“Other families might have stories of curses, cold lads and white ladies, but we have old gods, merfolk, and monsters” (p. 29)

“He says he loves me. But I am wary of love. He says he needs me. And I am weary of need. He is hurt when I don’t reply in kind; I’ve been finding he’s easily hurt. But he is gentle so I say something I hope he will one day understand. ‘I don’t need you,’ I saw, ‘I want you. That should be enough. That should be better because it means I’ve made a choice.’ Perhaps one day he will understand” (p. 289)

A family crumbling, a debt that is owed, and the last blood heir struggling to not only survive her family’s dark traditions but to gain her own freedom and unearth the secrets of her family. The story follows the O’Malley family, once filled with riches, but the secret to their wealth was sacrificing a child from each generation to the merfolk in exchange. The family is growing smaller and smaller, with each generation slowly dwindling and not paying the merfolk they have become poor and in debt. Miren is the last O’Malley child, though barely with enough blood. Her grandmother hopes to sell her into an arranged marriage, with or without her consent, in order to rebuild the riches of the O’Malley family and force her to have children to pay back the merfolk and restore their family glory, Miren has other plans. Throw in family secrets, the pains of tradition, murder, and a girl who will stop at nothing to gain her freedom. This is a beautiful grim and gothic fairy tale filled with magical creatures, strong women, and dark family secrets. I loved Miren as a protagonist. She was strong and silent, her rage simmering, her will power and her strength to do whatever it took to just be left alone and at peace. She clawed her way to her freedom and she would not let anyone control her. This was a magical story and one that blew my expectations.

(Quotes taken from a advanced reader copy)

*Thanks Netgalley and Titan Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*