A dark and explosive epic fantasy of betrayal, revolution and dark magic pacts, as the Little Mermaid’s granddaughter marches to war, perfect for fans of H. M. Long and Samantha Shannon. With thanks to Leticia for her review.
Instead of the current fantasy fever pitch of dragons, this read has scales of a different kind, the Mer – or merfolk – and not the cutesy Disney version either.
It isn’t a requirement to know of the story behind The Little Mermaid or its numerous adaptations to delve into this story; this tale reimagines itself in a time where Arielle got her happily-ever-after, but the choices and deals of that bargain cascade through the generations as Yemi, Arielle’s granddaughter, is groomed for Queenhood. When your kingdom has been shaped by war however, preparing for that prospect takes on a darker and bloodier tone.
The book is written predominately as a dual narrative, Yemi leads the perspective and challenges the reader at times on her likeability; as she grapples with temptation and power, and an ancestral fate, are her motives defensible? An alternate viewpoint is offered from Nova, Yemi’s personal guard and fiancée, roles that offer both compatibility and strain. What stood out throughout this read is the women, their strength, their conflicts and the romantic, familial and antagonistic relationships present.
Still being relatively new to fantasy this feels like a story that you can dunk your toe (or fin) into. The book size isn’t too big to scare you off and time is given to start building the Ixian world, a world that intrigues me enough to look forward to the second instalment of this duology.
About the Book
The fairy tale mermaid Arielle might have gotten her happily-ever-after, but her granddaughter Yemi is having a much harder time. Her father, the king of Ixia, was assassinated years ago, her mother is slowly dying of a poisoned wound, and she faces whispers and slights from her own people. Yemi has been raised as the shield of the kingdom and is soon to inherit the throne, but she cannot shake her fury at how Ixia has treated her family after all they’ve sacrificed. Only her patient mother and steadfast personal bodyguard (and fiancée), Nova, help Yemi rein in that fury… most of the time.
When the kingdom’s discontented rumblings reach a fever pitch, a coup erupts and Yemi’s throne is usurped, stripping her of her family and forcing her into exile. Now, only one being has the power to help her: Ursla.
About The Author
L.D. Lewis is an editor, publisher, and Shirley Jackson award-nominated writer of speculative fiction. She serves as a founding creator and Project Manager for the World Fantasy and Hugo Award-winning FIYAH Literary Magazine. She also serves as the founding Director of (Hugo-nominated) FIYAHCON, the Ignyte Awards, Researcher for the (also award-winning) LeVar Burton Reads podcast, and pays the bills as the Director of Programs and Operations for Lambda Literary. She is the author of A Ruin of Shadows (Dancing Star Press, 2018) and her published short fiction and poetry includes appearances in Out There Screaming (Edited by Jordan Peele and John Joseph Adams), FIYAH, PodCastle, Strange Horizons, Anathema: Spec from the Margins, Lightspeed, Fireside, and Neon Hemlock, among others.
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