Audiobook Review – And the Ocean Was Our Sky by Patrick Ness, Narrated by Cassandra Campbell (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 2 hours and 32 minutes
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Release Date: September 04, 2018
ASIN: B07DDPP9XX
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed Audiobook from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“With harpoons strapped to their backs, the proud whales of Bathsheba’s pod live for the hunt, fighting in the ongoing war against the world of men. When they attack a ship bobbing on the surface of the abyss, they expect to find easy prey. Instead, they find the trail of a myth, a monster, perhaps the devil himself….
As their relentless captain leads the chase, they embark on a final, vengeful hunt, one that will forever change the worlds of both whales and men.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone novella that I borrowed on audiobook from the library.
Thoughts: I enjoyed this strange retelling of Moby Dick. It tells the story of Bethesda, an apprentice in a pod of hunters. Bethesda’s captain is determined to hunt down and defeat the mythical Toby Wick (who is a human).
It was a fun reversal of roles and I liked how the human world was “The Abyss” to the whales. This was a quick and fun listen. I listened to it on audiobook and enjoyed the narration and pacing.
It is supposed to deliver a message about what makes someone a monster. The message is there but I more enjoyed the strange way this story turned Moby Dick on its head. I enjoyed the thoughtful character of Bethesda and the look into her world in the ocean depths. This was a perfect book for listening to while I did other things around the house.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this. This is a quick read and a fun sort of role reversal re-telling of Moby Dick. I enjoyed listening to this on audiobook while I did chores around the house. Would recommend this if you are looking for an intriguing Moby Dick retelling that is a quick read and well done.