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Black Trans Fairy Tales #2
Mer Made
Erika is transgender. She's known since she was young; being a woman just fit better. She loved to wear her mother's dresses and tight corsets, but that was before the disease took her mother away. Erika's father doesn't see a daughter, he sees a confused son that needs a new start in a new city across the ocean. Erika has no place to go, so with the last of her mother's dresses she packs for months on a sailing ship.
Halfway across the ocean, Erika's life is forever altered. She sneaks on deck in her mother's dress in the dead of night and a superstitious deckhand throws her overboard, dress and all. But drowning at sea isn't how Erika plans to die. She cuts a deal with a sea witch for more than her life--for the first time, she is transformed into the woman she's always known was inside. Her dress becomes a mermaid tail and all it took was her voice.
She should have known living her authentic life wouldn't be so easy, though. The witch wants more than Erika's voice, she's on the hunt for the undersea throne, the seat of power. Ariel, the last daughter of the king must marry in three days or the first place Erika has ever called home will be destroyed. The magic of true love is the only thing that can save them now.
Halfway across the ocean, Erika's life is forever altered. She sneaks on deck in her mother's dress in the dead of night and a superstitious deckhand throws her overboard, dress and all. But drowning at sea isn't how Erika plans to die. She cuts a deal with a sea witch for more than her life--for the first time, she is transformed into the woman she's always known was inside. Her dress becomes a mermaid tail and all it took was her voice.
She should have known living her authentic life wouldn't be so easy, though. The witch wants more than Erika's voice, she's on the hunt for the undersea throne, the seat of power. Ariel, the last daughter of the king must marry in three days or the first place Erika has ever called home will be destroyed. The magic of true love is the only thing that can save them now.
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First published June 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 7, 2024
I grabbed this audiobook from the library for a quick listen, but I was startled to find this is some new AI audio fuckery called 'synthesized voices', by apple books apparently. Apart from the ethical considerations of generative AI, this sounds like garbage. I don't want to hear a whole book read by the GPS lady. It's flat, expressionless, does not vary for different characters obviously, and hilariously struggles mightily with homonyms. The book may be great, though I'll never know because I tuned out by page 2, but I'm not interested in authors who use gen AI.
January 1, 2024
Very sweet novella of a little mermaid retelling with a black trans woman mc, a sapphic romance and sign language.
Read
July 7, 2024A sweet wish fulfillment fairy tale about a trans girl who falls in love with a mermaid. It’s a little predictable but I enjoyed it!
November 26, 2023
3.5 stars.
Cute queer and trans re-imagining of The Little Mermaid animated movie.
The world building is a little hand-wavey and the plot is slight but it fits with the fairy tale feel. I’d recommend this for fans of the movie who wondered why the heck Ariel wanted to leave her underwater home.
There were some typos and editing issues that took me out of the story.
Cute queer and trans re-imagining of The Little Mermaid animated movie.
The world building is a little hand-wavey and the plot is slight but it fits with the fairy tale feel. I’d recommend this for fans of the movie who wondered why the heck Ariel wanted to leave her underwater home.
There were some typos and editing issues that took me out of the story.
Read
December 22, 2023I had really enjoyed the first book in this series, but this one was much more of a mixed bag. I feel like the book didn't really have a clear vision of what it wanted to be -- too jumbled in narrative, structure, form. Kind of like a disorganized fanfic. Whereas the Cinder Ella story felt like an original take on Cinderella, this book borrowed too heavily from Disney's Little Mermaid. It tried to be cute, but it also tried to be serious, and sometimes funny, and it didn't really work. Although the book itself is short it really took me some time to get through, and I'm sad to say I didn't enjoy it. Although I don't think it's necessary to have a full world built for a novella, there needs to be some logic or consistency to the rules and conventions in the world. Why is same-sex marriage not allowed, yet same-sex relationships supposedly openly accepted? Why was such discrimination necessary in the underwater world? It just felt like an unnecessary hurdle for the character, as if to say, it's okay if you're trans, but you can't be queer! Just pretty disappointing overall in terms of character development and the world, and uneven tones throughout the story.
October 4, 2023
I really wanted to like this. The concept of taking The Little Mermaid story and twisting it to focus on a trans version of Eric who becomes a mermaid is so clever. Conceptually, this story is great.
In terms of writing, I found it hard to enjoy this. I didn't feel for the characters nor did I really find Ariel & Erika's live believable because it just didn't have enough time to build up. They were just in love because the story needed them to be - it was more told to the reader than really shown.
I also found the world building disjointed. The beginning where Erika is on the ship with her father, mourning her mother, sets it up to be a historical piece. As does the mention later in the story that the people on land burn witches. That pegs this more as a 1500-1700s inspired sort of setting.
But then Erika describes herself as transgender (a term not coined until fairly recently). This is a term Ariel doesn't recognise yet it's easily recognised that Max is gay? And Max's mum sets him up with guys but the thought of Ariel having any spouse but a husband is unheard of? It just doesn't work consistently - is this mer-world queernormative or not???
Furthermore there's no in-universe reason given for why, if Ariel doesn't get a husband, Ursula will get the throne. Considering King Triton hates Ursula and his presence is enough to scare her off at the end, why would there be some kind of rule that would give the throne over to her??? It just doesn't add up and took away from the story.
Some of the description was nice though. And I did like the detail of difference merfolk have differing tails/lower halves like jellyfish and sharks.
In terms of writing, I found it hard to enjoy this. I didn't feel for the characters nor did I really find Ariel & Erika's live believable because it just didn't have enough time to build up. They were just in love because the story needed them to be - it was more told to the reader than really shown.
I also found the world building disjointed. The beginning where Erika is on the ship with her father, mourning her mother, sets it up to be a historical piece. As does the mention later in the story that the people on land burn witches. That pegs this more as a 1500-1700s inspired sort of setting.
But then Erika describes herself as transgender (a term not coined until fairly recently). This is a term Ariel doesn't recognise yet it's easily recognised that Max is gay? And Max's mum sets him up with guys but the thought of Ariel having any spouse but a husband is unheard of? It just doesn't work consistently - is this mer-world queernormative or not???
Furthermore there's no in-universe reason given for why, if Ariel doesn't get a husband, Ursula will get the throne. Considering King Triton hates Ursula and his presence is enough to scare her off at the end, why would there be some kind of rule that would give the throne over to her??? It just doesn't add up and took away from the story.
Some of the description was nice though. And I did like the detail of difference merfolk have differing tails/lower halves like jellyfish and sharks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
Refreshing
Mer Made by ST Lynn is an engaging and emotional twist on classic mythology that blends themes of identity, transformation, and resilience. The novel offers a fresh perspective on the mermaid legend through the lens of Erika, a transgender woman navigating her journey toward self-acceptance.
The book’s strength lies in its unique premise—Erika's desire to be herself is palpable, and her transformation from a girl struggling to fit in to a mermaid embracing her true identity is both empowering and bittersweet. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the inner conflict that many transgender people experience, as well as the external struggles Erika faces from both society and the supernatural forces at play.
The world-building is another highlight. The sea witch, the undersea kingdom, and the looming threat of destruction add an exciting layer of tension, while the characters, particularly Erika, are well-rounded and relatable. The interaction between Erika and Ariel is an intriguing dynamic, and the race against time to save Erika's newfound home provides a sense of urgency that keeps the reader hooked.
While it is a retelling of the mermaid myth, Mer Made stands out by infusing the story with personal stakes beyond romance—although the elements of love and magic are key to the plot. The thematic focus on authenticity, the courage to be oneself, and finding one's place in the world resonate deeply.
Overall, Mer Made is an enjoyable read that shines with heart, creativity, and powerful representation. It's a welcome take on a familiar tale, offering both fantasy and a thought-provoking journey of self-discovery.
Mer Made by ST Lynn is an engaging and emotional twist on classic mythology that blends themes of identity, transformation, and resilience. The novel offers a fresh perspective on the mermaid legend through the lens of Erika, a transgender woman navigating her journey toward self-acceptance.
The book’s strength lies in its unique premise—Erika's desire to be herself is palpable, and her transformation from a girl struggling to fit in to a mermaid embracing her true identity is both empowering and bittersweet. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the inner conflict that many transgender people experience, as well as the external struggles Erika faces from both society and the supernatural forces at play.
The world-building is another highlight. The sea witch, the undersea kingdom, and the looming threat of destruction add an exciting layer of tension, while the characters, particularly Erika, are well-rounded and relatable. The interaction between Erika and Ariel is an intriguing dynamic, and the race against time to save Erika's newfound home provides a sense of urgency that keeps the reader hooked.
While it is a retelling of the mermaid myth, Mer Made stands out by infusing the story with personal stakes beyond romance—although the elements of love and magic are key to the plot. The thematic focus on authenticity, the courage to be oneself, and finding one's place in the world resonate deeply.
Overall, Mer Made is an enjoyable read that shines with heart, creativity, and powerful representation. It's a welcome take on a familiar tale, offering both fantasy and a thought-provoking journey of self-discovery.
May 21, 2025
This made so little sense, I just kept on reading to see what else the story would throw at me. This still gets two stars, just on the basis of this being a sapphic mermaid story. There aren't many of those out there and none with a trans MC. Which alone made me enjoy it enough to finish it.
I still gotta rant a little:
The MC randomly gets thrown overboard and is then saved by Ursula. How or why? Who knows? Ursula turns her into a mermaid, provides a magical transition and steals her voice. Oh no! What is she gonna do without a voice now? It doesn't matter at all, as she randomly meets Ariel soon after, who makes her learn sign language through magic. But oh no! Ariel needs to find a husband in three days or her evil aunt Ursula will take over the kingdom and kill everybody! Why? Who knows? But oh no! Erika is now desperately in love with her best friend Ariel, after one shared dance, and is the only one who truly knows her heart. All of this happens within two days! Two! The book is so completely unconcerned about telling you the how or the why of it all, that it's almost admirable. It has absolutely no inherent logic. Maybe it's dadaism? Or maybe it's just a Little Mermaid retelling, that wanted to fit far too much into the length of a novella and forgot to include the actual storytelling.
I still gotta rant a little:
The MC randomly gets thrown overboard and is then saved by Ursula. How or why? Who knows? Ursula turns her into a mermaid, provides a magical transition and steals her voice. Oh no! What is she gonna do without a voice now? It doesn't matter at all, as she randomly meets Ariel soon after, who makes her learn sign language through magic. But oh no! Ariel needs to find a husband in three days or her evil aunt Ursula will take over the kingdom and kill everybody! Why? Who knows? But oh no! Erika is now desperately in love with her best friend Ariel, after one shared dance, and is the only one who truly knows her heart. All of this happens within two days! Two! The book is so completely unconcerned about telling you the how or the why of it all, that it's almost admirable. It has absolutely no inherent logic. Maybe it's dadaism? Or maybe it's just a Little Mermaid retelling, that wanted to fit far too much into the length of a novella and forgot to include the actual storytelling.
March 25, 2024
This is a very sweet retelling of the Little Mermaid, featuring Erika, a Black transwoman, as the human MC who's changed into a mermaid via a deal with evil witch Ursula, only to meet Ariel and assist her quest to find a husband before Ursula can take over the kingdom. It's got some intense anti-trans violence at the very beginning (explaining how Erika came to be in the ocean...), as well as some recurring moments of dysphoria when Erika is in her human form, but the mermaid gender euphoria she feels truly counterbalances this, and the mer world is mostly queer-normative, which is refreshing and diminishes potential conflict considerably. There are also very sweet, whimsical, Disney-esque flourishes (like the assistant octopus who helps a merman painter they befriend), which ensures that the book never becomes too heavy or high-stakes, even as the MCs try to stop Ursula from her dastardly plans. The ending is a requisite HEA, too, and it's just lovely. It's sapphic, so...no spoilers, but you can guess who ends up with whom, and it's VERY squee-worthy, even if it is very love-at-first-sight (as is fitting, given the source text).
January 26, 2025
3.5⭐️
This is a cute, cosy retelling of The Little Mermaid for anyone who would've preferred Ariel to stay IN the sea.
While Erika (transfemme) and Ariel were both very sweet, I found the romance a little too whirlwind. However, that was to be expected due to the short length of this story. I would've liked to see more development in the story when it came to the situation regarding the surrounding circumstances in which Ariel had to make harte to be married. Why wasn't Triton helping her? Why didn't he intervene until it was almost too late? All in all, I did enjoy this quick and easy cosy retelling.
This is a cute, cosy retelling of The Little Mermaid for anyone who would've preferred Ariel to stay IN the sea.
While Erika (transfemme) and Ariel were both very sweet, I found the romance a little too whirlwind. However, that was to be expected due to the short length of this story. I would've liked to see more development in the story when it came to the situation regarding the surrounding circumstances in which Ariel had to make harte to be married. Why wasn't Triton helping her? Why didn't he intervene until it was almost too late? All in all, I did enjoy this quick and easy cosy retelling.
September 29, 2023
So this was an incredible idea for a twist on a favourite fairy tale.
I just wasn't sold on the execution of the story. Erika struggled with human life but I feel we needed more of a chance to see the challenges she faced before we dived into the main story. I then felt that everything became convenient to speed the story along e.g communication and finding friends.
I just felt that this was rushed with no real challenge for Erika overall. Loved the idea but it just lacked in the form of writing for me.
I just wasn't sold on the execution of the story. Erika struggled with human life but I feel we needed more of a chance to see the challenges she faced before we dived into the main story. I then felt that everything became convenient to speed the story along e.g communication and finding friends.
I just felt that this was rushed with no real challenge for Erika overall. Loved the idea but it just lacked in the form of writing for me.
August 28, 2025
it was cute, but i felt like some parts were a little too similar to disney’s a little mermaid. like the character descriptions, names and even one of ursula’s lines was almost bang on the animated movie.
i really liked the concept of retelling the fairytale through a queer trans lens, but some of the worldbuilding was a bit too wishy washy for me. also, sometimes i felt like i was being told things happened rather than being shown.
also also, i thought it went a bit too quickly. like i knew it was a short novella but it seemed slightly rushed i guess.
🤷🏻♀️
i really liked the concept of retelling the fairytale through a queer trans lens, but some of the worldbuilding was a bit too wishy washy for me. also, sometimes i felt like i was being told things happened rather than being shown.
also also, i thought it went a bit too quickly. like i knew it was a short novella but it seemed slightly rushed i guess.
🤷🏻♀️
June 24, 2023
Loved this version of the Little Mermaid! Erika is cast overboard and ‘rescued’ by the sea witch. She actually gets her dream of being full female/mermaid but loses her voice. She meets Ariel and discovers sign language, which is very common among the sea folk! It’s a very sweet short story of finding yourself and your soulmate.
August 7, 2025
A Cute reimagining of 'The Little Mermaid,' only a human is made into a mermaid instead of the other way around. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer, but I can't really be mad if my only issue is that I want more.
June 5, 2023
Yeah this was cute
July 15, 2023
So cute!! I would like to read more books by non binary authors.
August 6, 2023
3 stars. A very cute story but nothing memorable. Just a fun way to pass some time.
November 23, 2023
Not as good as the cinderella retelling but still lovely to have a black, trans and generally queer short fairytale retelling
January 9, 2024
If you want a monster-f*cking book with a twist, or love twisted fairy tales, this is the story for you. It's short, sharp, snappily written, and immersive. Very enjoyable.
January 16, 2024
Me gustó el giro que le dieron a la historia original pero siento que todo paso tan rápido que no me di cuenta de cuando se enamoraron, pero me entretuve leyendo. 1/5 de 5
February 5, 2024
3.5
It's rare that I enjoy a little Mermaid retelling that bases itself more on the movie than the Anderson version, but this was cute :)
It's rare that I enjoy a little Mermaid retelling that bases itself more on the movie than the Anderson version, but this was cute :)
August 6, 2024
What a fun original and heartfelt story!
July 5, 2025
I have read a ton of fairytale retailing, but this has got to be one of the most amazing story yet
December 22, 2025
this was actually really cute!!! got a free ebook copy and I'd honestly love to see it as a full length novel with some of the romance more flushed out!
December 31, 2023
grabbed this for stuff your kindle day and was left a bit disappointed, sadly.
the little mermaid is my absolute favorite disney movie and i was SO excited to see a sapphic retelling of the story, but even for a novella, this felt *rushed.* it was very instalove-y and the characters said they loved each other and were each other's soulmate within 4 days. the action was quite melodramatic and there were a fair few spelling/grammar errors that took me out of the story. there was also a lot about scent for a story that takes place underwater lol it just struck me as odd.
still, i really appreciated this queer take on ariel! twisting the story to have erika be a trans girl who becomes a mermaid was very compelling and added some emotional depth. the worldbuilding was done fairly well — though there was some confusion around the magic system and laws (people could be in queer relationships but not queer marriages??? while trans people were so welcome in the community???), the underwater world itself felt v magical. the romance was sweet despite the instalove and i'm always down for a sapphic ariel <3
curious to read more retellings from this author!!
the little mermaid is my absolute favorite disney movie and i was SO excited to see a sapphic retelling of the story, but even for a novella, this felt *rushed.* it was very instalove-y and the characters said they loved each other and were each other's soulmate within 4 days. the action was quite melodramatic and there were a fair few spelling/grammar errors that took me out of the story. there was also a lot about scent for a story that takes place underwater lol it just struck me as odd.
still, i really appreciated this queer take on ariel! twisting the story to have erika be a trans girl who becomes a mermaid was very compelling and added some emotional depth. the worldbuilding was done fairly well — though there was some confusion around the magic system and laws (people could be in queer relationships but not queer marriages??? while trans people were so welcome in the community???), the underwater world itself felt v magical. the romance was sweet despite the instalove and i'm always down for a sapphic ariel <3
curious to read more retellings from this author!!
July 21, 2023
4/5 stars!
This was so sweet! Erika's journey from human to mermaid was so good! I definitely love the author's writing and how they describe everything. I was able to visualize everything, from the underwater palace to other merfolk. Erika and Ariel's romance was so sweet and I just wished we get to see more interactions of them as an actual couple before the book ended. Nonetheless, I still highly recommend!
This was so sweet! Erika's journey from human to mermaid was so good! I definitely love the author's writing and how they describe everything. I was able to visualize everything, from the underwater palace to other merfolk. Erika and Ariel's romance was so sweet and I just wished we get to see more interactions of them as an actual couple before the book ended. Nonetheless, I still highly recommend!
October 20, 2023
Cute and light trans story based on the Little Mermaid fairytale, with a lot of twists and fresh takes on it, especially with respect to the main characters connection to the tale. It's fast paced and enjoyable for what it is, and wraps up well.
April 15, 2024
2.75
I also picked this up in a Stuff Your Kindle Day event and I was worried about it because I was disappointed by Cinder Ella. While I enjoyed this a bit more, I still found it to be too short for my preferences. It's under a 100 pages and there's not enough time to build a connection.
I also picked this up in a Stuff Your Kindle Day event and I was worried about it because I was disappointed by Cinder Ella. While I enjoyed this a bit more, I still found it to be too short for my preferences. It's under a 100 pages and there's not enough time to build a connection.
March 26, 2023
Cute Little Mermaid reimagining with Ariel’s love interest being a trans human turned mermaid. I really enjoyed the storyline and characters in this book, it was a cute and quick read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews