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The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang

The Jellyfish Problem

by Tessa Yang

  • Critics' Consensus (6):
  • Readers' Rating (66):
  • Published:
  • Jun 2026, 400 pages
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There are currently 32 reader reviews for The Jellyfish Problem
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Chris (CA)

A Jellyfish Education
What a unique story. The writing was high quality with interesting, hard-to-forget characters. Grief and loss, friendship and community, love and folklore were all an important part of this mystery. There was clearly a lot of research done about jellyfish, and I enjoyed learning about them. The story was wrapped up too quickly for me, and I wanted a little more time with these characters. This book was hard to put down.
Linda_Monaco

The Jellyfish Problem
The Jellyfish Problem is a book the reader will remember for a very long time. It’s humorous, it’s suspenseful, and it’s oh so much fun to read. I found myself completely caught up in the implausible story of a monstrous, crimson jellyfish which has imprisoned inhabitants on an island off the coast of Maine. The main human character is a marine biologist who knows and loves everything about jellyfish. So, not only is the reader going to be immersed in a rollickingly good story, he/she is also going to learn a whole lot about jellyfish. Who knew they could be biofluorescent or that they are older than dinosaurs and sharks or that the most venomous creature on the planet is a jellyfish? I think this book will appeal to a broad audience, especially those who like a little bit of fantasy, a unique storyline and interesting characters who work their way through love, loss and grief as the story unfolds. I loved it.
Power Reviewer
Peggy_H

A Jellyfish Quandary
Who knew that jellyfish were so interesting? This intriguing story follows a young scientist who specializes in the study of jellyfish who is really from from the death of a close colleague. A call from a college friend brings her to a small island off the coast of Maine to study a humongous red jellyfish that has entrapped the islanders. It is a story of community on many levels, with the climax resolving many complicated issues in a satisfying way.
Debra_F

Glowing Jellyfish
I received a free copy of The Jellyfish Problem from the publisher, Bookbrowse and Netgalley. A story about sea monsters...what's not to love! It's got heart, intrigue, emotional connectedness, grief, love, longing, mystery all surrounding a giant, glowing jellyfish. I loved the characters, I was held by the writing. It is moving without being mushy, with a dash of humor.

I highly recommend this book.
Nathan_G

Is the Jellyfish a Problem?
I received an advance reader copy through BookBrowse.

This was a very unusual, but enjoyable, book to read. It is about a situation which is sort of a combination of personal dilemmas, spirituality, romance (with an LGBT slant), mystery, and a life-threatening monster.

After Jo receives a call from a long out of touch college friend who lives on a small island off of Maine for help regarding a possible problem with a jellyfish (her specialty), her world is turned upside down when she travels to the island.

During all that happens, Jo is frequently experiencing memories and guilt regarding her good friend Aldo, who perished during a scuba diving outing with her less than a year earlier, for which she blames herself. Aldo was also a jellyfish expert, but in a different line of work. She often would like to consult with him and considers what he would do if he were in this situation.

Jo's first problem is to find and see the possible jellyfish, but after doing so, there is no turning back, and she acquires many more problems.
Mari_A

Fantastic Jellyfish Fiction!
This book made me fall in love with jellyfish! It was beautifully written with very detailed descriptions and I found myself googling images of jellyfish to complete my experience! I loved the ghost stories and the touch of romance contained within the pages. It was the perfect amount of detail to capture and hold my interest without losing sight of the story line(s). Well done, well done!
Heidi_C

Very Creative Story
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very creative, and I loved all the characters in it and the whole storyline. It kept me guessing on the outcome all the way to the end! Love this book!
Power Reviewer
Rebecca_Gaulton

Loved this Book
Every once in a while a book comes along that restores my hope and heals my heart especially at a time in our country that feels so hopeless. Theo of Golden was one and The Jellyfish Problem is another. It's the story of a giant jellyfish. Kind of. It's definitely a story of people and a community that is struggling to survive an untenable situation. Jo Ness is a scientist who studies jellyfish. In fact she's obsessed with them. But she has also recently lost her best friend and has been overcome with grief, self blame, and a new terror of the waters she loves. When a long lost friend sends her a video of what looks like a giant jellyfish she runs to help even though she really believes it's a hoax. She also wants to reconnect with this friend that she loves and regrets losing. What she finds on Shattering Island leaves her stunned and eager to help while doubting her ability to do so. The story is one of overcoming grief and self doubt, relying on a community of people for strength when the preference is to go things alone and finally finding joy and love and self renewal after loss. The book is also dispersed with lots of wonderful information about jellyfish and I really learned a lot. I was on an international flight home that suffered a great many glitches and snags and a mad dash through an airport to make a connection that left me in tears. I read this book and it truly uplifted my spirit. I recommend it to everyone

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