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Mermaid Savage: The Girl Who Broke The Rules
A girl raised to kill.
A rule she was never meant to question.
A choice that will change everything.
In a coastal world ruled by women and bound by ancient law, Tala is sent to The Rock—a sacred place where girls become weapons and mercy is forbidden. Trained to seduce and drown men who threaten her people, Tala believes obedience is survival.
Until she hesitates.
When a single act of compassion spares a stranger’s life, Tala fractures the only truth she has ever known. What follows is not rebellion—but awakening. As secrets surface about the fate of children, the lies woven into tradition, and the cost of silence, Tala must decide whether loyalty is worth the violence it demands.
Mermaid Short Story 1 is a dark folkloric tale inspired by Philippine myth, exploring womanhood, inherited fear, and the dangerous power of choice. Lyrical, haunting, and emotionally charged, this story What happens when the girl who was meant to obey learns how to choose?
A rule she was never meant to question.
A choice that will change everything.
In a coastal world ruled by women and bound by ancient law, Tala is sent to The Rock—a sacred place where girls become weapons and mercy is forbidden. Trained to seduce and drown men who threaten her people, Tala believes obedience is survival.
Until she hesitates.
When a single act of compassion spares a stranger’s life, Tala fractures the only truth she has ever known. What follows is not rebellion—but awakening. As secrets surface about the fate of children, the lies woven into tradition, and the cost of silence, Tala must decide whether loyalty is worth the violence it demands.
Mermaid Short Story 1 is a dark folkloric tale inspired by Philippine myth, exploring womanhood, inherited fear, and the dangerous power of choice. Lyrical, haunting, and emotionally charged, this story What happens when the girl who was meant to obey learns how to choose?
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was the first installment in a 3 part short story series. I feel the story is short enough that the 3 could be combined into 1 book as I believe each part is a continuation of the one before. Also, I enjoyed part 1 but now have to seek out the next 2 parts and feel a little let down that I didn’t get the whole story.
Part 1 introduces Tala and some of the women she lives alongside. There are no men. The women act as sirens luring men to mate with them then kill them. Some men have a mark on their neck indicating they should not be killed and I assume not be mates with to avoid inbreeding (although this is not known to them as there law is for male offspring to be killed). Tala is a timid and inquisitive you’d girl who struggles to understand and abide by these laws and the story ends with her learning some truths to lies ahead been told and her acting against what she was taught to do.
questions:
Where did the gold bracelet come from? Was talas mother a found girl and the bracelet was hers or was the bracelet maybe a gift from a man (tala’s father perhaps).
This was the first installment in a 3 part short story series. I feel the story is short enough that the 3 could be combined into 1 book as I believe each part is a continuation of the one before. Also, I enjoyed part 1 but now have to seek out the next 2 parts and feel a little let down that I didn’t get the whole story.
Part 1 introduces Tala and some of the women she lives alongside. There are no men. The women act as sirens luring men to mate with them then kill them. Some men have a mark on their neck indicating they should not be killed and I assume not be mates with to avoid inbreeding (although this is not known to them as there law is for male offspring to be killed). Tala is a timid and inquisitive you’d girl who struggles to understand and abide by these laws and the story ends with her learning some truths to lies ahead been told and her acting against what she was taught to do.
questions:
Where did the gold bracelet come from? Was talas mother a found girl and the bracelet was hers or was the bracelet maybe a gift from a man (tala’s father perhaps).
February 1, 2026
I chose this book based upon the point of view was unique and interesting especially with a cultural perspective from the author. The character point of view seemed hard to fix onto as a dynamic. The importance of Mermaid culture and coming of age was clear. I could definitely track the characters feelings and surprises when finding out things or struggling the emotions were clear. This is the first book in a trilogy.
Why this book was given three stars: I felt it was too short and unclear on the main character particularly during important parts. In the beginning it is clear it's Tala and Bitan however later on it's not clear who also since it's historical a more estimated time period would be nice.
I received an advanced review copy for free from booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Why this book was given three stars: I felt it was too short and unclear on the main character particularly during important parts. In the beginning it is clear it's Tala and Bitan however later on it's not clear who also since it's historical a more estimated time period would be nice.
I received an advanced review copy for free from booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 20, 2026
Mermaid Savage is a story I didn't know what to expect from but it pulled me in right away with its bookend story set in the 90s. Then, we're immersed into the past on an island run by women and our protagonist, Tala, being forced to become someone she is not. The writing is vivid without trying too hard, and the story hits on some heavy themes in a way that feels real. There's the start of a love story but it's not about that. The story is really about identity, family, beauty standards, and survival. By the end, I was genuinely invested and since this is only part 1 of a larger story, I'm excited for the others.
January 25, 2026
This was a wonderful short story that left me interested for more, namely, the next two short stories in this series. I love mermaid myths and how they differ so vastly from culture to culture. I have never read one quite like this before, and am interested to see it either expanded in the next two stories, or to read new myths I haven’t heard of. I also love that this story’s protagonist, Tala, questions the rules and fears she has been brought up with. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews