Are There Mermaid YA Books With Black Protagonists?

Ever since I was a kid, the idea of mermaids felt weirdly limiting—all that ocean, but so many stories just had them sitting on rocks combing their hair. It's why 'The Girl from the Sea' by Molly Knox Ostertag hit me so hard. It's a graphic novel about a selkie, technically, but the coastal magic and the need to hide a true self felt like the mermaid narrative I'd been craving. The protagonist, Morgan, is trying to figure out her own identity and her first queer relationship, and the selkie girl, Keltie, literally holds the key to her freedom. The strength here is quiet, internal, and about choosing your own family. On the complete other end of the spectrum, there's 'Deep Blue' by Jennifer Donnelly. It's the start of a series with a full-on underwater empire, political intrigue, and a prophecy. The protagonist, Serafina, is a princess who has to become a leader overnight when her kingdom is attacked. It's packed with action and world-building—think magical talismans and sisterhoods of warriors. The strength is in her resilience and her willingness to learn how to fight, both politically and physically, to protect her people. It's definitely more plot-heavy and adventurous than the quieter, coming-of-age stories.

Mermaids and LGBTQ+ rep? Now that's a combo I can dive into! One of my recent favorites is 'The Sea is Salt and So Am I' by Cassandra Hartt. It's not your typical splashy tail flick—this one’s got messy small-town vibes, sibling dynamics, and a quietly queer protagonist navigating grief and first love. The mermaid lore is subtle, almost metaphorical, which makes it feel fresh. Then there’s 'Into the Drowning Deep' by Mira Grant (though it leans more horror). The scientist protagonist is openly bisexual, and the killer mermaids are… well, nightmare fuel. For something lighter, 'The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea' by Maggie Tokuda-Hall blends pirates, genderfluid characters, and a tender f/f romance. It’s like someone took all my favorite tropes and tossed them into a tidal pool of feelings.

The allure of mermaids in YA literature is irresistible, and I've devoured so many over the years! One standout is 'The Siren' by Kiera Cass, which blends romance and mythology with a hauntingly beautiful underwater world. The protagonist’s struggle between duty and desire feels achingly real, and Cass’s lyrical prose makes every page shimmer like sunlight on waves. Another gem is 'Deep Blue' by Jennifer Donnelly, the first in the 'Waterfire Saga.' It’s packed with political intrigue, sisterhood, and epic underwater battles. The world-building is lush—think Atlantis meets 'Game of Thrones,' but with mermaids. Donnelly doesn’t shy away from darker themes, which adds depth to the glittering scales and coral palaces. If you crave something darker, 'To Kill a Kingdom' by Alexandra Christo offers a twisted Little Mermaid retelling where the 'princess' is a killer siren. The enemies-to-lovers arc is deliciously tense, and the oceanic lore feels fresh despite its roots in familiar tales.

I just finished rereading the 'Waterfire Saga' by Jennifer Donnelly and it's such a solid bet for this. The world-building is surprisingly political, with different undersea realms at war, which gives it more weight than a simple romance. The main character, Serafina, starts off pretty sheltered and has to grow into her power, which really works for the coming-of-age feel. It's got that classic quest structure but underwater, and the magic system tied to song spells is genuinely clever. I liked that the romance was present but didn't completely overshadow the plot about stopping an ancient evil. The series is complete too, which is a plus—no waiting years for a finale that might disappoint. Another one I'd throw in is 'The Lost Voices' trilogy by Sarah Porter. This one is darker. The mermaids here are girls who have suffered and been transformed, and they're kind of vengeful, luring ships to crash. The moral ambiguity of the protagonist, Luce, torn between her new family and her human past, makes it a more complex read. It's less about glittery tails and more about the haunting, almost monstrous side of the mythology. It's not a comfortable read, but it's memorable and different from the pack.

One title that comes to mind right away is 'The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea' by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. It's not your typical YA mermaid story; it's a pirate adventure with a shapeshifting mermaid at its heart. The coming-of-age piece is wrapped up in the main characters figuring out their own identities and loyalties while literally at sea. It tackles themes of finding your chosen family and questioning the world you were born into, which feels very genuine to that messy, in-between stage of life. There's also 'Deep Blue' by Jennifer Donnelly, which kicks off the Waterfire Saga. It follows Serafina, a mermaid princess who has to step up after her kingdom is attacked. Her journey from a sheltered heir to a leader is a classic coming-of-age arc, forced by external crisis rather than just internal angst. It deals with responsibility, legacy, and finding your own strength, all set against this surprisingly rich underwater political landscape. A more recent read for me was 'A Song Below Water' by Bethany C. Morrow. Okay, the main character isn't technically a mermaid; she's a siren. But the novel sits firmly in that modern mythic YA space and explores coming-of-age through the lens of voice, power, and Black girlhood in a way that feels urgent and resonant. The process of embracing a power that society fears is a powerful metaphor for growing into yourself.

Mermaid YA books often take creative liberties with folklore, but that's part of their charm! Folklore mermaids, like those in Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid' or Slavic rusalkas, were often ominous—luring sailors to their doom or embodying tragic curses. Modern YA, though, tends to soften them into protagonists with coming-of-age arcs. Take 'To Kill a Kingdom'—it nods to the darker roots with a siren princess who collects hearts, but still romanticizes the lore. Meanwhile, 'The Surface Breaks' reimagines Andersen's tale with feminist critique, blending old and new. That said, some books dig deeper. 'Wicked Deep' ties mermaids to historic witch hunts, echoing folklore’s punitive themes. And manga like 'Mermaid Saga' by Rumiko Takahashi? Brutally faithful to Japanese ningyo legends, where mermaid flesh grants immortality at a horrific cost. YA’s adaptations might not be textbooks, but they keep folklore alive by remixing it for new audiences—and honestly, I’m here for the creative sparks.