This was simply adorable. I was giggling and kicking my feet at one point and then terrified for my favorite characters the next. The art style is so beautiful, I just can’t get enough. I can’t wait to read more! I love the communication, the authenticity, and how genuine and relatable so many characters are. It’s an incredible feat that the artist is able to let us in and really feel for the Queen as well, despite her intentions. I really really can’t say enough good things.

As someone who followed this story on WEBTOON, I was excited (and a little nervous) to see how it would transition into a graphic novel—and I'm happy to say it delivers. The humor of the original is still front and center. But what really surprised me is how deeply the story’s emotional layers hit me when framed in the new format.

The pacing feels a bit tighter, which works in its favor. The layout makes the most of the illustrations. Every panel feels like it was crafted with care. Truly beautiful.

While a few jokes may land better in scrolling format, the overall impact is strong. This adaptation gives OG fans something to celebrate and newbies an entry point into a story that’s both lol funny and sneakily heartfelt. I’ll be adding this book to my shelves upon its release.

—————

My rating system:
⭐️
I didn’t like it
⭐️⭐️
It was fine
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved it

This is an excellently adapted installment of Castle Swimmer that made me excited to revisit the story. As Siren and Kappa fight fate and Siren’s family/castle for a way to save Kappa, their relationship deepens. We get some nice character growth as the art ever so slowly develops in style in skill. Unexpected reveals, high stakes, heroism, and a bit of romance bring us a conclusion to *part* of Kappa’s story as the future opens up for both he and Siren. It’s clear Martin has a lot more in mind for Kappa and Siren, and this is by no means the end of the comic.

Jem Milton (creator of some truly beautiful comics) makes this formatting/adaptation from the webcomic so graceful you’d never know it wasn’t originally designed for print. Plus a new (bonus) adorable epilogue/short story awaits readers at the end of the volume. Can’t wait for Volume 3!

I’m so excited for the next part to this series. It’s so cute. I am obsessed with wanting to know what happens next. Great for teens and adults. The art is also beautiful

Volume 2 of Castle Swimmer covers the second half of the shark castle ARC. The art continues to be fantastic, and the story is engaging. There is a stronger focus on the relationship between Siren and Kappa, which is an adorable slow build. They go through a lot together in a short amount of time, which definitely contributes to their connection.

There is a nice balance of emotional and silly moments which I love. We meet Queen Nee and Queen Krilli, who are really amusing characters. I look forward to seeing more of them during Kappa and Siren’s journey!

There is a surprising twist that I did not expect when I first read this as a Webtoon comic. It will be interesting to see how this is resolved by the end of the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the ARC!

I think I liked this volume even more than the first one. The art continues to be great, as does the story. I love that the romance doesn't knock you over the head, it's more subtle. I look forward to reading more about Siren and Kappa.

I very much enjoyed this installment of this engaging and cute graphic novel series. I especially love all the side characters and the touches of humor. This is a series I will definitely be continuing on with as it releases. If your brain has had a hard time reading lately (my attention span is like 10 seconds at this point) this is a perfect book to enjoy in just a couple of sittings. Highly recommend!

Heat Factor: Sweet little kisses

Character Chemistry: They just want the best for each other so much!

Plot: Siren is trying really hard to figure out a way not to kill Kappa but still to complete the prophecy and rescue his people

Overall: Aww

We left off with Kappa imprisoned in the shark people’s dungeons, Siren looking for a way out of killing him, and royals from the goofy other realms appearing to try to rescue Kappa from the sharks.

There are quite a few silly shenanigans in this volume, as the outside queens, Siren, and Kappa try to escape the shark enclave, but there’s also a lot of story that happens as we get a clearer picture of what exactly the shark people are dealing with as they try to overcome their suffering with this prophecy. There are no good answers here.

Aside from this being a heartwarming story, I like that the shark people especially get many opportunities to decide what’s the right choice. They often didn’t, and it was difficult to see Siren try to fight for what he believed in against people who were supposed to care about him and listen to him. But also there were people who showed themselves to be true friends by listening to him, thinking about the consequences of their choices, and making difficult decisions.

I’m not sure how many more volumes of this former webtoon there will be, but although the pressing issues have reached a tentative resolution, we’re not yet at a happy ending for all parties, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next for our fearless youngsters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Another fantastic addition to this series. Such a fun world, I never thought I'd like merfolk this much! This one had a lot of twists that I didn't see coming - I'm so excited for more future volumes!

This was another cute installment.

Again with this one, while it was cute, there were also fairly dark themes. Siren tries to protect Kappa and is badly injured and nearly dies. It is revealed that Siren's mother, the shark queen, has lied about the prophecy and how it relates to the Beacon. We also have a pair of fantastic trans queens who try to help, and do end up helping a bit.

I really like the way this story is written, where even though it does have these darker topics and themes, it's still really sweet and cosy.

Looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this webtoon. This is the second book in the series where the issues in the first book were resolved but definitely not a happy ending, just sort of a pause. I would recommend this series

This was super cute! The plot twist for this story was not what I expected at all but it does make sense overall. I really enjoyed how Kappa and Siren are fighting back against the system and trying to come into their true selves. I think the boys had a lot of growth in this volume. I can't wait to read more.

This was so cute!!! I loved the artwork and how colourful it was, the characters are adorable, I especially loved Kappa and Siren, but Skiff was such an incredible side character.

This graphic novel is fast paced and thrilling, I can't wait to read the next volumes!!

The story really picked up in this one.
I felt so much more connected to the characters and we had some serious character development. Good plot twist I didn't see coming.

This was a remarkable followup to the first volume. The stakes are even higher, and the budding romance is even sweeter. It's always nice when a sheltered person starts to see that their truth may not be a universal truth. I really liked the theme of this volume.

Summary:

Kappa is a creature of legend, or so it feels. His story is always tied up with the prophecy of any region - literally. A golden string pulls him around the oceans, for good or for ill. Most recently, that led him right to the shark kingdom.

The sharks have long believed that Prince Siren would have to kill Kappa to free them from their curse. Now that moment has come, and Prince Siren cannot - will not - do this. He’ll find a new path from this, or die trying.

Review:

Oh, I was so happy to see Castle Swimmer Vol. 2 pop up on my feed. I know I could have read it all on Webtoon (which you should do if you want to binge the series asap), but I wanted to wait for the graphic novel to be released.

Castle Swimmer Vol. 2 continues the story started in the first volume (duh), but it also includes a secret bonus chapter that isn’t available on Webtoon. So there’s an incentive to give this one a read.

The story follows Kappa and Siren, two young men carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders. Against all odds, they found a spark of happiness in each other, and they’re willing to defy prophecies to see the other safe. It’s an endearing and magical adventure, one that will strike a chord with many readers.

I really enjoyed Castle Swimmer Vol. 2, and while it seems like everything has (mostly) been wrapped up in a neat little bow, I hope this isn’t the end of the story. I would love to keep on reading.

Highlights:
Fantasy/Romance
LGBT
Coming-of-Age
Legends & Lore
Webtoon Series

I've been a fan of Castle Swimmer for almost 5 years now and I'm so happy to see it getting into print format. This is Volume 2 of the webseries turned graphic novel Castle Swimmer. This story follows Kappa, the Beacon of the sea, as he travels to different communities in the ocean fulfilling their prophesies, always doing good for others, and beloved by all the sea creatures. When his shining light pulls him toward a shark community that has been suffering from a curse, he meets Siren, the prince of the shark people. But this prophesy's fulfillment is more than Kappa, or Siren, is willing to sacrifice. As their friendship develophs into something more, a truth about the hidden nature of the prophesy will change everything.

The continuation of Soren and Kappa's journey as Soren navigates his duty to his people and his affection for Kappa, as well as the presence of some new guests.

This was just as great as the first volume, if not better! The progression of the story and the reveal of the twist was devastating, and raises some interesting questions. I am excited to see how they would get addressed in future volumes. The impacts of decisions made and lies told on Soren and his family were really well told and only enhanced by the art style, which provided levity in between tense moments and intensified the emotional scenes. Also, Soren and Kappa relationship progression! Love it. I definitely cannot wait for the future volumes to see how the story will continue to play out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did not realize this was a sequel when requesting. I will have to locate the first book and then return to it before I can review. I do think its a series our younger patrons will enjoy.

Castle swimmer is such a delightful graphic novel.

The art I find particularly soothing and I enjoy the pacing of the story. all around I find is an immersive and soothing experience to read.

This was a comfort read for me when it was an online comic and I am so happy to see it released in novel form.