15 Young Adult Mermaid Books You’ll Flip Over
I don’t know if this was just a 90s kids thing or not, but I LOVED playing mermaids in the pool during hot summer days. We’d make our mermaid “caves” with pool floats and take turns diving to the bottom of the deep end to look for treasure. And of course, we practiced the Ariel hair flip a million times. When I was nine, I discovered The Tail of Emily Windsnap and playing mermaids turned into reading about mermaids.
I grew up on middle grade books like Emily Windsnap and constantly searched for more, ultimately discovering The Fish in Room 11, Teenage Mermaid and Ingo. I even wrote a mermaid book myself at age eleven, but that will remain in a memory box. Once I started reading young adult books, my mermaid world expanded greatly and now, I will never turn down reading a book that takes place under the sea.
In YA fiction, mermaids aren’t just pretty faces with glittering tails—they’re fierce warriors, spellbinding sirens, and unforgettable heroines. In honor of this heatwave and missing those days in the pool, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best YA mermaid books that will sweep you off your feet and into the ocean.
Mermaid Series
1. The Mer Chronicles by Tobie Easton
Set in a world where mermaids live secretly among humans, this series follows Lia Nautilus, a teenage mermaid navigating high school, forbidden love, and ancient underwater politics. Think Mean Girls meets The Little Mermaid with a magical twist. My absolute favorite young adult mermaid series I’ve ever read, I will never stop talking about the unique mermaid mythology and swoony romance between Lia and Clay.
We sell the full series at The Reading Chamber so click the links above to dive into this amazing series.
2. The Fins Series by Tera Lynn Childs
Lily is a half-human, half-mermaid who just wants her high school crush to notice her. But when a kiss gone wrong bonds her to someone else, things get complicated—on land and under the sea. One of the most fun mermaid series I’ve read, Lily and Quince are have a great relationship arc that is sure to have you kicking your fins.
3. The Syrena Legacy Series by Anna Banks
This swoony YA romance follows Emma, a girl with a mysterious connection to the ocean, and Galen, a Syrena prince. With laugh-out-loud moments, beachy vibes, and royal secrets, this is a fun, fast-paced read. If you love books with dual POVs, strong mermaid lore, and hunky mermen, this is the series for you.
4. The Vicious Deep Series by Zoraida Córdova
Speaking of mermen, Tristan Hart is just your average Brooklyn teen—until he nearly drowns and discovers he's a prince of the sea. This trilogy mixes sharp humor, fast-paced adventure, and a Percy Jackson like perspective in a genre dominated by mermaid girls. With action packed trials, a friends-to-lovers romance, and Coney Island vibes, this is an incredibly unique series that teen boys and girls alike will enjoy.
5. The From Tormented Tides series by Val E. Lane
This indie gem blends mermaid fantasy with pirates and romance. The story follows Katrina who is drawn to a coastal town—and an ancient legacy she never expected. Perfect for readers who love small-town secrets and slow-burning magic. While this is more pirates than mermaids, the gothic vibes and mermaid folklore definitely make up for it.
The first and second books are available through The Reading Chamber.
6. The Siren Series by Tricia Rayburn
When Vanessa’s sister drowns mysteriously, she uncovers a chilling secret: beautiful girls with deadly voices are luring men to their deaths. This series blends suspense, romance, and supernatural lore into a haunting mermaid thriller. Like the name suggests, it leans heavily into the siren side of mermaid tales so don’t expect magical underwater worlds. This is perfect for fans of Ginny Myers Sain and dark fantasy books set in the real world.
7. The Undertow Series by Michael Buckley
This series blends dystopia, social conflict, and forbidden romance when a sea-dwelling race clashes with humans and turn Coney Island into a militarized zone. Lyric Walker soon gets tangled up with the political tension and must choose between her newfound love for a mysterious sea prince and her human world. These merpeople are nothing like you’ve read before in this timely fantasy science-fiction combination.
8. The Waterfire Saga by Jennifer Donnelly
A truly magical tale unfolds as six mermaid heroines from all across the oceans must come together to fulfill an ancient prophecy and defeat the dark forces beneath waves. Filled with sea creatures, epic girl power, and a rich underwater world, this series is a must-read for fantasy lovers. Hidden truths, political intrigue, and world building galore give this the extra cherry on top.
Standalone Mermaid Books
9. To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
A dark and thrilling retelling of The Little Mermaid, this book flips the fairy tale on its head. Lira is a siren princess known as the Prince’s Bane, and Elian is a prince who hunts sirens. Their paths collide in a deadly dance of deception, revenge, and forbidden love. With fierce characters and epic battles, what more could you want out of a retelling of the classic tale?
10. Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman
If you don’t know this already, the classic sleepover movie staring Sara Paxton, Jojo, and Emma Roberts is based off of this book. When two best friend discover a mermaid in their beach club’s pool, their summers are forever changed with heartwarming magic. A story about friendship, dealing with change, and believing in something, this book is great for all ages even if it straddles the line between middle grade and YA. This is also a rare instance where the movie was better than the book, but it’s still worth a read.
11. Prince of Song & Sea by Linsey Miller
Deeper world building provides a fresh take on Prince Eric from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Readers get a glimpse at what Eric was up to whenever he wasn’t on screen. The classic love story is reimagined with a curse and Ariel isn’t the only one racing against time to stop the sea witch. Even though Eric is a human, this is a great mermaid book that brings you back into that happy bubbly feeling of watching Ariel sing “Part of Your World.”
12. Part of Your World by Liz Braswell
A standalone installment in the Twisting Tales series, Ursula won the final battle and Ariel is forced back under the waves to rule Atlantica while Eric struggles to remember the little mermaid. An expanded world building of Eric’s kingdom and the politics of Atlantica, this book is not to be missed despite the not-so happily-ever-after aspect of it. A rebellion is on the horizon and this is perfect if you wanted The Little Mermaid to be a little darker in its Disney version.
13. The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill
This feminist reimagining of The Little Mermaid dives deep into themes of autonomy, power, and transformation. Gaia, a young mermaid, is expected to be silent and obedient—but when she rescues a human boy, her world changes forever. Unlike the last two titles, this story twists the original Hans Christian Andersen tale and has more sinister vibes of the original story.
14. Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
When Miranda is sent to a remote island for the summer, she doesn’t expect to fall for a mysterious local boy—or to uncover a legend that may explain her growing connection to the sea. This beautifully written novel is steeped in mystery and emotional depth. Though the mermaid aspects are more subtle and vague, this book will have you believing in a summer mermaid romance.
15. Midnight Pearls by Debbie Viguié
Set in a fishing village, this standalone installment of the Once Upon a Time series twists The Little Mermaid into a bittersweet tale. The historical setting and secrets below the surface of the coast create a love triangle between a mysterious girl, a childhood friend, and an unexpected stranger. The dreamy storytelling makes this feel the most like the Hans Christian Andersen tale.
Whether you're looking for a lighthearted underwater romance or a dark and deadly siren tale, these mermaid books for teens offer something for every kind of reader. Pick a title for a beach read, dissect character motives with your book club, or gift a mermaid-loving reader with the perfect tail tale.
