Lost Voices

Lost Voices follows fourteen-year-old Luce, who transforms into a mermaid after a traumatic event near her Alaska home. She joins a tribe of mermaids who were all once human girls who suffered abuse or abandonment. The mermaids possess haunting voices they use to lure ships to their doom, continuing a centuries-old tradition of vengeance against humans. Luce must navigate her new identity and powers while grappling with the tribe's violent practices and strict social hierarchy. Through Luce's experiences, the story explores themes of survival, belonging, and the cycle of violence. The novel examines how trauma shapes identity and raises questions about justice versus revenge.

Readers note strong prose and a dark, realistic take on mermaid mythology. The protagonist's emotional journey and trauma processing resonates with many reviewers. Several mention the unique angle of mermaids being created from abused girls. Common praise: - "Haunting and lyrical writing style" - Fresh perspective on mermaid lore - Complex examination of abuse aftermath - Strong world-building and mythology Common criticisms: - Slow plot pacing - Lack of character development beyond protagonist - Unresolved plot threads - Some found it too dark for YA Ratings: Goodreads: 3.6/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (120+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 3.7/5 (90+ ratings) Multiple reviewers mention abandoning the series after book one, citing pacing issues. Others praise it specifically for tackling difficult themes, with one Goodreads review noting "It doesn't shy away from showing both beauty and cruelty." The mermaid mythology receives consistent praise across platforms.

The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan A community of fishermen becomes enthralled by selkies who emerge from the sea as wives, exploring themes of transformation and the cost of magic in an isolated coastal setting.

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova A teenage boy discovers his merman heritage and must navigate the complex political waters of an underwater kingdom while straddling two worlds.

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown Murder-minded mermaids in Lake Superior hunt humans for survival until one of them questions their deadly traditions.

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks A girl learns she carries Syrena blood and becomes caught between the human world and an underwater kingdom's succession crisis.

The Mermaid's Sister by Carrie Anne Noble An adopted girl must save her sister who is slowly transforming into a mermaid while dealing with questions of identity and belonging.

🌊 The mermaids in this story transform not through genetics or magic spells, but through trauma - specifically the shared experience of abuse and mistreatment as young girls 🎵 Author Sarah Porter is also a professional singer who has performed with the New York City Opera, which likely influenced her portrayal of the mermaids' deadly songs 📚 The book is the first in a trilogy (Lost Voices, Waking Storms, The Twice Lost) that explores themes of power, revenge, and finding one's identity after trauma 🏊‍♀️ Unlike traditional mermaid folklore, Porter's mermaids are created rather than born, and they deliberately reject human society rather than seeking to join it 🗺️ The story is set in modern-day Alaska, specifically a small fishing town called Port Needle, making it a unique departure from typical tropical or Mediterranean mermaid settings