Ice Mermaid

Salt for Air #0.5

by M.C. Frank

A delicious story about a mermaid who witnesses the sinking of the Titanic.

“Darius.” It came out choking from his chapped lips, and his head jerked as he tried to look up into her face.
“What now?”
“‘S my name. Darius. Thank you.”
Of all the humans drowning around her, she had to be stuck with the one who bothered to mind his manners as he was dying. She bit back a laugh. “Well, good to know. Stay alive, Darius.”
“Death feels so warm,” he whispered, those brown eyes hooded as they looked into hers. “Didn’t know there were mermaids in heaven. Ice mermaids…So beautiful. Jewels for eyes, pearls for hair.”
Behind them, the great ship that had the words "Titanic" painted on its bow was cracking as it tilted into the freezing waters of the ocean.

Lorelei gave a frustrated sigh and tightened her hold on him.
...

Ice Mermaid is a Salt for Air novella about a mermaid who witnesses the sinking of the Titanic. It can be enjoyed independently of the series.

Genres: Fantasy, Mermaids, Romance, Paranormal, Ebooks, Young Adult, Short Stories

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 23, 2019

About the author

Welcome to the world of M.C. FRANK's books, where characters aren't going to have an easy time of it: They will find themselves in icy-cold dystopian worlds where kissing is forbidden (among other things), or in green forests ruled by evil Sheriffs. If they're in Jane Austen's England, they have to be running away from a traumatic childhood, or if they are in our contemporary world, they're scared they'll die before they have finished high school. That sort of thing.
Don't worry, though, she knows we all need a little hope and joy in our lives, so there's a good dose of those as well in everything she writes.
M.C. Frank (writer, reader, designer, physicist and teacher, to name a few) has been living in a world of stories ever since she can remember (that's before she knew how to write). She started writing them down when she could no longer stand the characters in her head screaming at her to give them life, and while those first scribblings weren't exactly good (nor were they books, although she insisted on calling them that), they were enough for her to discover her passion in life.
She got her university degree in physics a few years ago (yes, she's like Sheldon, only a bit crazier!) and is now free to pursue her love of reading and writing, as well her free-lance job as editor-in-chief. She lives with her 'dude' in a home filled with candles, laptops and notebooks, where she rearranges her overflowing bookshelves every time she feels stressed.
Which is often, since (as you might have noticed) she doesn't pick the easiest subjects for her novels.
Learn more about her and her New Adult, Young Adult, scifi, Greek mythology and historical novels at mcfrankauthor.com

Website: mcfrankauthor.com

Twitter: @mcfrank_author

Instagram: @mcfrank_author

Tumblr: @litlereddoll

Facebook Page: M.C. Frank

Goodreads: M.C. Frank

Youtube: M.C. Frank

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She’d crossed over to the realm of humans many times since. It all held a certain fascination for her: how violently these humans loved, how coldly they fought, how ignorant they were of all the magic that surrounded them.”
― M.C. Frank, Ice Mermaid


Historical fiction meets fantasy here in this enthralling and utterly absorbing tale of the sinking of the titanic that as witnessed by – a mermaid.

A mermaid or siren call her what you will. Her name is Lauraley and she is exquisite.

So yes, Loreley witnesses the tragedy of the Titanic and I can’t really say anything else without spoilers because this is a short one and I’ll ruin the whole story, so I’ll just talk about what I liked.

First of all her home is described with brilliance.

I was kind of reminded of the movie Splash.

. Her HOME has Greek columns and colorful fish to watch and Gardens to sit in and you can breathe clean and sparkling air under the sea.

No wonder the story has so many great ratings.


With all the crap going on in the world right now, I really savor stories like this, which provide a little bit respite? an escape from every day, life and the evils, which sometimes afflict it.

So yes, this is definitely an escape and it’s such a unique story – a story of the Titanic infused with Greek mythology. It’s like the story came straight out of my fantasies.

I am reading so many short stories, lately, more now than I ever have before.

This is one of the best ones I’ve read this month and trust me it’s only January but I’ve read a lot.

I am naturally predisposed to love anything about sirens and mermaids and anything about Greek mythology and I love historical fiction so when you take all the ingredients and mix them together,, you get a beautifully etched portrait of color and light and love and water. . Highly recommended.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm... not exactly sure what I just read.

Ice Mermaid was free on Amazon, supposedly a prequel to a series that I could possibly be interested in if I hadn't read this first book.

The characters have no personality. A kingdom that's winning the war against death because they refuse to let anything happen ever, including feelings and the passage of time? It doesn't really make sense, and doesn't set the scene for anything interesting.

It was also hard to tell what was going on, because there was no real action. There wasn't enough of a story to go off of here.

I don't know anything about the Salt for Air series, but I don't really want to know much more.

[erifollows · Rating 1 out of 5]

What the hell did I just read.

The story was really boring to me and I did not like the writing. Sometimes it didn't even make sense.

Example:
Darius said something to Lorelei and she called him out for calling her "Ice Mermaid" even though he didn't? Did I miss something?

The cover is beautiful and the other books in the series might be interesting but after reading this one I have no desire to try em out.

[Zariareads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did love the story until the ending where it changed! She didn’t get her happy ending with him😭
He got married and had children with another😭

[TamaraT · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was this a fun read? Yes. Why the 3 stars then you may ask. The reason for the 3 stars has to do with what I call the curse of the novella, especially a prequel to a series like this one.

On the one hand we have the short story on it's own. I liked the writing style of the author. The mix with Greek mythology and the hints of lore of this universe worked great as well. The premise of a mermaid witnessing the sinking of the Titanic is a new one for me and I have to say I liked it. 5 stars for the setting!

It's when it comes to the characters that 'the curse' comes in. I love novellas, but there's a limit as to how well the characters can be developed. Lorelei is pretty well fleshed out for a novella. Darius is pretty one dimensional yet very likable. Because of the lack of time we spend with them the instant connection between them and the rapid way they suddenly 'love' one another just didn't work for me. It felt too rushed, especially when trying to cram in enough plot so that the next book in the series will make sense.

So an enjoyable yet somewhat superficial read.

[Samantha ☾⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another SYKD book, I thought this one was cute but it felt like it was really short. I don't think this one needed to its own book, it feels like it was a few chapters of a bigger book. I know it's 0.5 in the series but it still feels like it was just really short. Other then that I thought it was a super cute book, just not enough to hook me into getting the next book in the series.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful and romantic book. I just fell in love with it. It's kind of like my all time favorite movie, The Little Mermaid. Humans, mermaids and love, what else can you actually wish and dream of? LOVED the book and got a blubbering like a baby. It's a must read!!!

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to read the next book in this series. The author did a wonderful job.

[Alaina]

rtc

[Emily Ablewhite · Rating 1 out of 5]

first time reading a novella as a prequel to a series. i don’t think i will be doing that again

[Nikki Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

An ice mermaid who was living on an ice berg that suddenly got hit by the Titanic….a different story, which focused on human connection, love and the differences between mermaids and humans.

[Mairy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine it like Ariel saving the prince.
With a racist teaching and war between worlds raging.
And mermaids.
This love, though, is developing a little too quickly and the feelings that the writer tries to bestotheth on us are a liitle over the top as we have just entert into the world. I find it just a little over the top.
And the teaching so soon in the story and that raw with no backstand, makes me cringe.
Nice cover .
Still cringing while this is developing.
Crossing fingers.... no it doesn't get better.
Sorry not sorry.
I can appreciate the catsy lines.
Umm, Titanic the movie.... with a mermaid.
Yeah, not for me!
2.5 stars

[normnialib · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry this is ridiculous LOL.

From when the Titanic hit an iceberg (of course it was her doing) to Darius' kiss for Lorelei. Those are didn't make sense at all. What did I just read? LOL.

Maybe, just maybe, if this story had more detail, and gave me time to engage with the emotions, I think I would have liked it. But yeah, this is just a novella. It's okay, I'm still curious to read the next book.

[Lu Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mermaid shifter that was out in the ocean and witnessed the Titanic sinking and saved a human and fell in love with him!
The ice mermaid took him to her realm kingdom and healed him but he wanted to go back and try to save his friends and family but it was hard for her to let him go but yet she did.

[Tosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was delightful. A mermaid that witnesses the sinking of the Titanic. It was full of romance and fantasy and makes me want to read Salt for Sea right way, because o think we can all use a little more mermaid in our life!

[Tyffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick read. I love the concept and I was completely engaged. My only complaint is the mention of extreme consequences that was never acknowledged later. But everything else was beautiful, emotional, and fun to read.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A passing Mermaid witnesses the Titanic sinking. She tries to save the humans. One in particular is different. Awesome story. Well worth the read.

[Chris Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad little read.

[Leigha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very unique. The ending pulled on my heartstrings. Wish it was longer, so I could have more, but also so it wouldn’t be as rushed.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was free lol

[Synnøve · Rating 2 out of 5]

plot is amazing, but making it a novella ruined the story.

[TheBookishK9RN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read with lots of detailed story telling.when a mermaid witnesses the sinking of the Titanic her life is changed

[❀ melissa ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Titanic Retelling💙 Fand diese Kurzgeschichte echt toll.

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ariel meets Snow Queen

A mermaid witnesses the sinking of the Titanic (she’s on the bloody iceberg it crashes into) and saves a beautiful man from drowning. Oooonly to restore him back into peril and watch him live happily ever after while she grows a heart. Hm, I’m conflicted about this one - I’ve read another amazing emotive book by this author this year and had high hopes, but this short story was whimsical and well, short. Kudos for marrying up Ariel and Snow Queen and points for multiracial relations, but if I didn’t know the author had other fab books, this as a reader’s magnet would not make me keep an eye out for her other stuff. 3,5 stars.

[Celine · Rating 1 out of 5]

' "It's my skin," he said eventually, his brown eyes glittering with earnestness as they met hers. "Where I used to live, people don't like the color of my skin. Life was...life was unbearable for us. Then we heard that things are better in America, so we put what money we had left towards this trip." '

I'm guessing that Darius is living in a non-African country to be saying that he lived somewhere where people didn't like him because they are racist and he is a (dark-skinned) black man. Fine whatever. But in what world would a person in 1912 living in a (presumably) European country not know of the violence black people face in America?! After centuries of chattel slavery, lynching and forced-breeding and a black man isn't aware of the conditions fellow black people have to live in in America? At least have him acknowledge that things are not better there either, but have him hopeful about the "American Dream" or something. I would've given this maybe a 2 star rating because I'm not a fan of the way the world building is done, but this little segment alone makes me give it a 1.

I appreciate the author for trying to uplift black people by having Lorelai be confused on how someone could hate someon so lovely like Darius just for his skin color. But that specific segment is just so laughable to me that I just can't take the rest of this serious.

Ignoring that, the book itself isn't really giving me anything. It is a prequel to a series that I haven't read yet (and probably won't just because it doesn't appeal to me, not because of this book). The plot doesn't lend itself well to a novella. Why is Lorelai so "infatuated" with saving and keeping Darius? Why is Darius so "in love" with a mermaid girl he just met? Why is Darius just so cool with everything? I don't know, it doesn't get explained. I guess it doesn't get explained to get people curious on the whys and read the series this book is a prequel to, but meh.

Also Lorelai being responsible for the Titanic sinking just feels kind of, idk, cringe? I don't know but her being the "owner" of the iceberg the ship rams into just feels cheap. The concept of fighting against death and a kingdom being "stuck" in time to fight against death is interesting and that should've been the focus of this novella in my opinion. The romance is completely unecessary.

[A Picky Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like the place where a dream meets reality, the space between thoughts where inklings are demanding to be written but yet to be formed true. Like when you wake up rushing to remember the world you were just in while the thoughts of it are simultaneously drifting away faster than you can catch it.

That’s what this book was to me.

It was written well, had an amazing and unique premise, and an interesting setting. But it wasn’t anything beyond the wisps of imagination grasping to the page when it came to the plot and the main characters. The idea was great, but it ended up feeling like one of those prequels that is more like a prologue for the FMC’s real story. It could have even been an actual prologue for the FMC’s real story. The issue lies in the fact that it doesn’t actually seem to lead anywhere. The next book doesn’t seem to have anything to do with either of the two characters we meet in this book and this book, while it does have good bones, doesn’t have enough world building to be a prequel for another book in the same world.

This book doesn’t seem to stand on its own. The FMC was pretty well fleshed out considering the length of the story. But the MMC wasn’t; and there was no real purpose of the MMC and the romantic undertones outside of aiding the FMC’s apparent character arc. If anything, I think the attempt to make a romantic connection made the storyline a bit worse (considering how it ended) when a friendship could have served the same purpose.

Ultimately, character-wise and plot-wise, it seems like this book was mainly a cool premise and the FMC having a life lesson. There was seemingly no true plot, romance, or happily ever after. Again, not an huge issue if this was truly a prequel but it doesn’t seem to be.

Has potential to be so much more, though.

[Zephyr · Rating 2 out of 5]

*A digital copy provided to me by the book giveaway from librarythings*

I liked the overall book. But it is seriously not worth giving above a 2 star rating. It is a novella which means a long short story. But the story has to be independent right? This feels like such a filler for the next book salt for air. The characters have no depth.
I gave it a 2 star rating because I liked the ending where Darius continues his like without Lorelei. I think it resembles the bitter truth of our life, where things happen but we still have to move on.

Coming to the negative part of the review, the characters have no depth. Even in a short story there should be more depth to the characters. It is mentioned how in Lorelei's world they don't feel emotions, but later when we see her with Darius, all the emotions rising within her we don't see much resistance, which seems very contradictory to me.

I feel like there is so much potential to the beautiful story Lorelei and Darius could have made, but it all felt rushed.
Also in the start Lorelei is depicted as such a strong figure which I loved but by the end it makes her the typical women of novels pining after a man. Maybe, Darius was the love of her life, but in my opinion love is supposed to make you strong even the bitter kind. In the end, Lorelei just seems like a long forgotten lover, who is realising that she now knows what love is, but with not even a hint to any possible future for her.

I read it in like 20 minutes and it was an okayish read. But there are some grammatical errors, and the writing is not very fluid so it takes me out of the whole story experience.

[J · Rating 1 out of 5]

Are We Sure This Is A Romance?

If this is love, it is toxic....

Ice Mermaid is a novella that introduces what love and emotions are into a fae-like Kingdom who knows none of those things. As a result its people live for centuries and when seen by the humans who lost the war to death (although the war is only known for being waged in the backrooms) are considered immortals of some sort.

Anyway this novella captures the moment one such creature of no-name except Lorelei, chosen by herself to be given to another mortal upon a prior encounter, becomes a part of the story of a Titanic survivor.

Unable to watch him die and certain he will cause her execution for her being seen, Lorelei takes him home. They talk, they smooch, he tells her that since he is colored people don't like him (I am not sure how this story would realistically play out at this point) and he needs to return to the site of the sinking ship to possibly re-die with his people.

And she basically responds with confusion and being lost on his actions, which I would be too. Apparently this crazy man is willing to play like he's in love with her to be saved and then gaslights her that since she is an ice princess with no feelings (when clearly she has them), she just wouldn't understand how love would make you give up the "one" for a ticket on a sinking ship and the chance to possibly re-die when you failed to survive the first time.

Definitely this won't be a come back and read again type of situation.

[S.E. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.C. Frank has done it again: and somehow, this time, in short-form brilliance.

When a passing mermaid witnesses firsthand the sinking of the Titanic, even she is moved by the immense loss of human life. What do you do in the face of such a catastrophe but latch on to one person, try to save just one - no matter the personal cost.

I loved this look into the Mermaid side of Salt for Air. In the first book of the series, we have a human perspective: in this prequel, we follow a character who is later quite important in SFA, a mermaid. We get to understand the upcoming war which plays a key part in the plot for SFA, but is in the background of this short.

The author's signature style comes into play, beautiful, lyrical, and contemplative all at once. The importance of love and mortality in our own human nature is brought to the forefront, and makes for an excellent little philosophical quandry, if you're into that. And if you're not? It's just a sweet, romantic moment.

This novella works great as a prequel since it doesn't require any previous knowledge of the series to truly enjoy it. As a matter of fact, it makes for a perfect hook into the series: if you read this novella, beware, you're going to want to read Salt for Air right away, so plan your reading time accordingly!

[Kirijath · Rating 3 out of 5]

lorelai lebt in einer welt ähnlich der unseren aber magie existiert noch und sie kann als meerjungfrau über rissportale in unsere welt. eines nachts beobachtet sie den untergang der titanic und obwohl ihr volk keine gefühle und emotionen "kennt"/ zulässt, rettet sie Darius, der sein letztes hemd gegeben hat um als POC mitfahren zu dürfen und in america ein besseres leben aufbauen zu können mit seiner familie. er ertrinkt fast, wird gerettet und tauscht sich mit lorelai aus über die welten, dass ein krieg herrscht bei beiden gegen den tod bzw dass unsere schon verloren hat, da wir sterben müssen. da er aber zurück zu seiner familie will beginnt sie langsam zu verstehen, dass gefühle doch gut sein können und sie küssen sich auch mehrmals (das war das einzige, wo ich sage, hat nicht reingepasst, aber ok). am ende bringt sie ihn wieder zurück und er kann viele leute retten unter anderem seine halbe familie. heimlich beobachtet sie ihn nun wie sein leben verläuft und er alt wird mit seinen kindern, enkeln etc und dabei schmilzt ihr eisherz auch immer mehr. evtl kommen die dann später nochmal vor oder war das eine art vorgeschichte, i don´t know aber ich hab jetzt richtig lust das hauptbuch zu lesen:)