Amphibian is a haunting, tender debut that delves into the complexities of early friendships and the fragile transition into adolescence. Sissy, newly arrived in her West Country school, is left to fend for herself by her troubled mother. Her life takes a dramatic turn when Sissy fights a boy in front of Tegan, forging a fierce bond between them. Together, they navigate a dark world of online encounters, unsettling urban legends, and the growing threat of danger that surrounds them.

As their imagined fears start to seep into reality, Sissy begins to transform into something unsettling and unknown. This coming-of-age novel explores desire, vulnerability, and the intense relationships that shape and sometimes unravel our lives.

However, for those who appreciate bold, boundary-pushing narratives, Amphibian is a haunting and unforgettable debut. Personally, I found its direction and ending both captivating and profound.

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Amphibian is one of those books that I love and hate in equal measure. I only say I hate it because the characters are so well defined that I spent a lot of time being angry with them. It's a mark of good storytelling but it does my blood pressure no favours.

The story revolves around Sissy who is at another new school. She never seems to fit in anywhere and is firmly of the belief that her body is becoming something other. Her strangeness makes her the object of derision to the other children but after one episode of bullying she fights back and earns the respect of cool girl, Tegan.

The two girls lives intertwine as they make the first steps into puberty learning about love, desire and forbidden fruit as around them someone is snatching girls off the streets and Mou, Sissy's unstable mother lurches from one crisis to another.

Tyler Weatherall's book looks at family, friendship, desire, love, stability and rebellion through the eyes of two young girls just trying to understand the adult world.

I found Amphibian a compelling tale right up until the very peculiar magical realism towards the end. It just seemed to be plonked onto the end of the book with little leading up to it. Sissy's odd transformation isn't really explained or delved into further and I didn't really understand the need for it.

Apart from that one niggle I'd recommend this book.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for the advance review copy.

This was such a heart-breaking read. I pieced together what was going on with Tegan pretty quickly but it didn't make the revelation any less sinister. It shows the power friendships can have at an early age and how they can affect on the rest of you life, especially the intense friendship Sissy and Tegan share.
This book also explores the harsh realities of mental health and I think it is done so well.

I would recommend looking at TW before reading this book.

This was much deeper and thought provoking that I imagined it would be. A story of love, friendship, passion and what it means to live in all its guises. Certainly a book I’ve never come across before, and it will definitely have a specific audience who will adore it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown for allowing me to read an ARC of Amphibian by Tyler Wetherall.

This novel is truly unique and unlike anything else I have read. The prose is acerbic. Wetherall writes graphically and honestly about growing, evolving, and changing.

Every single character in this book has been cleverly thought out and developed. The plot is slow to begin with, and suddenly ramps up into an intensely emotional story.

Amphibian is extraordinary, a living breathing being.

The lyrical writing is the star of the show in this strange and poetic account of female adolescence. In lots of ways we've all read this story before: passionate friendship, betrayal, underage sexuality. What gives this its edge is Sissy's mythic imagination and her innocent present tense voice as she deals with problems a twelve year old shouldn't have to face. I look forward to Wetherall turning her undoubted talent to a fresher story. 3.5 stars for a told-before tale rounded up for the lovely writing.