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Plain Jane and the Mermaid
From Anya's Ghost and Be Prepared author Vera Brosgol comes an instant classic graphic novel that flips every fairy-tale you know on its head, and shows one girl's crusade for the only thing that matters—her own independence.
Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It’s a good plan!
Or it would’ve been, if he wasn’t kidnapped by a mermaid.
With her last shot at happiness lost in the deep blue sea, Jane must venture to the world underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé. But the depths of the ocean hold beautiful mysteries and dangerous creatures. What good can a plain Jane do?
Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It’s a good plan!
Or it would’ve been, if he wasn’t kidnapped by a mermaid.
With her last shot at happiness lost in the deep blue sea, Jane must venture to the world underwater to rescue her maybe-fiancé. But the depths of the ocean hold beautiful mysteries and dangerous creatures. What good can a plain Jane do?
Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2024
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About the author
Vera Brosgol
25 books1,329 followersVera Brosgol was born in Moscow, Russia in 1984 and moved to the United States when she was five. She received a diploma in Classical Animation from Sheridan College, and currently works at Laika Inc. in Portland, Oregon drawing storyboards for feature animation.
She has done illustration work for clients such as Nickelodeon, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Simon & Schuster. Her first graphic novel, Anya's Ghost, was published in 2011 by First Second Books.
She loves knitting, baking, and trying not to kill her plants. She hopes you are enjoying looking at her drawings!
She has done illustration work for clients such as Nickelodeon, Sony Computer Entertainment, and Simon & Schuster. Her first graphic novel, Anya's Ghost, was published in 2011 by First Second Books.
She loves knitting, baking, and trying not to kill her plants. She hopes you are enjoying looking at her drawings!
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May 24, 2024
If I were a mermaid I too would only eat the sexiest fishermen.
Dive into Vera Brosgol’s underwater adventure full of magic and maritime menace where the toxic beauty standards are just as dangerous as the toxic sea creatures. Plain Jane and the Mermaid is as eye-catching as it is engaging, being a rollicking YA graphic novel full of high-stakes action and hilarity as Jane must set off to rescue the boy of her dreams from the carnivorous mermaids who have stolen him away. Riding a fast-paced narrative current and filled with quirky characters both friend and foe, Plain Jane and the Mermaid is also a heartfelt critique of patriarchal society and stigmas to address issues of body image and self-worth. Will Jane rescue Peter before he becomes a mermaid’s feast or are the secrets of the deep too fierce to face?
This is such a fun aquatic adventure from the artist and author who brought us the spooky Anya’s Ghost. Plain Jane and the Mermaid brings us to a drab, Victorian-era town where recently orphaned Jane has discovered her wealthy parent’s estate will be transferred to her uncle as women cannot own property. Jane feels pretty drab herself, always mocked for her looks and weight-shamed by her mother. But when her plans to marry Peter, the bumbling but beautiful boy she has always loved who just might agree in order to leave his hated job for a life of luxury, is thwarted by a mermaid, she finds herself equipped with magic and three days to bring him back. This is a wild, comedic ride where Jane’s is not only fighting emotional battles, but now deep sea scaries:
And a whole lot of toxic masculinity:
Learn some chill, Downton Abbey Plankton…
The cast here is excellent, such as Mr. Whiskers—a begrudgingly helpful seal…or is he?—and the mermaids themselves which all have fairly complex emotions and storylines that culminate to make this story greater than the sum of its parts. It’s also just gorgeous to look at and I’ve long been a big fan of Brosgol’s lovely artwork. It’s all very bold and beautiful and the character designs convery a LOT of personality. Honestly, I’d love to see this as a film with this exact art style.
‘Authors often write the books we wish we had as kids,’ Brosgol writes in the afterword, ‘and little me would have really loved this one.’ She discusses how she found it important to depict a heroine who was thought of as ‘ordinary’ and not particularly much to look at as it would have been ‘a great antidote to all the Disney heroines I was ingesting.’ That the art feels vaguely Disney adjacent is also plausibly pointed towards subversion. Its rather moving to read her thoughts on why this is so important to her for the story to address troubling beauty standards and the ways society often conflates beauty with goodness and worth.
We also see how fleeting physical beauty can be. It connects quite effectively to the criticisms of patriarchy as well, and how women are expected to conform to beauty standards to be thought of as valuable but even then they are objectified and denied real social agency. ‘'Beauty is not good capital,’ writes Tressie McMillan Cottom in her book Thick: And Other Essays:
I found it well done how with Peter, even having the beauty Jane seeks, he is still not respected because he’s seen as incapable. When he is seen to be valued solely on his looks by the mermaids, however, it isn’t the positive social capital he hopes for but a death sentence. With Jane we see how her smarts and determination make her much more than looks could ever achieve, and I love how empowering this book can be.
‘Someone somewhere made up all these stupid rules and we’re all just going along with them! Even if it makes us miserable! Well, I don’t want to be miserable. I’m sorry.
Actually, no I’m not.’
There is so much to love here and I’ve barely scratched the surface on all the little plot threads and character arcs. Charming and cinematic, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a joyful graphic novel that is easily appropriate for middle grade readers but just as delightful for adults. Filled with sharp social critiques and flowing through a zany adventure plot, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a real winner.
4.5/5
Dive into Vera Brosgol’s underwater adventure full of magic and maritime menace where the toxic beauty standards are just as dangerous as the toxic sea creatures. Plain Jane and the Mermaid is as eye-catching as it is engaging, being a rollicking YA graphic novel full of high-stakes action and hilarity as Jane must set off to rescue the boy of her dreams from the carnivorous mermaids who have stolen him away. Riding a fast-paced narrative current and filled with quirky characters both friend and foe, Plain Jane and the Mermaid is also a heartfelt critique of patriarchal society and stigmas to address issues of body image and self-worth. Will Jane rescue Peter before he becomes a mermaid’s feast or are the secrets of the deep too fierce to face?
This is such a fun aquatic adventure from the artist and author who brought us the spooky Anya’s Ghost. Plain Jane and the Mermaid brings us to a drab, Victorian-era town where recently orphaned Jane has discovered her wealthy parent’s estate will be transferred to her uncle as women cannot own property. Jane feels pretty drab herself, always mocked for her looks and weight-shamed by her mother. But when her plans to marry Peter, the bumbling but beautiful boy she has always loved who just might agree in order to leave his hated job for a life of luxury, is thwarted by a mermaid, she finds herself equipped with magic and three days to bring him back. This is a wild, comedic ride where Jane’s is not only fighting emotional battles, but now deep sea scaries:
And a whole lot of toxic masculinity:
Learn some chill, Downton Abbey Plankton…
The cast here is excellent, such as Mr. Whiskers—a begrudgingly helpful seal…or is he?—and the mermaids themselves which all have fairly complex emotions and storylines that culminate to make this story greater than the sum of its parts. It’s also just gorgeous to look at and I’ve long been a big fan of Brosgol’s lovely artwork. It’s all very bold and beautiful and the character designs convery a LOT of personality. Honestly, I’d love to see this as a film with this exact art style.
‘Authors often write the books we wish we had as kids,’ Brosgol writes in the afterword, ‘and little me would have really loved this one.’ She discusses how she found it important to depict a heroine who was thought of as ‘ordinary’ and not particularly much to look at as it would have been ‘a great antidote to all the Disney heroines I was ingesting.’ That the art feels vaguely Disney adjacent is also plausibly pointed towards subversion. Its rather moving to read her thoughts on why this is so important to her for the story to address troubling beauty standards and the ways society often conflates beauty with goodness and worth.
‘We need to be careful which stories we tell. Think of all the fairy tales where the heroes are handsome and the villains are ugly. So much misery comes from clinging to something as flimsy and subjective as beauty, but that’s often our shorthand for good and evil.’
We also see how fleeting physical beauty can be. It connects quite effectively to the criticisms of patriarchy as well, and how women are expected to conform to beauty standards to be thought of as valuable but even then they are objectified and denied real social agency. ‘'Beauty is not good capital,’ writes Tressie McMillan Cottom in her book Thick: And Other Essays:
‘It constrains those who identify as women against their will…it can never be fully satisfied. It is not useful for human flourishing. Beauty is, like all capital, merely valuable.'
I found it well done how with Peter, even having the beauty Jane seeks, he is still not respected because he’s seen as incapable. When he is seen to be valued solely on his looks by the mermaids, however, it isn’t the positive social capital he hopes for but a death sentence. With Jane we see how her smarts and determination make her much more than looks could ever achieve, and I love how empowering this book can be.
‘Someone somewhere made up all these stupid rules and we’re all just going along with them! Even if it makes us miserable! Well, I don’t want to be miserable. I’m sorry.
Actually, no I’m not.’
There is so much to love here and I’ve barely scratched the surface on all the little plot threads and character arcs. Charming and cinematic, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a joyful graphic novel that is easily appropriate for middle grade readers but just as delightful for adults. Filled with sharp social critiques and flowing through a zany adventure plot, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a real winner.
4.5/5
July 11, 2024
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Recognizing that it’s natural to fear what we can’t see, Vera Brosgol wanted to create a folktale that takes place mostly in murky, watery depth. Her newest graphic novel, Plain Jane and the Mermaid, is a creative and adventurous underwater fantasy with lots of complications and a pleasing, heartwarming twist that will have readers flipping back to connect some dots. The heroine is Jane of the title, an ordinary girl with unremarkable looks in a world that prizes beauty. When the boy she wants to marry is kidnapped by an evil mermaid, Jane rescues him in a reverse of the damsel-in-distress-saved-by-prince trope.
Brosgol is talented at capturing minute facial expressions, and her careful drawings have meaning. She channeled modern beauty standards to show rail-thin mermaids with Instagram Face, and a slim boy with a strong jaw and smooth complexion. By contrast, Jane’s attire is mostly brown, and she’s short and heavy-set, with acne and a dowdy hair style. This is an enchanting read but sometimes angering and heartbreaking, as when Jane’s (attractive) parents mistreat her because she isn’t beautiful and thin.
Brosgol deserves praise for going a bit further with the added mythology of selkies and a water demon, and her book has a moral that will speak to female readers, who are unfortunately part of the story that’s not fantasy—the part that tells girls and women that their appearance is what’s most valuable about them. Readers ages nine and older would be the target audience. Plain Jane and the Mermaid may be too scary for very young readers: The mermaids, , make The Little Mermaid’s Ursula seem cuddly, and some panels depict close-ups of angry faces dominated by huge mouths that display rows of shark-like teeth.
Recognizing that it’s natural to fear what we can’t see, Vera Brosgol wanted to create a folktale that takes place mostly in murky, watery depth. Her newest graphic novel, Plain Jane and the Mermaid, is a creative and adventurous underwater fantasy with lots of complications and a pleasing, heartwarming twist that will have readers flipping back to connect some dots. The heroine is Jane of the title, an ordinary girl with unremarkable looks in a world that prizes beauty. When the boy she wants to marry is kidnapped by an evil mermaid, Jane rescues him in a reverse of the damsel-in-distress-saved-by-prince trope.
Brosgol is talented at capturing minute facial expressions, and her careful drawings have meaning. She channeled modern beauty standards to show rail-thin mermaids with Instagram Face, and a slim boy with a strong jaw and smooth complexion. By contrast, Jane’s attire is mostly brown, and she’s short and heavy-set, with acne and a dowdy hair style. This is an enchanting read but sometimes angering and heartbreaking, as when Jane’s (attractive) parents mistreat her because she isn’t beautiful and thin.
Brosgol deserves praise for going a bit further with the added mythology of selkies and a water demon, and her book has a moral that will speak to female readers, who are unfortunately part of the story that’s not fantasy—the part that tells girls and women that their appearance is what’s most valuable about them. Readers ages nine and older would be the target audience. Plain Jane and the Mermaid may be too scary for very young readers: The mermaids, , make The Little Mermaid’s Ursula seem cuddly, and some panels depict close-ups of angry faces dominated by huge mouths that display rows of shark-like teeth.
June 22, 2024
What a creative & beautiful way to share a wonderful message to young girls about body image! This will definitely be going on a favorites shelf, along with the rest of Vera’s books. 🩵
July 5, 2024
I'm biased because I colored this book, but I still loved reading it, and so did my kids! :D
September 24, 2025
Do you love Stardust but can't bring yourself to read or watch it anymore ever since it came out that Neil Gaiman was actually a huge asshole? Read this graphic novel instead. PLAIN JANE AND THE MERMAID is an utterly charming fantasy story about a girl named Jane, who has been told her whole life-- by her family and by the people in her village-- that she is ugly and undesirable. Now that her parents are dead, her house is going to be taken over by her wretchedly slimy cousin unless she can marry. And she knows just the person! The beautiful son of a fisherman who's abused by his father regularly. They can save each other by entering into a marriage of convenience.
But then the fisherman's son is kidnapped by a mermaid. And when Jane dives down into the water to save him, she ends up encountering all sorts of dangers: zombie sailors, a grumpy seal that can talk, a conniving water demon, and, of course, flesh-eating merfolk.
I loved this story so much and it would make an excellent movie. It's a little too dark to be called a cozy fantasy, in my opinion, but it's very cozy adjacent and the ending is so, so satisfying. I loved it.
5 stars
But then the fisherman's son is kidnapped by a mermaid. And when Jane dives down into the water to save him, she ends up encountering all sorts of dangers: zombie sailors, a grumpy seal that can talk, a conniving water demon, and, of course, flesh-eating merfolk.
I loved this story so much and it would make an excellent movie. It's a little too dark to be called a cozy fantasy, in my opinion, but it's very cozy adjacent and the ending is so, so satisfying. I loved it.
5 stars
October 31, 2023
An underwater folk story that feels like you're watching a movie, with a hint of that studio ghibli charm.
Jane's parents have passed on without a male heir, meaning Jane is about to lose her house and her fortune if she can't find someone to marry. But who would want to marry ugly, fat Jane?
When Jane decides to ask the prettiest boy in town to marry her, he gets snatched by a mermaid and dragged deep under, and it's up to Jane to rescue him. Follows is an underwater adventure stuffed with tricky water gods, beautiful fishy creatures, and a snarky seal that's more than he seems.
Vera Bosgol has such a great art style, after reading so many of her other books, her style has become familiar and comforting to me. She has the ability to make you feel like you're watching an animated movie. The story touches on societal views of beauty and its tie to worth, as well as how others see us versus how we see ourselves.
Thank you to First Second for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Jane's parents have passed on without a male heir, meaning Jane is about to lose her house and her fortune if she can't find someone to marry. But who would want to marry ugly, fat Jane?
When Jane decides to ask the prettiest boy in town to marry her, he gets snatched by a mermaid and dragged deep under, and it's up to Jane to rescue him. Follows is an underwater adventure stuffed with tricky water gods, beautiful fishy creatures, and a snarky seal that's more than he seems.
Vera Bosgol has such a great art style, after reading so many of her other books, her style has become familiar and comforting to me. She has the ability to make you feel like you're watching an animated movie. The story touches on societal views of beauty and its tie to worth, as well as how others see us versus how we see ourselves.
Thank you to First Second for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2025
Por favor, me ha encantado💚
Ojalá haber leído un libro así de pequeñaja, pero hacerlo de mayor también ha sido toda una experiencia: tierno, inspirador, lleno de acción y fantasía, y con un toque de diversión.
Ojalá haber leído un libro así de pequeñaja, pero hacerlo de mayor también ha sido toda una experiencia: tierno, inspirador, lleno de acción y fantasía, y con un toque de diversión.
June 28, 2024
Vera Brosgol’s art in “Plain Jane and the Mermaid” is well-rounded. The characters are cute (especially Jane’s design), and the buildings are solid. Alex Longstreth’s colors are also very satisfying. Many of the underwater scenes were beautiful, playful, charming, and engaging.
When I saw the cover I thought (hoped) this would be a story about a romance or friendship between a plain girl and a beautiful mermaid. Alas—spoilers—it’s not either of those things. It’s a rival/enemy type relationship resolved, in the end, by the death/destruction of the offending party, which is fairly boring to me.
The characters as a whole felt pretty flat. Maybe an acceptable level of development for a graphic novel aimed at younger readers, but having read plenty of comics in the same genre that had better fleshed out characters with more interesting interactions, I was a little bored and disappointed. The most interesting developments were, as so often happens, at the very end of the book…
- when the remaining mermaids choose to grow old (and turn human?)
- the developing friendship / romance between the selkie character and the main character. (Do we even learn “Mr. Whiskers”’s actual name? Is the point that they don’t have names like humans do?)
- The re-adoption of Jamie, Jane’s younger brother and his assimilation to life in the town
I would have happily read an entire chapter or story about the mermaid sister who loves woodcarving and is now an old crone, for instance. How many stories have you read with a plot like that? (I don’t know I’ve ever read anything about a female woodcarver, for example. Closest might be that one character from Vinland Saga.)
I also felt like Brosgol wanting to turn the Disney narrative of “heroines are beautiful and villains are ugly” on its head is admirable and necessary, but the way it was done here was deeply unsatisfying. I want to see a deeper exploration of the villain, and a resolution that isn’t simply her death. The scene with the mirrors was interesting and could have gone somewhere, I think.
The fact that the resolution to the male centered society is also just reclaiming the younger brother as rightful heir is also frustrating. I assume there would have been more development there if there was time.
So, all in all, though the art is pretty, it’s not a book I’d buy to put on my shelf. I’ll keep my eye out for future work from this author to see how they develop.
Art: ★★★★⭐︎
Plot: ★★★⭐︎⭐︎
Characters: ★★⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
When I saw the cover I thought (hoped) this would be a story about a romance or friendship between a plain girl and a beautiful mermaid. Alas—spoilers—it’s not either of those things. It’s a rival/enemy type relationship resolved, in the end, by the death/destruction of the offending party, which is fairly boring to me.
The characters as a whole felt pretty flat. Maybe an acceptable level of development for a graphic novel aimed at younger readers, but having read plenty of comics in the same genre that had better fleshed out characters with more interesting interactions, I was a little bored and disappointed. The most interesting developments were, as so often happens, at the very end of the book…
- when the remaining mermaids choose to grow old (and turn human?)
- the developing friendship / romance between the selkie character and the main character. (Do we even learn “Mr. Whiskers”’s actual name? Is the point that they don’t have names like humans do?)
- The re-adoption of Jamie, Jane’s younger brother and his assimilation to life in the town
I would have happily read an entire chapter or story about the mermaid sister who loves woodcarving and is now an old crone, for instance. How many stories have you read with a plot like that? (I don’t know I’ve ever read anything about a female woodcarver, for example. Closest might be that one character from Vinland Saga.)
I also felt like Brosgol wanting to turn the Disney narrative of “heroines are beautiful and villains are ugly” on its head is admirable and necessary, but the way it was done here was deeply unsatisfying. I want to see a deeper exploration of the villain, and a resolution that isn’t simply her death. The scene with the mirrors was interesting and could have gone somewhere, I think.
The fact that the resolution to the male centered society is also just reclaiming the younger brother as rightful heir is also frustrating. I assume there would have been more development there if there was time.
So, all in all, though the art is pretty, it’s not a book I’d buy to put on my shelf. I’ll keep my eye out for future work from this author to see how they develop.
Art: ★★★★⭐︎
Plot: ★★★⭐︎⭐︎
Characters: ★★⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
September 13, 2024
A fun, scary, and thrilling adventure has a determined young woman on the trail of an evil mermaid who has lured away someone important to her.
It's a nice little morality play about sexism, beauty, character, and self-esteem . . . with sea monsters and animated skeletons. (Parents of sensitive children might want to give it a preview to forestall any bad dreams that might result.)
Fans of The Secret of Roan Inish -- and the book it adapted, Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry -- will find a very obvious homage in the final third of the book.
It's a nice little morality play about sexism, beauty, character, and self-esteem . . . with sea monsters and animated skeletons. (Parents of sensitive children might want to give it a preview to forestall any bad dreams that might result.)
Fans of The Secret of Roan Inish -- and the book it adapted, Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry -- will find a very obvious homage in the final third of the book.
March 10, 2024
4.5 stars and debating if I should give it 5. If you are a fan of Vera Brosgol's previous work, like fantasty graphic novels, or enjoy fairy tales with strong female characters, this is for you. I thought this story about Jane who sets out to find her prince had it all.
Disney-like scenes - yes
Poor little rich girl - yes
Handsome boy - yes
Magic - yes
Strong message - yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.
Disney-like scenes - yes
Poor little rich girl - yes
Handsome boy - yes
Magic - yes
Strong message - yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title.
January 14, 2026
El tipo de libro que me habría gustado leer de niña, hay fantasía, sirenas asesinas y reflexiones sobre la belleza interior en un mundo obsesionado con las apariencias. 🙂↕️
May 24, 2024
This original fairytale opens with teenage Jane mourning the recent death of her parents, after she already lost her younger brother to the sea as a child. Because there's no male heir, Jane's horrible cousin will be kicking her out of the house in a week. The only option she can see is marrying within the week so that she can access her dowry. So Jane walks down to the fishing village below her manor and proposes to a beautiful but shallow fisherman's son. He accepts- then is immediately lured under the waves by a mermaid. Jane runs into the town asking for help but only an old woman with witchy vibes is willing to aid her. The crone gives Jane a potion so she can breathe underwater, a stone which will allow her to walk on the bottom of the ocean, and a shawl to keep her warm in the depths. So armed, Jane walks into the sea after the boy who feels like her only hope. Under the waves she encounters allies and enemies, learns the true power of her own will, and realizes she might have more choices than she's realized.
January 1, 2026
4.5 stars. This was WONDERFUL. What a lovely little graphic novel. I wish more books like this existed for younger readers, because it manages to pack in so many important lessons, while still being fun and adventurous and really sweet. I ADORE the messages about youth and beauty, about self determination, about family and siblings. And there was a sweet, subtle little romantic subplot that I adored. Jane herself is the star of this; she very quickly became one of my favourite protagonists ever. I mostly just read this to make sure it would be okay for the 9/10 year old girl I'm gifting it to. While it does read a bit older than I'd expected, IMO it's perfectly appropriate, and I think she'll love it. And I'm so glad that I enjoyed it too. Review to come.
September 8, 2024
4.00 ★
this felt like a fairytale. a stunning exploration of vanity and beauty standards
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: fat protagonist.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
this felt like a fairytale. a stunning exploration of vanity and beauty standards
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: fat protagonist.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
May 2, 2024
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book has content warnings for grief, abuse, and fatphobia.
I fear I just might not be the right target demographic for this. It just fell completely flat to me. It was extremely simple, extremely surface level, and repetetive. I did really like art, and the concept was decent as well, but the execution was just lacking for me.
This book has content warnings for grief, abuse, and fatphobia.
I fear I just might not be the right target demographic for this. It just fell completely flat to me. It was extremely simple, extremely surface level, and repetetive. I did really like art, and the concept was decent as well, but the execution was just lacking for me.
December 9, 2025
Beautifully illustrated graphic novel that challenges society's built beauty standards in a fun and adventurous way! ❤
October 8, 2025
Reseña completa: https://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/20...
Jane ha sido menospreciada toda su vida por culpa de su aspecto, incluso por parte de sus padres, quienes mandan en su pueblo. Cuando estos mueren y su horrible primo intenta quedarse con su herencia y echarla de casa, Jane decide pedir matrimonio a Peter, el chico más guapo del pueblo, para que él herede y así no quedarse en la calle, lo que no parece mal plan, hasta que a Peter lo rapta una sirena. Jane no piensa perder la única oportunidad que tiene para ser feliz, y se sumerge en el océano para rescatarlo, pero el mundo submarino esconde misterios peligrosos, y puede que sea algo demasiado grande para alguien como ella.
Madre mía, lo estupendo y genial que ha sido este libro, ¡en todos los aspectos! Lo he devorado de principio a fin, de una sentada, y es que una vez que te sumerges entre sus páginas, al igual que Jane, tienes un objetivo y no puedes dejarlo de lado: disfrutar como una enana de esta historia tan llena de aventuras, magia, personajes tiernos y superación.
Jane ha sido menospreciada toda su vida por culpa de su aspecto, incluso por parte de sus padres, quienes mandan en su pueblo. Cuando estos mueren y su horrible primo intenta quedarse con su herencia y echarla de casa, Jane decide pedir matrimonio a Peter, el chico más guapo del pueblo, para que él herede y así no quedarse en la calle, lo que no parece mal plan, hasta que a Peter lo rapta una sirena. Jane no piensa perder la única oportunidad que tiene para ser feliz, y se sumerge en el océano para rescatarlo, pero el mundo submarino esconde misterios peligrosos, y puede que sea algo demasiado grande para alguien como ella.
Madre mía, lo estupendo y genial que ha sido este libro, ¡en todos los aspectos! Lo he devorado de principio a fin, de una sentada, y es que una vez que te sumerges entre sus páginas, al igual que Jane, tienes un objetivo y no puedes dejarlo de lado: disfrutar como una enana de esta historia tan llena de aventuras, magia, personajes tiernos y superación.
May 17, 2024
"Can I speak to you, in private? It's about, er... business.
So... Private swamp business?"
The deep dark ocean is what terrifies me the most in life. There's something about the unexplored parts of any large body of water that really freaks me out. The ocean only gets to meet my feet and ankles now. Vera and I have that same fear.
Brosgol's charm meets the heart of Studio Ghibli for an underwater adventure with a lot of moxie and compassion. Be prepared to be swept off of your feet and to meet your new best friend.
The art style was great and oh-so cute. It really stands out and can definitely hold its own. The story was heartwarming and charming, and there were several moments that genuinely made me burst into laughter. It's not often that a story can be heartwarming and funny at the same time. I really loved it.
So... Private swamp business?"
The deep dark ocean is what terrifies me the most in life. There's something about the unexplored parts of any large body of water that really freaks me out. The ocean only gets to meet my feet and ankles now. Vera and I have that same fear.
Brosgol's charm meets the heart of Studio Ghibli for an underwater adventure with a lot of moxie and compassion. Be prepared to be swept off of your feet and to meet your new best friend.
The art style was great and oh-so cute. It really stands out and can definitely hold its own. The story was heartwarming and charming, and there were several moments that genuinely made me burst into laughter. It's not often that a story can be heartwarming and funny at the same time. I really loved it.
October 3, 2024
sorry but i liked mr whiskers more as a seal :(
March 7, 2025
Vera Brosgol never disappoints. This was an imaginative story with a great message and beautiful illustrations!
July 23, 2025
Love the story line and art!
November 3, 2025
Plain Jane and the Mermaid is such a fun and fresh take on classic fairytales and folklore. Jane is a delight as a protagonist, but the side characters especially make this story great. It has a bit of everything from mermaids to selkies to crones to water demons to zombies, but it all comes together for a cohesive piece that really feels like a classic fairytale in so many ways. I love that a big focus is inner beauty and loving yourself and turning your nose up at what society's expectations are. I do wish the ending has been longer and more fleshed out, but I honestly still loved this. Vera Brosgol has delivered once again.
December 26, 2024
(MY 10TH FAVORITE BOOK OF 2024)
Jane is a sweet plus-sized girl who is unfortunately treated like an outcast for her “plain” looks by her village and her own family. After her parents die in a tragic accident, her home and dowry have suddenly gone to her lowlife cousin since she can inherit it because she’s a girl. A loophole however, which can let Jane keep her house and dowry if she marries in a week, could be her saving grace with her eyes set on the local heartthrob Peter who’s princely but pompous. Just as she’s saved, a beautiful and dark mermaid snatches Peter into the water and now it’s up to Jane to venture down to save him and will find many underwater surprises.
Starting from the first few pages, Jane’s story is just an exciting and water-stirring read that won me over immediately thanks to her being a lovable heroine and Brosgol’s colorfully cartoony art. It definitely has some usual fairytale traits while also having a great message about never judging a book by its cover. The best moments come from its many surprises as some of them really make the story more gripping. “Plane Jane” is a glowing tale that shines like a sea pearl. A (100%/Outstanding)
Jane is a sweet plus-sized girl who is unfortunately treated like an outcast for her “plain” looks by her village and her own family. After her parents die in a tragic accident, her home and dowry have suddenly gone to her lowlife cousin since she can inherit it because she’s a girl. A loophole however, which can let Jane keep her house and dowry if she marries in a week, could be her saving grace with her eyes set on the local heartthrob Peter who’s princely but pompous. Just as she’s saved, a beautiful and dark mermaid snatches Peter into the water and now it’s up to Jane to venture down to save him and will find many underwater surprises.
Starting from the first few pages, Jane’s story is just an exciting and water-stirring read that won me over immediately thanks to her being a lovable heroine and Brosgol’s colorfully cartoony art. It definitely has some usual fairytale traits while also having a great message about never judging a book by its cover. The best moments come from its many surprises as some of them really make the story more gripping. “Plane Jane” is a glowing tale that shines like a sea pearl. A (100%/Outstanding)
August 4, 2024
I truly do not understand the such high ratings on this one.
Why are we still writing and publishing books about “ugly fat girls who hate themselves and are shunned by everyone bc they’re so ugly” in 2024, especially for young readers?!?! Look, I get that the whole story is about the pressure to be beautiful and stay beautiful for girls and women, and I know that it all works out in the end for Jane and her self-esteem, but the constant bombardment towards Jane, a young girl, about her looks and her weight were ridiculous to read in a book published in 2024. All the fatphobia and constant remarks about Jane’s appearance by nearly EVERY character were awful and the moral of the story at the end was simply not worth all of those constant put-downs throughout the majority of the book.
One star for the seals and the ***spoiler*** human-eating mermaids who ate men to stay young. The rest of the story I was thoroughly disappointed by.
Why are we still writing and publishing books about “ugly fat girls who hate themselves and are shunned by everyone bc they’re so ugly” in 2024, especially for young readers?!?! Look, I get that the whole story is about the pressure to be beautiful and stay beautiful for girls and women, and I know that it all works out in the end for Jane and her self-esteem, but the constant bombardment towards Jane, a young girl, about her looks and her weight were ridiculous to read in a book published in 2024. All the fatphobia and constant remarks about Jane’s appearance by nearly EVERY character were awful and the moral of the story at the end was simply not worth all of those constant put-downs throughout the majority of the book.
One star for the seals and the ***spoiler*** human-eating mermaids who ate men to stay young. The rest of the story I was thoroughly disappointed by.
June 30, 2024
A great YA graphic novel from the author of Anya's Ghost that is a bit like a Little Mermaid reimagining and features a less than beautiful female protagonist who braves the sea to rescue the guy she wants to marry in order to save her inheritance. Lots of adventure, action and important feminist messages in this book that's perfect for fans of Tidesong by Wendy Xu.
July 15, 2024
This was fine and cute and whatever. Nothing really made me super excited to keep going but nothing made me want to stop. Great attempt at body image and beauty, but I just felt like it didn’t hit the mark the way it wanted to? Maybe I’m overthinking?
November 28, 2024
4,5/5
i love vera brosgol's illustrations so much, and the colors and lights in these are incredible. the story is so lovely, but shines light on important topics and keeps the stakes high. it's all well balanced, very creative and pretty on all levels.
amazing!!
i love vera brosgol's illustrations so much, and the colors and lights in these are incredible. the story is so lovely, but shines light on important topics and keeps the stakes high. it's all well balanced, very creative and pretty on all levels.
amazing!!
May 23, 2024
This graphic fable includes so many of my favorite elements including mermaids, selkies, and wise crones, all beautifully illustrated and with a really great message at its heart.
August 14, 2025
Okay, I love this. 😍
Just those four simple words. Will now start a rant, be prepared. 😜
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
'Kay, so this is gonna sound extremely crazy and I'm probably not gonna have in it a very neat order. (Rants are never orderly) Sooo, yeah! 🤗
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
MR WISKERS HAD ME ROLLING 🤣
FR THOUGH. I was cracking up. BTW, I'm talking about the selkie Mr Whiskers, not the kitty. The kitty's super cute, too, though.
Alright, but the whole mermaids eating people thing. I only have three words to say to that: I KNEW IT!!!! 😌💅
I read a lot of folklore about mermaids and selkies. So, my idea of a mermaid isn't that of Ariel. I thought it was actually kinda cool that the author added this kind of mermaid!!! 😄
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
I got a new obsession with adding emojis to match my review, now. 👀
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
Why does Peter look like that kind of fairytale prince? Is it just me or...? Actually, he does look like a fairytale prince. 🤔
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
Hehe. My favorite character has gotta be the sarcastic selkie. Ngl. 🤭
BUT THEN, JANE IS ALSO A GOOD CHARACTER!!!!
AHHHHHH INTERNAL CONFLICT!!!!!! 😖
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
All in all. This is one of my new favorite graphic novels!!!! Five glowing golden stars!!! 💫💛
Just those four simple words. Will now start a rant, be prepared. 😜
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
'Kay, so this is gonna sound extremely crazy and I'm probably not gonna have in it a very neat order. (Rants are never orderly) Sooo, yeah! 🤗
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
MR WISKERS HAD ME ROLLING 🤣
FR THOUGH. I was cracking up. BTW, I'm talking about the selkie Mr Whiskers, not the kitty. The kitty's super cute, too, though.
Alright, but the whole mermaids eating people thing. I only have three words to say to that: I KNEW IT!!!! 😌💅
I read a lot of folklore about mermaids and selkies. So, my idea of a mermaid isn't that of Ariel. I thought it was actually kinda cool that the author added this kind of mermaid!!! 😄
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
I got a new obsession with adding emojis to match my review, now. 👀
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
Why does Peter look like that kind of fairytale prince? Is it just me or...? Actually, he does look like a fairytale prince. 🤔
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
Hehe. My favorite character has gotta be the sarcastic selkie. Ngl. 🤭
BUT THEN, JANE IS ALSO A GOOD CHARACTER!!!!
AHHHHHH INTERNAL CONFLICT!!!!!! 😖
💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚💚🐚
All in all. This is one of my new favorite graphic novels!!!! Five glowing golden stars!!! 💫💛
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
I've been reading a lot lately (mainly graphic novels and audiobooks), but I didn't find anything recently that really wowed me.
Plain Jane and the Mermaid was absolutely it.
I adore stories about nontraditional heroines. Jane doesn't have the beauty her society respects - and she's a girl, to boot, meaning she won't inherit her parent's land. Not without getting married, that is. However, when Jane's prospective husband is kidnapped by a mermaid, she'll need to unlock all her hidden potential and unacknowledged strengths to save both Peter and herself. And maybe, along the way, she'll decide what she really wants out of life.
The art style in here was fantastic - I love long, detailed pages bursting with color. The character arcs all around were beautiful, I adored every character, and the themes of judging someone by their looks - positively or negatively - were brilliant. I wanted a little more detail at the ending - just a tad - but I'm not complaining. This was such a fantastic read in every way!
5/5 stars!
Plain Jane and the Mermaid was absolutely it.
I adore stories about nontraditional heroines. Jane doesn't have the beauty her society respects - and she's a girl, to boot, meaning she won't inherit her parent's land. Not without getting married, that is. However, when Jane's prospective husband is kidnapped by a mermaid, she'll need to unlock all her hidden potential and unacknowledged strengths to save both Peter and herself. And maybe, along the way, she'll decide what she really wants out of life.
The art style in here was fantastic - I love long, detailed pages bursting with color. The character arcs all around were beautiful, I adored every character, and the themes of judging someone by their looks - positively or negatively - were brilliant. I wanted a little more detail at the ending - just a tad - but I'm not complaining. This was such a fantastic read in every way!
5/5 stars!
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