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The Palace Beneath the Sea
A GREAT LOVE. A PALACE BENEATH THE SEA. A DEVASTATING BETRAYAL.
A doomed love story created the city of Ys. It's fitting that another one would end it . . .
Nolwenn is sure that her life's purpose is to defend her beloved city of Ys as a lighthouse keeper. But when a dangerous tide threatens Ys, the queen instead tasks Nolwen with collecting enough rare seasilk to shield the city from deadly sea monsters.
Determined to fulfill her task, Nolwenn recklessly puts her life in danger and is attacked by sea monsters. She's saved by Morvan, who is a korrigez, with the torso of a human and the tail of a fish. Against her will, Morvan drags her deep beneath the sea to the coral palace of Below-Ys. Although terrified and homesick, Below-Ys is strange and beautiful - and so is Morvan. The more time Nolwenn spends below the surface, the less she is sure she wants to leave.
As danger draws ever nearer and Ys remains precariously unprotected, Nolwenn must decide between her heart and her home.
A doomed love story created the city of Ys. It's fitting that another one would end it . . .
Nolwenn is sure that her life's purpose is to defend her beloved city of Ys as a lighthouse keeper. But when a dangerous tide threatens Ys, the queen instead tasks Nolwen with collecting enough rare seasilk to shield the city from deadly sea monsters.
Determined to fulfill her task, Nolwenn recklessly puts her life in danger and is attacked by sea monsters. She's saved by Morvan, who is a korrigez, with the torso of a human and the tail of a fish. Against her will, Morvan drags her deep beneath the sea to the coral palace of Below-Ys. Although terrified and homesick, Below-Ys is strange and beautiful - and so is Morvan. The more time Nolwenn spends below the surface, the less she is sure she wants to leave.
As danger draws ever nearer and Ys remains precariously unprotected, Nolwenn must decide between her heart and her home.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
Lauren Wiesebron
3 books88 followersLauren Wiesebron is a fantasy author, writing adventures for characters who do not yet know they need them. She grew up in France and is now an itinerant academic studying sea creatures. When not writing, you can find her acquiring yarn and naming houseplants. She has also been known to pick up cats even when they don’t want to be picked up. The House of Frost and Feathers is her debut novel.
To learn more, and to join her newsletter for sneak peeks—including a prequel short story to The House of Frost and Feathers—visit laurenwiesebron.com
To learn more, and to join her newsletter for sneak peeks—including a prequel short story to The House of Frost and Feathers—visit laurenwiesebron.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 20, 2026
This book is a dreamy emotional fantasy with a bit of a tragic love story. It’s set around the legendary city of Ys, which already gives it that kind of magical vibe from the start.The story follows Nolwenn who’s always believed her purpose is to protect her city as a lighthouse keeper. She’s super loyal to Ys and takes that responsibility seriously. But when the city is threatened by dangerous tides and sea monsters, she’s given a new mission to gather this rare material called seasilk that could protect everyone.Of course, things don’t go as planned. While trying to complete her task, she ends up getting attacked and is saved by Morvan, who’s this mysterious sea being (a korrigez basically part human, part fish). Instead of just helping her and leaving, he takes her down to Below Ys, this hidden underwater coral palace. And honestly, that’s where the story really shifts.At first, Nolwenn is terrified and just wants to go home, but the underwater world is beautiful in this strange, otherworldly way. And Morvan yeah, she definitely starts to see him differently over time. Their relationship builds in a way that feels emotional and a little forbidden, especially since she’s supposed to be focused on saving her city.The whole story becomes about that tension her duty to Ys versus her growing feelings and connection to this underwater world. You can kind of feel from the beginning that it’s not going to end simply, especially with the whole “doomed love” theme hanging over everything.Overall, it’s romantic, a little sad. this will be a favorite for any fantasy lover.
May 9, 2026
Thank you to Harper Collins, NetGalley, and the author for this advanced copy. This was a very interesting story and the direction it went was not what I expected at all. The concept was very unique and I enjoyed some parts. It was ok, but not great. It dragged on a little for a book on the shorter side. I almost DNFed a few times but I was genuinely interested in how the Queen was going to handle Nolwenn’s disappearance and betrayal, so I kept reading. Also, I was genuinely interested in some spice between Morvan and Nolwenn since it was alluded to and discussed so much between them and in Nolwenn’s inner monologue. But alas, it was glazed over and no details were provided. Maybe I’m the only one here but I was genuinely curious. Overall, an interesting and unique idea and story.
Did Not Finish
May 24, 2026dnf at 36%
I wanted to really love this. From the gorgeous cover and intriguing synopsis, I had hoped for something otherworldly and moving to read, and being classed as an adult read was promising. Sadly, The Palace Beneath the Sea did not up to these expectations. I struggled a lot with the pacing and the main protagonist's actions. It was painfully slow, and character development lacked. I often found myself confused by the age of Nolwenn, as she felt more like a YA main protagonist than an adult one. This was disappointing, but I tried to push through my concerns and attempt to get invested in this world further. Whilst I appreciated the underwater world Wiesebron constructed here, there wasn't a lot going on to keep me invested in Nolwenn's task or the folk around her to keep reading on. There was also a lot of signs where I feel like this book could have done with further editing before publication. It is such a shame, because there was something special here, but it just missed it's mark entirely with me from these issues.
I wanted to really love this. From the gorgeous cover and intriguing synopsis, I had hoped for something otherworldly and moving to read, and being classed as an adult read was promising. Sadly, The Palace Beneath the Sea did not up to these expectations. I struggled a lot with the pacing and the main protagonist's actions. It was painfully slow, and character development lacked. I often found myself confused by the age of Nolwenn, as she felt more like a YA main protagonist than an adult one. This was disappointing, but I tried to push through my concerns and attempt to get invested in this world further. Whilst I appreciated the underwater world Wiesebron constructed here, there wasn't a lot going on to keep me invested in Nolwenn's task or the folk around her to keep reading on. There was also a lot of signs where I feel like this book could have done with further editing before publication. It is such a shame, because there was something special here, but it just missed it's mark entirely with me from these issues.
May 22, 2026
Thank you to Netgally for the opportunity to read this book. I really enjoyed reading this book not has so many elements I love. Fictional creatures, romance, good characters, and a compelling story. I liked the characters of Nolwenn, Morvan, and Kit. I was interested in how it was all going to come together. How Nolwenn and Morgan’s story paralleled the story of the queen and the lorises and wanted to we how they were going to make it work. Overall an enjoyable read.
Did Not Finish
April 28, 2026I didn't specifically request this arc so I no longer feel guilt about not finishing this.
House of Frost had more compelling characters and friendships that I fell in love with. While this feels oddly strange, falling in between trying too hard or not trying hard enough..
House of Frost had more compelling characters and friendships that I fell in love with. While this feels oddly strange, falling in between trying too hard or not trying hard enough..
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Palace Beneath the Sea by Lauren Wiesebron.
A few years ago I read the ARC for Wiesebron's debut, The House of Frost and Feathers, and really enjoyed it. I was intrigued to see Wiesebron branching away from Slavic folklore to French folklore -- especially as I recently also read an ARC of Katherine Arden's The Unicorn Hunters which takes on elements of the same tales of the city of Ys and Princess Dahut. If a reader enjoys Arden's release this June, I would also recommend picking up The Palace Beneath the Sea in September for another perspective on an interesting tale.
The book description is fairly accurate to get the readers to about the 20% mark of the novel. From there we learn about those who live deep within the sea and their culture and customs and political machinations. As this year's new devastating black tide approaches, sure to endanger Nolwenn's family, she has to make hard decisions about her own place in the world, how to truly show love and forgiveness, and how to save both cities on the brink of no return and long held under the mistakes of the past.
Wiesbron is a character driven author. This is a story about Nolwenn, not about Ys or mermaids or teuthes. Nolwenn's feelings and actions drive the story, and the folklore is the background where she lives. There is action, there are twists (the halfway mark twist was one I did not expect, but looking back at the end makes total sense -- I did enjoy being surprised by that), but predominately this story is about a woman who believes she is one thing and realizes how much bigger the world can be and how her capacity for love and understanding can push her to the limit of what she expects for herself.
In my review of The House of Frost and Feathers I noted there were a lot of periods of lull time in a 512 page novel -- when I saw this book was 384 pages, I thought that there would be more of a tightening up of the plot and its character development ebbs and flows. Yes, there is some of that, but overall I feel like I ran into the same thing that slowed down my enjoyment last time -- so much of the action is contained in the first 20% and last 20% and the happenings in the middle are character driven and drawn out in a way that divvied up my enjoyment of the overall story. It also seemed like we would have Wiesebron's stellar prose and descriptions paired next to a very show-no-tell-general description of the happenings that felt a bit disjointed (i.e. we'd be with Nolwenn learning about coral or about language in very descriptive scenes, and then have interspersed paragraphs of "Then I learned this and this and this" that drew away from Wiesebron's beautiful flow of words). Wiesebron writes beautifully, so I wish those paragraphs had been better edited as transitions to show the passage of time / learning / understanding vs holding up Wisebron's talent.
Thank you to NetGalley and to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Palace Beneath the Sea by Lauren Wiesebron.
A few years ago I read the ARC for Wiesebron's debut, The House of Frost and Feathers, and really enjoyed it. I was intrigued to see Wiesebron branching away from Slavic folklore to French folklore -- especially as I recently also read an ARC of Katherine Arden's The Unicorn Hunters which takes on elements of the same tales of the city of Ys and Princess Dahut. If a reader enjoys Arden's release this June, I would also recommend picking up The Palace Beneath the Sea in September for another perspective on an interesting tale.
The book description is fairly accurate to get the readers to about the 20% mark of the novel. From there we learn about those who live deep within the sea and their culture and customs and political machinations. As this year's new devastating black tide approaches, sure to endanger Nolwenn's family, she has to make hard decisions about her own place in the world, how to truly show love and forgiveness, and how to save both cities on the brink of no return and long held under the mistakes of the past.
Wiesbron is a character driven author. This is a story about Nolwenn, not about Ys or mermaids or teuthes. Nolwenn's feelings and actions drive the story, and the folklore is the background where she lives. There is action, there are twists (the halfway mark twist was one I did not expect, but looking back at the end makes total sense -- I did enjoy being surprised by that), but predominately this story is about a woman who believes she is one thing and realizes how much bigger the world can be and how her capacity for love and understanding can push her to the limit of what she expects for herself.
In my review of The House of Frost and Feathers I noted there were a lot of periods of lull time in a 512 page novel -- when I saw this book was 384 pages, I thought that there would be more of a tightening up of the plot and its character development ebbs and flows. Yes, there is some of that, but overall I feel like I ran into the same thing that slowed down my enjoyment last time -- so much of the action is contained in the first 20% and last 20% and the happenings in the middle are character driven and drawn out in a way that divvied up my enjoyment of the overall story. It also seemed like we would have Wiesebron's stellar prose and descriptions paired next to a very show-no-tell-general description of the happenings that felt a bit disjointed (i.e. we'd be with Nolwenn learning about coral or about language in very descriptive scenes, and then have interspersed paragraphs of "Then I learned this and this and this" that drew away from Wiesebron's beautiful flow of words). Wiesebron writes beautifully, so I wish those paragraphs had been better edited as transitions to show the passage of time / learning / understanding vs holding up Wisebron's talent.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⊹ ࣪ ﹏𓊝﹏𓂁﹏⊹ ࣪ ˖
My rating: ★★★☆☆
Thank you to Harper Voyager, Netgalley and Lauren Wiesebron for the eARC.
As soon as I saw the beautiful cover and the word "mermaid", I knew that The Palace Beneath the Sea would be on my TBR. The world-building comes on very strong from the first chapter and it is clear the author put an incredible amount of thought into the history between Ys and Below-Ys, the underwater society, the language, and the characters themselves. The atmosphere is less so dreamy in a mermaid type of way but still builds a very beautiful underwater city.
That said, the beginning was a bit difficult for me to get through. There is a lot of worldbuilding from the jump, and it took me quite a while to feel pulled into the story. I saw another reviewer mention that a glossary or pronunciation guide of some sorts would've helped, and I definitely agree. Every time I saw the words "Ys" or "korrigez", my brain stumbled trying to figure out how I was supposed to read them. Without getting too deep into spoilers, Nolwenn spends a significant amount of time in Below-Ys learning their language and there were moments where the logic of what she could or couldn't understand felt a bit inconsistent to me. She wasn't able to use words like "teuthes", which are the names of the sea monsters they face and is quite important to the story, but would somehow know words like insubordination and that created a bit of disconnect while reading.
I liked the relationship between Nolwenn and Morvan (even though I am a bit sad that we never find out the true names of all the korrigez), and I appreciate that the romance developed gradually rather than having them fall in love the second they meet. The plot did pick up during the last third of the book and that is where I began to enjoy the story much more. The tension between Ys and Below-Ys was much more compelling and I enjoyed when that tension came face to face later on. The internal conflicts that Nolwenn faced with loyalty to her city, her family, and her love was easily the most compelling part of the book for me.
All in all, I loved the setting and the characters, but I don't think that it was my personal cup of tea. I can see readers who enjoy immersive worldbuilding and slower pacing loving this book. If you enjoy romantasy that is focused on that detailed world, this is something you should definitely dive into!
My rating: ★★★☆☆
Thank you to Harper Voyager, Netgalley and Lauren Wiesebron for the eARC.
As soon as I saw the beautiful cover and the word "mermaid", I knew that The Palace Beneath the Sea would be on my TBR. The world-building comes on very strong from the first chapter and it is clear the author put an incredible amount of thought into the history between Ys and Below-Ys, the underwater society, the language, and the characters themselves. The atmosphere is less so dreamy in a mermaid type of way but still builds a very beautiful underwater city.
That said, the beginning was a bit difficult for me to get through. There is a lot of worldbuilding from the jump, and it took me quite a while to feel pulled into the story. I saw another reviewer mention that a glossary or pronunciation guide of some sorts would've helped, and I definitely agree. Every time I saw the words "Ys" or "korrigez", my brain stumbled trying to figure out how I was supposed to read them. Without getting too deep into spoilers, Nolwenn spends a significant amount of time in Below-Ys learning their language and there were moments where the logic of what she could or couldn't understand felt a bit inconsistent to me. She wasn't able to use words like "teuthes", which are the names of the sea monsters they face and is quite important to the story, but would somehow know words like insubordination and that created a bit of disconnect while reading.
I liked the relationship between Nolwenn and Morvan (even though I am a bit sad that we never find out the true names of all the korrigez), and I appreciate that the romance developed gradually rather than having them fall in love the second they meet. The plot did pick up during the last third of the book and that is where I began to enjoy the story much more. The tension between Ys and Below-Ys was much more compelling and I enjoyed when that tension came face to face later on. The internal conflicts that Nolwenn faced with loyalty to her city, her family, and her love was easily the most compelling part of the book for me.
All in all, I loved the setting and the characters, but I don't think that it was my personal cup of tea. I can see readers who enjoy immersive worldbuilding and slower pacing loving this book. If you enjoy romantasy that is focused on that detailed world, this is something you should definitely dive into!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager & Lauren Wiesebron for the eARC! I am grateful for the opportunity to have read this book before its release!
My rating: 3⭐️
The Palace Beneath the Sea is a mermaid fantasy which centers around our FMC Nolwenn, a lighthouse keeper who stumbles upon “seasilk” an extremely valuable item in the kingdom of Ys. When she brings the seasilk to her Queen, she rewards her and Nolwenn beings a journey and search to locate more of this valuable item. During her journey, she uncovers information about the Korrigez (mermaids) who are thought to be extinct. Of course there are some twist & turns, self-discovery, and romance along the way.
I wish this book pulled me in a bit more from the beginning. The cover is stunning & the concept is very intriguing but I found it initially hard to want to keep reading. There was a lot of world building and although this is important, I just wish I was able to feel a bit more connected as the world building developed.
I think something that was really hard for me, as is in fantasy books with this similar issue, is that there was no pronunciation guide. Some words, names, places were hard to figure out pronunciation and that really threw me off. Also, a word would be thrown in as a name of a place/thing (korrigez, Teuthis) and with no immediate explanation and it had me going back to see if I missed something, and then it would be described later on and then it made sense but again found myself going back to try to better understand what I had already read. I would have preferred an explanation upon the first or second mention of this word so that I could better understand.
The story dragged a bit for me but the story was also unique. The underwater society, the characters, the language, etc. were all so thought out. I liked Nolwenn’s character and her journey throughout the book. Trying to step into her shoes and figure out if her perception was correct and who she could actually trust was a fun aspect of this book. I enjoyed the romance and tension components of this book for sure but again which I connected more to these characters.
I did consider DNFing this book a few times and this wasn’t necessary my type of read but if you’re into folklore type, slower romance with a lot of world building then this would be the book for
My rating: 3⭐️
The Palace Beneath the Sea is a mermaid fantasy which centers around our FMC Nolwenn, a lighthouse keeper who stumbles upon “seasilk” an extremely valuable item in the kingdom of Ys. When she brings the seasilk to her Queen, she rewards her and Nolwenn beings a journey and search to locate more of this valuable item. During her journey, she uncovers information about the Korrigez (mermaids) who are thought to be extinct. Of course there are some twist & turns, self-discovery, and romance along the way.
I wish this book pulled me in a bit more from the beginning. The cover is stunning & the concept is very intriguing but I found it initially hard to want to keep reading. There was a lot of world building and although this is important, I just wish I was able to feel a bit more connected as the world building developed.
I think something that was really hard for me, as is in fantasy books with this similar issue, is that there was no pronunciation guide. Some words, names, places were hard to figure out pronunciation and that really threw me off. Also, a word would be thrown in as a name of a place/thing (korrigez, Teuthis) and with no immediate explanation and it had me going back to see if I missed something, and then it would be described later on and then it made sense but again found myself going back to try to better understand what I had already read. I would have preferred an explanation upon the first or second mention of this word so that I could better understand.
The story dragged a bit for me but the story was also unique. The underwater society, the characters, the language, etc. were all so thought out. I liked Nolwenn’s character and her journey throughout the book. Trying to step into her shoes and figure out if her perception was correct and who she could actually trust was a fun aspect of this book. I enjoyed the romance and tension components of this book for sure but again which I connected more to these characters.
I did consider DNFing this book a few times and this wasn’t necessary my type of read but if you’re into folklore type, slower romance with a lot of world building then this would be the book for
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a slower, more immersive kind of fantasy that really leans into the details as it builds its world beneath the waves.
The Palace Beneath the Sea is a fantastic trip below the waves following the journey of Nolwenn. What starts out as a surprising and disorienting transformation beneath the water evolves into a larger journey of self-discovery as she begins to understand and embrace a greater purpose.
The book begins with heavy worldbuilding and gently transitions into a mythic, atmospheric style of storytelling. It's clear the author took great time and care creating these incredible creatures, the lore, and history surrounding the city of Ys and the sea beyond. As a fantasy reader, I appreciate immersive worldbuilding, and this novel certainly delivers on that front. However, I found it more difficult to connect with the story on a character level, even while trying to keep the broader narrative in mind. I typically look for an emotional or narrative anchor early on, and I struggled to fully find that here. That said, the mermaid-inspired elements offer a fresh and unique perspective within the fantasy genre.
The Palace Beneath the Sea showcases LGBTQ+ representation, slow-burn storytelling, mythic lore, and deeply detailed worldbuilding. Fantasy lovers who enjoy rich, immersive settings and are comfortable settling into a slower, more atmospheric narrative will likely find a lot to appreciate here. Those looking for a faster-paced or a more immediate emotional connection may find the beginning more challenging to navigate. And while this wasn’t the perfect fit for my personal reading preferences, I can absolutely see how this story will resonate with readers who enjoy intricate, lore-driven fantasy that unfolds gradually over time.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and Lauren Wiesebron for the opportunity to read and review this title.
The Palace Beneath the Sea is a fantastic trip below the waves following the journey of Nolwenn. What starts out as a surprising and disorienting transformation beneath the water evolves into a larger journey of self-discovery as she begins to understand and embrace a greater purpose.
The book begins with heavy worldbuilding and gently transitions into a mythic, atmospheric style of storytelling. It's clear the author took great time and care creating these incredible creatures, the lore, and history surrounding the city of Ys and the sea beyond. As a fantasy reader, I appreciate immersive worldbuilding, and this novel certainly delivers on that front. However, I found it more difficult to connect with the story on a character level, even while trying to keep the broader narrative in mind. I typically look for an emotional or narrative anchor early on, and I struggled to fully find that here. That said, the mermaid-inspired elements offer a fresh and unique perspective within the fantasy genre.
The Palace Beneath the Sea showcases LGBTQ+ representation, slow-burn storytelling, mythic lore, and deeply detailed worldbuilding. Fantasy lovers who enjoy rich, immersive settings and are comfortable settling into a slower, more atmospheric narrative will likely find a lot to appreciate here. Those looking for a faster-paced or a more immediate emotional connection may find the beginning more challenging to navigate. And while this wasn’t the perfect fit for my personal reading preferences, I can absolutely see how this story will resonate with readers who enjoy intricate, lore-driven fantasy that unfolds gradually over time.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and Lauren Wiesebron for the opportunity to read and review this title.
May 21, 2026
Nolwenn comes from a family of lighthouse keepers, protecting the city of Ys from the sea monsters (teuthis) that rise to the surface and attack the city and ships, especially at the full moon. When the Queen reveals to Nolwenn that an extremely high tide is forecast, threatening to overwhelm the sea walls, Nolwenn spends more time searching for rare seasilk that can used to repel the sea monsters. A foolish attempt to reach seasilk at a full moon leads to Nolwenn being attacked by on the teuthis and she is dragged beneath the waves. Fortunately for her, she's rescued and taken to the city beneath Ys, the home of the legendary korrigez (merpeople, but more blubbery than the Little Mermaid).
As Nolwenn remains trapped in the depths, she gradually learns more about the korrigez, the teuthis and the threat to both Ys-Below and Ys-Above, but she also starts to form a close relationship with Morvan, the korrigez who saved - and captured - her.
I liked the idea of this, but ultimately this wasn't for me. I struggled to get through the story and might have skimmed here and there. It felt like some things dragged and others were rushed.
I liked the setting of the coral city/palace that the korrigez live in and Nolwenn's pet octopus. There's some interesting things about gender/sex with the korrigez styled on fish species that change their sex depending on need and the human world seems to be queer normative.
Despite the magical setting and good ideas, I just wasn't captivated. However, if you enjoy more romance heavy stories and forbidden romance with a fairytale twist, this might work for you.
Thanks to Hodderscape for the netgalley arc for review
As Nolwenn remains trapped in the depths, she gradually learns more about the korrigez, the teuthis and the threat to both Ys-Below and Ys-Above, but she also starts to form a close relationship with Morvan, the korrigez who saved - and captured - her.
I liked the idea of this, but ultimately this wasn't for me. I struggled to get through the story and might have skimmed here and there. It felt like some things dragged and others were rushed.
I liked the setting of the coral city/palace that the korrigez live in and Nolwenn's pet octopus. There's some interesting things about gender/sex with the korrigez styled on fish species that change their sex depending on need and the human world seems to be queer normative.
Despite the magical setting and good ideas, I just wasn't captivated. However, if you enjoy more romance heavy stories and forbidden romance with a fairytale twist, this might work for you.
Thanks to Hodderscape for the netgalley arc for review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
Okay, this book? It's giving The Little Mermaid meets Beauty and the Beast in the best ways possible. Our FMC, Nolwenn, is a lighthouse keeper in the city of Y. Y is it called Y? I don't know, and I wish I did.
Anyway, she finds a valuable resource and turns it into the queen who decides to reward her family and asks her to find more. In her search for more she learns that korrigez (basically mermaids), the legendary sea creatures, aren't actually extinct like so many believe. Can't say much more without spoiling it.
This book will have you questioning everything. Who can you trust? Is Nolwenn's perception of the korrigez accurate or is she being deceived? Is the Queen who she truly claims to be? What are the teuthes and why are they attacking the city? The threat of a dangerous tide lingers in the background and the author maintains the tension as Nolwenn tries to uncover what's going on around her and where her loyalties should lie.
This book has so many little secrets and eccentricities that are both odd and shocking to discover. The korrigez you meet in this book are unlike any I've ever read about.
Once you get caught up in the undertow of this book, it'll pull you under and spit you out on the other side of the palace.
Okay, this book? It's giving The Little Mermaid meets Beauty and the Beast in the best ways possible. Our FMC, Nolwenn, is a lighthouse keeper in the city of Y. Y is it called Y? I don't know, and I wish I did.
Anyway, she finds a valuable resource and turns it into the queen who decides to reward her family and asks her to find more. In her search for more she learns that korrigez (basically mermaids), the legendary sea creatures, aren't actually extinct like so many believe. Can't say much more without spoiling it.
This book will have you questioning everything. Who can you trust? Is Nolwenn's perception of the korrigez accurate or is she being deceived? Is the Queen who she truly claims to be? What are the teuthes and why are they attacking the city? The threat of a dangerous tide lingers in the background and the author maintains the tension as Nolwenn tries to uncover what's going on around her and where her loyalties should lie.
This book has so many little secrets and eccentricities that are both odd and shocking to discover. The korrigez you meet in this book are unlike any I've ever read about.
Once you get caught up in the undertow of this book, it'll pull you under and spit you out on the other side of the palace.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5 I really wanted to love this, but unfortunately it ended up being a pretty mixed read for me.
The biggest issue was the writing style. For an adult fantasy, it felt noticeably younger than I expected, especially in the dialogue and emotional beats. A lot of the worldbuilding and backstory was explained directly to the reader instead of unfolding naturally through the story, so the first third of the book felt very exposition-heavy. It made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or settle into the world.
I also struggled a bit with the pacing. After the initial setup, the story slowed down quite a lot and it started to feel like not much was actually happening plot-wise for a long stretch in the middle. There were still moments where the underwater setting and some of the imagery was genuinely beautiful, but I kept wanting more emotional depth and tension to keep the story moving.
That said, the ending did pick things up again, and I think readers who enjoy very lore-heavy worlds may connect with this more than I did. Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage for the e-arc.
The biggest issue was the writing style. For an adult fantasy, it felt noticeably younger than I expected, especially in the dialogue and emotional beats. A lot of the worldbuilding and backstory was explained directly to the reader instead of unfolding naturally through the story, so the first third of the book felt very exposition-heavy. It made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or settle into the world.
I also struggled a bit with the pacing. After the initial setup, the story slowed down quite a lot and it started to feel like not much was actually happening plot-wise for a long stretch in the middle. There were still moments where the underwater setting and some of the imagery was genuinely beautiful, but I kept wanting more emotional depth and tension to keep the story moving.
That said, the ending did pick things up again, and I think readers who enjoy very lore-heavy worlds may connect with this more than I did. Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage for the e-arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Palance Beneath the Sea is a beautifully written book that feels like a classic fairytale, immersing you into a folkloric atmosphere of seamonsters, mercreatures and royal quests.
A doomed love story created the city of Ys, it's fitting that another one would end it . . . The tagline alone drew me in, and Wiesebron's writing, the descriptions of the coral palce and the imagery of the sea was stunning. Ys-Below has some fantastic descriptions,
Nolwenn and her family are lighthouse keepers living on the edge of their beloved city Ys, until Nolwenn is thrown into a quest by her queen after coming across a rare material washed up on the shore. She seems naive at first, her ultimate belief in protecting Ys at all costs despite her fear, yet her resolve is soon tested when she is saved by Morvan, a sea-dwelling korrigez who has the torso of a man and the tail of a fish.
If you're looking for a little bit of folklore in your fantasy, merpeople and a character growth story with a mild slow-burn romance this may be tail for you... Like fish tail.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
A doomed love story created the city of Ys, it's fitting that another one would end it . . . The tagline alone drew me in, and Wiesebron's writing, the descriptions of the coral palce and the imagery of the sea was stunning. Ys-Below has some fantastic descriptions,
Nolwenn and her family are lighthouse keepers living on the edge of their beloved city Ys, until Nolwenn is thrown into a quest by her queen after coming across a rare material washed up on the shore. She seems naive at first, her ultimate belief in protecting Ys at all costs despite her fear, yet her resolve is soon tested when she is saved by Morvan, a sea-dwelling korrigez who has the torso of a man and the tail of a fish.
If you're looking for a little bit of folklore in your fantasy, merpeople and a character growth story with a mild slow-burn romance this may be tail for you... Like fish tail.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC
May 26, 2026
What starts as the story of a determined lighthouse keeper hoping to impress her Queen, quickly evolves into a fascinating tale of two worlds. Nolwenn is forcibly changed into a korrigez, a mermaid more or less, in order to stop from drowning. Her journey home, though, is not as easy as what caused her change in the first place.
Wiesebron pulls together a story filled with myth and whimsy as well as dread and personal conflict. As a main character, Nolwenn's struggle to straddle her loyalties between Ys-above and Ys-below are evident. Her interest and self reflection are clear, as are the difficulties she's faced with. All of the characters shine, and the plots never fail to be interesting.
As a queer novel, it hits all the beats. As a fantasy, it was a world I would love to sink back into again and again in the future. Excellent to read with thoughts of the sea or the sounds of the ocean around you.
I loved Wiesebron's first book, and I eagerly await whatever she comes up with next!
Wiesebron pulls together a story filled with myth and whimsy as well as dread and personal conflict. As a main character, Nolwenn's struggle to straddle her loyalties between Ys-above and Ys-below are evident. Her interest and self reflection are clear, as are the difficulties she's faced with. All of the characters shine, and the plots never fail to be interesting.
As a queer novel, it hits all the beats. As a fantasy, it was a world I would love to sink back into again and again in the future. Excellent to read with thoughts of the sea or the sounds of the ocean around you.
I loved Wiesebron's first book, and I eagerly await whatever she comes up with next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just finished The Palace Beneath the Sea by Lauren Wiesebron and it completely swept me away. This story is pure underwater magic full of mermaids, hidden worlds, and the kind of adventure that makes you feel like you’re right there beneath the waves. The world-building was vivid and immersive, and I loved getting lost in such a unique setting. Beyond the fantasy, there’s a strong thread of courage, identity, and finding where you truly belong. It’s the kind of book that feels both whimsical and meaningful at the same time. If you love mermaid stories, rich fantasy worlds, and a touch of mystery and heart, this one is definitely worth diving into.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this book—it has a captivating, folklore-inspired writing style, and it was my first time reading this author. What stood out to me most was Nolwenn as a main character and her journey of self-discovery.
The plot is full of tension, albeit its themes we’ve seen before. Still, if you enjoy mermaid fantasy, slow-burn storytelling, and characters finding themselves, this is the perfect book for you.
Thank you to Lauren Wiesebron and NetGlleyfor the opportunity to read this early copy.
The plot is full of tension, albeit its themes we’ve seen before. Still, if you enjoy mermaid fantasy, slow-burn storytelling, and characters finding themselves, this is the perfect book for you.
Thank you to Lauren Wiesebron and NetGlleyfor the opportunity to read this early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one is a DNF at 24% for me.
I am not connecting with the story like I had hoped I would and don’t think the writing is for me. The plot is interesting! I just cannot connect with it.
I also think this book would benefit greatly from a pronunciation guide in the beginning to help set the readers up for this world properly.
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this one!
I am not connecting with the story like I had hoped I would and don’t think the writing is for me. The plot is interesting! I just cannot connect with it.
I also think this book would benefit greatly from a pronunciation guide in the beginning to help set the readers up for this world properly.
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Palace Beneath the Sea is a take on mermaid folklore, complete with a spin on mermaids turning into seafoam. I enjoyed the LGBTQIAP+ rep. It's told in first-person POV with a singular narrative. There a few plot twists and eons of worldbuilding. Oceans of it!
This is certainly an immersive story and you will feel like you’re under the sea. The worldbuilding is packed to the gills (pun intended). The developing romance between Nolwenn and Morvan was gradual and not plagued by any insta-love trope, which was refreshing. There's tons of exposition and background information on everything–characters, setting, sea creatures, plot, and backstory–all throughout. I have to say that isn’t my preferred way of starting a book; that kind of off-loading right up front actually kills my interest rather than stokes it. This book was a slog for me, but if you love romantic merfolk stories and worldbuilding, then you’ll love this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.
This is certainly an immersive story and you will feel like you’re under the sea. The worldbuilding is packed to the gills (pun intended). The developing romance between Nolwenn and Morvan was gradual and not plagued by any insta-love trope, which was refreshing. There's tons of exposition and background information on everything–characters, setting, sea creatures, plot, and backstory–all throughout. I have to say that isn’t my preferred way of starting a book; that kind of off-loading right up front actually kills my interest rather than stokes it. This book was a slog for me, but if you love romantic merfolk stories and worldbuilding, then you’ll love this.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.
May 18, 2026
Review of advance copy from Netgalley
3.5 ⭐️ Overall, I really enjoyed this unique story that had Little Mermaid vibes. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure about the writing style and the weird names of people, places, and creatures. I wish there was a pronunciation guide. After 20%, the story kept me engaged and I couldn’t stop reading.
3.5 ⭐️ Overall, I really enjoyed this unique story that had Little Mermaid vibes. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure about the writing style and the weird names of people, places, and creatures. I wish there was a pronunciation guide. After 20%, the story kept me engaged and I couldn’t stop reading.
Want to Read
April 21, 2026This cover though??? HELLOOO lol
kindle
May 11, 2026Thank @netgalley for the arc, the title pulled me in and am so excited to read this!
Did Not Finish
May 23, 2026DNF at 25%. I was so excited to read a mermaid book but was so bored and couldn’t power through.
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