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~
jackierabbit's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
lauraleamariereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hue's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Oh my, I'm so excited! I tried the anime years ago but it didn't really click but the manga is SO much better! The plot is interesting and layered, the world is so strange and unique, the explanations are so worth it and not the least info-dumpy. And the art is so beautiful it's insane. Definitely going to devour this as quickly as I can. Also, the ending was just as traumatic as I remembered from the anime lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Terminal illness, and Violence