amberly1997's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I did enjoyed this mange, the paced of the plot was pretty good and I think the world-building was well flash out. Both the cover of the mange and art style was stunning. The only thing I didn't like was characters because I found them to be flat and bland and the ending was okay.
arsenic's review against another edition
5.0
Le monde est intriguant, le personnage principal est sympa et enthousiaste. Le retournement sur la fin du tome était très inattendu, ça me donne vraiment envie de découvrir toute l'histoire !
saramarie08's review against another edition
4.0
Children of the Whales has an interesting, slightly confusing premise, but, as with most manga, I'm sure we'll find out more about the setting in future volumes. An entire society lives on a floating island called the Mud Whale. Mud Whale floats across a desert, not an ocean. No one aboard Mud Whale knows how they got there. There are two types of people: marked, and unmarked. Marked individuals have a unique marking on their bodies, and they can control Thymia, a magic force that springs from emotions. However, marked individuals have desperately short life spans, where as unmarked can live for quite some time. One day, Mud Whale comes close to another floating island, and scouters, including our main character, Chakuro, find a young woman they refer to as Lykos. She gives little detail about the differences between their two islands, but she is convinced that danger will come to Mud Whale as it did her on Whale. This volume ends in a sudden tragedy that turns the entire narrative from one of mystery to a dark, horrific tale.
The first volume starts of a bit slow and slightly confusing because you are plopped into the middle of this built society on a floating island. However, once the narration started, I was pulled in and didn't realize how quickly I was devouring this title. The characters are interesting, and the author really takes you along on all their adventures. The ending really got to me, and I can't wait to grab the second volume to see what the fall out is. What originally drew me to this series, aside from a recommendation from a student, was the art style. The covers all have these beautiful, textured watercolors that really grabbed me, and the art inside doesn't disappoint. Scenes are full and lush and characters are nuanced.
VIZ rates this for older teen because of violence and death. Both of these elements happen within the last few pages, so it might be something to warn readers about up front if any of them might be lulled into security by the bulk of this story. Older Teen for VIZ usually means 16 , but I would say students as young as 14 who understand death would be fine with this story.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability level: Grades 9-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
The first volume starts of a bit slow and slightly confusing because you are plopped into the middle of this built society on a floating island. However, once the narration started, I was pulled in and didn't realize how quickly I was devouring this title. The characters are interesting, and the author really takes you along on all their adventures. The ending really got to me, and I can't wait to grab the second volume to see what the fall out is. What originally drew me to this series, aside from a recommendation from a student, was the art style. The covers all have these beautiful, textured watercolors that really grabbed me, and the art inside doesn't disappoint. Scenes are full and lush and characters are nuanced.
VIZ rates this for older teen because of violence and death. Both of these elements happen within the last few pages, so it might be something to warn readers about up front if any of them might be lulled into security by the bulk of this story. Older Teen for VIZ usually means 16 , but I would say students as young as 14 who understand death would be fine with this story.
Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability level: Grades 9-12
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
mdettmann's review against another edition
4.0
This one has very pretty artwork to match this epic fantasy series. The first volume is a little slow to start but then picks up the action and ends on a cliffhanger.
jazzyjan94's review against another edition
5.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2020/09/09/mini-reviews-6/
Children of the Whales is an interesting fantasy post-apocalyptic manga. This was a great introduction to the series, I loved getting to know Chakuro and the rest of the people that live on the Mud Whale and how their lives are shaken up by the arrival of Lykos, who’s existence is surprising to the people on the Mud Whale and could be a threat to their very existence. 5/5 Stars.
Children of the Whales is an interesting fantasy post-apocalyptic manga. This was a great introduction to the series, I loved getting to know Chakuro and the rest of the people that live on the Mud Whale and how their lives are shaken up by the arrival of Lykos, who’s existence is surprising to the people on the Mud Whale and could be a threat to their very existence. 5/5 Stars.
jenglandk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
raccoonsinatrenchcoat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
khazal_k's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
helterskelliter's review against another edition
4.0
“I write for the future.”
The Mud Whale drifts in an endless sea of sand.
It is a floating island, home to a little under 600. On this island city, there are those who don’t possess special powers and those who possess magic—called thymia. The magic users have reduced life spans while those without magic live long lives, becoming elders of the community eventually.
Emotions are strictly forbidden. Leaving the Mud Whale except on scouting missions is forbidden—and dangerous. The sand dunes could easily swallow you whole without proper preparations.
Rule-breakers are sent to the “belly” of the island.
Chakuro is the Mud Whale’s archivist. He records the community’s stories, careful not to be too sentimental. Mainly, he records lives and deaths. He is also a thymia user—but not so great at it. Because he has a reduced life span, he wants to ensure he leaves as many records as possible for those who will come behind him.
The prior generations left so few records.
When the Mud Whale comes across another floating island suddenly, they send a scouting team. On that mission, they discover the other settlement mostly abandoned, save for one girl. She’s very weak but clearly skilled in using thymia.
When the girl is brought back to the Mud Whale, the elders immediately sequester her. They question her and quickly discover she was a soldier—was supposed to be one. Her emotions are subdued, her skills sharp. She begs to be returned to her island. Warns of coming danger.
Chakuro wants to know all about this girl. Who she is and the world beyond the Mud Whale.
But, what may be uncovered?
This is a beautiful and comprehensive start to a series. The world is expansive and the characters are distinct, offering different insights into the human condition. Already, I can see this series shaping up to be a profound one.
Definitely recommend for anyone who likes high fantasy stories with a slant towards exploring the human condition~
The Mud Whale drifts in an endless sea of sand.
It is a floating island, home to a little under 600. On this island city, there are those who don’t possess special powers and those who possess magic—called thymia. The magic users have reduced life spans while those without magic live long lives, becoming elders of the community eventually.
Emotions are strictly forbidden. Leaving the Mud Whale except on scouting missions is forbidden—and dangerous. The sand dunes could easily swallow you whole without proper preparations.
Rule-breakers are sent to the “belly” of the island.
Chakuro is the Mud Whale’s archivist. He records the community’s stories, careful not to be too sentimental. Mainly, he records lives and deaths. He is also a thymia user—but not so great at it. Because he has a reduced life span, he wants to ensure he leaves as many records as possible for those who will come behind him.
The prior generations left so few records.
When the Mud Whale comes across another floating island suddenly, they send a scouting team. On that mission, they discover the other settlement mostly abandoned, save for one girl. She’s very weak but clearly skilled in using thymia.
When the girl is brought back to the Mud Whale, the elders immediately sequester her. They question her and quickly discover she was a soldier—was supposed to be one. Her emotions are subdued, her skills sharp. She begs to be returned to her island. Warns of coming danger.
Chakuro wants to know all about this girl. Who she is and the world beyond the Mud Whale.
But, what may be uncovered?
This is a beautiful and comprehensive start to a series. The world is expansive and the characters are distinct, offering different insights into the human condition. Already, I can see this series shaping up to be a profound one.
Definitely recommend for anyone who likes high fantasy stories with a slant towards exploring the human condition~