About It Had To Be You (out July 16): Two contract killers, each with a hit out on the other, must fight their growing attraction as they face off in an epic game of lust and murder across Western Europe.

In her three-hour video dissecting Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight, ContraPoints argues readers can safely engage in toxic relationships in print. Let’s prove her right with five books about bad love. In honor of Sabrina Carpenter, we’re pairing each book with a tune from a girly pop queen.

Baby, let the games begin!

A Twisted Love Story by Samantha Downing

Soundtrack: My Kink is Karma – Chappell Roan

Downing’s Twisted Love Story is about a relationship like no other. On-again-off-again couple Wes and Ivy use each other’s distress as foreplay, to the point that they may have (accidentally?) murdered someone. And now a detective is on their tail. Talk about letting it get bad when it ended.

Toxic Scale: 4/5, These two are just too entertaining to earn the full five.

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

Soundtrack: But Daddy I Love Him – Taylor Swift

My dream girl Ali is a Swiftie and she has a sense of humor, so she’s getting BDILH for her food science romance. Not in Love features a pair of lovers who think they can change the beat of their hearts but, quite literally, can’t hold back the chemistry. Main Character Rue and her work nemesis Kline have a top secret, super-hot affair that puts the urge in merger. The twist? She’s having his baby. No, she’s not.

Toxic Scale: 1/5, Rue and Kline are more “messy” than toxic, so they score low on the scale.

We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft

Soundtrack: Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl – Chappell Roan

Toxic female friendship on the dance scene? It has to be Chappell Roan. We Love the Nightlife tells the tale of two girlies who love to dance, and also suck blood, because they’re vampires. At every party, they’re the party. Until one of the girls wants out, and finds out just how hard it is to leave the party alive…

Toxic Scale: 3/5, Nicola and Amber have a toxic friendship, but they also have a lot of fun.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Soundtrack: Ivy – Taylor Swift

One simply cannot discuss toxic relationships in print without mentioning Miss Hoover. We need to pair a classic with a classic, so we’re going with Swift for this one. In It Ends With Us, main girl Lily reconnects with her old flame Atlas, but she’s been promised to another: the super-toxic Ryle. Atlas puts roots in her dreamland and starts a goddamn blaze in the dark. It’s all very drama!

Toxic Scale: 5/5, Ryle and Lily’s relationship is an honest, complex portrayal of abuse, but Lily’s relationship with Atlas gives the audience a couple to root for.

Almost Love by Louise O’Neill

Soundtrack: Bad Romance – Lady Gaga

Louise O’Neill is one of my all-time favorite authors. She tells complicated stories that force readers to engage in the conversation. In Almost Love, we watch main character Sarah fall hard for older man Matthew. This book examines the dark heart of toxic relationships, and how some people believe that real love is supposed to hurt.

Toxic Scale: 10/5, this book examines every angle of a Bad Romance.

Bonus: It Had to Be You by Eliza Jane Brazier (aka Me)

My forthcoming novel isn’t exactly about toxic love; it’s just about assassins who kill people for a living. And also fall in love. So, totally healthy, balanced individuals.

Toxic Scale: 0/5, I will not be responding to comments at this time.

The post Please Please Please Give Me Books About Toxic Love appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

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?

Have you read any of these YA Little Mermaid Retellings? Let us know in the comments below!

The post 24 of the Best YA Little Mermaid Retellings To Read appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

The Surface Breaks is written by bestselling Irish author Louise O’Neill’s and this is her first novel for a YA audience. Described as a “feminist retelling” of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, and in this it certainly succeeds with deep undercurrents of darkness and rage. O’Neill’s Sea King isn’t controlling because he’s overprotective of his daughters, but instead because he regards them as his property and pretty objects that he is free to use to his advantage and benefit. He pits them against each, making them compete for his affection, letting them know that they are inferior. Through the Sea Witch, we learn that this stems from fear, insecurity and a misplaced sense of inferiority/superiority. Sound familiar?

Speaking of the Sea Witch, she is an interesting character both in physical and narrative design. Not the cipher from the original Hans Christian Anderson tale nor the outright villain from Disney, O’Neill’s Sea Witch—whilst possessing enough moral ambiguity to keep her from being a fully heroic figure. She is portrayed as a champion of those who’ve been abused, guardian of the ‘Rusalkas’—underwater creatures that are created from women who drowned and who are hated with a near fanatical zeal by some merfolk—and presented as the embodiment of natural, rather than idealised, female beauty. She mentions to Gaia that all mermaids have, or used to have, innate powers but that the Sea King felt threatened by that and did his best to make sure this was forgotten. And therein lies the crux of the novel: O’Neill uses the framework of The Little Mermaid to show how women have their voices, both literally and figuratively, taken away from them, and how they can reclaim them.

It could be argued that the lack of any positive male characters is unrealistic, possibly even reductive, and this is understandable. The Sea King is almost cartoon-ish in his depiction (though undeniably effective), the embodiment of the selfish, chauvinistic man with no redeeming qualities, and Zale (Gaia’s fiancé) isn’t much better. Oliver, the human boy she falls in love with, although kinder, is indecisive and self-absorbed, unable to form much more than a shallow emotional connection with her. The only positive male figures are marginal and ineffective.

But this isn’t a story about balance, it’s a protest against the ways woman have and, in some cases, continue to be treated and how culture enables this—which Oliver, the Sea King and Zale are all representations of more than actual characters—and a rallying cry for their voices to be heard and listened to. It’s also a demonstration of how painful it can be to be a woman. In the original fairy tale, Ariel as a human experiences ‘pain like knives’ with each step; O’Neill takes this much further, to the point where Gaia’s feet are literally falling apart, making for some genuinely uncomfortable reading.

The other element worth commenting on is the world building and setting. Gaia’s underwater home is beautifully depicted, so much so that the surface, by comparison, feels a little underdeveloped, with a strange timelessness. We are first introduced to Oliver and his compatriots on board what appears to be a modern yacht, but when Gaia is taken into his home, there are elements that appear to more old-fashioned, until something modern is shown or mentioned again and that makes it difficult to pin down exactly when the story is meant to be set.

But, despite its minor flaws, The Surface Breaks is a brilliant retelling of The Little Mermaid, beautifully written, razor-sharp in its relevancy. If you’re looking for a fairy-tale with a strong streak of darkness and a distinct feminist slant, this certainly will fit the bill.

The Surface Breaks is available on Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Have you read The Surface Breaks? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.

The post Review: The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover what YA books are coming out this month and tell us what you will be reading!

The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

The Trials of Apollo series continues in the third instalment, which is about the formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg.

The Brightsiders by Jen Wilde
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

As a rock star drummer in the hit band The Brightsiders, Emmy King’s life should be perfect. But a night of partying lands Emmy in hospital and her girlfriend in jail, and branded the latest tabloid train wreck. Luckily, Emmy has her friends and bandmates, including the super-swoonworthy Alfie, to help her pick up the pieces of her life. She knows hooking up with a band member is exactly the kind of trouble she should be avoiding, and yet Emmy and Alfie Just. Keep. Kissing. Will the inevitable fallout turn her into a clickbait scandal (again)? Or will she find the strength to stand on her own?

Puddin’ by Julie Murphy
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

It is a companion novel to Dumplin’, which follows supporting characters from the first book in the months after Willowdean’s star turn in the Clover City pageant. Millie Michalchuk has gone to fat camp every year since she was a girl, but this year she has new plans to chase her secret dream—and to kiss her crush, Callie Reyes. When circumstances bring the girls together over the course of a semester, they will surprise everyone (especially themselves) by realising they might have more in common than they ever imagined.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evans Welch
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did but her brother isn’t about to let her forget. When Addie discovers an unusual guidebook she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind until their plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with her brother and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother.

The Smoke Thieves by Sally Green
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

A princess, a traitor, a hunter and a thief. Four teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands. Four nations destined for conflict. In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a loveless political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father. In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town. And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell.

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Aspiring filmmaker and wallflower Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell so when fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, Twinkle is all over it. The fact that it gets her closer to her longtime crush, Neil Roy—a.k.a. Sahil’s twin brother? Dream come true x 2. When mystery man “N” begins emailing her, Twinkle is sure it’s Neil, finally ready to begin their happily-ever-after. The only slightly inconvenient problem is that, in the course of movie-making, she’s fallen madly in love with the irresistibly adorkable Sahil.

Royals by Rachel Hawkins
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Meet Daisy Winters. She’s an offbeat sixteen-year-old Floridian with mermaid-red hair; a part-time job at a bootleg Walmart, and a perfect older sister who’s nearly engaged to the Crown Prince of Scotland. Daisy has no desire to live in the spotlight, but relentless tabloid attention forces her to join Ellie at the relative seclusion of the castle across the pond. While the dashing young Miles has been appointed to teach Daisy the ropes of being regal, the prince’s roguish younger brother kicks up scandal wherever he goes, and tries his best to take Daisy along for the ride. The crown–and the intriguing Miles–might be trying to make Daisy into a lady . . . but Daisy may just rewrite the royal rulebook to suit herself.

Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Mila Flores and her best friend Riley have always been inseparable. There’s not much excitement in their small town of Cross Creek except Riley’s favorite activity: amateur witchcraft. So when Riley and two Fairmont Academy mean girls die under suspicious circumstances, Mila refuses to believe everyone’s explanation that her BFF was involved in a suicide pact. Instead, armed with a tube of lip gloss and an ancient grimoire, Mila does the unthinkable to uncover the truth: she brings the girls back to life.

Game of Secrets by Kim Foster
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Felicity Cole sells flowers in the streets of Victorian London to feed herself and her young brother. But she has a close-guarded secret–her brother is a Tainted, born with special abilities that society fears and a shadowy organization called the Hunstsman scours the country to eliminate. When Felicity becomes the target of one of these individuals, she discovers something horrible: she’s Tainted, too. Rescued by a mysterious gentleman on the eve of execution, she’s whisked away to a school funded by Queen Victoria, established to train selected Tainted into assassins in service of the crown.

The Accidental Bad Girl by Maxine Kaplan
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

After getting caught hooking up with her best friend’s ex on the last day of junior year, Kendall starts senior year friendless and ostracized. She plans to keep her head down until she graduates. But after discovering her online identity has been hacked and she’s being framed for stealing from a dealer, Kendall is drawn into a tenuous partnership with the mastermind of a drug ring lurking in the shadows of her Brooklyn private school. If she wants to repair her tattered reputation and save her neck, she’ll have to decide who she really is—and own it. The longer she plays the role of “bad girl,” the more she becomes her new reputation. Friends and enemies, detectives and drug dealers—no one is who they appear to be. Least of all Kendall.

Onyx and Ivory by Mindee Arnett
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

After Kate’s father tried to assassinate the high king years ago, she’s now an outcast. But Kate has a secret edge: she is a wilder, born with magic that allows her to influence the minds of animals. But it’s this magic that she needs to keep hidden, as being a wilder is forbidden, punishable by death or exile. The high king’s second son, Corwin Tormane takes it on himself to investigate rumors of unrest in one of the remote city-states, only for his caravan to be attacked—and for him to be saved by Kate. With their paths once more entangled, Kate and Corwin have to put the past behind them. The threat of beasts who attack in the daylight is only the beginning of a darker menace stirring in the kingdom—one whose origins have dire implications for Kate’s father’s attack upon the king and will thrust them into the middle of a brewing civil war in the kingdom of Rime.

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill
Goodreads | Book Depository | Amazon

Deep beneath the sea, off the cold Irish coast, Gaia is a young mermaid who dreams of freedom from her controlling father. On her first swim to the surface, she is drawn towards a human boy. She longs to join his carefree world, but how much will she have to sacrifice? What will it take for the little mermaid to find her voice? Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairy tale is reimagined through a searing feminist lens, with the stunning, scalpel-sharp writing and world building that has won Louise her legions of devoted fans. A book with the darkest of undercurrents, full of rage and rallying cries: storytelling at its most spellbinding.

Check out more of this month’s book releases on our Goodreads list!

The post May Book Releases: Young Adult appeared first on The Nerd Daily.