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Beyond the Four Kingdoms #6
A Princess of Wind and Wave: a Retelling of the Little Mermaid
Isla may be a mermaid princess, but she's never felt at home in her undersea kingdom. Instead she dreams of the day her people can return to the surface--and the boy whose life she once saved. But while Isla foresees danger for her people beneath the ocean, she has no concept of the dark forces working to keep her people submerged.
When an impetuous vow sets her on the course of the truth, Isla discovers that shadowy foes beset the kingdoms of both land and sea. And when she finally finds herself onshore, Isla realizes the fight will require not only her sword but her mind and heart as well--at least if she ever hopes to overcome her enemies and win the love of the prince of her dreams.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, the princess will have to grow beyond her dreams if she wants to save two kingdoms and her own heart.
When an impetuous vow sets her on the course of the truth, Isla discovers that shadowy foes beset the kingdoms of both land and sea. And when she finally finds herself onshore, Isla realizes the fight will require not only her sword but her mind and heart as well--at least if she ever hopes to overcome her enemies and win the love of the prince of her dreams.
In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, the princess will have to grow beyond her dreams if she wants to save two kingdoms and her own heart.
Audio CD
First published December 26, 2019
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About the author
Melanie Cellier
126 books2,746 followersMelanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.
She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.
She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone stories that retell classic fairy tales.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
December 30, 2019
Melanie Cellier, you have done it yet again.
I have to admit, A Captive of Wing and Feather, despite being one of my top anticipated releases of 2019, left me kind of disappointed. Thus, I had my doubts upon opening this book.
I'm so pleased to say that this book totally crushed every single one of those doubts.
I was worried the worldbuilding would be kinda all over the place, because this is the last book of this series and suddenly there's a mermaid kingdom out of the blue? How was she going to pull that off? And yet she did, beautifully-- it felt perfectly natural, as though this mermaid kingdom had been there all along, just waiting to be discovered. And I love how she presented it and how she made it her own.
I was worried I was going to hate Isla from the very start. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the same cookie-cutter type of impulsive, determined, dramatic girl YA protagonist. And yet, Isla wasn't like that. In fact, unlike these impulsive determined dramatic YA girls, she actually had a character arc... and it was a freaking awesome arc, one that I bet Ariel sure would benefit from.
I was worried that I wouldn't be invested in the romance. Granted, that's a concern I have in any book that includes romance, but Cellier totally blew me away. Isla and Teddy were the sweetest and their relationship SO GOOD. I love how realistic and imperfect it is, and what the author did about the whole "ocean-girl" thing.
Worries aside, this book was chock-full of other amazing surprises. Ray, oh my word, RAY. He's got to be one of my favorite Melanie Cellier characters ever. His loyalty and friendship with Isla was just... *all the love* And Millie was WONDERFUL. Just as wonderful as she was in A Dance of Silver and Shadow! RAY x MILLIE = MY HEART.
(And the uncle thing was, like, the best thing ever.)
The ACTION. No joke, all my favorite Melanie Cellier books are the action-packed ones. The action in this one is, of course, far from the awesomeness that is in The Princess Fugitive, but it was still really great. (And Ray Ray Ray Ray Ray...)
I cannot wait for Return to the Four Kingdoms. The epilogue of this book made me long for it even more-- all the characters! Together again! (And more uncle jokes xD) I'm just hoping Gabe's brother might actually feature in that series, because he is the only royal we've never ever met in either of these previous series. *shrugs* Can't blame a girl for being curious.
All in all, this was an EPIC finale to this second series. Melanie Cellier never ceases to amaze ;)
I have to admit, A Captive of Wing and Feather, despite being one of my top anticipated releases of 2019, left me kind of disappointed. Thus, I had my doubts upon opening this book.
I'm so pleased to say that this book totally crushed every single one of those doubts.
I was worried the worldbuilding would be kinda all over the place, because this is the last book of this series and suddenly there's a mermaid kingdom out of the blue? How was she going to pull that off? And yet she did, beautifully-- it felt perfectly natural, as though this mermaid kingdom had been there all along, just waiting to be discovered. And I love how she presented it and how she made it her own.
I was worried I was going to hate Isla from the very start. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the same cookie-cutter type of impulsive, determined, dramatic girl YA protagonist. And yet, Isla wasn't like that. In fact, unlike these impulsive determined dramatic YA girls, she actually had a character arc... and it was a freaking awesome arc, one that I bet Ariel sure would benefit from.
I was worried that I wouldn't be invested in the romance. Granted, that's a concern I have in any book that includes romance, but Cellier totally blew me away. Isla and Teddy were the sweetest and their relationship SO GOOD. I love how realistic and imperfect it is, and what the author did about the whole "ocean-girl" thing.
Worries aside, this book was chock-full of other amazing surprises. Ray, oh my word, RAY. He's got to be one of my favorite Melanie Cellier characters ever. His loyalty and friendship with Isla was just... *all the love* And Millie was WONDERFUL. Just as wonderful as she was in A Dance of Silver and Shadow! RAY x MILLIE = MY HEART.
(And the uncle thing was, like, the best thing ever.)
The ACTION. No joke, all my favorite Melanie Cellier books are the action-packed ones. The action in this one is, of course, far from the awesomeness that is in The Princess Fugitive, but it was still really great. (And Ray Ray Ray Ray Ray...)
I cannot wait for Return to the Four Kingdoms. The epilogue of this book made me long for it even more-- all the characters! Together again! (And more uncle jokes xD) I'm just hoping Gabe's brother might actually feature in that series, because he is the only royal we've never ever met in either of these previous series. *shrugs* Can't blame a girl for being curious.
All in all, this was an EPIC finale to this second series. Melanie Cellier never ceases to amaze ;)
January 3, 2020
This. Was. Stunning. *jaw drop*
This is quite possibly my favorite Little Mermaid retelling, and I've read lots of them. And I am almost certain this is my favorite of all of Cellier's books thus far, and I've loved many of her books!! It's hard to beat A Dance of Silver and Shadow, but wow! Just wow! I loved everything about this book, from page one. I thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, enjoyed this. I think it's her best work yet.
The plot was engaging from the first line and held me captive until the very end of the epilogue. The intrigue and action were seamlessly woven into the story. And the villain honestly took me slightly be surprise. I mean, for 70% I didn't suspect the villain in the slightest, but when it came time to reveal the villain, it felt natural and right. I loved following the problems with each kindom, on the surface and below it, and how they were strung together in the end. The story never failed to intrigue me.
And neither did the world itself. We've seen many kingdoms so far in Cellier's world, but this time we saw the sea kindom, and I'm a bit of a sucker for mermaids. The different kingdoms were fascinating. Oddly, however, instead of there being much of a contrast, there were more similarities between Merita and her sister kingdoms, which I loved. It was a neat new perspective. And the merfolk themselves were really cool, too! I'd never seen merfolk like these before and I reveled in their society. I enjoyed getting a little into the politics of their culture, and would have enjoyed more on it, honestly. But the culture and transition from merpeople to how they lived their every day lives and the whole relationship with the surface was beautifully done. I could have spent all day and then some (hah, I did!) in their world. I definitely hope we see more of them!
The characters in this one were some of my favorites! I grew to love Teddy and Millie and Daisy almost instantly. And Isla was one of my favorites in the series so far!! I absolutely loved her! She had so many sides and skills and passions. I loved her! I enjoyed the complex relationships with her sisters, and could relate to many of them myself, but from the oldest's end. And the relationsihp with her father was excellent fodder. It played right into the plot, but I never once rolled my eyes at him. I understood him and sympathised with him, and that made it all the better. And Ray! Guys, I hear there's gonna be a short from Ray's pov! I can't wait! He was an unexpected pleasure in the story.
And the lessons they learned were so well done, seamlessly woven into the story. The book was well-written. And the light allegorical elements were woven in so incredibly well. I just...y'all, I loved this one from top to bottom. Thoroughly intriguing, engaging, and full of fantastic worldbuilding and excellent characters. Just well done. <3 I very highly recommend this one! (In the proper order, of course. :D)
Clean and sweet romance, no foul language, and non-graphic violence. (There was a bit of fighting and rebellion and such, but it was all very cleanly done.)
This is quite possibly my favorite Little Mermaid retelling, and I've read lots of them. And I am almost certain this is my favorite of all of Cellier's books thus far, and I've loved many of her books!! It's hard to beat A Dance of Silver and Shadow, but wow! Just wow! I loved everything about this book, from page one. I thoroughly, and I do mean thoroughly, enjoyed this. I think it's her best work yet.
The plot was engaging from the first line and held me captive until the very end of the epilogue. The intrigue and action were seamlessly woven into the story. And the villain honestly took me slightly be surprise. I mean, for 70% I didn't suspect the villain in the slightest, but when it came time to reveal the villain, it felt natural and right. I loved following the problems with each kindom, on the surface and below it, and how they were strung together in the end. The story never failed to intrigue me.
And neither did the world itself. We've seen many kingdoms so far in Cellier's world, but this time we saw the sea kindom, and I'm a bit of a sucker for mermaids. The different kingdoms were fascinating. Oddly, however, instead of there being much of a contrast, there were more similarities between Merita and her sister kingdoms, which I loved. It was a neat new perspective. And the merfolk themselves were really cool, too! I'd never seen merfolk like these before and I reveled in their society. I enjoyed getting a little into the politics of their culture, and would have enjoyed more on it, honestly. But the culture and transition from merpeople to how they lived their every day lives and the whole relationship with the surface was beautifully done. I could have spent all day and then some (hah, I did!) in their world. I definitely hope we see more of them!
The characters in this one were some of my favorites! I grew to love Teddy and Millie and Daisy almost instantly. And Isla was one of my favorites in the series so far!! I absolutely loved her! She had so many sides and skills and passions. I loved her! I enjoyed the complex relationships with her sisters, and could relate to many of them myself, but from the oldest's end. And the relationsihp with her father was excellent fodder. It played right into the plot, but I never once rolled my eyes at him. I understood him and sympathised with him, and that made it all the better. And Ray! Guys, I hear there's gonna be a short from Ray's pov! I can't wait! He was an unexpected pleasure in the story.
And the lessons they learned were so well done, seamlessly woven into the story. The book was well-written. And the light allegorical elements were woven in so incredibly well. I just...y'all, I loved this one from top to bottom. Thoroughly intriguing, engaging, and full of fantastic worldbuilding and excellent characters. Just well done. <3 I very highly recommend this one! (In the proper order, of course. :D)
Clean and sweet romance, no foul language, and non-graphic violence. (There was a bit of fighting and rebellion and such, but it was all very cleanly done.)
March 21, 2025
3.75 stars ✨
This has probably been the one of this series I was least excited for because we only see glimpses of this Prince in the first book of this series and I knew nothing about the main girl—but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one in the beginning. I really liked her hunger for learning about the surface and even though I did think her too rebellious at times (it is the Little Mermaid after all—and her father was so confusing in his emotions), I overall liked her character and her curiosity, though she had her annoying moments. She was a little too “he gets me 🥺” after meeting him only once (and in a storm, at that) but oh well. True love and yada yada.
Princess Daisy reminds me of Constance from MBS and I mean that as the highest compliment. 👏🏻
I didn’t love the final third of the book and how things happened (**) which was a bummer. I still overall enjoyed it, but the ending was a bit of a let down.
I wasn’t was invested in this series like the first one—which I was expecting because of friends telling me the first series was the best—but I am glad I read it. It’s fun to see these retellings and hints to pasts characters. I would definitely recommend to read them in order though, or else you will probably be very confused about all the other couples and their kids that are referenced.
✨ Ranking this series ✨
1- A Dream of Ebony and White (#5)
2- A Dance of Silver and Shadow (#1)
3- A Tale of Beauty and Beast (#2)
4- A Princess of Wind and Wave (#6)
5- A Crown of Snow and Ice (#3)
6- A Captive of Wing and Feather (#4)
Main Content:
Isla and her people live under the ocean on an island that sunk after her ancestors begged for protection from the High King when other countries were showing darkness; They have a bubble around the island and walk about like regular humans but when they enter the water, their legs change into a tail (we see this on-page with Isla and it’s described as a tingle feeling); Isla is very concerned about the bubble/barrier breaking and that it will cause major trouble for her people; It’s believed that the land people are filled with darkness and evil (thus part of the reason why Isla’s father wants them to stay in the ocean); Isla wonders if the High King has sent the tremors to warn her people that their protection will be expiring soon; Isla makes a vow that causes her to lose her voice until that vow is complete; While on land, merfolk and their country are unable to be discussed due to an enchantment (Isla feels her throat close when she attempts); Someone is against the godmothers and calls them “interfering” to the person’s plans.
Mentions of the High King, kingdoms turning away from the High King and having darkness in them, godmothers , objects from godmothers, enchantments, & Christenings; Mentions of curses; A few hints to sirens (not named).
Like with the story of The Little Mermaid, our mermaid princess is pushed to the side because she’s the youngest of many and she rebels against her father’s orders (she does realize that she is t acting the right way towards her father and his orders, but views what she’s doing as important for her people’s safety; She feels guilt a couple of times but pushes it away); Isla feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere; Isla has a sister who is jealous of her and can be quite a pill to Isla (we see a recalling of when she called Isla defective because she was different from everyone else); Isla’s uncle (who is actually only three years older than her and like a brother) tells her not to tell him her secrets (because he’ll sue them against her and has in the past; that said, he does have her back many times); Isla thinks of her aunt (a general) as better than any boy/son her father could have wanted.
Fighting & Injuring others, Being held at knife-point, (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone nearly drown & rescuing the person (few); Seeing fighting & others injured and killed (couple).
Mentions of deaths, shark attacks, pieces of others after said attacks being found, & grief (no details on the attacks or remains, but we do see grief); Mentions of villages being burned down & a possible massacre; Mentions of attacks, fighting, deaths, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of earthquakes/tremors, injuries, & Isla’s concern; Mentions of poisons; Mentions of hostages (including children), abductions, threats, & blackmail; Mentions of arrests & treason; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of others almost drowning; A few mentions of warnings to little merfolk with what will happen to them if they go to the surface (such as plummeting to their deaths and being attacked); A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of a raid at a party; A mention of torture (pulling someone’s fingernails off); A mention of believing that another is “taking on the burden of the necessary lie” so that her king can rule the people with a clear mind.
No language stronger than ‘stupid’; “What in the kingdoms” is said once; A few curses are said (but not written out); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Staring at lips,
1 kiss with no details,
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences;
Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Nearness, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); When noticing Isla is wearing her dressing gown, Teddy flushes and goes out of the room; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of couples unable to have children for a long time; A few mentions of mooning over someone & crushes; A mention of larger animals and birds not being in Isla’s underwater country because “they had all stubbornly refused to breed” and died out.
See my content reviews of the rest of the series & spin-off series here:
The Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #2.2, Book #2.5, Book #3, Book #3.5, Book #4, and Book #5.
Beyond the Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, and Book #6.
Return to the Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, and Book #6.
The Four Kingdoms Duology:
Book #1 and Book #2.
This has probably been the one of this series I was least excited for because we only see glimpses of this Prince in the first book of this series and I knew nothing about the main girl—but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one in the beginning. I really liked her hunger for learning about the surface and even though I did think her too rebellious at times (it is the Little Mermaid after all—and her father was so confusing in his emotions), I overall liked her character and her curiosity, though she had her annoying moments. She was a little too “he gets me 🥺” after meeting him only once (and in a storm, at that) but oh well. True love and yada yada.
Princess Daisy reminds me of Constance from MBS and I mean that as the highest compliment. 👏🏻
I didn’t love the final third of the book and how things happened (**) which was a bummer. I still overall enjoyed it, but the ending was a bit of a let down.
I wasn’t was invested in this series like the first one—which I was expecting because of friends telling me the first series was the best—but I am glad I read it. It’s fun to see these retellings and hints to pasts characters. I would definitely recommend to read them in order though, or else you will probably be very confused about all the other couples and their kids that are referenced.
✨ Ranking this series ✨
1- A Dream of Ebony and White (#5)
2- A Dance of Silver and Shadow (#1)
3- A Tale of Beauty and Beast (#2)
4- A Princess of Wind and Wave (#6)
5- A Crown of Snow and Ice (#3)
6- A Captive of Wing and Feather (#4)
Main Content:
Isla and her people live under the ocean on an island that sunk after her ancestors begged for protection from the High King when other countries were showing darkness; They have a bubble around the island and walk about like regular humans but when they enter the water, their legs change into a tail (we see this on-page with Isla and it’s described as a tingle feeling); Isla is very concerned about the bubble/barrier breaking and that it will cause major trouble for her people; It’s believed that the land people are filled with darkness and evil (thus part of the reason why Isla’s father wants them to stay in the ocean); Isla wonders if the High King has sent the tremors to warn her people that their protection will be expiring soon; Isla makes a vow that causes her to lose her voice until that vow is complete; While on land, merfolk and their country are unable to be discussed due to an enchantment (Isla feels her throat close when she attempts); Someone is against the godmothers and calls them “interfering” to the person’s plans.
Mentions of the High King, kingdoms turning away from the High King and having darkness in them, godmothers , objects from godmothers, enchantments, & Christenings; Mentions of curses; A few hints to sirens (not named).
Like with the story of The Little Mermaid, our mermaid princess is pushed to the side because she’s the youngest of many and she rebels against her father’s orders (she does realize that she is t acting the right way towards her father and his orders, but views what she’s doing as important for her people’s safety; She feels guilt a couple of times but pushes it away); Isla feels like she doesn’t belong anywhere; Isla has a sister who is jealous of her and can be quite a pill to Isla (we see a recalling of when she called Isla defective because she was different from everyone else); Isla’s uncle (who is actually only three years older than her and like a brother) tells her not to tell him her secrets (because he’ll sue them against her and has in the past; that said, he does have her back many times); Isla thinks of her aunt (a general) as better than any boy/son her father could have wanted.
Fighting & Injuring others, Being held at knife-point, (up to a few sentences); Seeing someone nearly drown & rescuing the person (few); Seeing fighting & others injured and killed (couple).
Mentions of deaths, shark attacks, pieces of others after said attacks being found, & grief (no details on the attacks or remains, but we do see grief); Mentions of villages being burned down & a possible massacre; Mentions of attacks, fighting, deaths, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to a few sentences); Mentions of earthquakes/tremors, injuries, & Isla’s concern; Mentions of poisons; Mentions of hostages (including children), abductions, threats, & blackmail; Mentions of arrests & treason; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of others almost drowning; A few mentions of warnings to little merfolk with what will happen to them if they go to the surface (such as plummeting to their deaths and being attacked); A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of a raid at a party; A mention of torture (pulling someone’s fingernails off); A mention of believing that another is “taking on the burden of the necessary lie” so that her king can rule the people with a clear mind.
No language stronger than ‘stupid’; “What in the kingdoms” is said once; A few curses are said (but not written out); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.
Staring at lips,
1 kiss with no details,
2 kisses lasting a couple sentences;
Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Nearness, & Noticing (up to a few sentences); When noticing Isla is wearing her dressing gown, Teddy flushes and goes out of the room; Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of couples unable to have children for a long time; A few mentions of mooning over someone & crushes; A mention of larger animals and birds not being in Isla’s underwater country because “they had all stubbornly refused to breed” and died out.
See my content reviews of the rest of the series & spin-off series here:
The Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #2.2, Book #2.5, Book #3, Book #3.5, Book #4, and Book #5.
Beyond the Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, and Book #6.
Return to the Four Kingdoms series:
Book #1, Book #2, Book #3, Book #4, Book #5, and Book #6.
The Four Kingdoms Duology:
Book #1 and Book #2.
December 9, 2020
A Princess of Wind and Wave by Melanie Cellier is the sixth book in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms and a retelling of the Little Mermaid. This series is wrapped up with Isla, a mermaid princess. Her people and island were sent to the bottom of the ocean for protection long ago. Now they are subjected to quakes and Isla just knows it means danger. However, no one believes her. Her only option is to seek help above the surface to see if evil still lurks there. She can’t believe that the darkness is there because she saw goodness in a boy she saved in a storm. When she goes to the surface, she meets the boy from all those years ago. But he is obsessed with the girl who saved him, but he doesn’t know that she is that girl. Can she save her people and her heart from heartbreak?
Those who love The Little Mermaid will adore this charming retelling with a twist. Although this is one of those books where the supporting characters are better than the main characters. While Isla is strong and courageous…she is also naive and can be a bit childish. Some of the issues that occur in this book are because she lashed out because her feelings are hurt. However, the pace is nonstop and the resolve is unpredictable!
But I can’t forget to mention, Esther Wane, the narrator who has also done a fabulous job with the series. She captured every personality of every princess and heroine!
In all, this is a lovely conclusion to the series! All the stories could be read as standalone but are all connected beautifully. The ending is so so special, but it is difficult to let go of all the characters! This is a spinoff series and I am currently reading the Four Kingdoms series, so hopefully, that will help with the book hangover I am having now. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars but the whole series 5 out of 5 stars!
Those who love The Little Mermaid will adore this charming retelling with a twist. Although this is one of those books where the supporting characters are better than the main characters. While Isla is strong and courageous…she is also naive and can be a bit childish. Some of the issues that occur in this book are because she lashed out because her feelings are hurt. However, the pace is nonstop and the resolve is unpredictable!
But I can’t forget to mention, Esther Wane, the narrator who has also done a fabulous job with the series. She captured every personality of every princess and heroine!
In all, this is a lovely conclusion to the series! All the stories could be read as standalone but are all connected beautifully. The ending is so so special, but it is difficult to let go of all the characters! This is a spinoff series and I am currently reading the Four Kingdoms series, so hopefully, that will help with the book hangover I am having now. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars but the whole series 5 out of 5 stars!
May 9, 2021
I’m so sad this series is over 😞🥺 ayea
December 11, 2022
I'll admit, I held off on reading this book right away, even though I'd pre-ordered it and even though Melanie Cellier is one of my favorite, auto-buy authors. Little Mermaid retellings tend to be hit or miss for me. I think my responsible, oldest child personality usually struggles to connect with the impetuous, rebellious, youngest child personality given to the Little Mermaid character in most retellings.
So, going into this book, I was worried I wouldn't like it. It is the last book in one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors. I really, really, really didn't want to be disappointed.
Instead, I was blown away. This book is amazing and might just take top spot for favorite Little Mermaid retelling. Yes, the Little Mermaid character was impetuous and rebellious. But she also had good reason, even if she went about it the wrong way. And, she learns from her impetuous mistakes and learns to be less rebellious and more thoughtful and the character development was well done.
This book is also a mash up of Little Mermaid meets Atlantis, so that made it super cool. There is danger and the stakes in this book could mean the downfall of both Trione and the underwater kingdom of Merrita. That made is such a page turner that I literally couldn't put it down.
The love story was also really well done, focusing on the theme of falling in love with a real person instead of just a dream person based on an infatuation. So very well done!
And, then there's Ray. I don't usually get book crushes, but Ray seriously stole my heart. I was so happy that he got his own happy ending in the book since he is simply adorable.
I loved this book and I can't wait to step back into this world with the next inter-connected series whenever this author writes it!
Re-Read: Just as good the second time around! I listened to the audiobook version, and I ADORE the audiobooks of this series!
So, going into this book, I was worried I wouldn't like it. It is the last book in one of my favorite series by one of my favorite authors. I really, really, really didn't want to be disappointed.
Instead, I was blown away. This book is amazing and might just take top spot for favorite Little Mermaid retelling. Yes, the Little Mermaid character was impetuous and rebellious. But she also had good reason, even if she went about it the wrong way. And, she learns from her impetuous mistakes and learns to be less rebellious and more thoughtful and the character development was well done.
This book is also a mash up of Little Mermaid meets Atlantis, so that made it super cool. There is danger and the stakes in this book could mean the downfall of both Trione and the underwater kingdom of Merrita. That made is such a page turner that I literally couldn't put it down.
The love story was also really well done, focusing on the theme of falling in love with a real person instead of just a dream person based on an infatuation. So very well done!
And, then there's Ray. I don't usually get book crushes, but Ray seriously stole my heart. I was so happy that he got his own happy ending in the book since he is simply adorable.
I loved this book and I can't wait to step back into this world with the next inter-connected series whenever this author writes it!
Re-Read: Just as good the second time around! I listened to the audiobook version, and I ADORE the audiobooks of this series!
July 3, 2024
Five stars + five more for the ending ✨
*happy sigh and some happy tears*
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. And I FINALLY got the ending I've been wanting--a reunion between all the characters.
I'll admit I got (very) misty eyed when I read that, and when I saw Lily and Sophie's twins...
THEY SOUND SO CUTE!! (And I can totally relate to having to keep the younger ones away from eating rocks since I have a baby sister haha (
Oh my gosh that ending was SOO perfect!! (And I'm still a little misty eyed over it.)
I can't believe that I've read the whole series now. I wish I'd paced myself a little more... I literally finished the first two series in twelve days.
And I almost did something unthinkable--atfirst I considered dnfing this book, simply because it's a little mermaid retelling.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
The plot was very different from the original story, which was ultimately the saving grace for me.
I guess I've always thought the little mermaid is a little young, childish. Maybe that's because it was favorite of mine when I was five. But this was not at all childish. The stakes were so much higher than the original story, and it managed to twist the plot just enough. I finished it in one day, and stayed up way too late reading, regardless of the fact that I had to wake up at seven the next day. The first 20% was slow and tedious, but once you get past that, I'll bet you won't be able to put the book down.
I've been trying to go to bed earlier... But this book wouldn't let me.
The romance was so sweet, too. You do have a not-love-triangle-love-triangle, (because Teddy doesn't know that SHE'S also his dream girl who rescued him and disappeared and he's still thinking about the "ocean girl" who rescued him.) It was kind of insta love, but this was redeemed by Isla coming to know the REAL Teddy. She realizes that she had a crush on him before, on the idea of him. And that scene at the end...
That was SO SWEET!!
Teddy always stands up for Isla, and they're one of my very favorite book couples now. And when he came after Isla under the ocean...
*sigh*
That was one of my favorite scenes. Isla had a GREAT character arc, and her friendship with Daisy was so fun!! She's one of my favorite characters!! I was sitting by my sleeping baby sister when I read this and nearly woke her up laughing so hard at Daisy's comments.
Ray was also one of my favorite characters too!! He's Islas uncle who's three years older than her, (long story), and is SO. MUCH. FUN. He made me laugh too, many, many, times. Now I get what the big deal about Ray is!!
I'd definitely like to see more of Ray and Millie in the future!!
Just one more character who I really liked... Waverley!! She's a bookworm (which I think all of us readers can relate to), and brings her book EVERYWHERE with her. If she was real we'd be best friends!!
Overall, I loved this entire series. It had it's ups and downs, sweet kisses and kidnappings, and I loved it. I'm just so sad that its over! I need to learn to go to bed earlier and not rush every single book.
So far, these are my top five favorite books in both series.
#1: The princess companion
#2: The princess games
#3: A dance of silver and shadow
#4: The princess search
#5: A princess of wind and wave
CW/TW: A few kisses with no more than two sentence descriptions, two almost kisses, warmth, blushes, a mild fake love triangle, (Teddy is in love with the girl who rescued him from drowning years ago, it is Isla but she can't reveal this because of an enchantment), a mention of newlyweds, Snow says that "married life is blissful," some embraces, Rays dad remarried and had another kid 30 years later, some minor physical attraction, noticing Teddys eyes and board shoulders and tall height, falling in love and some of the emotions, but it's kept light and clean, some hand holding, noticing closeness, Isla falls on top of Teddy on accident and lingers there a few moments too long, Isla wears a slip like dress that is appropriate underwater but is considered underwear on the surface, semi detailed, when Teddy and Iska are betrothed they aren't allowed to be places alone and someone always accompinies them, Daisy used to have a crush on Gabe when she was younger, (she doesn't now that he's married)
Remembering her dead mother, her aunt says that sharks killed her, (you find out in the end that it wasn't a shark but the evil aunt), Islas dad grieves over her Mom, Isla is sad too, Isla bsneaks out of the barrier without her dad's permission, (she does this a lot), and hides in her secret hideout cave, Isla runs away with Ray, almost getting kidnapped, semi detailed, Ray is kidnapped and taken to the raiders camp, some sword fighting, a mention of something being a "song not an execution", almost getting killed, minimal details, a blade is held to Isla, (but she's saved), the raiders are kidnapping people and forcing them to become bad too by blackmailing them and their families, Isla and Ray get thrown in prison, (Ray by his sister, Isla by her dad), getting betrayed by a close family member, Isla saved the prince from drowning ages ago, Isla is lying to everyone through most of the novel about her true identity, Isla has been told that there is a darkness on the surface, (the guards who said this were lying and working with the aunt)
Isla is a mermaid princess and lives in an underwater province called Merrit, she takes a vow that makes her lose her singing voice until Merrit is saved, mentions of magic godmothers and how they haven't visited Merrit in years, (they do at the end), if a merperson falls for a " land dweller" they'll get a tale to and be able to swim and breath underwater, Celine can make fire wth her hands, many mentions of enchantments, mermaids, magic, Isla is under an enchantment so she can't tell anyone the truth about herself and Merrit, (she ends up telling the truth when Teddy and Millie get tales and can swim underwater), the curse only applies on land, when Teddy falls for Isla he gets the tail as a result,
That's all of the main content. I might have missed a few VERY VERY minor things, but that's just about all there is. I just loved this book. I'd recommend this series with all my heart, even if you don't like fantasy. I didn't think that I did before these books, and now I might even read some other fantasy authors too. Once I finish the last spin off series, return to the four kingdoms, of course.
I'm so glad that my Goodreads friends recommend this series, and I decided to work out of my comfort zone and read it.
*sniffle*
I'm gonna miss these characters.
*happy sigh and some happy tears*
I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. And I FINALLY got the ending I've been wanting--a reunion between all the characters.
I'll admit I got (very) misty eyed when I read that, and when I saw Lily and Sophie's twins...
THEY SOUND SO CUTE!! (And I can totally relate to having to keep the younger ones away from eating rocks since I have a baby sister haha (
Oh my gosh that ending was SOO perfect!! (And I'm still a little misty eyed over it.)
I can't believe that I've read the whole series now. I wish I'd paced myself a little more... I literally finished the first two series in twelve days.
And I almost did something unthinkable--atfirst I considered dnfing this book, simply because it's a little mermaid retelling.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
The plot was very different from the original story, which was ultimately the saving grace for me.
I guess I've always thought the little mermaid is a little young, childish. Maybe that's because it was favorite of mine when I was five. But this was not at all childish. The stakes were so much higher than the original story, and it managed to twist the plot just enough. I finished it in one day, and stayed up way too late reading, regardless of the fact that I had to wake up at seven the next day. The first 20% was slow and tedious, but once you get past that, I'll bet you won't be able to put the book down.
I've been trying to go to bed earlier... But this book wouldn't let me.
The romance was so sweet, too. You do have a not-love-triangle-love-triangle, (because Teddy doesn't know that SHE'S also his dream girl who rescued him and disappeared and he's still thinking about the "ocean girl" who rescued him.) It was kind of insta love, but this was redeemed by Isla coming to know the REAL Teddy. She realizes that she had a crush on him before, on the idea of him. And that scene at the end...
That was SO SWEET!!
Teddy always stands up for Isla, and they're one of my very favorite book couples now. And when he came after Isla under the ocean...
*sigh*
That was one of my favorite scenes. Isla had a GREAT character arc, and her friendship with Daisy was so fun!! She's one of my favorite characters!! I was sitting by my sleeping baby sister when I read this and nearly woke her up laughing so hard at Daisy's comments.
Ray was also one of my favorite characters too!! He's Islas uncle who's three years older than her, (long story), and is SO. MUCH. FUN. He made me laugh too, many, many, times. Now I get what the big deal about Ray is!!
I'd definitely like to see more of Ray and Millie in the future!!
Just one more character who I really liked... Waverley!! She's a bookworm (which I think all of us readers can relate to), and brings her book EVERYWHERE with her. If she was real we'd be best friends!!
Overall, I loved this entire series. It had it's ups and downs, sweet kisses and kidnappings, and I loved it. I'm just so sad that its over! I need to learn to go to bed earlier and not rush every single book.
So far, these are my top five favorite books in both series.
#1: The princess companion
#2: The princess games
#3: A dance of silver and shadow
#4: The princess search
#5: A princess of wind and wave
CW/TW: A few kisses with no more than two sentence descriptions, two almost kisses, warmth, blushes, a mild fake love triangle, (Teddy is in love with the girl who rescued him from drowning years ago, it is Isla but she can't reveal this because of an enchantment), a mention of newlyweds, Snow says that "married life is blissful," some embraces, Rays dad remarried and had another kid 30 years later, some minor physical attraction, noticing Teddys eyes and board shoulders and tall height, falling in love and some of the emotions, but it's kept light and clean, some hand holding, noticing closeness, Isla falls on top of Teddy on accident and lingers there a few moments too long, Isla wears a slip like dress that is appropriate underwater but is considered underwear on the surface, semi detailed, when Teddy and Iska are betrothed they aren't allowed to be places alone and someone always accompinies them, Daisy used to have a crush on Gabe when she was younger, (she doesn't now that he's married)
Remembering her dead mother, her aunt says that sharks killed her, (you find out in the end that it wasn't a shark but the evil aunt), Islas dad grieves over her Mom, Isla is sad too, Isla bsneaks out of the barrier without her dad's permission, (she does this a lot), and hides in her secret hideout cave, Isla runs away with Ray, almost getting kidnapped, semi detailed, Ray is kidnapped and taken to the raiders camp, some sword fighting, a mention of something being a "song not an execution", almost getting killed, minimal details, a blade is held to Isla, (but she's saved), the raiders are kidnapping people and forcing them to become bad too by blackmailing them and their families, Isla and Ray get thrown in prison, (Ray by his sister, Isla by her dad), getting betrayed by a close family member, Isla saved the prince from drowning ages ago, Isla is lying to everyone through most of the novel about her true identity, Isla has been told that there is a darkness on the surface, (the guards who said this were lying and working with the aunt)
Isla is a mermaid princess and lives in an underwater province called Merrit, she takes a vow that makes her lose her singing voice until Merrit is saved, mentions of magic godmothers and how they haven't visited Merrit in years, (they do at the end), if a merperson falls for a " land dweller" they'll get a tale to and be able to swim and breath underwater, Celine can make fire wth her hands, many mentions of enchantments, mermaids, magic, Isla is under an enchantment so she can't tell anyone the truth about herself and Merrit, (she ends up telling the truth when Teddy and Millie get tales and can swim underwater), the curse only applies on land, when Teddy falls for Isla he gets the tail as a result,
That's all of the main content. I might have missed a few VERY VERY minor things, but that's just about all there is. I just loved this book. I'd recommend this series with all my heart, even if you don't like fantasy. I didn't think that I did before these books, and now I might even read some other fantasy authors too. Once I finish the last spin off series, return to the four kingdoms, of course.
I'm so glad that my Goodreads friends recommend this series, and I decided to work out of my comfort zone and read it.
*sniffle*
I'm gonna miss these characters.
May 18, 2020
I remember when I started this series that it felt like finally finding that one thing I was so looking for. It felt like coming home, like being held and embraced and loved. However, along the way there were stories I liked more and stories I liked a little less and the previous one was one that really had to grow on me while reading. I therefore hesitated to start this one, but I can already say that I shouldn't have done that.
Because this story reminded me again why I loved this series so much to begin with! This book was everything I remember the books in this series to be. I don't know why it didn't work out that well between me and the previous book, but with this one it clicked from the very first page. I didn't need time to get back into the world. I was completely sucked in and the book refused to let me go until I had finished it completely in one sitting.
One of the magical parts of this book was the Underwater Kingdom. I loved how Cellier really took her time to describe the world, the politics, the fears and the setting. It really felt like the world came to life. It was vivid and real. I don't know why, but this book felt very political, compared to other books, in general. There was so much plotting and planning and scheming going on and I really happen to love that. I also liked how every part of the story tied in so nicely in the end.
On top of that I also really loved the characters and their journey. Of course, a big part of the journey is predictable, since we are reading a retelling, and yet there were some nice surprises along the way. Both characters were however very easy to like and to identify with. They also were similar in enough ways to understand their instant click, but different enough to be interesting as a couple. And I'm very glad that Teddy did surprise me AND Isla in the end. It felt like an amazing fix it of the Disney Tale.
I'm already really looking forward to the new series!
Because this story reminded me again why I loved this series so much to begin with! This book was everything I remember the books in this series to be. I don't know why it didn't work out that well between me and the previous book, but with this one it clicked from the very first page. I didn't need time to get back into the world. I was completely sucked in and the book refused to let me go until I had finished it completely in one sitting.
One of the magical parts of this book was the Underwater Kingdom. I loved how Cellier really took her time to describe the world, the politics, the fears and the setting. It really felt like the world came to life. It was vivid and real. I don't know why, but this book felt very political, compared to other books, in general. There was so much plotting and planning and scheming going on and I really happen to love that. I also liked how every part of the story tied in so nicely in the end.
On top of that I also really loved the characters and their journey. Of course, a big part of the journey is predictable, since we are reading a retelling, and yet there were some nice surprises along the way. Both characters were however very easy to like and to identify with. They also were similar in enough ways to understand their instant click, but different enough to be interesting as a couple. And I'm very glad that Teddy did surprise me AND Isla in the end. It felt like an amazing fix it of the Disney Tale.
I'm already really looking forward to the new series!
May 8, 2025
Her storm boy and his ocean girl! *squeals and kicks my feet* THEY WERE SO STINKING CUTE!!!!
I definitely didn't see that twist coming. 😱😱😱
And that epilogue??? 🥰🥰🥰🥰
I definitely didn't see that twist coming. 😱😱😱
And that epilogue??? 🥰🥰🥰🥰
July 1, 2023
This book gets five HUGE (sea)stars because it was incredible! Right now, I just wanna fangirl and gush about this series, these characters, and mermaids!! Lol, so how to write this without making at least a little sense? No promises...
The world was awesome! I wasn’t exactly sure how much I was going to like the mermaid thing... but I LOVED it!! The whole mermaid world was soo well done. And also realistically done, I might add. I guess I was a little afraid it would be kind of unbelievable but it wasn’t in the least!
The characters were A-MAZING!! Oh my... there’s so many to talk about. (This is the part that’s hard not to gush about)
I wasn’t too sure how I was gonna like Isla since she was new but I loved her so much! She quickly became one of my favorite characters. I also love how she is honest with herself about her feelings for Teddy and doesn’t try to pretend she doesn’t care for him. She’s unselfish, strong, and awesome but she’s also got her faults. She was amazing.
TEDDY!!! He was adorable and totally stole my heart. From the other books, I didn’t know that much about him except for he was a dreamer and such... but now he is one of my favorite hero’s of Melanie Cellier’s.
He is the sweetest. I love how there’s different sides to him. His thoughtful, dreamer side and his funny, carefree side. He was just wonderful.
Ray was completely awesome too and uncle thing was pretty hilarious😂
Millie and Daisy were wonderful too! And all of these characters together=makes me so happy!
The love story was absolutely beautiful! Teddy and Isla are definitely in my favorite couples of this series. They were so sweet and perfect!! I love their walks on the beach and the “Ocean Girl and Storm Boy” thing SO much!
And Ray and Millie were adorable, too! I loveee that we get their story in here too. Ahh!
I love the humor ( I laughed soo much)😂
I love the hidden identities element!
I love the action and story of the underwater kingdom.
I love the mermaid world.
I LOVED the epilogue. It. Made. Me. So. Happy!! Getting to see all of the characters from this series together just made me smile so much.
Anyways, I guess I’ll stop gushing now!! But really, what an amazing finale! I can’t get enough of this world❤️
2023 reread-
I still absolutely love this story!💗 It’s definitely one of my favorite fairytale retellings ever. I LOVE Isla and Teddy— aka Ocean Girl and Storm Boy!💗 And I also really love Millie and Ray. Basically, I just love this whole book. It’s a perfect summer/beach read too.☺️
The world was awesome! I wasn’t exactly sure how much I was going to like the mermaid thing... but I LOVED it!! The whole mermaid world was soo well done. And also realistically done, I might add. I guess I was a little afraid it would be kind of unbelievable but it wasn’t in the least!
The characters were A-MAZING!! Oh my... there’s so many to talk about. (This is the part that’s hard not to gush about)
I wasn’t too sure how I was gonna like Isla since she was new but I loved her so much! She quickly became one of my favorite characters. I also love how she is honest with herself about her feelings for Teddy and doesn’t try to pretend she doesn’t care for him. She’s unselfish, strong, and awesome but she’s also got her faults. She was amazing.
TEDDY!!! He was adorable and totally stole my heart. From the other books, I didn’t know that much about him except for he was a dreamer and such... but now he is one of my favorite hero’s of Melanie Cellier’s.
He is the sweetest. I love how there’s different sides to him. His thoughtful, dreamer side and his funny, carefree side. He was just wonderful.
Ray was completely awesome too and uncle thing was pretty hilarious😂
Millie and Daisy were wonderful too! And all of these characters together=makes me so happy!
The love story was absolutely beautiful! Teddy and Isla are definitely in my favorite couples of this series. They were so sweet and perfect!! I love their walks on the beach and the “Ocean Girl and Storm Boy” thing SO much!
And Ray and Millie were adorable, too! I loveee that we get their story in here too. Ahh!
I love the humor ( I laughed soo much)😂
I love the hidden identities element!
I love the action and story of the underwater kingdom.
I love the mermaid world.
I LOVED the epilogue. It. Made. Me. So. Happy!! Getting to see all of the characters from this series together just made me smile so much.
Anyways, I guess I’ll stop gushing now!! But really, what an amazing finale! I can’t get enough of this world❤️
2023 reread-
I still absolutely love this story!💗 It’s definitely one of my favorite fairytale retellings ever. I LOVE Isla and Teddy— aka Ocean Girl and Storm Boy!💗 And I also really love Millie and Ray. Basically, I just love this whole book. It’s a perfect summer/beach read too.☺️
dnf
June 24, 2020I really, really like this series and books by this author, but I seem to have a genetic inability to enjoy mermaid stories. Even though this one is only kind of mermaid story, the curse seems to apply. Ugh.
November 1, 2024
4.5 Stars ;)
April 14, 2020
Before I rant for a time, just gonna throw it out there...this book was not a complete waste of time. Read on to understand what I mean by that.
I have read all of Melanie's Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms books thus far. I have been mildly impressed with various aspects of them at different points. Some female characters annoyed the starch outta me and others I adored. I gotta say Isla was somewhere in between for me. Sadly, I found myself quite underwhelmed by her almost the entire time. This is especially true of her relationship with Teddy. Now I'm a sincere fan of a good "slow-burn" and I know that is usually quite successful. Melanie has done an adequate job doing so with most of her characters. I do believe she missed the boat (pun intended) on this one though.
For example, at one point Teddy and Isla sit on the shore line and watch the sunrise. I was so ready for something to come of that! I would have settled for an "almost kiss" or gazing into each others' eyes ya know? Yup, there's none of that. At one point, Isla even reflects on their many evenings spent talking on the beach. Other than this one interaction, I believe we only hear mention of one other time. WHY WAS THIS NOT SHOWN? I do believe that if she had explored a few more of these encounters, we would have received snippets of conversation that illustrate connections and true love building. Otherwise, I'm still feeling underwhelmed like...
Such a wasted opportunity! Again when she thinks about "all the times they practiced with swords together"...there wasn't any portrayal of that either other than once. I definitely was left feeling underwhelmed by their whole romantic journey. I finished the book feeling as though they loved each other mostly because she saved him and he dreamed of her for a few years. More than once she reflects that she has grown to love him outside of her fantasy of him, but I just don't see much that builds that. To me it just doesn't add up. I think Melanie was trying to illustrate that they really did fall in love, but I just don't see the progression of that on the day to day. I am also saying this whilst taking into strong consideration all her other romantic journeys from her other books. Throughout all her time with Teddy, you assume that they're connecting and having romantic moments but few are listed in detail. It's a shame, really.
Last thing I'll say is that unfortunately, regardless of the underwhelming development of their relationship, ultimately I'd have not cared for this book as a whole because of one cursed thing: info dumping. She spends so much time just dumping heaps of info onto us that I was so beyond confused. I mean, confused to the point of asking myself: "Should I re-read that entire passage again or should I just press on and hope it all comes together in the end?" Yup, I pressed on.
She threw names of princesses, locations, names of buildings, long-lost family members, generals, etc. and it confused me deeply. NOT TO MENTION, if an author is really going to world-build like that, please for the love of all that is good and great in the fictional world you're building, DO NOT name your characters so closely! Nerida, Nerissa, Nereus (who is actually Ray?!)...goodness gracious it made it so much worse.
Altogether I was underwhelmed with the romantic overtones of the main characters, confused by all the info-dumping, and I wouldn't call it a complete waste of time. I really yearned for Isla and Teddy to really connect which means I cared enough to want that for them but in the end I literally closed the book and just went...
Oh and the final thing I'll say about the series and sub-series as a whole: Melanie's greatest description for her series(es?) is that they are "linked stand-alone novels". I gotta say this really shouldn't be her tagline because at the end of this book all of the other princes and princesses come together in the epilogue. On a base line I did remember who ended up with who. HOWEVER, there are enough similarities in these various characters that I couldn't place each one with their corresponding story quite well. Now I have a best friend who read this and said it wasn't difficult to keep them all a part in her mind, but I feel like she was endowed with superhuman recollection :) I've even read all these books within a 4 month time span and I was struggling to remember which male lead had which personality and which princess was from which country, etc. I think it was a fun attempt to connect it all together, but maybe next time have a little chart of which country has which prince/princess...? Just a thought.
I have read all of Melanie's Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms books thus far. I have been mildly impressed with various aspects of them at different points. Some female characters annoyed the starch outta me and others I adored. I gotta say Isla was somewhere in between for me. Sadly, I found myself quite underwhelmed by her almost the entire time. This is especially true of her relationship with Teddy. Now I'm a sincere fan of a good "slow-burn" and I know that is usually quite successful. Melanie has done an adequate job doing so with most of her characters. I do believe she missed the boat (pun intended) on this one though.
For example, at one point Teddy and Isla sit on the shore line and watch the sunrise. I was so ready for something to come of that! I would have settled for an "almost kiss" or gazing into each others' eyes ya know? Yup, there's none of that. At one point, Isla even reflects on their many evenings spent talking on the beach. Other than this one interaction, I believe we only hear mention of one other time. WHY WAS THIS NOT SHOWN? I do believe that if she had explored a few more of these encounters, we would have received snippets of conversation that illustrate connections and true love building. Otherwise, I'm still feeling underwhelmed like...
Such a wasted opportunity! Again when she thinks about "all the times they practiced with swords together"...there wasn't any portrayal of that either other than once. I definitely was left feeling underwhelmed by their whole romantic journey. I finished the book feeling as though they loved each other mostly because she saved him and he dreamed of her for a few years. More than once she reflects that she has grown to love him outside of her fantasy of him, but I just don't see much that builds that. To me it just doesn't add up. I think Melanie was trying to illustrate that they really did fall in love, but I just don't see the progression of that on the day to day. I am also saying this whilst taking into strong consideration all her other romantic journeys from her other books. Throughout all her time with Teddy, you assume that they're connecting and having romantic moments but few are listed in detail. It's a shame, really.
Last thing I'll say is that unfortunately, regardless of the underwhelming development of their relationship, ultimately I'd have not cared for this book as a whole because of one cursed thing: info dumping. She spends so much time just dumping heaps of info onto us that I was so beyond confused. I mean, confused to the point of asking myself: "Should I re-read that entire passage again or should I just press on and hope it all comes together in the end?" Yup, I pressed on.
She threw names of princesses, locations, names of buildings, long-lost family members, generals, etc. and it confused me deeply. NOT TO MENTION, if an author is really going to world-build like that, please for the love of all that is good and great in the fictional world you're building, DO NOT name your characters so closely! Nerida, Nerissa, Nereus (who is actually Ray?!)...goodness gracious it made it so much worse.
Altogether I was underwhelmed with the romantic overtones of the main characters, confused by all the info-dumping, and I wouldn't call it a complete waste of time. I really yearned for Isla and Teddy to really connect which means I cared enough to want that for them but in the end I literally closed the book and just went...
Oh and the final thing I'll say about the series and sub-series as a whole: Melanie's greatest description for her series(es?) is that they are "linked stand-alone novels". I gotta say this really shouldn't be her tagline because at the end of this book all of the other princes and princesses come together in the epilogue. On a base line I did remember who ended up with who. HOWEVER, there are enough similarities in these various characters that I couldn't place each one with their corresponding story quite well. Now I have a best friend who read this and said it wasn't difficult to keep them all a part in her mind, but I feel like she was endowed with superhuman recollection :) I've even read all these books within a 4 month time span and I was struggling to remember which male lead had which personality and which princess was from which country, etc. I think it was a fun attempt to connect it all together, but maybe next time have a little chart of which country has which prince/princess...? Just a thought.
February 10, 2021
I’ll be honest I’ve never liked The Little Mermaid. At least the Disney retelling. But I really enjoyed this story. It fixed all the things that I despised from the story while keeping enough of the original elements to make it a fully recognizable story. A well told ending to a well told series.
July 22, 2020
Isla, youngest daughter of the king of the sea, has always longed for the surface. She wants to feel the sun and wind, but most of all, she wants to see her Ocean Boy again--the land dweller she once rescued from drowning. But the surface is said to be a place of darkness. Darkness the merfolk were sheltered from when their city sank beneath the waves. Isla is convinced the High King is sending tremors to warn them it is time to rise from beneath the waves, but her father refused to acknowledge her concerns as more than the manipulative fancies of a dreamer-child.
This is the first retelling of "The Little Mermaid" I've read, and since I've never watched the Disney movie either (only a few clips at my great-grandma's house when I was little), it was pretty much my first impression of the full story ever. Though I can tell it's significantly different from the Disney version, my first impression was a good one.
Isla is impetuous and a bit defiant, but she does not go against her father's wishes flippantly. She has no desire to hurt him or go against him. I appreciated that. I also appreciate the fact that the love story, though central, was not all consuming. And, consistent with Cellier's other books, the romance never goes past a few kisses.
I'm not sure if there are more books planned for this series, but the ending felt like a good resting place for the series as well as this particular story.
This is the first retelling of "The Little Mermaid" I've read, and since I've never watched the Disney movie either (only a few clips at my great-grandma's house when I was little), it was pretty much my first impression of the full story ever. Though I can tell it's significantly different from the Disney version, my first impression was a good one.
Isla is impetuous and a bit defiant, but she does not go against her father's wishes flippantly. She has no desire to hurt him or go against him. I appreciated that. I also appreciate the fact that the love story, though central, was not all consuming. And, consistent with Cellier's other books, the romance never goes past a few kisses.
I'm not sure if there are more books planned for this series, but the ending felt like a good resting place for the series as well as this particular story.
February 24, 2023
This was the very first of Cellier's books that I listened to. It is still one of my favorites in the series. The underwater kingdom makes it so. And Ray. Seriously, there needs to be more wholesome family relationships in YA fiction. I love the large family dynamic in this story. Having the same thing happening in my own family makes it extra enjoyable. Young uncles for the win!
I recommend for 17 and up for romance.
I recommend for 17 and up for romance.
December 24, 2019
OMG!
I haven't got to read any of Melanie Cellier's books yet but am DYING too! I have been keeping up with her new books as they come out. Honestly, I think I would just buy them for the covers!
I haven't got to read any of Melanie Cellier's books yet but am DYING too! I have been keeping up with her new books as they come out. Honestly, I think I would just buy them for the covers!
January 1, 2020
Happy New Year, princesses! I concluded my 2019 with yet another of my favorite fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid." A Princess of Wind and Wave is the final book in Melanie Cellier's Beyond the Four Kingdoms series and her last book of 2019. Though it wasn't my favorite "Little Mermaid" adaptation of the year, it did focus on certain aspects of the fairy tale that other versions tend to overlook. A Captive of Wing and Feather, the previous book in the series, featured a protagonist who couldn't communicate with humans during daylight hours, which is something that would ordinarily apply more to "The Little Mermaid" than "Swan Lake." Perhaps it was for this reason that Isla does not lose her ability to speak in A Princess of Wind and Wave, making it one of the few "Little Mermaid" adaptations that does not require her to find an alternate method of communication on land such as writing or sign language. Instead, her limitations come in the form of giving up her iconic singing voice and a magical enchantment that prevents her from disclosing her true identity to humans.
Like most "Little Mermaid" protagonists, Princess Isla is not your average mermaid princess. She doesn't want to stay safe and sound in her sunken kingdom and would rather spread her fins and practice fighting alongside the palace guards in the ocean beyond the barrier. On one such adventure, she rescues a golden-haired boy from drowning and hasn't been able to stop thinking about him ever since. When her father refuses to restore their kingdom to its rightful place on land two years later, she vows never to sing again until her kingdom is safe and ventures to the surface world with her young uncle where she encounters the boy she rescued once again. After she forms a bond with Prince Teddy and his sisters, Millie and Daisy, Isla realizes that many of the things her father told her about life on the surface were exaggerated or false. Now, she must team up with her new friends to uncover the source of the conspiracy and spread the truth to her people.
This book followed the traditional format of Melanie Cellier's Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series in which a fairy tale princess must uncover a royal scandal on her kingdom and defeat the traitor before it's too late. Isla is very much your average warrior princess who knows how to defend herself but is still capable of falling in love. Unfortunately, by making her character more independent than her Hans Christian Andersen counterpart, this book significantly lowered the stakes from the original fairy tale. Instead of permanently giving up the life she knows to become human and risking everything to win Teddy's love, Isla already has the ability to shapeshift. The kingdom Merrita is unique in that it exists within a giant bubble, and everyone within it takes on human form and their lives just like ordinary people. They shift into merfolk when they cross the edge of the barrier into the ocean, but that is a journey that is only considered necessary for palace guards when they go on scouting missions, which is Isla prefers to train alongside them than take on her regular princess duties.
Above all else, "The Little Mermaid" is a cautionary tale about the tribulations of love. This book places its own spin on that as well. Isla and Teddy thought that they fell in love with each other at first sight, but it isn't until they take the time to get to know each other that they understand what true love really is. They must then cast aside the ideals that exist in their imaginations in favor of the reality that they share together. As someone who is prone to crushes on fictional characters, this is something that I relate to all too well. Real love and fantasy love are different, but the passion behind both can feel just as powerful. I liked the overall message that love takes time to grow even though it seemed a little too convenient that Isla was able to find Teddy again so easily.
A Princess of Wind and Wave was an improvement over its predecessor, A Captive of Wing and Feather, but it lacked many of the sacrifices and stakes that made the original fairy tale so alluring. It was a good princess book with a strong protagonist that fits well into Melanie Cellier's godmother-centric world. However, if you are a fan of mermaid stories seeking a new fantastical underwater kingdom to explore, the sunken island of Merrita will be sure to disappoint as it is no different from any other mainland kingdom aside from the barrier around it that leads to the ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Melanie Cellier's other work or stories about strong empowered princesses.
Like most "Little Mermaid" protagonists, Princess Isla is not your average mermaid princess. She doesn't want to stay safe and sound in her sunken kingdom and would rather spread her fins and practice fighting alongside the palace guards in the ocean beyond the barrier. On one such adventure, she rescues a golden-haired boy from drowning and hasn't been able to stop thinking about him ever since. When her father refuses to restore their kingdom to its rightful place on land two years later, she vows never to sing again until her kingdom is safe and ventures to the surface world with her young uncle where she encounters the boy she rescued once again. After she forms a bond with Prince Teddy and his sisters, Millie and Daisy, Isla realizes that many of the things her father told her about life on the surface were exaggerated or false. Now, she must team up with her new friends to uncover the source of the conspiracy and spread the truth to her people.
This book followed the traditional format of Melanie Cellier's Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series in which a fairy tale princess must uncover a royal scandal on her kingdom and defeat the traitor before it's too late. Isla is very much your average warrior princess who knows how to defend herself but is still capable of falling in love. Unfortunately, by making her character more independent than her Hans Christian Andersen counterpart, this book significantly lowered the stakes from the original fairy tale. Instead of permanently giving up the life she knows to become human and risking everything to win Teddy's love, Isla already has the ability to shapeshift. The kingdom Merrita is unique in that it exists within a giant bubble, and everyone within it takes on human form and their lives just like ordinary people. They shift into merfolk when they cross the edge of the barrier into the ocean, but that is a journey that is only considered necessary for palace guards when they go on scouting missions, which is Isla prefers to train alongside them than take on her regular princess duties.
Above all else, "The Little Mermaid" is a cautionary tale about the tribulations of love. This book places its own spin on that as well. Isla and Teddy thought that they fell in love with each other at first sight, but it isn't until they take the time to get to know each other that they understand what true love really is. They must then cast aside the ideals that exist in their imaginations in favor of the reality that they share together. As someone who is prone to crushes on fictional characters, this is something that I relate to all too well. Real love and fantasy love are different, but the passion behind both can feel just as powerful. I liked the overall message that love takes time to grow even though it seemed a little too convenient that Isla was able to find Teddy again so easily.
A Princess of Wind and Wave was an improvement over its predecessor, A Captive of Wing and Feather, but it lacked many of the sacrifices and stakes that made the original fairy tale so alluring. It was a good princess book with a strong protagonist that fits well into Melanie Cellier's godmother-centric world. However, if you are a fan of mermaid stories seeking a new fantastical underwater kingdom to explore, the sunken island of Merrita will be sure to disappoint as it is no different from any other mainland kingdom aside from the barrier around it that leads to the ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Melanie Cellier's other work or stories about strong empowered princesses.
March 27, 2021
Fantastic finale to this series!
I don’t know how she does it, but this was definitely one of the best fairytale retellings I have read about the Little Mermaid. I loved the way the author changed things to fit the world of her series, yet stay true to the original tale. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen and how everything would resolve itself. I especially loved the ending, and being able to see many others from the other books come together for a perfectly satisfying conclusion to the series. Definitely don’t miss this series and this fantastic finale!
I don’t know how she does it, but this was definitely one of the best fairytale retellings I have read about the Little Mermaid. I loved the way the author changed things to fit the world of her series, yet stay true to the original tale. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen and how everything would resolve itself. I especially loved the ending, and being able to see many others from the other books come together for a perfectly satisfying conclusion to the series. Definitely don’t miss this series and this fantastic finale!
January 20, 2020
I just can’t help it, I love every one of these stories and I always want to read about their world! Ugh, I just loved it! It was such a great spin on my favorite fairytale. And I think it’s one of the headrest to recreate, because mermaids... this one was awesome though. I loved how there was a distinction between the dream versions of themselves and the real people they were, that was huge. And I loved that Isla actively pursued a resolution of the problem she saw no matter what. Her impulse behavior was extremely irritating, but teenager 🤷🏾♀️
February 11, 2020
Beautiful story!
A Princess of Wind and Wave was the perfect ending to an amazing series!! I have loved every single book from the two connected series, and this one was no exception. I always enjoy the Little Mermaid retellings because I love to see all the different underwater worlds the authors create. If you haven’t read it yet or don’t know where to start, A Princess Companion is the first book in the Four Kingdoms series, which leads to this series, Beyond the Four Kingdoms.
A Princess of Wind and Wave was the perfect ending to an amazing series!! I have loved every single book from the two connected series, and this one was no exception. I always enjoy the Little Mermaid retellings because I love to see all the different underwater worlds the authors create. If you haven’t read it yet or don’t know where to start, A Princess Companion is the first book in the Four Kingdoms series, which leads to this series, Beyond the Four Kingdoms.
December 7, 2024
I loved this one. There are a couple points in the original fairy tale that make retellings of this particular one a little difficult for me to get through, but this one hit those notes in the best way possible. I was listening to the audiobook, and when I had to turn it off to go to social engagements twice today, I was restless and antsy to get back to it. I also absolutely adored the epilouge, as it was more an epilogue for the series than for this single book.
July 9, 2022
Great, now I want to be a mermaid.
Unfortunately I have the lung capacity of someone who is not destined to be underwater for very long.
I really liked the love story in this one!
This is the last of the Beyond the 4 Kingdoms series, and I think I shall take a break before I return to the next series. I may have overdone it a bit in the past weeks and I need a change to fully appreciate the rest.
Unfortunately I have the lung capacity of someone who is not destined to be underwater for very long.
I really liked the love story in this one!
This is the last of the Beyond the 4 Kingdoms series, and I think I shall take a break before I return to the next series. I may have overdone it a bit in the past weeks and I need a change to fully appreciate the rest.
February 2, 2023
Okay, I have absolutely loved EVERYTHING by Melanie Cellier so when I give this less than 5 stars, it’s only because I really REALLY couldn’t connect with Isla. The writing was still fantastic and the plot was good! I just had a really hard time with these characters. They weren’t people I connected with is all.
May 21, 2023
I may be biased since I love The Little Mermaid so much, but this is one of my favorite Four Kingdom books! Isla was awesome! My only frustration was with Teddy and him not realizing some things before he did, but it was all part of his character arc so I will forgive him. Ray was awesome and so was Millie. Definitely needed a Kiss the Girl musical number, cause they needed encouragement!
December 6, 2020
The resolution of this book was much too long, and the politics were very confusing, but otherwise, I immensely enjoyed it. The characters were cute, the story was intriguing, and the world was interesting—albeit slightly farfetched.
January 3, 2020
This was an AMAZING end to Beyond the Four Kingdoms. I felt like Cellier really captured Isla's feelings as the youngest princess.
May 2, 2021
DNF
I'm sorry. This book just wasn't for me, I guess.
I'm sorry. This book just wasn't for me, I guess.
June 7, 2021
I had a hard time with this book. I didn’t get into it as much as the ones before it. It was still good, It just wasn’t impossible to put it down.
April 14, 2022
This is one of the best books I have ever read
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