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Song of the Sea
When one life is saved, a world is rescued.
Aria has heard this saying all her life, but it has little to do with her. She knows that her destiny is written in the Song of the Sea. She will marry, birth children and, occasionally, sing the Death Journey songs to guide lost souls to their final resting place. She knows that the Treaty of Separation prevents merkind
and humankind from interacting except when misfortunes occur at sea. Aria is content with her life and is preparing to embark upon the journey of courtship and matrimony. A chance encounter will force Aria to question where she truly belongs.
Prince Reginald struggles with feelings of self-doubt, a debilitating spinal injury that causes him constant pain, and his father’s harsh treatment. After an unexpected accident places the burden of kingship on the prince’s shoulders, he embarks upon a sea voyage and is attacked by an unexplained malevolent
force. Rescued by someone he cannot see, Reginald is thrust into an unexpected adventure.
Aria’s and Reginald’s stories combine in unforeseen ways as they must confront an evil that possesses an unquenchable thirst for vengeance. Surprising allies and deceptive falsehoods battle, and the fate of two kingdoms hang in the balance. Will the Song of the Sea be silenced?
Song of the Sea is a story of momentous decisions, forbidden love and self-discovery.
Aria has heard this saying all her life, but it has little to do with her. She knows that her destiny is written in the Song of the Sea. She will marry, birth children and, occasionally, sing the Death Journey songs to guide lost souls to their final resting place. She knows that the Treaty of Separation prevents merkind
and humankind from interacting except when misfortunes occur at sea. Aria is content with her life and is preparing to embark upon the journey of courtship and matrimony. A chance encounter will force Aria to question where she truly belongs.
Prince Reginald struggles with feelings of self-doubt, a debilitating spinal injury that causes him constant pain, and his father’s harsh treatment. After an unexpected accident places the burden of kingship on the prince’s shoulders, he embarks upon a sea voyage and is attacked by an unexplained malevolent
force. Rescued by someone he cannot see, Reginald is thrust into an unexpected adventure.
Aria’s and Reginald’s stories combine in unforeseen ways as they must confront an evil that possesses an unquenchable thirst for vengeance. Surprising allies and deceptive falsehoods battle, and the fate of two kingdoms hang in the balance. Will the Song of the Sea be silenced?
Song of the Sea is a story of momentous decisions, forbidden love and self-discovery.
Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2023
About the author
Meredith Leigh Burton
9 books21 followersMeredith Leigh Burton was born on July 4, 1983. As a result of a premature birth, she was placed under oxygen to develop her lungs. The three month's exposure to the oxygen led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity. Meredith attended the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, where she enjoyed choir, theater classes, and participating on the forensics team. After high school, Meredith attended Middle Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelors' of Arts Degree in English and theater. She is a certified English teacher for grades 7-12.Meredith loves assisting with church activities, spending time with family and friends, and reading any book she can get her hands on. She is a chocoholic and Mexican food fanatic. She has always devoured allegorical books, and was first introduced to the fantasy genre by a teacher who whetted her appetite by taking her to the Narnia books in the elementary school library. "The kids in these stories go to another world," the teacher whispered enticingly. That was just the hook Meredith needed. Her favorite fiction book is To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and her favorite nonfiction book is The Holy Bible. Meredith lives in Lynchburg, Tennessee with her parents and an adorable tabby cat named Simba. She has two precious nieces, Aliya Davine and Tristyn Layla.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 11, 2023
I'm perhaps in the minority in thinking that, whilst my romantic side would of course have loved it if the prince and the mermaid had ended up together, in the end Andersen made the right decision with the finale he gave his fairy tale. For that reason, and the omission of the symbolism that makes the tale so compelling as well as the oversimplification of the original plot into one of romantic love, I am not a fan of Disney's retelling.
It was good, then, that I cracked Song of the Sea open without knowing it was meant to be a retelling of Hans-Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." It allowed me to come in free of expectations, which in turn meant I could enjoy it more than I'd have otherwise. Of course, I realised pretty quickly that it was a retelling.
In this book, Meredith Burton seems to be aiming to address three big aspects that in the Andersen tale are either underdeveloped, told differently, or just not addressed: the prince's life before the mermaid, the human-merfolk relations, and the villain's motivations. Andersen doesn't give the prince a backstory, so his actions come off as rather callous when you don't take everything in context and he looks terrible overall; and he also doesn't explain what kind of exchange, if any, there is between people of the land and people of the sea beyond establishing that humans have a soul and merfolk don't; and finally, Andersen goes for the archetypal villain who is a villain just because, no motivation needed other than evil.
So, to expand on these aspects, Burton made a world in which there's a tenuous peace between merfolk and humankind thanks to a treaty that put an end to years of brutal persecution of the merfolk by a tyrant human king, whose son is the prince the mermaid will fall in love with. Aria, the mermaid and daughter of the Sea King, is curious about humans and the land, but unlike Andersen's mermaid, she doesn't long for a soul because in this story all merfolk have souls. I'm not sure I agree with this change, honestly, as the whole point of the original tale hinges on the mermaid's desire for a soul. That is her real reason for wanting to be human, not love for the prince as most people seem to think (thanks for nothing, Disney); that is really secondary to her longing for a soul. Also, the merfolk's turning into seafoam when they die doesn't make sense if they have souls, the symbolism is lost.
That was my one big issue with the retelling, but besides that, I liked the story. I especially liked that there's a Cinnamon Roll Prince™ as the male lead, who happens to be disabled too. I was gladly surprised to find that Reginald has spina bifida and suffers from chronic pain as a result, never being able to stand and walk for long. Him and Aria share the pain of walking on Earth due to that, and it helps them bond as well as their similar temperaments and tastes; it's a relationship born of interaction and common goals, that I wish had more onpage time because it felt a bit short. I think the giving a backstory to the prince was the best plot introduced in this retelling, the best handled and the most interesting. I wouldn't have complained if the whole book had been told from Reginald's POV only, either. I mean, is there even a Little Mermaid retelling exclusively from the prince's side? I haven't seen one myself.
My feelings about Aria, and by extension the merfolk in general, are more complicated. Their society has aspects that make it a tad too human for my liking, and I'm thinking in terms of "The Little Mermaid" here. There's sea creatures the merfolk supposedly care for, but that never appear even once. The merfolk resent the humans for killing the sea creatures, but they themselves don't show any love for them, and that's a bit strange. I can get that their society is organised like the humans', but do they have to be like them even in their dress? Here, the merfolk wear tunics, for example, and that doesn't feel right to me. As an occasional swimmer myself, I can tell you that clothing is a no-no in the water, even if it's clothing made of some sort of seaweed. There's a reason why swimmers, divers, surfers, and lifeguards go into the water with either just shorts or tight-fitting suits that cling to their bodies like a second skin. It's simple physics. Now imagine a sea creature huff and puff trying to swim in the sea depths wearing a tunic! It'd be awful. If you don't want your merfolk naked, then they could be covered with a tight-fitting little vest (for the males) and a bra-like mini top (for the females), but please no nautically-incorrect tunics.
In any case, some of us see nothing wrong with appreciating a hot merman's bare chest...
Ahem, well, and speaking of hot mermen, the villain in this retelling is delightfully punchable. He is no Sea Witch, of course, and no Ursula. He has a reason to be the piece of work he is, and I honestly would've preferred if he , because his villainy can be explained as trauma passed on to him that he, being a child at the time, wouldn't have been able to process healthily so going after the humans would make perfect sense. That's also why I think it'd have been better if he had been the one to do all the killings, readers of this book will understand which killing specifically I mean, I don't want to spoil it.
All in all, it was a lovely retelling with some rough edges that would've used more eyes to revise and suggest corrections and changes. I can think of some I'd have suggested myself had I been in such a position, especially on the side of the merfolk as well as the way some of the twists were handled that didn't feel quite smooth. It's a bit short for how much it packs, and that's also a part of why it feels rough in some parts. I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded up for Reginald (and a wee bit for Barcarolle, too, man could drop some truth bombs like nobody's business).
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It was good, then, that I cracked Song of the Sea open without knowing it was meant to be a retelling of Hans-Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." It allowed me to come in free of expectations, which in turn meant I could enjoy it more than I'd have otherwise. Of course, I realised pretty quickly that it was a retelling.
In this book, Meredith Burton seems to be aiming to address three big aspects that in the Andersen tale are either underdeveloped, told differently, or just not addressed: the prince's life before the mermaid, the human-merfolk relations, and the villain's motivations. Andersen doesn't give the prince a backstory, so his actions come off as rather callous when you don't take everything in context and he looks terrible overall; and he also doesn't explain what kind of exchange, if any, there is between people of the land and people of the sea beyond establishing that humans have a soul and merfolk don't; and finally, Andersen goes for the archetypal villain who is a villain just because, no motivation needed other than evil.
So, to expand on these aspects, Burton made a world in which there's a tenuous peace between merfolk and humankind thanks to a treaty that put an end to years of brutal persecution of the merfolk by a tyrant human king, whose son is the prince the mermaid will fall in love with. Aria, the mermaid and daughter of the Sea King, is curious about humans and the land, but unlike Andersen's mermaid, she doesn't long for a soul because in this story all merfolk have souls. I'm not sure I agree with this change, honestly, as the whole point of the original tale hinges on the mermaid's desire for a soul. That is her real reason for wanting to be human, not love for the prince as most people seem to think (thanks for nothing, Disney); that is really secondary to her longing for a soul. Also, the merfolk's turning into seafoam when they die doesn't make sense if they have souls, the symbolism is lost.
That was my one big issue with the retelling, but besides that, I liked the story. I especially liked that there's a Cinnamon Roll Prince™ as the male lead, who happens to be disabled too. I was gladly surprised to find that Reginald has spina bifida and suffers from chronic pain as a result, never being able to stand and walk for long. Him and Aria share the pain of walking on Earth due to that, and it helps them bond as well as their similar temperaments and tastes; it's a relationship born of interaction and common goals, that I wish had more onpage time because it felt a bit short. I think the giving a backstory to the prince was the best plot introduced in this retelling, the best handled and the most interesting. I wouldn't have complained if the whole book had been told from Reginald's POV only, either. I mean, is there even a Little Mermaid retelling exclusively from the prince's side? I haven't seen one myself.
My feelings about Aria, and by extension the merfolk in general, are more complicated. Their society has aspects that make it a tad too human for my liking, and I'm thinking in terms of "The Little Mermaid" here. There's sea creatures the merfolk supposedly care for, but that never appear even once. The merfolk resent the humans for killing the sea creatures, but they themselves don't show any love for them, and that's a bit strange. I can get that their society is organised like the humans', but do they have to be like them even in their dress? Here, the merfolk wear tunics, for example, and that doesn't feel right to me. As an occasional swimmer myself, I can tell you that clothing is a no-no in the water, even if it's clothing made of some sort of seaweed. There's a reason why swimmers, divers, surfers, and lifeguards go into the water with either just shorts or tight-fitting suits that cling to their bodies like a second skin. It's simple physics. Now imagine a sea creature huff and puff trying to swim in the sea depths wearing a tunic! It'd be awful. If you don't want your merfolk naked, then they could be covered with a tight-fitting little vest (for the males) and a bra-like mini top (for the females), but please no nautically-incorrect tunics.
In any case, some of us see nothing wrong with appreciating a hot merman's bare chest...
Ahem, well, and speaking of hot mermen, the villain in this retelling is delightfully punchable. He is no Sea Witch, of course, and no Ursula. He has a reason to be the piece of work he is, and I honestly would've preferred if he , because his villainy can be explained as trauma passed on to him that he, being a child at the time, wouldn't have been able to process healthily so going after the humans would make perfect sense. That's also why I think it'd have been better if he had been the one to do all the killings, readers of this book will understand which killing specifically I mean, I don't want to spoil it.
All in all, it was a lovely retelling with some rough edges that would've used more eyes to revise and suggest corrections and changes. I can think of some I'd have suggested myself had I been in such a position, especially on the side of the merfolk as well as the way some of the twists were handled that didn't feel quite smooth. It's a bit short for how much it packs, and that's also a part of why it feels rough in some parts. I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded up for Reginald (and a wee bit for Barcarolle, too, man could drop some truth bombs like nobody's business).
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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November 16, 2022This was such a sweet, uplifting story. I'm not going to leave a starred review because I am assisting the author with design work for this book, but I loved the story, and it deserves a lovely review. I've read this book three times this month, and each time something new spoke to my heart.
I love that this is a Little Mermaid retelling (we need more mermaid stories in this world, right?) The author captures the essence of the tale while easily making it her own. The tone and style of Meredith's writing reminds a little of the classics (like C.S. Lewis). It's fantasy with hints of Christian themes and allegory that is appropriate for the whole family. It's all woven together beautifully to create a wholesome and inspiring story of loss, redemption, healing, sacrifice...and yessss a little bit of sweet, sweet romance (totally flinch free).
I also LOVE that this story features a character with a disability. The author did her research and stayed consistent throughout the story in regard to what the character might struggle with while living with this disability.
I'm afraid if I say much more, I'll start spilling out spoilers, so I better stop now! Seriously, though, if you like clean Christian fantasy that can easily be read in one or two sittings...this novella is for you.
I love that this is a Little Mermaid retelling (we need more mermaid stories in this world, right?) The author captures the essence of the tale while easily making it her own. The tone and style of Meredith's writing reminds a little of the classics (like C.S. Lewis). It's fantasy with hints of Christian themes and allegory that is appropriate for the whole family. It's all woven together beautifully to create a wholesome and inspiring story of loss, redemption, healing, sacrifice...and yessss a little bit of sweet, sweet romance (totally flinch free).
I also LOVE that this story features a character with a disability. The author did her research and stayed consistent throughout the story in regard to what the character might struggle with while living with this disability.
I'm afraid if I say much more, I'll start spilling out spoilers, so I better stop now! Seriously, though, if you like clean Christian fantasy that can easily be read in one or two sittings...this novella is for you.
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December 20, 2022The Little Mermaid has always been one of my favorite fairy tales even though some aspects of the story are problematic. For instance, while I love the theme of unrequited love in books, I loathe the prince in the original tale. He is a capricious pig. I understand Andersen's reason for doing this, but the character causes me immense frustration.
Also, the mermaid is far too eager to leave her family simply for the sake of love at first sight. Perhaps love is not the correct word.
Another issue is the lack of motivation on the Sea Witch's part in the original story.
I tried to address these issues in a subtle way.
Of course, adding in the Disney movie, one of the main problems is the disturbing attitude of Ariel regarding her undersea life. I love the chef's song as much as anyone, (it's upbeat and catchy. But, seriously, listen to those lyrics! Ha!) So, we have a princess who stoically watches humans eat her friends? Yikes! I have addressed this issue as well.
In Song of the Sea, I attempted to subtly address some of the problems while making the story my own. The beauty of fairy tales is that they can be reshaped and made anew as every author mines their depths to unearth their own gems. I always strive to incorporate some form of disability representation into my books, and Song of the Sea is no exception. There is never enough disability representation, and I am always searching for that theme in books. Prince Reginald is the disabled protagonist in Song of the Sea. He is actually one of my favorite male protagonists I have had the pleasure to meet. He, like Aria and all the other characters, clamored for attention and would not leave me alone. Song of the Sea was written after a two-year self-imposed hiatus from fiction writing. I felt unable to write, and the fiction I attempted was lackluster and uninspired. Song of the Sea came in an unexpected way, and the experience is one I will never forget.
I am ecstatic to announce that the audiobook edition is now available.
God bless you all.
Also, the mermaid is far too eager to leave her family simply for the sake of love at first sight. Perhaps love is not the correct word.
Another issue is the lack of motivation on the Sea Witch's part in the original story.
I tried to address these issues in a subtle way.
Of course, adding in the Disney movie, one of the main problems is the disturbing attitude of Ariel regarding her undersea life. I love the chef's song as much as anyone, (it's upbeat and catchy. But, seriously, listen to those lyrics! Ha!) So, we have a princess who stoically watches humans eat her friends? Yikes! I have addressed this issue as well.
In Song of the Sea, I attempted to subtly address some of the problems while making the story my own. The beauty of fairy tales is that they can be reshaped and made anew as every author mines their depths to unearth their own gems. I always strive to incorporate some form of disability representation into my books, and Song of the Sea is no exception. There is never enough disability representation, and I am always searching for that theme in books. Prince Reginald is the disabled protagonist in Song of the Sea. He is actually one of my favorite male protagonists I have had the pleasure to meet. He, like Aria and all the other characters, clamored for attention and would not leave me alone. Song of the Sea was written after a two-year self-imposed hiatus from fiction writing. I felt unable to write, and the fiction I attempted was lackluster and uninspired. Song of the Sea came in an unexpected way, and the experience is one I will never forget.
I am ecstatic to announce that the audiobook edition is now available.
God bless you all.
March 9, 2023
A story of vengeance versus faith in humanity, Meredith Leigh Burton's Song of the Sea depicts the potent dominion of strength and inner power over every sort of human affliction.
The Treaty of Separation between the two worlds of Merpeople and humanity ensures that the appallingly brutal acts of humans on the sea and its creatures do not repeat themselves; the link between these worlds is severed, with only a sliver remaining in the inquisitiveness of some young minds unaware of the brutal history between the two. Mermaid Aria is drawn to humans by her faith in humanity and her trust in love. Despite her marriage to a humanity-hater, Glissando, her instincts propel her to a fate that speaks to the overhauling of the separation treaty for the good of all. However, in her rush to locate a long-lost trust, Aria is unaware that the seeds of its own people pose a threat of deception.
On land, Prince Reginald's infirmity of a twisted spine undermines his father King Asa's faith in his only surviving successor. Yet, the prince's desire to demonstrate his strength burns brightly in his heart. Reginald is resolved to go to any length to rescue his father's deteriorating health, the solution for which can be found within the healing song of Merpeople. Intrigue, dark secrets, and the footsteps of deception trail Aria as her fate collides with that of Prince Reginald. Will the power of songs, courage, and grace heal the past wounds of these two worlds? Or will the burning flame of revenge for previous atrocities against Merpeople be given fuel to blaze fire on humanity...
The power of song is manifested in this fantasy fiction novel in a variety of ways: while it appears as a source of healing for some characters, it also appears as a tool of destruction, triggering murderous storms and other disasters. The two realms of water and land are personified via music that whispers songs of happiness and grief on several occasions.
At a brief and compact 110 pages, Song of the Sea knits realistic themes of fervent humanity against the backdrop of fantasy and magical realism. Both Reginald and Aria represent the strength of the inner self in the face of oppression, whether physical barriers in the case of Reginald or impediments against life ideals in the case of Aria. Though there is no buildup on the main themes and the dialogue surrounding them, their brevity captures their substance.
Quill says: Song of the Sea sets out to elucidate the victory of a conflict, not against life, but against everything that hinders one from trusting again - in others and oneself.
The Treaty of Separation between the two worlds of Merpeople and humanity ensures that the appallingly brutal acts of humans on the sea and its creatures do not repeat themselves; the link between these worlds is severed, with only a sliver remaining in the inquisitiveness of some young minds unaware of the brutal history between the two. Mermaid Aria is drawn to humans by her faith in humanity and her trust in love. Despite her marriage to a humanity-hater, Glissando, her instincts propel her to a fate that speaks to the overhauling of the separation treaty for the good of all. However, in her rush to locate a long-lost trust, Aria is unaware that the seeds of its own people pose a threat of deception.
On land, Prince Reginald's infirmity of a twisted spine undermines his father King Asa's faith in his only surviving successor. Yet, the prince's desire to demonstrate his strength burns brightly in his heart. Reginald is resolved to go to any length to rescue his father's deteriorating health, the solution for which can be found within the healing song of Merpeople. Intrigue, dark secrets, and the footsteps of deception trail Aria as her fate collides with that of Prince Reginald. Will the power of songs, courage, and grace heal the past wounds of these two worlds? Or will the burning flame of revenge for previous atrocities against Merpeople be given fuel to blaze fire on humanity...
The power of song is manifested in this fantasy fiction novel in a variety of ways: while it appears as a source of healing for some characters, it also appears as a tool of destruction, triggering murderous storms and other disasters. The two realms of water and land are personified via music that whispers songs of happiness and grief on several occasions.
At a brief and compact 110 pages, Song of the Sea knits realistic themes of fervent humanity against the backdrop of fantasy and magical realism. Both Reginald and Aria represent the strength of the inner self in the face of oppression, whether physical barriers in the case of Reginald or impediments against life ideals in the case of Aria. Though there is no buildup on the main themes and the dialogue surrounding them, their brevity captures their substance.
Quill says: Song of the Sea sets out to elucidate the victory of a conflict, not against life, but against everything that hinders one from trusting again - in others and oneself.
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May 10, 2024I just had to add a note regarding this book, a story loosely based on "The Little Mermaid," by Hans Christian Andersen. That being said, Andersen's story is a springboard from which I attempted to create my own story. For instance, mermaids of folklore resemble the sirens of Greek mythology, singers whose voices are so beautiful that they lure sailors to their deaths. I wanted to turn this concept on its head and explore what would happen if seafolk honored humans lost to the waves. Therefore, Song of the Sea begins with a ceremony of honor as two mer-sisters, (Aria and Octavia), discover a wrecked ship and perform a farewell ceremony to honor those lost.
I used this first chapter as a compare/contrast with Chapter 2, which introduces Prince Reginald, a human prince who suffers from Spina Biffida. He embarks on an expedition to participate in his own farewell ceremony, a ritual that pays homage to his sister, who has been lost at sea. I love Reginald so very much. He is one of my favorite male characters along with his manservant, Barcarole.
Song of the Sea is a story of finding common ground, a tale of forbidden love and the fact that differences strengthen rather than weaken individuals. It is a tale that is very close to my heart. I so want people to meet Aria, Reginald, Glissando, Octavia and all the individuals of land and sea that populate this story.
Song of the Sea will be free on May 10. Recommended for anyone who enjoys stories where music plays a prominent role, treachery lurks in the shadows a prince and princess from two different worlds bond over shared pain and interests, and a "cinnamon roll" prince discovers he might be stronger than he could have imagined. A story of familial struggle, hidden strength and hope.
God bless you all.
I used this first chapter as a compare/contrast with Chapter 2, which introduces Prince Reginald, a human prince who suffers from Spina Biffida. He embarks on an expedition to participate in his own farewell ceremony, a ritual that pays homage to his sister, who has been lost at sea. I love Reginald so very much. He is one of my favorite male characters along with his manservant, Barcarole.
Song of the Sea is a story of finding common ground, a tale of forbidden love and the fact that differences strengthen rather than weaken individuals. It is a tale that is very close to my heart. I so want people to meet Aria, Reginald, Glissando, Octavia and all the individuals of land and sea that populate this story.
Song of the Sea will be free on May 10. Recommended for anyone who enjoys stories where music plays a prominent role, treachery lurks in the shadows a prince and princess from two different worlds bond over shared pain and interests, and a "cinnamon roll" prince discovers he might be stronger than he could have imagined. A story of familial struggle, hidden strength and hope.
God bless you all.
February 18, 2023
It was good.
This novella reminded me of Aquaman. It's a story about a sea princess named Aria who is interested in knowing more about the land. As a mermaid, she has several abilities and she has to deal with the treaty that is in place. As this genre is fantasy, the mermen do have magical abilities, and they can sing.
Aria does end up saving a prince named Reginald and she gets to know him as well as his servant Barcarolle. Read the rest of the book to find out what happens.
I like the book cover, the header illustrations, and the fish pictures. It was a nice surprise to see, and I liked that the author included this.
I only gave this book four stars as I noticed a spelling error and the formatting was dense in places. Sometimes one person would be speaking, then a different person in the same paragraph, but it wasn't separated by a paragraph break.
This novella reminded me of Aquaman. It's a story about a sea princess named Aria who is interested in knowing more about the land. As a mermaid, she has several abilities and she has to deal with the treaty that is in place. As this genre is fantasy, the mermen do have magical abilities, and they can sing.
Aria does end up saving a prince named Reginald and she gets to know him as well as his servant Barcarolle. Read the rest of the book to find out what happens.
I like the book cover, the header illustrations, and the fish pictures. It was a nice surprise to see, and I liked that the author included this.
I only gave this book four stars as I noticed a spelling error and the formatting was dense in places. Sometimes one person would be speaking, then a different person in the same paragraph, but it wasn't separated by a paragraph break.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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March 13, 2024YA readers of fairy tale retellings will want to take a look at this.
March 9, 2023
Song of the Sea by Meredith Leigh Burton is a charming and engaging story about mermaid princess Aria and her sister Octavia, who live in their beloved ocean home. As daughters of the Sea King, they are responsible for protecting the sea, helping the spirits of the departed, and discussing their potential fiancés, all of which are part of their everyday routine. However, their lives are upended when a mysterious storm threatens the life of human prince Reginald, and Aria risks everything to save him.
Burton's tale of tolerance and understanding draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, particularly The Little Mermaid, as Aria embarks on a dangerous adventure to uncover the truth and save two kingdoms from destruction. Aria and Reginald's friendship and alliance are at the heart of this story, and Burton's use of musical terminology adds depth and richness to the narrative. This novel has many twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as they watch the thrilling plot unfold. Burton manages to keep readers guessing, waiting to discover the fate of the two kingdoms.
Song of the Sea is a compelling and thought-provoking story with a plot that closely follows the storyline of The Little Mermaid. Aside from that similarity, this novel has a new villain and a fresh take on well-known characters, making this story stands out as a unique work. In addition, their book has some mature content, making it better suited for older teens and young adult audiences.
Song of the Sea is a captivating and enjoyable read with an important message of love, harmony, and cultural understanding. It is perfect for readers who enjoy a fresh retelling of classic tales, and its story of diplomacy and friendship offers a new perspective on a familiar theme.
Burton's tale of tolerance and understanding draws inspiration from classic fairy tales, particularly The Little Mermaid, as Aria embarks on a dangerous adventure to uncover the truth and save two kingdoms from destruction. Aria and Reginald's friendship and alliance are at the heart of this story, and Burton's use of musical terminology adds depth and richness to the narrative. This novel has many twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as they watch the thrilling plot unfold. Burton manages to keep readers guessing, waiting to discover the fate of the two kingdoms.
Song of the Sea is a compelling and thought-provoking story with a plot that closely follows the storyline of The Little Mermaid. Aside from that similarity, this novel has a new villain and a fresh take on well-known characters, making this story stands out as a unique work. In addition, their book has some mature content, making it better suited for older teens and young adult audiences.
Song of the Sea is a captivating and enjoyable read with an important message of love, harmony, and cultural understanding. It is perfect for readers who enjoy a fresh retelling of classic tales, and its story of diplomacy and friendship offers a new perspective on a familiar theme.
February 4, 2023
A melodic, heartfelt tale that kept me guessing and unable to stop.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews