This Top 5 series started back in October 2018 and I kind of lost motivation for making it every week. But it’s back! This is a series of books that I want to read that all have a common theme. Previously on the blog I have focused on witches, werewolves, thrillers, faeries, fairy tale re-tellings, high fantasy and many more. I am going to try and bring this series back for every Saturday.
The Upcoming Schedule Is:
2/1/20 — Dystopian Books
2/8/20 — Mental Illness
2/15/20 — Books about Mermaids
2/22/20 — Books about Spies
2/29/20 — Books inspired by Mythology
Rules!
- Share your top 5 books of the current topic– these can be books that you want to read, have read and loved, have read and hated, you can do it any way you want.
- Tag the original post (This one!)
- Tag 5 people
Mermaids!
A few weeks ago I would have said that All the Stars and Teeth would be at the top of my list, but after that book turned out to be a giant disappointment I found myself thinking “There has to be better mermaid books than this out there,” and I decided it was time to feature mermaids as a topic. I recently read Songs from the Deep as well and I was incredibly disappointed in how little sirens showed up in that book, so I am really hoping to find some better mermaid books through some searching for this post as well as other people’s recommendations.
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy.
Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.
Whatever the truth may be, it will only be found below the waves. But the secrets of the deep come with a price.
I have only read one book and a few short stories by Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, but I have come to understand why her books receive so much hype. I love her writing and she does an excellent job of creating amazing characters. This book looks dark and has gotten incredible reviews from many of my friends. Apparently it’s a bit of a cross between science fiction and horror and after reading some o my friends reviews I need a copy ASAP.
The Siren by Kiera Cass
Love is a risk worth taking.
Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again.
Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude…until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can’t talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny…and Kahlen doesn’t want to.
Falling in love with a human breaks all the Ocean’s rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen’s feelings, she’ll be forced to leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.
I really enjoyed The Selection series and I don’t know how I wasn’t aware that Kiera Cass wrote a book about sirens. (I KNOW sirens aren’t mermaids, but WHATEVER.) I think Kiera Cass does a fantastic job of writing fluffy books that are total guilty pleasure reads for me. I will probably pick this up when I’m in need of something light and fun.
Drown by Esther Dalseno
Seven emotionless princesses.
Three ghostly sirens.
A beautiful, malicious witch haunted by memories.
A handsome, self-mutilating prince.Belonging to a race that is mostly animal with little humanity, a world obsessed with beauty where morality holds no sway, a little mermaid escapes to the ocean’s surface. Discovering music, a magnificent palace of glass and limestone, and a troubled human prince, she is driven by love to consult the elusive sea-witch who secretly dominates the entire species of merfolk. Upon paying an enormous price for her humanity, the little mermaid begins a new life, uncovering secrets of sexuality and the Immortal Soul. As a deadly virus threatens to contaminate the bloodstreams of the whole merfolk race, the little mermaid must choose between the lives of her people, the man she loves, or herself.
A complete reinvention of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, this is a magical-realist fable that captures the essence of sacrifice and the price of humanity.
Isn’t that cover gorgeous?! This retelling of The Little Mermaid looks way more fascinating than the original and I am so glad that my search for interesting mermaid books lead me to this gem because this book looks really good!
Wake by Amanda Hocking
Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They’re the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone’s attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.
Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.
Honestly I don’t know why I haven’t returned to Amanda Hocking yet. Her Trylle series is one of my all time favorite series and I’ve had this book on my TBR for a while now. This looks like a quick entertaining read and I used to read books with similar plots all the time, so I think that I will really enjoy this one.
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother’s death.
It’s going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder’s job is to gain Hancock’s trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock’s daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love – just as Lily starts to suspect there’s more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.
One thing’s for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won’t be pretty.
This looks like a dark enemies to lovers story. I think this one stands out to me because it’s got a male main character. I feel like I don’t read nearly enough fantasy books with male main characters and this one looks incredible.
Check out Other Book Blogger’s Top 5!
Becky @ Becky’s Book Blog — Under the Sea — Top 5 Saturday
Allisa @ Allisa White’s Book Blog — 5 Books With Mermaids
Dini @ Dinipandareads — Top 5 Saturday: Books about Mermaids
Nen & Jen @ Nen & Jen — Top 5 Saturday: Books about Mermaids
Tagged
Carol @Bookaria
Nikita @ Prose & Pancakes
Nadine @ Book reviews and More!
Mel @ Cotton Candy Book Witch
Elanor @ Reading at Teatime
Let’s Chat
What are some of your favorite mermaid books? What do you love about mermaids? Have you read any of the titles above? What books about mermaids would you recommend? Make sure to comment below so we can chat about books about mermaids.
I LOVED Into the Drowning Deep!
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Omg tell me more! What did you love about it? I am really hopeful for it,. Itt just seems… different! idk what to really expect
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Well, these mermaids are definitely NOT Ariel! This is bloody, gory, no holds bar horror. I wound up giving it 4 stars.
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Hahah okay that sounds totally up my alley. I’m always up for dark reads
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I’d love to try The Siren by Kiera Cass. I have a few of her books and still haven’t read them yet though. My TBR is no joke this year, haha. Great topic this week!
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Hahah my TBR is always never ending!! I do love Kiera Cass’s writing though so I am excited for The Siren but I think I’m most excited for Into the Drowing Deep bc I have heard it gives like… a scientific explanation for mermaids and it’s dark and really good.
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Some of these sound really intriguing so thanks for featuring them! I’ve heard a lot of people rave about Kiera Cass but haven’t actually read any of her books so I will have to add this one to my TBR 😊
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I loved The Selection series… even though the first 3 books probably should have been condensed into one book I couldn’t help but tear through the whole series
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I do like a fast paced series so I’ll have to check it out 😊
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It’s a really fun light hearted series
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I want to read Into the drowning deep as well, but I’m a bit afraid it will be too scary for me haha!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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Haha I hope it’s scary! I love books like that!!
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I’ve only ever read one mermaid book and it was Into the Drowning Deep. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Thanks for the tag 😀
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I have really high hopes for Into the Drowning Deep!! It looks quite different from most mermaid books and I love Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant’s writing
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Drown sounds incredibly fascinating!
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I thought so too! I only discovered it researching for this post but I totally want a copy
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I’ve only heard of Into the Drowning Deep from your list and I’m honestly so intrigued by it every time I see that cover but I also feel like it would seriously freak me out because I’m the ultimate chicken (and why I have put off adding it to my TBR lol)! But I hope you enjoy all of these books and that they’re more mermaid-y and enjoyable compared to the others you’ve read!
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Hahah I totally get that, but I actually love dark books so it’s totally up MY alley. I think that Drown looks REALLY amazing and I’m so glad that I discovered it because we had Mermaids as this week’s topic.
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Ahh I loved Wake so much when I was younger it was a FAVOEITE
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Amanda Hocking’s Trylle series is one of my alltime favorites!! I actually just found out that she’s got a spin off coming out and I’m DYING to get my hands on an ARC!!!
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