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Day of the Whale
“Follow Big Blue”. These were the last words that Cam's father said to him. So Cam follows Big Blue, the giant whale-god, as does everyone else on Cetacea, an island in the flooded future.
The islanders’ lives play out under Big Blue’s rules, which are communicated to them by the enigmatic whale-talker, Byron Vos. Byron was once a marine scientist and is now organising an epic clean-up operation to revive the ocean after centuries of human greed and neglect.
But, as the story unfolds, Cam begins to wonder if all is not quite as it seems. Could there be a more complex truth behind Byron’s actions? A truth that may be connected to Cam’s father's disappearance?
Cam's quest to understand life under Big Blue leads him to new friends and shared adventures - but the truth, when he discovers it, turns out to be far more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
The islanders’ lives play out under Big Blue’s rules, which are communicated to them by the enigmatic whale-talker, Byron Vos. Byron was once a marine scientist and is now organising an epic clean-up operation to revive the ocean after centuries of human greed and neglect.
But, as the story unfolds, Cam begins to wonder if all is not quite as it seems. Could there be a more complex truth behind Byron’s actions? A truth that may be connected to Cam’s father's disappearance?
Cam's quest to understand life under Big Blue leads him to new friends and shared adventures - but the truth, when he discovers it, turns out to be far more dangerous than he ever could have imagined.
- GenresDystopia
336 pages, Paperback
Published April 28, 2022
1 person is currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Delahaye
35 books16 followersRachel Delahaye writes children's fiction. Her teen sci-fi, Electric Life was longlisted for the 2024 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, and her upper middle-grade eco thriller Day of the Whale was nominated for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie.
Her catalogue includes a middle-grade series called Mort the Meek - a dark and gruesome comedy, described as 'Pratchetesque' by The Guardian, an animal adventure series published by Little Tiger, and a three-book comedy series, Jim Reaper, published with Piccadilly Press.
There are more middle grade and teen projects on the horizon. Rachel also writes fiction and poetry for accelerated reading schemes and Level Readers to help children gain reading confidence.
Her catalogue includes a middle-grade series called Mort the Meek - a dark and gruesome comedy, described as 'Pratchetesque' by The Guardian, an animal adventure series published by Little Tiger, and a three-book comedy series, Jim Reaper, published with Piccadilly Press.
There are more middle grade and teen projects on the horizon. Rachel also writes fiction and poetry for accelerated reading schemes and Level Readers to help children gain reading confidence.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 9, 2022
Thirteen year old Cam and his mother live in Cetacea (pronounced Si-tay-sha), the part of Australia that survived the third flood. The residents of Cetacea worship Big Blue, whose words are interpreted by Byron Vos, the founder of Cetacea and the only person who can talk to whales. Together, Cam and his fellow Cetaceans are working to repair the damage people have done to the environment.
Cam and his friends are not encouraged to think for themselves. They’re expected to accept the status quo without question.
Cam’s journey explores the bonds of family, the depths of grief and the value of friendship. You might think this book is about whales and you’d be right. Fundamentally, though, it is about asking questions. Being curious and seeking knowledge. Thinking for yourself rather than blindly accepting everything you see and hear as truth.
I love it when names have meaning in books. In case you’re wondering, cetaceans are marine mammals; they include whales, dolphins and porpoises. The name given to the people who visited Arlo was especially appropriate.
As an Australian, I appreciated the inclusion of the local wildlife in this book, although I was saddened to learn that even if I made it safely to Cetacea, my home would be submerged.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the beach looking for cetaceans.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com 🐳
‘Look after the Earth and the Earth will look after you.’The last words Cam’s father said to him before he left have become Cam’s mission.
Follow Big Blue. Find the truth.Together with his new friends, Banjo (like the frog) and Petra, Cam begins to question the truths he’s grown up with. On the surface, Cetacea appears perfect but when you look a little closer you realise this utopian society may actually be a dystopia.
Cam and his friends are not encouraged to think for themselves. They’re expected to accept the status quo without question.
Cam’s journey explores the bonds of family, the depths of grief and the value of friendship. You might think this book is about whales and you’d be right. Fundamentally, though, it is about asking questions. Being curious and seeking knowledge. Thinking for yourself rather than blindly accepting everything you see and hear as truth.
‘Fill your head with questions,’ he advised. ‘Because if you don’t, someone else will fill it with lies.’This story is unlike anything I’ve previously read by this author but I loved it. I really liked getting to know Cam and Banjo but it was Petra who stole my heart. She’s an individual, she’s a survivor and this girl has spunk.
I love it when names have meaning in books. In case you’re wondering, cetaceans are marine mammals; they include whales, dolphins and porpoises. The name given to the people who visited Arlo was especially appropriate.
As an Australian, I appreciated the inclusion of the local wildlife in this book, although I was saddened to learn that even if I made it safely to Cetacea, my home would be submerged.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be at the beach looking for cetaceans.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com 🐳
June 2, 2022
This is an amazing story which will stay with you long after you have finished reading.
Cam lives on an island in a future world where the seas have risen due to climate change. The few people who are left have formed a community with the aim of putting right what humans have done in the past. They follow the wishes of the whales, led by Big Blue, who appears to them on a big screen and whose words are translated by Byron Vos, their leader. Paradise, one might think, but the people have to work hard and Cam’s father has disappeared leaving him only with the words “Follow Big Blue. Find the truth”
This beautiful, cinematic book will transport you to this well realised world and you will want to keep turning the pages to solve the mysteries within it. Cam is on a journey, to find the truth and on the way he is growing up, losing and finding friends and learning who to trust. From a child’s point of view, it reminds you what it feels like when adults seem to speak in riddles and you wonder why they couldn’t just tell you the truth in the first place. Cam and his friends Banjo and Petra, on the edges of society, are curious - questioning everything around them. Their attitude is echoed in real life, where we hope that our children will do better than we have done and save our planet.
There are many details in this book which add to its depth and meaning. Banjo talks about the Dreamtime and the art of the First Nations, which are part of his life and beliefs. All of the inhabitants of Cetacea undertake ‘Whale work’ which they believe will help restore the land and the ocean and make up for the selfishness of the humans who came before. Cam’s mother is struggling with her grief and her mental health is suffering, which adds to his worries. In amongst all this is laughter and friendship, joking as well as making compromises, but at the very root of it all - supporting each other - having people you can depend on, whether friends or family.
It’s hard to express in words how I feel about this book, the brilliance of Rachel Delahaye is such that the story comes together and makes you feel a sense of rightness, a hope and belief that things will get better, faith that humans aren’t all bad after all. Can’t wait to read her next book, which I hope will be coming soon!
Favourite quote…
‘It doesn’t make sense.’
‘It probably does, but we just don’t know the big picture. Got to have more information so you can join the dots, see?
Cam lives on an island in a future world where the seas have risen due to climate change. The few people who are left have formed a community with the aim of putting right what humans have done in the past. They follow the wishes of the whales, led by Big Blue, who appears to them on a big screen and whose words are translated by Byron Vos, their leader. Paradise, one might think, but the people have to work hard and Cam’s father has disappeared leaving him only with the words “Follow Big Blue. Find the truth”
This beautiful, cinematic book will transport you to this well realised world and you will want to keep turning the pages to solve the mysteries within it. Cam is on a journey, to find the truth and on the way he is growing up, losing and finding friends and learning who to trust. From a child’s point of view, it reminds you what it feels like when adults seem to speak in riddles and you wonder why they couldn’t just tell you the truth in the first place. Cam and his friends Banjo and Petra, on the edges of society, are curious - questioning everything around them. Their attitude is echoed in real life, where we hope that our children will do better than we have done and save our planet.
There are many details in this book which add to its depth and meaning. Banjo talks about the Dreamtime and the art of the First Nations, which are part of his life and beliefs. All of the inhabitants of Cetacea undertake ‘Whale work’ which they believe will help restore the land and the ocean and make up for the selfishness of the humans who came before. Cam’s mother is struggling with her grief and her mental health is suffering, which adds to his worries. In amongst all this is laughter and friendship, joking as well as making compromises, but at the very root of it all - supporting each other - having people you can depend on, whether friends or family.
It’s hard to express in words how I feel about this book, the brilliance of Rachel Delahaye is such that the story comes together and makes you feel a sense of rightness, a hope and belief that things will get better, faith that humans aren’t all bad after all. Can’t wait to read her next book, which I hope will be coming soon!
Favourite quote…
‘It doesn’t make sense.’
‘It probably does, but we just don’t know the big picture. Got to have more information so you can join the dots, see?
August 5, 2022
"Follow Big Blue. Find the truth."
I was utterly captivated by this book right from the start, actually, right from the blurb (it does deliver on the promise, guys!)
The characters are so well developed that I felt I knew them personally, and because of this, the main character, Cam's decisions, motivations, and especially his turmoil over who to trust, are so believable. Because how do you turn away from everything you've ever been told? Can everything you believe to be true, really be a lie?
Everything about the setting is gorgeous, and the love of Australia inks onto every page - the description of Cetacea reminded me of Tim Winton.
But, this isn't just a book with an important message, it's a fast-paced adventure, a mystery begging to be solved, and a story of friendship, loyalty, and love.
"Fill your head with questions, because if you don't, someone else will fill it with lies."
I was utterly captivated by this book right from the start, actually, right from the blurb (it does deliver on the promise, guys!)
The characters are so well developed that I felt I knew them personally, and because of this, the main character, Cam's decisions, motivations, and especially his turmoil over who to trust, are so believable. Because how do you turn away from everything you've ever been told? Can everything you believe to be true, really be a lie?
Everything about the setting is gorgeous, and the love of Australia inks onto every page - the description of Cetacea reminded me of Tim Winton.
But, this isn't just a book with an important message, it's a fast-paced adventure, a mystery begging to be solved, and a story of friendship, loyalty, and love.
"Fill your head with questions, because if you don't, someone else will fill it with lies."
September 20, 2022
Day of the Whale by Rachel Delahaye is big and brilliant, important even.
This is a gorgeous story about secrets and truth, about authority and corruption of power, about our relationships with nature and the wild and the people around us, about our responsibilities and our memories.
The setting is absolutely fascinating. The island of Cetacea is a post-environmental disaster portrayal of a small part of Australia, a small island with reefs and mountains and fields. Much has been lost, though it's only a generation or two since three great floods destroyed much of the world, but still some parts of it remain, most notably the wildlife and some elements of aboriginal folklore. The wildlife is fantastic, threading its way through both the action and the prose. So many of the similes used throughout draw on the native wildlife, with crowds eating dinner in the square chitter-chattering like flocking cockatoos, Banjo climbing a cliff like a huntsman spider, and so much more. It's vibrant, poetic and really helps infuse that feeling of the wild throughout the book. The wildlife isn't constrained to similes though, and with the world suddenly getting so much smaller, the animals and birds are forced into close quarters with the human inhabitants of Cetacea. From greedy parrots to majestic and dangerous big red kangaroos, Cam and Banjo share their world with a dazzling array of wildlife.
Though the biggest impact comes from the whales, and this book is, in many ways, a love letter to those gorgeous giants of the oceans. Following the ecological disasters of the floods, the people now follow the instructions of Big Blue, a whale who speaks to them through whale expert Byron Vos. They all work hard cleaning the kelp and picking contaminants out of the sand, until their knuckles bleed. It's a harsh, and moving existence, this dichotomy of working for nature yet being, in many ways, separated from it for no-one actually swims in the oceans or sees the whales. That has been forbidden, the sins of the father visited upon the children. What initially looks like an ideal society is quickly revealed as being something quite different beneath the surface.
This is a book about authority and the corruption of power, about how people can shape our beliefs, and use stories to control and manage people, and about how what we see isn't always what's actually going on. Without diving too deeply into spoiler territory, all is clearly not as it seems and it's up to Cam to find out the truth and do something about it. It's a scary, exaggerated yet still eerily realistic portrayal of a grab for power and a society that doesn't even realise it is being exploited.
It's also a book about friendship. There's so much to unpick here. Cam feels very alone and isolated. His best friend walked away from him, with no explanation, and he's clearly feeling the hurt from that. There's a line that goes
"if you didn't need a reason to break friends with someone, then how would you know when it was about to happen?"
that really hit me hard and I think really showed why Cam feels so cut off from the people around him. Luckily he doesn't stay like that! Banjo is one of my favourite characters, he's just so full of light hearted joy and exuberance but it is brilliantly tempered by his knowledge of and love for where he's come from and he teaches Cam about the Dreamtime and the ways of the Darkinjung people. As Cam learns more about the truth, he finds that he's not as alone as he believed.
As we get closer to a full understanding of what is going on on Cetacea, the story builds up into a thrilling and incredibly peril filled climax. It's so exciting and scary watching things suddenly unfold at a breakneck pace as all the carefully stacked pieces finally drop into place.
Day of the Whale is beautiful and exciting, a rich tapestry of a novel.
This is a gorgeous story about secrets and truth, about authority and corruption of power, about our relationships with nature and the wild and the people around us, about our responsibilities and our memories.
The setting is absolutely fascinating. The island of Cetacea is a post-environmental disaster portrayal of a small part of Australia, a small island with reefs and mountains and fields. Much has been lost, though it's only a generation or two since three great floods destroyed much of the world, but still some parts of it remain, most notably the wildlife and some elements of aboriginal folklore. The wildlife is fantastic, threading its way through both the action and the prose. So many of the similes used throughout draw on the native wildlife, with crowds eating dinner in the square chitter-chattering like flocking cockatoos, Banjo climbing a cliff like a huntsman spider, and so much more. It's vibrant, poetic and really helps infuse that feeling of the wild throughout the book. The wildlife isn't constrained to similes though, and with the world suddenly getting so much smaller, the animals and birds are forced into close quarters with the human inhabitants of Cetacea. From greedy parrots to majestic and dangerous big red kangaroos, Cam and Banjo share their world with a dazzling array of wildlife.
Though the biggest impact comes from the whales, and this book is, in many ways, a love letter to those gorgeous giants of the oceans. Following the ecological disasters of the floods, the people now follow the instructions of Big Blue, a whale who speaks to them through whale expert Byron Vos. They all work hard cleaning the kelp and picking contaminants out of the sand, until their knuckles bleed. It's a harsh, and moving existence, this dichotomy of working for nature yet being, in many ways, separated from it for no-one actually swims in the oceans or sees the whales. That has been forbidden, the sins of the father visited upon the children. What initially looks like an ideal society is quickly revealed as being something quite different beneath the surface.
This is a book about authority and the corruption of power, about how people can shape our beliefs, and use stories to control and manage people, and about how what we see isn't always what's actually going on. Without diving too deeply into spoiler territory, all is clearly not as it seems and it's up to Cam to find out the truth and do something about it. It's a scary, exaggerated yet still eerily realistic portrayal of a grab for power and a society that doesn't even realise it is being exploited.
It's also a book about friendship. There's so much to unpick here. Cam feels very alone and isolated. His best friend walked away from him, with no explanation, and he's clearly feeling the hurt from that. There's a line that goes
"if you didn't need a reason to break friends with someone, then how would you know when it was about to happen?"
that really hit me hard and I think really showed why Cam feels so cut off from the people around him. Luckily he doesn't stay like that! Banjo is one of my favourite characters, he's just so full of light hearted joy and exuberance but it is brilliantly tempered by his knowledge of and love for where he's come from and he teaches Cam about the Dreamtime and the ways of the Darkinjung people. As Cam learns more about the truth, he finds that he's not as alone as he believed.
As we get closer to a full understanding of what is going on on Cetacea, the story builds up into a thrilling and incredibly peril filled climax. It's so exciting and scary watching things suddenly unfold at a breakneck pace as all the carefully stacked pieces finally drop into place.
Day of the Whale is beautiful and exciting, a rich tapestry of a novel.
July 20, 2022
I *loved* this book.
The island of Cetacea is a place where everyone works in accordance with the will of Big Blue, a whale whose wisdom and teaching is interpreted by Byron Vos, a man who has the gift of 'whale-speak'. Each person has a role, and everyone works hard. Cam is our protagonist, who is missing his absent father and dealing with worrying about his mum, who is seriously ill. His father's last words to him: 'Follow Big Blue, find the truth', shape the course of his life, and in his attempts to do as his father asked, he becomes embroiled in a mystery so large, and so shattering, that it threatens the continuation of his island's entire way of life.
With his friends Banjo and Petra (whose culture, as First Nations people, is beautifully expressed), Cam must go on a journey of self-discovery, finding that the truth is much more complex than he has ever dreamt. The plot is suspenseful and twisting, the conclusion satisfyingly drawn, and the overall message of hope and aspiration for a better future is inspiring and uplifting.
Day of the Whale is a unique story, its setting imbued with the author's own experience and meticulous research, and it is that most valuable of things: a brilliantly written book, with a compelling and fascinating story, which also contains deep truths and important messages about humanity and its relationship to the world around it. A must-read.
The island of Cetacea is a place where everyone works in accordance with the will of Big Blue, a whale whose wisdom and teaching is interpreted by Byron Vos, a man who has the gift of 'whale-speak'. Each person has a role, and everyone works hard. Cam is our protagonist, who is missing his absent father and dealing with worrying about his mum, who is seriously ill. His father's last words to him: 'Follow Big Blue, find the truth', shape the course of his life, and in his attempts to do as his father asked, he becomes embroiled in a mystery so large, and so shattering, that it threatens the continuation of his island's entire way of life.
With his friends Banjo and Petra (whose culture, as First Nations people, is beautifully expressed), Cam must go on a journey of self-discovery, finding that the truth is much more complex than he has ever dreamt. The plot is suspenseful and twisting, the conclusion satisfyingly drawn, and the overall message of hope and aspiration for a better future is inspiring and uplifting.
Day of the Whale is a unique story, its setting imbued with the author's own experience and meticulous research, and it is that most valuable of things: a brilliantly written book, with a compelling and fascinating story, which also contains deep truths and important messages about humanity and its relationship to the world around it. A must-read.
December 18, 2022
Honestly, I haven't read such a creative story in a long time. The plot is extremely clever, being fictional while also correlating to the issues in the world currently, mainly humans causing damage to the world. But it is interesting that we don't entirely focus on this topic, but instead touch on the idea of someone using this issue to manipulate others into helping only himself live a better life. The story touched on grief, friendship and sacrifice and was extremely touching. I definitely recommend it if you want an interesting and engaging piece that is different from any other plot I've read before. Also really glad that Arlo made it out alive, was really heartbroken when he was thought to be dead. Also loved the fact that Arlo's brother wasn't the villain but instead someone had stolen his identity. I also enjoyed the fact that King's daughter was the one who came up with the idea of a perfect paradise and got to be part of exposing her father's wrongs and rebuilding a new paradise where everyone would benefit and be free. Extremely happy that Cam's mother has found peace and happiness again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2023
I found the start of this book hard to get into, and it took a third of the pages to settle down.
On the one hand it’s clear people are oppressed, it it’s not clear what they are oppressed with i.e. what is the force under which the baddie (#nospoilers) exerts their control. So for me, this and a few other bits and bobs (Arlo’s escape, the sudden change of heart on The day of the whale of the population, that no one questioned the baddie as to their identity…) means that the good bits (Cam’s indecision, the conversations with Byron, Arlo and what he stands for) get a little overshadowed.
I would have loved to love this book more: the premise is one close to my heart.
On the one hand it’s clear people are oppressed, it it’s not clear what they are oppressed with i.e. what is the force under which the baddie (#nospoilers) exerts their control. So for me, this and a few other bits and bobs (Arlo’s escape, the sudden change of heart on The day of the whale of the population, that no one questioned the baddie as to their identity…) means that the good bits (Cam’s indecision, the conversations with Byron, Arlo and what he stands for) get a little overshadowed.
I would have loved to love this book more: the premise is one close to my heart.
November 8, 2023
A rich, vivid and wise book. So much in there about community, determination, belief...and enough truth to make the world seem very convincing. I hope whales never go extinct, that humanity find a way out of the climate crisis before it's too late and the rich and powerful along don't win. Anyway, for adventure, nature, intrigue and a band of fantastic friends, read this!
January 24, 2024
4 stars for JF audience. Great ecofiction middle to upper primary school read. Although a little predictable to the adult reader, there are plenty of secrets for the characters to uncover. Strong sustainability theme with Australian roots.
September 26, 2022
3.5 stars
August 13, 2023
Great read. So many twists and turns and a humbling look at what our future could very well hold...
July 22, 2022
I’ve been looking forward to this book for absolutely ages because I’d heard nothing but incredible things, and so when Rachel got in touch to offer me a review copy, I essentially bit her hand off (sorry for that Rachel!). It takes place in a utopian society based on Australia, where people now live ruled by whales after the climate crisis became overwhelming and destroyed the earth. We follow a boy named Cam who is trying to find out the truth of what happened when his father went missing, by following his final words that told him to pay attention to Big Blue, who is the most powerful of the whales. There is a phenomenal twist in this that I just didn’t see coming at all, and I was blown away by how original and clever and creative the worldbuilding is. I genuinely could not put this down until I was finished because I was so worried about the characters and how things would turn out for both them and the world as a whole. I also want to mention that I loved seeing such a different side to Rachel’s writing than what I’d seen before in the Mort the Meek books, while it also still had the same charm that I love in those. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more from Rachel in the future.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews