Coral by Sara Ella

The Quick Cut: A mermaid is left asking questions when her sister is infected with a disease. Drama unfolds as she interacts with others in her search for the truth.

A Real Review:

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

 Mental illness is such an important awareness topic. Far too often, anxiety and depression are labeled as people being weak when in fact the issue can be traced back to physical issues. In this re-imagination of "The Little Mermaid", this incredible story is told center stage. 

 Coral is a mermaid devastated when her oldest sister, the crown princess, becomes Diseased by the Red Tide. Where she was perfect and unemotional, she is now encumbered and doomed. Coral doesn't want to play the political game while everyone pretends everything will be fine, but doesn't know how to move forward without her sister. Brooke is a human living in a mental health center after having attempted suicide. She doesn't see how life could get better and refuses to hear anyone else's perspective. Merrick is a golden boy on the outside, but dying to get his family away from his abusive father on the inside. Playing the game just enough to move forward with his plan to get away from him, he's shocked when his mom disappears and his sister gets in trouble. What do these three possibly have in common? 

 This book starts off so strong and then manages to completely fall apart about halfway through.

 This book starts off so strong and then manages to completely fall apart about halfway through. Although I agree that the overall message to the book is so important, the backbone known as the story doesn't hold up. I will forewarn of the triggers in this book: there are some very detailed descriptions on depression, anxiety, and suicide. Do not take this one lightly! 

Although I agree that the overall message to the book is so important, the backbone known as the story doesn't hold up. I will forewarn of the triggers in this book: there are some very detailed descriptions on depression, anxiety, and suicide. Do not take this one lightly! Although I agree that the overall message to the book is so important, the backbone known as the story doesn't hold up. I will forewarn of the triggers in this book: there are some very detailed descriptions on depression, anxiety, and suicide. Do not take this one lightly! 

 The characters themselves also could've used more beefing up. All three were incredibly flat, but Coral was the most developed. The story that began with the King and her royal duties was quickly thrown to the wayside for a very confusing alternative I'm still not sure I understand. 

 The storyline works extra hard to weave these three together when it could have been better serviced focusing on one character. It felt at moments that multiple storylines were started and then dropped in order to make the message stand out. 

 As admirable as the attempt is, this book fails to achieve the goal. 

My rating: 2 out of 5