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River Mermaid
"After her art school application is rejected, Mercedes decides she now longer aspires to be an artist like her mother. But when her mom becomes seriously ill, Mercedes has to draw on her creative spirit to get through the sorrow and grief."
335 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Christy Goerzen
5 books6 followersChristy Goerzen has been telling stories since the age of two. She holds a Master of Arts in Children's Literature, and has worked as a bookseller, children's television writer, communications manager, speechwriter and university instructor. She lives in Vancouver with her husband, son and one funny little cat.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 24, 2023
so.
....
man.
okay. okay. this is fine. this is fine!
this first half of this book? a whole 150 pages of insta poetry? absolute flaming garbage. more than enough to make my ovaries explode in shame.
mercedes (yes, that's her fucking name. vrroom vrroom i guess.) (apparently her parent's named her after the car she was birthed in) (what the fuck),
is godawful. she gives i'm-not-like-other-girls, instead, i'm a wealthy white girl who's known the woes of being rejected by a prestigious art school. boo. hoo.
now look, i understand the author's intent of showing *growth* and *change* but holy shit it was bad. mercede's attitude towards working a minimum wage job, and to other teens is just. she's an asshole!!
she's weird, not in a haha-funny way, in a haha-weirdo-i-don't-want-near-me
ellis. ellis mcshay. not like other boys!!!
i didn't mind him for the most part. i think it would've been nice to see him told in a different perspective other than mercede's, because she combusts (ovaries included) at anything he does, which, unfortunately, doesn't pose well for a judging of a character.
before they started talking, i dunno, maybe it's just my aro-ness that has blocked any willingness to comprehend a het relationship, but god is she creepy.
fyi bulging veins isn't delicious!!! please make ellis drink more water!!
as they continued to talk, mercedes became less pretentious overall, and their dialouge was easy to read.
(pet peeve— texting always looks shitty in novels to me. maybe i've just gotten used to lowercase texts but it's just. :/ )
i will give the book some credit— i think the book did well to portray a family dynamic in which, a lot of the time, the parents were too busy for caring for her. it's later reflected in an argument mercede has with her bestie sandra, so props to that. good discussion prompt.
and, mercedes' comment on her mother's death. how her pain comes in waves, and the guilt surrounding her relationship with ellis— of enjoying the moment, even though her mother just died— was a good concept.
i will say the second half of the book was marginally better than the first half. but the first half is so stuck in my head w cringe that it dilutes any clarity that the second half of the book brings.
though, i will say, as much as i found the writing (insta-poem) formatting to be unconventional, it definetely made reading quicker!! and boy did i not want to be reading this for long!!! it was a couple hours of readings at most. so thanks author i didn't have to commit too much for this book!!!
....
man.
okay. okay. this is fine. this is fine!
this first half of this book? a whole 150 pages of insta poetry? absolute flaming garbage. more than enough to make my ovaries explode in shame.
mercedes (yes, that's her fucking name. vrroom vrroom i guess.) (apparently her parent's named her after the car she was birthed in) (what the fuck),
is godawful. she gives i'm-not-like-other-girls, instead, i'm a wealthy white girl who's known the woes of being rejected by a prestigious art school. boo. hoo.
now look, i understand the author's intent of showing *growth* and *change* but holy shit it was bad. mercede's attitude towards working a minimum wage job, and to other teens is just. she's an asshole!!
she's weird, not in a haha-funny way, in a haha-weirdo-i-don't-want-near-me
ellis. ellis mcshay. not like other boys!!!
i didn't mind him for the most part. i think it would've been nice to see him told in a different perspective other than mercede's, because she combusts (ovaries included) at anything he does, which, unfortunately, doesn't pose well for a judging of a character.
before they started talking, i dunno, maybe it's just my aro-ness that has blocked any willingness to comprehend a het relationship, but god is she creepy.
fyi bulging veins isn't delicious!!! please make ellis drink more water!!
as they continued to talk, mercedes became less pretentious overall, and their dialouge was easy to read.
(pet peeve— texting always looks shitty in novels to me. maybe i've just gotten used to lowercase texts but it's just. :/ )
i will give the book some credit— i think the book did well to portray a family dynamic in which, a lot of the time, the parents were too busy for caring for her. it's later reflected in an argument mercede has with her bestie sandra, so props to that. good discussion prompt.
and, mercedes' comment on her mother's death. how her pain comes in waves, and the guilt surrounding her relationship with ellis— of enjoying the moment, even though her mother just died— was a good concept.
i will say the second half of the book was marginally better than the first half. but the first half is so stuck in my head w cringe that it dilutes any clarity that the second half of the book brings.
though, i will say, as much as i found the writing (insta-poem) formatting to be unconventional, it definetely made reading quicker!! and boy did i not want to be reading this for long!!! it was a couple hours of readings at most. so thanks author i didn't have to commit too much for this book!!!
January 31, 2023
Mercedes fights through a difficult year full of rejection and loss, while ultimately finding love in a new way that will forever change who she is. I truly had goosebumps by the end of the story and hoped for the typical cliché of the girl getting the guy and all her wildest dreams. She deserved a wonderful life full of success and happiness, even if we don't get to witness it, I'm glad she was able to achieve all that she wished for.
A lovely Canadian read, written in verse which isn't what I would usually go for but I had no choice in the matter. I was expecting more mermaids, but came to love the story nonetheless. It was a beautiful coming of age story with lots of little 80's movies peppered throughout. Takes place in a little town in BC while still feeling general enough that you could get lost in the story and emotion. I loved the mention of art and architecture through out, and Mercedes never felt like that "artsy" girl that you usually have to endure. She was a real teenage girl with her own quirks and talents without ever feeling like a papercut out. I'm glad I got to experience it.
A lovely Canadian read, written in verse which isn't what I would usually go for but I had no choice in the matter. I was expecting more mermaids, but came to love the story nonetheless. It was a beautiful coming of age story with lots of little 80's movies peppered throughout. Takes place in a little town in BC while still feeling general enough that you could get lost in the story and emotion. I loved the mention of art and architecture through out, and Mercedes never felt like that "artsy" girl that you usually have to endure. She was a real teenage girl with her own quirks and talents without ever feeling like a papercut out. I'm glad I got to experience it.
March 18, 2023
Well… I certainly liked parts of this book. I mean I absolutely loved the protagonist’s mother and love interest (didn’t like the love interest enough for my ovaries to burst though).
However, I wanted to strangle the QuIRkY and dumb teenage protagonist herself. I found myself SCREAMING at her for being so dumb/embarrassing sometimes. I also hated her father. There’s slight but redemption for him, but not enough.
I did find the plot somewhat predictable, hence me screaming at the protagonist.
I did also enjoy the last chapter/poem, it was a good ending and related well to the novel. Speaking of this being written in prose, I didn’t feel that such added anything to the plot itself, and I found that most of the time I had to remind myself that these were poems of sorts.
There were certainly solid parts to this book, it just wasn’t 100% for me.
Edit: I FORGOT ABOUT SANDRA. Loved her with all my heart. She came off slightly rough in the beginning but she pulled through.
However, I wanted to strangle the QuIRkY and dumb teenage protagonist herself. I found myself SCREAMING at her for being so dumb/embarrassing sometimes. I also hated her father. There’s slight but redemption for him, but not enough.
I did find the plot somewhat predictable, hence me screaming at the protagonist.
I did also enjoy the last chapter/poem, it was a good ending and related well to the novel. Speaking of this being written in prose, I didn’t feel that such added anything to the plot itself, and I found that most of the time I had to remind myself that these were poems of sorts.
There were certainly solid parts to this book, it just wasn’t 100% for me.
Edit: I FORGOT ABOUT SANDRA. Loved her with all my heart. She came off slightly rough in the beginning but she pulled through.
April 10, 2023
The start was SUPER SLOW. It took too long to get the plot rolling, but once it did, the story and the character arcs were interesting. All I can say is that I'm super glad I kept reading. Mercedes' character and the purpose of her art both grew in the best way possible. She felt very non-relatable in the beginning, but she definitely redeemed herself.
As for the format of the novel (written in verse), I want to say that it really wasn't necessary; it didn't add anything to the story. I think it would've been better to write in prose and then include poems here and there, but that's just me.
Also, I really liked Ellis. Was it because he was a black belt in karate? Maybe...
Either way, a dreadful beginning, but a sweet ending.
As for the format of the novel (written in verse), I want to say that it really wasn't necessary; it didn't add anything to the story. I think it would've been better to write in prose and then include poems here and there, but that's just me.
Also, I really liked Ellis. Was it because he was a black belt in karate? Maybe...
Either way, a dreadful beginning, but a sweet ending.
January 26, 2023
love this style of writing
March 24, 2023
Pretty nice quick read, liked it, but didn’t love it
April 3, 2023
If quotes about exploding ovaries and Lizzo are not enough, the author continues to create unrealistic portrayals of what they think teenage life is like.
Seriously, how many of us can say that our (male) crush is going out with the popular girl (named Brittany) but ends up falling for us cause we're so different from all the other girls? Oh, and did I mention we drew a shirtless sketch of him in class and it fell out of our binder in front of everyone?!
Like really. This doesn't happen.
There wasn't even that much of a plot twist..it was just the MC doing a bunch of stupid things that are supposed to have some sort of sentimental value attached to them (they don't).
AND HER NAME IS MERCEDES.
What I did like was the idea that she blamed her father for her mother's death, but also chose to let it go. Usually, characters go on these rampages and spill their guts when berating anything and anything that could have caused their loved one to die.
The most cliche book Ever
Seriously, how many of us can say that our (male) crush is going out with the popular girl (named Brittany) but ends up falling for us cause we're so different from all the other girls? Oh, and did I mention we drew a shirtless sketch of him in class and it fell out of our binder in front of everyone?!
Like really. This doesn't happen.
There wasn't even that much of a plot twist..it was just the MC doing a bunch of stupid things that are supposed to have some sort of sentimental value attached to them (they don't).
AND HER NAME IS MERCEDES.
What I did like was the idea that she blamed her father for her mother's death, but also chose to let it go. Usually, characters go on these rampages and spill their guts when berating anything and anything that could have caused their loved one to die.
The most cliche book Ever
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
Although the fact that it was written in verse worked well for the novel, I think it was a strange choice. Regardless, I really enjoyed this story, despite the fact that the ending was predictable from the halfway mark thanks to the title.
Edit: Had to change my rating because Mercedes is actually really annoying.
Edit: Had to change my rating because Mercedes is actually really annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2025
I read this for school, it was weird and boring. I don't remember the guys name but I remember that he found it cool and flattering that the girl literally drew him half naked even though they are literally in elementary or high school (I don't really remember) and that's just weird and gross, like she never even talked to him before?? It was just odd, end of story.
January 14, 2023
SPOILER ALERT!!
Wow! This reminds me very much of Nix Minus One by Jill McLean… still one of my all-time favourite Canadian YA novels… admittedly the first one I ever read that was written in verse. As with that title, I found myself with tears in my eyes while reading this.
A lovely exploration of grief in all the different forms that it takes… from the initial rejection by the dreamed of art school, to the loss of her mother. Great character development, principal and supporting. Choosing to write this in verse was the right call… there’s as much in the spaces in-between - what’s left unsaid - as there is in the verse. The form allows for the reader to really get into her headspace.
Some might complain about the ending - rather tied up in a bow - but… it works with the structure of the rest of the book. And, the bow is a long way out - actually far into the future, in 2038 - and I expect that there are a lot of bumps in the road between now and then. I think the message being imparted is important - that this will get better, and you never know how things will turn out… sometimes when things seem their darkest and least likely, you can - somehow - come out in the right place regardless.
And that it is set - unabashedly and concretely - in Canada gives it an additional little bump in my eyes (not that it needed any… but, it doesn’t hurt….).
Wow! This reminds me very much of Nix Minus One by Jill McLean… still one of my all-time favourite Canadian YA novels… admittedly the first one I ever read that was written in verse. As with that title, I found myself with tears in my eyes while reading this.
A lovely exploration of grief in all the different forms that it takes… from the initial rejection by the dreamed of art school, to the loss of her mother. Great character development, principal and supporting. Choosing to write this in verse was the right call… there’s as much in the spaces in-between - what’s left unsaid - as there is in the verse. The form allows for the reader to really get into her headspace.
Some might complain about the ending - rather tied up in a bow - but… it works with the structure of the rest of the book. And, the bow is a long way out - actually far into the future, in 2038 - and I expect that there are a lot of bumps in the road between now and then. I think the message being imparted is important - that this will get better, and you never know how things will turn out… sometimes when things seem their darkest and least likely, you can - somehow - come out in the right place regardless.
And that it is set - unabashedly and concretely - in Canada gives it an additional little bump in my eyes (not that it needed any… but, it doesn’t hurt….).
January 18, 2022
This beautiful book explores the journey of Mercedes, a young teenager and hopeful artist, through the milestones of growing up: love and crushes and hopes and dreams and reality. Mercedes comes to terms with it all, and the easily readable prose draws you into her world and feelings.
I loved how Goerzen captures that intense, freewheeling feeling of stumbling through emotions that we all have as young adults. It's beautiful to accompany Mercedes as she tests love and family while chasing her ambition as an artist.
I read this in one sitting: cheering Mercedes on through her relatable growth as she navigates the threshold of adulthood. The highly readable prose is such a wonderful way to draw you in.
I loved how Goerzen captures that intense, freewheeling feeling of stumbling through emotions that we all have as young adults. It's beautiful to accompany Mercedes as she tests love and family while chasing her ambition as an artist.
I read this in one sitting: cheering Mercedes on through her relatable growth as she navigates the threshold of adulthood. The highly readable prose is such a wonderful way to draw you in.
March 11, 2023
Though I was skeptical at first to read a book in verse, River Mermaid was beautiful. I’m not a fan of sculptures or the visual art that is the foundation of the story, but the authors descriptions still managed to move me, having me absolutely sobbing by the end. Themes of loss to be a bit overused, but River Mermaid was refreshing and connected elegantly to coming of age and growth. Overall I found River Mermaid to be incredibly moving and well written, and I highly recommend.
December 31, 2025
Really sweet quick read. I liked the plot, it was nothing crazy but I liked it. I thought the characters were pretty good, slightly boring and I wish they had more development but I guess it’s okay. Overall would recommend if you want a quick meaningful read.
December 17, 2021
I'm not usually a big fan of novels in verse, but this one works.
December 3, 2022
Cutesy little book. Didn’t know how I was going to feel about it being written in verses but I liked the format. It was a quick read but I enjoyed.
January 2, 2023
They said don’t judge a book by it’s cover but I’d fully recommend you do that with this book. Nothing was special about it except for that it’s written in prose at least it was short.
April 7, 2023
Forest of Reading, White Pine, ⅗.
Themes: Death, success, rejection
Representation: Half-Asian LI
Content Warnings: Cancer, death, neglect
What I Liked
I liked the style that the book was written in, I thought that the poetry form made the book unique as well as easy to read
I liked that the main character had a good relationship with her mom and she was quite close to her
The mom as a character, she is super sweet and really cool and hardworking
What I Didn’t Like
I thought that the main character was a bit whiny at times and yeah, I get that you have a famous mom and you are overshadowed by her, but that does not mean you should give up after one failure
I did not like that the main character was a little stalkerish towards the love interest, I do get that it is an intense class but that does not permit you to watch him through a window
I didn’t like that the dad’s attitude towards the mom, he made her work too hard
What I Wish There Was More Of
More interactions between the mom and the main character that shows more about how much she cares about her mom rather than just focusing on art stuff
Rating: 2.9/5
Date Read: March 14th, 2023
Date Reviewed: April 6th, 2023
Themes: Death, success, rejection
Representation: Half-Asian LI
Content Warnings: Cancer, death, neglect
What I Liked
I liked the style that the book was written in, I thought that the poetry form made the book unique as well as easy to read
I liked that the main character had a good relationship with her mom and she was quite close to her
The mom as a character, she is super sweet and really cool and hardworking
What I Didn’t Like
I thought that the main character was a bit whiny at times and yeah, I get that you have a famous mom and you are overshadowed by her, but that does not mean you should give up after one failure
I did not like that the main character was a little stalkerish towards the love interest, I do get that it is an intense class but that does not permit you to watch him through a window
I didn’t like that the dad’s attitude towards the mom, he made her work too hard
What I Wish There Was More Of
More interactions between the mom and the main character that shows more about how much she cares about her mom rather than just focusing on art stuff
Rating: 2.9/5
Date Read: March 14th, 2023
Date Reviewed: April 6th, 2023
August 4, 2023
read in a sitting, fast paced and my heart literally aches.
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