The Mermaid Riot by Joy E. Held
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Mermaid Riot is a young adult historical fantasy set in 1876.
This is a tale of mermaids, sea spirits and folktales, with the entire story taking place in just a handful of days. Serena and Tobi, once childhood friends, come together again to rescue a mermaid called Mari-Morgan.
The story takes place in a fictional town in South Carolina, and parts of it give a nod to circus acts of the era like those once showcased by P.T. Barnum; these were some of my favourites sections.
Serena and Tobi are both in their late teens with Tobi already employed full-time at the docks.
However, I wasn’t sure about the actual roles of the characters. While the story with the mermaid seemed suited to younger readers, other parts dealt with more adult themes. I understand that it can be hard to find the right balance for historical characters to make them appealing to today’s reading audience, but I thought that the story tried too hard to achieve a combination that would suit both ages of readership.
I did like the stormy atmosphere and the location of the town on its confluence between two rivers and the sea; I thought that the author did a good job with these parts, especially the opening scenes.
View all my reviews on Goodreads
Book description:
SERENA ROBINSON and TOBI DOYLE have been friends for sixteen years. Living next door to each other along the Ainsley River in South Carolina, they built sandcastles, played pirate ship, and collected shells virtually every day until a freak accident at the Robinson Phosphate Mine Company takes away someone near and dear to Tobi’s heart. From then on, Tobi’s mother, Mrs. Doyle, blames Serena’s father, Mr. Robinson and his thirst for money for her husband’s death. Serena and Tobi are torn apart by their parents’ animosities, and the lifelong friends must go their separate ways in a town devastated by a recent war.
When Serena and Tobi witness the neighbourhood apothecary DR. NATHAN TRASK lifting a limp body from his fishing boat, they don’t realize they will be forced back together in a life-or-death effort to save the mermaid, MARI-MORGAN, from Dr. Trask’s greedy plans. Serena has tried for years to convince Tobi that mermaids are real—her nanny ROSIE told her so—but he doesn’t believe. However, Tobi discovers that not only do mermaids exist, but they have magical charms that are almost impossible to resist.
Serena may lose her best friend unless she can return the bewitching merwoman to the sea before she takes Tobi’s heart and soul to the bottom of the ocean.
Rosie Amber 
Yes, that balance is hard to find sometimes. YA is tricky for some authors. Sherry
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person