This book is delightful and sweet, and I am so thankful it exists in the world!! I don't agree with the jacket summary. Despite the opening scene, this book is not Pirates of the Caribbean, its adventure elements never reach horror levels. This is more of a Little Mermaid retelling: There is a stigma against magic, and a generations' old misunderstanding between people of land and sea, but ultimately this is a meet-cute between a prince and a mermaid! The emotional beats progress rather quickly, in Disney fashion. There's a lot of "instantly they were drawn to each other, honest and trusting", but who cares, it's CUTE, it's necessary. In today's oversaturated enemies-to-lovers, YA fantasy market, it was SO nice to meet two NICE people who only want to give some good back to the world. It was refreshing!

Even the themes - a journey of self-discovery, learning how to trust and love yourself and others, navigating young love and friendships, juggling how to honor family and self - are all addressed safely and kindly through the stigma on MAGICAL people, NOT a stigma against LGBTQA+ people. It's all the queer emotional processing a young reader might need to escape into a book to do, without shaming who they are to do it. I am so proud of what this book achieves, and what it offers its audience. I would give anything to go back in time and be able to give this book to my younger self.

A+ F.T. Lukens! I'll be following you! More like this!!!