Last night, I read L.K. Madigan’s THE MERMAID’S MIRROR. This title was released at the beginning of October and I’ve been hearing about it for quite some time. I couldn’t wait to dive in–pun not originally intended, but I’m going with it–and read it myself.
Besides a breathtaking cover, THE MERMAID’S MIRROR has a lot to offer. Fifteen-year-old Lena lives by the ocean. She covers her bedroom walls in images of water, wakes early every morning to walk on her beloved beach, and watches longingly as her friends surf the waves. But she never joins them. Her father, a former surfer, suffered a near drowning accident before she was born and refuses to allow her to take lessons.
When Lena turns sixteen, she gifts herself secret surf lessons and soon discovers she is a natural and is able to “anticipate the way the waves are going to move.” Quickly overcoming the need for instruction, Lena decides to venture alone to Magic’s, home to dangerous waves . . . and possibly mermaids, if a past encounter is to be believed. But a near-drowning accident of her own sends her on a journey she could’ve never expected, full of magic, secrets, heartbreak and love.
I loved this story for so many reasons. First, the family dynamic was a breath of fresh air. I am tired of YA novels being filled with non-existent parents, divorced families, and sibling rivalry. One of the first notes I made while reading this story was: Group Hug? Wow. A positive example of family life in a YA novel. Impressive. I continued to make notes about sweet moments Lena shared with her little brother Cole, her father’s obvious love and concern for her, and a step-mother relationship that is so positive that you don’t even notice she is, in fact, her step mother. When Lena discovers her big family secret she’s upset, BUT she still comes down to be with her family, hugs her little brother and even plays a video game with him. Normal, non-angsty, non-overly-dramatic behavior.
Second, I loved how Ms. Madigan kept me guessing about boys. They kept popping up throughout the story, and I kept making notes, guessing who her ‘real love interest’ would end up being. Was it Kai? Henry? Erik? NIX?!? Ahh, Nix. A moment here to say, le sigh. Now that is a dreamy mer-man. L.K. totally knows how to make you swoon! With a man saying things like: May I hear my name in your voice?
and Selena, I will return to you. The Time apart will be long, how could Lena NOT fall in love with him.
However, this is where my positive turns into a possible negative. Without any major spoilers, let me just say I was not satisfied at all with this ending. BUT I am holding out hope for a sequel. IF there is a sequel to THE MERMAID’S MIRROR, then L.K. is a genius, because I will be waiting outside Barnes and Noble until that door opens to get it. This is a couple that you want to read more about–and I can guarantee you will walk away from this story demanding more of a Nix fix!
I loved the unique names in the story (Kai, Pem, Nix). I loved her word choice and imagery that was sometimes poetic and sometimes comical. (favorite line: The school week seemed to creep and crawl and sometimes lie down for a nap.) The references to I Dream of Jeannie made me laugh, as did the Little Mermaid comments.
THE MERMAID’S MIRROR is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstores.
I received THE MERMAID’S MIRROR via NetGalley, courtesy of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, in exchange for a review. I was beyond grateful to accept.
