The Mermaid’s Mirror, by L.K. Madigan
Lena wants nothing more than to learn to surf for her 16th birthday. But her father has always forbidden Lena since he almost died in a surfing accident years ago. Or so Lena was told. Lena has been having strange dreams and finds herself sleepwalking to the ocean. And when she glimpses what looks like a mermaid off the nearby beach, Lena becomes obsessed with surfing and searching for an item that she can’t even name.
Lena seems like a typical teenager with a boyfriend and best friend and keeping things from her parents. There is absolutely no chemistry with her boyfriend Kai; and he only comes across as annoying and immature. It’s easy to feel Lena’s awkwardness at feeling more comfortable as friends. But Lena is incredibly sweet to her younger brother. It’s immediately obvious why Lena is pulled to the ocean and what the secret is that her parents are hiding from her. But Madigan still manages to infuse suspense as we follow Lena’s path to discovery.
The underwater imagery and world of the Mer-folk is the highlight of the novel, yet Lena’s time there is short in comparison. Lena is pulled between two different worlds, and not completely at home in either. Teenage girls should enjoy this young adult fantasy. With plenty of teenage angst and romance, this coming of age story has heart. Though to be honest, I wasn’t happy with the ending, and I doubt many other would be. It seemed abrupt and unfinished. I hope the story continues. It’s a beautifully told tale, with a promising start.