What do readers think of The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang? Write your own review.

Delightful book. Josephine, who is a marine biologist specializing in jellyfish, receives a call from a college girlfriend who she hasn't heard from in over 10 years. There may or may not be a new species of jellyfish off the coast of Maine. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and learning about jellyfish. Finished book in 24 hours, captured me from the very beginning. Highly recommend.

Thanks to BookBrowse for the ARC and to NetGalley for the download in exchange for an unbiased review. Publishes June 2, 2026.

An old college friend (lover?) is beckoned to an small island by her friend, Nadia. There is a large jellyfish that comes to the island on the night of the full moon and that is Jo's expertise - jellyfish. Everyone on the island has something to say about Clementine, their name for the large jellyfish, everyone but Nadia - who is missing. Then Jo finds she can't leave the island. What is going on?

This is a good book for a debut book - better than most. The writing is simple and yet it pulls you in. Characters are easy to like - or not - depending on who they are. Pretty typical sea monster story, but other themes keep you engaged. Good atmosphere involving a mystery paralleled with grief, well researched marine biological facts, along with a touch of magical realism. This one is worth the reading time.

The Jellyfish Problem is a slow, atmospheric novel that leans more into emotional texture than plot momentum. I found it thoughtful and immersive, with a strong focus on grief, memory, and the way relationships evolve in an isolated, slightly surreal setting.

The writing is reflective and grounded in character, and while the pacing is deliberately unhurried, it fits the meditative tone of the story. This is not a book for readers seeking a fast-moving or tightly plotted mystery—it rewards patience and attention to emotional detail.

I especially appreciated the understated integration of science, personal history, and romance, which felt natural rather than forced. The epigraph structure added depth, though it was a bit cumbersome in e-reader format.

A solid 4-star read for me. Fans of Remarkably Bright Creatures or character-driven literary fiction with a quiet speculative edge will likely enjoy it, and it would make a strong book club selection for discussion.

This book combines a bit of a mystery with fascinating facts about jellyfish, making it an engaging read. I enjoy stories that blend fact and fiction seamlessly. Although the character development was occasionally a bit flat, I found the overall tale to be quite enjoyable.

The Jellyfish Problem by Tess Yang is engaging book about jellyfish, grief and loss, the power of community, and finding hope and renewal.

Josephine Ness, a scientist specializing in jellyfish, is having difficulty dealing with the death of her best friend Aldo. She has isolated herself in grief & guilt, and jumps at the chance to reconnect with an estranged friend who requests assistance with a unique jellyfish. Jo has no idea how unique this creature is and all that awaits her on the small island off the shore of Maine.

The characters are well drawn, the pacing of the story works well, and all the excerpts of the book Josephine is writing & that begin each chapter are fun and informative. I finished the book having a greater appreciation of the gelatinous creatures! Thanks BookBrowse for the opportunity to read and give a honest review of this enjoyable book.

This book is perfect for those who crave a strong emotional punch from a story but do not mind an ambiguous ending. The imagery of the jellyfish throughout the book are both ethereal and haunting. I particularly liked the inclusion of snippets of the book the two primary characters are writing together, including the editing notes back and forth to each other. The author included many nods and references to Japanese folklore throughout the narrative which added a richness to the story and made the characters feel more nuanced.

At first I wasn't one hundred percent sure where this novel was headed. Was it a love story, an adventure, a horror story? In the end, the novel is about forgiving yourself, building a community and believing enough in yourself to take risks, whether it's in love, adventure, or work. Yang's debut novel is filled with quirky, yet loveable characters, folklore, and magical realism. You will definitely need to allow yourself to believe in the creature the author has created and the storyline, if you do, you will be treated to a wonderful story! As a Mainer, I loved the island and felt Yang understood well the personality of the islanders who spend so much time isolated, and those that come and try to fit in. As this story is also at its heart an adventure story, there is a lot of great information about jellyfish, diving, and discovery.

Many thanks to Bookbrowse.com, Netgalley.com, and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review

I have to admit, it took me awhile to warm up to Jo and her story but I'm glad I stuck it out. I do wish the author had spent more time on Clementine (who was supposed to be the point of the story) and less time on the sort of love triangle between Nadia, Roger and Jo which I didn't find very interesting or entertaining. Overall, a good read but not character driven as I would have liked.