Yes, we’re almost at the end of May but hey, it’s still May! So here at Read Indie Fantasy, we’re celebrating MerMay by taking a look at indie fantasy books that feature mermaids or other wonderful sea-based creatures such as sirens.
Here are our top five books for MerMay:
Beneath Cruel Fathoms
By Anela Deen
A semi-finalist in SPFBO 5, this is a dark fantasy romance between a shipwrecked human and a merman from beneath the waves who partner up to investigate the origins of unnatural storms. There’s a whole complex world of mermaids here to explore, as well as Norse-inspired mythical beings.
Memories of Forgotten Waves
By Niranjan
Featuring the rare merman! This is the story of a merman who is enslaved by a human mage in order to take on the Brotherhood of Mages. This is a queer dark fantasy with romance and plenty of angst.
Our Bloody Pearl
By D.N. Bryn
A story about a captured siren who must learn to trust their human rescuer from siren-poachers. This adult fantasy features a non-binary and disabled protagonist and has some cozy found family vibes!
The Skin
By J.E. Hannaford
A marine-based post-apocalyptic story centred around the life of a Selkie who needs to recover her skin. This begins an adventure across the ocean to rescue legendary sea creatures, including a siren!
Undine’s Blessing
By Tessa Hastjarjanto
A semi-finalist within SPFBO X, Undine’s Blessing is a cozy coming-of-age adventure about the daughter of a fisherman who is the main caretaker for her sick mother. This story is full of marine life and wonder, featuring nymphs and water magic.
Do you have a recommended book for MerMay? Let us know in the comments!
