The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

Flora, a pirate who disguises herself as a male sailor named Florian, serves aboard the Dove - a ship that traffics unsuspecting noble passengers into slavery. She encounters Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a passenger bound for an arranged marriage in the colonized territories. Imperial politics and ancient magic collide as Flora and Evelyn's paths become intertwined aboard the vessel. Their journey crosses paths with a mermaid whose power could alter their fates, and a witch who holds secrets about the Empire's dark operations. In a world where pirates prey on the wealthy and empires maintain control through both military might and supernatural forces, Flora and Evelyn must navigate issues of identity, loyalty, and survival. The story blends action on the high seas with elements of fantasy and romance. This YA fantasy confronts themes of colonialism, gender identity, and the price of power while exploring how love can flourish in unlikely circumstances. Through its maritime setting, the novel examines how people can preserve their true selves in a world that demands conformity.

Readers describe this YA fantasy as a dark, queer pirate romance that handles serious themes of colonialism and identity. The book holds a 3.8/5 on Goodreads (5.5K ratings) and 4.3/5 on Amazon (164 ratings). Readers praise: - The representation of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships - Complex exploration of gender fluidity - Rich world-building and mythology - Poetic writing style "The prose reads like a dark fairy tale" notes one reviewer Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially in the middle section - Character development feels rushed - Plot threads left unresolved - Romance develops too quickly "The relationship needed more time to feel authentic," writes a Goodreads reviewer The book appeals most strongly to readers seeking diverse YA fantasy with LGBTQ+ themes, though some find the execution uneven. Several reviewers mention the story works better as a standalone than a romance.

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🌊 Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall was inspired to write this pirate fantasy after learning about the real-life Chinese pirate Cheng I Sao, who commanded over 300 ships and 20,000 pirates. 🏴‍☠️ The novel explores gender fluidity through its protagonist Flora/Florian, reflecting historical instances of women who disguised themselves as men to work aboard ships. 📚 Despite its fantasy elements, much of the naval terminology and shipboard life depicted in the book is historically accurate to the Age of Sail. 🌿 The magical properties of sea water in the novel draw from various maritime folklore traditions, including Japanese mythology about ocean spirits. 💫 Tokuda-Hall wrote the first draft of the book during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), completing 50,000 words in 30 days.