Tales of the Sea Witch

Tales of the Sea #1

by Lou Wilham

No creature under the sea is born dark; some just lose themselves.

Irsa's name was lost long ago to the obscurity of being labeled a villain. Born with enough magic to boil the ocean, all Irsa wants is a simple life with her best friend, Aislin. But when they discover their connection is more than just friendship, the pair must fight all odds to be together.

Surviving the sea isn't easy, but Irsa has never known any different. With Aislin by her side, she must face a wicked witch, defy a prince, and maybe gain all she ever wanted: a happily ever after.

Genres: LGBT, Fantasy, Mermaids, Fiction

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2020

About the author

Born and raised in a small town near the Chesapeake Bay, Lou Wilham grew up on a steady diet of fiction, arts and crafts, and Old Bay. After years of absorbing everything, there was to absorb of fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi she's left with a serious writing/drawing habit that just won't quit. These days, she spends much of her time writing, drawing, and chasing a very short Basset Hound named Sherlock.

When not, daydreaming up new characters to write and draw she can be found crocheting, making cute bookmarks, and binge-watching whatever happens to catch her eye.

Learn more about Lou and her future projects on her website: https://louinprogress.com

Or follow her on social media @lou.wilham on Instagram or @louwilham on Facebook.

Reviews

[Leelynn (Sometimes Leelynn Reads) ❤ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Reedsy Discovery, and Lou Wilham for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.



I know that there have been a few versions of the sea witch origin story, and some of them can be pretty similar which is fine, but I think that this is one of my favorite ones with a couple of exceptions.

First of all, I hate that in this one, we don’t even know if Irsa is her real name because apparently it was forgotten in history. This is what the prologue said and it literally broke my heart because the sea witch is always vilified without any form of humanity attached to her:

Her name – lost long ago to the vagueness and obscurity of being labeled a villain – but for our purposes, we will call her Irsa.

I mean even whatever her real name was something that her grandmother didn’t find particularly enjoyable or agreeing, so maybe it’s a good thing that history doesn’t remember the name she was given by her own mother. But just completely writing her name out of history because the world only sees her as a villain, nothing more, just breaks my heart. She didn’t start off as a villain, and in fact her story before she became this villain that everyone sees her as…. was just heartbreaking. I’m surprised she didn’t turn into a “villain” long ago. We’ve seen others do it but we still remember their names, right?

Anyway that’s just part of the plot that I was sad about, but I think that’s what made me feel for Irsa even more, and not write her off as just another villain that wants to tear the world apart. Which I think was great on Wilheim’s part for bringing some humanity to the situation and really make us feel bad for her as the years go by.

I know that when I first read that Irsa was assigned to be Calypso’s apprentice when apparently the “best” or “most powerful” witch in all of Alon never took on an apprentice in years or something, I was hoping that things were going to be great. But nope, of course not. Because why would a villain’s origin story be full of something good, right? I think the only good thing that happened in Irsa’s life growing up was her friendship with Aislin, and I’m so glad they had each other.

No, every brush of Aislin’s hand, every smile on her lips, made Irsa’s heart flip-flop. She couldn’t explain the feeling, nor did she try to.

I love their relationship, and I was so glad that Aislin was able to see that something was wrong with Irsa and wanted to help save her somehow. She didn’t believe Irsa trying to cover for her abuser, and helped her come up with a plan to get out of that situation without blaming Irsa for being in it. Which can be so hard for people to realize that they do, so it was really nice to see this reflected in this novel.

I would say that the second part that I didn’t like was that Irsa was abused after having to deal with the first tragedy in her life, not to mention the POS “father” that was mentioned a little bit.

Ugh.

But other than that, I really enjoyed this short novel and I think it was a really interesting take on the sea witch origin story. Irsa is pretty damn powerful, and I think that if she was able to truly foster that power without being abused by someone she had to trust with her life, then who knows? Maybe she could have been one of the good guys. But villains are always more fun to read about, right?

[Sissy Lu {Book Savvy Reviews} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this unique spin on Ursula!

[Dey · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received this e-ARC from the author in exchange for my honest opinion***

Honestly, I enjoyed every single page of this book! It's a short and fast paced story about Ursula. I loved this version so much and I'm looking forward to read more about The Sea Witch! Can't wait for the next book!

[Whitney McGruder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is hard to admit but I’m moved by stories of characters who really get knocked down and pushed beyond the limit. I don’t really like having to read it but it’s authors like Wilham who really know how to describe these events with strength and care.

This story is very much a prequel to the Little Mermaid tale we think we know so well. Wilham’s spin on the fairy tale touches on emotional abuse, gaslighting, and persecution—and how characters like Irsa manage to rise above it all. This isn’t a happy tale but it’s a beautiful one. The world building and character development kept me hooked.

And the romance. Devastating, heartbreaking, magical.

Wilham’s dedication to inclusive characters and storytelling is a win-win. I’m not much of an expert on LGBTQTIA+ experiences, but her tale of Irsa and Aislin documents the ups and downs of knowing who you are and fighting against systems that would rather you give up your voice. (Little Mermaid pun intended.)

[Emanuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only bad thing about this book was the shortness of it. I loved the story, I loved Irsa and Aislin, I just want more of them and more of their world

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whats under the sea , Irsa is born with enough magic to boil the ocean . She just wants to live her life with her best friend Aislin. When they discover that there is more to their relationship then just being friends . Things start to get difficult for them and they loose what they had to keep each other safe . When their love is tested will it survive or will Irsa be lost to the history books as a villian .
This book is a twist on the lil mermaid . The characters are well written . Irsa has been through so much , i don't think that she is evil I think that she was misunderstood . Noone really got to know her and when they did they thought she was evil . I actually liked her as a character . She isn't afraid to be who she is and will do whatever it takes to be that person . Aislin is her best friend but there is more there . Aislin is a sweet girl who loves Irsa even when its wrong to. She is light and sweet but sometimes comes off as a little naive at the beginning of the story . There are so many people against them that when they are together they are the best of what each other needs . I love that they are so sweet together .
This book is a great twist on the story of the little mermaid . We get to see the characters before Ariel. This is the story of Ursala or as they called her Irsa . There is a lgbtq aspect to this story which I thought was well written for a fantasy book . The characters are well written and complex . The story is one that will keep you flipping the pages all night long . It is a fast read and you are taken to a place under the water where you want to stay for awhile . I really liked this story and i really wanted to hug Irsa and tell her that everything will work out you don't have to become a villian . I think you should grab this book for an evening of reading you won't be disappointed . If you like fantasy this is the book for you ,

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the world-building and concept behind this Ursula Origin, but it just missed the mark for me. Aislinn seemed so wishy-washy, Irsa was okay but kept going along with everyone else's ideas even when they went against her better judgement. This was less a descent into villainy and more "pushed into more and more desperate actions." She never really made her own choices, and every time she went along with someone else's plan, it bit her in the ass. It was constantly "there's no other way" but they like, literally never tried? They ran into an obstacle or two and went "whelp, guess murder is our only option." And some of those obstacles didn't really make sense to me, tbh.

I've enjoyed the authors other works, but this one just wasn't for me.

[Candy Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this tale of magic and forbidden love. The joy and pain that Irsa and Aislin endure for the sake of their love had me enthralled throughout this lovely and tragic story. The delicate and tasteful way this love was presented by the author was a pleasure to read. The underwater merpeople civilization was fascinating and so well presented. I hated it ended and am impatiently waiting for the next book to continue this saga. I could not put this story down and recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales and fantasy.

[J.L. Park · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual genre, with mermaids in particular, but I really enjoyed this book by Lou Wilham, and am looking forward to further installments. An interesting take on the Sea Royalty legends/myths - kept me turning pages well after i should have turned in for the night! Well done!

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story, but the missing commas, words, and question marks; excessive typos; and dubious character motivations at the end really ruined it for me. It would have been at least 4 stars with an editor. As it is, I'm giving this 3 stars because it was at least an original take on Ursula. Just needs a lot of editorial polish.

[Katt Rieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****I had the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review*****

I adore this book! This is the first book I've ever read based on Ursula and I love it! I loved the LGBQT aspect of it. Irsa is such a sweet, caring character! And Aislinn is adorable and sweet as well. It's a quick, short read but it will make you feel for the characters SOOOOOO much in a short time. It's definitely worth the read!

[Elle Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful origin story of the sea witch! Great world building and character growth.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick read and a interesting storyline. I enjoy origin stories but was a bit worried this would be dark but it's not at all. Definitely recommend it!

[Madeleine Holly-Rosing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irsa and Aislin are two young mermaids who have adored each other since childhood. Growing up under the sea where magic is a natural part of their life, they undergo a test to see who has it and who doesn't. Irsa has it in spades and is sent off to study under Calypso while Aislin's life takes a more mundane turn and is apprenticed to a seamstress. However, neither girl forgets the other when their fortunes take a dangerous turn.

The two main characters were charming and I liked both of them. I felt their relationship grew naturally and each had a lot of respect for the other. Much of the story was fun and whimsical, but it also deals with a number of serious themes and issues quite well. It is a solid character story that was fun to read.

The reason I gave it a 3.0 was because it was missing a character--the sea. Though the characters were mermaids, had tails, swam around, etc. with a few small changes this story could easily have taken place anywhere. The lack of world building hurt it and I wanted to know why was their love was forbidden. Religious? Moral? Cultural? (Calypso's home also had steps which makes no sense for people who do not have legs.) I really wanted the author to dig deeper and give us a more unique world. Also, I usually don't care if there's a word missing or the occasional typo, but there were more here than I would have liked.

The story is an interesting take on the character of Ursula from the The Little Mermaid and I'm curious to see where the author goes from here.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I love The Little Mermaid and when I stumbled upon this I knew I had to read it!

This I think is a retelling but done in away that in my opinion isn't a retelling. I mean we have a Sea Witch and we have a red headed Mermaid but that's it.

Tales of The Sea Witch is a tale of Irsa and Aislin. Irsa (the sea witch) unfortunately suffers a lot in her first 16 years but with Aislin by her side they get through it.
Aislin (the red haired mermaid) marries the Prince and there enlays deceit and deception.

I loved this novel, the plot of the story was simple yet effective. The early years were interesting to read and the twist with Calypso.. Did not see any of that coming and woo, well deserved.
I loved the relationship between Irsa and Aislin, their little set up before she married the Prince was nice and sweet. Janette though didn't feature much, you just knew from the snippets she was a pain in the backside.
The Prince... What can I say about him? Ha! I knew he would turn but I did not expect any of that, ruthless and so so cold.

I found Tales of The Sea Witch a pleasant read and it was easy turning the pages to complete the read in one sitting, I now find myself ordering the next book, because after that ending, things are about to blow up and I need to know!!

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so who is going to tell Ariel that her mom was a lesbian (bi?) and completely in love with Ursula? Am I going to have to do it? Or maybe Flounder can? Alright, I'm out of The Little Mermaid jokes. Moving on...

I like a good fairytale retelling and especially ones that have a specific, new take on the material. And a sea witch (again, a la The Little Mermaid) falling in love with her best friend? I love to see that sort of sapphic content in my fairy tales. I really enjoyed Irsa and Aislin's story, but be warned. This does NOT have a happy ending.

Ultimately, Tales of the Sea Witch is more interesting in its premise than its execution. I was engaged with the plot and the characters, but I felt like the writing was too simplistic. And since it's a relatively short book, plot threads (particularly Irsa's relationship with her abusive mentor Calypso and the Council's investigation of Irsa for Calypso's murder) are either undeveloped or wrapped up too quickly. Still, if you're looking for a new, queer take on Ursula, Tales of the Sea Witch will do!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read, makes your heart ache.

A soft, whimsical story about the origins of the Sea Witch. The world is submersive, with lots of cute quirks and details that makes the setting come to life. And, despite heavy themes as grief, death, and LGBT themes, the author gracefully guides you through these without ever making it feel heavy, while still showing the seriousness of them. I also found Irsa and Aislin complimented them well, and I so badly wanted them to find their happily ever after. I have come to love Lou Wilham's work, and look forward to reading more from her. (Also, I need a sequel to this ASAP. Just saying.)

[Renee Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike anything

This was a quick read that was unlike anything else I’ve read. As the book opened, I felt as though a whimsical British narrator was reading aloud to me. I love villain retellings, and this was a great one.

[Niki McAlister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it

The cover drew me in immediately and the sheer amount of detail and descriptions kept me immersed in Irsa's story.

[Kiandra Halstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received this ebook ARC from the author in return for giving my review.**

Loved it and am looking forward to reading more about The Sea Witch along with the authors other works.✊😍

[Chandra Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars. I wanted to love this story, but it was clunky and the whole ending was rushed. I mostly felt *meh* by the end of it.

[Nancy O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’d have asked me what villain I’d like to see an origin story for, the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid would not be at the top of my list. But I enjoyed Lou Wilham’s first novella, The Curse of the Black Cat, so I figured that Tales of the Sea Witch was worth checking out. Now that I’ve finished it, I’m happy to report that it was completely worth it. I was invested In Irsa’s story from the very first chapter.

We first meet Irsa as a young girl, thinking about her future. When she discovers that she has impressive magical powers, she becomes an apprentice to a wicked witch. The story then follows her through her teenage years and into adulthood as she and her beloved Aislin come up against a world that seems determined to tear them down.

Being familiar with The Little Mermaid, I know that Irsa’s story was destined to be a tragedy, but I couldn’t help but hope for the best for her and Aislin regardless. The underwater world created for this story was unique, and I honestly wish we had gotten to explore more of it. I’m also happy to see that we’ll get to see more of Irsa’s story, as the author mentioned in the end that a sequel will be released. Clearly, Sea Witches deserve happy endings too.

[Jennie (IG: SeahorseStories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Irsa wants is to run away with her best friend Aislin. Irsa is a strong witch, so she is apprenticed to an infamous sea witch, separating her from Aislin for the first time in her life. As the friends grow up, their friendship grows into something more, but their circumstances often pull them apart. Although Irsa will do anything for Aislin, is it enough for them to find happiness together?
.
This is a LGBTQ+ origin story of Ursula from The Little Mermaid! It's a very quick read and I enjoyed it a lot! It's written pretty simply in a way that did make it feel like a fairytale, which I liked, but I also wouldn't have minded a more fleshed-out and complex look at the characters. As this is a mermaid tale, you'll also need to suspend your disbelief for mermaids drinking tea out of tea cups and things like that. If you're too caught up in realism, this book won't work for you. Overall, this was a really fun read and Ursula is one of my favorite villains, so I'm glad I read this! Recommended for anyone who wants a fairytale with a wlw romance!

[Candy Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this tale of magic and forbidden love. The joy and pain that Irsa and Aislin endure for the sake of their love had me enthralled throughout this lovely and tragic story. The delicate and tasteful way this love was presented by the author was a pleasure to read. The underwater merpeople civilization was fascinating and so well presented. I hated it ended and am impatiently waiting for the next book to continue this saga. I could not put this story down and recommend it to anyone who loves fairytales and fantasy.