things are really not what she expected.
This is a primarily a mystery, with magical realism, as well as a tale of grief and some found family, with a bonus scientific fact about jellyfish starting every chapter and even a little ghostly story. Although it did take me a few chapters to get involved in the story once I did I enjoyed the mystery and the quirky small town characters, as well as the originality of the tale. If you are looking for something a little different, and enjoy a mystery with magical realism, give this one a try. Thank you to net galley and penguin random house for the e galley. My opinions are entirely my own.
This is a primarily a mystery, with magical realism, as well as a tale of grief and some found family, with a bonus scientific fact about jellyfish starting every chapter and even a little ghostly story. Although it did take me a few chapters to get involved in the story once I did I enjoyed the mystery and the quirky small town characters, as well as the originality of the tale. If you are looking for something a little different, and enjoy a mystery with magical realism, give this one a try. Thank you to net galley and penguin random house for the e galley. My opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tentacles, Tides, and Tender Hearts
Tessa Yang’s debut novel The Jellyfish Problem is a quietly thoughtful exploration of connection; between people, between communities, and between humans and the natural world. Set against the strange beauty of Shattering Point, Yang brings together a well-rounded and diverse cast of characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, all circling around the mysterious and oddly captivating presence of giant jellyfish. Along the way, readers learn a surprising amount about these delicate creatures, which become both metaphor and catalyst for the story’s deeper themes.
At its heart, the novel gently navigates grief and recovery, while slowly rediscovering the fragile threads that bind us to one another. Even with a few plot choices occasionally feel a bit questionable or abrupt, the emotional core of the story remains strong. Yang’s reflections on healing, community, and our shared responsibility to the wildlife around us leave a lasting impression, one that kept me invested enough to keep turning the pages to see what ultimately becomes of Clementine and everyone at Shattering Point.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Tessa Yang for this eARC!
Tessa Yang’s debut novel The Jellyfish Problem is a quietly thoughtful exploration of connection; between people, between communities, and between humans and the natural world. Set against the strange beauty of Shattering Point, Yang brings together a well-rounded and diverse cast of characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways, all circling around the mysterious and oddly captivating presence of giant jellyfish. Along the way, readers learn a surprising amount about these delicate creatures, which become both metaphor and catalyst for the story’s deeper themes.
At its heart, the novel gently navigates grief and recovery, while slowly rediscovering the fragile threads that bind us to one another. Even with a few plot choices occasionally feel a bit questionable or abrupt, the emotional core of the story remains strong. Yang’s reflections on healing, community, and our shared responsibility to the wildlife around us leave a lasting impression, one that kept me invested enough to keep turning the pages to see what ultimately becomes of Clementine and everyone at Shattering Point.
Thank you Berkley Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Tessa Yang for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Jellyfish problem is unlike any novel I have read. I really loved this story! It combines a wonderful tale with strong characters and relationships, a little zoology, and a bit of mysticism. The characters deal with grief, loneliness, friendship, family and fear all while encountering what may be a giant jellyfish.
The main character, Dr. Jo is grieving, working in isolation in a small aquarium in a small town. She is called to investigate a massive jellyfish that is lurking off the shores of a small island in Maine. What follows is a study of how differing characters deal with the unknown reality of such a mystery.
We see fear, wonder, resignation, acceptance and love. We feel Dr. Jo’s awe of the beast as well as her cares for the inhabitants of the Island. We see how the appearance of the jellyfish affects relationships and threatens the community.
The writing is quite spare, and the author leaves some descriptors to the imagination, some of which may depend on how you fell about jellies. I had just watched My Octopus Teacher and this novel reminded me of how little we know of these creatures. The fact that we may fear Jellyfish may blind us to their unique qualities.
This novel would be an excellent choice for book clubs and we can find so many metaphors to unpack!
The main character, Dr. Jo is grieving, working in isolation in a small aquarium in a small town. She is called to investigate a massive jellyfish that is lurking off the shores of a small island in Maine. What follows is a study of how differing characters deal with the unknown reality of such a mystery.
We see fear, wonder, resignation, acceptance and love. We feel Dr. Jo’s awe of the beast as well as her cares for the inhabitants of the Island. We see how the appearance of the jellyfish affects relationships and threatens the community.
The writing is quite spare, and the author leaves some descriptors to the imagination, some of which may depend on how you fell about jellies. I had just watched My Octopus Teacher and this novel reminded me of how little we know of these creatures. The fact that we may fear Jellyfish may blind us to their unique qualities.
This novel would be an excellent choice for book clubs and we can find so many metaphors to unpack!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars. THE JELLYFISH PROBLEM follows Jo, a jellyfish expert who travels to a remote island off the coast of Maine to research a jellyfish the size of a sea monster at the request of an old friend from college, Nadia. The story then takes a turn when Nadia disappears shortly before Jo’s arrival, and the townspeople won’t share what they know about this jellyfish.
Throughout the story are many undercurrents. Jo is anguished over the unexpected loss of her best friend and writing partner, Aldo. Jo also struggles with the inability to connect with others.
THE JELLYFISH PROBLEM has an underlying LGBT theme. Jo had a brief fling with Nadia, one of the key drivers for her dropping everything to visit the island where Nadia resides. She’s also attracted to Tony (interestingly, not spelled Toni), the niece of the B&B owner where Jo is staying.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially the cleverness of the ending.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
Throughout the story are many undercurrents. Jo is anguished over the unexpected loss of her best friend and writing partner, Aldo. Jo also struggles with the inability to connect with others.
THE JELLYFISH PROBLEM has an underlying LGBT theme. Jo had a brief fling with Nadia, one of the key drivers for her dropping everything to visit the island where Nadia resides. She’s also attracted to Tony (interestingly, not spelled Toni), the niece of the B&B owner where Jo is staying.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, especially the cleverness of the ending.
🌟Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.🌟
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an intriguing book with a concept unlike anything I've read before. It follows Jo as she navigates her grief after the loss of her best friend, as she unexpectedly comes into contact with the most exciting opportunity of her professional life on a remote island.
I do enjoy magical realism, but this took things almost too far with the instant acceptance of the fantastical elements of the story without any prior worldbuilding that would have supported such an instant and complete reversal. It is rare for me to say a book should have been longer, but in this case, I would have liked to see a more gradual shift from disbelief to complete acceptance, even if that meant another chapter or two.
Still, I would definitely recommend this book as it told a very unique story and was also very informative about the wide world of jellyfish.
I received this as an advanced review copy before publication. My review was optional.
I do enjoy magical realism, but this took things almost too far with the instant acceptance of the fantastical elements of the story without any prior worldbuilding that would have supported such an instant and complete reversal. It is rare for me to say a book should have been longer, but in this case, I would have liked to see a more gradual shift from disbelief to complete acceptance, even if that meant another chapter or two.
Still, I would definitely recommend this book as it told a very unique story and was also very informative about the wide world of jellyfish.
I received this as an advanced review copy before publication. My review was optional.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off, I'm gong to go ahead and disagree with anyone comparing this to Remarkably Bright Creatures. That aside, I did really enjoy the majority of this book. The overall tone of the story was ominous and mysterious and I wanted to keep reading to see what was really going on. As I was reading I questioned whether the main character, Jo was just psychotic or if there really was a giant jellyfish. I enjoyed all of the facts about jellyfish we got while reading, and I learned some new things for sure.
This book had a bit of magical realism that I wasn't really expecting but which I did enjoy. I felt like the middle of the book lagged a little and the climax was over with a bit too quickly. On the whole, I think the story was good but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Still a solid read and I would recommend to others. 3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had a bit of magical realism that I wasn't really expecting but which I did enjoy. I felt like the middle of the book lagged a little and the climax was over with a bit too quickly. On the whole, I think the story was good but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. Still a solid read and I would recommend to others. 3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wish the hive mind/community aspect of this read could overcome the fictitious giant jellyfish and folklore crossover, but this one didn’t land for me. The beginning felt optimistic with a woman looking for a change and a return to old love after loss. Then Nadia is missing, the nebulous sea creature has the island people baffled, and Jo might pass out at any second with multiple potential causes. If this book slanted deep to the folklore and fantasy I think it could have worked. Alternatively, if it had remained more truly in the here and now, with some tweaks, Clementine is lovable. Instead I feel like this presents as a knockoff Studio Ghibli film where the jelly has more to teach Jo, Tony, and Nadi, we just don’t quite know what it is. Engaging, but a bit disconnected in the end.
I am grateful to have received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. #TheJellyfishProblem #NetGalley #BerkleyPub
I am grateful to have received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. #TheJellyfishProblem #NetGalley #BerkleyPub
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