Article contributed by Katherine Hilker
Move over, Ariel, because these 24 YA Little Mermaid retellings are about to make a splash! Tell-all sea witch origin stories, dark fairy tales laced with siren calls, and summer lovin’ romances on the sand—these books about mermaids will have you belting out Sebastian’s iconic line, “Darling, it’s better down where it’s wetter” in no time. So, grab your trusty dinglehopper and get ready to bring a whole new meaning to “Under the Sea.”
So why should I read YA Little Mermaid Retellings? We totally get it. You’ve been singing along to Disney’s 1989 animated film for as long as you can remember. You’re afraid these reimaginings might not live up to your childhood nostalgia or, worse, they’ll tarnish the magic of the original story. But fear not because we’ve got four reasons that will ease your worries and leave you yearning to be “Part of Your World.”
1. The Original Little Mermaid Is Actually a Story About Queer Love
Ever wondered who wrote the original Little Mermaid? The truth will surprise you. It wasn’t the Grimm Brothers, as you might expect. Nope, it was none other than the visionary Danish wordsmith himself, Hans Christian Andersen.
But what’s more, some history buffs have uncovered evidence that Andersen may have actually been queer. Yes, it’s true! A series of letters exchanged between the Danish author and the son of his professional benefactor gives rise to a tantalizing theory; could The Little Mermaid be a tragic metaphor for his forbidden gay love? Talk about making waves!
2. The Original Little Mermaid Story Ending is Junk
Curious about what happens at the end of the OG Little Mermaid? Hold on to your seashells because it’s no Disney “happily ever after.” Instead of sealing the deal with her prince charming, the mermaid ends up yeeting herself overboard and turning into sea foam. Can we get a refund?
It’s a good thing YA Little Mermaid retellings have got our backs. These modern adaptations are all about ditching the depressing foam party and giving our beloved Ariel the ending she truly deserves.
3. Go Beyond The Disney Movie
Let’s face it: With the Disney live-action movie now in the world and the extraordinary talent of Halle Bailey now gracing our screens, we’ve caught a serious case of mermaid fever.
If you’re anything like us here at The Nerd Daily, then you’re scrambling for more deep-sea adventures alongside Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, and Flounder. Forget the predictable two-hour movie; these mermaid books turn the 90s classic completely on its head and give us so much more than nostalgia.
4. The Perfect Beach Read for Summer
Picture this: You’re chilling by the pool, the sun kissing your skin, with a delicious, fruity drink in hand. Life is good, right? Well, almost. There’s one crucial item missing from this Instagram-worthy scene: the perfect beach read!
But no worries, my fellow mermaid enthusiasts, because we’ve got just the thing for you: YA Little Mermaid retellings. These books will transport you to sun-soaked beaches, dazzling ocean depths, and mythical underwater realms that scream summertime vibes. Seriously, all you need now is a real-life mermaid tail!
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
If you’re looking for an atmospheric reimagining of The Little Mermaid, then the search is over. In this Ursula origin story, dive into the haunting depths of a young sea witch’s transformation, tangled friendships, and a dark enchantment that is destined to change the fate of an entire kingdom.
The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill
The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Little Mermaid in this razor-sharp feminist fairy tale retelling that punches the patriarchy right where it hurts. Laced with the darkest of undercurrents, The Surface Breaks is about blistering rage, brutal misogyny, and one young mermaid who dreams of freedom.
To Kill A Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
Swashbuckling pirates, murderous Sirens, and a high-stakes quest to save the world—what more do you need?
In this dark Little Mermaid retelling written by the author of Into the Crooked Place, a deadly siren princess and a ruthless pirate prince must work together to save everything they hold dear. Combine that with the enemies-to-lovers trope, and you’ve got an irresistible YA fantasy romance on your hands.
Part of Your World by Liz Braswell
What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula? In this Little Mermaid sequel, enter a parallel universe where King Triton is out of the picture and Ariel reigns as the majestic queen of Atlantica. But now our favourite redhead faces an impossible task: she must find a way to save Prince Eric and reverse the curse that binds her to the sea.
Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen
Are you utterly desperate for a diverse YA Little Mermaid book? Then look no further than this West African-inspired fairy tale reimagining. Simi is a devoted Mami Wata, a mermaid entrusted with guiding the souls of those lost at sea. However, when a living boy is cast overboard, Simi finds herself entangled in a perilous journey where vengeful gods, ancient decrees, and shadowy forces converge.
Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino
With over 18,000 ratings on Goodreads, it’s safe to say that Poor Unfortunate Soul is the ultimate Ursula fanfic. To put things simply, Serena Valentino has written a twisted villain origin story that will have you crying, “Spells, Ursula, please!” We guarantee you’ll never look at the infamous sea witch the same way again.
Prince of Song and Sea by Linsey Miller
Were you crushing hard on Prince Eric as a kid? No worries, you weren’t alone. For anyone who’s ever wanted a book from Prince Eric’s POV (what the heck was he thinking when he saw Ariel’s ridiculous sail dress?!), then this YA Little Mermaid retelling written by the author of The Game and Belle Révolte is for you.
Against the Tide by J. Elle
Inspired by Disney’s live-action reimagining of The Little Mermaid and written by the bestselling author of the Wings of Ebony series, Against the Tide is the fairy tale prequel you never knew you needed. Full of messy family dynamics, black girl magic, and unexplained kidnappings, this mermaid story takes you to Ariel’s grotto and beyond.
Kitsune by Nicolette Andrews
Ever imagined Ariel as a Japanese fox spirit? No? We hadn’t either, but now we don’t have to because that’s exactly what this Japanese-inspired YA book is all about. So if you love to binge-watch anime, adore Julie Kagawa’s The Shadow of the Fox, or have a visit to Japan on your bucket list, then Kitsune is sure to make a splash in your TBR pile.
Kiss of the Selkie by Tessonja Odette
Out of all the YA Little Mermaid retellings on this list, Kiss of the Selkie is the one we’re the most excited about. Pitched as ACOTAR meets Bridgerton and The Selection, this standalone fairy tale reimagining has got enemies-to-lovers romance, The Bachelor vibes, snarky fae royals, and Scottish-inspired mythology.
Drown by Esther Dalseno
Seven emotionless princesses + a malicious witch haunted by memories + a handsome, self-mutilating prince = an eerie YA book about sirens that will keep you perched on the edge of your beach towel. A complete reinvention of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, Drown is not your mother’s Little Mermaid bedtime story.
The Little Homo Sapiens Scientist by S.L. Huang
Rejoice, science fiction lovers! If you prefer the wonders of the future over fantasy realms, this sapphic Little Mermaid retelling written by the author of The Water Outlaws and Burning Roses should be on your radar. Enter a dystopian world teeming with whosits and whatsits galore, where a government scientist falls in love with her genetically engineered mermaid experiment and has to pay the price.
The Little Android by Marissa Meyer
Any superfans of The Lunar Chronicles out there? Then this one’s for you. Written by Marissa Meyer, this futuristic Little Mermaid novella casts our favourite redhead as a star-crossed android named Mech6.0. But when Mech6.0 saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her circuits start doing strange things…is this what humans call “falling in love?”
Atlantia by Ally Condie
Forget everything you thought you knew about The Little Mermaid because this YA dystopian novel from the author of Matched is about to flip the script! Sure, there aren’t any mermaids in this post-apocalyptic world, but don’t let that discourage you. Loosely inspired by the famous mermaid fairy tale, Atlantia is about a girl who must unleash her long-muted siren voice and take down a corrupt system that keeps the land and sea unfairly divided.
The Little Mermaid’s Voice: A 1912 Titanic Fairy Tale by Shonna Slayton
Hold onto your life jackets, folks! This incredible mash-up of The Little Mermaid and the legendary Titanic will have you saying, “Jack and Rose who?” Set 100 years after the events of the original Little Mermaid, this YA fairy tale sequel follows Ariel’s niece as she navigates the turbulent waves of love and tragedy aboard the ship of dreams.
The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson
Who needs knights in shining armour when you have a badass noblewoman with killer pipes? The Little Mermaid meets Robin Hood in this medieval YA reimagining where a daring heroine disguises herself as a mute servant to escape a grim fate. But when she meets the charming Lord Westley, things go from quiet to swoon-worthy.
The Mermaid by Christina Henry
From the author of Lost Boy comes a historical fairy tale about a mermaid who leaves the sea for love and later finds herself in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum as the real Fiji mermaid. However, leaving the museum may be harder than leaving the sea ever was.
Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama
This 2013 Odyssey Award Nominee combines mermaids, the 1800s, and ghosts for a dark Little Mermaid retelling that is anything but your stereotypical paranormal romance. It’s got creepy churchyards, a repulsive mermaid queen, a woman who drowned in a sarcophagus, and underwater doll graveyards. So if you’re in the mood for a bone-chilling summer read that will send shivers down your sunscreen-covered spine, then Monstrous Beauty is the mermaid book for you.
When Oceans Rise by Robin Alvarez
Meet Malaya, a seventeen-year-old submerged in a toxic relationship and feeling disconnected from everyone. But when she seeks solace in the sea, she gets thrown into a world of alternate timelines and Filipino mythological creatures. With a raw exploration of gaslighting and abuse, this diverse YA Little Mermaid retelling packs an emotional punch and sheds light on how one might be stripped of their power.
The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
It’s time to rock those shades, slather on the SPF, and get tangled up in this modern Little Mermaid tale. When talented singer Elyse loses her voice in a tragic accident, she finds solace in a charming Oregon beach town. But when a playboy sailor enters the scene, can Elyse confront her fears and find her voice again? Perfect for fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, this fluffy YA romance is the ultimate poolside companion.
Coral by Sara Ella
Depression, anxiety, and emotional trauma, oh my! Coral is a contemporary new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale. This powerful narrative explores mental health from multiple perspectives and questions what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.
Fathomless by Jackson Pearce
Dark fairy tale lovers, where you at? Because this twisted Little Mermaid retelling is darker than Ursula’s lipstick and full of soulless monsters to boot. Celia, a girl with an unexplained connection to the ocean, finds herself tangled in a dangerous game with the spine-chilling sirens of the deep. Dive in if you dare, but beware, because once you enter the seductive world of Pearce’s Fathomless, there’s no turning back.
The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
A kickass lesbian Viking? Check. A gender-queer God of Lies? Check. A bisexual mermaid? Check. Beluga whales? Double check. Yup, this sapphic Little Mermaid book inspired by Norse mythology has got all you need for Pride Month.
Sea Foam and Silence by S.L. Dove Cooper
A queerplatonic Little Mermaid retelling told in verse from the perspective of an asexual Ariel? Don’t mind if I do. Follow Maris, a curious young mermaid, as she races against time to unravel the enigmatic mysteries of love. Will she find the answers she seeks, or will she become mere foam upon the waves?
