The Surface Breaks, written by Louise O'Neill, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Muirgen has always longed to break the surface, to rise above the water and see the human world. Her mother, who gave her the human name, Gaia, was similarly intrigued, making her last trip above the waves on Muirgen’s first birthday, never to be seen again. Muirgen’s father, the powerful, controlling Sea King, uses his wife as a cautionary tale, a warning to his daughters that they should remain quiet and compliant. For Muirgen, the Sea King’s favorite daughter, this means being bonded to Zale, a powerful, war-hungry mer-man three times Muirgen’s age. But on her first visit to the surface, Muirgen rescues a human boy from drowning and falls in love with him on sight, putting her carefully-planned future in jeopardy.

Straight Talk for Librarians: Readers will recognize the familiar backbone of the Little Mermaid story, but will find the details darker and more intense. Muirgen not only sacrifices her voice in order to become human, but the use of her new legs causes her great pain, bleeding and peeling away flesh with every step. Louise O’Neill has added strong feminist elements to one of Disney’s most misogynistic tales, a welcome update for teen readers. Unlike the cartoon version, all progress made by Muirgen on land leads to self-discovery and understanding rather than romance. O’Neill has also incorporated elements of mermaid lore from mythology, like the murderous Rusalkas, the broken but loyal minions of the Sea Witch. Devoted fans of the original may take umbrage with the new tone, but are likely to be drawn in by the familiarity and pleased to see the story taken to a new level.