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Salvage: A Graphic Novel
Not yet published
Expected 21 Jul 26In this heartwarming graphic novel romance from the adaptor and illustrator of The Handmaid’s The Graphic Novel, two young artists' paths intertwine as they navigate the complexities of love in a world where sea levels have risen and society is sharply divided.
Paolo lives in the Flats, a dangerous, water-logged community where families survive by salvaging materials from skyscrapers hidden just beneath the ocean’s surface—remnants of a world before sea levels rose. Scavenging the depths comes with its risks, but when Paolo discovers a suitcase of designer clothes, he decides to fulfill his To spend one night in the Uplands, a place of privilege, excess, and freedom. There he meets Jules and her friends, and what begins as a single night of reckless adventure turns into a secret double life—and a seemingly impossible romance that forces Paolo to reckon with who he is, where he belongs, and the importance of being honest.
Rendered in vibrant watercolor illustrations that bring every scene to vivid life, Salvage is as much a visual masterpiece as it is a moving tale of love and self-discovery. Renée Nault’s atmospheric and luminous hand-painted art draws readers into Paolo and Jules’ world, promising an unforgettable coming of age story.
Paolo lives in the Flats, a dangerous, water-logged community where families survive by salvaging materials from skyscrapers hidden just beneath the ocean’s surface—remnants of a world before sea levels rose. Scavenging the depths comes with its risks, but when Paolo discovers a suitcase of designer clothes, he decides to fulfill his To spend one night in the Uplands, a place of privilege, excess, and freedom. There he meets Jules and her friends, and what begins as a single night of reckless adventure turns into a secret double life—and a seemingly impossible romance that forces Paolo to reckon with who he is, where he belongs, and the importance of being honest.
Rendered in vibrant watercolor illustrations that bring every scene to vivid life, Salvage is as much a visual masterpiece as it is a moving tale of love and self-discovery. Renée Nault’s atmospheric and luminous hand-painted art draws readers into Paolo and Jules’ world, promising an unforgettable coming of age story.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Renée Nault
8 books157 followersRenee Nault is a Canadian artist, illustrator, and graphic novelist. She is known for her vivid watercolor and ink illustrations. Her work has appeared in books, magazines, newspapers and advertising around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this graphic novel the colorful cover really caught my eye and I didn’t read synopsis before requesting and im glad I didn’t because i really enjoyed this book and the artwork this novel follows 2 characters but mostly our main character and the life he lives down below and how people make ends meet and community and then we have his love interest who he meets when he travels to the other place ABOVE from them which is definitely more advanced and more privileged then the town we see our main lead in and then we see him catch feelings and her catch feelings however she doesn’t know that he’s from down under basically and its very looked down upon and people are very rude about it and so we just see him come up to her town and stuff and making friends and also some people in his town feeling betrayed because he’s going up there more and not being around much i thought the colorful artwork in the other town was BEAUTIFUL and so pigmented with so many artsy colors and i enjoyed the artwork from his town as well and the characters overall it was a great graphic novel!
March 16, 2026
Review to come!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"You can tell me the truth. There's something you've been hiding, isn't there?"
Young and in love in a world where society is deeply divided.
Salvage is due for release on July 21, 2026.
🎶Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she's never had a backstreet guy
I bet her momma never told her why
I'm gonna try for an Uptown girl🎶
-Billy Joel 1983
Jules sparkles in the Uplands, the glamorous daughter of a movie star, while Paolo scrapes by down in the Flats, where stilt houses teeter above the restless sea and every day is a hunt for treasure among the trash. When Paolo discovers a suitcase brimming with vintage clothes, he transforms himself and slips into the world of the rich, where he is swept up by both the dazzling lifestyle and Jules herself. Soon, Paolo is juggling two lives, torn between his roots and the allure of the Uplands. How long can he keep his secret? What will happen if Jules and her friends uncover the truth? Dive into this stunning graphic novel, where every watercolor panel is a dream-like, gorgeous work of art.
This story is irresistibly charming. But I thought some of the dialogue and storyline were a little too juvenile and basic for a YA book; some of it leans a tad more towards middle grade. The artwork steals the show. The lush illustrations invite you to lose yourself in their enchanting world.
A big Thank You to Renée Nault, NetGalley, and Ten Speed Press for gifting me this advanced copy. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review this graphic novel.
Young and in love in a world where society is deeply divided.
Salvage is due for release on July 21, 2026.
🎶Uptown girl
She's been living in her uptown world
I bet she's never had a backstreet guy
I bet her momma never told her why
I'm gonna try for an Uptown girl🎶
-Billy Joel 1983
Jules sparkles in the Uplands, the glamorous daughter of a movie star, while Paolo scrapes by down in the Flats, where stilt houses teeter above the restless sea and every day is a hunt for treasure among the trash. When Paolo discovers a suitcase brimming with vintage clothes, he transforms himself and slips into the world of the rich, where he is swept up by both the dazzling lifestyle and Jules herself. Soon, Paolo is juggling two lives, torn between his roots and the allure of the Uplands. How long can he keep his secret? What will happen if Jules and her friends uncover the truth? Dive into this stunning graphic novel, where every watercolor panel is a dream-like, gorgeous work of art.
This story is irresistibly charming. But I thought some of the dialogue and storyline were a little too juvenile and basic for a YA book; some of it leans a tad more towards middle grade. The artwork steals the show. The lush illustrations invite you to lose yourself in their enchanting world.
A big Thank You to Renée Nault, NetGalley, and Ten Speed Press for gifting me this advanced copy. It was an absolute pleasure to read and review this graphic novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a beautiful sci-fi coming-of-age graphic novel.
Set in a future where water levels have risen dramatically, a stark class divide has formed between those living at sea level and those high up in glamorous skyscrapers. MMC Paulo lives on the water in the Flats, where he works as a diver, salvaging vintage items from the depths and selling them at the market to help support his family. In his spare time, he creates art and scrolls social media, living vicariously through the lavish lifestyles he sees online. One day, on a dive, he makes a great discovery of pristine clothes and decides to wear them to explore the upper city, the Uplands. There, he meets FMC Jules and her posh friends and quickly becomes engrossed in their lifestyle.
I loved this book! The artwork is phenomenal, with beautiful watercolor illustrations that range from the bright, glamorous city to the floating salvage settlements and the preserved underwater ruins. Even though I am much older than the characters, I still found the story captivating, and despite their flaws, they were easy to root for. Several character arcs weave together into a hopeful, heartwarming story. I also really enjoyed the afterward, which included insight into the art process and early sketches.
This is a wonderful first original graphic novel from Nault. I can’t wait to see more from her. In the meantime, I’ll have to reread The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel so I can spend more time with her beautiful artwork.
Art: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
***I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
This is a beautiful sci-fi coming-of-age graphic novel.
Set in a future where water levels have risen dramatically, a stark class divide has formed between those living at sea level and those high up in glamorous skyscrapers. MMC Paulo lives on the water in the Flats, where he works as a diver, salvaging vintage items from the depths and selling them at the market to help support his family. In his spare time, he creates art and scrolls social media, living vicariously through the lavish lifestyles he sees online. One day, on a dive, he makes a great discovery of pristine clothes and decides to wear them to explore the upper city, the Uplands. There, he meets FMC Jules and her posh friends and quickly becomes engrossed in their lifestyle.
I loved this book! The artwork is phenomenal, with beautiful watercolor illustrations that range from the bright, glamorous city to the floating salvage settlements and the preserved underwater ruins. Even though I am much older than the characters, I still found the story captivating, and despite their flaws, they were easy to root for. Several character arcs weave together into a hopeful, heartwarming story. I also really enjoyed the afterward, which included insight into the art process and early sketches.
This is a wonderful first original graphic novel from Nault. I can’t wait to see more from her. In the meantime, I’ll have to reread The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel so I can spend more time with her beautiful artwork.
Art: 5/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 5/5
***I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love that my recent comic ARCs are such good picks that I just feel so satisfied after reading them.
This fell into my lap right before I finished the Lazarus anime which also deals with melting of the Arctic in a way and definitely with warnings about nature and our future. There were several overlaps that my brain connected and maybe just helped to make this comic more alive in my head, imagining it as anime. Did I also read this while there was a storm raging outside with 120/kph winds and did it help to set the atmosphere? Yep.
Firstly, I need to say how much I loved the art style and finding out at the end of the comic how the author styled both Paolo and Jules. I loved how the characters looked, the dress style and the color palettes of the entire comic. The reality of the Flats and the dreaminess of the Upper world, so much was expressed just by using all the right colors.
Secondly, as far as the story goes, it's a pretty typical story but I loved the setting - everything from the Flats to the richness of Jules' world, the differences between salvaging stuff to survive and everyone else buying it only to show off and then find something else for the next day. The society contrast and remarks were sometimes on the nose but most of the time subtle enough and shown only through Paolo's reactions (the fireworks for example).
Lastly, the love story was predictable but very sweet. The fish, the art, the quiet realizations... it all fit well.
Thank you to author and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and my own.
This fell into my lap right before I finished the Lazarus anime which also deals with melting of the Arctic in a way and definitely with warnings about nature and our future. There were several overlaps that my brain connected and maybe just helped to make this comic more alive in my head, imagining it as anime. Did I also read this while there was a storm raging outside with 120/kph winds and did it help to set the atmosphere? Yep.
Firstly, I need to say how much I loved the art style and finding out at the end of the comic how the author styled both Paolo and Jules. I loved how the characters looked, the dress style and the color palettes of the entire comic. The reality of the Flats and the dreaminess of the Upper world, so much was expressed just by using all the right colors.
Secondly, as far as the story goes, it's a pretty typical story but I loved the setting - everything from the Flats to the richness of Jules' world, the differences between salvaging stuff to survive and everyone else buying it only to show off and then find something else for the next day. The society contrast and remarks were sometimes on the nose but most of the time subtle enough and shown only through Paolo's reactions (the fireworks for example).
Lastly, the love story was predictable but very sweet. The fish, the art, the quiet realizations... it all fit well.
Thank you to author and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“I wanna be where the people are, I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'” -Little Mermaid, ‘Part of Your World’
Paolo has always lived in the Flats, below the gleaning city of the Uplands. The Flats are a makeshift city that lives right off the water. The people deep dive into the water to make a living and survive, but where they lack in wealth, they are affluent in community. The Uplands are more of a privileged, high tech society, but with less...soul.
Whilst searching for treasures, Paolo comes upon a watertight suitcase that has vintage "Uplands" clothing. Paolo dons the attire, makes the long journey from the Flats to the Uplands, and literally finds himself in a whole different world. He meets new people, experiences new things, and perhaps love? Unfortunately, trying to live two entirely different lives is difficult to balance with work, friends, and home.
Why did this have to be over already?! I need more ASAP! The artwork, the original story, the dialogue...and there's a cat! What more could you want? Read it now!
#ThxNetGalley #ReneeNault #Salvage
Paolo has always lived in the Flats, below the gleaning city of the Uplands. The Flats are a makeshift city that lives right off the water. The people deep dive into the water to make a living and survive, but where they lack in wealth, they are affluent in community. The Uplands are more of a privileged, high tech society, but with less...soul.
Whilst searching for treasures, Paolo comes upon a watertight suitcase that has vintage "Uplands" clothing. Paolo dons the attire, makes the long journey from the Flats to the Uplands, and literally finds himself in a whole different world. He meets new people, experiences new things, and perhaps love? Unfortunately, trying to live two entirely different lives is difficult to balance with work, friends, and home.
Why did this have to be over already?! I need more ASAP! The artwork, the original story, the dialogue...and there's a cat! What more could you want? Read it now!
#ThxNetGalley #ReneeNault #Salvage
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed it. A lot. Salvage is a heartfelt graphic novel about two young artists meeting across a very literal class divide. Paolo lives in the Flats, scavenging flooded skyscrapers to survive. Jules lives in the Uplands, where life is glossy, curated, and built on status. When Paolo finds clothes that let him pass as one of the elite, he slips into that world. They meet and things get complicated.
The watercolor art is gorgeous. The Uplands burst with bright color and movement, while the Flats feel worn, and heavy with salt and rust.
Storywise, it’s simple and a bit naïve about art and friendship overcoming deep social divides. That said, there’s something refreshing about that optimism. In a world that often feels relentlessly bleak, Salvage offers a warmer alternative and it was nice to get lost in this world for a while.
ARC through NetGalley
The watercolor art is gorgeous. The Uplands burst with bright color and movement, while the Flats feel worn, and heavy with salt and rust.
Storywise, it’s simple and a bit naïve about art and friendship overcoming deep social divides. That said, there’s something refreshing about that optimism. In a world that often feels relentlessly bleak, Salvage offers a warmer alternative and it was nice to get lost in this world for a while.
ARC through NetGalley
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March 28, 2026Classic social divide love story set in futuristic world.
Lots of great things, such as the beautiful drawings, the bright colours, the environmental aspect, the art talks, the friendships, the good intentions all around.
A few not great things, the relationships and plot is a little simple, I think this is definitly YA more than new adult and I don't particularly like the "poor communication" plots so I found that a little frustrating.
But this is a fast and pleasant read, perfect for teens searching for themselves and looking for their place in the world.
Lots of great things, such as the beautiful drawings, the bright colours, the environmental aspect, the art talks, the friendships, the good intentions all around.
A few not great things, the relationships and plot is a little simple, I think this is definitly YA more than new adult and I don't particularly like the "poor communication" plots so I found that a little frustrating.
But this is a fast and pleasant read, perfect for teens searching for themselves and looking for their place in the world.
March 9, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eArc in return for an honest review.
This is a beautiful graphic novel set in the future where the world/cities are almost completely submerged underwater. Our MC, Paolo, lives in the Flats where people scavenge for materials to survive. He meets Jules and her friends who live in the Uplands. A very different and much more privileged place compared to the Flats.
The book follows a love story, and at the heart of the story is great to say on the lives of the elite and how tiring and fake social media is.
I think the illustrations were absolutely wonderful with the use of watercolour and graphics.
I would have loved to see more of the world.
It’s a sweet story!
This is a beautiful graphic novel set in the future where the world/cities are almost completely submerged underwater. Our MC, Paolo, lives in the Flats where people scavenge for materials to survive. He meets Jules and her friends who live in the Uplands. A very different and much more privileged place compared to the Flats.
The book follows a love story, and at the heart of the story is great to say on the lives of the elite and how tiring and fake social media is.
I think the illustrations were absolutely wonderful with the use of watercolour and graphics.
I would have loved to see more of the world.
It’s a sweet story!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amazing read!!! I quite enjoyed the storyline and the romance!!! They both are so innocent about love it so cute!! It like a typical romance story we cant be together because we are living in different world. But the back story setting of the world is different. I love it!! I love their friends also cuz they all are supportive!! Love the art style also!!
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this amazing book~
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the chance to read this amazing book~
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A GOEGEOUS, colorful graphic novel exploring the differences between class and income rate in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world. It was beautiful in art style and also representation. The romance was cute but real in its lies. And I really loved all the side characters!
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love this! The illustrations are so beautiful. Really bring out the world. The dystopia story is really interesting as well. The difference in society for both characters is so relevant to the world right now too. Solid first graphic novel from this author/illustrator! Thanks to Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was such a beautiful visual treat! I absolutely loved the art style, I thought it went very well with the story and really brought everything together. The characters were sweet and enjoyable to get to know. I loved the premise of the story, I thought it was really interesting. Really enjoyed this, it was really sweet and lovely to read.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Renée Nault and Clarkson Potter./en Speed Press for a NetGalley ARC of Salvage!
4.5/5⭐
This might just be the most beautiful graphic novel I’ve ever read! I adored these characters, they were all unique and endearing. The storyline was well done and perfect for a YA book. I just wish it was longer, because I enjoyed it so much!💕
4.5/5⭐
This might just be the most beautiful graphic novel I’ve ever read! I adored these characters, they were all unique and endearing. The storyline was well done and perfect for a YA book. I just wish it was longer, because I enjoyed it so much!💕
March 28, 2026
Received an early copy from Net Galley! Really enjoyed it. A classic story of falling for someone you shouldn’t. But the world was intriguing, the characters interesting and the art beautiful. I have so many questions for this world and hope to see more of it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
loved the art more than the story, all in all it was a lovely comic. The art is absolutely beautiful, I’d pick up this book for the art alone.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Salvage by Renée Nault, is a cozy story about two young artists who live at opposite ends of a post-apocalyptic flooded Earth. Paolo is a young man who lives at the bottom; his family dives for relics to sell to wealthy customers. Jules is a wealthy art student, living alone in a high rise at the top of the city. They accidentally meet when Paolo finds a suitcase of stylish vintage clothes and decides to masquerade as a city dweller. What follows is a very charming and heartwarming story.
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. I don't want to give away more of the story because it's a quick read. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and the story is simple and kinda wholesome.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to the e-book ARC.
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. I don't want to give away more of the story because it's a quick read. The artwork is absolutely beautiful, and the story is simple and kinda wholesome.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to the e-book ARC.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews