In honor of the first movie of the upcoming wave of “Little Mermaid” retellings hitting the silver screen today, here are some of the best “Little Mermaid” books you can find on dry land.
(Assuming that there are equally good mermaid novels to be found under the sea, which I totally believe that there are.)
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe how many “Little Mermaid” novels have been coming out lately. It feels like my “to read” list (as well as my “to read” shelf on Goodreads) has been full of them.
And yet, no matter how many I read, I just can’t get enough. From YA novels to romance, retellings to stories that do their own thing, I’ve been reading them all and going further down the mermaid hole.
To me, the best “Little Mermaid” books are the ones that take the original story but put their own twist on it. They acknowledge the mythology and beloved tales that have come before but create something new and unexpected. (And, I mean, a few nods to the classic Disney film don’t hurt either.)
Though I haven’t read all of the mermaid novels the world has to offer (yet), these are the best “Little Mermaid” books that I’ve read so far. These books will both satisfy your craving for stories about mermaids while we all eagerly await the rest of the “Little Mermaid” movies that we have been promised.
‘To Kill a Kingdom’ by Alexandra Christo
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Alexandra Christo’s To Kill a Kingdom is, hands down, my favorite “Little Mermaid” retelling. It’s dark and lush, yet witty and entertaining. The two main characters, Lira and Elian, are both fierce in their own ways and make quite a pair. Though this novel takes the original story in very different directions, there are a lot of really satisfying nods to the classic Disney movie throughout. Oh, and the love story is 100000% swoon-worthy.
If this story isn’t eventually adapted into a movie, it’ll be a travesty.
‘Kiss the Girl’ (The Naughty Princess Club, #3) by Tara Sivec
If you’ve ever wanted to read a “Little Mermaid”-themed romance novel, this is the book for you. While it’s not a full retelling of the classic story, there are quite a few elements and callbacks that fans of Ariel and Eric will love. From the role that antiques play in the story to a karaoke session that includes an adorable rendition of “Kiss the Girl,” this romance novel is sure to scratch your itch for more of Ariel and Eric’s love story.
(Seriously, though. I was skeptical about Kiss the Girl at first because of the overarching premise of the series, but fell in love and never wanted it to end.)
Note: This book comes out on September 4. You can preorder it and add it to your Goodreads to-read list right now!
‘Sea Witch’ by Sarah Henning
Have you ever wondered how the indomitable Sea Witch became the most feared woman in the ocean? This “Little Mermaid” retelling takes you all the way back to when Ariel’s fiercest foe was just a young woman looking for love and friendship. Sea Witch is to “The Little Mermaid” what Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz in that it sheds new light on a character we all thought we knew and understood. While she may not be the hero of any version of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, she’s not the villain that we has been portrayed as.
‘Mermaid’ by Carolyn Turgeon
Thinking about it, Mermaid was one of the first “Little Mermaid” YA novels that I ever picked up. Before reading it, I never really knew that “Little Mermaid” retellings were a thing. This novel tells the story of two young women, one human and one mermaid, who are trying to make their way in the world and who both have to make sacrifices in order to do so. This retelling is pretty close to the original story by Hans Christian Andersen in terms of plot and overall tone in that it’s dark and isn’t necessarily a romance. But it’s interesting to see the tale come to life in a more fleshed out way.
‘Part of Your World’ by Liz Braswell
Liz Braswell’s Part of Your World is the latest in Disney’s Twisted Tales series and one of the best “Little Mermaid” books you’ll probably ever read. Why? Because it’s one part retelling and one part sequel. This novel poses the question “What if Ariel never defeated Ursula?” and takes off from there. Reading it feels like a cinematic experience. Like you’re watching an actual animated sequel for the beloved 1989 Disney film. Characters and settings that we know and love from the movie return in unexpected and wonderfully lovely ways. And trust me when I say that you won’t get enough of the story itself.
If you’re looking to read some of the best “Little Mermaid” books, make sure this one is at the top of your pile.
Note: This book comes out on September 4. You can preorder it and add it to your Goodreads to-read list right now!
‘The Little Mermaid’ by Hans Christian Andersen
When in doubt (and when you’re craving a tried-and-true mermaid tale), what better story is there to turn to than the one that started it all? Sure, *spoiler alert* it doesn’t have a necessarily happy ending, but there’s just something about it that makes us all come back time and again for more. Though there’s always somebody creating “Little Mermaid” retellings and we’re always looking for more mermaids in everything (or is it just me?), you truly can’t go wrong with a classic.
‘How to be a Mermaid’ (The Cotton Candy Quintet #1) by Erin Hayes
Okay, so this YA novel isn’t a “Little Mermaid” retelling, per say. In fact, it doesn’t even throw back to the classic tale. It’s very much its own thing. But I’m including it on this list because it’s just so lovely. How to be a Mermaid is one young woman’s story of self-discovery with a bit of whimsy thrown in. I first heard about it through a free e-books round-up (it’s still free on Amazon and Barnes & Noble if you’re interested) and devoured it in a day. This is one of the best “Little Mermaid” books in that it’s short, sweet, and to the point. It’s a fun beach read that mermaid fans will be able to finish in an afternoon.