Hopefully the mechanics improve within this text so that it becomes a stronger, more engaging series.

I care enough for the characters and about where they want to be and where they end up going to check out the series. While there are plenty of technicalities within this piece, I feel enough of an interest to continue reading the series.

It keeps you in the moment, thus this makes it engaging and ultimately a fast and swift read. You can feel the caves, the boulders, and the air pressure of swimming upward. You can feel as if you are in the ocean and you feel like you are being surrounded by water and you can feel the force of the marine world around you. The greatest strength in this graphic text is the illustration and how atmospheric it feels. Kappa's character is a bit stronger, though, for his demeanor is a bit more meek and innocent, where as Siren is a bit more tough and rebellious. Also, while each character means well, sometimes the way things come off is either a bit mean in their nature or a bit weak in their nature. The other gripe that I have with this graphic text (both in the fact that it is a graphic novel AND how it depicts blood, but because they are in water, the blood looks like a red fog instead of liquid) is how the character's emotions change so rapidly. Perhaps the amount of time the two of them have to interact with one another has a lot to contribute to this, but their time together does feel a bit awkward and does not touch upon the areas that I would wish. While this and their other physical connections are evident, the emotional connection in my mind is something that seems to struggle. Kappa, illustrated in a shiny gold that cannot be forgotten, has a physical, magnetic-like connection that will always draw the two of them together unless and until Kappa is released. The two of them interact and form a romantic bond with one another and with each encounter, they become more inclined to go against what the prophecy says and Siren wants to rescue and release Kappa instead of kill him. The story follows the chosen one known as 'The Beacon,' but prefers being called 'Kappa.' Meanwhile, a society of sharks is in distress in which shark after shark (in the form of shark-people) are dying and their chosen prince, Siren, is being called to kill Kappa, who is being held captive. Castle Swimmer is the beginning of what is bound to be an ongoing series and was released by Wendy Lian Martin as a weekly comic. I read Castle Swimmer as a Webtoons comic on Dominica (from Literary Gladiators)'s suggestion, for this, along with King's Maker, as the series' that have immersed her more than any other.

Castle Swimmer by Wendy Lian Martin