The Enigmatic Connection Between the Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

"The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea" "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea" is a young adult fantasy novel written by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. Published in 2020, the book combines elements of adventure, romance, and political intrigue to create an engaging and thought-provoking narrative. The story follows Flora, a young orphan girl who disguises herself as a boy named Florian to work as a passenger on the pirate ship, "The Dove." Florian's task is to infiltrate the crew, gather information, and report back to his mysterious employer. However, Florian's plans take an unexpected turn when they meet Evelyn, a confident and enigmatic passenger whom Florian finds increasingly difficult to deceive. Evelyn reveals herself as the daughter of a powerful imperial governor and is on a mission to deliver a shipment of rare and magical animals to her father.

And here lies the key to my review: if anything had been explored more, it would've ended up being such a cool book, instead it tried to be so much that it became very little. I really see where it was trying to go, but I would have appreciated less elements added to the story and more exploration of the ones that could have made it a quite unique pirate book.

I have DNF d a book with a very similar premise to this for this reason alone, and I have not done so here because I wanted to give a new to me author of color a chance. I m not saying there is any reason why the romance can t be light and sweet, but at least make it feel like an actual romance and not just insta love.

Evelyn reveals herself as the daughter of a powerful imperial governor and is on a mission to deliver a shipment of rare and magical animals to her father. Among these creatures is a mermaid, also known as Lady Gabriella, who has been captured and mistreated for her mystical properties. As Florian gets close to Evelyn, they form a close bond, and Florian is torn between loyalty to their employer and the desire to save Gabriella from her captors.

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive—including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well—accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn’s one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers.

Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands—no matter the cost.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s sweeping fantasy debut, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid’s blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies.

About The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas.

The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive—including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well—accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn’s one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers.

Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands—no matter the cost.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s sweeping fantasy debut, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid’s blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies.

Also by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Also by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Product Details

Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Action & Adventure

Paperback | $10.99
Published by Candlewick
May 10, 2022 | 368 Pages | 6 x 9 | Young Adult | ISBN 9781536215892

Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Romance

Hardcover | $19.99
Published by Candlewick
May 05, 2020 | 368 Pages | 6 x 9 | Young Adult | ISBN 9781536204315

Stormbreak

Untethered

The Forbidden Wish

The Afterward

The Camelot Betrayal

House of Dragons

Lady Knight

Traitor to the Throne

A Queen of Gilded Horns

A Poison Dark and Drowning (Kingdom on Fire, Book Two)

Praise

Careful prose juxtaposes gentleness and brutality, contrasting the tender emotions between Flora/Florian and Evelyn and the violence of a pirate’s life. Set against the backdrop of colonial expansion, this nautical fantasy goes beyond mere swashbuckling to examine the impacts of imperialism and misogyny on a diverse cast of varying ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities. Witches, mermaids, and secret operatives add layers of magic and intrigue to the queer romance at the heart of this book…Absolutely enthralling.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This intriguing premise blooms into an enchanting, complex tale that explores politics, piracy and the magic of storytelling itself…Queer and gender nonconforming characters are everywhere, and their normalization within the world of the book is remarkable and praiseworthy. A strikingly original and accomplished debut, The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea reads like an undiscovered classic with impressively modern flair.
—BookPage (starred review)

Maggie Tokuda-Hall (Also an Octopus) has crafted a brooding, magical adventure with a healthy dose of intrigue. Her prose is delightful, by turns delicate and brutal, as her plot demands. At the heart of this tale about learning when to stand out and when to blend in, lies the importance, imparted by first mate Rake, of "know[ing] your truth, not your story."
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

“The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea will take you on the journey of a lifetime. Maggie Tokuda-Hall has created characters I’ve never seen before, then put them in an adventure that feels more real than real life and twice as unpredictable. I wanted to live in the world of this book forever, and I can’t stop obsessing about the rich tapestry of pirates, mermaids, witches, and conniving nobles who inhabit it. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea might just remind you of why you fell in love with adventure in the first place and change how you think about the genre forever. I envy anyone who’s getting to experience this incredible book for the first time.”
—Charlie Jane Anders, author of the Nebula Award–winning novel All the Birds in the Sky

“An utterly romantic and breathless adventure that wouldn’t let me sleep until I’d devoured every last word. It’s a journey of love, magic, and self-discovery unlike any I’ve ever read.”
—Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights and editor of His Hideous Heart

"Arrrrr you ready for the swashbuckling, gorgeous, action-packed world of The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea? I’ve been in love with Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s writing for a long time, and I’m thrilled that you get to fall in love with it, too. A stunning fantasy that breaks all the rules—and hearts—in the best of ways."
—Sara Farizan, author of Here to Stay and If You Could Be Mine

“The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea is a beautiful confrontation of a book. Maggie Tokuda-Hall explores the cost of violence from every conceivable angle, trusting the reader to follow her intricate story and the complicated characters who inhabit it. Everything has a price, and every adventure takes its toll. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea asks what parts of ourselves we’re willing to sacrifice, and who we’re willing to sacrifice them for.”
—Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars and When We Were Magic

Not just mermaids, a witch, and the sea, Tokuda-Hall also covers pirates, double agents, and the lure of forgetting…this is a dark and creative story, laced with romance, and not for the faint of heart.
—School Library Journal

Tokuda-Hall aptly explores themes of gender identity and misogyny while illustrating colonialism’s horrors, in which even children must steal from and harm each other to survive. Interstitials by the sea lend a global viewpoint that ripples through the story without disrupting the narrative.
—Publishers Weekly

Moderate pacing and short stories peppered throughout balance out the more graphic scenes of violence and torture, which may be more appropriate for older readers. Though the romance develops quickly, readers will easily warm up to the tenacious protagonists as they grapple with identity, discover themselves, and stop at nothing short of freedom.
—Booklist

The non-Western-centric orientation is refreshing, and Tokuda-Hall’s stinging critiques of colonialism and toxic masculinity hit home. Readers willing to stick with the story will be well rewarded.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Told from the point-of-view of several characters, teachers could use this book as a springboard to talk about perspective in writing. It would also work well in a unit on fairy tales since the structure is riddled with small details and side tales that move the plot forward.
—School Library Connection

Awards

Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book AWARD 2020

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year AWARD 2020

My second problem, which I noticed when I was about halfway through the book, was that I. didn’t really care about the characters? In fact, when there were side characters whose POVs were included near the end, I was more invested in them than the actual protagonists. Which is an issue, to say the least!!

Throughout the book, Tokuda-Hall explores themes of gender identity, power dynamics, colonialism, and sacrifice. Florian's struggle with presenting themselves as a boy while battling their growing feelings for Evelyn sheds light on the limitations and expectations placed on individuals in a patriarchal society. Additionally, the mistreatment of Gabriella highlights the cruelty of those in power and the consequences of unchecked imperialism. "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea" delves into moral complexity, emphasizing the importance of challenging oppressive systems and fighting for justice. Tokuda-Hall's vivid prose and compelling characters invite readers to reflect on the power of love, bravery, and the impact of one's choices on the lives of others. In conclusion, "The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores themes of identity, power, and sacrifice. With its fast-paced plot and well-developed characters, it offers an engaging read for young adult readers seeking a blend of fantasy, adventure, and social commentary..

Reviews for "The Fascinating Lore of the Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea"

1. John - 1 star

I found "The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea" to be incredibly disappointing. The story dragged on and the characters lacked depth. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself into the world that the author was trying to create. I struggled to finish the book, but I persevered hoping for some sort of redeeming quality that never came. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and well-crafted fantasy novel.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

"The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea" had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat in execution. The writing style was overly descriptive and convoluted, making it hard to follow what was actually happening. The characters were shallow and lacked development, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic. Despite the potential, this book did not live up to my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied.

3. Michael - 1 star

I regret spending my time reading "The Mermaid, The Witch, and The Sea." The story was slow-paced and filled with unnecessary details that added nothing to the overall plot. The author's attempts at world-building were confusing and left me feeling disconnected from the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any real depth or complexity. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unenjoyable read. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating and well-crafted fantasy novel.

The Magical Trinity of the Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea