A fascinating story about a mermaid who returns to the man who caught and set her free. She learns she has the ability to turn into a human by touching dry land. The story follows her from there, and how P.T. Barnum in NYC wants to display her for the world to see in his museum.

This is my second time reading the book, having first read it in 2019. I might actually have a different cover version, since I got my copy from a Waterstone’s in the UK.

All in all, a great book. Set in mid-19th century, the story blends history and fantasy well, without it feeling too unbelievable. Amelia is a great protagonist who feels like a (pun intended) fish out of water, as she stands out in many ways with her agency and her conflict over what she wants. She has agency, which is great.

Won’t say too much else. Though I realized that Henry employs a weird thing where characters will converse, and then it’ll be broken up by some description of something, and back to dialogue. It feels weird and it breaks the flow.

I would’ve liked more world building too. Not of 19th century New York, but of the mermaid world that Amelia hails from. And her adapting to life on land. I wanted to see more of that.

Regardless, still a good read.