Merrowkin

by Jennifer Allis Provost

Meri Murphy is not a mermaid’s daughter. At least, she doesn’t think she is.What she does know is that her father is the town drunk who tells anyone who will listen that his wife hadn’t left him fourteen years ago. No, she was a mermaid, and returned to the sea to save her people and all of Ireland from an evil tyrant.Meri wishes he would stop telling that story.Everything changes during a school trip to the Cliffs of Moher. First, Meri learns that mermaids were once called merrows, and their children are the merrowkin. While at the Cliffs she glimpses a golden tower on the waves, and learns about a city that lies at the bottom of the bay between Ireland above and the land of gods below, a barrier between the two worlds that rises once every seven years. Suddenly, her father’s stories aren’t the strangest things she’s heard.Accompanied by her friend, Aodhan, Meri embarks on a quest to discover what really happened to her mother, and hopefully bring her home.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

332 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2024

About the author

Be sure to follow Jenn on BookBub for the latest on sales and new releases: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenni...

Looking for exclusive content, including the prequel to Poison Garden? Follow her on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=143069...

Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two birds, three cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.

Reviews

[Rach · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship development in this story was one of the most adorable ones I've read. The way Aodhan is so honest in his feelings for Meri made me swoon a little. The story itself is pretty good with a balance of Irish myths and fairytale elements to keep you hooked. While there are some slightly darker themes mentioned in the book like substance abuse and grief, the tone itself is pretty light-hearted and fantastical. It honestly felt like reading a fairytale where you know there's a happy ending waiting around the corner.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect book for this dreary day! I needed something on the quicker side. While the book itself is long, the story is fast paced. I love Meri and Aodhan. They make a great team. They are opposites and it works. Aodhan is more level headed and logical while Meri is all over the place. I absolutely adore how the author wrote the story with her mom. I'm glad it all worked out. I'm so excited for book 2 and how it's going to go. I want Kevin and Meri to meet their grandfather and that side of the family.

[TaniaRina Valdespino · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘What would Sister Mary Katherine do?’
Given her druthers (and her career path), she’d most likely fight off malicious beings in order to rid the world of the devil (in whatever form). And encourage her students to research their target to learn its limitations before popping off on a quest of do-gooding.

Da’s always have wee wisdoms:
Take a step back in order to see the big picture.
‘I’m never sure, but I do have a great deal of hope.’
‘The more who know a secret, the more likely it is that the secret will be exposed.’

Some sage advice from the author:
Build and maintain strong bonds to decrease your chances of being led astray.
‘Those who are unsatisfied with their own lives are rather attuned to’ the siren’s call. IRL, that could be any number of things such as eating disorders, substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, etc. Having a support system in place to avoid being a target is the best preventative measure. One of the supporting characters tries to separate our heroine and hero in the hopes of weakening their bond, therefore easing his way into manipulating them in order to reach his evil goal. Never go at your trials and tribulations alone.


More adventures await us in the soon-to-be-released ‘Death’s Door’ then ‘Manannán’s Pearl’ (expected in May 2025).

[Elizabeth Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksirens for a reader/reviewer copy of this book. Compared to what I normally read, it was refreshing to read a clean, YA fantasy-adventure. It takes place in present-day Ireland, so it’s not a dystopian, future-oriented tale. It all takes place from the POV of Meridith, or Meri, a seventeen-year-old girl who lost her mother at such a young age, she barely remembers her. But she misses her so much, and she wants to understand why she left. Her father has been a wreck ever since the mother disappeared fourteen years ago, and her older brother Kevin remembers details Meri can never hope to recall.

When her mother first disappeared, Meri’s father told her the mother was a mermaid who had to return to her home, but she’d be coming back. He expected her to return seven years later because that’s what they agreed upon, but now it’s almost fourteen. As a result, he fears the worst and drinks heavily. The entire town views him as a drunkard with a vivid imagination. They completely discount his story, which happens to be the same story Meri told her classmates when she was five years old.

To this day, two girls in her class still tease her about it. I know teenagers, especially girls, can be brutal, but I found it hard to believe these two would continue to tease her about something from when they were so young. Surely, there were more current things they could use to torment her. Maybe her drunken father, for one. Additionally, since this began when she was about five, I would have imagined Meri would develop a thicker skin and learn to ignore them. Instead, she was often driven to tears, even if she did manage to hide them.

Aodhan, a boy from school, is undeniably enamored with Meri, but she tries to keep him at a distance because she dreams of leaving town as soon as she has enough money. Underlying that is a fear of falling in love and losing that person because she has witnessed her father’s reaction. By insisting on helping her find her mother and believing the story she was told so long ago, he manages to chip away at her resolve and she begins to care for and depend upon him.

It’s a textbook hero’s journey for Meri, both emotionally and physically. She and Aodhan embark on numerous, exciting adventures to find clues, and they encounter multiple villains. A few times, their lives are endangered. Meanwhile, Meri and Aodhan grow closer and would do anything to protect one another. They become an unstoppable force.

The story has a happy ending, but there is more to come. There’s no cliffhanger, just a teaser of what comes next. I’m looking forward to reading the second book. I’d definitely recommend this to my teen, if I still had one.

[Nastia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The next thing I knew, I was at a beach, shivering cold and kneeling on the wet sand.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
*ARC review*
Meri is a girl whose mother disappeared fourteen years ago when she was 3. Little girl believed her father that mom is a mermaid and returned to the sea, and girl tried to explain this to other children, but ot only started endless teasing and bullying.
But now at age seventeen our girl decided to be rebellious and went to the sea after all this years of not being allowed to go.
What will happen when she is looking at the strange golden flashes in the waves and next she is caught by her friend while sprinting towards the sea? What is going on? What secrets are hidden in myths and her family’s past? Will her crush finally leave friendzone or they will remain friends forever?

It was cute, easy to read and reminded me fairytales with adventures and searches for treasures and lost city. Only in some scenes i felt that main characters are not teenagers on their ways to become adults, but slightly younger teens. Hope ages used in the story are vital and make more sense in the future. And sometimes there were moments when everything happened too fast and easy.
The great thing about the book was interesting lore and slowly unfolding mystery which took place in Ireland…so i was immediately hooked on this story. Also i liked how focused our Meri was to find the story behind mother’s disappearance,and from the start there was this thought “I need to figure out for myself who Meri Murphy was before I could go around sharing her with others.” in her head.

I’m rarely comparing series, but this story and the way it was told reminded me of „Keeper of the lost cities”. In a way that we have fun, fast and cute adventure full of small details and secrets. But i would have loved it to be bigger, so characters would have struggled more. Maybe in next book?


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[KUSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction to the setting felt a bit like reading bullet points. I would've liked to find things out a bit more naturally as things happen, not by the narrator just listing them off. The plot is moving very fast at the beginning. I feel we didn't get to see enough of MC's original emotions to really feel the change of heart because of it.

Meri and Aodhan act weird with each other. I can't figure out if they're close or not. They appear to be, but they talk about things you feel like best friends should already know about each other, but they act like best friends.

There are a few inconsistencies in the story. Meri also chooses to accept everything and believe a bit too out of the blue.

Some of their adventures were a bit too easy. Like, no way that would really happen.

The first singing scene was very weird. Could've been written differently to make it seem more magical and less awkward.

A little past the halfway point, the characters grew on me, and the story really slowed down. This is the point where I really started liking the book.

I also enjoyed the romance in this book.

I was really rooting for them. Even though the start was rough, the characters and the story grew on me, and I'm excited to continue reading this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marie-claire Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love tales of Scotland and Ireland. I do not know why. It just grabs me n hooks me.

This book was definitely a new take on lore and creatures that I thought I knew.

It introduced me.to a different lore. People, places and things I would love to meet if only these wonderful flights of fantasy were real.

This is not a book that grabs you and you come up for air a few hours later asking what just happened.

This is that comfortable book. The book after your day has been too hectic, and your mind won't let you release from the trials of the day.

You can snuggle deep under covers (with snackages of course)

and just go somewhere new.

This is worth the read and I will flag the author for the next in the series and that is the highest accolade I can give.

Get this book.

*** I was blessed with an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Where has this service been all my life. I have book streaming apps not TV. Yes. I am a content book-nerd)***

[A Bookworm In Chile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the description of this book, I was optimistic from the get-go. That said, I still think it went well beyond my expectations. I'm pretty good at forcing myself to put a book down so I can actually get some sleep, but I was hard-pressed to do so with Merrowkin. The writing was smooth and the buildup to the climax was very well done. It wasn't too long before I found myself drawn in, desperate to know what would happen next.

The main leads were also done exceptionally well. Meri and Aodhan are teenagers, yes, and they certainly feel like it. The feelings that all of us go through at that age are present and accounted for, but even the character's most angst-ridden moments didn't make them any less likable. Plus, their relationship is so darn wholesome. It was so much fun to read.

If I had to pick a week point for the book, I would have to say the climax. It wasn't badly done, but it did feel a bit rushed. Especially with how good the buildup was. It just felt a bit anticlimactic.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Booksirens for providing me with an ARC for my honest review. I hesitated to start this book, as I'm not usually a fan of combinations of fantasy set in the modern world, primarily because it is easy to get bogged down with the technicalities of modern technology interacting with magical things.
As I read on in the book, I couldn't help but feel pulled in by the story. Although the main character's inner monologue initially infuriated me, I began to understand her reasons and grew to like her.
The world-building was also kept light and airy, and I liked how some of the background characters were also given some personality and not kept robot-like. The only thing that did feel a bit forced was the romance between the main character and her friend, but since they are only 17 and 18, I'll let it go because I liked the rest of the book so much.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Kirsty W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meri with the aid of Aodhan are searching for answers, searching for what really happened to her mother when she was just a child. She had been told her mother was a mermaid or Marrow of old and he’s the only own who believes her and stood by her side. When they start searching and asking questions her father begins to open up and talk about what happened all those years ago, he told her don’t look where she was for when she comes back it won’t be to the same place. Digging into old case files, genealogy sights to find connections and even finding hidden items here and there, things begin to click into place. Aodhan and Meri get closer as the search continues. Are Marrows real? Is she a Merrowkin? Did her mom leave by choice? Definitely a need to read especially if you love folklore, myths and solving the unknown!

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply a beautiful book. One that is a snuggle down in a comfy chair with a cuppa and just relax into it type of read.

Merri just wants to know more about her mom, she wants to know what happened to her. So she sets out on a quest that proves to be challenging, eye-opening and beautifully wonderful all at once.

The two MC's are perfectly suited to one another and the story unfolds in such a way that the reader really is swept into another world to just enjoy the scenery, the story and the wonderful characters.

I can't wait to read more from this author and the next book in this series.

A comfy clothes, snuggled into comfy chair with a nice hot cup of tea and a window to stare out when you come up for a breath type of read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cupcake Book Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meri is a modern Irish teenager who's used to being made fun of, but not for the usual reasons. Her father, a fisherman, told everyone that when her mother disappeared years ago it was because she's a mermaid who went back to join her people under the sea.

The handsome boy at her school, Aodhan, who's been a friend since childhood wants to help her unravel the truth about her mother's disappearance. But what if her father isn't just a crazy drunk and the story he's telling is true? What if her mother is a mermaid warrior trying to protect her kingdom? What if all those clues of swords and chunks of gold mail mean that her mother might be still alive?

This book is a medium-paced teen and mid grade fantasy book for fans of mermaids, magic realism, teen romantic drama, and the importance of family.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kandice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. You’d think in a book about merfolk and sunken lands beneath the seas, that the book would take place under the ocean. At least in part. But no. And being based around the actual folklore of Kilstiffen, you’d think you’d get to see this fabled sunken city. But again, no. The first half of the book takes place on land and goes nowhere as Meri wonders about her life and missing mother. In fact, very little happens. The second half? Still on land with very little action other than Meri finds her mom.

Overall, I can’t say this is a bad book. But it had so much promise and could have been so much more. I definitely won’t be reading the next one in the series as
I was just so disappointed by this one. If I’m reading a book about mermaids, then I want to read about mermaids and watery lands, not your rather average teenager in an Irish town.

[WickedLass · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was completely captivated by the intriguing mystery in this book. I felt the same confusion and irritation that the characters, Adohan and Meri, experienced. This book is an amazing blend of mystery and fantasy, centering around the quest of Meri and Adohan to find Meri's mother, who disappeared without a trace several years ago. Without giving away any spoilers, I could not put this book down. I ended up reading it cover to cover overnight. I didn't intend to stay up all night, but the next thing I knew, I had finished it, and my alarm had gone off! I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Jennifer for allowing me to be part of your ARC for this book. I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series and can't wait to see what exciting adventures await Meri and Adohan!

[Lunyzbreid Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining for all ages

I enjoyed the adventure using the mythology of mermaids/marrows at a good pace. There is a mystery behind the disappearance of Meredith's mom and a series of cliff jumpers. Mer is bullied all the time and for years by two classmates because she blurted out that she was the daughter of a mermaid when she was little, following what her dad told her as an explanation of her mother's absence. She has a very supportive and reliable best friend, who is instrumental in this adventure and also her love interest (though she is in denial about him).
Although the story is good, it would be better with another round of editing. There are some misplaced words here and there and minor slips. For this, it's not a solid 4-stars score, but greater than 3.5.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sirens song pulls the reader in to a magical Irish world. Meri, who lost her mom when she was a baby and her best friend Aodhan find themselves on a quest. Two students, each have lost a parent. Meri, her mom and Aodhan, his father. Like any High school students life is a trial. There are so many unknown facts about Meris' mother and that mystery leads them into discoveries of hidden truths. These discoveries bring them into a whirl wind of danger. Can her dad help them? Will she find her mother? I have my guesses, but won't know till the end. I write this at 3/4ths the way thru so I cannot spill the secrets woven skillfully by Allis Provost.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am reviewing this honestly.

Overall I did enjoy this book. I sometimes felt not much really happened, and for a long time I was unsure how to rate it. In the end I found the merrow mythology interesting, and for the most part engaging. I got a bit of a Percy Jackson vibe from it, but with a different plot. I liked the Irish parts of it, and kept finding myself searching up the names to learn more about them. There were also some plot twists, which I enjoyed. If you're interested in the topics in the book, I would recommend checking it out, and I will consider continuing the series when the next book comes out.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Merrowkin! The writing is evocative, the characters are well-developed, and the story itself is captivating. Meri is a wonderful character, and her relationships with the other people in the book feel perfectly genuine, especially Aodhan. I thoroughly enjoyed following their search to find out more about Meri's mother. Merrowkin is an easy book to get lost in- I couldn't put it down once I started it, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book. I highly recommend Merrowkin for fans of mermaids and fantasy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[The Bookish Babble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read this amazing book, Merrowkin, that pulled me in right from the start. Even though I'm not usually into mermaid-themed stories, I just had to check out the hype surrounding it, and I'm so glad I did! Jennifer's writing made me feel like I was with Meri in the story. And Meri's friendship with Aodhan was so sweet, but I wished there was even more to it! The more I read, the more I just had to know what would happen next. Also, I loved how much Meri's dad changed throughout the story, although I don't want to spoil anything for you!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow build. Lots of world building. Interesting characters. Loved the setting, in Ireland, and with what the author is calling merrows, otherwise known as mermaids. Once the story gets rolling, it does really move and is good, just takes time, like half the book. You feel sorry for Meri's father, who mourns with liquor. (Side note, loved reading a book with that characters name, as its my mother's and rather rare!) Brother doesn't get much interest at all, he's a side note. Altogether, a good book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC and absolutely loved it!

For me, this book was as much a mystery as it was fantasy. I felt invested in Meri and Aodhan's search for Meri's mother, revelling with them in each of their discoveries and being frustrated with them when they hit a road block.

I also appreciated the banter between Meri and Aodhan. They worked well together and had some funny moments, too!

Definitely recommend!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★
Review:
I loved how this book was such a mystery, how I felt confused and irritated along with Adohan and Meri!
This book is a great mystery/fantasy read about Meri and Adohan and their search for Meri’s mother who suddenly disappeared a few years ago. This is a short review as I’m afraid I’ll spoil something but I absolutely loved this book and binge read it in a day!
Thank you Jennifer for this arc, I can’t wait to see what more adventures Meri and Adohan will bring!

[Lauren C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. The Irish folklore and mythology was interesting to learn about and the way Meri and Aodhans friendship blossomed was so lovely to follow. Aodhan is just the sweetest character and I was constantly smiling at his interactions with Meri. The story concludes nicely while still making me want to read more. Will definitely be reading the rest of the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Darya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Мері (Мерідвен), наразі сімнадцятирічна школярка з Ірландії, уже чотирнадцять років як живе тільки з татом-рибалкою і старшим братом, без мами. У містечку подейкують, що мати просто покинула її батька-пияка і пішла собі геть, а ще насміхаються з Мері, яка в початковій школі, здається, щиро вірила батьковим побрехенькам про те, що його дружина насправді була русалкою, яку він колись врятував викинутою на берег і яка полишила родину тільки тому, що їй конче треба було повернутися до свого народу в морі. Батько суворо заборонив доньці навіть наближатися до узбережжя, але одного разу Мері порушила це правило і приєдналася до шкільної екскурсії до Могерських скель. І там-то зрозуміла, що щось у морі її справді кличе, тож, можливо, розповіді про врятовану русалку - це зовсім не побрехеньки покинутого дружиною пияка? Однокласник і краш Мері Ейон береться їй допомогти в тому, щоб з'ясувати правду про себе, свою сім'ю (і, звісно, врятувати світ, як ведеться у фентезі).

Mind you, the only medical treatment I needed was a salve for my wounded pride, but there was none of that. Instead, they asked me if I was drunk or on drugs, even if I felt suicidal. No one had yet asked me if I’d thought I was a mermaid, but only just.

Що тут сказати? Як читач, я би назвала цю книжку тільки "непоганою". Все ж таки, коли йдеться про велику загадку, яка пояснює всю світобудову, хочеться, щоб всі детальки, які привели до її розв'язання, в цю світобудову постфактум ідеально вписувалися, а не тільки наштовхували героїв на наступну деталь у подальших пошуках.

Але як дослідник того, як жанрова література може брати участь в просуванні змістів, пов'язаних з національною ідентичністю, я просто в захваті. Тут і знакові для Ірландії природні й історичні місця (починаючи з тих же Могерських скель і далі по тексту), і перечитування середньовічних легенд у пошуку розгадки, і специфічна англійська з діалектними слівцями, і ненав'язливе просування ідей дайверсіті в рамках ірландської політичної нації (Ейон, чий батько був чорношкірим американцем, найкраще з усіх знає Ґелік і розуміється на фольклорі), і потішання з деяких занадто формалізованих і відтак штучних для носіїв автентичної ірландської ідентичності способів комеморації історичних подій...

The displays were set up in chronological order, starting with the obligatory shrine to the Great Famine.

Правда, це ще й виявилася книжка, розуміння якої може перевернути остання сторінка з інформацією "про автора": там з'ясувалося, що авторка взагалі-то американка, в інших книжках якої не простежується особливо виразних ірландських тем. Тому я тепер не знаю, як це сприймати - цікаво було би дізнатися враження реальних ірландських читачів, щоб зрозуміти, наскільки this hits close to home for them, бо структурно мені це виглядало власне грою з елементами історичної пам'яті для внутрішнього вжитку, а не екзотизацією для зовнішнього читача.

[Natalie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters are vibrant and full of personality, making it easy to get drawn into their world. The author does a fantastic job with world building as well because I could vividly picture the settings and felt fully immersed in the story. The plot is so interesting, and I especially enjoyed watching the characters evolve both individually and in their relationships with one another. I can’t wait to see where their journey leads next!

[Angela Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this unique take on mermaid mythology. I was totally caught up in Meri's story and her journey to learn the truth about her missing mother. I could totally empathize with her family and the struggle of being related to a known drunk. The twists and turns kept me guessing. Great story!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meri is like the little mermaid if she wanted to be a mermaid instead of a human. It’s full of wondrous world building and lots of drama and a journey fur the ages. It’s really quite awesome, I really enjoyed this adventure.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amanda Mckeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meri and Aodhan are so cute. They are great friends to each other and have each other's backs. Following them on their crazy adventures to find answers as to why Meri's mom left was so much fun. Can't wait for their next adventure. Thank you Jennifer for having me on your ARC team.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating and refreshing book into a magical story involving mothers, daughters, mermaids, and tales. I loved it because what couldn't be true, could be which is the basis of all magic. A truly enchanting story.

[Chrissi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!
The author has created a rich world with incredible folklore and wonderful characters.
Meri with the help of her friend Aodham, embark on a journey looking for answers. What they discover will change both their lives forever.