Book Summary and Reviews of The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

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HannahT

Beach Setting with Psychological Thriller Undertones
I just finished the Fourth Wing series so I was looking for a palette cleanser and Jellyfish Problem delivered! I loved the scenery of Shattering Point because you immediately are transported to this quirky island and it was a book I couldn't put down because I wanted to know what was causing the problem with the jellyfish. A fun read for someone who is looking for a beach read in the non-traditional sense because while this book takes place by the ocean, it actually feels a bit like a psychological thriller.

Ann_Beman

A novel about jellyfish, connection, and the cost of insularity
Jo has been captivated by jellyfish since she was a kid. But when she answers a distress call from her former best friend and lover to help with a jellyfish problem on a small island in Maine, she is not just captivated. She becomes an actual captive. She and all the other folks who've laid eyes on Clementine, the island's resident humongous jellyfish. This is a book about the power of community and the cost of insularity. It is chock full of fun facts about jellyfish, but it also deals with grief and survival, love, guilt, demons (both personal and spectral), the risks of connection, growth and regrowth, and the thing that breaks you open when you've been sealed shut.

Carol R. (Fruitland Park, FL)

Lots of Esoteric Knowledge
Much of the fascination of this book lies in its wealth of scientific information about jellyfish and diving; I knew little about either. But at its heart is the mystery of Clementine--how she lives, how she connect with humans, how she influences the environment. The characters who examine, study, and interact with Clementine are varied and well realized. A tension exists between those who want to destroy Clementine and those who want a more measured approach. Luckily, scientific deliberation wins out in the end. The characters themselves struggle with grief and loss as well as having to face a "sea monster." The monster turns out to be an entity that changes them all.

Margaret S. (Lincoln, NE)

Enchanting but thought-provoking
I enjoyed this book from front to back. The characters became real to me-to the point that I could picture them in my mind. It's an interesting plot that reminds us that we are connected to nature and clearly each other. This is not a book I would normally have picked up to read, but I could not put it down. The descriptions of the phenomenon of the jellyfish are beautiful and detailed.

Marilyn_B

Excited to Find What Happens Next & How Does It End
I am still reading the e-book version of this book. I have found it a gripping read from the start. This is a vey unique read, at least for me! The premise of the book is an exciting one. For some unknown reason, I thought the book was about an octopus or octupi, and when I realized it was about jellyfish I thought I would be let down. I am happy to say I am not let down at all. The book's characters and its plot have succeeded in pulling me in from the very beginning. It reads like a thriller mystery, and I find it a real page-turner. Without knowing what will happen next and how thiis book ends, I highly recommend this book.

Leslie_T

How to fall in love with a jellyfish
I really enjoyed The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang. I have noticed an uptick in novels about exotic creatures of the deep since the documentary My Octopus Teacher was released, and this one does not disappoint. Grief, loss, folklore, science and new beginnings all weave together to form one of those books that will resonate for a long time. I became invested in the characters and I especially liked the growth that we see in the main character Jo Ness. I will definitely be looking for more from this author,

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