The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, by Emma Knight.

The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The intriguing title of this book caught my interest – as did the facts that it was written by a fellow Canadian, is partially set in Toronto, and the two main characters are Canadian transplants, entering their first year at the University of Edinburgh in the year 2006.



I decided to go into this one blind and not do too much research about octopi, other than the standard fact that the average life span of these invertebrates is 5 years. (A couple of reviewers noted that the full relevance of the title of this book is only revealed at the 87% mark on their Ereaders, but I realized when I got to those final chapters that there were indeed many vital clues in the very first chapter.)



The Scottish vernacular gave me occasional trouble, but Pen and Alice’s fellow students were an engaging band of characters, so I just went along for the ride when I couldn’t decipher the slang. Penelope Winters’ inner (and occasionally oral) dialogue often made me think that this story was taking place in the Victorian era, but Pen was a book nerd and probably just could not help herself! I suppose I should count my blessings because these days, most teens and young adults that I come across speak in “abbreviation mode” – or some obscure code that even Google Translate can’t decipher!



Beautiful and talented Alice Diamond is Pen’s total opposite: embracing all the experiences and liberties that studying abroad afforded her. I was worried for a while there that this story might devolve into a tropey YA novel, but rest assured that the troupe of fellow students in Pen and Alice’s social circle enjoy anything BUT a smooth ride in the relationship department.



The writing is above par and the author throws a few curve balls at you when you least expect it. I’m rating this novel a much-deserved 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to the author, Emma Knight, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
(Expected Publication Date : January 07, 2025.)



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