Book Review | Prince of Song and Sea

Always a fan of fairytale retellings, I couldn’t stop myself from picking this up. Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but from Prince Eric’s point of view with the addition of a new twist: the prince is cursed. If he kisses anyone but his true love, he dies.

Now who wouldn’t love that little twist?

Fans of the fairytale will revel in the newfound irony as our beloved prince walks us through his narrative, all while we know the truth. But what does this novel offer aside from a fun new twist? Pirates–and lots of them.

As Prince Eric navigates the complexities of his curse, it’s only natural that pirates join in the adventure. With a colorful cast of new friends, this fresh take on a classic tale will bring back waves of nostalgia while satiating the need for uncharted waters. The familiar feels as fresh as the salty sea air, with a bit of bite as we learn more about Eric’s past and how he must navigate the future if he is the break the curse.

To be honest, there were moments where the story felt a little dry, but they were quickly saturated with riveting details and mystery that drew me back in. Building upon the lore of the merfolk adds a new layer of character to the world around Prince Eric. If you’re looking for a complete retelling more along the lines of To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, you might be left wanting more, but if you enjoyed Part of Your World by Liz Braswell, then this is what you’re looking for.

Fans of fantasy, fairytales, and merfolk will love this swashbuckling adventure that adds more depth to the characters we know and love while bringing more of a voice to the characters who sat on the sidelines the first time. If you’re anything like me, who can’t resist a retelling with a dark twist, then you’ll love the way that Miller reworks a classic fairytale into a mystery fueled by love and vengeance to break a curse.