The Sea in You

by Jessi Sheron

15-year-old Corinth was just trying to clean up the beach; she never expected to meet a mermaid, let alone be nearly drowned by one. It was the start of a very strange friendship! After Skylla, the deadly fanged mermaid, mysteriously lets Corinth live, they grow closer through a cautious exchange of stories, gifts, jokes, and sign language. Mermaids, it turns out, eat people, but however terrifying Skylla may look, she’s a little younger, a little smaller, and perhaps a little too soft for all that. Bewitched by Corinth and their growing bond, she learns about all the best things in life on books, burgers, donuts, and this strange chattering human sound called laughter. But a storm is brewing – both at sea and in Corinth’s increasingly dangerous relationship with her obsessively jealous boyfriend – and a magical bargain may be the only thing that can save her, at a tremendous cost. A whimsical dark fantasy retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” The Sea in You upends everything you thought you knew about magical creatures of the deep, on a whirlwind journey to a whole new world you’ve only dreamed of before!

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Romance, Young Adult, LGBT, Comics, Mermaids

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2015

About the author

Jessi Sheron is an illustrator and comic book artist.

I've illustrated books such as

"Monster High: Meet the Ghouls", published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

"Monster High: Ghoul Power", published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

"Ever After High Class of Classics", graphic novel, published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers

"Princeless" short story collection, for Action Lab Comics.

Along with these, I do asset creation illustration, spot illustrations, and freelance work.

I also write and illustrate my own stories, such as "The Evil Queen" and "The Sea in you" and "Brown Rabbit White Rabbit"

Reviews

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely precious. The artwork is stunning (especially the mermaids' character designs, and Skylla in human form—the sparkles! the shimmer! the colors!) and the characters, aside from Seth, are so lovable. Corinth is a little goth delight and I loved her so much. I'm a total sucker for the "inhuman character learns how to act human" trope, so I got a kick out of Corinth teaching Skylla things, but most of all, I absolutely cherished watching the relationship bloom between these two. I need more!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

✨ Representation: sapphic romance; Corinth's mom is deaf; Skylla is mute as a human; multiple characters use American Sign Language (with some panels even teaching specific signs, such as finger-spelling Corinth's name); BIPOC side characters

✨ Content warnings for: domestic abuse; abusive relationships; ableist behaviors; violence; gaslighting (all challenged)

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[Jenn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Corinth was trying to clean up the beach when she met a mermaid and began a very strange friendship. I absolutely loved this book! One of my favorite reads this year. The art is adorable and the story drew me in instantly. I was not aware that this was a webcomic until after I had finished it, but even if you have read the comic online I highly recommend this book and cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy! There is a very toxic relationship in the book, but it is handled with sensitivity.

5 stars

Creative Team:
Writer and Artist: Jessi Sheron
Letterer: Joamette Gil

[Stay Fetters · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Here we go. Another human wonder! The library!”

Now entering my Mermaid era!

This book had spectacular art, it was well drawn, and the colors were vibrant. Very eye catching and it kept me glued to the story. The story was just as amazing. You instantly become invested in the characters lives because they are so lovable from the start. Paired together made this one that I couldn’t put down.

[vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.50 | TENGO QUE ESPERAR POR LA SEGUNDA PARTE ME MATO

[Lil Bookish Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest web comic i have ever read!

[Riley R · Rating 5 out of 5]

lesbians 💜

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this art! So beautiful! Call me clueless, but I really didn’t see the direction this was heading in until it was actually there. I enjoyed it (did I mention the art!) and will hope there’s eventually a sequel.

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Corinth was just hanging out on the beach, alone as usual, when she met a mermaid. This weird encounter somehow morphs into a friendship. But between her jealous, abusive boyfriend, and her worried parents, things get even more complicated and the mermaid has her own problems to take care of.

The Sea in You was an interesting graphic novel. Some things in it I truly didn't expect, others were pretty conventional. Overall, it was a good read, with a cute romance though I felt like it went pretty fast on that front, I would have liked a slower burn I guess. I also enjoyed the relationship between Corinth and her parents. I love how the author included sign language and how it was portrayed. I also really liked the illustrations. Overall, it was a good book, I would have liked to be warned about the abusive relationship cause that was a lot but it was well-written.
Basically, it wasn't perfect and I wish it'd been more layered on some fronts but I still really liked it and will be reading whatever comes next.

[Hana aka the Mermaid Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading online until book is released in print: http://theseainyou.com

[Kristall Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read enough graphic novels, and when I saw this book at the library, I just had to read it!
I didn't realize it was a Little Mermaid retelling (Which is good, because I hate retellings and I wouldn't have picked it up if I'd known), but there are enough differences that it didn't just feel like a lazy rip-off like most retellings do.
I liked the characters, and the art was gorgeous, especially the mermaid designs, but I'm not a fan of the ending. Corinth and Skylla's relationship just ended up right where it started. Is there a second volume? Because it didn't feel complete.

[alexander shay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and unique while at the same time predictable. The art was great and while the story is based on a queer-ing of The Little Mermaid, it doesn't photocopy the plot which is nice, in part because it's much modernized compared to the story or the Disney movie. That said, the ending didn't surprise me at all and I was a bit disappointed by the lack of originality in it given everything that came before it.

[Freya Abbas · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS SOOO GOOD omg it was so accurate at portraying an abusive relationship (between Corinth and Seth). When Corinth was like “You don’t even like me. You just like having me around! Boyfriends aren’t supposed to make you cry and hate yourself! I know you have bad things in your life and I wanted to be there for you. But not as your stupid doormat or punching bag!” Skylla was the one who helped her realize this and get away. Also don’t even get me started on how beautiful the art is, especially the scenes with Skylla underwater with her sisters, mother, and fathers (she has multiple fathers). And we get to see both Corinth and Skylla in human and mermaid form. Also all the details and backstory of the characters was so well thought out. Some graphic novels I’ve read have felt too quick, but this one had a pretty satisfying conclusion. So yeah if you want to read a gay mermaid book I recommend this lol.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This art is amazing! The story is so cute, it’s definitely a YA graphic novel, The Little Mermaid retelling is powerful with themes of toxic relationships and loneliness.
I loved every page of this powerful, beautiful story. I recommend it for anybody who loves sapphic stories, mermaids, and gorgeous art.

[Karissa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book until the end - it got ruined by the ending.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustration, great retelling of a classic tale, and unexpected heart ❤️.

[Vanna Book-Mage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! I loved that. I need a part 2 for real for reals.

[Jack Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has traces of previous mermaid stories woven through, but the dazzling and warming story within makes it feel wholly original.

[ﾟ⁠❍⁠｡⁠⁠Lily｡❍⁠ﾟ⁠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and decent storyline

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 rounding down to 4.

If I knew there was gonna be a sequel, I would probably give this 5 stars. But it's been 9 years since this was first published, I'm not gonna hold too much hope of a sequel.

[jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

lovely art, beautiful colors. i hope there will be a second volume because the ending surprised me!!

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a nice retelling of the little mermaid, giving it a more gothic urban fantasy twist but still being bright and friendly. This is the first part - so you are only getting half the story here and it does end on a cliff hanger.

Story: Corinth always felt like an outsider; when a hot rock singer wanna be at her new school takes a liking to her, she finally feels she found the 'home' she was looking for. Seth always says the right things to her - except when he doesn't. Then one day while cleaning the beach, she is attacked by a mermaid. The mermaid spares her for an unknown reason and the two begin a slow friendship. Problem is, Seth isn't ready for a third person in their relationship.

So yes, this is a retelling of the Little Mermaid (the original story, not the Disney version, obviously). The artwork is well done - very colorful and with panels that breathe and aren't overcrowded. Some scenes are a bit hard to understand, though, and need more segues to make the point. But the bright color motif and fun 'goth' influenced styles of the main characters more than make up for a few frustrations.

This is an easy and enjoyable read - great for a Summer afternoon. Just be aware that there will be a sequel and this is only half the story. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Olive · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically just the Little Mermaid story with a wlw relationship. The art was not my favorite but it was readable enough.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW/CW: domestic abuse, toxic relationships

So, I just binged this entire series (up to date) and it is freaking gorgeous!

Goth girl meets mermaid - this webcomic has some gorgeous relationships, as well as some not so gorgeous ones. The art is spectacular and the whole story will hit you in the feels ❤

If you have some spare time, make sure to check it out on Tapas!

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dunno where all the mermaid love stories are coming from, but I am *here for it.*

[Noodle Blue · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great love story with such gorgeous art! The ending still left a big problem unsolved, so I can’t wait for a continuation of the story.

[Artemis Crescent · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Sea in You' is a beautiful graphic novel.

The art is phenomenal and gorgeous, and its characterisation, storytelling and pacing are lovely. It is a queer retelling of 'The Little Mermaid', and it is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and strangely realistic for all its fantastical, ethereal elements. It is still far from perfect, and it does end on a cliffhanger, but 'The Sea in You' is clever, nuanced, inclusive, diverse, harrowing, and did I mention fucking gorgeous to look at?

Seriously, check out the artwork: every panel is amazing and beautifully done. I can't begin to imagine how long it must have taken to draw, colour, make and put together everything for this sea-wonder miracle of a book to happen.

Teenage goth girl Corinth suddenly finds herself befriending a blue mermaid, whom she calls Skylla (the mermaids here are more monstrous than pretty), and through that bond - through teaching the quite literal fish out of water about the land, humans, foods, books, laughter, and sign language - she finds happiness in a way she never did with her abusive boyfriend Seth. Corinth knows sign language because her mother is deaf, and this form of communication helps Skylla out greatly as this 'The Little Mermaid' tale comes to a head. This one doesn't end in tragedy, per say, but it ends on a bizarre, topsy-turvy twist that is unique and kind of satisfying for someone like me who never liked the ending to the Disney version, cliffhanger notwithstanding.

I dare not reveal anything else concerning the plot.

Poor Corinth is very sensitive. She cries a lot, and reprimands and blames herself for a lot of things, very much like how an abuse victim would. I'm happy that at least she has loving, caring and supportive parents. It's sort of scary how much I related to her. Skylla can be a bit much, and possessive and overprotective of Corinth, but that can be excused by her not being human and coming from a rough undersea, literal monstrous family, where it's an overt predator-and-prey world. And her big heart is in the right place, and she cares for Corinth as deeply as the deepest coral-filled ocean, unlike the terrible Seth.

'The Sea in You' may well have it all: beauty, cuteness, terror, trauma, showcasing toxic and abusive relationships (that was very rough to read about), family, books and libraries, fashion, all the emotions, and girls bonding. And the dangerous sea, and mermaids! Magical mermaids!

'The Sea in You' is the second comic I've read and liked this year - this week, to be precise - to star a bisexual goth fifteen-year-old girl. The first is 'Mall Goth'. Weird yet cool. If I had a nickel for every time I read and liked a comic about a bisexual goth fifteen-year-old girl, yadda yadda yadda, you know the meme.

I wish a few of the side characters had gotten more panel time and development, like Seth's bandmates, and Ashley. Remember her? She only appears in two scenes, six pages in total, and she is a potential new female friend for Corinth. Maybe she'll appear more in the sequel? Will there be a sequel?

Will Corinth's informed trait of ukulele playing ever actually come into play?

Well, regardless, 'The Sea in You' is worth the read. Tearful, and, wait for it, beautiful .

Final Score: 3.5/5

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now THIS is a mermaid story! Further, it's one with ASL! (Although, hard to fact-check a lot of the signs in still comic panels, but a good attempt!)

The one big tragedy D=



We'd meant to drop by for a visit, too! It's just down the road! (haha)

Admittedly, it's an uncomfortable read, despite the high quality, since it's predominantly about the main character Corinth ("like the city") navigating with a bad relationship while creating a better one. The ending is a mixed bag, since this is essentially a retelling of The Little Mermaid (and even lampshades that by having the mermaid, Skylla, freak out upon finding that exact book, since she is afraid that humans know of mermaid secrets). I mean, it's still a "happy" ending, but it's a lateral move, I guess. I still like it, it's just sort of frustrating. ;)

Recommended for fans of mermaids that AREN'T the Disney princess model (or just happen to be more interested in things like biblically-accurate angels instead of "people with wings"), or any Ocean City locals who want to read about their area! :D (haha, although I have to figure it's in Ocean City, because... OCEAN City...)

[Yani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know that I am absolutely not the target audience for this...

But this was... incredibly dumb.

I'm also going to make the assumption that this was originally a web comic. You can generally tell when you look at the art in the first few pages and compare it with the last few. Sheron clearly did this over a longer period of time and her art improved during the run of the story. Not to mention the continuity of the main character's cheek piercings slowly sliding down her face during the story.

There are just too many parts of this that don't survive casual scrutiny. The mermaid learning language from sailors and understanding what "sisters" are from casual context. She has sisters, but hearing someone say "My sister..." gives her literally no concept for that relationship. It would be like me hearing only the word "schwester" and understanding what it means.

The abusive boyfriend Seth being basically moustache twirlingly evil. And having nice friends. Who he is evil within earshot of. I know that's the point, he's supposed to be the archetype for "abusive high school boyfriend", he's just drawn with too broad a brush.

He's also just too ridiculously pretty. Most of the male characters are. Whereas the female characters have varied body types. Reversing a trope like that doesn't reset any time a male artist does it, it's still a problem.

As a Little Mermaid adaptation, I've read worse. But this mostly just ends up incredibly damp.

[Chantal Aurora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher for an early copy.

I started reading this on webtoon and loved it. I finally finished this through the arc. There wasn’t much changed in the arc the colors looked brighter and more saturated. The art popped on the page and looked amazing. Its incredible what playing around with the colors does the art looked so much better and it was already looking great.

I loved this take on the little mermaid. She teaches her sign language and after that is how they communicate when she loses her voice. That is such a genius way to bring more inclusion in a story. She lost her voice but she can still sign, it makes sense for the story and is great representation of something that doesn’t get much representation. I love how the mermaid looks creepy and what actual mermaids might look like. She was creepy at first but I grew to love her. Her human form is so gorgeous. Their romance was adorable and so wholesome. The mermaid world was so cool. I loved this so much it was so refreshing it reimagined the story in such a cool way while still staying true to it. I can’t wait for the sequel.

[Melissa Orth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corinth, fairly new to coastal Maryland, takes a walk on the beach one night and is dragged under by a mermaid. Instead of eating her, as her kind is wont to do, the mermaid lets Corinth go but takes her necklace. Waking on the sand cold and wet, she’s unsure of what just happened so returns to the beach the next and nearly every subsequent night, forging a loving relationship with the water creature named Skylla.

Meanwhile when not hanging out with her new friend, Corinth spends time with her controlling abusive boyfriend and her loving parents. Her mom communicates with ASL and Corinth teaches sign language to Skylla, an important plot point in this retelling of The Little Mermaid.

While it may be hard to believe that Corinth and Skylla have fallen in love in mere months, the abusive relationship with her boyfriend is all too real. The stable loving relationship of her parents clearly laid the foundation for her to establish a strong bond with Skylla. A really nice retelling that I’d recommend to any upper middle school student.