As an author of a mermaid novel, I am always interested in other books about mermaids, sirens, and selkies. Today, I shall highlight some to show how different these stories are and why I recommend them. Here are some of my favourites.
Rhyming Children’s Tale
If you want a quick light hearted read, then Seal Mother by Rose English is a good choice. This book is inspired by local mythology and told in verse. It is suitable for young children but adults will enjoy it too.
Book Review: Seal Mother by Rose English – Ally Aldridge
Found-Family Fairytale
If you love stories with a fairytale vibe, and found family, then check out The Meramid’s Sister by Carrie Ann Noble. This story is about two sisters, who were found in unusual ways and adopted by their mum who cannot leave her home due to a curse.
When the mermaid sister gets ill, the other sister has to take on the task of returning her to the sea with the help of a family friend and his wagon. This story is full of charms and curses, a sisterly bond, and first love. It has the same energy as Stardust by Neil Gailman.
Book Review: The Mermaid’s Sister by Carrie Anne Noble – Ally Aldridge
LGBT Mermaid Graphic Novel
This is a sweet Young Adult Graphic Novel by Molly Knox Ostertag called The Girl from the Sea. The main character is dealing with a lot of coming of age issues in her life, but is able to find comfort in Keltie.
Keltie isn’t an ordinary girl, she once was a Selkie but after the girls sharing a kiss she was able to stay on land. The main character is struggles to come out to her friends and family about her girlfriend. This sweet graphic novel has a happy ending and the art is beautiful.
Book Review: The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag – Ally Aldridge
Dystopian Mermaid
If you love dystopian fiction, then The Seawomen by Chloe Timms is worth checking out. It is described as being the Handmaid’s Tale with mermaids. Basically, the main character lives in religious patriarchy society where anything that goes wrong from weather to disease, is blamed on the women. Men can do no wrong.
There is a rule that women cannot look at the sea but one day the main character is being chased by boys with ill intentions and knows that if they catch her and have their way, she will be blamed for it. She takes a risk to escape them and hides by the sea, leading to her uncovering a big secret that starts to unravel all the lies she’s grown up with.
Book Review: The Seawomen by Chloe Timms – Ally Aldridge
Steamy Mermaid Romantasy
Meraki by Naomi Kelly is about a sexy Warlord and a Syren. King Kellan is the descendant of a god and decides that he needs to capture a syren, then use her to defeat his enemy. The syren he captures in Wren, a syren on the run from her past.
The pair start off hating each other, but sparks soon fly leading to a steamy enemies to lovers type story. This is the first book in a duology and I’ve always meant to read the next book but not got around to it.
Book Review: Meraki by Naomi Kelly – Ally Aldridge
Mermaid Shifter Romantasy
Of course, there is my novel, Ocean Heart by Ally Aldridge. It is the first book in the Young Adult Soul Heart series and features a teen mermaid shifter. Ocean Heart has a strong romance plot with the main character torn between her crush on her male BFF and being perused by the hot swim team stud that rubs her up the wrong way. Her messy love life is what wakes up her dormant deadly mermaid powers, and now she is trying to keep her powers under control before someone gets killed.
More Mermraid Books
There are plenty more that are worth a mention:
Middle Grade Under the Sea School: Book Review: Mermaid School – Ally Aldridge
Little Mermaid Retelling: Book Review: Balanced Scales by Laura Greenwood – Ally Aldridge
Little Mermaid Retelling: Book Review: Sea Witch by Sarah Henning – Ally Aldridge
Graphic Novel on a Ship: Book Review: Sailor Twain by Mark Siegel – Ally Aldridge
Young Adult Mermaid World: Book Review: Tenebrasco by Hannah Reed – Ally Aldridge
Fae Fiction: Book Review: Never Date a Siren by Byrd Nash – Ally Aldridge
Robots and Fantasy Adventure: Book Review: The Steel Princess by April Grace – Ally Aldridge
