Sort of Kind of Mermaid Books

Hi everyone! So today I started Fathomless by Jackson Pearce, a re-telling of the Little Mermaid that also serves as a companion to Pearce's other novels Sweetly and Sisters Red. I was really excited to get the book and then when I started reading.....the mermaids aren't really mermaids.  They live under  water, but they don't have any fish-like qualities besides living in water. So here's a list of books that we previously thought were mermaid books, but sadly, don't actually have by-the-book mermaids.

-Siren by Tricia Rayburn (and it's subsequent sequels). The sirens don't have tails, but they do breathe underwater and lure and kill men. It's more of a take on the original Greek mythology with the bird-like women, but then again, Rayburn's sirens don't really do the bird thing either.

- Ripple by Mandy Hubbard (I think it has a few sequels too). I personally have not read this one, but a few other guys in our Goodreads group have. They reported the novel was a fun read, but alas, no mermaid tails here either. Although again with the luring men to their death thing. That's in there.

-Wrecked by Anna Davies. Not only was this probably the worst of the mermaid books published this year, it also didn't really do the mermaid thing so well. The main characters both had legs, and the alleged mermaid sea witch was never underwater. There wasn't a whole lot of fantastical elements to the story anyway, but I wouldn't consider it a legitemate mermaid book.

Mermaid News Roundup!

Hi everyone! It's been a while since we've posted new content, seeing as Garrett's moving and I've just started public school, but here's some stuff that's been going on in the mermaid world!


-The new H20 spin-off has been re-named to The Secret of Mako Island. This is the third name the show has been given, and might be one that adds a more unisex marketing to the show, seeing as it centers on not only three mermaids, but a merman. Or a merdude, if you prefer a less fruity title.

-Speaking of H20, all three seasons are now getting a U.S. DVD release! This is probably in conjunction with the new spin-off coming out soon, which might mean that they've secured U.S. broadcasting rights for the show as well.

-Since summer has now been drawn to a close, most of this year's mermaid books are now released! The late bloomer of the bunch, Monstrous Beauty, is now on bookstore shelves, and from what I've read on Goodreads reviews, it's absolutely stunning.

-Ariel has still not been added to Once Upon A Time, although fans are thinking that she'll pop up in the latter half of the season, hence why she has not been cast yet.


That's about for the news. I leave you with this.

Who else would watch this?



-Randi

Rumor: Yuyi the Mermaid May Be Featured In Lady Gaga's Revamped Tour

It was a pleasant surprise last year when Lady Gaga revealed that she had created a mermaid alter ego for the video for her fourth single from Born This Way, You & I. Mermaid fans all over the world were watching eagerly for the video to premiere. Mother Monster even performed in the tail a few times, as well as featuring Yuyi in one of her Haus Of U fashion films, made to accompany You & I. 

This year, Gaga has completed the first leg of her Born This Way Ball tour to much acclaim, and is now on a break and reportedly revamping the tour, something she has done with her previous tours. Rumors have included video interludes, expanded set-list for the new material, and most promisingly for us mermaid fans, the return of Yuyi!

While nothing has been confirmed, there is a good chance that Yuyi will be included in at least a video interlude or set piece, if not a performance.

I know quite a few of our readers are Gaga fans, and I would be happy to hear anyone's reactions to this latest Yuyi news!

-Randi

Forever by Ashley L. Knight RELEASED

Look what slipped past our radar! Ashley L Knight's finale' to her gorgeous and romantic "Fins" series has been unleashed!
We haven't been in touch with Ashley in a while, so we kind of maybe sort of forgot that this was coming out so soon!
                                                   



                                     
Here's the Goodreads synopsis:
Her powers as The Link mastered, Morgan begins her marriage to Thayde with all the high hopes and expectations of any new bride. But happily ever after is just a phrase and her idyllic life is quickly interrupted by terrifying creatures, inconsolable loss and relentless adversaries. Forced to decide the fate of the entire merpeople species, Morgan must make the ultimate choice. Everything she has learned has brought her to this point, but is it worth sacrificing everything for everyone?

Welcome to the finale of The FINS Trilogy.

Forever is available on Amazon for e-readers. There are no reviews on the book yet, and I myself have yet to read it, but if you want to be the first, we'd be glad to hear your reactions!

Are you looking forward to the final chapter of trilogy? 

-Randi

New Q&A with Zoraida Cordova!

Zoriada Crodova, author of the Vicious Deep, a favorite here on the blog, has posted a new Q&A on their youtube account. She talks about the mythology in her books, being published, life's deep questions, etc.

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7meg2YsVejI&feature=plcp

AND THE SAVAGE BLUE HAS A COVER BY THE WAY! New post for that later.

Anyway, I absolutely loved The Vicious Deep and I'm excited to see a sequel already in the works.

Thoughts?

-Randi 

The Handy-Dandy Reference Guide For All Things Mermaid

Today in Barnes & Noble, I was looking through the Mythology section and, almost hidden away among huge, thick books of fairy tales and myths, was a small, bright blue book with the word MERMAIDS stamped across the spine. Naturally, I picked it up, sat down, and started flipping pages. Here's the synopsis courtesy of Goodreads: The allure and mystery of mermaids has taken hold of our psyche for ages. From the Irish merrows who come on land to search for human husbands to the fake Fiji Mermaid made popular by P.T Barnum, these sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition in the world. Inside this captivating collection, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout, you'll discover the myths surrounding these enigmatic beings, explore the common symbols associated with them, and learn tales of merfolk from around the world. Dive into Mermaids and get swept away! Mermaids by Skye Alexander is a wonderful reference guide for all things related to mermaids. Nearly every culture from every time period and the mermaid myths surrounding them is explored. Yeah, we get the Sirens and Selkies like we're used to, but we also get the Mami Wata, Finfolkeem, Rusalky, and Native American mermaids. From the very first mermaid, Atargatis, to the recent Disneyland ride Ariel's Undersea Adventure, mermaids in culture and legend are explored. The book is filled with old-fashioned artwork of mermaids, like the famous Waterhouse painting and similar designs. The book's also really cute, a small, compact shape that can easily be carried around. It's also a great tool for an author of mermaid books, as it provides myths and legends that most people don't know about. I'm definitely going to be buying it, and I think it's a perfect book for a mermaid fan. Amidst all those wonderful mermaid novels coming out, a book that allows you to actually look up the legends that inspired the merbooks we know and love is a welcome addition. Anyone interested in world mythology-specifically mermaids-will find this book a wonderful treasure. :) Will you guys be checking out Mermaids: The Myths, Legend, and Lore?

We're Here For You

I was looking back through the topics in the merbooks forum on goodreads, and found a rather old conversation about how some of the members had been bullied or looked down upon for loving mermaids.

I've heard similar stories throughout the year I've been involved in the mermaid community. And while mermaids are making a comeback in culture as of late, a lot of people still think that we're hanging on to the idea of Ariel longer than we should.

So if anyone who reads this blog feels alone, please know that we are always here for you. Just leave a comment on  post or e-mail me, or I'm sure Garrett would  be willing to talk as well. I think it's ridiculous the amount of incredulous stares and snippy comments I get about helping out with this blog, and nobody should ever feel alone or alienated by something they love.

You're always welcome to leave an e-mail address for us or join the group over on Goodreads so as to chat with us!

Seriously, we love you guys.

-Randi