Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, gripping fantasy turns "Moby Dick" upside down.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In AND THE OCEAN WAS OUR SKY, whales hunt humans because humans hunt whales, and humans hunt whales because whales hunt humans. It's always been this way. Until at 16, Bathsheba is apprenticed to a hunting pod under the notorious Captain Alexandra. Alexandra's determined to find and destroy the great white ship that left her with a harpoon stuck in her head and took away her echolocation ability. As they follow Toby Wick's trail of destruction across the waters, Bathsheba becomes plagued with doubts. But she must obey her captain no matter the cost to her own life, or to life as we know it.
Is It Any Good?
This is a gripping, haunting fantasy from veteran author Patrick Ness accompanied by equally evocative illustrations, both of which provoke thought instead of spoon-feeding answers. And the Ocean Was Our Sky raises issues that teens who are ready to tackle larger questions more deeply will get a lot out of thinking and talking about. And like its inspiration Moby Dick, it also works well as a grand, oceangoing adventure.
It's a bit puzzling in the beginning until the reader can fully understand and accept the (literally) upside-down world that the whales inhabit. But readers who enjoy setting reality aside and going along for the ride will enjoy the adventure. Best for readers ready to think more deeply about power, loyalty, conflict, mercy, and other big issues.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in And the Ocean Was Our Sky. How much is too much? Does it make a difference if it's fantasy violence? What about descriptions vs. illustrations?
Have you read Moby Dick or seen any of the movie versions? How does this book compare? If you haven't, would you like to now? Why, or why not?
How much do you know about whales, or about the history of whaling? Go to your local or school library to find books or search online to learn more.
What do you think Bathsheba means when she says "... there are devils in the deep, but worst are the ones we make"?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Rovina Cai
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTeen
- Publication date : August 4, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 160
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate