Book One: The Mermaid’s Wrath
By Andie Holman
The ocean is dying. It falls to a mermaid to save it.
The Mers are barely surviving in a magical marine bubble, isolated from the rest of the world. Jelly, warrior mermaid and hardened champion of sea life, is sworn to battle against the choking, accelerating pollution.
When the black pearl at Jelly’s throat wakes and opens her mind to terrifying premonitions, she realizes her only choice is to leave the ocean and collaborate with the estranged magical beings of land. A woman haunts her dark visions, abducted for the power in her veins, and Jelly might just be the key to this woman's freedom, and the salvation of the world.
As fate sends Jelly on a tumultuous journey, changing her life forever, will she survive the challenges of the surface?
This is not the little mermaid you grew up with.
The Mermaid’s Wrath is the first volume in The Laughter of the Sun series, and a tale of romantasy, mythology, and one mermaid’s battle against climate change.
Described as “The Hunger Games” meets “Moana.”
Read Chapter One here.
Triggers! Read here. There may be some spoilers.
Losing track of everyone? Book Character list here - definitely has spoilers! Proceed with caution!
Editorial Reviews
Kirkus review for The Mermaid’s Wrath:
“A lighthearted novel that simultaneously features heavy environmental themes, multifaceted characters, and lots of charm. Holman weaves elements of humor, magic, romance, and environmental activism in a quirky ocean-set romantasy. Overall, Holman (despite the whimsical premise and humorous voice) excels in giving the protagonist depth and motivation for her environmental activism, which is rooted in her mother’s early demise from cancer caused by plastic exposure. The adventure is also brought together with a well-rounded cast of side characters, such as a toxic ex and a loyal best friend.”
Joline Lim for Reedsy Discovery - 5 stars ‘Must Read.’
“The Mermaid’s Wrath by Andie Holman is a fiercely original eco-fantasy that blends mythology, rage, and activism into a sharp, heartfelt narrative… This book gives off the vibes of Moana meets The Hunger Games, with a dash of Princess Mononoke. Imagine a Studio Ghibli world, but darker and heavier with the weight of ecological collapse, and a heroine who’s had enough of pretending everything’s fine. It’s beautifully furious, tender in all the right places, and deeply necessary.”
N. N. Light’s Book Heaven editorial review:
“Torn between saving the ocean and the humans above the surface, warrior mermaid Jelly must make the impossible choice. The Mermaid’s Wrath is a debut romantasy I couldn’t read fast enough. The descriptive narration is immersive with intricate world-building. The characters are relatable and leap from the page and into your heart. This is not the little mermaid you grew up on but a fierce warrior mermaid with a righteous temper. The Mermaid’s Wrath brings topics such as environmental pollution to light that will make you think about what happens long after you finish reading. If you’re looking for an original romantasy featuring a warrior mermaid, pick up The Mermaid’s Wrath. 5 stars.”