One of the many niche things I enjoy is the deep sea. There has been something so fascinating to me about sea creatures and bioluminescence and the abyssal and hadal zones for over a decade now—so seeing that The Jellyfish Problem by Tessa Yang (June 2, 2026) featured a giant jellyfish, a strange and isolated island, and a sapphic relationship meant I knew I had to pick it up.
We follow Jo, who is grieving the lost of her best friend and co-writer, Aldo, in a diving accident. She gets a call from an old friend Nadia, who lets her know that there is something strange of the coast of her new home: a giant jellyfish (that we later learn has been named Clementine). It just so happens that Jo’s expertise lies with studying jellyfish, and a combination of curiosity and grief sends her straight to there.
Each chapter starts with an excerpt of Jo’s book draft, featuring commentary from Aldo. It gives a nice insight into jellyfish for those who are not already obsessed (like myself). There is a deep intensity that persists throughout the novel: Jo’s estranged relationship with Nadia, her new budding relationship with Tony, the current owner of the island’s bed and breakfast, the strange characters within the town who are of course not being entirely honest with Jo, and, of course, whatever is going on with the giant, strange jellyfish lurking in the depths.
I enjoyed many things about this book: the writing was great, the relationships were good, and the science included was accessible enough for those unacquainted but fantastical enough to support the idea of a giant jellyfish. The sapphic relationship isn’t the focus of the novel—it is definitely a story which centres grief, loss and growth—but it’s sweet, and Tony and Jo are able to lean on one another as the story continues.
Another book to add to the collection of those I’ve classified as “weird ocean stuff”—the majority of which coincidentally are sapphic! Check it out when it releases this June!
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