A review by baedrienne
Mer Made by S.T. Lynn

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. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings