Lies Beneath

Lies Beneath follows Calder White, a merman who lives with his sisters in Lake Superior. Their mission revolves around avenging their mother's death by targeting Jason Hancock, the man they hold responsible. The merpeople in this dark tale are predators who feed on human emotions, draining their victims of happiness to sustain themselves. Calder's plan to get close to Hancock through his daughter Lily becomes complicated as he infiltrates their lives. The story presents a fresh take on mermaid mythology, setting it against the backdrop of the Great Lakes rather than the ocean. The supernatural elements intertwine with themes of family loyalty, revenge, and the possibility of change. This YA paranormal romance explores questions of destiny versus choice, and whether one's nature truly determines their fate. The novel challenges assumptions about good and evil while examining the price of vengeance.

Readers describe this mermaid tale as darker and more sinister than typical YA fantasy, with murderous merpeople who drain human emotions. The male mermaid perspective sets it apart from similar books in the genre. Readers appreciated: - Fresh take on predatory, threatening merfolk - Well-developed world-building and mythology - Complex antihero protagonist - Romantic tension between main characters Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Romance feels rushed in later chapters - Some found protagonist hard to connect with - Secondary characters need more development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (12,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ reviews) Barnes & Noble: 4/5 (90+ reviews) One reader noted: "Finally, mermaids that aren't sparkly and sweet - these are the cold-blooded killers of folklore." Another said: "The premise hooked me but the execution dragged."

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🌊 Unlike many mermaid stories, this book features dangerous, predatory merpeople who feed on human emotions and aren't afraid to kill. 📚 The story takes place in Lake Superior, drawing on actual local folklore about mysterious disappearances in the Great Lakes. ✍️ Author Anne Greenwood Brown was inspired to write from a male perspective after raising teenage sons and wanting to create an authentic male voice in YA literature. 🧜‍♂️ The book is one of few YA novels to feature a male mermaid (technically a merman) as the main protagonist rather than a female character. 🗺️ The setting of Bayfield, Wisconsin is a real tourist town on Lake Superior, known for its annual Apple Festival and as the gateway to the Apostle Islands.