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Fairy-tale Inheritance #6

The Little Mermaid's Voice

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Would you trade your world for a soul?

Ever since the fateful day when the little mermaid risked everything for a human soul, the merpeople have been under lockdown—absolutely no surfacing.

Sea princess Mairin bristles under the restriction and blames humans for her confinement. But when her kingdom comes under attack, the queen sends Mairin away to protect Edwin, a descendant of the little mermaid’s prince, from drowning. Mairin despises the responsibility even if it means finally breaking the surface.

Mairin decides to end the cycle of unrequited love once and for all by using the sea witch’s potion to give herself legs and follow Edwin aboard the Titanic. If she can make him fall in love with her, she will win back the freedom of her people. But as she gets to know the humans, her heart changes toward them and Mairin realizes she has made a bigger mistake than the little mermaid ever did. Can she save both the humans and her kingdom?

Based on the original telling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 10, 2021

69 people are currently reading
2180 people want to read

About the author

Shonna Slayton

23 books523 followers
SHONNA SLAYTON is the author of the Fairy-Tale Inheritance Series of young adult novels, beginning with Cinderella’s Dress.

She edited curriculum for an education company before homeschooling her own children using literature-based whole book learning. She’s taught writing using fairy tales in school classrooms and workshops, as well as in public libraries as a writer in residence. Instead of seeing her in person, you can get the Lessons from Grimm Series which includes a writer’s guide and workbooks for writers to learn fiction techniques through fairy tales.

Join her email list and receive a free story as a welcome gift. Be the first to learn of new books and get behind-the-scenes info you can't read anywhere else. Sign up on her website Shonna Slayton

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5 stars
132 (34%)
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145 (37%)
3 stars
81 (20%)
2 stars
28 (7%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Srishti B..
310 reviews6 followers
April 10, 2021
I always enjoy Shonna Slayton's historical fantasies, and this was no different. I was especially excited for this one because I've only read one or two books set on the Titanic, and I've never even seen the famous movie. I thought that the idea behind this one was particularly interesting, as the little mermaid has always been my least favorite fairy tale, but I've enjoyed retellings of it before and I was curious to see how the author incorporated it into history. The story follows Mairin, the niece of the Little Mermaid 100 years after her aunt's famous story takes place (A mermaid lifetime being about 300 years, as in the original Grimm version) the mermaids are now trapped under a barrier and are unable to surface, and Mairin feels trapped by this.
I really enjoyed the way that the Titanic was incorporated, because while it was clearly well researched, there was not so much information loaded into the book that I could not enjoy the storyline. I also appreciated the fact that the book talked about the human cost of the event, because while it is very much romanticized in today's society, people's lives were drastically changed, with even those who survived mostly never setting foot on a boat again.
An aspect of this particular retelling that I found interesting was that it almost seemed to assume that the reader knew the storyline of the original Grimm version of the story rather than the Disney version. While many retellings do in fact focus on the original stories, I felt like this had stronger ties to it than most do, and while I do feel like the book could be read and understood without reading the original, I was glad I had while reading.
I do think that Mairin falls into the trap laid out for her a bit too easily, but I guess without that there wouldn't really have been a plot, so I understand why it had to be done that way. I thought Zade and Edwin were very fun, and I'm glad that the book ended the way that it did. I did feel like some parts of the story were left a bit unresolved at the end, but part of the ending did make me feel as though there might be a sequel, so I suppose we'll see.
There is a fun link at the end of the Kindle Version that allows you to guess the original Little Mermaid's name for access to a "secret page" I was able to guess it, but only after looking back through the book. Overall I thought that this story was another interesting blend of history and fantasy, and I enjoyed the lighthearted touches combined with the seriousness of the topic.
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Nicole Aldana.
8 reviews
April 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It was slow to start and at times was a little slow building to the climax. I really enjoyed the second half of the book!
Profile Image for Pratyu.
357 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2022
The writing in this book is comically bad but "She couldn't take her eyes off him--his whole being glowed as if he was surrounded by bio-luminescent bacteria." really took the cake. DNF.
Profile Image for Valeri.
106 reviews2 followers
March 23, 2025
This one was pretty good. Only complaint is that The Little Mermaid never had her actual name mentioned. I get why but at the same time having a name would’ve been easier to read than saying The Little Mermaid so many times. Also, with any Titanic story you know it’s going to be sad at some point and it definitely was but I think the author did a good job not sensationalizing it since that wasn’t the full point of the book
Profile Image for Cozette Zimmerman.
164 reviews
July 7, 2024
Titanic lore, the little mermaid, love and fantasy. I need this as a movie adaptation immediately
Profile Image for Lynndell.
1,716 reviews1 follower
April 11, 2021
The Little Mermaid’s Voice by Shonna Slayton
The story opens as the Little Mermaid watches the prince walk away. The sea witch tricked her. Fast forward one hundred years and the mermaids are still suffering from restrictions placed on them because of the Little Mermaid's actions. She was the present Queen’s sister. Mairin is a daughter of the Queen and she wants to breathe above water but that’s one of the restrictions placed on her people; no going to the surface. An advisor approaches her and gives her the job of going to the surface and tells her how to get to the location where she needs to be. When she arrives she’s told that she has to keep the human prince alive per the agreement made by the Little Mermaid all those years ago. The prince’s descendants have to be kept safe. A finman approaches Mairin and taunts her into listening to his idea to save her kingdom. Go above the surface, make the prince fall in love with her then break his heart by leaving him. This will break the curse and allow the restricted barrier to be broken. Edwin is the descendant that Mairin has to protect and when he boards the Titanic, she has to find a way to get aboard also. What follows is an adventure that takes a dreadful turn. This story meshes fairytale with history, 4 stars!
Profile Image for Kimmy.
303 reviews3 followers
April 7, 2024
This book just wouldn’t end. I thought mixing mermaids with the event of the Titanic would be an interesting twist, but I was bored for pretty much the whole book. The author would barely explain the backstory and just assumes everyone knows the original story of The Little Mermaid. The main character just decides to trust the bad guy who is clearly not giving her any information (and the author gives no information). The “romance” between the main character and her brother’s best friend did not have anything to support it. Every character was just dull and I was unfortunately glad when I read the last page.
Profile Image for Claire.
166 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2025
This book captivated me from start to finish! I found myself laughing out loud in one moment and wiping away tears the next. The author masterfully weaves a compelling narrative with unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.
The concept of featuring a beloved fairy tale character aboard the Titanic is truly ingenious. It provides a unique and fascinating perspective on this historical tragedy. As a huge fan of Titanic stories myself, I was completely enthralled by this fresh take on the event.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a captivating read with a touch of magic and a healthy dose of emotion.
Must Read!
Profile Image for Angie.
154 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2023
It’s more of. 3.5 star rating. I am a titanic buff and putting a fairy tale twist in the story made for a clever
Book and a fun story and yet I feel was respectful to the tragedy of the titanic.
Profile Image for Rhea Kelley.
27 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2025
Would you trade your world for a soul?
After the little mermaid’s sacrifice, merfolk are forbidden from surfacing. Sea princess Mairin resents the rule—until she’s tasked with protecting a human descended from the prince who changed everything. But when betrayal runs deep and freedom is on the line, Mairin strikes a deal with the sea witch and follows the boy aboard the Titanic. What begins as a mission for revenge turns into something far more complicated as Mairin’s heart—and the fate of two worlds—hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts
I’ve really enjoyed this series by Shonna Slayton. Most of the books can be read as standalones, with the exception of Cinderella’s Dress, Cinderella’s Shoes, and Cinderella’s Legacy (Novella), which form a connected trilogy. Slayton does a fantastic job of reimagining classic fairy tales, blending their familiar magic with real historical events in fresh and creative ways.

The Little Mermaid’s Voice explores what happens after Hans Christian Andersen’s original The Little Mermaid. Shonna Slayton builds on the classic tale’s ending, offering a unique continuation of the story. I highly recommend reading the original—it’s much darker and quite different from the movie version.

We’re introduced to Mairin, a strong-willed protagonist living in the shadow of her famous aunt—the original little mermaid. Unlike her aunt, Mairin resents humans, blaming them (and her aunt) for the barrier that now prevents merfolk from surfacing. When she’s offered a chance to undo that damage, she seizes it—unaware of the consequences her actions will bring. As she spends time among humans aboard the Titanic, Mairin begins to realize they aren’t so different from her own people. What she once saw as selfishness is replaced by glimpses of courage and selflessness in the face of disaster. Her character arc is beautifully crafted—rich with growth, yet paced so naturally that it never feels rushed.

“She had believed humans to be selfish, but as the ship sank, she saw them giving up lifeboat seats, comforting strangers, and facing death with courage. Their actions spoke louder than any words.”
— The Little Mermaid’s Voice by Shonna Slayton

Through Mairin’s interactions with the passengers aboard the Titanic, we glimpse their excitement and hope for the journey ahead. Many spoke eagerly of reaching New York, marveled at the “unsinkable” ship, and even joked about spotting an iceberg. Each moment carried a quiet weight, knowing what history holds. As real historical figures appeared in the story, their presence added a bittersweet layer—making their fate all the more poignant.

☕ Final Thoughts
The Little Mermaid’s Voice is a clever, emotional blend of fairytale and history. Shonna Slayton delivers a fresh take on a classic tale, set against the haunting backdrop of the Titanic. With strong character development and a unique twist on familiar lore, this story kept me engaged from start to finish.

If you enjoy fairytale retellings with historical depth and a dash of heart, this one’s worth a spot on your TBR. Just don’t forget your coffee—preferably strong and over ice. ☕💬

Have you read any fairytale retellings that surprised you? I’d love to hear your favorites!
Profile Image for Cindi.
385 reviews8 followers
September 14, 2024
I can barely hold in my excitement for this book! 😁 Best Little Mermaid story yet! 😍 This is set up as a sequel to the original tale by Hans Christian Anderson and takes place 100 years later with the niece as the main character, who believes her purpose is to fix her aunt's mistakes. There are secrets, resentment, new foes, dangerous deals, and a lot of growing up to do. She also gets to face the human world with a friend. Even though she is irritated at his following her at first she soon starts to see the value in having an ally.

The part that has me the most excited though is a twist I never thought I would see in a Little Mermaid retelling. You will never believe what this author did! The little mermaid is in a wheelchair! And it's not just some fluffy trope filled up with cliches. This has been researched and FELT. I am seeing ME in so many ways in my favorite character of all time! In Anderson's version, the legs are painful and walking on them is excruciating, so this time she is using a wheelchair to help her get around because she isn't stable enough and is in too much pain when she tries to stand or walk. So many little nuances and moments surrounding the situation with the chair that make me feel so seen. I LOVE this story! ❤

This story had me torn between not wanting it to end and needing to know what happens next. I have read quite a bit of retellings based on The Little Mermaid. I collect them even. This by far though has been the best of them all, and not just because of the wheelchair thing. It's honestly well written, imaginative, moving, and interesting. I am liking the mixture of historical fiction (the Titanic side) and fantasy (the mermaid side) and how seamlessly this author has woven them together without diminishing either one to make room for the other. Excellently done. 😊
Profile Image for Allison.
Author 6 books12 followers
July 1, 2023
The Little Mermaid on the Titanic? Sign me up. Ironically, I started reading this before the Titan submersible disaster began but as it unfolded it seemed timely that I be reading this book.
Princess Mairine has been living in the shadow of her aunt (the original Little Mermaid) all her life. At the Little Mermaid's death, merfolk were forbidden from surfacing, a fact Mairine resents because while she badly wants to see what the surface world is like, she's sure she's not so foolish as to fall in love with a human or believe a mermaid could gain a soul. But the merfolk all whisper that her curiosity means she's too like her aunt, and distrust her because of it.
Determined to prove herself, Mairine jumps at the chance to take on her family's burden of protecting the descendants of the Little Mermaid's prince from drowning. It should be easy, since the family has been avoiding water travel for over a century. But when the latest scion boards a ship called the Titanic, Mairine is compelled to go aboard. She gets what she's always wanted, a chance to see the human world for herself. It's not at all what she expected.
Unfortunately, the entire middle section of the book where Mairine is on the Titanic but before the iceberg is dull and repetitive. Not a lot happens except endless conversations and arguments that don't amount to much. Things pick up again at the end (unsurprising, giving the setting) but it's not really worth the slog to get there. A shame, since the premise is so awesome and I enjoyed a previous installment to this series, Beauty's Rose, quite a bit.
Profile Image for Marion Marchetto.
Author 31 books105 followers
January 18, 2023
Another winner in the Fairy-Tale Inheritance series by Shonna Slayton. This time we go under water as we explore the possibility of what really happened to Titanic. Is it possible that the Sea Witch of yore was the ultimate cause of the ship's sinking? Or was it really just the iceberg?

Another flawless blending of fairy-tale and historical event for this author. The characters are believable and you will soon find yourself cheering on Mairin (the mermaid) who is the niece of the original Little Mermaid as she tries to fulfill her obligation of keeping Edwin (descendant of the original prince) alive. But she soon finds that she has fallen trap to one of the Sea Witch's minions. And with the sinking of the ship, can she keep Edwin alive as he glides into the water?

Fraught with tension on Mairin and Edwin's behalf, we find that Titanic only serves as a backdrop for this story. Another 5-star winner from this author. I plan on reading the other stories in this series as well.
16 reviews
May 23, 2023
I am not exactly the target audience for this story, so keep that in mind while reading my review. However, I love a good fairytale.
When first starting this story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the mermaid's world and the inclusion of finfolk. The pacing was lovely and the introduction of characters was well done.
Less than halfway through, I felt the story slowed down quite a bit. I had a hard time getting through a good portion of the story. I felt like there could have been more exciting incidents and the pacing started to suffer, which caused me to put the book down and contemplate whether or not I should finish it. However, I was curious about how the story would conclude and decided to finish reading and I'm glad I did. Mairin, who started to become stagnant in the middle of the book, eventually had much better character development and I absolutely adored the ending.
Profile Image for Brian.
644 reviews
February 28, 2025
This was a fun take on a classic story. Decades after the Little Mermaid sacrificed herself to save a prince, her niece Mairin is charged with protecting a descendant of the prince. Mairin finds herself on board the Titanic and must save the life of Edwin Jespersen at all costs, as her own kingdom has come under threat because of the machinations of one of the Sea Witch's henchmen.

The story is easy to read and a fun take on the Little Mermaid story. Real life characters are smattered throughout the book. There is a bit of inconsistency with the name of Lucy Duff-Gordon. She is referred to interchangeably in the book as Mrs. Duff-Gordon and Lady Duff-Gordon. It should be "Lady". But that doesn't take away from the book's enjoyment factor.

Recommended for people that would enjoy a different take on the Little Mermaid story and for people who enjoy reading about the Titanic.
Profile Image for Jessica Dudenhofer Beery.
259 reviews8 followers
December 6, 2022
Oooo - this book was so fun! imagine what might have happened if a descendant of The Little Mermaid’s royal family rode aboard the Titanic, striving to find her prince?
But all is not as it seems.

And that is why the book is so much fun!!! Three cheers for an author who strives to write clean, adventuresome literature for girls and women to enjoy — THANK YOU for not being afraid to bring salvation into a novel for YA and for being brave to swim against the current of today’s trending YA books.
I’m so glad to have a recommendation for the young (and not so young 😉) ladies in my life who love history, a bit of fairy tale romance and a creative storyline.
I’ve loved both books I’ve read by this author and can’t wait to read more!
Profile Image for Nadine.
1,905 reviews2 followers
April 10, 2021
I loved it from start to finish!

I love fairytale retellings. And this one has a historical twist: Titanic, but not as you know it! I felt it was an original twist on The Little Mermaid, and on the story of the Titanic. Well written, too. Can easily be read as a standalone. A very cute, entertaining, enjoyable story!

I love that the author wrote in her foreword “Much of what is written here is truly historical, but remember that this book is a book of fiction. I found no conclusive proof of a mermaid sailing on Titanic.” That sure tickled my funny bone, LOL!
Profile Image for Jessica Welflin.
85 reviews7 followers
April 10, 2021
I can't put into words how much I loved this book. I laughed, I cried. I was so sad to see it end. The Little Mermaid was my favorite fairy tale when I was a child, who would have guessed that it would be my favorite of the series?

The plot was incredible, the twists and turns were great. I feel like the theme was strong with this book, more than the others. I have also never highlighted lines in a book as much as I did this one.

I wondered how dealing with tragedy like the Titanic would work with the fairy tale, but she handled it beautifully.
Profile Image for Bookbae.
21 reviews
May 27, 2023
Loved this premise! Little mermaid meets the titanic. A mix of some of my favorites- mermaids, princesses, Disney, Hans Christian Andersen stories, history, and historical fiction. I loved that at the end the author noted what was fact versus fiction, what was on the fence, some of the best historical sources, and some other authors who’d inspired and helped her. There were a few things I wished were fleshed out a bit more, but an easy, enjoyable, and interesting read. I will definitely check out more books in this series!
Profile Image for Marina Doneda.
243 reviews1 follower
December 1, 2021
This was an enjoyable read. Sometimes it seemed like the main character was a little too naive, but it was a fun novel to read. I'd like to read her other stories.
I did feel a bit disadvantaged not having previously read the HC Andersen version, but a quick Wikipedia search helped me there, and I appreciated the note at the beginning to give me a heads up to do that. The resources and links at the end of the book were fun.
Profile Image for Lu Rose.
374 reviews13 followers
May 26, 2023
Loved this action packed full of adventure fantasy re-telling of the little mermaid but add in Titanic.
The mermaid has to save the Prince named Edwin from the finfolks and made a deal with the finman and he gives her the ability to have legs but Zale the guard followed her and made a deal as well!!
Now im not going to tell you what happened next but if you love the little mermaid and the Titanic like me u will love this story best of both worlds! I promise you this!
Profile Image for Grace T.
1,005 reviews3 followers
February 27, 2022
Kudos for including finfolk, a curious raised eyebrow for including "The Wellerman" during a moment of celebration (it both made me laugh and jarred me out of the story because 1) it didn't fit the moment and 2) I absolutely loved the sea shanty fad that went around early last year. I would love to find out whether that influenced Slayton to include the song, or whether she could see the future).
Profile Image for Kenzie Christensen.
41 reviews
November 20, 2025
I think this was my favorite one of the fairy tale inheritance books. (I still have one more to read). there was just an intense feeling to the story and I love the way it took the original story and then made it new in unexpected ways. tying in the Titanic was such an interesting aspect that enriched the storytelling.
Profile Image for Kristen.
23 reviews
May 21, 2021
To say that I loved this book would be an understatement. The Little Mermaid was my favorite childhood movie, and I absolutely love the history of the Titanic. It was even better than I expected!!!
Profile Image for Heide Ivy.
9 reviews
February 24, 2022
Such a great read. I love how it brings apart of true history in to the fairly tale. This is the 2nd book i have read from her series.
Profile Image for Kate.
48 reviews
April 1, 2022
This is such a good book!! The retelling of this story and the way its written 🖤
362 reviews3 followers
June 22, 2022
Slow to start. It wasn't as good as the first book.
Profile Image for Samantha Theiler.
32 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2023
I loved this book! Such a clever spin on the little mermaid fairytale. I loved the addition of the titanic in it as well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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