So this was really cute but I feel like I'm missing the same enthusiasm that other reviewers have. I don't really know what it is. I mean I enjoyed it and I really like the artwork and I like the characters but I'm not blown away. It's a good and I'm going to keep reading it but it's not a five star for me.

Thanks NetGalley!

This is a beautiful graphic novel with a unique story. I loved that the mermaids were different species of ocean life such as a shark, barracuda, even shrimp. Kappa is just stunning with his gold scales. It is really eye-catching which is why I wanted to read this one. I hadn't heard of it before and now I now I will binge read it and I am very excitedly waiting for the rest of the volumes to be released. I plan on buying all of them!!!!!

Kappa is born to be a Beacon. He is to fulfill different prophecies of the merpeople. He does his duty but all he really wants is a life of his own and not predetermined. Kappa is being drawn to the Shark Kingdom to do his next prophecy but doesn't realize for the sharks it means being killed by the Shark Prince, Siren. Siren also doesn't want to be part the prophecy because he doesn't want to kill Kappa but his people are dying from a curse. Siren and Kappa try to make a plan to escape and to live their own lives.

I hadn't read this webtoon before, but I'm very familiar with webtoons that get published physically! I adored this. I love how Siren the shark mer has conflicting morals about wanting to save his people by fulfilling a prophecy and by not wanting to hurt someone. I also love all of the scarring on the other shark mer characters. It's a nice way to have cute characters that still have depth and a dark story without being too heavy. The art is nice as well! Can't wait to read the next part!

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved everything about this webtoon the artwork the storyline it was just magical
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this

Listen this is such a good series. As a girl who's spent more than a few fast past coins on Webtoons reading this series I was so excited to reread the first part in book form. The art is beautiful and the boys are as cute as I remember. The story of a young merman/chosen one basically falling for a shark prince mixed with some magic and prophecy stuff. Who wouldn't love it?

Kicking myself for not reading this Webtoon sooner, but I'm so glad I finally did! I'm so glad this is getting published physically, because it's AMAZING and I know I'm going to need a copy. It's the perfect amounts of dark and suspenseful yet cute, cosy and funny. If that sounds strange, I'm sorry, I can't explain it any better. I thought this was so well done, and I already adore both characters.

I really like this graphic novel. I like the storyline and the plot. And I really liked the choise of colors in it. I set the mood of the story. Also the characters and the banter between Them. It talks about not feeling like you are good enough and not feeling like anything you do is going to be enough. Im looking forward to seing Prince siren and Kappas story unfold in the next volume

I loved the illustrations in this and the story is so interesting!
I think this is a great one, and the ending left me very ready for volume 2.
I think the dialogue could have been a bit better and it seemed a little messy in some areas, but overall this was great!

The synopsis masterfully summarizes what this book is about, but it doesn't mention how touching it is, how addictive and entertaining all the pages are, because it is impossible to put it down once you start. A solid script serves as an entry to a very well-constructed world, every detail carefully thought out, but without making it unnecessarily complicated.
Full review (April 24): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/comic-castle-swimmer-volume-1.html

La sinopsis resume magistralmente de qué se trata este libro, pero no menciona lo enternecedor que es, lo adictivas y entretenidas que son todas las páginas, porque es imposible soltarlo una vez que empiezas. Un guión sólido sirve como entrada para un mundo muy bien construido, cada detalle pensado minuciosamente, pero sin volverlo innecesariamente complicado.
Reseña completa (24 de abril): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2024/04/comic-castle-swimmer-volume-1.html

Endearing illustrations. Awkward dialogue that flows abruptly. Has an underlying darkness within the narration. Friendly and welcoming cast. Well-paced and engaging. Consistent themes of others' expectations and pre-determined fate. Delightfully nostalgic tale of finding yourself. Overall, a good read.

I really enjoyed this. The graphics were fantastic and the story was cute and intriguing. I got to the end of this volume and immediately wanted more. I'm excited to see how the relationship between the heroes grows. I highly recommend this if you're looking for a light graphic novel with good illustrations.

✰5 stars✰

I was beyond excited when I saw that this was being released as a paperback later this year, and I knew I immediately had to request it on NetGalley.

I started reading this comic when it first started being released years ago on WEBTOON, and I've followed it ever since.

This release was the perfect opportunity to go back to the beginning and read Volume 1. Having read this in the WEBTOON format originally, getting to see the transition to a book comic format was super cool. I think that it was done beautifully and nothing was disrupted from the initial reading medium.

This comic holds a special place in my heart because it was probably one of the first queer pieces of fiction that I consumed when it was first being drawn.

Kappa and Siren hold my heart and I can honestly say that are probably my Roman Empire because I think about them easily several times a week.

I will recommend this comic until the day I die. Wendy Martin you can have all of my money because I will be buying this physical copy for myself and several of my closest friends.

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Castle Swimmer was so stinking cute y'all. It was my first time seeing these episodes and I definitely want to hop into the Webtoon soon to read some more while I wait on Volume 2!

I love the variety of Merfolk that is seen throughout this book. It's so diverse and not just your typical mermaid and merman. This book explores our purpose at birth versus the choices we decide to make for ourselves and its absolutely heartbreaking seeing Kappa and Siren struggle the way they do with their so-called destinies.

I don't want to be a beacon that shines for others. I just want to shine for myself.

That quote hit me in the massive feels, ngl.

I will say the description is a little misleading for this first volume: "In the gorgeous first installment of the hit Webtoon series Castle Swimmer, two young mermen reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger, featuring exclusive bonus material." however we don't actually see any of their adventure together and the romance is just some minor flirting. Really this installment is backstory and the two getting to know each other which was wonderful, but they haven't actually started adventuring yet.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC read. <3

I did enjoy this webcomic and am looking forward to the next volume in the series! I felt the pacing was rushed though at first and then stagnated in terms of plot for this volume. The world building specifically included a lot of tell and not show which also made the dialogue from the characters feel jarring at points rather than natural. It seems to be focusing now on building up the characterizations of our protagonists and I am honestly enjoying that and watching their relationship build. The art was fine and I really enjoyed Kappa’s design, but I saw at the back the artist did a side by side of this volumes character design for Siren and later ones and I’m looking forward to seeing the growth in the artwork to come. It was definitely a quick read, and I had fun with it overall.

3.5, but I round up!

I will definitely continue reading the Castle Swimmer series, both in book form and on Webtoons. This first installment was exceptionally sweet. The characters of Kappa and Siren are very cute and the world building is well done for a short graphic novel.

This is a webtoo featuring two young mermen who reject their destinies and embark on an epic adventure full of romance and danger together.

The art style was gorgeous and the plot was interesting.

Looking forward to the second installment

Only Volume 1 is not enough. This is the cutest thing that I've ever seen.
The story between the main characters is complicated because of who Kappa is and what he represents and what Siren should do. Siren just wants to be free, without having to do what he’s been prepared for his whole life. And Kappa, oh. I fell in love with Kappa from the first moment, his sweetness, I just want to hold him tight and protect him.

I am enchanted by all the details, illustrations, and all their emotions that are represented in this first volume. I need more.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC copy.

In an underwater fantasy world there live merpeople of different species. We are closely following a shark colony of merpeople who have a young prince who is supposed to break a longstanding curse killing their people. To break this curse he must kill the beacon, a young merman who finds his way to their cave and gets captured by them. He is very uncomfortable with the idea of killing anyone and the more he talks to this beacon, the more he finds in common with him and starts enjoying his company. I really had a blast with this story and am looking forward to all future volumes! With that cliffhanger ending I must know what happens next!

Cute, surprising, delightful, curious, nostalgic, and promising. Castle Swimmer is a love story between two twink mermen who are both caught up in a prophecy they resent. Destiny makes them starcrossed, but their affection and optimism draw them together anyway.

The art style and narrative decisions remind me of the show She-Ra and The Princesses of Power, in a good way. The genuine problem of how to get out of the prophecy was weighing on my mind the entire time I was reading, keeping me looking for clues and hints about how Siren and Kappa could break the curse without taking the worst option possible. The high stakes added real tension and danger while at the same time the cute art and soft flirtatious moments between the two leads kept things relatively light and playful.

The side characters all felt charming and interesting in their own ways, making me look forward to what roles they might take in future issues. The world and setting are beautiful and mysterious, the underwater castles and their unique merfolk inhabitants and variants are stunning and fascinating, and I'm anticipating learning more about this universe and its history and lore.

The only drawback to this story in my own mind is the pacing/plot development. It's fine, but it could have been better. Everything else is so strong and it's a first issue/volume, so I'm more than okay with there being a little room for improvement. I think the story will get better once Kappa is out of his cage and is more of a player in the main plot.

I was surprised I hadn't heard about this already, considering it combines my love of mermaids, gay romance, and high fantasy into one big awesome quilt, but I'm invested and highly recommend this for anybody who is even slightly curious about it.

Castle Swimmer is going to be the perfect hot girl summer beach read, for sure.

I'm obsessed. This was so cute and funny. It definitely gave me some major Heartstopper vibes, but with a more fantasy twist because of the mer-people aspect. I think this is perfect for all sorts of ages and can be enjoyed by a lot of different age groups.

I loved that this story covered some serious topics about not feeling good enough, but also had me laughing at some of the hilarious things that were going on. I was so nervous this was only going to be one volume and I'm escatic to see that there will be more! This was phenomenal and I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.