Year of the Mer is a book which asks us how we can break a cycle. It uses the framework of The Little Mermaid and puts us in this generational storyline where we are asked what kind of leader we will be. Keep reading this book review of Year of the Mer for my full thoughts.
Summary
The fairytale 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.
Like her grandmother before her, Yemi is tempted by a deal with the sea-witch. With powerful and ancient magic behind her, Yemi could avenge her family, take back her throne, and protect the love of her life. But she should know more than anyone that there is always a price. As much as Yemi wants vengeance, Ursla has been waiting a very, very long time for her own—and it may take more fortune than Yemi possesses to keep her from losing everything all over again.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Year of the Mer is a book that balances introspection and action. There’s very much this high action storyline about revenge, negotiations, and betrayal. We aren’t sure where to turn next and who we can really trust. Everyone is out for their own motivations. This was described as an epic fantasy and it delivers this lush world of water and waves. But where I was captivated was the thematic exploration of ambition and revenge. They are reeling from the effects of the past, the bad blood and the betrayals. But is there a way forward? A way to put the past to rest and move forwards or is that a betrayal of our own past?
Another theme I enjoyed was this idea of a villain versus a hero. Are we the villains in someone else’s story? Year of the Mer asks us if we have a necessity for ruthlessness. If we will tip over the edge, become what we swore we would never, and fall into another cycle. What does power, loss, and ambition make us into? Grief and loneliness can make us ravenous. Year of the Mer is a great blend of actions and themes which I fell into gladly! Find Year of the Mer on Goodreads, Storygraph, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.
Tour Schedule
| Tour Date | Tour Hosts | Type of Post |
| March 23rd | @raisedonfairytales | Bookstagram only |
| @lindsey.the.librarian | Bookstagram only | |
| Utopia State of Mind | Bookstagram + Blog | |
| March 24th | @cherumanalil | Bookstagram only |
| @amanda.the.bookish | Bookstagram only | |
| A_pixie_bookshelf | Bookstagram feed post + Reel | |
| March 25th | Holly Dolly Reads | Bookstagram only |
| Readingsavvy | Bookstagram feed post + Reel | |
| Teemariereads | Bookstagram only | |
| March 26th | @sugar_spice_and_stories | Bookstagram feed post + Reel |
| @thorfinns_library | Bookstagram feed post + Reel | |
| Metaphors and Miscellanea | Bookstagram + Blog | |
| March 27th | @bibliosizzle | Bookstagram only |
| jlreadstoperpetuity | Instagram + Tiktok | |
| Pluvioreads | Bookstagram + Blog | |
| March 28th | @whatkarinareads | Bookstagram only |
| @enthuse_reader | Bookstagram only | |
| @tardis_free_library | Bookstagram only | |
| March 29th | Lexijava | Bookstagram only |
| @fishgirllovesbooks | @fishgirllovesbooks | |
| Babelandblight | Bookstagram only |