*I was given an ARC of Salvage in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Ten Speed Press and Renée Nault for my copy of this graphic novel*
Synopsis:
In this heartwarming graphic novel romance from the adaptor and illustrator of The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel, two young artists’ paths intertwine as they navigate the complexities of love in a world where sea levels have risen and society is sharply divided.
Paolo lives in the Flats, a dangerous, water-logged community where families survive by salvaging materials from skyscrapers hidden just beneath the ocean’s surface—remnants of a world before sea levels rose. Scavenging the depths comes with its risks, but when Paolo discovers a suitcase of designer clothes, he decides to fulfill his dream: To spend one night in the Uplands, a place of privilege, excess, and freedom. There he meets Jules and her friends, and what begins as a single night of reckless adventure turns into a secret double life—and a seemingly impossible romance that forces Paolo to reckon with who he is, where he belongs, and the importance of being true to himself.
Rendered in vibrant watercolor illustrations that bring every scene to vivid life, Salvage is as much a visual masterpiece as it is a moving tale of love and self-discovery. Renée Nault’s atmospheric and luminous hand-painted art draws readers into Paolo and Jules’ world, promising an unforgettable coming of age story.
Review:
Salvage is a beautiful graphic novel about discovering being true to yourself and finding friends that care for you no matter what – it’s a lovely story, but I read it weeks ago and failed to make any review notes (typical) so bare with me.
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Salvage quite as much as I did. I knew it would come with miscommunication due to Paolo hiding his true identity, but I actually didn’t mind it. He had good reason to hide that he’s from the Flats. Prejudice against everyone that lives there has him worried about not fitting in with his new friends, which yeah you shouldn’t feel the need to hide who you are, but don’t worry, everything sorts itself out in the end. I won’t say much more as I don’t want to spoil the story.
The artstyle of Salvage is a gorgeous watercolour. I loved how when Paolo was in the Flats the colours were, well flat. Whereas when he arrives in the Uplands, the colours burst into life and everything becomes more vibrant. This was a very nice distinction that told you where you were without actually having to tell you.
The character designs were also very fun. Each character had unique features and they changed their hair and clothes every time you saw them. Other than Paolo who only had one set of designer clothes for wearing in the Uplands.
One part of Salvage that I wasn’t sold by was the romance. It’s obvious from the get-go that Paolo and Jules were written to be a romance but I wasn’t quite convinced. I think they had the solid beginnings of a romance, but I was enjoying watching their friendship grow first. Their shared love of art is what built their connection but the constant lies made it difficult to root for their relationship.
I do like that these characters felt real though. They’re all flawed, and aware of it, and these shades of grey are what made them interesting.
I’d highly recommend checking out Salvage. It’s a stunning graphic novel with a compelling story.
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