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Sea Change
An original and timely new YA novel from acclaimed author Susan Fletcher, set in a near-future where rogue gene editing has changed humanity—loosely based on The Little Mermaid
A girl torn between two worlds . . .
Turtle is scavenging a drowned town when she saves a stranger’s life. There’s something special about Kai—an attraction she’s never felt before. She would do anything to see him again.
But Turtle can never truly be with Kai, because Kai is Normal, and Turtle is one of the Mer, kids whose genes were illegally hacked before birth and who now have working gills as well as lungs. Turtle lives on an old cruise ship with the other Mer in order to be close to the water she needs to survive.
Yet she sneaks away and lies to her friends to spend more time on land with Kai. And the pull of the shore grows even stronger when Turtle reconnects with her sisters and learns that her father, who has been in prison for having her genes modified, has escaped and may be hiding out nearby.
When scientists come up with a way for the Mer to surrender their gills and live as Normals, Turtle faces a terrible choice. Turtle loves her life with her Mer friends, but she desperately misses her family. And then there’s Kai . . .
Should she give up her Mer community and their way of life, along with the joy of living freely under the sea? Or give up the guy she’s falling for . . . and any hope of reconnecting with her family?
A girl torn between two worlds . . .
Turtle is scavenging a drowned town when she saves a stranger’s life. There’s something special about Kai—an attraction she’s never felt before. She would do anything to see him again.
But Turtle can never truly be with Kai, because Kai is Normal, and Turtle is one of the Mer, kids whose genes were illegally hacked before birth and who now have working gills as well as lungs. Turtle lives on an old cruise ship with the other Mer in order to be close to the water she needs to survive.
Yet she sneaks away and lies to her friends to spend more time on land with Kai. And the pull of the shore grows even stronger when Turtle reconnects with her sisters and learns that her father, who has been in prison for having her genes modified, has escaped and may be hiding out nearby.
When scientists come up with a way for the Mer to surrender their gills and live as Normals, Turtle faces a terrible choice. Turtle loves her life with her Mer friends, but she desperately misses her family. And then there’s Kai . . .
Should she give up her Mer community and their way of life, along with the joy of living freely under the sea? Or give up the guy she’s falling for . . . and any hope of reconnecting with her family?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2025
15 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
About the author
Susan Fletcher
16 books253 followersSusan Fletcher is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers, including Dragon’s Milk, Shadow Spinner, and Journey of the Pale Bear. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and have received a Golden Kite Honor from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, as well as acclaim from the American Library Association, the Children’s Book Council, Bookriot.com, Natural History Magazine, Western Writers of America, Women Writing in the West, and many more. Susan taught for many years in the M.F.A. in Writing for Children program at Vermont College.
Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.
Although Susan loves to write about the long-ago and the yet-to-come, she can’t bring those worlds to life without grounding them in details from the world in which we live now. To that end, she has explored lava tubes and sea caves; spent the night in a lighthouse; traveled along the Silk Road in Iran; ridden in a glider, on a camel, and on a donkey; and cut up (already dead!) baby chicks and mice for a gyrfalcon’s dinner. To write Sea Change, she immersed herself in the geography and cultural vibe of Galveston, Texas; explored a Gulf of Mexico oil platform; and brought to mind her childhood experiences of skin diving off Catalina Island with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 30, 2025
Book 60 of 2025
Sea Change
By Susan Fletcher
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Turtle is a genetically modified girl who has gills to breathe under water in a world filled with other gen-modified people. But there is a divide between “normals”—who actually have been genetically modified to eradicate certain illnesses—and gen-mod people.
This is such a unique YA book that had me hooked from the beginning. I never knew what was going to happen, and I had to know.
Some moments were annoying because we were in the POV of a 15-year-old, and no offense to my kid, 15-year-old girls can be annoying.
If you are looking for a unique, standalone, YA fantasy novel, you should definitely check this book out.
Sea Change
By Susan Fletcher
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Turtle is a genetically modified girl who has gills to breathe under water in a world filled with other gen-modified people. But there is a divide between “normals”—who actually have been genetically modified to eradicate certain illnesses—and gen-mod people.
This is such a unique YA book that had me hooked from the beginning. I never knew what was going to happen, and I had to know.
Some moments were annoying because we were in the POV of a 15-year-old, and no offense to my kid, 15-year-old girls can be annoying.
If you are looking for a unique, standalone, YA fantasy novel, you should definitely check this book out.
June 1, 2025
Sea Change is a beautiful and haunting twist on The Little Mermaid, set in a future shaped by climate change and genetic engineering. The story follows 15-year-old Turtle, a member of the Mer children genetically altered to have gills and lungs who lives aboard a decaying cruise ship with others like her. As Turtle forms a secret bond with Kai, a Normal boy, she faces an agonizing choice: undergo surgery to remove her gills and live among Normals, or remain with her Mer community and the life she's known.
The story is emotional, imaginative, and thought-provoking. Susan Fletcher writes with heart, bringing to life a world that feels both magical and eerily possible. Some parts of the world could have been explored more deeply, Turtle's emotional journey remains compelling throughout. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories with a sci-fi edge and deep emotional core, this one’s a gem. Thank you Books Forward PR and Susan Fletcher for sharing this book with me!
The story is emotional, imaginative, and thought-provoking. Susan Fletcher writes with heart, bringing to life a world that feels both magical and eerily possible. Some parts of the world could have been explored more deeply, Turtle's emotional journey remains compelling throughout. If you enjoy coming-of-age stories with a sci-fi edge and deep emotional core, this one’s a gem. Thank you Books Forward PR and Susan Fletcher for sharing this book with me!
July 9, 2025
3.75 i actually enjoyed this a lot, very fast paced and fun, but it’s missing something. idk what though
August 29, 2025
I picked this up based on the cool cover art… I think this would make a great YA book club read! Covers a lot … bio genetics especially.
February 14, 2025
This book was engaging and entertaining. Not the most original story out there, the theme has been explored many times with similar outcomes. The story doesn't explore anything new, but it is still well written and interesting, and the theme is relevant and explores problems that are very present in our current society, and are worth exploring and sharing constantly in the hopes that in the future we will be different. I think this book would actually work better as a TV show, i kins of picture it in my mind that way. And it would be a hit. Sadly, the book, as it is, wasn't for me. I enjoyed it, I specifically like the main character and her very realistic teenager attitude and naïveté. And her sense of awareness and justice. But it was slow and in between action it was dragging a bit and I got sometimes bored, making me take longer to read it than I would have normally other books of the same length.
And even though it wasn't for me, I think plenty of people special younger audiences, to whom the book is actually marketed for, would enjoy it very much
And even though it wasn't for me, I think plenty of people special younger audiences, to whom the book is actually marketed for, would enjoy it very much
August 13, 2025
Thank you to ABRAMS Kids and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the near future, gene editing has resulted in children who have both gills and lungs, and are known as Mers. We follow Turtle, who lives on a ship with a group of other Mers, away from what they consider Normals.
What follows is the story of Turtle trying to decide if she should live in the Mer world or the human world, and if these two lives are compatible.
It was an interesting new take on the Little Mermaid but I found myself not terribly invested in the characters. Still a good read though, especially for a YA audience.
Set in the near future, gene editing has resulted in children who have both gills and lungs, and are known as Mers. We follow Turtle, who lives on a ship with a group of other Mers, away from what they consider Normals.
What follows is the story of Turtle trying to decide if she should live in the Mer world or the human world, and if these two lives are compatible.
It was an interesting new take on the Little Mermaid but I found myself not terribly invested in the characters. Still a good read though, especially for a YA audience.
May 26, 2025
A sci-fi retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that speculates what could happen with the gene modifying technology that humanity now possesses.
In a world ravaged by the effects of genetically modifying children, Turtle is part of the Mer, a group of children who have been cast out of society due to the fact that they have developed gills through an illegal procedure. One day while scavenging underwater, Turtle saves a boy who was caught under some rubble. Turtle believes that they are destined to be and will do anything in her capability to be reunited with him. As she begins to spend more and more time with this mysterious boy on the surface, she grows farther and farther from her Mer family. Pulled between the world under the water and the one above land, Turtle must put everything on the line and choose what life she truly wants for herself.
I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, so when I saw this science fiction remix inspired by "The Little Mermaid," I just had to get my hands on it. Once I learned that this book involved genetically modifying using CRISPR technology, I was instantly hooked and so curious to learn more about the futuristic world that Fletcher paints for the reader.
"The Little Mermaid" vibes are strong out of the gate due to the first scene starting with Turtle rescuing Kai, our mysterious boy from the surface. Turtle eventually runs into Kai on land and can't help but want to spend more time with him. The more she invests in Kai, the more she begins to wonder if she could escape the Mer and live on the surface. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that this book follows the original story more than it follows Disney's version of the tale. Changing yourself to try to meet someone else's expectations is just about as dangerous and unhealthy as a relationship can get, and I think Ariel and Turtle have proved this time and time again.
As the story progresses, we get to see all sorts of people who have been affected by genetic modifications. There are people with huge ears, noses like bloodhounds, those with odd colored eyes and skin, and even those who barely need to sleep. This tale really begs us to consider just how far genetic modifying should go. Should we only use it to cure disease? Should we use it to cure disabilities that could undermine a perfectly healthy and proud group of people? Should we create transhuman individuals that have a better chance of surviving all the suffering that we are putting our planet through? Should genetic modification even be available if only the rich can use it? All these questions are extremely fascinating to think about, and this book does a great job of kickstarting an intriguing discussion while also utilizing a fantastical element.
In my opinion, the ending of this book wrapped up a tad quicker than I preferred, but it leaves a lasting imprint of hope in a world filled with desperate people. It gave me enough crumbs that I was mostly satisfied, so I'm not going to complain all that much.
Overall, "Sea Change" is a speculative retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that takes a deep dive into the consequences that genetic modification on humans could entail. It explores powerful themes of prejudice, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace hope in the darkness. It also looks into expectations in romantic situations and the difference between healthy and toxic relationships. It may not be the most original book, but I was still captivated by the story that Fletcher strove to tell. I would definitely recommend for fans of fairy tell retellings, speculative science, and immersive dystopian worlds.
In a world ravaged by the effects of genetically modifying children, Turtle is part of the Mer, a group of children who have been cast out of society due to the fact that they have developed gills through an illegal procedure. One day while scavenging underwater, Turtle saves a boy who was caught under some rubble. Turtle believes that they are destined to be and will do anything in her capability to be reunited with him. As she begins to spend more and more time with this mysterious boy on the surface, she grows farther and farther from her Mer family. Pulled between the world under the water and the one above land, Turtle must put everything on the line and choose what life she truly wants for herself.
I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, so when I saw this science fiction remix inspired by "The Little Mermaid," I just had to get my hands on it. Once I learned that this book involved genetically modifying using CRISPR technology, I was instantly hooked and so curious to learn more about the futuristic world that Fletcher paints for the reader.
"The Little Mermaid" vibes are strong out of the gate due to the first scene starting with Turtle rescuing Kai, our mysterious boy from the surface. Turtle eventually runs into Kai on land and can't help but want to spend more time with him. The more she invests in Kai, the more she begins to wonder if she could escape the Mer and live on the surface. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that this book follows the original story more than it follows Disney's version of the tale. Changing yourself to try to meet someone else's expectations is just about as dangerous and unhealthy as a relationship can get, and I think Ariel and Turtle have proved this time and time again.
As the story progresses, we get to see all sorts of people who have been affected by genetic modifications. There are people with huge ears, noses like bloodhounds, those with odd colored eyes and skin, and even those who barely need to sleep. This tale really begs us to consider just how far genetic modifying should go. Should we only use it to cure disease? Should we use it to cure disabilities that could undermine a perfectly healthy and proud group of people? Should we create transhuman individuals that have a better chance of surviving all the suffering that we are putting our planet through? Should genetic modification even be available if only the rich can use it? All these questions are extremely fascinating to think about, and this book does a great job of kickstarting an intriguing discussion while also utilizing a fantastical element.
In my opinion, the ending of this book wrapped up a tad quicker than I preferred, but it leaves a lasting imprint of hope in a world filled with desperate people. It gave me enough crumbs that I was mostly satisfied, so I'm not going to complain all that much.
Overall, "Sea Change" is a speculative retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that takes a deep dive into the consequences that genetic modification on humans could entail. It explores powerful themes of prejudice, self-acceptance, and learning to embrace hope in the darkness. It also looks into expectations in romantic situations and the difference between healthy and toxic relationships. It may not be the most original book, but I was still captivated by the story that Fletcher strove to tell. I would definitely recommend for fans of fairy tell retellings, speculative science, and immersive dystopian worlds.
May 29, 2025
Set in a dystopian reality, this read strongly ties to the Little Mermaid while creating a world of its own.
Thanks to gene mutations before her birth, Turtle had to leave her family as a child and live with the Mers, individuals who illegally were changed to have lungs and gills. Since the Normals look down on those like her, Turtle is forced to scavenge in those areas, where civilization has been flooded and remains underwater, to survive. When she saves a Normal, she grows increasingly curious to learn more about him and soon is doing everything she can to spend time with him. Her friends want her best but aren't all for this pursuit, especially thanks to their very differing worlds. But there's more trouble as her own family's past reveals secrets that could harm her more. In the end, she needs to choose where she belongs, and who she wants to be.
This book slides right into the same plot line as the Little Mermaid, but in the direction of the original and not the Disney version. While the world and circumstances are very different from the original fairy tale, Turtle faces many of the same basis problems. The parallels are obvious and will delight fans of the original story. Still, the characters and surroundings give the tale a very original setting and create a more scifi atmosphere which draws in. So, the foundations which made the original fairy tale are still very present and stay true to the tradition.
Unlike the original fairy tale, Turtle is pulled between two worlds, which really shouldn't exist in the first place and do each make up a part of her. So, her desire to be a part of both is understandable. It's also no problem to sympathize with her as she attempts to juggle her feelings and desires, especially when the circumstances change around her. Her wish to stay true to her Mer friends is endearing, while her desire to reconnect with her siblings is very understandable. And through all of this, she also wants to follow her heart on the romance end. While the balance remains an impossible battle, her struggle makes her easy to cheer for the entire way through.
While the links to the original tale are clear, the author makes sure to weave in several aspects, which cause food for thought and hit upon modern issues. First, there's an environmental side as rising tides have placed earlier areas of dry land under water. Then, there's the entire argument surrounding gene mutation and the moral questions surrounding it's use and dangers. Both of these build the backbone for the world and struggles, and are fairly well based. There is a bit of lack of depth in the world building, but this is more on the details surrounding the society, history, and such. All in all, though, it flows nicely to create an enjoyable read and the logic doesn't offer large hiccups, either.
This is a lovely read for those, who enjoy fairy tale retellings, and want to take a slightly different twist without losing footing of the original tale. The characters are easy to enjoy, the plot is quick-paced, and the themes do lead to some thought. In other words, it's worth taking a look at.
Thanks to gene mutations before her birth, Turtle had to leave her family as a child and live with the Mers, individuals who illegally were changed to have lungs and gills. Since the Normals look down on those like her, Turtle is forced to scavenge in those areas, where civilization has been flooded and remains underwater, to survive. When she saves a Normal, she grows increasingly curious to learn more about him and soon is doing everything she can to spend time with him. Her friends want her best but aren't all for this pursuit, especially thanks to their very differing worlds. But there's more trouble as her own family's past reveals secrets that could harm her more. In the end, she needs to choose where she belongs, and who she wants to be.
This book slides right into the same plot line as the Little Mermaid, but in the direction of the original and not the Disney version. While the world and circumstances are very different from the original fairy tale, Turtle faces many of the same basis problems. The parallels are obvious and will delight fans of the original story. Still, the characters and surroundings give the tale a very original setting and create a more scifi atmosphere which draws in. So, the foundations which made the original fairy tale are still very present and stay true to the tradition.
Unlike the original fairy tale, Turtle is pulled between two worlds, which really shouldn't exist in the first place and do each make up a part of her. So, her desire to be a part of both is understandable. It's also no problem to sympathize with her as she attempts to juggle her feelings and desires, especially when the circumstances change around her. Her wish to stay true to her Mer friends is endearing, while her desire to reconnect with her siblings is very understandable. And through all of this, she also wants to follow her heart on the romance end. While the balance remains an impossible battle, her struggle makes her easy to cheer for the entire way through.
While the links to the original tale are clear, the author makes sure to weave in several aspects, which cause food for thought and hit upon modern issues. First, there's an environmental side as rising tides have placed earlier areas of dry land under water. Then, there's the entire argument surrounding gene mutation and the moral questions surrounding it's use and dangers. Both of these build the backbone for the world and struggles, and are fairly well based. There is a bit of lack of depth in the world building, but this is more on the details surrounding the society, history, and such. All in all, though, it flows nicely to create an enjoyable read and the logic doesn't offer large hiccups, either.
This is a lovely read for those, who enjoy fairy tale retellings, and want to take a slightly different twist without losing footing of the original tale. The characters are easy to enjoy, the plot is quick-paced, and the themes do lead to some thought. In other words, it's worth taking a look at.
April 28, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Amulet Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Susan Fletcher’s “Sea Change” is a haunting, beautifully imagined reworking of “The Little Mermaid” mythos set against a near-future backdrop of rising seas, climate catastrophe, and the unintended consequences of genetic engineering. With emotional depth and a sharp eye for social justice themes, Fletcher crafts a compelling coming-of-age story that blends the allure of classic fairy tales with urgent contemporary issues.
The story follows Turtle, a 15-year-old member of the genetically modified Mer community, who can breathe underwater thanks to illicit gene editing. The Mer, viewed with suspicion and prejudice by the unmodified "Normals," live aboard a decaying cruise ship called The Mermaid under the iron rule of Constance, a leader bent on controlling every aspect of their lives—including severing their ties to biological families. As Turtle scavenges flooded towns and dreams of reuniting with the family she lost, she secretly forms a friendship—and then a tentative romance—with Kai, a Normal boy whose world seems worlds apart from her own.
Fletcher masterfully captures Turtle's inner conflict: caught between her Mer identity and her longing for the human world, torn between love for her friends and a yearning for a different kind of future. When the Normals offer a surgery to remove the Mer’s gills—potentially allowing Turtle to live openly among Normals and be with Kai—she faces an impossible choice that forces her to reckon with questions of belonging, sacrifice, and self-acceptance.
The world-building is stunning, from the eerie drowned cities to the vibrant, treacherous life under the waves. Fletcher excels at creating a setting that feels both magical and grounded in the harsh realities of climate change and societal prejudice. Turtle herself is a standout protagonist—stubborn, vulnerable, fiercely loyal, and utterly relatable in her messy, aching desire to find her place in the world.
“Sea Change” also grapples thoughtfully with ethical questions around genetic modification, bodily autonomy, and systemic injustice. While I did wish for a deeper dive into the broader consequences of gene editing and eugenics, especially regarding disability rights, Fletcher does a commendable job of introducing these heavy themes in a way that’s accessible to a younger audience without losing complexity, especially since Turtle herself is only 15, making her relatable to younger readers.
While some plot points—particularly relating to the larger genetically modified community and the logistics of the Mer’s existence—felt underdeveloped, the emotional heart of the story, particularly Turtle’s relationships and the stakes of her choices, remains strong and compelling throughout.
Overall, “Sea Change” is a moving, thought-provoking novel that melds fairy tale inspiration with a distinctly modern and socially conscious sensibility. If you've ever stood between two worlds and wondered where you truly belong, Sea Change is the book for you.
Susan Fletcher’s “Sea Change” is a haunting, beautifully imagined reworking of “The Little Mermaid” mythos set against a near-future backdrop of rising seas, climate catastrophe, and the unintended consequences of genetic engineering. With emotional depth and a sharp eye for social justice themes, Fletcher crafts a compelling coming-of-age story that blends the allure of classic fairy tales with urgent contemporary issues.
The story follows Turtle, a 15-year-old member of the genetically modified Mer community, who can breathe underwater thanks to illicit gene editing. The Mer, viewed with suspicion and prejudice by the unmodified "Normals," live aboard a decaying cruise ship called The Mermaid under the iron rule of Constance, a leader bent on controlling every aspect of their lives—including severing their ties to biological families. As Turtle scavenges flooded towns and dreams of reuniting with the family she lost, she secretly forms a friendship—and then a tentative romance—with Kai, a Normal boy whose world seems worlds apart from her own.
Fletcher masterfully captures Turtle's inner conflict: caught between her Mer identity and her longing for the human world, torn between love for her friends and a yearning for a different kind of future. When the Normals offer a surgery to remove the Mer’s gills—potentially allowing Turtle to live openly among Normals and be with Kai—she faces an impossible choice that forces her to reckon with questions of belonging, sacrifice, and self-acceptance.
The world-building is stunning, from the eerie drowned cities to the vibrant, treacherous life under the waves. Fletcher excels at creating a setting that feels both magical and grounded in the harsh realities of climate change and societal prejudice. Turtle herself is a standout protagonist—stubborn, vulnerable, fiercely loyal, and utterly relatable in her messy, aching desire to find her place in the world.
“Sea Change” also grapples thoughtfully with ethical questions around genetic modification, bodily autonomy, and systemic injustice. While I did wish for a deeper dive into the broader consequences of gene editing and eugenics, especially regarding disability rights, Fletcher does a commendable job of introducing these heavy themes in a way that’s accessible to a younger audience without losing complexity, especially since Turtle herself is only 15, making her relatable to younger readers.
While some plot points—particularly relating to the larger genetically modified community and the logistics of the Mer’s existence—felt underdeveloped, the emotional heart of the story, particularly Turtle’s relationships and the stakes of her choices, remains strong and compelling throughout.
Overall, “Sea Change” is a moving, thought-provoking novel that melds fairy tale inspiration with a distinctly modern and socially conscious sensibility. If you've ever stood between two worlds and wondered where you truly belong, Sea Change is the book for you.
May 20, 2025
Turtle was born with an illegal genetic modification; meant to increase her lung capacity, the mod instead gave her gills and the ability to breathe underwater. Later in life, the mod began to create unusual health issues and all of the illegally modded children were rounded up and placed in a group home on a boat, The Mermaid, with volunteer caretaker, Constance. Ever vigilant and overprotective, Constance slowly cut off all of the kids from the rest of the world. Now, as kids living off of the coast of the slowly sinking Spoonbill Island, Turtle and the other teenage Mer scavenge drowned houses in order to sell items for Constance. However, on Constance's last scavenging trip, a chance encounter with a human diver will change her perspective on being a Mer and lead her on a fight for rights in a changing world.
Sea Change is a young adult, speculative fiction story that delves much deeper than romance. In the beginning, Turtle seems like a very typical teen, concerned about romance, friendships and her own internal struggles. While she values her ability as a Mer, she also longs for connection with the "normal" world, especially after meeting Kai, a human boy. Her desire to reunite with her family, from whom Constance has isolated her, is also a driving force. I found it engaging to learn about the daily life aboard The Mermaid and the different Mer's viewpoints on their unique existence and interactions with human society. Although the budding romance between Turtle and Kai, and the decisions Turtle makes as a result, appear to be central to the plot, the narrative extends beyond this. The story skillfully explores the complexities of the situation on Spoonbill Island, where there isn't a clear antagonist. The choices made by different characters, including Constance's overprotective actions that lead to isolation and the subsequent prejudice from the outside world, are presented with understandable, albeit flawed, intentions. The Mer children are victims of non-consensual genetic modification, leading to their separation from society and eventual displacement. Turtle's personal journey, as she navigates her identity between the Mer community and the human world, creates a compelling dynamic as she strives to help the Mer survive and reconnect with their families while also seeking her own place within the family she lost. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change serves as a significant backdrop, influencing the characters' decisions as they grapple with survival in a sinking world.
Overall, Sea Change is a thought-provoking story that delves into themes of acceptance, prejudice, and the impact of climate change.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Sea Change is a young adult, speculative fiction story that delves much deeper than romance. In the beginning, Turtle seems like a very typical teen, concerned about romance, friendships and her own internal struggles. While she values her ability as a Mer, she also longs for connection with the "normal" world, especially after meeting Kai, a human boy. Her desire to reunite with her family, from whom Constance has isolated her, is also a driving force. I found it engaging to learn about the daily life aboard The Mermaid and the different Mer's viewpoints on their unique existence and interactions with human society. Although the budding romance between Turtle and Kai, and the decisions Turtle makes as a result, appear to be central to the plot, the narrative extends beyond this. The story skillfully explores the complexities of the situation on Spoonbill Island, where there isn't a clear antagonist. The choices made by different characters, including Constance's overprotective actions that lead to isolation and the subsequent prejudice from the outside world, are presented with understandable, albeit flawed, intentions. The Mer children are victims of non-consensual genetic modification, leading to their separation from society and eventual displacement. Turtle's personal journey, as she navigates her identity between the Mer community and the human world, creates a compelling dynamic as she strives to help the Mer survive and reconnect with their families while also seeking her own place within the family she lost. Furthermore, the looming threat of climate change serves as a significant backdrop, influencing the characters' decisions as they grapple with survival in a sinking world.
Overall, Sea Change is a thought-provoking story that delves into themes of acceptance, prejudice, and the impact of climate change.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2025
"Sea Change" imagines a near-future Texas, submerged beneath rising tides, where the genetically modified Mer coexist, despite prejudice against Mer, with unmodified humans called “Normals." Turtle, a young Mer, is our protagonist, navigating a world rife with prejudice and confined to the decaying vessel, the Mermaid.
Throughout the novel, Turtle also maneuvers through her own struggles with where she belongs as she straddles the line between Mer and normal human. She attempts to forge a relationship with a Normal named Kai which makes her further resent her gills and her life aboard the Mermaid.
Constance, the Mermaid's authoritarian leader, maintains strict control, concealing the Mer's origins and severing their connections to biological families. Turtle, however, driven by a profound desire for truth and belonging, challenges this oppressive regime.
Meanwhile, Turtle continues to look for romance, family, and the answers she’s been looking for about her past and what it means for her future.
Sea Change provides a fresh take on the ethereal allure of mermaids blended with the hard-hitting reality of climate fiction. It explores themes of self identity, prejudice, and social justice through the lens of a young girl determined to find her way in a climate-destroyed world.
Read this if you want to enjoy a a unique coming-of-age story about finding who you are in a world with hidden pasts and an uncertain future.
Throughout the novel, Turtle also maneuvers through her own struggles with where she belongs as she straddles the line between Mer and normal human. She attempts to forge a relationship with a Normal named Kai which makes her further resent her gills and her life aboard the Mermaid.
Constance, the Mermaid's authoritarian leader, maintains strict control, concealing the Mer's origins and severing their connections to biological families. Turtle, however, driven by a profound desire for truth and belonging, challenges this oppressive regime.
Meanwhile, Turtle continues to look for romance, family, and the answers she’s been looking for about her past and what it means for her future.
Sea Change provides a fresh take on the ethereal allure of mermaids blended with the hard-hitting reality of climate fiction. It explores themes of self identity, prejudice, and social justice through the lens of a young girl determined to find her way in a climate-destroyed world.
Read this if you want to enjoy a a unique coming-of-age story about finding who you are in a world with hidden pasts and an uncertain future.
May 30, 2025
Sea Change by Susan Fletcher is a new YA novel with a girl torn between the world of humans and also the world of Mer. Mer are the kids who genes were hacked into having gills and lungs. So they can be in the water and on land. Our FMC, is Turtle. Turtle lives most of the time in the water but she saves a stranger one day while she is out and trying to look at an underwater town. That stranger is Kai. Kai is a normal kid and Turtle finds him so attractive. But as a Mer she is not able to be with Kai. I would say that this book is a very loose retelling of one of my favorite fairy tales “The Little Mermaid”. Turtle is obviously drawn to Kai and starts to leave her Mer family more like in the fairy tale and wants to be more 'normal' like Kai.
I thought the plot was strong with the 'Little Mermaid' retelling and I really thought the author did a great job on this book and keeping with the story. I also liked how the author put in more people who have different genetic mods like dog ears, etc. That was a really cool part and I think the author adding in the message about genetic modifications being sometimes too far is an important point, it's like designer kids. If you know what that is, if not look it up:) The body modification points in this book are very reminiscent of what was happening in the Western world not too long ago and I think that the author does a tremendous job with incorporating this into her world. If you feel that you are in between two worlds you want to read this book, it is a book for you!
I thought the plot was strong with the 'Little Mermaid' retelling and I really thought the author did a great job on this book and keeping with the story. I also liked how the author put in more people who have different genetic mods like dog ears, etc. That was a really cool part and I think the author adding in the message about genetic modifications being sometimes too far is an important point, it's like designer kids. If you know what that is, if not look it up:) The body modification points in this book are very reminiscent of what was happening in the Western world not too long ago and I think that the author does a tremendous job with incorporating this into her world. If you feel that you are in between two worlds you want to read this book, it is a book for you!
December 14, 2024
Reading Sea Change felt like standing on the edge of two worlds and not knowing which way to jump. Turtle’s story pulled me in from the very first chapter because, let’s be real, who hasn’t felt torn between two parts of their identity? The tension she feels between the underwater world of the Mer and the pull of the Normal world (and, okay, the charming Kai) hit hard.
What I loved most was how real Turtle feels. She’s stubborn, loyal, and sometimes a little reckless, but that just makes her all the more relatable. Her struggles—trying to figure out where she belongs, reconnecting with her past while navigating an uncertain future—felt so authentic. Even though the book is set in a world shaped by rogue gene editing and a society grappling with its consequences, the emotions are universal.
The world Susan Fletcher created is incredible. From the hauntingly beautiful underwater life of the Mer to the eeriness of drowned towns, every setting feels alive. But the heart of the story is Turtle and her relationships—with her friends, her family, and herself.
If you’ve ever felt caught between who you are and who you want to be, or if you love stories with a mix of heart and high stakes, Sea Change is for you. It’s equal parts breathtaking, thought-provoking, and deeply emotional—a story about love, identity, and what it means to truly belong.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
What I loved most was how real Turtle feels. She’s stubborn, loyal, and sometimes a little reckless, but that just makes her all the more relatable. Her struggles—trying to figure out where she belongs, reconnecting with her past while navigating an uncertain future—felt so authentic. Even though the book is set in a world shaped by rogue gene editing and a society grappling with its consequences, the emotions are universal.
The world Susan Fletcher created is incredible. From the hauntingly beautiful underwater life of the Mer to the eeriness of drowned towns, every setting feels alive. But the heart of the story is Turtle and her relationships—with her friends, her family, and herself.
If you’ve ever felt caught between who you are and who you want to be, or if you love stories with a mix of heart and high stakes, Sea Change is for you. It’s equal parts breathtaking, thought-provoking, and deeply emotional—a story about love, identity, and what it means to truly belong.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
December 19, 2024
A girl with romanticized dreams of a life filled with the love of a boy and the family she thought forgot her, her attention splits between the world and people she’s known and a new one, forcing her to face a life-altering choice in Sea Change by Susan Fletcher.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Fifteen-year-old Turtle is on a scavenging trip in a flooded house, which happens to belong to her grandmother, when she saves a stranger’s life in a way that only the genetically modified Mer, such as herself, would be able to when scuba gear of the Normals fails – with breathing help taking advantage of her gills until he’s able to escape from being pinned down. Captivated by Kai, the boy she saved, Turtle’s attention is pulled toward him, and they find ways to meet up secretly to have both land- and sea-based adventures. Turtle’s also keen to find her family, who had been forced by law to give her up due to having her genes illegally modified and seemed to have abruptly stopped writing letters years ago; with a bit of luck, she found one of her sisters locally and Turtle reconnects and reignites her familial connection. So when doctors suddenly board The Mermaid, the ship that houses the Mer, and claim that they’ve come up with a surgery that will allow the Mer to give up their gills and live as Normals, Turtle is incredibly tempted as it would make living with her family easier, not to mention the possibility of a future with Kai, but she’d miss her Mer friends and the freedom of traversing within the sea. Faced with a decision that will alter the course of her life, Turtle navigates a turbulent world of consequences with the hope that a brighter future might emerge.
Set within a near-future version of the world that’s ravaged by the destructive impacts of climate change and the socio-political consequences of genetic manipulation with the lurking question of “should it be done just because you can”, a narrative with strong themes of hope and family, both that of blood and chosen, is woven throughout escalating action that helps a young girl grow as she sees and interacts with a more expansive world around her amid the corruption that is brought to her attention that has had a controlling hand in shaping her life and choices, or lack thereof. With The Little Mermaid serving as a loose inspirational base for this tale, and echoes of it are easily seen through the desire to reside in and belong to both worlds, needing to make a sacrificial choice between the two, and heightened melodramatic adolescent romantic tension, the story places the cautionary element of the fairy tale into the near-future setting with ease as a sci-fi-esque narrative is an easy shift for a fairy tale to adapt to. There’s a larger genetically modified community with unique traits, which are a result of unintended consequences of the manipulated genes, who are discriminated against and swept up in the conspiracy that Turtle becomes acutely aware of and convinced to assist in combatting; however, this aspect of the narrative in comparison with the protestation of the Mer seems to be left more underdeveloped, along with general questions of a technological and logistical nature, despite the pivotal role a member of that community has as a catalyst for the changes in Turtle’s life.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Fifteen-year-old Turtle is on a scavenging trip in a flooded house, which happens to belong to her grandmother, when she saves a stranger’s life in a way that only the genetically modified Mer, such as herself, would be able to when scuba gear of the Normals fails – with breathing help taking advantage of her gills until he’s able to escape from being pinned down. Captivated by Kai, the boy she saved, Turtle’s attention is pulled toward him, and they find ways to meet up secretly to have both land- and sea-based adventures. Turtle’s also keen to find her family, who had been forced by law to give her up due to having her genes illegally modified and seemed to have abruptly stopped writing letters years ago; with a bit of luck, she found one of her sisters locally and Turtle reconnects and reignites her familial connection. So when doctors suddenly board The Mermaid, the ship that houses the Mer, and claim that they’ve come up with a surgery that will allow the Mer to give up their gills and live as Normals, Turtle is incredibly tempted as it would make living with her family easier, not to mention the possibility of a future with Kai, but she’d miss her Mer friends and the freedom of traversing within the sea. Faced with a decision that will alter the course of her life, Turtle navigates a turbulent world of consequences with the hope that a brighter future might emerge.
Set within a near-future version of the world that’s ravaged by the destructive impacts of climate change and the socio-political consequences of genetic manipulation with the lurking question of “should it be done just because you can”, a narrative with strong themes of hope and family, both that of blood and chosen, is woven throughout escalating action that helps a young girl grow as she sees and interacts with a more expansive world around her amid the corruption that is brought to her attention that has had a controlling hand in shaping her life and choices, or lack thereof. With The Little Mermaid serving as a loose inspirational base for this tale, and echoes of it are easily seen through the desire to reside in and belong to both worlds, needing to make a sacrificial choice between the two, and heightened melodramatic adolescent romantic tension, the story places the cautionary element of the fairy tale into the near-future setting with ease as a sci-fi-esque narrative is an easy shift for a fairy tale to adapt to. There’s a larger genetically modified community with unique traits, which are a result of unintended consequences of the manipulated genes, who are discriminated against and swept up in the conspiracy that Turtle becomes acutely aware of and convinced to assist in combatting; however, this aspect of the narrative in comparison with the protestation of the Mer seems to be left more underdeveloped, along with general questions of a technological and logistical nature, despite the pivotal role a member of that community has as a catalyst for the changes in Turtle’s life.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2025
I really loved reading this book. It's part futuristic, part retelling of the Little Mermaid. Most of Turtle's life was spent with her fellow Mer on the boat, but she's the only one who remembers her birth family. When the government was rounding up the Mer kids, they were able to hide her with them a little longer than anyone else, but it ended up putting her father in prison. While she loves her Mer friends, she deeply misses her family. Scavenging is illegal, and when one of her fellow Mer gets caught, they go with him to the trial, where she sees Kai again after she rescued him. After the trial, Turtle finds herself sneaking off the boat to see him. But when a group of scientists arrive and give them the choice to become Normal, she takes the chance for her family and for Kai.
While the novel does talk about gene hacking, it's done in a way that anyone can understand, and despite the topic being futuristic, the world is very much similar to the one we live in now. I really like the writing, which is simple yet engaging and fun. Turtle is such a well-rounded and likeable character to follow, and some of the side characters are also well-developed so that we care about them. I do wish the book talked more about the gene hacking and the backgrounds of the other Mer, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
While the novel does talk about gene hacking, it's done in a way that anyone can understand, and despite the topic being futuristic, the world is very much similar to the one we live in now. I really like the writing, which is simple yet engaging and fun. Turtle is such a well-rounded and likeable character to follow, and some of the side characters are also well-developed so that we care about them. I do wish the book talked more about the gene hacking and the backgrounds of the other Mer, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
January 18, 2025
I recieved a copy of this story through Netgalley in exchange for my review. My opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I have previously liked books that discussed the concept controlling human genetics, and this book handled it quite well. It seemed to be geared a bit younger than I usually read, but I still enjoyed it.
There were a few times in the book where there was a time skip over something that seemed rather important that I didn't quite enjoy, but they were explained afterwards so it didn't effect my understanding of the story.
The story handled the ethical concerns of developing mermaid children and other augmentations, and it did a very good job of discussing consent in those scenarios. I think it was missing a deeper discussion of the ethical implications of wiping out every genetic based disability. It was mentioned in the book that preventing Mer's from having babies was eugenics, but the word eugenics wasn't carried over to the addition of "desirable" traits such as eye colour and beauty to a child who had never consented, or the elimination of disability. I can understand that this may just be a result of there being a younger audience for the book.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I have previously liked books that discussed the concept controlling human genetics, and this book handled it quite well. It seemed to be geared a bit younger than I usually read, but I still enjoyed it.
There were a few times in the book where there was a time skip over something that seemed rather important that I didn't quite enjoy, but they were explained afterwards so it didn't effect my understanding of the story.
The story handled the ethical concerns of developing mermaid children and other augmentations, and it did a very good job of discussing consent in those scenarios. I think it was missing a deeper discussion of the ethical implications of wiping out every genetic based disability. It was mentioned in the book that preventing Mer's from having babies was eugenics, but the word eugenics wasn't carried over to the addition of "desirable" traits such as eye colour and beauty to a child who had never consented, or the elimination of disability. I can understand that this may just be a result of there being a younger audience for the book.
June 10, 2025
Thank you to Books Forward for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Sea Change is a story loosely inspired by The Little Mermaid, where gene modification has separated people into 2 camps: those who are modified and those who aren't. The main character, Turtle, belongs to a small group of people who were illegally modified to have higher lung capacity which resulted in them having gills and being named Mer.
The book tackles discrimination and prejudice, young love, and a wanting to belong in numerous ways. I think the book did a great job at describing and portraying these themes, especially young love. I found that the writing of the book was really fun and it definitely sucked me in. I would tell myself "one more chapter" or be eager and excited to pick up where I left off. And in a good way, I wish parts of the story were expanded on.
The only downside to me was that I felt that many of the characters felt empty, like a lack of substance. I don't know if this was due to the length of the book, writing, or just limited interactions with characters i thought would be important. This didn't effect my enjoyment of the book too much though, as the concept and storyline was really interesting to me.
Sea Change is a story loosely inspired by The Little Mermaid, where gene modification has separated people into 2 camps: those who are modified and those who aren't. The main character, Turtle, belongs to a small group of people who were illegally modified to have higher lung capacity which resulted in them having gills and being named Mer.
The book tackles discrimination and prejudice, young love, and a wanting to belong in numerous ways. I think the book did a great job at describing and portraying these themes, especially young love. I found that the writing of the book was really fun and it definitely sucked me in. I would tell myself "one more chapter" or be eager and excited to pick up where I left off. And in a good way, I wish parts of the story were expanded on.
The only downside to me was that I felt that many of the characters felt empty, like a lack of substance. I don't know if this was due to the length of the book, writing, or just limited interactions with characters i thought would be important. This didn't effect my enjoyment of the book too much though, as the concept and storyline was really interesting to me.
July 3, 2025
Certainly unique though I would venture that many taking a look at the cover would assume it's a graphic novel as I did before really taking a look and I think it could make an amazing graphic novel based on the cover art alone and with the descriptions of this world pitting "Normal" against "Mer"-- genetically altered people that can breath underwater and air.
And the retold tale of The Little Mermaid is inserted with the larger conversations about climate change and genetic modifications with the creation of CRISPR.
It was solid but it had an agenda that I think if other items were focused on as the story unfolded, like the setting and characters rather than the complexities of the legal and social systems, it could have had subtler talking points. It was a mix also of another recent book that others could enjoy alongside: Into the Sunken City-- this idea, to a degree, of waterworlds.
And the retold tale of The Little Mermaid is inserted with the larger conversations about climate change and genetic modifications with the creation of CRISPR.
It was solid but it had an agenda that I think if other items were focused on as the story unfolded, like the setting and characters rather than the complexities of the legal and social systems, it could have had subtler talking points. It was a mix also of another recent book that others could enjoy alongside: Into the Sunken City-- this idea, to a degree, of waterworlds.
May 13, 2025
Sea Change by Susan Fletcher
This is a coming of age story in the age of genetic manipulation. Turtle was born differently by illegal genetic manipulation by her parents. She is part of a community of different young people who have been abandoned by their parents. The story deals with her attempted reintegration with her family.
Turtle meets Kai in a diving accident when both are scavenging. The scene is set in a future where global warming is inundating low islands and coastlines. Turtle has many longings, some for family and some for love.
You meet her friends and frenemies. Some are born differently, and some are normal. The parental urge to provide their children a step above the competition leads to illegal genetic manipulations and some sad results.
The book has some romance but nothing graphic so it is suitable for younger readers.
I enjoyed it and recommend it.
This is an interesting look at our future.
This is a coming of age story in the age of genetic manipulation. Turtle was born differently by illegal genetic manipulation by her parents. She is part of a community of different young people who have been abandoned by their parents. The story deals with her attempted reintegration with her family.
Turtle meets Kai in a diving accident when both are scavenging. The scene is set in a future where global warming is inundating low islands and coastlines. Turtle has many longings, some for family and some for love.
You meet her friends and frenemies. Some are born differently, and some are normal. The parental urge to provide their children a step above the competition leads to illegal genetic manipulations and some sad results.
The book has some romance but nothing graphic so it is suitable for younger readers.
I enjoyed it and recommend it.
This is an interesting look at our future.
March 31, 2025
This book was inspired by and follows a very “The Little Mermaid”-esque plot. Turtle must choose between her found family and the life she currently leads, and the family she thought she lost and a brewing romance. This book was well written and interesting. The climate change conversation is very relevant at this time and is important for teens to be exposed to and understand. I would recommend to fans of popular dystopian books, for the genetic manipulation elements of the story, and to romance fans who haven’t yet explored any dystopian or sci-fi leaning novels as an easy step into the genre. Would highly recommend for libraries to purchase.
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Kids for the eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Kids for the eARC.
May 12, 2025
Turtle is a Mer – she was genetically modified and ended up being born with working lungs and gills. She now lives with other Mer aboard a ship designed for their survival. However, when Turtle meets Kai, a Normal, her whole world changes. I thought the concept and overarching message on gene editing was cool. It provided an interesting look at where the future of CRISPR and other genetic technology could go and the possible repercussions. But the execution wasn’t as great. Everything in the plot felt very surface level and the writing style was too straightforward for me to enjoy. The one part of this book I thought was written well was Turtle’s character and her struggles/development throughout the book. Thank you to the publisher and the author for my advanced copy!
September 12, 2025
It took me a while to finally write the review for Sea Change, because I'm a little torn on this one. It started out very promising, but lost me entirely in the second half. I dnf'ed at about 60%.
That being said, I still think there is a lot of merit to this book. I think this is a good cautionary tale about climate change for younger teens who would be drawn in by the fact that this is A Little Mermaid retelling. I liked the style of writing, though I did not love the protagonist. Unfortunately I just had a hard time building any kind of connection to her.
I would still recommend this for teens and pre-teens.
Thank you to Amulet Books and Books Forward PR for providing me with an e-arc.
That being said, I still think there is a lot of merit to this book. I think this is a good cautionary tale about climate change for younger teens who would be drawn in by the fact that this is A Little Mermaid retelling. I liked the style of writing, though I did not love the protagonist. Unfortunately I just had a hard time building any kind of connection to her.
I would still recommend this for teens and pre-teens.
Thank you to Amulet Books and Books Forward PR for providing me with an e-arc.
December 26, 2024
**e-ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**
The writing in this book is absolutely stunning! It’s filled with beautifully several really well done passages that would be perfect for teaching descriptive writing and creating an immersive sense of place. As I read, I found myself wanting to pull so many lines to share with my students as examples of how vivid, engaging language can transport readers into a story.
This book would be a fantastic addition to any high school library, and I’d even recommend it to a mature middle schooler. This book was really cute, and well done! I strongly recommend it!
The writing in this book is absolutely stunning! It’s filled with beautifully several really well done passages that would be perfect for teaching descriptive writing and creating an immersive sense of place. As I read, I found myself wanting to pull so many lines to share with my students as examples of how vivid, engaging language can transport readers into a story.
This book would be a fantastic addition to any high school library, and I’d even recommend it to a mature middle schooler. This book was really cute, and well done! I strongly recommend it!
March 2, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The product of genetic manipulation, Turtle can breathe underwater like other members of the Mer, with whom she lives on an old cruise ship. Her life is complicated when she meets a human, Kai, and falls for him. This was an interesting twist on The Little Mermaid story, and I liked how climate change and medical ethics were worked into the story. I loved Fletcher's Story Spinner, and this will be enjoyed by readers who liked Calonita's Twisted Tales or Napoli's retellings of fairy tales like Zel.
The product of genetic manipulation, Turtle can breathe underwater like other members of the Mer, with whom she lives on an old cruise ship. Her life is complicated when she meets a human, Kai, and falls for him. This was an interesting twist on The Little Mermaid story, and I liked how climate change and medical ethics were worked into the story. I loved Fletcher's Story Spinner, and this will be enjoyed by readers who liked Calonita's Twisted Tales or Napoli's retellings of fairy tales like Zel.
October 16, 2025
YA sci-fi retelling of The Little Mermaid!
I LOVE retellings, and sci-fi retellings are my favorite. In Fletcher’s retelling, the MC is gene modified to have higher lung capacity, but then gets the unintended consequence of growing gills and the capacity to breathe underwater. The book explored found family and the sacrifices we make for all types of love.
It didn’t take a hard stance on gene modification(well-researched and currently becoming possible!) but instead explored it and its social consequences from all angles.
I LOVE retellings, and sci-fi retellings are my favorite. In Fletcher’s retelling, the MC is gene modified to have higher lung capacity, but then gets the unintended consequence of growing gills and the capacity to breathe underwater. The book explored found family and the sacrifices we make for all types of love.
It didn’t take a hard stance on gene modification(well-researched and currently becoming possible!) but instead explored it and its social consequences from all angles.
May 30, 2025
Sea change is a fun YA novel that explores genetic modifications with a loose little mermaid retelling theme.
Turtle is sweet & I liked following her story & exploring her world. I apricated the ending & who Turtle ends up with.
Would recommend for fans of utopian/dystopian fiction like The Lunar Cronicles, Pretties series & Scythe Trilogy.
Turtle is sweet & I liked following her story & exploring her world. I apricated the ending & who Turtle ends up with.
Would recommend for fans of utopian/dystopian fiction like The Lunar Cronicles, Pretties series & Scythe Trilogy.
July 14, 2025
This wasn't my favorite. The story itself was super interesting with the kids being genetically modified and then no longer seen as real humans. I liked the idea of the Mer kids living on a ship with each other and the friendships. But it felt a bit slow and didn't quite have enough of an "ocean" atmosphere or adventures as I had hoped.
August 1, 2025
I would not say that this is based on The Little Mermaid, even loosely based on it. But it is an interesting YA novel.
Sometime in the future, or maybe in a parallel universe, people are moding the genetics of their unborn children. One of the mods are the mer. They do not have tails, but they do have gills. They need to be in water, preferably the ocean, for 8 hours a day. Those hiding their merchildren were sent to jail. That was the case with Turtle (a nickname). Turtle and all of her merfriends stopped receiving letters from their family at age 11. They are shunned by the “normal” people, even though this modification was not their fault.
Turtle falls for a normal boy, and she sees one of her sisters for the first time in years. Then doctors come to the boat where she and the other merkids are living and say that they have a cure. Turtle and a few others run off the ship to have the operation. Now she has to get use to not having gills, being around “normal” people, and wondering what is happening with her friends.
There is a lot more to this story. It was definitely an interesting read.
Song: Change by Blindmelon
Sometime in the future, or maybe in a parallel universe, people are moding the genetics of their unborn children. One of the mods are the mer. They do not have tails, but they do have gills. They need to be in water, preferably the ocean, for 8 hours a day. Those hiding their merchildren were sent to jail. That was the case with Turtle (a nickname). Turtle and all of her merfriends stopped receiving letters from their family at age 11. They are shunned by the “normal” people, even though this modification was not their fault.
Turtle falls for a normal boy, and she sees one of her sisters for the first time in years. Then doctors come to the boat where she and the other merkids are living and say that they have a cure. Turtle and a few others run off the ship to have the operation. Now she has to get use to not having gills, being around “normal” people, and wondering what is happening with her friends.
There is a lot more to this story. It was definitely an interesting read.
Song: Change by Blindmelon
November 22, 2024
A very interesting and well-done book that feels like it turns the classic little mermaid story on its head. It keeps the romance aspects, but adds a lot more drama-thriller and scifi feels to create an awesome work. 4.5 stars. tysm for the arc.
June 2, 2025
What a fascinating exploration of what makes us human and “normal.” What are the consequences of altering our children based on what we think is best for them?
Thank you Amulet books, for the copy for review.
Thank you Amulet books, for the copy for review.
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