ARC Review of 'YEAR OF THE MER' by L. D. Lewis

Year of the Mer by L.D. Lewis is not your usual Little Mermaid retelling. This new work of fantasy explores what happens years after the fairytale ends and everything starts falling apart. The story is set years after Arielle got her happy ending, but instead of peace, her legacy has led to conflict, division and war.

The main character, her granddaughter Yemaya Blackgate, is living in the aftermath of all of that. Her father has been murdered, her mother is slowly dying from a strange poison, and her family is looked down on because they are part mer. The kingdom itself is tense and broken because of years of conflict.

The book has some unique worldbuilding in work while also being very character-focused, especially when it comes to Yemi. She is angry, and the story does not try to soften that. Her anger feels real, sometimes justified, sometimes messy but that’s what makes her believable. She’s not written to be perfect or easy to like all the time. She’s grieving, dealing with pressure and constantly making difficult choices. That emotional weight carries most of the story.

Her relationship with Nova, her bodyguard and fiancée, adds a very interesting layer to the story. Their dynamic feels more mature than typical fantasy romance. Themes of loyalty and the fear that doing the right thing might cost you the person you care about are explored throughout. The romance is not the main focus, but it still hits hard because of how real it feels.

One of the most interesting parts of the book is how it handles Ursula. Instead of being a simple villain, she is given soo much more depth and presence. She had all my attention from page 1.

The themes are where the book really stands out. It explores power, grief, identity and the idea that history doesn’t just end but shapes everything that comes after. It keeps asking difficult questions, like what kind of leader someone should be, and whether doing the “right” thing is even possible in a broken system. There is also a strong focus on generational trauma and how cycles of violence continue unless someone actively breaks them.

It’s also important to know that this is a pretty dark book. There is violence, political conflict, and some disturbing elements. It is not a light or comforting read and it definitely doesn’t have the tone of a classic fairy tale. The author clearly isn’t interested in softening the story. This is about consequences and not necessarily happy endings.

In the end, Year of the Mer is a bold and differently unique story in itself. It takes something well-known and turns it into something heavier, more complex and more uncomfortable. It’s a story that stays with you because of the questions it asks about power, loss and what people become when they are pushed too far.

Many thanks to Saga Press / Simon & Schuster and Ms. Karintha Parker for an advance copy!

ISBN: 9781668060957

Pub Date: April 7, 2026

JUST LOOK AT THE ENDPAPER ART!!!