Year of the Mer
by L. D. Lewis
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Pub Date Apr 07 2026 | Archive Date Not set
Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press
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Description
The fairy tale mermaid Arielle might have gotten her happily-ever-after, but her granddaughter Yemi is having a much harder time. Her father, the king of Ixia, was assassinated years ago, her mother is slowly dying of a poisoned wound, and she faces whispers and slights from her own people. Yemi has been raised as the shield of the kingdom and is soon to inherit the throne, but she cannot shake her fury at how Ixia has treated her family after all they’ve sacrificed. Only her patient mother and steadfast personal bodyguard (and fiancée), Nova, help Yemi rein in that fury...most of the time.
When the kingdom’s discontented rumblings reach a fever pitch, a coup erupts and Yemi’s throne is usurped, stripping her of her family and forcing her into exile. Now, only one being has the power to help her: Ursla.
Like her grandmother before her, Yemi is tempted by a deal with the sea-witch. With powerful and ancient magic behind her, Yemi could avenge her family, take back her throne, and protect the love of her life. But she should know more than anyone that there is always a price. As much as Yemi wants vengeance, Ursla has been waiting a very, very long time for her own—and it may take more fortune than Yemi possesses to keep her from losing everything all over again.
Advance Praise
“Lush and imaginative.... The sapphic epic fantasy I needed.”
–Rebecca Roanhorse, Hugo Award-winning author of Black Sun
"L D Lewis’ Year of the Mer transports readers beyond familiar waters to explore deeper issues of generational identity, trauma, revenge, and anger. The book has so much heart, and so many moments where my own heart was ready to crumble. I can’t wait see it out in the world, wrecking havoc. A fantastic, deeply moving story." -Fran Wilde, Double Nebula Award-winning author of A Philosophy of Thieves
"Phenomenal... A book that kept me up night after night, whose turns left me in wonder with every surprise twist of phrase. Lewis knows how to keep the reader engaged, and how the ebbs and flow of tension should sink the reader into story. -Jordan Kurella, Nebula Nominated author of I Never Liked You Anyway
"Much like the sea, there are depths to L.D.'s writing that can't be fathomed. You will walk away from THE YEAR OF THE MER heartbroken, pondering the nature of power and desperately ready for more. L.D.'s a true talent that deserves a generational audience. Be here at Yemi's beginning." -Brent Lambert, author of A Necessary Chaos
"Exhilarating... Lewis crafts a maelstrom of familial love, ancestral hurt, and alluring magic." -- Ladz, author of The Fealty of Monsters and The Cradle of Eternal Night
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781668060957 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 400 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 14 members
Featured Reviews
Melissa K, Reviewer
A reimagining/sequel to a beloved fairytale, with a black sapphic/queer cast and look into the descendente of Arielle. If court political intrigue, a sapphic main pairing, and legacy are your thing, you’ll absolutely LOVE this!
Paolo R, Reviewer
I'm screaming and excitement is exiting from all of my pores. This retelling was everything I could have asked for.
Nicole M, Reviewer
This is sort of a retelling of The Little Mermaid, but it’s not the version we all know (Disney). This is the story of after Arielle made her choice and how that choice has effected the future generations and the nations around them.
Things start off a bit slow with our main characters, and as the story takes off, you get sucked right in! There’s a bit of build up with the characters, the setting, and the lore of this world.
There’s a lot of anger, trauma, and love as these characters make choices throughout the story. It was also neat to read more about Ursula.
I can’t wait to read book 2!
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