Salvage coming July 21st, 2026 from Ten Speed Graphic; 257 pages
Content Warning: Drowning, poverty
About the Author: “Renée Nault is a Canadian artist, illustrator, and graphic novelist. She is known for her vivid and surreal watercolor illustrations, which have appeared in books, magazines, newspapers and advertising around the world. Nault was born in Vancouver and later moved to Victoria, BC. Growing up near the ocean, she was influenced by the languid weightlessness and bright colours of underwater landscapes. She loves to travel, and has spent long stretches of time in Europe, Asia, and Africa” (Bio from author’s website).
Find Renée Nault on the following platforms:
In a post-climate-change world, there are two kinds of people: those who live in the Uplands—the expensive postmodern world filled with bright lights, parties, and everything you can possibly imagine—and those who don’t. Beyond the Uplands, there are the Flats—a village on stilts, built on the remains of the drowned world. It’s in these Flats that Paolo helps his parents by swimming through the wreckage and salvaging any “vintage” items to sell to the Uplanders. On one such trip, he finds clothes that will help him blend right in with the Uplanders. His curiosity and his dreams of being a painter get the better of him. In Paolo’s mind, the only way to experience the Uplands is to become one of them. It’s there that he meets new friends, including Jules, a beautiful but shy artist who opens the Upland-world to Paolo. The seductive Uplands change Paolo, and as he gets closer to Jules, she gets closer to the truth. Because, despite every effort, sometimes you can’t hide where you come from.
I don’t read many graphic novels, but I really enjoyed this one. The way Renée Nault built this world—both through dialogue and imagery—was spectacular. There was a vastness to Salvage, yet it was defined by two main characters and the goings-on in their lives. Jules and Paolo were great characters; their romance was so sweet, and the discourse throughout the novel about poverty and dreams was so interesting. In the past, whenever I’ve read graphic novels, I’ve flown through the story, and there hasn’t been much depth. This wasn’t true for Salvage. Beyond the star-crossed lovers’ romance, there was commentary on poverty, climate change, and how these factors impact people’s dreams, specifically the dream of becoming an artist. It added so much to the story that I just gobbled it up. It was also intriguing because of the color design between the characters and the world. The Flats were muted tones mixed with greens and such, whereas the Uplands literally embodied bright light, big city. Overall, a great read, and I honestly would recommend it to both veteran graphic novel readers and those just starting out with the format.
Salvage releases on July 21st, 2026.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley, and Ten Speed Graphic for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Hayley Bigelow, Pine Reads Review Writer