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Tide & Scale
Tide & Scale is a thrilling anthology meant to awaken the explorer in all of us. These stories are filled with pirates and mermaids on journeys from the depths of the sea to the far reaches of space. For all intrepid adventurers who wish to brave the dangerous waters, we bid you welcome into the deep blue.
sirens lurk here...but so does hope.
sirens lurk here...but so does hope.
400 pages, Paperback
Published May 16, 2023
1 person is currently reading
103 people want to read
About the author
Beka Gremikova
40 books115 followersBeka Gremikova writes folkloric fantasy and light sci-fi from her little nook in the Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada. When she’s not travelling, playing video games, or dabbling in various art forms, she can be found curled up in a corner with a mystery novel. Her work is featured in multiple anthologies, and her debut book, UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTERS OF A DRACONIC KIND AND OTHER STORIES, released with SnowRidge Press in Fall of 2023. Be on the lookout for PROJECT KNIFE, set to release late 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 21, 2023
Whilst I was impressed by the quality of the editing the collection shows, I also think some of the ships on this dock weren't seaworthy and should've been kindly kept docked longer for repairs or simply politely let the shipbuilders know that they're not ship-shape and won't be allowed out to sea. As the quote goes, "the sea is like a cruel mistress. You can love her, you can hate her, but you can never trust her.” A good ship isn't enough, it has to be the best ship, nothing beats a fleet of best ships out sailing.
In that sense, this is a fleet of 23 stories, 7 poems, and 6 illustrations of very different degrees of seaworthiness. For me, none of the 7 poems were seaworthy, and I'd have left them all out. There's a bit of personal preference here, but not entirely, because some were just awful no matter your personal tastes, especially one that read like a note you place on your freezer's door to remind you to eat the crab legs before expiration date. And as for the artwork, I'm pleased to report that they were all seaworthy, and which ones you like will depend on your personal aesthetic inclinations. My favourites were the one by Angela Patera and the second one by Meaghan Ward, but I was appreciative of them all save one that was a tad too Disney for me. (Yes, I have a long and storied rift with Disney over depictions of my favourite fairy tales, why do you ask?)
Now, for the stories themselves, they follow four major seafolk tropes to one extent or another. Bear in mind that the following elaboration is a broad description and doesn't mean all stories are 100% like in the trope they belong in.
The Little Mermaid is one of my favourite fairy tales, and I suppose my standards for my favourite tales are always higher, but in this case I wasn't enthusiastic about the abundance of mermaid/human pairings. It's the most common trope in this anthology, the transformations into merfolk or vice versa, and I would've liked less of it. This is the most obvious part where quantity overtook quality, and where a more rigorous editorial eye would've helped. I mean, if you have half a dozen stories all with human & mermaid pairs, choose fewer and only the best ones, don't go with a "this one is good, that one is good also, and yonder is good too" criteria. It's not merely a matter of taste, but of ensuring you have taken the best out of the commonplace pool. The problem with tropes isn't that they exist, it's that they're done lazily and too often in the same manner, and editors are there to curb this.
Another aspect I'd have liked to be polished is that there wasn't always a differentiation between mermaid and siren, sometimes they were used interchangeably. Granted, this is a problem of the authors, not the editors, and there I wanted to ask a few authors about whatever pre-pub feedback they got, if any, because some things they let slip in had me scratching my head, What? The siren luring sailor trope is the second most abundant in this anthology. This creature is from Greek mythology, a fact I'd hope the writers were aware of, but the way it was mingled with Hans Christian Andersen's and even Disney's creature made me wonder. No, I'm not saying this shouldn't be done, but I object to the interchangeability and genericisation of mermaids & sirens. Merfolk should keep their distinctive kinds apart.
The third most common trope is mermaid rescue, either a human rescues merfolk or vice versa. For the most part, they were done well, especially when it was the human that rescued the mermaid, which is the less-ussed version of the trope (usually, the merfolk save the humans), and I appreciated that these rescues didn't always end up in romance (as happens more often when it's the mermaid rescuing the human).
The fourth and last trope is the human sacrifice to the sea. Now, this is the kind of dark "the sea is an unpredictable bastard" type of plot I love! This was by far the best done of all the marine tropes, no question about it.
And the rest of the stories were original in that they didn't follow a known trope, at least not one that I could identify. It wasn't always good, no, but they'd earn bonus points for creativity at least.
The majority were in the 3 stars range, a middling range, and that accounts for the overall rating for the anthology. Yes, there were extremes as well, at least three were 1 star reads, one didn't feel authentic to the culture it represented, and there were ships that sailed wonderfully and gallantly whilst at sea but when they approached the landing area, they ran aground instead. Yes, that's my way of saying the endings were lacking and ruined the plots.
As is my custom, I'm going to highlight the best stories to wrap up. To me, they were:
TEARS OF THE SEA by Savannah Jezowski
4 stars
I had read this story about a mermaid who saves a human and tastes human tears before, and loved it then. Love it now, too. For a change, it's all mer/mer romance, praise Jesus! I was getting tired of so much human/mer action. I'd have loved this to be a novella, though. Savannah tends to be better with longer short stories than with short short stories, and this one needed to be longer for that punch.
A SEA FULL OF STARS by Anne J. Hill
4 stars
This is rather too short, but packs quite the punch in such a short space of time, and more so considering how introspective and lacking in action it is. It has a bit of an Odysseus resisting the siren's call quality about it, and I'm intrigued by Silus the sailor who is able to disentangle from the call.
THE MERMAID'S SOUL by Beka Gremikova
5 stars
This was one of my favourites here. It has a nice romance that feels authentic, not too insta-love, and the plotline plays with Andersen's little mermaid's longing for a soul, only that the reason this mermaid can obtain a soul is unique. I'd love to see this one separately one day, it's sweet with just the right dash of bitter as to not be cloying.
EBBING OF THE TIDE by Zimri A. Z. Zoran
All the stars + 5
I'm not an emotional reader, despite what I may sound like over the screen, but... Good Lord, this was the most hurtful and gorgeous story in all this anthology. I wanted to run to tightly hug Grandpa in gratefulness that he's lucid and healthy and a sweetie pie. Zoran deserves all the kudos for this story.
I've wondered if the author has Swedish blood or if it's just the culture chosen to be represented in this story, but I noticed the words in Swedish. I've wished English had the specificity for grandparents that Swedish does. Father's mother, mother's father, mother's mother, father's mother... Nice little detail that did my little languages-lovin' heart good. For the record, I'm going to stalk this author for more!
THE SEA'S BELOVED by Mariella Taylor
5 stars
First thoughts on finishing this story were "wow, what a great story of human sacrifice gone right." (Well, if human sacrifice could ever go right, don't ask.) It was my third favourite story, and the best written. The style, I know, isn't everyone's cuppa, but you can tell it was written with much care and an eye for wordsmithing that avoids purple-prosery. It's another bittersweet story, but this one with a larger dash of bitter than others.
OF SEA AND STARLIGHT by E. A. Hendryx
4 stars
This mermaids in space (yeah, that's right) story has a bit of a Star Trek feel, and does beg for more explanations in some parts, and the ending is a bit unpolished, but overall it's a nice Damsel-not-quite-in-distress-as-she-looks story.
BLOOD IN THE WATER by A. J. Skelly
4.5 stars
A merman fights a megashark to save his village in this one, it's very action-packed and full of desperate courage that makes you root for the poor mer. The glimpse into the world hints at an intriguing lore, too, and if Skelly wanted to write more in this same universe, I'd read it. I've said that mer-on-mer/merfolk only stories were scarce in this anthology, and this is one reason to want more too.
THE SELKIE'S GIFT by Katie Hanna
4.5 stars
I know Katie may not have intended it to be so, but I couldn't help but see this as an adorable cougar/cub love story merely because the sweet, sweet boy who finds the selkie and saves her is only seventeen, whilst the selkie is likely older even if she looks very young too. At least she does sound older! It's a sweet and awkward relationship, but also serious because it deals with themes of acceptance, home, and sexual assault.
A WISH AND A CHOICE by Hannah Carter
4.5 stars
Miss H is good at merfolk stories. I could leave it at that, but I'm still baffled at that ending, What? Did she die or didn't she?, and I know Miss H won't give me answers if I don't review her story too. So there!
Jokes aside, this is one of only two stories in the anthology that mix two fairy tales. This one has Cinderella elements all over it, and also loaned Ursula from Disney (with no intentions to give her back alive), and a prince that's rather too smart for his own good. I liked the tragic solution to the curse best of all, I wasn't expecting it nor was I able to guess that would happen, and now I need to know a bit more.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
"A Creature Birthed of Rage" by Lacey R. Scott
3.5 stars
Another of the human sacrifice stories, and with a good concept for a story, but so very diamond-in-the-rough for the most part and the ending wasn't very well done. There's also questions left unanswered as to what kind of magic exists here that accounts for the transformation.
"Seaweed & Sirens" by Wyn Estelle Owens
3.5 stars
Quite the original and creative mix of Little Mermaid and Rapunzel! But, oh why did it have to have pirates? And a "good" pirate at that!
I think this one needed to make a distinction between pirates and corsairs, because they get mixed, all brigands and sea patrols are called "pirates" here indistinctly; and it also needed better proofreading. Both Mermazel and Mr Good Pirate are nicely done, though.
"At Fin's Length" by J. C. Joiner
3.5 stars
An imperfect favourite of mine because, why else, the merman. I was in need of a hot sea king, don't judge! (Yes, I know he's not a king, but the emperor's nephew is still royalty. Technicalities!)
If I were the author, I'd redo the ending. No, not to change it, to make it better, because this is one prime example of a ship that sailed gallantly but ran aground near destination. Or at the very least, I'd write a continuation.
I received an ARC from the editors in exchange for my salty tears and saltier review. Thank you, Beka and Hannah!
In that sense, this is a fleet of 23 stories, 7 poems, and 6 illustrations of very different degrees of seaworthiness. For me, none of the 7 poems were seaworthy, and I'd have left them all out. There's a bit of personal preference here, but not entirely, because some were just awful no matter your personal tastes, especially one that read like a note you place on your freezer's door to remind you to eat the crab legs before expiration date. And as for the artwork, I'm pleased to report that they were all seaworthy, and which ones you like will depend on your personal aesthetic inclinations. My favourites were the one by Angela Patera and the second one by Meaghan Ward, but I was appreciative of them all save one that was a tad too Disney for me. (Yes, I have a long and storied rift with Disney over depictions of my favourite fairy tales, why do you ask?)
Now, for the stories themselves, they follow four major seafolk tropes to one extent or another. Bear in mind that the following elaboration is a broad description and doesn't mean all stories are 100% like in the trope they belong in.
The Little Mermaid is one of my favourite fairy tales, and I suppose my standards for my favourite tales are always higher, but in this case I wasn't enthusiastic about the abundance of mermaid/human pairings. It's the most common trope in this anthology, the transformations into merfolk or vice versa, and I would've liked less of it. This is the most obvious part where quantity overtook quality, and where a more rigorous editorial eye would've helped. I mean, if you have half a dozen stories all with human & mermaid pairs, choose fewer and only the best ones, don't go with a "this one is good, that one is good also, and yonder is good too" criteria. It's not merely a matter of taste, but of ensuring you have taken the best out of the commonplace pool. The problem with tropes isn't that they exist, it's that they're done lazily and too often in the same manner, and editors are there to curb this.
Another aspect I'd have liked to be polished is that there wasn't always a differentiation between mermaid and siren, sometimes they were used interchangeably. Granted, this is a problem of the authors, not the editors, and there I wanted to ask a few authors about whatever pre-pub feedback they got, if any, because some things they let slip in had me scratching my head, What? The siren luring sailor trope is the second most abundant in this anthology. This creature is from Greek mythology, a fact I'd hope the writers were aware of, but the way it was mingled with Hans Christian Andersen's and even Disney's creature made me wonder. No, I'm not saying this shouldn't be done, but I object to the interchangeability and genericisation of mermaids & sirens. Merfolk should keep their distinctive kinds apart.
The third most common trope is mermaid rescue, either a human rescues merfolk or vice versa. For the most part, they were done well, especially when it was the human that rescued the mermaid, which is the less-ussed version of the trope (usually, the merfolk save the humans), and I appreciated that these rescues didn't always end up in romance (as happens more often when it's the mermaid rescuing the human).
The fourth and last trope is the human sacrifice to the sea. Now, this is the kind of dark "the sea is an unpredictable bastard" type of plot I love! This was by far the best done of all the marine tropes, no question about it.
And the rest of the stories were original in that they didn't follow a known trope, at least not one that I could identify. It wasn't always good, no, but they'd earn bonus points for creativity at least.
The majority were in the 3 stars range, a middling range, and that accounts for the overall rating for the anthology. Yes, there were extremes as well, at least three were 1 star reads, one didn't feel authentic to the culture it represented, and there were ships that sailed wonderfully and gallantly whilst at sea but when they approached the landing area, they ran aground instead. Yes, that's my way of saying the endings were lacking and ruined the plots.
As is my custom, I'm going to highlight the best stories to wrap up. To me, they were:
TEARS OF THE SEA by Savannah Jezowski
4 stars
I had read this story about a mermaid who saves a human and tastes human tears before, and loved it then. Love it now, too. For a change, it's all mer/mer romance, praise Jesus! I was getting tired of so much human/mer action. I'd have loved this to be a novella, though. Savannah tends to be better with longer short stories than with short short stories, and this one needed to be longer for that punch.
A SEA FULL OF STARS by Anne J. Hill
4 stars
This is rather too short, but packs quite the punch in such a short space of time, and more so considering how introspective and lacking in action it is. It has a bit of an Odysseus resisting the siren's call quality about it, and I'm intrigued by Silus the sailor who is able to disentangle from the call.
THE MERMAID'S SOUL by Beka Gremikova
5 stars
This was one of my favourites here. It has a nice romance that feels authentic, not too insta-love, and the plotline plays with Andersen's little mermaid's longing for a soul, only that the reason this mermaid can obtain a soul is unique. I'd love to see this one separately one day, it's sweet with just the right dash of bitter as to not be cloying.
EBBING OF THE TIDE by Zimri A. Z. Zoran
All the stars + 5
I'm not an emotional reader, despite what I may sound like over the screen, but... Good Lord, this was the most hurtful and gorgeous story in all this anthology. I wanted to run to tightly hug Grandpa in gratefulness that he's lucid and healthy and a sweetie pie. Zoran deserves all the kudos for this story.
I've wondered if the author has Swedish blood or if it's just the culture chosen to be represented in this story, but I noticed the words in Swedish. I've wished English had the specificity for grandparents that Swedish does. Father's mother, mother's father, mother's mother, father's mother... Nice little detail that did my little languages-lovin' heart good. For the record, I'm going to stalk this author for more!
THE SEA'S BELOVED by Mariella Taylor
5 stars
First thoughts on finishing this story were "wow, what a great story of human sacrifice gone right." (Well, if human sacrifice could ever go right, don't ask.) It was my third favourite story, and the best written. The style, I know, isn't everyone's cuppa, but you can tell it was written with much care and an eye for wordsmithing that avoids purple-prosery. It's another bittersweet story, but this one with a larger dash of bitter than others.
OF SEA AND STARLIGHT by E. A. Hendryx
4 stars
This mermaids in space (yeah, that's right) story has a bit of a Star Trek feel, and does beg for more explanations in some parts, and the ending is a bit unpolished, but overall it's a nice Damsel-not-quite-in-distress-as-she-looks story.
BLOOD IN THE WATER by A. J. Skelly
4.5 stars
A merman fights a megashark to save his village in this one, it's very action-packed and full of desperate courage that makes you root for the poor mer. The glimpse into the world hints at an intriguing lore, too, and if Skelly wanted to write more in this same universe, I'd read it. I've said that mer-on-mer/merfolk only stories were scarce in this anthology, and this is one reason to want more too.
THE SELKIE'S GIFT by Katie Hanna
4.5 stars
I know Katie may not have intended it to be so, but I couldn't help but see this as an adorable cougar/cub love story merely because the sweet, sweet boy who finds the selkie and saves her is only seventeen, whilst the selkie is likely older even if she looks very young too. At least she does sound older! It's a sweet and awkward relationship, but also serious because it deals with themes of acceptance, home, and sexual assault.
A WISH AND A CHOICE by Hannah Carter
4.5 stars
Miss H is good at merfolk stories. I could leave it at that, but I'm still baffled at that ending, What? Did she die or didn't she?, and I know Miss H won't give me answers if I don't review her story too. So there!
Jokes aside, this is one of only two stories in the anthology that mix two fairy tales. This one has Cinderella elements all over it, and also loaned Ursula from Disney (with no intentions to give her back alive), and a prince that's rather too smart for his own good. I liked the tragic solution to the curse best of all, I wasn't expecting it nor was I able to guess that would happen, and now I need to know a bit more.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
"A Creature Birthed of Rage" by Lacey R. Scott
3.5 stars
Another of the human sacrifice stories, and with a good concept for a story, but so very diamond-in-the-rough for the most part and the ending wasn't very well done. There's also questions left unanswered as to what kind of magic exists here that accounts for the transformation.
"Seaweed & Sirens" by Wyn Estelle Owens
3.5 stars
Quite the original and creative mix of Little Mermaid and Rapunzel! But, oh why did it have to have pirates? And a "good" pirate at that!
I think this one needed to make a distinction between pirates and corsairs, because they get mixed, all brigands and sea patrols are called "pirates" here indistinctly; and it also needed better proofreading. Both Mermazel and Mr Good Pirate are nicely done, though.
"At Fin's Length" by J. C. Joiner
3.5 stars
An imperfect favourite of mine because, why else, the merman. I was in need of a hot sea king, don't judge! (Yes, I know he's not a king, but the emperor's nephew is still royalty. Technicalities!)
If I were the author, I'd redo the ending. No, not to change it, to make it better, because this is one prime example of a ship that sailed gallantly but ran aground near destination. Or at the very least, I'd write a continuation.
I received an ARC from the editors in exchange for my salty tears and saltier review. Thank you, Beka and Hannah!
October 10, 2023
Tide and Scale is my favorite anthology I’ve been published in so far (of the ones I’ve read). And that’s saying a lot because I’ve really enjoyed the anthologies I’ve been published in.
T&S is a perfect mix of sweet and dark, with stories of sweet romances (often between mer and human) and humor alongside stories of action and trauma and sacrifice. It wrestles with difficult questions and impossible choices. And, of course, there are mer-people galore, from leopard-seal-mermaids to poisonous lion-fish mermaids to octopus-tailed sea witches to selkies. It’s full of mer-people lore, from stealing selkie skins to turning into sea foam at death. It’s the perfect Mermay read (though I finished it after Mermay, whoops). There’s mental health rep and grief journeys and even a story about cleaning up Lake Erie.
Some of my personal favorites were “A Heart for the Sea Queen” (Erin Artfich), “Seaweed and Sirens” (Wyn Estelle Owens), “Into the Depths” (Kim Chance), “Trashy Romance” (Hope Bolinger), “Captivity” (Megan Dill), and “A Wish and a Choice” (Hannah Carter). “A Heart for the Sea Queen” was probably my favorite—it was just so beautiful and romantic. But “Trashy Romance” was incredibly unique, “Into the Depths” was beautiful and tragic, “Captivity” was such a well written poem, “Seaweed and Sirens” was a fantastic Rapunzel retelling, and “A Wish and a Choice” had an OCD mermaid and a beautiful sacrifice. I would mention more but I had to narrow it down somehow. XP
Also, let me talk about the ART! There is full color art in this anthology! Not just color on the title page or at each story beginning and scene break, but full-color mermaid pieces from artists! My favorites were those from Maxine Munroe and Meaghan Ward, but I loved them all! <3
I’m so happy to have my story “The Day Water Became Wood” alongside these masterpieces! <3 especially Maxine Munroe’s piece since she’s one of my favorite artists. <3 dream come true!
T&S is a perfect mix of sweet and dark, with stories of sweet romances (often between mer and human) and humor alongside stories of action and trauma and sacrifice. It wrestles with difficult questions and impossible choices. And, of course, there are mer-people galore, from leopard-seal-mermaids to poisonous lion-fish mermaids to octopus-tailed sea witches to selkies. It’s full of mer-people lore, from stealing selkie skins to turning into sea foam at death. It’s the perfect Mermay read (though I finished it after Mermay, whoops). There’s mental health rep and grief journeys and even a story about cleaning up Lake Erie.
Some of my personal favorites were “A Heart for the Sea Queen” (Erin Artfich), “Seaweed and Sirens” (Wyn Estelle Owens), “Into the Depths” (Kim Chance), “Trashy Romance” (Hope Bolinger), “Captivity” (Megan Dill), and “A Wish and a Choice” (Hannah Carter). “A Heart for the Sea Queen” was probably my favorite—it was just so beautiful and romantic. But “Trashy Romance” was incredibly unique, “Into the Depths” was beautiful and tragic, “Captivity” was such a well written poem, “Seaweed and Sirens” was a fantastic Rapunzel retelling, and “A Wish and a Choice” had an OCD mermaid and a beautiful sacrifice. I would mention more but I had to narrow it down somehow. XP
Also, let me talk about the ART! There is full color art in this anthology! Not just color on the title page or at each story beginning and scene break, but full-color mermaid pieces from artists! My favorites were those from Maxine Munroe and Meaghan Ward, but I loved them all! <3
I’m so happy to have my story “The Day Water Became Wood” alongside these masterpieces! <3 especially Maxine Munroe’s piece since she’s one of my favorite artists. <3 dream come true!
Read
March 23, 2023I hope you all enjoy what Beka and I have collected here—tales of hope and despair, love and heartache, of finding your voice, your life, and your calling. It’s a collection of stories for those of us with hearts that are bound to the sea. 💕🧜🏻♀️
Want to read
March 20, 2023I have a story in this collection! I'm excited for its release :D
Read
May 16, 2023May 16th, 2023: IT’S RELEASE DAY! 🎉 You can now own this gorgeous anthology for yourselves! 🤩 Hannah and I are so proud of all the contributors to this beautiful book and are so excited to see it out in the world! 🧜🏻♀️
May 11, 2023: This beautiful collection releases in just under a week!!!! 😍🎉
This collection of mermaid tales, poetry, and art is an editing collaboration with Hannah Carter and a publishing partnership with Quill and Flame Publishers. I’m so very honoured to have been involved in this collection, and so proud of all the creatives featured.
I highly recommend reading the paperback so you can enjoy the full effect of the gorgeous full-colour art pieces. ;-)
May 11, 2023: This beautiful collection releases in just under a week!!!! 😍🎉
This collection of mermaid tales, poetry, and art is an editing collaboration with Hannah Carter and a publishing partnership with Quill and Flame Publishers. I’m so very honoured to have been involved in this collection, and so proud of all the creatives featured.
I highly recommend reading the paperback so you can enjoy the full effect of the gorgeous full-colour art pieces. ;-)
March 4, 2024
Review to come!
~considering the fact that I really loved a handful of these stories, I'm rounding my review up for the sake of the gems here ^-^~
~considering the fact that I really loved a handful of these stories, I'm rounding my review up for the sake of the gems here ^-^~
October 10, 2023
4.5 Stars
One of the best anthologies I've ever read.
One of the best anthologies I've ever read.
Read
May 17, 2023*I do not star rate books*
Tide & Scale
Pages 400
Every summer, I rewatch & reread all the mermaid 🧜♀️ 🧜♂️ 🌊 stories ♡
This was a great start to the summer (it's technically not summer yet, but the weather is, so I'll count it)
I really enjoyed the number of stories (poems) & different mermaids in this collection.
I enjoyed some more than others, but they were all good & it was a nice one day read. 📚👌🏽
I absolutely LOVED the color (yes, I said color) ART! I have the EBOOK copy. It was just beautiful and really added to the stories.
Some of my personal favorites
🧜♀️Things of Midnight by Rebekah Isert
🧜♀️ A Short-Lived Romance by Megan Dill
🧜♀️Deep Blue by Annee Clark
🧜♀️Of Mermaid and Men By Rachel Lawrence
ALL of them were great & loved how this collection was put together. Was introduced to many new to me authors and I am excited to look into their individual works.
Synopsis:
"Tide & Scale is a thrilling anthology meant to awaken the explorer in all of us. These stories are filled with pirates and mermaids on journeys from the depths of the sea to the far reaches of space. For all intrepid adventurers who wish to brave the dangerous waters, we bid you welcome into the deep blue.
Beware: sirens lurk here... but so does hope."
Trigger Warnings straight from the start of the book before the stories by the authors.
⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
“A Creature Birthed of Rage”: themes of human sacrifice
“Hope is a Dangerous Thing”: death of a loved one/parent
“A Sea Full of Stars”: Implied contemplation of suicide
“The Mermaid’s Soul”: themes of human sacrifice, starvation, loss of loved ones
“Ebbing of the Tide”: themes of euthanasia, family fractures, memory lossloss, grief, and memory loss
“The Sea’s Beloved”: themes of human sacrifice
“The Song of the Siren Sea”: parental abandonment
“The Day Water Became Wood”: death of a loved one, death of self
“A Wish and a Choice”: themes of self-sacrifice, death, loss of a loved one, grief
"The Selkie's Gift": themes of implied sexual assault
Please be advised that the following stories have tragic or bittersweet endings: “Ebbing of the Tide,” “Into the Depths,” “Sea of Sorrow,” “Hunger,” “At Fin’s Length,” “The Day Water Became Wood,” “A Wish and a Choice.”
Tide & Scale
Pages 400
Every summer, I rewatch & reread all the mermaid 🧜♀️ 🧜♂️ 🌊 stories ♡
This was a great start to the summer (it's technically not summer yet, but the weather is, so I'll count it)
I really enjoyed the number of stories (poems) & different mermaids in this collection.
I enjoyed some more than others, but they were all good & it was a nice one day read. 📚👌🏽
I absolutely LOVED the color (yes, I said color) ART! I have the EBOOK copy. It was just beautiful and really added to the stories.
Some of my personal favorites
🧜♀️Things of Midnight by Rebekah Isert
🧜♀️ A Short-Lived Romance by Megan Dill
🧜♀️Deep Blue by Annee Clark
🧜♀️Of Mermaid and Men By Rachel Lawrence
ALL of them were great & loved how this collection was put together. Was introduced to many new to me authors and I am excited to look into their individual works.
Synopsis:
"Tide & Scale is a thrilling anthology meant to awaken the explorer in all of us. These stories are filled with pirates and mermaids on journeys from the depths of the sea to the far reaches of space. For all intrepid adventurers who wish to brave the dangerous waters, we bid you welcome into the deep blue.
Beware: sirens lurk here... but so does hope."
Trigger Warnings straight from the start of the book before the stories by the authors.
⚠️TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️
“A Creature Birthed of Rage”: themes of human sacrifice
“Hope is a Dangerous Thing”: death of a loved one/parent
“A Sea Full of Stars”: Implied contemplation of suicide
“The Mermaid’s Soul”: themes of human sacrifice, starvation, loss of loved ones
“Ebbing of the Tide”: themes of euthanasia, family fractures, memory lossloss, grief, and memory loss
“The Sea’s Beloved”: themes of human sacrifice
“The Song of the Siren Sea”: parental abandonment
“The Day Water Became Wood”: death of a loved one, death of self
“A Wish and a Choice”: themes of self-sacrifice, death, loss of a loved one, grief
"The Selkie's Gift": themes of implied sexual assault
Please be advised that the following stories have tragic or bittersweet endings: “Ebbing of the Tide,” “Into the Depths,” “Sea of Sorrow,” “Hunger,” “At Fin’s Length,” “The Day Water Became Wood,” “A Wish and a Choice.”
July 4, 2023
Tide and Scale is a primarily mermaid-focused anthology that explores the longing for souls, love, and the sea by various water denizens in more than thirty short stories as well as poems. There are also gorgeous pieces of art included!
The stories range over various genres and tones and it was great to read stories from mostly new to me authors. I did want a lot of these stories to be longer, but that could be my extremely long-short-story self talking. If you need a mermaid fix, get yours here!
The stories range over various genres and tones and it was great to read stories from mostly new to me authors. I did want a lot of these stories to be longer, but that could be my extremely long-short-story self talking. If you need a mermaid fix, get yours here!
November 22, 2025
What I Loved:
This anthology is a treasure trove for anyone who loves mermaid lore, but is tired of the same old “Little Mermaid” retellings. The collection features a wide range of tones, genres, and settings from classic fairy tale retellings to modern, even sci-fi, takes on merfolk. Some stories are lush and lyrical, others sharp and satirical. The variety keeps things fresh, and you never quite know what you’ll get next.
Many stories dig deep into themes of longing, transformation, sacrifice, and the pain of not belonging. For example, in “Tears of the Sea,” LeRae is an outcast mermaid who yearns for the human world, and her journey is both physically painful and emotionally resonant. The anthology doesn’t shy away from darkness - there are stories about grief, memory loss, betrayal, and even euthanasia (“Ebbing of the Tide”). The trigger warnings at the start are well-placed and necessary.
“A Creature Birthed of Rage” is a gritty, almost grimdark tale of sacrifice and vengeance, with a protagonist who’s more antihero than Disney princess.
“Hope is a Dangerous Thing” offers a pirate adventure with a twist, blending family secrets, curses, and a genuinely suspenseful plot.
“The Mermaid’s Soul” is a beautiful meditation on what it means to be human, with a mermaid protagonist who was once a starving girl cast out by her village.
“The Day Water Became Wood” is a bold, tragic story about a mage who tries to rewrite the laws of magic and nature for love, with devastating consequences.
The inclusion of poems and original artwork adds to the immersive, mythic feel. The poems are sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, and help break up the prose.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
At nearly 400 pages and 30+ stories, the anthology is a marathon. Not every story is a hit, and some blend together after a while. A few tales feel like they’re treading familiar water (pun intended), with similar themes of forbidden love or transformation. The middle section, in particular, drags a bit.
As with most anthologies, the writing quality varies. Some stories are polished and emotionally impactful, while others feel rushed or underdeveloped. A few endings are abrupt, and some stories rely too heavily on exposition rather than showing the action.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, happily-ever-after collection, be warned: many stories end on a bittersweet or outright tragic note. “Ebbing of the Tide,” “Into the Depths,” “Sea of Sorrow,” and “The Day Water Became Wood” all left me with a lump in my throat. The anthology leans more toward melancholy than triumph.
Spoiler Zone (Major Plot Points):
Final Thoughts:
Tide & Scale is a rich, ambitious anthology that reimagines mermaid myths for a modern audience. It’s not always an easy read - there’s real pain and darkness here - but it’s also full of hope, beauty, and the magic of transformation. If you love folklore, complex heroines, and stories that aren’t afraid to get a little weird or sad, you’ll find a lot to enjoy. Just be prepared for some heartbreak along the way.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Fans of mythic fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and anyone who wants their mermaids with teeth.
This anthology is a treasure trove for anyone who loves mermaid lore, but is tired of the same old “Little Mermaid” retellings. The collection features a wide range of tones, genres, and settings from classic fairy tale retellings to modern, even sci-fi, takes on merfolk. Some stories are lush and lyrical, others sharp and satirical. The variety keeps things fresh, and you never quite know what you’ll get next.
Many stories dig deep into themes of longing, transformation, sacrifice, and the pain of not belonging. For example, in “Tears of the Sea,” LeRae is an outcast mermaid who yearns for the human world, and her journey is both physically painful and emotionally resonant. The anthology doesn’t shy away from darkness - there are stories about grief, memory loss, betrayal, and even euthanasia (“Ebbing of the Tide”). The trigger warnings at the start are well-placed and necessary.
“A Creature Birthed of Rage” is a gritty, almost grimdark tale of sacrifice and vengeance, with a protagonist who’s more antihero than Disney princess.
“Hope is a Dangerous Thing” offers a pirate adventure with a twist, blending family secrets, curses, and a genuinely suspenseful plot.
“The Mermaid’s Soul” is a beautiful meditation on what it means to be human, with a mermaid protagonist who was once a starving girl cast out by her village.
“The Day Water Became Wood” is a bold, tragic story about a mage who tries to rewrite the laws of magic and nature for love, with devastating consequences.
The inclusion of poems and original artwork adds to the immersive, mythic feel. The poems are sometimes haunting, sometimes playful, and help break up the prose.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
At nearly 400 pages and 30+ stories, the anthology is a marathon. Not every story is a hit, and some blend together after a while. A few tales feel like they’re treading familiar water (pun intended), with similar themes of forbidden love or transformation. The middle section, in particular, drags a bit.
As with most anthologies, the writing quality varies. Some stories are polished and emotionally impactful, while others feel rushed or underdeveloped. A few endings are abrupt, and some stories rely too heavily on exposition rather than showing the action.
If you’re looking for a feel-good, happily-ever-after collection, be warned: many stories end on a bittersweet or outright tragic note. “Ebbing of the Tide,” “Into the Depths,” “Sea of Sorrow,” and “The Day Water Became Wood” all left me with a lump in my throat. The anthology leans more toward melancholy than triumph.
Spoiler Zone (Major Plot Points):
Final Thoughts:
Tide & Scale is a rich, ambitious anthology that reimagines mermaid myths for a modern audience. It’s not always an easy read - there’s real pain and darkness here - but it’s also full of hope, beauty, and the magic of transformation. If you love folklore, complex heroines, and stories that aren’t afraid to get a little weird or sad, you’ll find a lot to enjoy. Just be prepared for some heartbreak along the way.
Rating: 4/5
Recommended for: Fans of mythic fantasy, fairy tale retellings, and anyone who wants their mermaids with teeth.
dnf
June 24, 2024DNF @ 16%
October 19, 2025
A wonderful collection of short stories and poetry. I loved that there were mermaids as well as other mythical sea creatures.
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