Wow - what a weird and wonderful story!
The book is told in three parts where we meet Lewis and Wren who learn that Lewis is starting to mutate into a shark - not uncommon as there are treatment centres for humans who are turning into mostly predators, and support for women who are due to give birth to them.
It follows their journey as Lewis gradually transforms.

Part two is the backstory of Wren, focusing on her mother and her own transition.

Part Three focuses on the aftermath of Lewis and Wren.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading as it could have been a bit silly but it wasn’t at all - I kind of loved it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Quercus books for my arc.

“We finally have everything back from the lab. The diagnosis is very clear, you’re in the early stages of caranardon caranarias mutation - great white shark.
It’s the story of Lewis and Wren and how after their wedding they discover Lewis is mutating into a great white shark.
In essence it’s a love story, showing them from beginning of their relationship until the mutation.
It’s weird and wonderful, embrace the fantasy element and you’ll enjoy this heartwarming love story about loss, hope and adjusting to a new future.
It will make you laugh, it will make you cry.
Thanks @emilyhabeck @quercusbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

The initial year of Lewis and Wren's matrimonial journey proves to be their ultimate chapter together. Shortly after celebrating their union, a rare diagnosis befalls Lewis, casting a shadow over their nascent happiness. The prognosis is stark: although his consciousness, memories, and intellect will remain largely intact, his corporeal form will inexorably transform into that of a fearsome great white shark. As Lewis grapples with the gradual metamorphosis into one of the ocean's most predatory denizens, his artist's soul wrestles with unfulfilled aspirations that linger within.

In the early stages, Wren instinctively resists her husband's impending fate. A pressing question lingers: is there a conceivable path for their togetherness once Lewis undergoes this extraordinary change? Subsequently, a glimpse into the emergence of Lewis' carnivorous instincts triggers buried recollections within Wren, whose narrative weaves through various periods of her life. It oscillates between her formative years residing on an Oklahoma houseboat, her past romance with a college ex-girlfriend, and an unusual bond formed with a pregnant woman harboring twin avian beings.

Interwoven amidst the tapestry of this audacious novel is the tale of Wren's mother, Angela. She grapples with a tumultuous adolescence, conceiving Wren at a tender age within an abusive relationship that unfolds against the backdrop of her parents' disintegrating marriage. As the present unfolds, the accumulative weight of Wren's grief hurtles her toward a juncture where an excruciating choice becomes inevitable.

While my foray into the realms of fantasy and mythology remains relatively new, the process of broadening my horizons has been immensely gratifying thus far. The author's prowess shines brilliantly, crafting an intricately layered narrative that flows with grace and eloquence. Characters spring to life within the pages, their authenticity palpable, settings vividly evocative, and each individual's voice resonates with authenticity. A foundational pillar of this literary work is its immersive world-building, meticulously constructed with its own rich histories, cultures, and languages.

However, the digital iteration of the E-Book could benefit from refinements to enhance its user-friendliness. Incorporating navigational links for effortless chapter navigation, eradicating conspicuous gaps between words, and adorning the virtual cover with a captivating design would collectively transform the E-Book's presentation from its current document-like façade into a captivating gateway to an enchanting literary realm. With these considerations in mind, a minor deduction from my appraisal appears justified.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I have never read a book quiet like this before. This truly is a special one. Such a beautiful book that I loved every second of. Best going into this book blind.

I was pleasantly surprised with this one, when I first read about it I was expecting something really science fiction or maybe more fantasy, instead, you get a magical realism novel full of heartache and a story about love.

The writing flows well and I loved the interludes of screenplays and the flicking back through time. I did experience a few issues with trying to distinguish between chapters and paragraphs at times, but I put that down to it being an eARC rather than a formatting issue.

I was surprised at how quickly the story moved, by 50% it looked like Wren and Lewis' story had finished, I didn't realize the split between Wren and Lewis and Wren and her mother, Angela.

My heart ached even more when going back to Wren's childhood, the relationships she had with those, and the tragedy of the metamorphosis. it felt like the physical changes were only a subplot at times.

I gave this one five out of five stars, and encourage you to give it a try! I guarantee you'll be surprised.

The premise of this plot is far-fetched (humans mutating to other species) but the writing is beautiful depicting the tenderness of close encounters and for this reason alone I rate this book, 'Shark Heart' by Emily Habeck, highly. Just suspend your disbelief!

⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Shark Heart
by Emily Habeck

When I first heard the premise of this book is that Lewis turns into a shark throughout the first year of his marriage to Wren, I chuckled to myself and said "no thanks". Having recently heard so many who influence my reading, give it rave reviews, I was gripped with FOMO and succumbed.

Being a realist sort of girl I just went with the whole speculative/ magical realism/ metaphorical thing. Some of the writing is incredible, this author thrives on parallelism, structurally, conceptually and linguistically. This I really appreciate. The second half captures nature and the environment beautifully.

However I don't think the story benefitted from the experimental structure. I wanted something solid, but it just drifted into the ether and became neither one thing or the other.

Given that romance and love is a central theme, I find the relationships all a bit off. There is something "sharkish" if I may riff on the theme, about Lewis' love for Wren. Is she a metaphor for victims of overbearing, suffocating love? Need she sacrifice herself completely for him? Does Angela needs a man to rescue her, define her? Poor Wren, surrounded by animals. What of Joy? (IYKYM)

I love a bit of offbeat literature, and I'm sure this will spark plenty of analysis and debate.

Available now.

Thanks to #netgalley and #quercus for the egalley

Motherhood, metamorphosis and letting go, the love story of Wren and Lewis.
Lewis receives a very rare and troublesome diagnosis, he is diagnosed with a mutation, and over the course of nine months he will transform into a great white shark.
Wren fights for a way to stay with Lewis, but as their relationship takes on a dangerous tone, Wren needs to learn to deal with her grief and learn to let go.
While we also learn of Wren's mothers past and all the heartbreak Wren's mother Angela has endured.
This was such a dazzling, touching and heartfelt love story, but also bizarre and unexpected….it worked well! Wren and Lewis remind me of me and my partner, I have always believed that opposites attract. The book has three acts which keeps it interesting, and focuses on Wren's relationship and her mother's story too.
I loved this story, very thought provoking when you are following how Wren reacts to the changes in Lewis, and having to grieve and let go. I did cry and am not ashamed!
It's easy to read, and written in various styles, and a spectacular debut novel, all about what it means to be human.
Would of also liked to read more about the secondary characters in this novel, as they all seem like they could have played a bigger part throughout the book.

This is an excellent speculative fiction: full of food for thought and emotionally charged. The characters are fleshed out and the world building is well done.
Not a funny or entertaining story but an intriguing one.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

“We finally have everything back from the lab. The diagnosis is very clear,” Dr. Ramirez said briskly to mask the gravity of what came next. “You’re in the early stages of a Carcharodon carcharias mutation.”
“Carcharo— What?”
“Carcharodon carcharias. Great white shark.”

My thanks to Quercus Books Jo Fletcher Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Shark Heart A love story’ by Emily Habeck.

I know that it can be unwise to judge a book by its cover but my eye was immediately drawn to the cover image of a shark made of bright flowers against a soft green background. Add to this the novel’s unique premise definitely caught my attention.

In April 2016, Lewis Woodard, a high school drama teacher, marries Wren, his girlfriend of four years. In May after being concerned about a few unusual symptoms, he receives the diagnosis that he is gradually transforming into a great white shark. Well consider me well and truly hooked!

In many ways the narrative follows a traditional love story as we visit their younger years, including the beginnings of their relationship as well as their journey through Lewis’ transition. I appreciated Wren’s response to Lewis’ diagnosis, “They say the first year of marriage is the hardest”.

The novel at times takes on the structure of a play and many chapters are quite short. Part One is dedicated to the story of Lewis and Wren; Part 2 goes back to 1980 and follows Wren’s mother, Angela. Part Three is set in various oceans and in the Epilogue we return to Wren in Texas.

Aside from the strangeness of Lewis’ transformation there are other fantastical elements throughout the novel. Given that I enjoy science fiction and fantasy and have a soft spot for DC Comics’ King Shark, I certainly was able to embrace the weirdness and go with the flow.

Overall, ‘Shark Heart’ is undoubtedly an impressive debut. Emily Habeck’s prose is lyrical and immersive. I found it both heartbreaking and heartwarming; a love story about loss and hope and of course, sharks.

Highly recommended.

For Lewis and Wren, their first year of marriage will be their last. A few weeks after their wedding, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark. As Lewis develops the features and impulses of one of the most predatory creatures in the ocean, his complicated artists heart struggles to make peace with his unfulfilled dreams.

I do occasionally read them, but I'm not a huge fan of love stories. But this one is different, definitely not the kind of love story you'd normally read. Because Lewis turns into a shark! There are some parts that are quite funny and other parts that are sad. You do have to suspend your beliefs whilst reading this book. Wren's mother mutates into a reptile. But Lewis and Wrens love for each other is touching and heartfelt. I had no idea what I expected from this book, but I wasn't disappointed.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #QurecusBooks and the author #EmilyHabeck for my ARC of #SharkHeart in exchange for an honest review.

This is a rare and inspirational book - a beautifully told story with a completely compelling storyline gives you the feeling of reading something very new and very well done.

Set in a parallel world where people might succumb to a mutation that thins the line between humans and animals, Wren navigates her world as she is affected by changes around her that she can't control but handles with feeling and humanity.

A different take on love and humanity, this is a rare read but a really enjoyable one, written in vivid and moving language.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for my free digital ARC in exchange for a review!

What an unexpected delight of a novel! I am not usually one for judging a book by its cover, but when I first joined Netgalley I spotted this one and could not resist it. Very glad to report that the contents match the stunning cover! 🦈🌺
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Shark Heart focuses on Wren and Lewis, a newly married couple who receive possibly the worst news you could get during your first year of wedded bliss: Lewis is transforming into a great white shark. In the world delicately crafted by Emily Habeck, some people are born with genetic mutations which see them slowly transform into various animals, from zebras to Komodo dragons. The first part of the book follows Lewis & Wren as they get to grips with the new state of their reality and try to plan for the future.
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I absolutely fell in love with both of these characters. Habeck brings them to life so vividly, when I realised the next section of the book was moving onto Wren’s mother I was genuinely devastated. But I shouldn’t have worried, as the author put just as much love and thought into Angela’s story as well, and soon enough I was enraptured with that narrative too. Habeck explores heavy topics like abuse (physical and emotional), parent-child relationships and health & illness with a light touch that never feels insensitive. The chapters are extremely short, some just a few lines long, but every word feels carefully chosen, imbued with warmth and tenderness.
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I find it hardest to write reviews of books I love with no criticism, I came to look for my notes on Shark Heart only to find I hadn’t taken any. I was utterly absorbed in the story, loathe to put my iPad down for even a second and leave these characters. The way Habeck explores various relationships, with some casual queer rep in there, hooked me completely.
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Gorgeous, striking prose, emotional depth, a unique concept - a definite favourite of the year for me!

There is no doubt that this is unusual. A unique take on the love story when Lewis, married to Wren, discovers that he is turning into a great white shark. In American author Emily Habeck’s fictional world, this is not unprecedented. A Carcharodon Carcharias mutation which means that his days as drama teacher and husband to Wren are limited. Along the way we meet characters metamorphosing into other creatures, a pregnant woman Wren encounters at the swimming baths faces a non-human birth and facilities exist to support with transitions and if things do not go to plan, provide a humane final solution.
A number of potential readers may think this book is not for them. We can look at Lewis’s change in a number of ways, suspend disbelief and take it for what it is or alternatively as a metaphor for illness, grief and loss. Take that too literally and it can come across as a little heavy-handed and I admit that during the first section I felt I may have made an error with such a reading choice. It’s written in a calm, matter-of-fact style with a simplicity which feels at odds with the turmoils faced by these characters.
It is set in three parts, the first examines Lewis’ change in terms of his relationship with his wife, the second delves into Wren’s back-story and the third features Lewis adapting to what has happened to him. I can be quite resistant to books this left-field, it had echoes of last year’s “Isaac And The Egg” by Bobby Palmer which found a lot of fans but which may or may not have been a metaphorical examination of grief but which did not totally convince this reader but here the author did something I wasn’t actually expecting her to do – she drew me in and I began to care.
There’s a tragi-comic element to Lewis’ mutation but the tale of the woman having to cope with this tugs the heart-strings. It’s easy to read but there is depth and an emotional attachment is formed between the characters and the reader.
This is a book which could take off, but it is one where word of mouth will be important because of its quirky subject matter. Early Good Read ratings suggest that people are getting behind this and buying into the craziness of the author’s imagination and being able to relate it to own experiences and everyday existence. As a debut novel this is all quite impressive.

I know this book won't be to everyone's taste but I found it fascinating and beautiful and emotional. It didn't make me cry or laugh outright but it is very moving.

Wren and Lewis are newly married. One day Lewis discovers a strange patch of skin on his body. It appears he is transforming (as many have before him) into a different animal. The first part of the book deals with Wren and Lewis as they come to terms with the transformation and everything that it means for them.

In part 2 we discover Wren's roots. Her mother's story and Wren's bond with the woman who raised her. In the final part we return to Lewis, now a fully fledged shark but we also see how Wren's life has also transformed.

The things I found interesting were not just the strangeness of this world where not only do people transform into other creatures but they can also give birth to animals. I'm not sure if I missed something but all the transformations are apex predators as is man. I'm willing to be proved wrong on this point.

All that aside the premise is fascinating, the characters engaging and the writing is excellent. Highly recommended if you like a little strange with your literary fiction. I'd definitely read more by Emily Habeck.

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for the advance review copy.

Wren and Lewis have only been married for a year when Lewis mutates into a great white shark and suddenly it's all over.

I can't even begin to describe how strange this book is and yet how completely wonderful it is and how much I loved it. In a world where human beings can mutate into other creatures with little to no warning, every human life hangs in the balance. Set against the shift and pull between human and animal, Habeck writes a love story that had me 100% invested in it and which at one point in the book made me sob so much I had to take a break to compose myself.

The characters are vivid and wonderful. The stories are so extremely strange and yet utterly believable and the love is real. I adored this book. It's one of the best things I've read this year and I will be recommending it to everyone.

I’ve found myself nearly in tears reading some books. However Shark Heart wasn’t nearly, Shark Heart was huge, unattractive, racking sobs. I actually had to take a break from the book for a bit because it is so utterly heartbreaking.

This book is so beautiful, so sad, so devastating, so clever. We have Lewis and Wren who after a few years of happily dating get married. A few weeks after their wedding Lewis experiences some strange symptoms and learns he is mutating into a great white shark. Their first year of marriage is spelt dealing with his transformation. I felt so powerless reading this as Wren (a natural planner) tries to make things better, tries to hold on to Lewis as long as she can, tries to find a way to continue to make their marriage work, but is constantly thwarted by this change that is happening regardless of what either of them want.

Mid way through the book we flash back to an earlier story and at first I didn’t understand why, I wanted to be with Wren and know how she was coping. However it quickly became apparent why the author made this choice and how clever it was to explain certain instances referred to in the earlier story.

I feel quite traumatised from reading this but I can’t state strongly enough how brilliant it is. I couldn’t stop thinking about it afterwards. It is so beautifully written, so emotionally impactful. I highly recommend it. I would just advise some trigger warnings for domestic abuse, loss of a loved one.

This is without a doubt one of my best books of the year. I’ll be talking about this book to anyone who will listen.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Emily Habeck, the publisher and NetGalley for this.

“He was an aimless kite in search of a string to ground him to the world, but instead he’d found Wren, a great, strong wind who supported his exploration of the sky”

Told in three parts, ‘Shark Heart’ focuses on our main protagonist Wren, her husband Lewis and her mother Angela.

Soon after Wren and Lewis are married, he undergoes a metamorphosis. A diagnosis from a doctor tells him he is transforming into a great white shark. Over the course of the first part of the book we see him deteriorate; starting to forget things about his life and becoming a danger to others and himself. He begins to forget his humanity.

Wren’s mother Angela is 15 years old when she falls for a man a lot older than she. He is at first a dreamer, an artist, kind and caring, though at times aloof. When she becomes pregnant with Wren he turns resentful and violent.

As the story unfolds things begin to change. First seemingly for better, but then ultimately for worse.

This is a beautiful story about love, loss, remembrance and grief. Grief of losing a loved one, and the grief of losing yourself.

The book is set over short chapters and paragraphs, making it an easy and satisfying read. I sped through it in two days.

The transformations that occur, I think, are the physical manifestations of feelings and emotions about what it means to be human. What it means to lose yourself. What it means to have your life changed by something big. What it means to lose someone you love. What it means to begin again.

At times both heart warming and heart wrenching, this is an overall lovely book. While there are parts or plot points I’d like to have seen expanded, there’s plenty to enjoy from this original and compelling read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Editions for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what an unexpectedly emotional book (even though there was a warning in the beginning)!!
Exploring topics around grief, love and family this book was special.
At first I thought huh, how can this even be, a love story about a man transforming into a Great White Shark, but it worked and it was beautiful.
I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

An unusual premise, a heartbreaking love story. Love, loss and grief, and plenty of space for hope. I shed a few tears!