Salvage: A Graphic Novel

by Renée Nault

In 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.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Romance, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Renee 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.

Reviews

[Stingray · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH A GOOD COMIC BOOK INSTANT 5 STARS

[norm · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Hetty · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Bookmeaway]

Salvage is a touching heartfelt story about two people that weren't meant to meet, but somehow did. And it changed both of their lives. And also of those around them.

I barely read the synopsis of the book because the cover and its elements was enough to intrigue me. I knew I would probably like the story not knowing what it would exactly be about. But we can see the theme of two different worlds, a separation, between a bright, visually dynamic, colorful up, and a blue darker, calmer, underwater down, and two characters that seem opposite.

"I know it's not an easy life here.
But we have every-thing we need.
And we take care of each other.
That's a lot. Don't you think ?"

This graphic novel is really beautiful. The artwork and illustrations are mastered, well executed. The drawing and colors are expressive and hold the ambiance, the context and the emotions in it.

Paolo is a diver, and he lives in the Flats. It's where the climate refugees ended up, right at the contact of water, barely above it. The residents built houses on stilts. Half of the time they are on boats.
Part of the inhabitants of Flats make a living by salvaging objects from the past. Relics made before the big flood. They dive, they recover, they clean and they sell it at the Vintage Market.

Paolo admires the Uplands that he sees a glimpse of through social media. And one day he decides to go there...

"It's pretty, isn't it ? It's hard to believe the whole world looked like this once. Things growing everywhere.
- Wait, what is this place ? It's amazing !
- Just a shortcut.
- Can anyone come here ? Like, anytime they want ?
- Sure, but it's just plants."

There's clearly a critic of this type of life of appearence. It seems fake and superficial for the reader, for an exterior eye. This upper society is focused on technology, fashion, experiences. Always changing. There's an excess of ressources. They live on social media, through social media. With their ridiculous rating system, and reviewing everything in a excessive way. I felt Black Mirror vibe from some scenes. If you know, you know.

While down there they lack of everything. Shelter, food, and safety.

"I mean... Art doesn't exist just to make money. It exists to make people feel things. To say all the things we can't say with words."

It's a criticism of overconsumption. People up there are following so many new trends that change every few days. The high speed of things, fashion, tech bars, artsy stuff, but everything is fake. (Kind of unauthentic. Meaningless). It's consumed just for fame, to be seen as cool and trendy.
It kind of reminded me of the elite of the Capitol from the Hunger Games.

"This is what I keep telling people - you gotta be prepared because no matter how clear the sky looks you just never know when something awful is going to happen."

I love how Renée Nault uses her colors when Paolo goes to the Uplands. There's a clear shift. Everything looks dreamy and vibrant. You feel like it's a very different world, almost unreal. Dreamlike. Intense. Almost artificial. Extravagant. Everything is extravagant and over the top up there. There's too much technology. Everything is done through connections. It's so easy to find a job. Poeple up there don't struggle to make ends meet. You have an interest in something ? Someone you know will pull some strings for you.

"I was so jealous of you guys. But it wasn't ever really about clothes and parties. It was because it's like there's a shorter gap between you and your dreams."

In contrast, when we go back to the Flats, the colors are more faded, brownish. You can almost smell the salted water, the humidity and the warmth of the sun. It looks more like real life. Where they really have to struggle to make ends meet, unlike up there.

I've learned to appreciate Jules as the story went on. She's a sensitive person, artsy and curious. Though she's also partially part of the product of the society she grew up in. Her mother, a very famous actress, is too absorbed by her work to really pay attention to her daughter. She lets her down, doesn't even know what her daughter likes, and Jules is kind of abandonned. She has anxiety, feeling the world is too much. Maybe that's what drives her to Paolo, now knowing why.

"Sometimes you can overwrite a bad memory with a good one."

At first, I had trouble getting into the story. I connected with Paolo more quickly than with the Highland characters. He felt more real, anchored in reality, relatable, like we could connect with him. Authentic. But the more I read the easier it got. I learned the challenges, the matters, the preoccupations of the different characters. Not only the main two, but also the people around them. The friends, the family, the group. They all have their own brighter side, positive input to bring.

I was truly charmed by our two main characters, Jules and Paolo. They are adorable. They carry the plot of this story. They bond over interests they have in common and... If you read Salvage you will see what more.

The storytelling is masterfully handled, seamlessly weaving together different points of view, the characters' memories and thoughts, and the present-day action. There's a lot of back and forth between the different point of view and it's very well done.

"I think art is how we show people who we really are. I mean, everyone's so focused on what we look like or how we talk or where we come from.
And they judge us based on that.
But when we make art--create things--it's like we can say, "You're wrong, this is me. The real me.""

The more I read, the more I realized that the Uplands reminded me of the Capitol from The Hunger Games. Not storywise but the aesthetics of these two worlds. The contrast between the over modern rich top and the simpler harder life of below. And their constant juxtaposition ultimately reminded me of the contrast between the Capitol and the poorest districts of Panem in The Hunger Games.

Moreover, just as I finished Salvage, the trailer for Sunrise on the Reaping was released just a few hours later. And yeah, now that I have seen it, there is that same game of contrasts to illustrate how opposite they are.

"Maybe it's all just random anyway, and the only place we belong is where we decide to be."

I really enjoyed reading Salvage. It's a nice story with beautiful artwork and well-crafted narration. I picked up a lot of quotes as I was going through the pages. It's a whole journey in which you feel a lot of emotions. It's serious, dark, funny, comforting, sad and hopeful. I do recommand reading it.

"Art should be seen by everyone.
It shouldn't just sit in the dark."

What a great piece of art Renée Nault created for her first original graphic novel !

Thank you to Ten Speed Graphic and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Veron · Rating 4 out of 5]

From working on the graphic novel adaptation of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, Renée Nault imagines an alternate dystopia, one where sea level elevation only exacerbated class inequalities but where love can still bridge differences.

Salvage: A Graphic Novel brings us to a world deeply divided by a climate catastrophe. The sea level has now overtaken skyscrapers, leaving fewer lands habitable to the world population. Climate refugees from diverse origins settled on coastal communities raised on shallow seawaters called the “Flats”, similar to the communities in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Philippines. They live on salvaging valuables from the cities that have become submerged underwater and selling them on weekly market days. We meet the protagonist Paolo here, a dutiful son and great artist with big dreams.

On the other hand, the “Uplands” is home to buildings unaffected by water, where social media influencers – somehow still a thing – are basically running the world as their opinions can make or break businesses. Enter our other protagonist who’s an artist as well: Jules, daughter to a famous actress slash absentee mother. Jules finds companionship with other ‘influencers’, some also children of already established names in culture and entertainment.

Their worlds meet when Paolo, on a regular diving expedition, finds a vintage jacket from the old world. Vintage items in good condition are scarce and are treated as a class symbol. He sneaks out to the Uplands, using his new-old jacket as a shield to blend in without raising suspicion, and runs into Jules’ friend group where he is accepted as the newest member. With this, he creates a double life: his regular routine in the morning then his newly-found city life overnight. When Paolo and Julie start to develop feelings for each other, the risk of Paolo getting caught only increased exponentially.

Salvage features magnificent vivid hand-painted watercolor visuals that elevated the story in many ways. My favorite details are the differences between the art style in depicting the Flats and the Uplands. The Flats, as we typically see in day time, is colored in a solid teal-red-orange palette while the Uplands is bathed in artificial, bright, fluid neons. As Paolo goes back and forth between these two worlds, Nault masterfully utilizes these differences to add subtext to his state of mind.

The author chose to not reveal everything in this world so in my mind there are still many questions including: How does the production of necessities function if most of the world, presumably including flat farmlands, are already underwater? If the ultra-wealthy still exist without having to worry about manual labor, where does the wealth come from? The Flats and the Uplands are the extremes of society so what does life look like for those in between? Despite these ambiguities, I still really love the thought and creativity put into illustrating the pages that made both of the worlds feel alive and dynamic. All details from the diverse locations to the wardrobe of filler characters are well thought of.

The romance, under the trope tradition of cross-class love, is well developed as the graphic novel dedicated a large portion of the page count to show what Paolo and Julie like about each other and their eventual special companionship. This is why I couldn’t look past the weakness of the conflict resolution where it felt like Paolo had more to compensate for despite both of them having faults to each other.

Paolo did lie throughout his time with Julie's friend group but it is proven that people wouldn’t treat him as they had if they knew his true origins. Julie set up an art gallery to exhibit Paolo's art in the Uplands and show his talent, following her exposure of Paolo's work as a market vendor. Sadly, I felt like this implied that people from the lower classes should have something to compensate (in this case, Paolo’s art talent) for them being poor. Everything is still subject to how much the rich can tolerate.

This disproportionate treatment is emphasized by one of the scenes where Paolo threw the vintage jacket to the ground which symbolized him turning his back from the fake life he built, only for that jacket to be replaced by Julie later on with a new one when she requested Paolo to return to the Uplands. Paolo still had to perform by wearing a new, branded jacket.



While the ending resolved everything nicely, I still felt like there was another, better way to show how two people can reconcile their differences that felt fair to both characters.

In the end, Salvage is a beautiful post-apocalyptic, cross-class romance that is elevated by its mesmerizing art that features its well-developed world but is slightly brought down by how it resolves its central conflict. Nevertheless, I would still recommend Salvage to fans of the medium and genre and will be on the lookout for more of Renee Nault’s art.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for an e-copy of the book in exchange of a review.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

2026 reading challenge category: A book in a different format than your usual

Thank you to Ten Speed Graphic & NetGalley for the ARC.

What a lovely debut graphic novel! The story is a fairly simple YA one of two teens from what seems like different worlds (figuratively speaking; they are very much in the same literal world) meeting and falling in love while both holding back from each other at the same time. But the world design, with the Flats and the Uplands, is beautiful. It's a setting that is very obviously impacted by the climate crisis and could maybe even be called post-apocalyptic? But there is a very distinct social and geographical divide between the "haves" and the climate refugee "have nots." There are two distinct color palettes used for these different areas which works so well; the Flats, while less privileged, has a beautiful warm-toned palette that evokes the sense of community the people there share, while the Uplands are bright and vibrant but also colder in color tones. I loved the art and character design overall, but I found the color palette selection in particular so striking and perfect that I think it's worthy of a specific call-out. Nault has some notes on the art at the end, none of which I found surprising but all of which I thought were a lovely glimpse into her thought process in designing these characters and this version of the world. There were a few sections where I found the panel layout a bit confusing in relation to how the dialogue was flowing and had to go back figure out how it was actually supposed to go. But overall I found this really enjoyable and I think it's a great entry for her into the original graphic novel space. I would recommend this to people who liked the setting of The Morningside (there is no plot similarity, but definite setting vibes) and to those who have been waiting literal years for the next panel of the Everblue webcomic.

[Ness · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ★
Thanks, NetGalley, for giving this to me!!!

It was cute, tho I believe the pacing was a bit off for this sort of story. We spend half the book establishing ambience, the two main characters barely talk, and after a few short encounters, they're head over heels for each other. Then, when the third-act breaking point comes, it leads to a lack of communication (even their friends tell them). On the brighter side, the art was stunning, the watercolour gave it such a good feel, especially with the coastal town and light-filled city. I really hope it gets a good quality print as it deserves. I found some speech bubbles reading order a bit messy, but the full art pages were stunning.

Now, since I'm not the biggest romance fan, I wanted to do a little spoiler area of plot stuff I find iffy.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Their relationship sprouted out of thin air to me. Half the book, and I was wondering when they'll address their feelings and how they'd build it. Took them a hot minute to just connect over their love of art. For then, the part that pissed me off, fell into a miscommunication, or lack of communication thereof. The characters were selfish, the lack of empathy from Paolo to his family and friends in his hometown, and from Jules to Paolo (girl, what do you mean you post the fact that he's poor even tho he's hardworking on a photo to humiliate him, then to fix it by exposing his art without his consent or knowledge to everyone??). I feel there should have been a bit more insight into their personal issues. Paolo's acceptance of his background and embrace of culture, and Jules fixing her trust issues (her mom was only addressed as a plot device without ever trying to fix their relationship).

I think a better distribution would have been better, with more time to address interpersonal issues and relationships outside their own.

[Adam Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely bowled over by Renée Nault's Salvage. It is a beautifully presented and gracefully told story of class disparity and romance in a future where rising tides have changed society. The story centres on Paolo who lives in the Flats, the town closest to the rising sea levels. During one of his routine diving exhibitions Paolo finds a cache of upmarket clothes. He suits up and travels to the Uplands, the privileged world above where the tides are a distant concern. Here he meets Jules, and from here a story of identity, longing, and sense of place emerges.

The star of the show is Nault's flat-out stunning watercolour artwork. The watercolour medium is so perfect for this future setting where water itself has transformed the world so drastically. We're given so many explosions of colour and textured pages where the watercolours truly come to life, and especially tell a story of contrasts between the Flats and the Uplands.

Alongside the gorgeous explosions of colour is the wonderful story. Nault weaves a narrative of people longing for more, and of art as an expression of identity within an uncertain world. It's also a story about the commodification of art within class structures, and how this plays into how we portray ourselves. Overlaid across all of this is a romance that sincerely moved me by its end. The relationship between Paolo and Jules is an affecting one that is perfectly elevated by such passionate art.

Books like Salvage are why I read graphic novels! It uses the medium to the highest level with such beauty that demonstrates so strongly why this art form is worth celebrating. I recommend this book to any comic readers or readers in general, and can't wait to explore more of Renée Nault's work.

A massive thanks to Ten Speed Press for the review copy of this one, what a delight!

[Leanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

This graphic novel takes two completely different lives and makes them meet. Paolo is from the Flats, which is considered the poorer community, while Jules is from the Uplands, which is the wealthy community. I very much enjoyed the ideas of wealth and society, as well as how one's upbringing not only impacts their future but their relationships with other people. Paolo and Jules are likeable characters, but I wish they both had more depth. I enjoyed seeing a lot of Paolo's home and backstory but I still feel like it could be developed further. Jules is seen more in Paolo's interactions with her rather than her own character development, which isn't bad, but again I just wanted more.
The world they live in is beautiful and has such a strict societal division, which is tackled by the end of the story. I really enjoyed the way it was dealt with and thought it offered up a good message of friendship and love coming from anywhere even if it is unexpected. The other side characters weren't super present, but all had enough of a defined personality in their few scenes, which was good. I do wish we got to see more of Paolo's diving adventures, since I thought those were some of the coolest scenes. It would be nice to see more of what is underwater, though that did not really have too much impact on Paolo's actual story line.
The art style was gorgeous and had a water color feel to it. I really enjoyed the contrast between colors of Jules and Paolo, it really helped to more clearly show the difference between them, since the Uplands had more bright, vibrant colors, while the Flats had more earthly, mellow tones. Overall it was a cute, fast read with a nice message of societal relations and how to move past differences.

[The Belladonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"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.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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.

[Kokechii · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Siina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Salvage is beautiful in its sadness. Paolo lives in the Flats, which is the result of the sea level rising. He and his family survive by diving stuff underwater after the flood and then selling it. Basically it's the slums on water - a dangerous place, but at the same time heartwarming communal togetherness. Being poor doesn't really mean you lack anything fully. Paolo finds a suitcase full of awesome clothes, but instead of selling the, he decides to wear them and goes up in the city, where rich people live. In Uplands he meets Jules and her friends and he keeps coming back. Of course this cannot go on, since he is lying about who he really is. But falling in love makes it harder to tell, since that's youth. Both Paolo and Jules are artistic too, which is nice and a somewhat different approach. Perhaps I wanted more pages and more understanding why everything is like it is. We only get a glimpse of what has happened, but I wanted more.

The art looks really nice and wonderfully wonky with bright beautiful colors. I liked that the characters are credible and dumb. Also the ending is good and proves that we aren't so different. It would've been great to understand Jules' situation better, since we only get glimpses of that too. Salvage is a good and interesting comic that could be even better. I do recommend it for teenagers, since it should resonate in them. It's a hopeful comic and we need that in this time.

[TendaiisNarrative · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved it!!! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC copy, because I don't think I would have found this story otherwise, and that would have been a big shame. This story is a great, bright dystopian exploring the effects of climate change and its subsequent home insecurities, classism, elitism, overconsumption, and forbidden love.

Stories like this can sometimes be a hit or miss for me, depending on how the material is handled, and I am ecstatic that I loved the execution of this story. Right away, you can tell that the author was intentional with the designs and portrayals of each character, and it pays off. Paola is Brazilian and Vietnamese, and in the back of the book, Nault brings attention to her inspirations in the design of the Flats, naming the floating neighbourhoods from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Nigeria.

The growth of all the characters, including June's friends, was something I really appreciated. On top of the art and the relationship between June and Paolo, it was one of my favourite aspects of the story. It's so easy to make characters like that one-dimensional and incapable of learning from outside experiences (which I see time and time again), forcing characters like June to choose, but that was not the case, and I really loved it.

I can't wait for the official release so that I can have a physical copy of this book.

[Bree ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salvage is a beautifully drawn graphic novel about Paolo, a painter that lives in the Flats, the lower section of a world that has been submerged by a rising sea level. After diving for items to salvage and sell in order to help his parents make a living, Paolo finds a suitcase full of vintage clothes. Curious about how it might feel to exist in the Uplands, the thriving upper level of civilization, Paolo wears the clothes and pretends to be an Uplander. After making friends and falling for Jules, a ceramicist that can tell he is hiding something, Paolo struggles to maintain his true self while pretending to be someone he isn't. There is a lot to think about in terms of the social stratification between the Flats and the Uplands, the themes of privilege, opulence, and freedom, and the clear consequences of global warming. I love the atmospheric and cozy way Nault painted the water both below and above sea level. Everything felt sparkly, bright, and weightless. The cast of characters is dynamic, balanced, and lovable. This story maintained my complete attention all the way through. I would love to see more from this author. I think a lot of teens will be able to resonate with Paolo and Jules. This was honestly a fantastic debut work!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for this e-ARC.

[Adri Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

“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

[Marie Sinadjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

THESE PAGES ARE HAND-PAINTED, TAKE THAT AI.

I knew I liked watercolor as a medium but this book just proved how much I did. The art is so pretty! The effect works for the setting and theme too, given that we have a dystopian world where the sea levels have risen and there's a whole city higher up in probably the clouds.

The plot's fairly predictable and with an almost too good to be true happy ending (the art show part, not the romance) but hey, let me have my escape. I liked the characters. It was nice to see the Upland kids change their tune and try to be better friends and more accepting of others who are not like them. It was also great to see Paolo's parents and how his dad later on realized how art made him happy even if it didn't sell. Plus the message about art! As a creative I feel it's very timely, considering the kind of world we live in today.

There's so much potential for stories in this world though, so I hope the author does more.

[Cerberus Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colourful Adventure about acceptance and love.

I really the artistic style of this graphic novel the contrast between the dull greys of the the flats compared to the overly bright and vibrant area of the uplands where the wealthy and elite live.

This book felt rather dystopian with the people in the flats diving into the old city that is now underwater to go and salvage things to try and make a profit.

Paolo an inspiring artist finds a waterproof suitcase filled with vintage clothes while looking for goods to salvage and tries it on to sneak into the uplands for one night.
There he meets Jules and her friends and it spirals out of control.

Now I do really wish Paolo was honest from the beginning as it may have prevented what transpired in the story. But then the story would have never happened.

I really loved Jules and how she was portrayed. Her character design is also beautiful.

Overall this story shows the divide between wealthy and poor. As well as how far people go to just feel accepted and loved.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salvage by Renee Nault is a very Cindarella-meets dystopian love story. The story follows Paolo who lives in "The Flats," land that has been mostly flooded out after climate change. He dives for junk from the before times that gets sold at flea markets, primarly by trendy uplanders. He finds an outfit and decides to go visit this upper class world where he befriends some influencers who document all of the things in their flashy interesting world. Paolo falls in love with Jules, but he can't be honest about where he's from, travelling back and forth between both places until the truth comes out. The art is beautiful and will probably be more so in a physical copy. The bright colors of the upland contrast well with the watery depths of the Flats. The plot was a little light for me as an adult, but teens may enjoy the "out of place" sense that Paolo experiences as he and Jules work around their feelings. A secondary purchase or a main purchase for schools looking for more romance graphic novels. Thank you to net galley and the publishers for this ARC.

[Kelsey Vargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

This is a visually striking graphic novel about the desire to belong and find meaning in a vapid, decaying reality. Two teenagers who love art have a chance meeting that shifts both of their lives for the better. They'll need to set aside their preconceived notions however to remain friends... or perhaps something more.

Creating a dual worlds narrative within a post climate disaster setting, I found to be rather impactful. Those on the fridges struggling to survive cannot fathom the luxuries taken for granted by the wealthy. Yet even those at the top crave a sense of belonging and meaning, being surrounded by everything they could ever desire makes things hollow.

I adored the striking and emotional watercolor art in this book!!! If you are looking for a YA graphic novel about class disparity, set in a future that isn't all that disconnected from our present, give this a shot.

[Lukasz · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[H. Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I’ve noticed about students since the pandemic is that they’re kind of afraid to dream. Their worlds changed entirely, seemingly overnight, during their elementary school years. So the trust level in systems that should work to protect them is super low. This overflows into personal aspiration and inspiration. It’s really hard to feel good about yourself, when others’ seemingly perfect lives overflow your feeds at the pace of algorithms. I love this book because it addresses all those thoughts teens and tweens are having in a visually beautiful format. The way the artist-author lays this out is perfectly detailed. Image, line, and color support narrative in exactly the way readers will love! I want to see more from Renee Nault. I wish I had a set for my classroom already!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple coming of age story set in a dystopian future where water has taken over much of the world. Only the elite live in high rise cities, called the Uplands, while the lower classes live in the Flats and scavenge the sea below to survive. Salvage follows a boy from the Flats, Paolo, as he finds himself suddenly caught up in the sparkling life of Jules and her Upland friends.

The art style was really nice, the story was cute if a little predictable. There's a bit of romance and drama - great for a YA audience, though some of the dialogue seemed even younger than that, but I still enjoyed it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ten Speed Graphic for the digital arc. All opinions my own.

[Lowardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!


I went into Salvage completely blank, the beautiful cover has lured me in and I am so glad it did!

It is a YA graphic novel set in a dystopian world, which critiques our own sharply.

We follow two artists (and their circle of family and friends) who experience very different lives and what happens after their paths collide. The dual setting reminds me of the Capitol vs District 12.

The colours are vibrant, the story punched me in the throat and there were adorable animal companions as well. What more do you need?

"Everything you watch on that thing [a phone] is an ad."

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a beautifully drawn story. I love the mix of watercolor and ink used, and it gives the story an interesting dreamlike quality. The plot pacing is...okay? There is plenty of world building and lots of focus on the main character Paolo. But the over-all story has a very slow pace until it gets to the final part, when it fast forwards itself to get to the conclusion. I did enjoy the way the story shows how its technically a post apocalyptic world, but for some, it may as well still be the apocalypse with how they have to live. But the story resolves in a way that's semi unsatisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Maiidesuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything about this was beautiful. The art was beyond gorgeous and perfectly conveyed the tones of the characters and story. The story itself was wonderfully well rounded, each character was so uniquely themselves. I loved the way the portrayed how completely different and far apart the two classes are, like two completely different worlds. Seeing the evolution of Jules and Paulo both romantically as well as individuals was perfectly written giving us the opportunity to see them shaped up into real people. I truly hope we get more of them because I feel like there's so much more to see in this beautifully crafted world.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Paolo gets the opportunity to leave his poor community in the Flats and pretend he's one of the social elite in the Uplands, he instantly becomes immersed in that world. Friendships and parties dominate his evenings, while scavenging still occupies his daytime hours. How long can he keep up the double life and still be happy?

I liked the concept of this graphic novel and the characters are likeable. The themes are almost too subtle for a lot of teen readers, and I don't think the pacing of the story will keep them engaged.

I read an ARC from Edelweiss.

[Stas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was amazing, a really great graphic novel. the art style was beautiful and the colors and watercolor style fit so well with this waterlogged world and bright city setting. loved the commentary on culture, art, class, and environment all blended well into this sweet romance about wanting to be more than is expected of you. did a great job showing us characters and letting us get to know them naturally without long backstory exploring opportunities. would recommend to anyone who likes graphic novels and a class difference romance between artists.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!