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baedrienne's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a very fun, and simultaneously emotional read! It's a novella, so if you're in the mood for something short this is a great option. The story follows Erika, a Black transgender woman who has been forced to live her life in secret following the death of her mother. On a trip across the ocean, she is thrown into the sea by a superstitious sailor. A sea witch saves her life by turning her into a mermaid, but in the process, Erika loses her voice. She finds her way to an undersea city and meets Princess Ariel. The two quickly become friends, and perhaps more, as they fight to save the city from Ursula.
Although this is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, I found that it had surprises for me, twists on the original story that I enjoyed! We get to see Ariel, Ursula, and King Triton, along with a cast of new characters who add diversity to the original story, and form a beautiful found family for Erika. There were also fun callbacks to the Disney movie as well.
I thought that the author did a beautiful job of worldbuilding within such a short book. I absolutely love Lynn's descriptive style, and as an ocean lover, found myself under the sea! I definitely recommend giving this book a read for an enjoyable adventure.
Although this is a retelling of The Little Mermaid, I found that it had surprises for me, twists on the original story that I enjoyed! We get to see Ariel, Ursula, and King Triton, along with a cast of new characters who add diversity to the original story, and form a beautiful found family for Erika. There were also fun callbacks to the Disney movie as well.
I thought that the author did a beautiful job of worldbuilding within such a short book. I absolutely love Lynn's descriptive style, and as an ocean lover, found myself under the sea! I definitely recommend giving this book a read for an enjoyable adventure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
athenathestorier's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The story idea was great. I loved this twist on the Little Mermaid tale. Eric is Erika, a black trans woman finding a place of belonging. Ariel, a mermaid princess on a different type of deadline. And both in a sweet, uncomplicated sapphic romance full of straightforward communication.
But the world and plot development was too ambitious for this length. Everything felt too shallow and unorganized to really enjoy, despite the pretty prose and premise.
Quotable quotes:
“An act meant to sever her from the world she’d made for herself and force her back into a shell she couldn’t wear.”
“The steel kept her together when she couldn’t hold herself, an unflinching reminder of who she was.”
“Mute and human, her body wrong in a way she never felt before, now that she knew what the right one was like.”
But the world and plot development was too ambitious for this length. Everything felt too shallow and unorganized to really enjoy, despite the pretty prose and premise.
Quotable quotes:
“An act meant to sever her from the world she’d made for herself and force her back into a shell she couldn’t wear.”
“The steel kept her together when she couldn’t hold herself, an unflinching reminder of who she was.”
“Mute and human, her body wrong in a way she never felt before, now that she knew what the right one was like.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Grief, Sexism, Transphobia, and Death of parent
f18's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia, Transphobia, and Vomit
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