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Mer Chronicles #3
Immerse
Immerse is the spellbinding and breathless final installment of the Mer Chronicles series where descendants of the Little Mermaid must face deadly magic, shifting alliances, and the dangers of forbidden love.
Lia can’t wait for her parents’ coronation. Now living in the sparkling palace beneath the waves, she sneaks off to Malibu whenever possible to see Clay. Tucked away in an abandoned seaside mansion, Lia and Clay devise a plan to ensure they can stay together forever.
But when an old enemy resurfaces and Lia is restricted to the palace for the safety of all Merkind, she and Clay are ripped apart once more.
She fears not only for Clay, but for her best friend Caspian, who seems to be swimming down a dangerous path. He has invited the conniving Melusine to the coronation ball, convinced she’s capable of change. And no matter how hard Lia fights it, showing up on Caspian’s arm is just the start of Melusine’s insidious return to her life.
With threats Below growing more ominous by the day and a powerful ancient ritual looming, soon the two girls can’t escape each other. As their fates grow increasingly intertwined, Melusine might be the only one who can help Lia find the answers she desperately needs to save everyone she loves and to achieve her happily ever after. But can Lia trust her?
Lia can’t wait for her parents’ coronation. Now living in the sparkling palace beneath the waves, she sneaks off to Malibu whenever possible to see Clay. Tucked away in an abandoned seaside mansion, Lia and Clay devise a plan to ensure they can stay together forever.
But when an old enemy resurfaces and Lia is restricted to the palace for the safety of all Merkind, she and Clay are ripped apart once more.
She fears not only for Clay, but for her best friend Caspian, who seems to be swimming down a dangerous path. He has invited the conniving Melusine to the coronation ball, convinced she’s capable of change. And no matter how hard Lia fights it, showing up on Caspian’s arm is just the start of Melusine’s insidious return to her life.
With threats Below growing more ominous by the day and a powerful ancient ritual looming, soon the two girls can’t escape each other. As their fates grow increasingly intertwined, Melusine might be the only one who can help Lia find the answers she desperately needs to save everyone she loves and to achieve her happily ever after. But can Lia trust her?
300 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2019
17 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Tobie Easton
4 books391 followersAward-winning author Tobie Easton was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, where she's grown from a little girl who dreamed about magic to a twenty-something who writes about it. Her debut novel, Emerge, is a Gold Medal Winner (Young Adult – Sci-Fi/Fantasy) of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and is Book 1 in the acclaimed Mer Chronicles series. The trilogy follows the descendants of the Little Mermaid and offers fans a peek into a world where Mermaids aren't just real, but live secretly among us on land.
She and her very kissable husband enjoy traveling the globe and fostering packs of rescue puppies. Tobie loves chocolate chip cookies and Oxford commas. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, Tobie splits her time between Los Angeles and Boston.
Learn more about Tobie and her upcoming books on www.TobieEaston.com.
She and her very kissable husband enjoy traveling the globe and fostering packs of rescue puppies. Tobie loves chocolate chip cookies and Oxford commas. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Southern California, Tobie splits her time between Los Angeles and Boston.
Learn more about Tobie and her upcoming books on www.TobieEaston.com.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 19, 2019
Immerse is the third and final chapter in the Mer Chronicles. I like mythical romance stories and I’ve enjoyed this series. This is a continuous story and although book 3 contains catch up information I would not recommend it as a standalone. Immerse is slow off the mark as it begins and I think this is due to the background refresher. I read the previous books last year so I liked having the catch-up, but I thought there was a little too much.
Lia and Melusine are emery’s but they both want what is outside the Mer laws. Lia’s boyfriend is a human and the only reason the mermaids were saved. The law says a human cannot know about mermaids. They wipe Clay's memories, but their bond is too strong. Now Clay wants to be like Lia. They want forever after together.
Melusine is hurting from her father's mistake. She is not under arrest herself but has to live by strict rules. She hates the life she is living and everyone in it.
Caspian is Lia’s best-friend but after everything that went down, he needs some space. He knows there is more to Melusine than she lets people see. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. The hate in her heart is strong, but Caspian surprises her at every step.
This is the final chapter but can everyone get what they want? With mythology and legends can the Mer chronicles find a happy ending for everyone.
I’ve enjoyed this series. I’m sad this is the last book and will be looking for more from this author. The ending fitted perfectly and I was hooked to every last page.
I’ve joined the blog tour and received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#mystery #suspense #fantasy #legend #mythology #romance
A fabulous # combination.
Lia and Melusine are emery’s but they both want what is outside the Mer laws. Lia’s boyfriend is a human and the only reason the mermaids were saved. The law says a human cannot know about mermaids. They wipe Clay's memories, but their bond is too strong. Now Clay wants to be like Lia. They want forever after together.
Melusine is hurting from her father's mistake. She is not under arrest herself but has to live by strict rules. She hates the life she is living and everyone in it.
Caspian is Lia’s best-friend but after everything that went down, he needs some space. He knows there is more to Melusine than she lets people see. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. The hate in her heart is strong, but Caspian surprises her at every step.
This is the final chapter but can everyone get what they want? With mythology and legends can the Mer chronicles find a happy ending for everyone.
I’ve enjoyed this series. I’m sad this is the last book and will be looking for more from this author. The ending fitted perfectly and I was hooked to every last page.
I’ve joined the blog tour and received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#mystery #suspense #fantasy #legend #mythology #romance
A fabulous # combination.
March 18, 2019
EMERGE gave a thrilling love story; SUBMERGE let us delve deeper into Tobie Easton’s meticulously built underwater world. Now, with IMMERSE, the triumphant conclusion to the Mer trilogy, Easton challenges the reader’s assumptions, letting us see Lia, the great heroine who saved the Mer, from the perspective of her enemy, Melusine. As the two characters play off one another in alternating point of view chapters, the strengths and flaws of both are thrown into sharp relief, reminding us how easy it is to dismiss what we don’t understand. Despite all they’ve been through, they face their greatest challenge when the two of them - one impulsive, warm, and sheltered, the other cool, distant, and calculating – must come together to stop a plot that would destroy the human world. This is a series finale that has it all: sigh-worthy romance, nail-biting adventure, and a gripping story of two very different girls navigating the shifting tides of family and societal expectations.
March 18, 2019
I have wanted to read this series for a long time. I do believe I read the first book a couple years ago, but I have absolutely no memory of it. None whatsoever. So getting to read it from start to finish was a necessity. So, here's a brief recap from the first two books in the series.
In the first book, EMERGE, Lia Nautilus is forced to live topside. Everything about her is kept a secret, but she has her difficulties. With a cute human-boy involved, what girl wouldn't have trouble?
In the second, SUBMERGE, a curse has been broken. I'll leave it at that. lol
And now onward to IMMERSE. There is the feeling of a love-triangle happening. I mean, c'mon. Lia cares about her best friend, Caspian, but she's definitely in love with Clay. Being torn away from him was nerve racking FOR ME! There's a lot of ugly coming and Lia just wants everything to work out!
Tobie Easton is an amazing storyteller. Her version of The Little Mermaid is phenomenal. It's brilliant. My mom told me that for the first 3 years of my life, The Little Mermaid was all I wanted to watch. To the extent that I would wake her up in the middle of the night because I figured out how to work the VCR (my goodness, I'm getting old if I am able to remember what a VHS is). Mermaids are definitely my favorite mythical creature and I feel that the Mer Chronicles is an excellent representation of that mystical world. It's amazing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Chapter by Chapter Book Tours. This is my honest, voluntary review.
In the first book, EMERGE, Lia Nautilus is forced to live topside. Everything about her is kept a secret, but she has her difficulties. With a cute human-boy involved, what girl wouldn't have trouble?
In the second, SUBMERGE, a curse has been broken. I'll leave it at that. lol
And now onward to IMMERSE. There is the feeling of a love-triangle happening. I mean, c'mon. Lia cares about her best friend, Caspian, but she's definitely in love with Clay. Being torn away from him was nerve racking FOR ME! There's a lot of ugly coming and Lia just wants everything to work out!
Tobie Easton is an amazing storyteller. Her version of The Little Mermaid is phenomenal. It's brilliant. My mom told me that for the first 3 years of my life, The Little Mermaid was all I wanted to watch. To the extent that I would wake her up in the middle of the night because I figured out how to work the VCR (my goodness, I'm getting old if I am able to remember what a VHS is). Mermaids are definitely my favorite mythical creature and I feel that the Mer Chronicles is an excellent representation of that mystical world. It's amazing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Chapter by Chapter Book Tours. This is my honest, voluntary review.
March 25, 2019
I loved books 1 and 2 of this series so I jumped at the chance to read and review the conclusion to this series. It was most definitely a good decision. Not only was it a great continuation and satisfying conclusion to a very enjoyable series but it was also a enjoyable and engaging story in its own right.
Book 3, Immerse, starts a day before Lia's parent's are due to be crowned King and Queen of Mer, Lia and Clay are seeing each other in secret and Caspian has been visiting Melusine in the not quite jail cell the community has placed her in.
I loved that this story is told from both Lia and Melusine's alternating points of view. It really added such depth to the story as the two characters have such different perspectives and I really like that we got to know more about Melusine in this book and got to explore both her feelings on her previous action in the pas two books as well as her perspective of the story unfolding in front of her. The storyline felt believable and I was glued till the end waiting to see how it all turned out. I liked the way the story built and the ending was everything I had hope for
I also felt that Lia grew a lot in this book both in her decision making and actions and I liked her even more in this book than I had previously.
Over all this book has all the elements of a great story; Characters that you could feel genuine connections to, a story line pulled you in and kept you there through all the twists and turns, and a nice balance of action, adventure and romance and leaves with a feeling of satisfaction in the ending.
I happily give this read 4 stars
SapphiredDragon xx
Book 3, Immerse, starts a day before Lia's parent's are due to be crowned King and Queen of Mer, Lia and Clay are seeing each other in secret and Caspian has been visiting Melusine in the not quite jail cell the community has placed her in.
I loved that this story is told from both Lia and Melusine's alternating points of view. It really added such depth to the story as the two characters have such different perspectives and I really like that we got to know more about Melusine in this book and got to explore both her feelings on her previous action in the pas two books as well as her perspective of the story unfolding in front of her. The storyline felt believable and I was glued till the end waiting to see how it all turned out. I liked the way the story built and the ending was everything I had hope for
I also felt that Lia grew a lot in this book both in her decision making and actions and I liked her even more in this book than I had previously.
Over all this book has all the elements of a great story; Characters that you could feel genuine connections to, a story line pulled you in and kept you there through all the twists and turns, and a nice balance of action, adventure and romance and leaves with a feeling of satisfaction in the ending.
I happily give this read 4 stars
SapphiredDragon xx
March 19, 2019
A noble end to a story we all know and love. I’m truly going to miss Clay and Lia. So many characters grew on me in this one. I do wish there was more, though. This is a series I could read forever!
June 9, 2019
Ending a series can be very emotional for both the author and reader. Plot threads to tie up, final goodbyes to characters and a sense of ‘there’s nothing left after this’. I’m happy to say that Tobie Easton does a good job with this, and left me wanting even more. Spoilers for the previous two books are in this review.
We start shortly after the end of Submerge, where Lia and Clay are trying to make him Mer per his request, Lia’s parents are being crowned and Mel is going through therapy based on her actions back in Emerge. But trouble is brewing and the effects could be world changing.
Unlike the first two books, we have the PoV of Mel as well as Lia. With one exception, their PoV’s are handed off every other chapter. At some points, it works for tension and some good cliffhangers, but sometimes, it really breaks the mood and the transition is a bit choppy. Like we’re in some high tense sequence, and then we go straight to a chit chat scene, and it happens more than once, and muddles the pace.
Not to say I didn’t like Lia and Mel. Lia’s the same as ever, trying to do whatever she can to help and protect her loved ones. Though at a few points, I was hoping that Lia would postpone her plans to make Clay Mer, but she didn’t give up, and in a way, I give her credit. Mel took me a bit to warm up to, but eventually, I see her own character growth, dealing with some reveals and getting closer to Caspian. I love her growth and I saw her in a new light from the first two books. I’m really glad Easton went with Mel instead of Clay for the second PoV (if you watch her interview with Kim Chance posted on release day, Easton mentioned this), as we see another aspect of how the law works around these parts from an insider instead of an outsider. Not to say that Clay is a bad character, he’s good, but he’s very much an outsider, and I love the guts and courage he shows throughout.
Most of the big development is Mel and Caspian, sharing a connection of sirens ruining their family lineage and about moving onto the future, which is a big theme of this book, looking towards tomorrow instead of the past all the time. Lia’s family doesn’t get too much development beyond what they have already, though they have a big segment about halfway through where their arcs reach their climax. I was a bit saddened that Ordine’s students didn’t get too much more development, but they did really help in terms of Mel’s development. As a side note, we haven’t seen much of Lia’s human high school friends (not named Clay) at all, and Kelsey was mentioned three times total in the book. I understand why, but I kinda wanted a bit of closure to their arcs as well.
In terms of the plot, while everything connects, some parts of the plot sorta dragged in the middle, but for the most part, was almost as gripping as Submerge and some parts, especially during the well done climax, had me reeling. The prose is for the most part vivid, the setting immersive and just had me want to be in the world without end. Besides the PoV handoffs, not a lot of choppiness. I love the new additions, while not as much as Submerge added, had an idea that a new era was about to begin in the Mer world.
I was very satisfied with the ending and loved how everything turned out, and sad to have to see an end to the series. There’s always fan fiction to get more of this world Easton crafted. Thank you for this series.
We start shortly after the end of Submerge, where Lia and Clay are trying to make him Mer per his request, Lia’s parents are being crowned and Mel is going through therapy based on her actions back in Emerge. But trouble is brewing and the effects could be world changing.
Unlike the first two books, we have the PoV of Mel as well as Lia. With one exception, their PoV’s are handed off every other chapter. At some points, it works for tension and some good cliffhangers, but sometimes, it really breaks the mood and the transition is a bit choppy. Like we’re in some high tense sequence, and then we go straight to a chit chat scene, and it happens more than once, and muddles the pace.
Not to say I didn’t like Lia and Mel. Lia’s the same as ever, trying to do whatever she can to help and protect her loved ones. Though at a few points, I was hoping that Lia would postpone her plans to make Clay Mer, but she didn’t give up, and in a way, I give her credit. Mel took me a bit to warm up to, but eventually, I see her own character growth, dealing with some reveals and getting closer to Caspian. I love her growth and I saw her in a new light from the first two books. I’m really glad Easton went with Mel instead of Clay for the second PoV (if you watch her interview with Kim Chance posted on release day, Easton mentioned this), as we see another aspect of how the law works around these parts from an insider instead of an outsider. Not to say that Clay is a bad character, he’s good, but he’s very much an outsider, and I love the guts and courage he shows throughout.
Most of the big development is Mel and Caspian, sharing a connection of sirens ruining their family lineage and about moving onto the future, which is a big theme of this book, looking towards tomorrow instead of the past all the time. Lia’s family doesn’t get too much development beyond what they have already, though they have a big segment about halfway through where their arcs reach their climax. I was a bit saddened that Ordine’s students didn’t get too much more development, but they did really help in terms of Mel’s development. As a side note, we haven’t seen much of Lia’s human high school friends (not named Clay) at all, and Kelsey was mentioned three times total in the book. I understand why, but I kinda wanted a bit of closure to their arcs as well.
In terms of the plot, while everything connects, some parts of the plot sorta dragged in the middle, but for the most part, was almost as gripping as Submerge and some parts, especially during the well done climax, had me reeling. The prose is for the most part vivid, the setting immersive and just had me want to be in the world without end. Besides the PoV handoffs, not a lot of choppiness. I love the new additions, while not as much as Submerge added, had an idea that a new era was about to begin in the Mer world.
I was very satisfied with the ending and loved how everything turned out, and sad to have to see an end to the series. There’s always fan fiction to get more of this world Easton crafted. Thank you for this series.
May 31, 2021
I know this was meant to be the final installment of the Mer Chronicles, but I feel like there could absolutely be more! I loved every moment!
March 7, 2019
This was definitely a stunning ending to a great series!!! I can't believe Lia and Clay got their happily ever after!!!!😍😍 Lia fought hard for what she wanted and for what she believed in! Caspian was an amazing help to Melusine...wow Melusine...I had no idea what to expect when I heard this book would be from her POV as well. It definitely changed my perspective about her. She pushed herself as a character and struggled with her inner demons. And while they may not be completely at rest, Melusine won't have to battle them alone anymore. And I'm sincerely happy for this character. She's definitely come a long, long way from where she was in book one. And of course we can't forget heartthrob Clay!! Who inadvertently started this whole adventure! He was absolutely wonderful and one of my permanent book crushes 💙💙💙
February 8, 2019
A Spellbinding Conclusion | Review of ‘Immerse’ (Mer Chronicles #3) | Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
What an incredible conclusion to Easton’s wonderful Mer Chronicles series that takes the tale of The Little Mermaid and expands upon it. It’s a wonderful read how in the way that it connects to the original tale, reenacting it in its own way. But the more riveting part of the story is the world-building. Easton pours her heart and imagination into making this novel come to life beautifully. Easton clearly worked very hard to construct a different set of linguistics. The novel has its own dictionary that works so well to bring to book to life in such a realistic way. The culture is so vibrant, and the dialogue is incredibly rich and thoughtful.
There is also the way the novel differs from the previous two novels. Instead of just focusing on Lia’s perspective, it also splits by showing the reader Melusine’s perspective. Both girls’ function as foils of one another, their tones so completely different than one another. But whereas in the previous novels Lia seemed like an almost infallible character, her prejudice against Melusine clouds much of her judgment, making her a flawed and character, and in some ways, more human and more relatable. Then there is Melusine, the former antagonist who tried to kill Lia and Clay in the first novel, and who also helped in Caspian’s rescue in Emerge. She is a character on the road to redemption in this novel, and understanding her, bringing to life her life, her past, her perspective, shows where she came from and gives the reader a chance to understand her motivations, why she did the things she did. This allows her the chance to grow, to become something more than a villain.
As a conclusion, the novel is riveting, it’s so fast-paced and the lore in the novel makes the novel grow beautifully. The romance and tension rise and the adventure, the risks the characters take for one another are so empowering, allowing the story to entrance the reader much like a Siren’s song. (★★★★☆ |A)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
What an incredible conclusion to Easton’s wonderful Mer Chronicles series that takes the tale of The Little Mermaid and expands upon it. It’s a wonderful read how in the way that it connects to the original tale, reenacting it in its own way. But the more riveting part of the story is the world-building. Easton pours her heart and imagination into making this novel come to life beautifully. Easton clearly worked very hard to construct a different set of linguistics. The novel has its own dictionary that works so well to bring to book to life in such a realistic way. The culture is so vibrant, and the dialogue is incredibly rich and thoughtful.
There is also the way the novel differs from the previous two novels. Instead of just focusing on Lia’s perspective, it also splits by showing the reader Melusine’s perspective. Both girls’ function as foils of one another, their tones so completely different than one another. But whereas in the previous novels Lia seemed like an almost infallible character, her prejudice against Melusine clouds much of her judgment, making her a flawed and character, and in some ways, more human and more relatable. Then there is Melusine, the former antagonist who tried to kill Lia and Clay in the first novel, and who also helped in Caspian’s rescue in Emerge. She is a character on the road to redemption in this novel, and understanding her, bringing to life her life, her past, her perspective, shows where she came from and gives the reader a chance to understand her motivations, why she did the things she did. This allows her the chance to grow, to become something more than a villain.
As a conclusion, the novel is riveting, it’s so fast-paced and the lore in the novel makes the novel grow beautifully. The romance and tension rise and the adventure, the risks the characters take for one another are so empowering, allowing the story to entrance the reader much like a Siren’s song. (★★★★☆ |A)
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Google+ | LinkedIn
March 19, 2019
Holy wow, this book is SO GOOD!!!
I absolutely loved the first two books, and this one might be my favorite. In fact, it's one of my favorite books of all time.
The depth that Easton brings to her story and characters is mindblowing. I won't give away spoilers, but the way she used alternating POVs in this book is nothing short of brilliant. A lot of writers have great ideas but need work on the execution. Easton, however, does it all--amazing ideas AND amazing execution.
So many of my favorite characters are back. (Can we all take a moment to appreciate how adorable and glorious Amy and Stas are? My love for them is infinite. And Melusine...oh Melusine, you are everything.) But if you thought you knew these characters before...you haven't seen anything yet. Get ready for a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, thrilling adventure and swoony romance(s), which reveal so many things that I never saw coming.
I'm also majorly impressed by the world Easton has created. It's rich in fascinating details, from the underwater Mer city to the secret community on land. Each book explores more of Mer culture, and I'm just here to joyfully soak it all up.
AND THAT ENDING. Whew. I was turning pages so fast that I was out of breath. Just read it...trust me.
I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to this trilogy. I'm only sad there won't be more Mer Chronicles! (Or will there be? I personally have no idea, but I would love a spinoff series.)
This is a magical story that holds a very special place on my bookshelf. (Which works out well, because...THAT COVER. So beautiful and stunning.) I know I'm going to be reading this book again and again, and I can't wait to see what Easton writes next! <3 <3 <3
I absolutely loved the first two books, and this one might be my favorite. In fact, it's one of my favorite books of all time.
The depth that Easton brings to her story and characters is mindblowing. I won't give away spoilers, but the way she used alternating POVs in this book is nothing short of brilliant. A lot of writers have great ideas but need work on the execution. Easton, however, does it all--amazing ideas AND amazing execution.
So many of my favorite characters are back. (Can we all take a moment to appreciate how adorable and glorious Amy and Stas are? My love for them is infinite. And Melusine...oh Melusine, you are everything.) But if you thought you knew these characters before...you haven't seen anything yet. Get ready for a jaw-dropping, heart-pounding, thrilling adventure and swoony romance(s), which reveal so many things that I never saw coming.
I'm also majorly impressed by the world Easton has created. It's rich in fascinating details, from the underwater Mer city to the secret community on land. Each book explores more of Mer culture, and I'm just here to joyfully soak it all up.
AND THAT ENDING. Whew. I was turning pages so fast that I was out of breath. Just read it...trust me.
I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion to this trilogy. I'm only sad there won't be more Mer Chronicles! (Or will there be? I personally have no idea, but I would love a spinoff series.)
This is a magical story that holds a very special place on my bookshelf. (Which works out well, because...THAT COVER. So beautiful and stunning.) I know I'm going to be reading this book again and again, and I can't wait to see what Easton writes next! <3 <3 <3
May 28, 2019
Official Blurb:
Easton's incandescent finale to her Mer Chronicles sparkles like the glittering scales of a mermaid's tail. When you dive into her world under the sea, you won’t want to come up for air until you’ve read every last magical word. Fans will love this final installment of the Mer Chronicles!
Less official but just as true:
You need this series in your life because a) mermaid/human adventures and plot twists you didn't see coming b) gorgeous under the sea imagery and world building c) character transformations (both figurative and otherwise) d) it's just that great!!
So, seriously, do yourself a favor and immerse yourself (wink, wink, pun intended) in The Mer Chronicles if you haven't already!!!
Easton's incandescent finale to her Mer Chronicles sparkles like the glittering scales of a mermaid's tail. When you dive into her world under the sea, you won’t want to come up for air until you’ve read every last magical word. Fans will love this final installment of the Mer Chronicles!
Less official but just as true:
You need this series in your life because a) mermaid/human adventures and plot twists you didn't see coming b) gorgeous under the sea imagery and world building c) character transformations (both figurative and otherwise) d) it's just that great!!
So, seriously, do yourself a favor and immerse yourself (wink, wink, pun intended) in The Mer Chronicles if you haven't already!!!
July 14, 2019
Author Tobie Easton emerged on the YA mermaid scene with her debut Emerge, an engaging tale (tail?) about mermaids living among humans because the famed Little Mermaid—yeah, that one—caused a curse, taking away their immortality. Main character and narrator Lia Nautilus is a direct descendent of that mermaid, and her adventure was both fun fantasy and teen story. And like any good YA novel, she makes mistakes and break the rules along the way both to be with her crush—a human boy named Clay—and to help protect the Mer community.
With the sequel, Submerge, Easton dove deeper into the characters and their world. I wrote in my review that Lia as a character had grown and was dealing with holding herself accountable for some wrong-but-for-the-right-reasons decisions she had made. I thoroughly enjoyed the added depth and felt that this second part was stronger than the wonderful first part.
Now her Mer Chronicles has a third part, Immerse, and due to a hectic work schedule for me, I wasn’t able to read it as soon as it was released, which was my original plan. It took me a while to start, and like many final parts of trilogies, I won’t deny that I entered with some trepidation. I’ve been burned by third parts before—I won’t name any other trilogies here—but they usually follow this pattern: First book strong, with a story that could stand alone. Second book better, with a mind-blowing cliffhanger. Third book not as strong, often with a disappointing ending.
I’m overjoyed to proclaim that Easton’s Mer Chronicles is NOT that kind of trilogy, because Immerse is undoubtedly the best book in the series for several reasons.
Note: no spoilers for Immerse, but to continue, I must mention some plot points from Emerge and Submerge.
After Lia and Clay’s love broke the curse in Emerge, the Mers got their immortality back. Their reward to Clay was wiping his memory of the existence of mermaids. Lia fixes that in Submerge, but their relationship hits a dilemma. Since she’s immortal and he will age, the only solution is to make him Mer. That’s the springboard point for Immerse.
When I opened to Chapter 1, I saw the subtitle “Lia” to indicate that it would be told from her point of view. Immediately, I assumed that there’d also be chapters from Clay’s point of view—with him being on land and her in the water, both trying to find a way to make him Mer. She could research Mer magic (which she does), and he could research folklore in human libraries and the internet (which he does), but he’s not the second point of view.
Imagine my shock and surprise when I got to Chapter 2 and learned that the alternating narrator was Melusine, one of the antagonists from Emerge, who sirened Clay to put her nefarious father’s plan to be the savior of Merkind into motion. This is such a bold, gutsy choice, and Easton utterly and completely made it work wonders for the story.
Hearing events from Melusine’s point of view inserts such vibrancy into the story, preventing the third part from being one of those disappointing series-enders I referenced earlier. Honestly, she’s my favorite character in this book because of her complexity. She’s at times nasty and at other times sympathetic, but she’s always such an intriguing perspective. The chapters alternate between her and Lia, and Easton uses this device in fun and interesting ways. Their narrations sometimes swim in parallel, as in consecutive chapters when they are both discussing their prior transgressions with other while maturely holding themselves accountable, and sometimes crash into each other, as in one chapter ending with an encounter between them and the next chapter continuing it and flipping the scales. I’ve read books with multiple narrators before to know when it does and doesn’t work, and here, it’s brilliantly and near flawlessly executed.
One of my other favorite parts of the book—well, the whole series—is how it utilizes events from the original Little Mermaid fairytale in unique and surprising ways. The first book dealt with the consequences from those events, but after that in the next book, Melusine magically gets her voice taken away just like the original mermaid, and here, it’s all about events at the ending of the original story. Not only that, but the clever use of details from the previous two books to accomplish tasks in this one shows how well-thought-out and planned this series is.
Tobie Easton’s Mer Chronicles is an immersive series, with an extensive world and engaging characters who not only face darker dangers but also mature as the series progresses, with this final book being a fitting culmination of excellent stories. As a series, it feels complete, but since it’s referred to as “Chronicles” instead of a trilogy, I wonder—and desperately hope—that there are more stories to tell in this world.
With the sequel, Submerge, Easton dove deeper into the characters and their world. I wrote in my review that Lia as a character had grown and was dealing with holding herself accountable for some wrong-but-for-the-right-reasons decisions she had made. I thoroughly enjoyed the added depth and felt that this second part was stronger than the wonderful first part.
Now her Mer Chronicles has a third part, Immerse, and due to a hectic work schedule for me, I wasn’t able to read it as soon as it was released, which was my original plan. It took me a while to start, and like many final parts of trilogies, I won’t deny that I entered with some trepidation. I’ve been burned by third parts before—I won’t name any other trilogies here—but they usually follow this pattern: First book strong, with a story that could stand alone. Second book better, with a mind-blowing cliffhanger. Third book not as strong, often with a disappointing ending.
I’m overjoyed to proclaim that Easton’s Mer Chronicles is NOT that kind of trilogy, because Immerse is undoubtedly the best book in the series for several reasons.
Note: no spoilers for Immerse, but to continue, I must mention some plot points from Emerge and Submerge.
After Lia and Clay’s love broke the curse in Emerge, the Mers got their immortality back. Their reward to Clay was wiping his memory of the existence of mermaids. Lia fixes that in Submerge, but their relationship hits a dilemma. Since she’s immortal and he will age, the only solution is to make him Mer. That’s the springboard point for Immerse.
When I opened to Chapter 1, I saw the subtitle “Lia” to indicate that it would be told from her point of view. Immediately, I assumed that there’d also be chapters from Clay’s point of view—with him being on land and her in the water, both trying to find a way to make him Mer. She could research Mer magic (which she does), and he could research folklore in human libraries and the internet (which he does), but he’s not the second point of view.
Imagine my shock and surprise when I got to Chapter 2 and learned that the alternating narrator was Melusine, one of the antagonists from Emerge, who sirened Clay to put her nefarious father’s plan to be the savior of Merkind into motion. This is such a bold, gutsy choice, and Easton utterly and completely made it work wonders for the story.
Hearing events from Melusine’s point of view inserts such vibrancy into the story, preventing the third part from being one of those disappointing series-enders I referenced earlier. Honestly, she’s my favorite character in this book because of her complexity. She’s at times nasty and at other times sympathetic, but she’s always such an intriguing perspective. The chapters alternate between her and Lia, and Easton uses this device in fun and interesting ways. Their narrations sometimes swim in parallel, as in consecutive chapters when they are both discussing their prior transgressions with other while maturely holding themselves accountable, and sometimes crash into each other, as in one chapter ending with an encounter between them and the next chapter continuing it and flipping the scales. I’ve read books with multiple narrators before to know when it does and doesn’t work, and here, it’s brilliantly and near flawlessly executed.
One of my other favorite parts of the book—well, the whole series—is how it utilizes events from the original Little Mermaid fairytale in unique and surprising ways. The first book dealt with the consequences from those events, but after that in the next book, Melusine magically gets her voice taken away just like the original mermaid, and here, it’s all about events at the ending of the original story. Not only that, but the clever use of details from the previous two books to accomplish tasks in this one shows how well-thought-out and planned this series is.
Tobie Easton’s Mer Chronicles is an immersive series, with an extensive world and engaging characters who not only face darker dangers but also mature as the series progresses, with this final book being a fitting culmination of excellent stories. As a series, it feels complete, but since it’s referred to as “Chronicles” instead of a trilogy, I wonder—and desperately hope—that there are more stories to tell in this world.
April 16, 2019
Tobie Easton’s Mer Chronicles have never been more than fluffy tween escapism, and they’re not meant to be. Immerse, the series’ supposed conclusion—and I say “supposed” because there’s a bit of sequel bait tacked onto the end, even though the story is mostly wrapped up—might be the most predictable and safe of all three books, which, again, isn’t a bad thing. These books are middle-school mermaid daydreams that don’t suffer from appalling stupidity and have enough self-awareness and care placed into the characters and the world-building that they almost rise above their somewhat silly premise.
Immerse is basically one long conclusion to Submerge, in which Lia tries to make her human boyfriend, Clay, into a merman so they can live happily ever after in underwater immortality. Everything else is just fluffy padding, and there’s nothing surprising in any of it, but it’s still a pleasurable enough venture into Easton’s underwater world that it doesn’t feel draggy (even though by all means it probably should). There’s still a level of originality that I appreciate in this depiction of mermaids, from their legal system to their language, and while it’s not the most sophisticated presentation of mermaids out there, it’s also not entirely implausible and it shows a great deal of imagination.
On a character front, I might even say that the players in Immerse are better than they ever have been before. Lia hasn’t really gotten any more interesting, though she’s a perfectly sufficient protagonist for this kind of story, but the other half of the book goes to Melusine, who was initially Lia’s sultry mean girl foil in Emerge, and her segments add a layer to the story that I really appreciated. I wouldn’t say that Easton’s handling of Melusine in Immerse is all that groundbreaking—particularly since her redemption arc already began in Submerge—and Lia’s persistent claims that Melusine is still secretly evil, even after her assistance in the last book, stagnate the story something awful. But Melusine’s checkered past and caustic attitude give her a more dynamic voice than Lia (who she welcomely mocks at every turn), and I liked watching her attitude slowly change over the course of the novel. The morally ambiguous characters are almost always the most memorable ones, and Melusine’s shifting views of her father and the merman Caspian provide something beyond Lia’s “make my lover immortal” plot. Clay is also marginally more interesting in this installment than he was in the previous two—which is not saying much (especially because he’s barely in this book), but at least in these moments he actually retains control of his mind and memories and demonstrates thoughts of his own. Giving him and Melusine a small moment of reconciliation was also a smart touch.
I confess, that in terms of Immerse’s content, that I have personal issues with the flippant way that Clay’s transformation is presented—there are a lot of long-reaching ramifications that come with becoming another species and suddenly gaining eternal life that I don’t think are really addressed (like how he’s going to feel about watching his friends and family die while he remains a permanently magical young adult—and then would he feel guilty for not making them Mer, too? It opens a whole can of worms that the novel largely brushes aside under the guise of “we’re in love and now we shall have eternity forever and it will all be great”). However, I do like that the way the characters went about it was within the law and it was cool to see Lia’s sisters and cousins join her in her efforts to unlock the spell—it harkened back to The Little Mermaid’s themes of sisterhood (which are often forgotten) with the risks that Lia’s relatives are willing to take to help her in her goals.
This series was basically the best kind of bubblegum cute mermaid fantasy—not the passionate star-crossed love that I normally associate with mermaid romance (Lia and Clay’s love story is too bland for that), but a wonderful dive into a developed mermaid culture with a real respect for the universe’s rules and investment in narrative follow-throughs. The trilogy’s ability to rise above some of the cheaper narrative choices that could have been made—such as having Lia subvert the law to get what she wants in the end because she and Clay are supposedly above it (in the shaky logic of most teen paranormal romances) or keeping Melusine as the evil seductress rather than a realized character with her own arc (and happy ending!)—make it all the more impressive. Immerse is a safe, sweet conclusion to a story that has excelled in giddy escapism—in other words, it was entirely what I expected (and, in the case of Easton’s Mer Chronicles, that’s a good thing).
3 stars.
Immerse is basically one long conclusion to Submerge, in which Lia tries to make her human boyfriend, Clay, into a merman so they can live happily ever after in underwater immortality. Everything else is just fluffy padding, and there’s nothing surprising in any of it, but it’s still a pleasurable enough venture into Easton’s underwater world that it doesn’t feel draggy (even though by all means it probably should). There’s still a level of originality that I appreciate in this depiction of mermaids, from their legal system to their language, and while it’s not the most sophisticated presentation of mermaids out there, it’s also not entirely implausible and it shows a great deal of imagination.
On a character front, I might even say that the players in Immerse are better than they ever have been before. Lia hasn’t really gotten any more interesting, though she’s a perfectly sufficient protagonist for this kind of story, but the other half of the book goes to Melusine, who was initially Lia’s sultry mean girl foil in Emerge, and her segments add a layer to the story that I really appreciated. I wouldn’t say that Easton’s handling of Melusine in Immerse is all that groundbreaking—particularly since her redemption arc already began in Submerge—and Lia’s persistent claims that Melusine is still secretly evil, even after her assistance in the last book, stagnate the story something awful. But Melusine’s checkered past and caustic attitude give her a more dynamic voice than Lia (who she welcomely mocks at every turn), and I liked watching her attitude slowly change over the course of the novel. The morally ambiguous characters are almost always the most memorable ones, and Melusine’s shifting views of her father and the merman Caspian provide something beyond Lia’s “make my lover immortal” plot. Clay is also marginally more interesting in this installment than he was in the previous two—which is not saying much (especially because he’s barely in this book), but at least in these moments he actually retains control of his mind and memories and demonstrates thoughts of his own. Giving him and Melusine a small moment of reconciliation was also a smart touch.
I confess, that in terms of Immerse’s content, that I have personal issues with the flippant way that Clay’s transformation is presented—there are a lot of long-reaching ramifications that come with becoming another species and suddenly gaining eternal life that I don’t think are really addressed (like how he’s going to feel about watching his friends and family die while he remains a permanently magical young adult—and then would he feel guilty for not making them Mer, too? It opens a whole can of worms that the novel largely brushes aside under the guise of “we’re in love and now we shall have eternity forever and it will all be great”). However, I do like that the way the characters went about it was within the law and it was cool to see Lia’s sisters and cousins join her in her efforts to unlock the spell—it harkened back to The Little Mermaid’s themes of sisterhood (which are often forgotten) with the risks that Lia’s relatives are willing to take to help her in her goals.
This series was basically the best kind of bubblegum cute mermaid fantasy—not the passionate star-crossed love that I normally associate with mermaid romance (Lia and Clay’s love story is too bland for that), but a wonderful dive into a developed mermaid culture with a real respect for the universe’s rules and investment in narrative follow-throughs. The trilogy’s ability to rise above some of the cheaper narrative choices that could have been made—such as having Lia subvert the law to get what she wants in the end because she and Clay are supposedly above it (in the shaky logic of most teen paranormal romances) or keeping Melusine as the evil seductress rather than a realized character with her own arc (and happy ending!)—make it all the more impressive. Immerse is a safe, sweet conclusion to a story that has excelled in giddy escapism—in other words, it was entirely what I expected (and, in the case of Easton’s Mer Chronicles, that’s a good thing).
3 stars.
November 28, 2021
Immerse yourself in this final book, a thrilling conclusion to the Mer Chronicles! This book tells stories from Lia and Melusine's point of view. It's interesting to dwell inside the character's mind, one we see as a villain.
From the first moment I read about Melusine and her punishment, I always had the nagging feeling that she would be playing a significant role in the story. And I have been wondering why she didn't reveal Lia's secret, whether she was beyond redemption, and if her father would retaliate.
I got all the answers in this book, plus an unexpected adventure, revelation and most importantly, a happy ending! Tallimymee, Tobie, for creating such an incredible story. I'll miss the underwater world, but with the way it finished, it's opening up for the possibility of a sequel to this series! Where did you go, Ondine?
From the first moment I read about Melusine and her punishment, I always had the nagging feeling that she would be playing a significant role in the story. And I have been wondering why she didn't reveal Lia's secret, whether she was beyond redemption, and if her father would retaliate.
I got all the answers in this book, plus an unexpected adventure, revelation and most importantly, a happy ending! Tallimymee, Tobie, for creating such an incredible story. I'll miss the underwater world, but with the way it finished, it's opening up for the possibility of a sequel to this series! Where did you go, Ondine?
October 11, 2023
I really enjoyed the altering points of view in this final installment. I figured from what Caspian told about Melusine in the second book that even if she played the villain of the first book, we would learn more about her, which we did in Immerse. I almost cried for her in some parts of the story, but I’m guessing she wouldn’t have appreciated that.
I also enjoyed the way things ended, but I’m just going to leave it at that.
I also enjoyed the way things ended, but I’m just going to leave it at that.
March 12, 2019
I had trouble keeping interested in the beginning. It was a bit slow and wasn't really going anywhere. The main part was really Mel's transition and her developing relationship with Caspian. The book did pick up at the end so I was glad I stuck it out. Ended well.
June 8, 2019
I am so happy Lia was able to figure out how to make Clay Mer. But also giving Melusine the benefit of the doubt and allowing her to be with Caspian after making amends for everything she done. Still though, I’m upset that this series has to end. It’s been an amazing adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2019
I love these books!! This was a very satisfying end to the trilogy but I still want more!
May 4, 2019
Loved it
I love Toby Easton's style of writing! the love story and the twist in turns in her books is great! Its never predictable and always a great story!
I love Toby Easton's style of writing! the love story and the twist in turns in her books is great! Its never predictable and always a great story!
May 7, 2019
A great ending to the trilogy. I really enjoyed Melusine’s POV much more than Lia. If you like mermaid books, give these books a try.
September 16, 2021
LOVE THESE BOOKS FIVE STARS!!!!!!!!!
October 25, 2021
Maaaaan she's even more entitled then Elena Gilbert, didn't think that was possible.
April 18, 2023
I really felt, everything I needed to get closure on, had the perfect closure. This trilogy will be on my recommended list for a long time! A solid read.
August 28, 2023
Perfect finale! I loved this last book of the series. Wonderful character growth and the second perspective highlights the conflict, both internal and external.
September 22, 2024
3.5 stars -- there were definitely twists I didn't see coming! I'm not sure how I feel about the ending on this one.
June 17, 2019
Month9books was kind enough to send me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This by no means altered my opinion on the final installment of this trilogy.
I fell in love with Lia’s world back in 2016 and was introduced to a wonderful and fresh take on mermaids. Mermaids were once immortal, but it was ripped from them (quite literally!) when the “original” little mermaid made a choice that changed the lives of every mer-creature. Now mortal, the older mermaids died instantly if they were past the normal life span of us puny humans.
With mortality weighing on all their shoulders, massive changes had to be made and decisions thought through more incredulously. They now needed to live among humans and walk among them as if they were one of us.
Lia fell in love with a mortal, dabbled in some extremely dangerous sirening to save that human from another siren. Lia saved said mortal from being sacrificed at the hands of the siren and because Lia is a descendant of the Little Mermaid, and Clay is a descendant of the Prince, the curse was lifted and immortality restored to all Merfolk.
She faced a trial and the boy she loved was sentenced to forget about her and her world forever, while the mermaid that started all of it had her voice stripped from her (just like Ariel?) and could only speak Mermese underwater.
pLoT tWiST, Clay remembered Lia (after a bit and him wondering why on earth she felt so familiar) and at the very end of Submerge, Lia and Clay want to find a way for him, too, to become immortal. Is it possible????
After reading Immerse, I really wish I could be a mermaid. Seriously, I want to cry pearls!!! I was so thrilled to be back in this amazing world of mermaids and magic and everything. Throughout this trilogy, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Lia mature and grow up from the very obvious teenager she was in the first book. There were times in Submerge I was kinda rooting for Lia and Cas. Especially when Cas started being nice to Mel!!!!! However, I’m truly glad Lia and Clay found each other again.
I re-read the first two books in preparation for this one, but I didn’t need to. Immerse gives a quite detailed backlog on the first two books that in my opinion could have been just a wee bit shorter. While I totally understand a refresher, and feel they are necessary in series, especially if there was a two year gap between books as was the case here, I almost felt like you really wouldn’t *have* to read the first two books to understand this one. With that being said, this book was still amazing!
Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that the journey I went on with this book is one I won’t forget. The ending couldn’t have been better and i am so stinking happy with the way this series drew to a close. I wish I could reread the entire series for the first time just to relive the magic and awe I experienced when reading them the first go. This series is still by far my most favorite mermaid series, and certainly the most well done. I believe I’ve said it before, but I’ve read (or tried to read) many other mermaid books, but none of them could quite quench that thirst for a good, well-written mermaid book without making it seem lame or corny, or just plain awful. Tobie Easton, however, has done it three times!
I highly, highly recommend this series to anyone that loves mermaids, mermaid lore, or mythology lore, with a good ‘ole romance mixed in there too! This series was truly magical and I am extremely grateful to Month9Books for sending me not only an eARC of this book, but for sending me an eARC of the second as well! It was such a pleasure to be given the chance to read those two books and be able to share with future readers of this incredible trilogy my opinion.
Thank you so very much, Month9Books! I loved this trilogy more than I can say and I look forward to any possible opportunities to work with you again in the future
I fell in love with Lia’s world back in 2016 and was introduced to a wonderful and fresh take on mermaids. Mermaids were once immortal, but it was ripped from them (quite literally!) when the “original” little mermaid made a choice that changed the lives of every mer-creature. Now mortal, the older mermaids died instantly if they were past the normal life span of us puny humans.
With mortality weighing on all their shoulders, massive changes had to be made and decisions thought through more incredulously. They now needed to live among humans and walk among them as if they were one of us.
Lia fell in love with a mortal, dabbled in some extremely dangerous sirening to save that human from another siren. Lia saved said mortal from being sacrificed at the hands of the siren and because Lia is a descendant of the Little Mermaid, and Clay is a descendant of the Prince, the curse was lifted and immortality restored to all Merfolk.
She faced a trial and the boy she loved was sentenced to forget about her and her world forever, while the mermaid that started all of it had her voice stripped from her (just like Ariel?) and could only speak Mermese underwater.
pLoT tWiST, Clay remembered Lia (after a bit and him wondering why on earth she felt so familiar) and at the very end of Submerge, Lia and Clay want to find a way for him, too, to become immortal. Is it possible????
After reading Immerse, I really wish I could be a mermaid. Seriously, I want to cry pearls!!! I was so thrilled to be back in this amazing world of mermaids and magic and everything. Throughout this trilogy, I’ve really enjoyed seeing Lia mature and grow up from the very obvious teenager she was in the first book. There were times in Submerge I was kinda rooting for Lia and Cas. Especially when Cas started being nice to Mel!!!!! However, I’m truly glad Lia and Clay found each other again.
I re-read the first two books in preparation for this one, but I didn’t need to. Immerse gives a quite detailed backlog on the first two books that in my opinion could have been just a wee bit shorter. While I totally understand a refresher, and feel they are necessary in series, especially if there was a two year gap between books as was the case here, I almost felt like you really wouldn’t *have* to read the first two books to understand this one. With that being said, this book was still amazing!
Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that the journey I went on with this book is one I won’t forget. The ending couldn’t have been better and i am so stinking happy with the way this series drew to a close. I wish I could reread the entire series for the first time just to relive the magic and awe I experienced when reading them the first go. This series is still by far my most favorite mermaid series, and certainly the most well done. I believe I’ve said it before, but I’ve read (or tried to read) many other mermaid books, but none of them could quite quench that thirst for a good, well-written mermaid book without making it seem lame or corny, or just plain awful. Tobie Easton, however, has done it three times!
I highly, highly recommend this series to anyone that loves mermaids, mermaid lore, or mythology lore, with a good ‘ole romance mixed in there too! This series was truly magical and I am extremely grateful to Month9Books for sending me not only an eARC of this book, but for sending me an eARC of the second as well! It was such a pleasure to be given the chance to read those two books and be able to share with future readers of this incredible trilogy my opinion.
Thank you so very much, Month9Books! I loved this trilogy more than I can say and I look forward to any possible opportunities to work with you again in the future
May 18, 2021
Read Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
I felt like things took a little longer to get started with this one, so I had a bit of a hard time getting into it at first. We don't just get Lia's perspective this time around. Melusine is also telling this part of the story, and I really enjoyed getting her perspective. In general, the characters in this book, and whole series really, are so well fleshed out. I really felt like I was getting to know them. This has been a fantastic trilogy, and I'm sad it's the last book, but I'm completely satisfied with how everything turned out.
The ARC of Immerse Mer Chronicles by Tobie Easton was kindly provided to me by Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
I felt like things took a little longer to get started with this one, so I had a bit of a hard time getting into it at first. We don't just get Lia's perspective this time around. Melusine is also telling this part of the story, and I really enjoyed getting her perspective. In general, the characters in this book, and whole series really, are so well fleshed out. I really felt like I was getting to know them. This has been a fantastic trilogy, and I'm sad it's the last book, but I'm completely satisfied with how everything turned out.
The ARC of Immerse Mer Chronicles by Tobie Easton was kindly provided to me by Bewitching Book Tours for review. The opinions are my own.
April 9, 2019
LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this book! I'm not usually one who needs or wants to read the villain's perspective, so I initially wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading both Lia's and Melusine's point of view after what Melusine had done in the previous books, but as I kept reading, Easton skillfully won me over to her side. I really just wanted to stay in the author's version of the Mer world as long as possible because it's so gorgeous and well-rendered, but I couldn't stop turning the pages. Such a satisfying ending to the series!! Can't wait for whatever Easton has up next!
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