I really enjoyed this one. I actually kept forgetting that it was a loose retelling of The Little Mermaid because it felt so unique. It was enchanting and also a little haunting and that combination kept me intrigued the entire book. It brews magic, where there is just a little at the beginning, but the further in you go, the longer that magic has been steeping into the story and by the end it's hard to remember that it was hidden at the start. Clara is a fun main character to follow. I read a lot of books where the main female character immediately doesn't want an arranged marriage (understandably) but it was refreshing that Clara saw how it could benefit her as a way to escape her currently life and give her some control over her future. Though, it doesn't take long for her to realize that she wants more, and she takes it upon herself to go after what she really wants instead. I also loved the setting of the Dutch Golden Age. This was exactly what I was hoping the book would be from its description, and the audiobook narrator was great.

CW: Animal death, death/murder, drowning, domestic abuse, sexism, classism, pregnancy mentioned, sexual content, emesis, spiders mentioned, snakes, mild violence, kidnapping, grief/loss

A Magic Deep and Drowning is a retelling of The Little Mermaid with the roles reversed and plenty of magical creatures from Friesland and Dutch folklore.

Clara is a young and wealthy lady living in Friesland during the Golden Age of the Dutch Republic. She is betrothed to a wealthy man who may be a bit dull but it otherwise kind. She can't seem to get past his trade. He is a whaler and all Clara can think about is the lifeless eyes of the poor beached whale she encountered. One look into the sea green eyes of a strange man who calls himself Maurits, and all of Clara's senses have left her. Clara knows Maurits is deceitful yet she can't describe the otherworldly pull she has to him. But Maurits is just the beginning of Clara's magical journey where she uncovers secrets and discovers magical creatures.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Little Mermaid has always been a favorite of mine and this adaptation was a delight. This is a gender-swapped version of the classic. Maurits was the merman while Clara was the human he quickly fell in love with.

The story takes place on land and in the sea where Clara encounters some magical and ancient creatures. There was a constant air of mystery and magic everywhere she went.

There are dark moments. The abuse she endured from her mother, the loss of her childhood friend to the sea, the grief she held close, and the betrayal that followed. There was also a lightness to the story. The love blooming between Clara and Maurits, and the secrets kept by the mother of the sea.

Lauren Ezzo's narration was perfect for this story.

If you're looking for a romantic, enchanting, and immersive fairytale with uncommon folklore and mythology, you need to read A Magic Deep and Drowning.

arranged marriage • dutch folklore • fairytale • folklore • friesland folklore • historical fantasy • historical romance • magical realism • mermaid • mythology • retelling • romantasy • sea creature • the little mermaid

This book was cute and entertaining, but slow at times, especially in the first part. I thought the love between the two main characters was undeveloped and I didn’t quite see their transition from infatuation to “I would sacrifice myself and my throne for you.”

This story matched all of my needs from a book. The lore, symbolism, and imagery were immaculate and unique.
I loved the intermittent bestiary chapters with the most in depth explanations of these not so new, but less familiar and popular, magical creatures.
The connection to the Earth and all of its creatures was an amazing metaphor to the times in which we are struggling today; though I fear the right people will not receive this message. They still haven't, regardless of policies and conservation efforts.
I really enjoyed the growth of the characters as well. Really, all of them; which, what a feat for an author to accomplish well.

And this narrator?? Definitely more from her.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and Netgalley for the ALC.

I LOVED this book. A genderbent little mermaid retelling with environmental rights underpinnings, traditional style fae creatures, and a FMC who learns to rely on herself and stand on her own? SIGN ME UP.

I really loved the FMC and the story surrounding her, particularly her connection with the MMC. I also really like that, despite her giving moving speeches, she doesn't sway people away from their decisions. She has to act, to make hard choices, and to live with the consequences of it.

The magic system in this world is also so cool. I know it was largely inspired by folklore, but I love the fresh and new take on things like sirens, mermaids, etc.

Lauren Ezzo really helped bring this story to life through the audiobook, her voice almost had a siren like quality that made it hard to press pause.

I was not sure what to expect from this, but dang. I loved it!!!

This book is a retelling of the little mermaid, BUT with a twist. In this retelling the merperson is the MMC and the human is the FMC.

Honestly, I was not really interested not the little mermaid as a kid, or adult, but this, this was glorious!!

This book took the premise from the little mermaid and added some well thought out fantasy elements. With that Hester Fox built an intriguing world i wanted to be a part of. She created a story where I needed to know what happened next. Her characters had growth and depth. Her world was magical and intriguing while still feeling like it was historical fiction of the world we live in. And the book has a message that was legitimate. It honestly made me think about things.

All in all, I loved this book. I highly recommend it.

Also the audio is top notch! *chefs kiss*

Thank you Hester Fox, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for this opportunity. I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for me honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I would like to thank Harlequin Audio for giving me the chance to receive an ALC of this title!

Here we basically have an uno reverse retelling of the little mermaid. Where our MMC lives below while our FMC is on land.
I absolutely loved this! For me as long as the retelling has the right original elements idc how far from the original fantasy we go! I don’t have a single bad thing to say about this book. If I HADD to pick something ( & it’s not even really bad) I would maybe say it’s a little too safe? If that makes sense. As if the author knew the concept was already “out there” & didn’t want to push it too far. But I think she should have pushed! because this is one HELL of an idea! So I just wish there was a little more of a backstory in some spots because I think they would have been AMAZING! Just like the rest of the book was. For example, I wish there was more to why our MMC was so drawn to our FMC, maybe him admiring her from a far for a bit longer? (I absolutely LOVED the dog concept!). Or a little more of the past issue between the mer & humans, just more of the undersea life in general would have been cool!!But a lot of this is just me wishing this book could go on forever.. Then again as I’m saying these ideas, I can see where they would all fit in a beautiful prequel! I hope this becomes a whole series, I really do! I can see amazing sequels as well as the prequel.

AND THE ENDING?!?!?!?!?! SERIOUSLY!! Oh my god I’m SOBBING 😭😭😭😭😭😭

This book is really a perfect example of why NetGalley is a gift from the gods for readers. The authors you get to discover , that you otherwise may not have, is such a blessing! Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and add everything this author has ever written to my TBR

This is my review that will be posted as of today, August 3rd 2025 on the following platforms..

Facebook
Goodreads
Tiktok
Fable
Bookmory
Storygraph

Thank you so much HTP for the audiobook copy of this stunning book!

I loved this book from page one. It takes place in the Golden Age in the Netherlands. It starts a little eerie with ill omens and features a lot of stories from Dutch folklore. I loved learning about the mythical creatures and the beautiful world that Hester wrote.

Clara, the FMC, has had a rough life with her mother and is looking to get away from her. She accepts an arrangement in marriage to get away from her mother, but things take a big turn. The story challenges the social and gender norms of the times. I loved Clara and feel for her as she navigates tragedy. This story is a gender-bent little mermaid with a mysterious man named Mauritz. At times I wasn’t sure I could trust him at all. But stay until the end and things will come together. I was shocked! The story keeps you interested not only with the scenery of the Netherlands in the 1600s, but also with the mystery of the water kingdom.

The narrator does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. Her voice is magical and perfect for the tone of the book.


I loved the theme of climate change and the social issues that the author included which makes the story timeless. Overall I think this story was beautiful. It’s a great summer read!!

This was a very unique and intriguing read, and I found myself hooked from the very beginning. It kept me on pins and needles the whole time and the magic was complex but easy to understand at the same time.

A gender bend reimagining of The Little Mermaid, with a eco-conscious spin. I loved the magical world building in this one. I was a huge fan of Hester Fox's "A Lullaby of Witches", and I am so glad to have had access to another gem by her. This historical fiction novel takes place in 17th century in the Dutch Republic, which is a world that I don't often visit in fiction. Clara and Maurits are both lovely, and their chemistry leaps off of the page (or in the earbud, as it were).

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance copy in exchange for my opinions.

It took me a long time to get into this story and I struggled to connect with the FMC. I felt confused by her motivations at times. I enjoyed the audio narration!

This was such a very atmospheric retelling of The Little Mermaid. Rich w/ history and magical creatures. I just wish the romance gave me something to pine for though!!
I felt it was way too instant… I wanna yearn 😩
I did like his energy though, but I just wasn’t able to fully invest myself into them.

The other mans though? 👎🏽
We don’t support harming whales.

Other than that, the story was full of so many twists & turns. You can’t really trust anyone to be what you think they are fr lol!!
I enjoyed so many of the side characters, although I kinda expected the antagonist to be a bigger villain than they turned out to be?
But I guess the real villains are the humans that ruin the Earth, and so that was my big takeaway from this lmfao. Sorta have some unanswered questions still…
Like what bargain was made for 👑 to survive?
I also kinda wanted a bit more from the basilisk? I feel like they played an important role, but kinda just got left to the side…

Overall, I enjoyed the story. Anything w/ whales, I’m sat 🤣 Lauren Ezzo did an amazing job voicing all the different creepy species lol!!

Mystical. This was a lovely retelling of The Little Mermaid that drew more from the original tale’s dark, lyrical depths than the Disney version. I loved the intricate layers of mystery and fantasy woven throughout, as well as the way the story tackled themes like revenge, generational trauma, and the lingering scars of past injustices, all while feeling organic to the narrative. The atmosphere was immersive and enchanting. At its core, this is a coming of age story about two young people grappling with their roles in something much bigger than themselves. While I did wish for deeper character development in places, the broader, almost mythic tone made this feel somewhat intentional. The pacing had its slower moments, but just as I’d start to notice, the story would surge forward. Fans of fairytale retellings, poignant coming of age journeys, and lush, evocative prose will absolutely devour this. Though it leans slightly more YA than I preferred, I still found myself thoroughly enchanted.

A special shoutout to the audiobook narrator; it was a great and soothing performance!

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for providing the ARC through NetGalley!

2.75⭐️


This was an interesting concept but ultimately was not executed well. I liked Clara and how she grew into her own as a woman. But that is all for nothing in the end when she turns down an opportunity to train with an artist to be a wife. There were some pretty glaring timeline issues that I could not get past. And the whole story was juvenile. The writing of the environment and character design was stunning. when she wrote about Clara being cold I could feel it. The book just felt like there was 3 or 4 stories shoved into one book without being fleshed out correctly. With adjustments this could have been a great older YA book, instead it was a boring and often convoluted adult historical fantasy romance.

I enjoyed reading this reimagined, gender reversed take of The Little Mermaid. Our FMC is a young maiden, set to an arranged marriage, who yearns for more out of life. She meets our MMC, who is a merman (though she is unaware), and thus begins a insta-love situationship that creates massive conflict in both the human and merfolk worlds.

This story is quite dark, with tons of lore, magical creatures and action. The story itself is paced fairly fast and it was easy to read. While I did enjoy the story, I think my dislike for the FMC reduced my overall enjoyment. She was naive and young so much of her mishaps are understandable but I was shaking my head at her choices pretty much nonstop. I was also not a huge fan of the insta-love component and would have been much happier if their relationship had more background, which I feel could have easily been done.

Despite the dark themes, the storyline and the writing style seemed more appropriate for a YA book. That often pulled me out of the story. Regardless, I did enjoy the book and would encourage anyone who enjoys fantasy romance, water magic systems or mermaid tales to read this one!

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fantasy/retelling
Themes: mermaids, climate change, greed, independence
📖 Read if you like: Upon a Starlit Tide, Emily Wilde, Behooved

This reimagining of The Little Mermaid is given a veneer of lesser known Dutch folklore. Clara van Wieren is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who has been confined to her golden cage with over bearing parents and a lonely existence. She wants nothing more than to escape the walls of her confinement, so when a handsome fishmonger lures her with his easy smiles and engaging conversation she is reeled in fast. Yet Maurits is full of secrets, with his true life beneath the sea a curiosity that has passed into legend. When the portents of an uncertain future are marked with a beached whale, it will provide the tipping point for a deadly bargain between men and the ancient ones. For all their greed and pilfering from the natural world, there must be retribution, and Clara is the prize they seek.

This is an atmospheric and enchanting retelling. I particularly enjoyed the little insertion of myths into a very historical 1650s. It managed to translate the merchant guilds of Dutch traders into a pilfering society set on destroying the environment if it means more gold in their hands. This concept could still apply to today’s world making the motivation very understandable. It rooted the story within the confines of reality while very much indulging in the fantastical. The narrative also incorporates a welcome gender flip. I enjoyed having the little mermaid be a water man, and for both him and his love to be imbued with their fair share of wanderlust.

The insta-connection was rather typical of a fairytale, but this always bothers me a little and made for a less engaging start. I think the story was marvellous once it picked up and it incorporated a range of creatures and folktales that were new to me. There was also an Aquaman type parallel with the power of the seas versus climate change and the impact of humankind battling against each other, not to mention the power hungry brother. The character development follows a very fairytale trajectory, and I think this was perhaps the only aspect of this book that could be improved upon. That being said, I binged this audiobook and will certainly be reading more Hester Fox.

If you like darker retellings that weave together history with the enchanting world of imagination, give this one a go. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for a copy of this audiobook.

Hester's genderbent take on The Little Mermaid felt fresh and original. However, as much as I wanted to love this, it unfortunately fell a bit flat for me—and almost read more like young adult than adult historical fantasy.

My biggest gripe was the romance between Clara and Maurits. They fell in love far too quickly. The book didn’t give them enough time to really know each other or build a believable connection before they were separated. After that, they spent most of the story pining for each other, convinced they were deeply in love—despite sharing, maybe, four conversations total.

Clara’s naivety also grated on me at times. While I can see how her sheltered upbringing played a role, it was frustrating how she constantly assumed the best of Maurits, even though he lied to her every single time they spoke.

The plot was fine and I appreciated the environmental themes tied to the ocean, but I never felt fully immersed in the setting. It could have been any generic historical fantasy world rather than distinctly 17th-century Netherlands.

On a brighter note, Lauren Ezzo did a great job with the narration. I especially enjoyed the distinct voices she gave the characters, particularly the Old Ones.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this classic fairytale retelling of the little mermaid with a twist. I loved the way that Dutch folklore was weaved into this story. This world was full of magic, love and mythical creatures.

I loved the overall message on climate change and social issues in this book.

If you like…
᯽Historical Fantasy Romance
᯽1650s Setting
᯽Fairytales and Folklore
᯽The Little Mermaid Retelling
᯽He's the Mermaid
᯽Magic & Mythical Creatures
᯽Deadly Secrets
᯽Atmospheric Writing

This is my third or fourth novel by Hester Fox, so I definitely had expectations going in, and I wasn't disappointed! The gender-swapped retelling of the Little Mermaid combined with the somewhat uncommon Dutch setting made for a really engaging story. Honestly, I enjoyed the details of Clara's life in such a constricted society just as much as the new-to-me bits of Dutch folklore mixed into the Andersen fairytale. The narrator made it easy to follow the dual POV with subtle changes to her voice that did not distract as sometimes happens when one narrator covers multiple genders. Despite knowing the basic premise of the novel, I found it suspenseful because I wasn't sure how closely Fox was following the source material. Definitely recommend to fans of both historicals and fairytale retellings!

This was such an interesting gender reverse take on The Little Mermaid. All the Dutch folklore was fascinating. The world was so fun to explore with Clara. The audiobook was so good. Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC.