Swim Away Amelia - FAST! (The Mermaid Review)

TITLE: The Mermaid
AUTHOR: Christina Henry
PUBLISHER: Berkley
PUBLISHING DATE: June 19, 2018

FROM GOODREADS: Once there was a mermaid who longed to know of more than her ocean home and her people. One day a fisherman trapped her in his net but couldn't bear to keep her. But his eyes were lonely and caught her more surely than the net, and so she evoked a magic that allowed her to walk upon the shore. The mermaid, Amelia, became his wife, and they lived on a cliff above the ocean for ever so many years, until one day the fisherman rowed out to sea and did not return.

P. T. Barnum was looking for marvelous attractions for his American Museum, and he'd heard a rumor of a mermaid who lived on a cliff by the sea. He wanted to make his fortune, and an attraction like Amelia was just the ticket.

Amelia agreed to play the mermaid for Barnum, and she believes she can leave any time she likes. But Barnum has never given up a money-making scheme in his life, and he's determined to hold on to his mermaid.

MY THOUGHTS:  So last year, "Lost Boy" was one of my favorite reads.  So when I saw this one was coming out, I immediately thought it would be another great dark tale from Henry.  Then I started hearing it wasn't dark at all... and I became worried.  However, I recently read a few reviews from some of my favorite bloggers and they seemed to really enjoy this one and hey, at least I knew going into it not to expect dark and gruesome (although I still wanted dark and gruesome).

So imagine my surprise at how much I really enjoyed "The Mermaid."  I'm glad I let my expectation go and enjoyed the tale for what it was meant to be - a historical fairy tale.  "The Mermaid" is the story of Amelia - a mermaid who years ago was caught in a fisherman's net and then let go, just to return to him and share his life..until he died (and no real spoiler - this happens pretty early).  So after living alone for years and mourning Jack, she gets the opportunity to move to New York and work for P.T. Barnum.

There were several things I liked about this book.  Amelia was a great character.  Yes, she was a mermaid and she struggles throughout the book with the dilemma of the whole human/creature of the sea argument.  But she is smart and kind, and yes, vicious when need be.  In addition I liked many of the characters Amelia meets including Levi, Barnum's attorney as well as  Barnum's wife and children.  However, Barnum was highly despicable and I certainly did not agree with some of his methods and his madness.  The story is good and definitely kept me captivated and honestly, at times, hard to put down.

The book is divided into three parts and I wish there had been more about Amelia and Jack.  They share such a beautiful love and I wanted it fleshed out a little more (even if I'm not a huge fan of romance in books).  Also, for those of you who have read the book - I NEED closure for the orangutan!  In fact, I docked at least half a paw because that poor orangutan is out there hanging in limbo!!!!!

Overall, I'm pretty much sure Hnry is now an auto read author. There is something lyrical about her tales, whether dark or whimsical, and I'm very anxious to read more.  Could there be a companion novel out there called "The Orangutan?"  I doubt it.

RATING: 4 PAWS