Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, Secrets of the Octopus explores the underwater world of the octopus and brings to light new information that affirms the underwater, alien-like creatures are one of the world’s most intelligent and complex creatures.

Y’all - this is my first nonfiction book that's not a memoir and/or wasn’t assigned to me in school (which, I’ve been out of school for 9 years, if that tells you anything…). I asked for an advance copy of this off NetGalley because that always gives me a little more pressure on myself to actually read the book and not just say I will. Plus, once I found out this was a companion novel for the newest special coming out, I wanted it even more. Oh man, am I glad I did.

Obviously being my first nonfiction novel, I haven’t read anything by Sy Montgomery before, but I really like her writing. It was informative but I never felt like I was just being thrown the science. It was written in a way that was easy to follow and understand. I was constantly screenshotting and highlighting things all the time. I read this in two days and then proceeded to chat my partner’s ear off about it over lunch the following day.

I learned so many things and am proud to say octopuses are my new favorite marine animal.

Overall, I believe anyone who picks up this book will be walking away a little bit more of a lover of these eight-legged saltwater creatures with this easy to digest novel. This will also get one excited for the miniseries coming out here soon.

*Thank you National Geographic and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Secrets of the Octopus by Sy Montgomery and Warren K. Carlyle IV is an evocative stunner of a book which highlights the intelligent and inquisitive octopus. Cuttlefish and squid are mentioned as well. Not only did I absorb the information like a sponge, the images guided me to another world, one we know comparatively little about.

One of my favourite aspects about this clever creature is its probing curiosity. Rather than flee, it can reach out to humans, tasting with every part of their skin. They can form emotional bonds with people and can differentiate between individuals. They are amongst the very few animals which can follow pointing fingers to find things. Not only that, but they may dream! I crave more knowledge about the 300 species of shapeshifters, texture changers and camouflage artists. The photograph of one walking upright is mind blowing! They transform into algae shapes, juggle crabs, learn from experience, play, convincingly mimic weather and flounders and stealthily escape tanks like Houdini.

Written in a friendly, witty and easy-to-understand manner, this book is easy to grasp and is propulsive. So cliché but truly difficult to let go, mentally and physically.

One needn't be knowledgeable about cephalopods to be enamored by this book. After reading it, so much is sticking in my brain and I actually feel smarter. There is so much to admire and respect about octopuses, and this book took me down a wondrous rabbit hole of research.

My sincere thank you to National Geographic and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this reading adventure.

Thank you NetGalley & National Geographic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This review can also be found on Goodreads.

Sy Montgomery covers many topics in this work and draws on many personal & shared stories of her colleagues and experts. The reader is fully immersed in digestible research on octopuses, but also incredible images that allow us to "meet" different species as we read. The way Montgomery and others in the book discuss the octopus is so genuine and full of wonder and awe, that you can't help but find yourself feeling the same way. A light is shed on just how intelligent and individual the octopus is, as well as gives us a deeper understanding of their habits and preferences. I cannot wait to watch the new Nat Geo series that this book goes alongside with. Once again, Sy does an incredible job advocating for and sharing the octopus with readers.

Sy Montgomery's first novel 'The Soul of an Octopus' quite literally changed my world in 2016 when I read it as a senior in high school. I had always had a fascination with the octopus, and that novel really opened my eyes to my passion for marine biology. Thanks to that novel, I pursued a job at an aquarium, and I was able to have my own incredible experience with a giant Pacific octopus before he passed. What made it all even more special, is I was able to share my experiences with Sy and keep communication with her. We've talked many times since then, and receiving this ARC of her new novel was so, so special to me.

This was a great educational read that was a good balance of stories and facts making it digestible for any audience. The pictures were amazing. I’m really excited for the Nat Geo documentary on earth day that goes with this book. Thank you NetGalley and Nat Geo for my ARC!

This book is both fascinating and aesthetically gorgeous. Sy Montgomery does a beautiful job of showing us the complex lives and personalities of these amazing creatures while also giving us a glimpse into an entire world of information that is still on the verge of major discoveries. At times the book is almost overwhelming with the findings and credentials of the key scientist who have brought us the current wealth of knowledge on these ancient cephalopods. This is not the book you would want to pick up for a "light read," even though the photography makes it one that you may want to display and look through over and over again.

A great nonfiction book for everyone looking to do a deep dive on octopuses. It was quite an interesting read on one of my favorite subjects, but as someone who has read almost every book the author mentions I learned very little new information. I loved how the author covered the recent increase in the fascination of octopuses in society.

Any book that looks at animal studies from an empathetic lens is a standout in my mind. Overall great read and I wish I had read it sooner!

Sy Montgomery has never written a bad book and this one will go on my shelf with all the others. I have a particular fondness for the humble octopus and I learned even more through this book. It was beautifully written and I know having one as a pet would be bad, but I'd sure like the opportunity to "play" with one for the afternoon!

There was so much I loved about this book. The writing is excellent, the tone conversational, and the explanations crystal-clear. I also loved the author’s journey and the interviews with all the scientists in the book. And to top this all off, the photography is outstanding. Thank you to Netgalley and National Geographic for the advance digital review copy.

Author Sy Montgomery is known for her octopus research, and more importantly, the humanity she highlights in her subject. In her newest work for younger readers, Montgomery highlights the diverse spectrum of octopuses with gorgeous photography. Yet another fantastic book for youth from a stellar researcher.

Thanks to NETGALLEY and National Geographic for this eARC.

"Secrets" is a companion book to Mongomery's 2015 "The Soul of an Octopus". This addresses changing ones perspective about all species and removing the barrier of 'otherness' - like how science has proven lobsters feel pain. This revolutionary shift in perspective will assist in the ways in which we think, and treat, animals. People forget that we share ancestors. Billions of years back, yes, but still fact, still shared. Heck, we share DNA with bananas. Animals are not automatons; behavioral scientists are discovering and recognizing that animals are capable of thoughts and feelings - octopuses express emotions through their color changing! And yes, it's octopuses and not octopi because "(i) is a Latin ending denoting the plural, but octopus is a Greek word."

Peppered generously with stunningly gorgeous photos, humorous wit and intelligent empathy from the author, and reverence from the introduction (done by Dr Alex Schnell [Cephalopod Biologist | Science & Natural History Broadcaster | Wildlife Film Producer.]). The book is divided into four parts, ending with an epilogue. There's an index in the back, as well as illustration credits. There is a Wilson Menashi in memoriam at the very front. 🖤 It contains a visual journey about octopus skin and their shape-shifting ways, as well as Montgomery’s emotional journal through her cocktail of science and anecdotes. I cannot recommend it enough and will definitely be purchasing it.


⍟ IMPORTANT QUOTES --

⇉ “We are realizing that humans are not the only beings with sophisticated minds.”

⇉ “...(A)and how even individual octopuses have their own personalities and idiosyncrasies.”

⇉ “People who have met an octopus often describe the encounter in a similar manner: intimate yet strange, driving a thirst to uncover more of the octopus’s secrets.” –- Yuuuup. I had the honor of meeting Houston zoo's late female Giant Pacific octopus for a birthday in 2019. I had been stopping by her enclosure every visit (had a membership, went often), and I can attest to the fact that octopuses recognize human faces, and have people that they like and others they do not. She recognized me and it made that VIP personal encounter beyond words. I was utterly gutted when she died.

This was an interesting and easy read of various stories mixed in with factual data. I wish there were more photos, I had thought there would be more since it’s an almost 200 page book. Some of my favorites are the wunderpus, blue-ringed, and blanket octopuses.

*Provided a DRC (digital review copy) from the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful book full of pictures and information about one of the most mysterious creatures on the planet. How could so many species of octopuses and their relatives the cuttlefish have evolved in a way so different from the rest of this planet's creatures. More and more is being known about these wonderful mollusks and how they think and feel. Many individual octopuses become friendly with humans and allow us to follow them and even touch them in the ocean. In captivity, octopuses recognize individual visitors, like some and dislike others. Their changes in color are magnificent, and we're beginning to understand what triggers the changes. These intelligent creatures live for a year or up to five years, depending on the subspecies, and die after laying and nurturing their eggs. We MUST do a better job of protecting our oceans and the many creatures who live there!

Beautiful and extremely informative, this book truly brings the octopus to life. So many books on marine science keep octopus a mystery and give in to a fictional narrative about them. This book completely changes that. The images and text tell the truth about octopuses and what is really known about them. Instead of painting them as a mysterious creature that is just out to strangle its prey, this book focuses on their intelligence and survival skills. It is great for both adults and children. I picked this book up because my son is obsessed with octopus, and this completely changed how we both think of them. I have no doubt that this will be one of the best science books of 2024.

Secrets of the Octopus is a must read for anyone who loves octopus and the ocean! Sy Montgomery writes in a beautiful way that allows the reader to connect with the book and to convey scientific information in a way that the average person can read, enjoy, and understand. The octopus is a truly fascinating animal and new discoveries are being made every day.

I enjoyed coming across references that I knew about and could relate to (movies, OctoNation, aquariums, etc) I would recommend this book for any cephalopod lover!

Thank you NetGalley, National Geographic, and Sy Montgomery for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley, Sy Montgomery and National Geographic for the eARC!

I went into this book knowing embarrassingly little about the amazing creature that is an octopus. This book is extremely educational and easy to follow for folks like me who have no knowledge of octopuses, but just have a general fascination for them! And wow, the pictures featured in this book are BEYOND fascinating and beautiful. I encourage everyone to read this and learn a little more about the octopus!

Must for any octopus lover! Informative, entertaining, and stimulating! Found the authors approach easy to follow and understand. It's nice finding a book that can fuel my interest and keep me reading. I would definitely recommend this for any cephalopod enthusiasts.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

It's always a given that I'll be game for pretty much anything pertaining to the Octopus, the coolest creature in the sea and beyond. Some of the stories presented here are unfortunately repeats from the author’s first book, “The Soul of an Octopus.” Given the short length of this sequel, that means that there isn’t a TON of new material. But there is some interesting information to take away. (Prime example: Current research is showing that Octopuses might dream!!!) And I will never get tired of stories about various individuals escaping their tanks, (they’re okay, btw), because I find the situation fascinating and amazing. This book has a bunch of those tales.

All the information is presented in a way that's easy to understand and follow, just like in the first book. Even the sciency stuff isn't complicated. You'll learn about various species, (there are so many!), collect lots of facts about their physical and emotional capabilities, and maybe have a chuckle here and there. I do wish I could’ve seen all of the beautiful photos in full color, but unfortunately I read this ARC on my Kindle. There’s a big section at the end with more pictures and detailed descriptions of the various kinds of Octopuses, as well as really nice shots throughout the book. This would be the kind of publication that you would probably want to get in hardcover and keep somewhere accessible so you could flip through it once in a while. It would make a nice guide or conversation piece if, like me, you're a big fan of the animal. I will say though, that it was a pretty quick read. So maybe both of the books together as a set would be a more substantial experience despite the repeated material?

And yes, I even signed up for the OctoNation newsletter.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

TW: mentions of animal death and experimentation

It’s no exaggeration to say that Sy Montgomery’s Soul of an Octopus changed my life. Not in the same profound way that it made some of the people mentioned here become marine biologists, but it made me want to read every book ever written about animal behavior. It is so wonderful to see that her 2015 bestseller marked the beginning of the rise of the octopus. Secrets of the Octopus shows how far interest and knowledge about these wonderful, alien-looking creatures have come. Since then, several new species have been identified and we know more than ever about octopuses’ behavior. Paradoxically, we know less than we thought because every discovery poses more questions. Montgomery’s prose is as wonderful as ever, showing her empathy for all living creatures. She corrects some of the science of her original book that has since been, if not disproved or contradicted, at least put into a new context. She reminisces about her relationship with Athena, Octavia and the other octopuses featured in her original book. The information about their physiology, behavior and intelligence is fascinating. But what is a remarkable step forward since 2015 is the gorgeous, detailed, vivid, and indescribable photographs of these beauties. The last part, by Warren Carlyle founder of OctoNation, includes a section called Octoprofiles, which shows the most amazing pictures of some of the species included in the text, adding key information such as life span, size, weight, range, diet and, most helpfully, their size relative to a 6-foot human, or a human hand. This is a celebration of how far we’ve gone, as well as a humble reminder of how far we’ve still yet to swim to begin to understand non-human animals. This book deserves more stars than appear in a Starry Night Octopus but, alas, we’ll have to make do with five.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#National Geographic.

I don't know whether I've ever seen a more beautiful book. Writing and images were both amazing, I just wish they lined up a little better.

Fascinating and informative exploration into the world of octopuses! “Soul of the Octopus” is one of my favorite books, Sy is a fantastic writer who evokes such love and compassion through her books. This one is no different.

I love all of the research that is shared in this book, a great insight into so many different avenues of studying and understanding a species. I love how researchers are highlighted but also aquarists and other octopus enthusiasts who aren’t necessarily experts in the field of science, but experts in their own ways. The individual information profiles on different species is also a great addition to the book.

The images in this book are STUNNING!! I also love the reminders of how we don’t need to relate to an animal to care for them and how important compassion is. Empathy comes from knowledge and I think this book does a wonderful job showing that.