Everyone knows what happens in the end. A mermaid, a prince, a true love’s kiss. But before that young siren’s tale, there were three friends. One feared, one royal, and one already dead.

Ever since her best friend, Anna, drowned, Evie has been an outcast in her small fishing town. A freak. A curse. A witch.

A girl with an uncanny resemblance to Anna appears offshore and, though the girl denies it, Evie is convinced that her best friend actually survived. That her own magic wasn’t so powerless after all. And, as the two girls catch the eyes—and hearts—of two charming princes, Evie believes that she might finally have a chance at her own happily ever after.

But her new friend has secrets of her own. She can’t stay in Havnestad, or on two legs, unless Evie finds a way to help her. Now Evie will do anything to save her friend’s humanity, along with her prince’s heart—harnessing the power of her magic, her ocean, and her love until she discovers, too late, the truth of her bargain.

This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I really enjoyed this YA fairytale retelling and origin story. It explores Ursula’s beginnings—where she came from, how she became the infamous sea witch, and even includes a touch of The Little Mermaid retelling toward the end. But keep in mind that this book is more of Ursula’s origin story than a direct retelling of The Little Mermaid.

Set in 19th-century Denmark, the story beautifully blends historical elements with fantasy. I read the ebook on Kindle Unlimited while also listening to the audiobook, and I’m so glad I did! The narrator did a fantastic job with the pronunciations, accents, and distinct voices for each character. Without the audiobook, I wouldn’t have known how to say some of the names, which added to my appreciation of the narration. The author clearly did her research, seamlessly weaving in real Danish history, including the country’s dark past of witch hunts and executions. The vivid descriptions of the fishing community, its struggles, and the deep connection to the sea gave the story added richness and depth. The sea wasn’t just a setting—it was an ever-present force that shaped the characters’ lives.

Although this is a fantasy novel featuring magic and mermaids, those elements weren’t the sole focus, which I appreciated. At its heart, this story delves into universal themes of friendship, social class, love, loss, betrayal, and revenge. I especially loved getting to know Evie and Annemette. The mystery surrounding Annemette kept me intrigued, though I wasn’t too surprised when the truth was revealed. While the story is somewhat predictable, it’s an origin tale, so that didn’t bother me too much.

The romance, however, felt a little forced—leaning into the instalove trope, which isn’t my favorite. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the couples, but romance wasn’t the primary focus of the story. Instead, the emotional core revolved around friendship, loss, and betrayal between the two girls, which I found much more compelling. The pacing is on the slower side, taking a bit to fully draw me in, but once it did, I was completely invested in the characters and their journeys.

This is the first book in a duology, and I’m eager to pick up the sequel soon. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, the development of Evie as the main character, and the overall plot. I’ll definitely be checking out more of their work. Highly recommend this book—especially the audiobook—for anyone looking for a fresh, immersive take on a fairytale classic!