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The Merblood Saga #1
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby
When the Tide Turns, the Merblood Rises...
In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers' dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the "Just relax. You can breathe easily. I’ve got total control over you."
Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona's strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena's window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world.
The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina's haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim.
Faustina's power stems from a mysterious ruby necklace, an artifact of untold magic and menace. Its dark magic can turn the tide of fate, offering salvation or doom. As Selena grapples with bullies at her new school and the complexities of a small town riddled with secrets, the necklace becomes her only hope to save her mother from a watery, undead fate.
With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the necklace's hidden past and its current whereabouts. The journey takes her deeper into Faustina's world—a world of betrayal, ancient curses, and underwater lairs.
As the clock ticks and Fiona's transformation accelerates, Selena must confront her deepest fears. Plunging into the murky depths, she faces off against Faustina in a heart-stopping struggle for the necklace. In this underwater chess game, every move could be her last. Will Selena retrieve the necklace and reverse the curse, or will she become another lost soul in Faustina's mermaid kingdom?
As Selena's story unfolds, she discovers that the true power lies not in a ruby's glow, but in the strength of her own heart. In a final, breathtaking climax, Selena must decide the fate of the necklace, balancing the weight of its power against the safety of those she loves.
"Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby" is a tale of magic, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a story that reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is always a glimmer of hope.
...For in the Depths of Despair, a Hero Rises.
In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers' dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the "Just relax. You can breathe easily. I’ve got total control over you."
Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona's strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena's window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world.
The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina's haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim.
Faustina's power stems from a mysterious ruby necklace, an artifact of untold magic and menace. Its dark magic can turn the tide of fate, offering salvation or doom. As Selena grapples with bullies at her new school and the complexities of a small town riddled with secrets, the necklace becomes her only hope to save her mother from a watery, undead fate.
With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the necklace's hidden past and its current whereabouts. The journey takes her deeper into Faustina's world—a world of betrayal, ancient curses, and underwater lairs.
As the clock ticks and Fiona's transformation accelerates, Selena must confront her deepest fears. Plunging into the murky depths, she faces off against Faustina in a heart-stopping struggle for the necklace. In this underwater chess game, every move could be her last. Will Selena retrieve the necklace and reverse the curse, or will she become another lost soul in Faustina's mermaid kingdom?
As Selena's story unfolds, she discovers that the true power lies not in a ruby's glow, but in the strength of her own heart. In a final, breathtaking climax, Selena must decide the fate of the necklace, balancing the weight of its power against the safety of those she loves.
"Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby" is a tale of magic, courage, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a story that reminds us that even in our darkest hours, there is always a glimmer of hope.
...For in the Depths of Despair, a Hero Rises.
- GenresFantasy
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2024
2 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Ella English
4 books95 followersBook 2 is here. Are you ready?
SELENA FLOWERS AND THE PHANTOM TIDES is out now!
Green tides rising? Check. Zombie mermaids with an appetite for destruction? Double check!
Selena and Chloe are SO not having the summer vacay they planned. Now they're diving back into Madderly Bay with their sassy squid sidekick to save their village.
Meanwhile, Chloe's crushing on Andrew—imagine Edward Cullen with a tail. Underwater romance is tricky when your boyfriend might eat your neighbors. Ariel never had these problems.
Buy book ↠ http://tinyurl.com/yc7fb58b
STALK ELLA ONLINE:
Book Sirens ↠ https://tinyurl.com/2cpevnd4
Bookbub ↠ https://tinyurl.com/5ukkd8te
Instagram ↠ https://tinyurl.com/572j37y9
Website ↠ www.ellaenglish.com
TikTok ↠ www.tiktok.com/@ellaenglish
Facebook ↠ https://tinyurl.com/y58fua6j
AUTHOR BIO:
Ella English is a British author and illustrator who writes children's books. Her Kitty in the City series features a singing cat in Manhattan. The Merblood Saga is about magic and mermaids in Madderly Bay.
Ella was inspired to write the Merblood Saga by her childhood holidays on the Kent Coast in the UK, where massive waves crashing against the seawall and freak waves pulling beachgoers into the water sparked her imagination.
SELENA FLOWERS AND THE PHANTOM TIDES is out now!
Green tides rising? Check. Zombie mermaids with an appetite for destruction? Double check!
Selena and Chloe are SO not having the summer vacay they planned. Now they're diving back into Madderly Bay with their sassy squid sidekick to save their village.
Meanwhile, Chloe's crushing on Andrew—imagine Edward Cullen with a tail. Underwater romance is tricky when your boyfriend might eat your neighbors. Ariel never had these problems.
Buy book ↠ http://tinyurl.com/yc7fb58b
STALK ELLA ONLINE:
Book Sirens ↠ https://tinyurl.com/2cpevnd4
Bookbub ↠ https://tinyurl.com/5ukkd8te
Instagram ↠ https://tinyurl.com/572j37y9
Website ↠ www.ellaenglish.com
TikTok ↠ www.tiktok.com/@ellaenglish
Facebook ↠ https://tinyurl.com/y58fua6j
AUTHOR BIO:
Ella English is a British author and illustrator who writes children's books. Her Kitty in the City series features a singing cat in Manhattan. The Merblood Saga is about magic and mermaids in Madderly Bay.
Ella was inspired to write the Merblood Saga by her childhood holidays on the Kent Coast in the UK, where massive waves crashing against the seawall and freak waves pulling beachgoers into the water sparked her imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 8, 2024
Wow, this book had me hooked pretty much from the start. It was intriguing but also was so full of suspense and is the perfect introduction to horror stories for kids but also for adults who maybe don't like the adult horrors but enjoy a good book with suspense and danger. I absolutely loved this book, the writing style was easy to follow and flowed beautifully. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book, wanting to see what happened next. It was a thrilling story with a lot of magic and whimsy but also I loved the darker side of it too, the descriptions of the mermaid zombies and the way the author tells the tales from more than just one perspective is a welcome bonus. This is definitely a book I would recommend reading if you fancy a dark twist to a mermaid story.
May 26, 2024
wonderfully unique
This is a beautifully crafted story about a young lady, whose life has been uprooted. In addition to getting to know a new environment, she begins getting mysterious visits from a mermaid, unlike any, I have encountered before. Just the thought of zombie mermaids seemed so unusual to me, But it kept me quite engaged from start to finish. I love the author’s imagination, and I hope there are more books to come.
This is a beautifully crafted story about a young lady, whose life has been uprooted. In addition to getting to know a new environment, she begins getting mysterious visits from a mermaid, unlike any, I have encountered before. Just the thought of zombie mermaids seemed so unusual to me, But it kept me quite engaged from start to finish. I love the author’s imagination, and I hope there are more books to come.
July 31, 2024
**TW**
Blood detail, injury detail, gore, violence, death
While aimed at young readers I do believe it is more suited for the advanced readers due to the use of advanced and possibly complicated language. I would personally recommend this book for readers aged 12/13+.
We follow our main character Selena Flowers as she moves from bustly London to the eerily quiet Madderly Bay where the house she is now living in is host to lurking shadows and zombie mermaids. One particular zombie mermaid, Faustina has her mind set on turning Selena...
I can admittedly say that I enjoyed this tale and found it a fast-paced and adventurous read. There's always something happening, always a twist approaching. It's a riveting tale.
Some things did feel a little rushed through particularly the ending but I am hoping the stories will flesh out a little more as the Merblood Saga continues.
Ella English's writing is easy to read, descriptive and whimsical. Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby brings readers on a journey of self discovery and friendship as they swim beneath the surface to reveal the secrets of the ocean.
Blood detail, injury detail, gore, violence, death
While aimed at young readers I do believe it is more suited for the advanced readers due to the use of advanced and possibly complicated language. I would personally recommend this book for readers aged 12/13+.
We follow our main character Selena Flowers as she moves from bustly London to the eerily quiet Madderly Bay where the house she is now living in is host to lurking shadows and zombie mermaids. One particular zombie mermaid, Faustina has her mind set on turning Selena...
I can admittedly say that I enjoyed this tale and found it a fast-paced and adventurous read. There's always something happening, always a twist approaching. It's a riveting tale.
Some things did feel a little rushed through particularly the ending but I am hoping the stories will flesh out a little more as the Merblood Saga continues.
Ella English's writing is easy to read, descriptive and whimsical. Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby brings readers on a journey of self discovery and friendship as they swim beneath the surface to reveal the secrets of the ocean.
June 3, 2024
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby by Ella English is book one in The Merblood Saga. This book is recommended for pre-teens/young adults but when saw what it was about I decided to dip my toes in as well. It’s an intriguing story that mixes myth with fantasy that also adds in a dash of horror. To say my interest was caught would be an understatement. I read the book relatively fast finishing in little under a day; each chapter just kept me going… I had to know more, see where it led. Not to mention the author taking two elements of zombies and mermaids, combining them seamlessly. It really was a fascinating read. My favorite aspect hands down was the characters, each having some type of relatability to them. Their personalities really shone through, in particular Selena. She is determined, smart and she bounces back from situations. This book takes you a journey that consists of suspense, action, twists, humor and sweet moments. A story of learning to be brave and to face your fears. It is written so incredibly well with an engaging plot. But I loved the imagery, the worldbuilding, the descriptions… It was incredible. This is the first book I’m reading by Ella English and what a talented storyteller, the imagination used just kept me engaged the entire time. Needless to say I will be on the lookout for book two. If you have teens or even yourself that love a good fantasy/horror book that puts a twist on the mermaid tales then this is the book for you.
Final review:
5 out of 5 stars
Final review:
5 out of 5 stars
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars
This was a fun story that I would recommend for 4-6th grade, but there is enough blood and gore that sensitive readers might want to wait until they're older before reading it.
In some ways, it was a bit whacky--I mean, not only are there mermaids, a common character in fantasy novels, but there are zombie mermaids who are not all bad. Except Faustina. She's all bad. Or is she? Maybe she's just insane? Cursed? Lonely? Or all of the above? But also in this story is the deep loneliness Selena feels as her mother seems to have her heads in the cloud with dreams of being an actress, and their inability to pay the bills means that she's never been in any place long enough to make friends. She has no connection with her father who seems much more interested in his second family, so she is the perfect target for bullies in this new town. And they are pretty terrible, doing things that the teachers seem to either turn a blind eye to or who are easily duped by the sweet words of innocence professed by these bullies.
I really liked her friend Chloe as she learned to think independently of her mom but still make good choices. I liked her desire to help her friend, and learning to conquer her own fears even as she helped Selena fight her fears.
In the end, I enjoyed this even if I was not the target audience. I ended up liking it so much I plan on reading the second book soon.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a fun story that I would recommend for 4-6th grade, but there is enough blood and gore that sensitive readers might want to wait until they're older before reading it.
In some ways, it was a bit whacky--I mean, not only are there mermaids, a common character in fantasy novels, but there are zombie mermaids who are not all bad. Except Faustina. She's all bad. Or is she? Maybe she's just insane? Cursed? Lonely? Or all of the above? But also in this story is the deep loneliness Selena feels as her mother seems to have her heads in the cloud with dreams of being an actress, and their inability to pay the bills means that she's never been in any place long enough to make friends. She has no connection with her father who seems much more interested in his second family, so she is the perfect target for bullies in this new town. And they are pretty terrible, doing things that the teachers seem to either turn a blind eye to or who are easily duped by the sweet words of innocence professed by these bullies.
I really liked her friend Chloe as she learned to think independently of her mom but still make good choices. I liked her desire to help her friend, and learning to conquer her own fears even as she helped Selena fight her fears.
In the end, I enjoyed this even if I was not the target audience. I ended up liking it so much I plan on reading the second book soon.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from BookSirens. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 8, 2024
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby by Ella English is the first book in the Merblood saga. The books are aimed at children aged 12 upwards but I found this a very enjoyable read for adults as well. The genre is described as children’s fantasy / horror / adventure and it ticks all three boxes.
The book begins with Selena and her mum moving to Selenas grandmothers home following her passing and from night one strange things begin occurring including being visited by a relative, Faustina, who happens to be a zombie mermaid. After her mum is scratched by Faustina, Selena races to find the Cursed Ruby in the hopes of saving her.
This was definitely an enjoyable read for me. I loved all the characters and themes that play out through the story including friendships, trust, and family bonds. Selena is a wonderfully written heroine that overcomes her fears at every step along the story and is a great life lesson for children about facing those fears head on and hopefully overcoming them. Also the friendship between Selena and Chloe was brilliant to see develop. Trust plays a big part in their bond because some of what Selena is telling Chloe is so unbelievable that even we would think it was all made up. How the story looks at the relationship between Selena and her mum is also explored well. It is a strained relationship at times but the love they share keeps them together. Other characters play a role in other themes as well but no spoilers, you should read the book.
I can see this being a brilliant series and I would recommend it for kids, adults, or even to read together before bed time.
The book begins with Selena and her mum moving to Selenas grandmothers home following her passing and from night one strange things begin occurring including being visited by a relative, Faustina, who happens to be a zombie mermaid. After her mum is scratched by Faustina, Selena races to find the Cursed Ruby in the hopes of saving her.
This was definitely an enjoyable read for me. I loved all the characters and themes that play out through the story including friendships, trust, and family bonds. Selena is a wonderfully written heroine that overcomes her fears at every step along the story and is a great life lesson for children about facing those fears head on and hopefully overcoming them. Also the friendship between Selena and Chloe was brilliant to see develop. Trust plays a big part in their bond because some of what Selena is telling Chloe is so unbelievable that even we would think it was all made up. How the story looks at the relationship between Selena and her mum is also explored well. It is a strained relationship at times but the love they share keeps them together. Other characters play a role in other themes as well but no spoilers, you should read the book.
I can see this being a brilliant series and I would recommend it for kids, adults, or even to read together before bed time.
July 23, 2024
For some reason, this book made me feel incredibly nostalgic, and I still can't quite comprehend why. Perhaps it's because I loved reading this kind of book when I was in 4th to 8th grade. It brings back such hearty memories.
The plot keeps you engaged and excited. If you like friendship , fantasy and magical creatures, you'll enjoy this book. Plus, Book 2 in the Merblood Saga comes out in two months!
The plot keeps you engaged and excited. If you like friendship , fantasy and magical creatures, you'll enjoy this book. Plus, Book 2 in the Merblood Saga comes out in two months!
February 8, 2025
This was so much fun to read. What would you do if a zombie mermaid was after you. This was such a thrilling action packed romp. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. It might be fun to be a zombie mermaid except for the jangling decaying flesh thing. This is middle grade and perfect for your teen or preteen.
I want to thank BookSirens for a free copy of this arc. My review is voluntary.
I want to thank BookSirens for a free copy of this arc. My review is voluntary.
June 10, 2024
Rating: 3/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: cutely horrifying; awkwardly written dialogue; I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the story; entertaining, fast-paced read
HUGE thanks to Ella English for the title! My review is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.
What do you get when you mix puns, magic, mermaids, and zombies?! This compellingly fun, creative, midgrade fantasy horror read! I had a ton of fun following our band of merry misfits as the story unfolded. The characters and their motivations, while guided by missteps and misunderstandings, were fairly believable and endearing in turn.
Some of the dialogue was a bit awkward, with inconsistent flow or weird word choices. There was a fair amount of turbulent emotions, as well, as could be expected from characters so young and in such formative years... but which made it a bit harder to fully connect with the characters, as an adult reader.
Still, this read was fast-paced, entertaining, and unique. Cutely horrifying, this was a wild journey from beginning to end, and I had a great time diving in. Be careful in these depths, Penguins; these zombie mermaids bite.
Quick Reasons: cutely horrifying; awkwardly written dialogue; I had a hard time connecting to the characters and the story; entertaining, fast-paced read
HUGE thanks to Ella English for the title! My review is voluntarily written and in no way altered or impacted by this gesture.
What do you get when you mix puns, magic, mermaids, and zombies?! This compellingly fun, creative, midgrade fantasy horror read! I had a ton of fun following our band of merry misfits as the story unfolded. The characters and their motivations, while guided by missteps and misunderstandings, were fairly believable and endearing in turn.
Some of the dialogue was a bit awkward, with inconsistent flow or weird word choices. There was a fair amount of turbulent emotions, as well, as could be expected from characters so young and in such formative years... but which made it a bit harder to fully connect with the characters, as an adult reader.
Still, this read was fast-paced, entertaining, and unique. Cutely horrifying, this was a wild journey from beginning to end, and I had a great time diving in. Be careful in these depths, Penguins; these zombie mermaids bite.
June 11, 2024
This book was creative, unique, and interesting. I enjoyed it, although a few words I don’t believe should be in a children’s book.
I love zombies and I love mermaids, and this was a really creative way to mix the two. I wish there was more description with surroundings, and sometimes it felt like the scenes underwater suddenly switched to being out of the water. It would pull me out of the story.
I love, love, loved the jokes told. This book was funny and quirky. I enjoyed it.
I love zombies and I love mermaids, and this was a really creative way to mix the two. I wish there was more description with surroundings, and sometimes it felt like the scenes underwater suddenly switched to being out of the water. It would pull me out of the story.
I love, love, loved the jokes told. This book was funny and quirky. I enjoyed it.
August 14, 2024
Awesome book for teens!
This book is a wild, imaginative ride! Combining mermaids and zombies, this book takes you on an adventure filled with suspense, humor, and unexpected twists. Selena is a relatable character, and the story’s blend of fantasy and horror is perfect for teens and anyone who loves a good, quirky tale. Nicely done!
This book is a wild, imaginative ride! Combining mermaids and zombies, this book takes you on an adventure filled with suspense, humor, and unexpected twists. Selena is a relatable character, and the story’s blend of fantasy and horror is perfect for teens and anyone who loves a good, quirky tale. Nicely done!
November 24, 2024
Here is my review for Selena Flowers And The Cursed Ruby by Ella English
I really enjoyed reading this book as it contained zombies and mermaids in the same story. That doesn’t happen very often! Selena Flowers moves to Madderly Bay when her Aunt Ada dies and she bequeaths the house to Selena and her mum in her will. So Selena and her mum pack up and move down there as the house is theirs and no rent to pay! Selena makes friends with Chloe but there’s a certain gang of kids that bully her. When she bites back, it’s usually her who gets into trouble and not the ones who started it. She finds out she is related to Faustina, the zombie mermaid who comes looking to make her a friend but Selena isn’t interested in being her friend or a zombie! She works out how much to tell Chloe as some of her story sounds really bizarre and unbelievable. She doesn’t want to lose her only friend. Aunt Ada comes back as a zombie and lives with Faustina in the house she built underwater. Fiona, Selena’s mum, got scratched by Faustina and is very slowly turning into a zombie. Selena is desperately trying to find the ruby necklace so she can use the healing properties on her mum. She has been hunting everywhere and even using an old map and getting Chloe to help with the digging. This is a great fun read with lots of references to zombie mermaids. It’s a perfect read for children aged 12 years and above who don’t mind a little bit of horror. It’s not that gory as it’s aimed at children. I read this book as part of a month-long readalong with 10 questions and answers, some relevant to the book. It was a good way to read the book as it was spaced out and could be fitted around other reading commitments. I liked the storyline as it incorporated many facets and made it a proper story. It wasn’t rushed in any way. Selena and Chloe seemed quite sensible for their age. Selena seemed to take having zombie mermaids for relatives quite well considering her age and Faustina’s feistiness to get introduced. I look forward to reading more of the series.
Blurb :
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby is a mermaid novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and supernatural folklore.
When 12-year old Selena Flowers moves to the seaside town of Madderly Bay, she discovers her family's dark secret - she's descended from zombie mermaids! After a terrifying encounter with her menacing ancestor, Faustina, Selena realizes she must find the powerful Cursed Ruby necklace before Faustina turns the entire town into the undead.
With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena races against time on a breathtaking quest to break the zombie curse, save her mother, and stop Faustina's evil plans for good. Along the way, Selena uncovers the necklace's magical abilities, withstands bullying at her new school, and learns to overcome her fear of the ocean.
Jam-packed with chilling zombie mermaid action, sinister secrets, blossoming friendships, and thrilling magical adventure, Selena Flowers And The Cursed Ruby is a page-turning tale young readers won't want to miss!
I really enjoyed reading this book as it contained zombies and mermaids in the same story. That doesn’t happen very often! Selena Flowers moves to Madderly Bay when her Aunt Ada dies and she bequeaths the house to Selena and her mum in her will. So Selena and her mum pack up and move down there as the house is theirs and no rent to pay! Selena makes friends with Chloe but there’s a certain gang of kids that bully her. When she bites back, it’s usually her who gets into trouble and not the ones who started it. She finds out she is related to Faustina, the zombie mermaid who comes looking to make her a friend but Selena isn’t interested in being her friend or a zombie! She works out how much to tell Chloe as some of her story sounds really bizarre and unbelievable. She doesn’t want to lose her only friend. Aunt Ada comes back as a zombie and lives with Faustina in the house she built underwater. Fiona, Selena’s mum, got scratched by Faustina and is very slowly turning into a zombie. Selena is desperately trying to find the ruby necklace so she can use the healing properties on her mum. She has been hunting everywhere and even using an old map and getting Chloe to help with the digging. This is a great fun read with lots of references to zombie mermaids. It’s a perfect read for children aged 12 years and above who don’t mind a little bit of horror. It’s not that gory as it’s aimed at children. I read this book as part of a month-long readalong with 10 questions and answers, some relevant to the book. It was a good way to read the book as it was spaced out and could be fitted around other reading commitments. I liked the storyline as it incorporated many facets and made it a proper story. It wasn’t rushed in any way. Selena and Chloe seemed quite sensible for their age. Selena seemed to take having zombie mermaids for relatives quite well considering her age and Faustina’s feistiness to get introduced. I look forward to reading more of the series.
Blurb :
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby is a mermaid novel that will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, urban fantasy and supernatural folklore.
When 12-year old Selena Flowers moves to the seaside town of Madderly Bay, she discovers her family's dark secret - she's descended from zombie mermaids! After a terrifying encounter with her menacing ancestor, Faustina, Selena realizes she must find the powerful Cursed Ruby necklace before Faustina turns the entire town into the undead.
With the help of her new friend Chloe, Selena races against time on a breathtaking quest to break the zombie curse, save her mother, and stop Faustina's evil plans for good. Along the way, Selena uncovers the necklace's magical abilities, withstands bullying at her new school, and learns to overcome her fear of the ocean.
Jam-packed with chilling zombie mermaid action, sinister secrets, blossoming friendships, and thrilling magical adventure, Selena Flowers And The Cursed Ruby is a page-turning tale young readers won't want to miss!
September 4, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
What a cute, spooky, fun book for middle graders +, I loved that it was just the right amount of suspense and a little bit of a horror story for readers that are younger who would like to branch out into the fantasy, horror, comedy world.
If I was still in my teens, I would have loved a book like this to branch me into the world that I am in now sooner. I loved that the plot was simple yet exciting with all the mystery of trying to make sure that Selena can save her mother and herself from Faustina the zombie mermaid, who is honestly just lonely but isn’t trying to make friends the right way. There are a lot of lessons that you can learn in this book as well; bullying, friendships, treating people with respect, to love and so much more. I found English’s writing style to be easy, the words on the page just flowed and that made the pace of the book perfect. I loved the magical world that English brought to us on the pages, it was colorful, fun and exciting to see what would happen next.
I thought the characters were easy for teens and adults to connect/relate to in some way. From the way that people are treated when they go to new schools, to making new friends, and having to deal with everyday life. I found the zombie mermaids to be fun and spooky, I loved getting to understand their world and their magic as well. It was a little darker but in a fun way and I loved that Selena is a character that is relatable. I found her to be determined, smart, and funny. You will also see her struggle with doing the right thing vs the wrong thing.
This was my first Ella English book, and I have to say I will be recommending it to all my friends that have children that are interested in trying a good fantasy/horror book… and plus it was zombie mermaids!!!
I want to thank Ella English for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
What a cute, spooky, fun book for middle graders +, I loved that it was just the right amount of suspense and a little bit of a horror story for readers that are younger who would like to branch out into the fantasy, horror, comedy world.
If I was still in my teens, I would have loved a book like this to branch me into the world that I am in now sooner. I loved that the plot was simple yet exciting with all the mystery of trying to make sure that Selena can save her mother and herself from Faustina the zombie mermaid, who is honestly just lonely but isn’t trying to make friends the right way. There are a lot of lessons that you can learn in this book as well; bullying, friendships, treating people with respect, to love and so much more. I found English’s writing style to be easy, the words on the page just flowed and that made the pace of the book perfect. I loved the magical world that English brought to us on the pages, it was colorful, fun and exciting to see what would happen next.
I thought the characters were easy for teens and adults to connect/relate to in some way. From the way that people are treated when they go to new schools, to making new friends, and having to deal with everyday life. I found the zombie mermaids to be fun and spooky, I loved getting to understand their world and their magic as well. It was a little darker but in a fun way and I loved that Selena is a character that is relatable. I found her to be determined, smart, and funny. You will also see her struggle with doing the right thing vs the wrong thing.
This was my first Ella English book, and I have to say I will be recommending it to all my friends that have children that are interested in trying a good fantasy/horror book… and plus it was zombie mermaids!!!
I want to thank Ella English for the opportunity to review this book.
August 10, 2024
Yes: zombie mermaid
I thoroughly enjoyed Ella English’s zombie mermaid novel, ‘Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby’. This is a great YA story that combines fantasy, mild horror and folklore. At its heart is 12 year-old Selena Flowers, who has recently moved with her mother to the eerie coastal town of Madderly Bay. This is when things start to change for Selena, who becomes drawn into a series of chilling (and thrilling) events. English is a superb storyteller, and she quickly pulled me into a world filled with sinister overtones and magical opportunities.
Selena embarks on a quest to save her mother from a terrible curse inflicted by Faustina, a zombie mermaid. Yes: zombie mermaid. English skilfully describes Selena’s perilous journey in a mysterious underwater world. And it is the world-building that makes this such a pleasing read: English successfully blends the supernatural with the mundane, which makes the most fantastical setting somewhat familiar.
For me, one of the standout aspects of this novel is English’s treatment of courage, resilience and the importance of self-discovery. Selena has to face her deepest fears and battle against overwhelming odds, but in doing so, she learns that true strength comes from within. Throughout the narrative, English touches on real-life issues, for example, bullying and different types of friendship, and this makes the fantastical elements seem much more possible.
Selena has to deal with a lot of upheaval in her chaotic life, including an absent father, a struggling mother and the challenges of moving to a new town. But she copes well as she transitions from an uncertain girl to become the book’s determined heroine in what is a plausible (taking zombie mermaids into consideration) and inspiring tale. While ‘Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby’ may not explore the deepest reaches of its characters, it is packed full of inventive storytelling and fantastic world-building.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ella English’s zombie mermaid novel, ‘Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby’. This is a great YA story that combines fantasy, mild horror and folklore. At its heart is 12 year-old Selena Flowers, who has recently moved with her mother to the eerie coastal town of Madderly Bay. This is when things start to change for Selena, who becomes drawn into a series of chilling (and thrilling) events. English is a superb storyteller, and she quickly pulled me into a world filled with sinister overtones and magical opportunities.
Selena embarks on a quest to save her mother from a terrible curse inflicted by Faustina, a zombie mermaid. Yes: zombie mermaid. English skilfully describes Selena’s perilous journey in a mysterious underwater world. And it is the world-building that makes this such a pleasing read: English successfully blends the supernatural with the mundane, which makes the most fantastical setting somewhat familiar.
For me, one of the standout aspects of this novel is English’s treatment of courage, resilience and the importance of self-discovery. Selena has to face her deepest fears and battle against overwhelming odds, but in doing so, she learns that true strength comes from within. Throughout the narrative, English touches on real-life issues, for example, bullying and different types of friendship, and this makes the fantastical elements seem much more possible.
Selena has to deal with a lot of upheaval in her chaotic life, including an absent father, a struggling mother and the challenges of moving to a new town. But she copes well as she transitions from an uncertain girl to become the book’s determined heroine in what is a plausible (taking zombie mermaids into consideration) and inspiring tale. While ‘Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby’ may not explore the deepest reaches of its characters, it is packed full of inventive storytelling and fantastic world-building.
June 26, 2024
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🧜♀️ love everything about mermaids
📖 enjoy middle grade books
🪄 like a bit of magical realism
🧟♀️ think you could outrun (or outswim) zombies
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers' dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the waves: "Just relax. You can breathe easily. I've got total control over you."
Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona's strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena's window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world.
The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina's haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a super cute read that is great for middle school or early high school readers. The plot is quick paced and keeps your attention. I loved the incorporation of magical realism and zombie mermaids, which I’ve never actually read about before, so that was entertaining! The jokes were hilarious and the characters were quick witted. The best part is the fact that this will be a series and book two is releasing soon! Overall, I recommend this one to middle schoolers and people who love zombie mermaids!
🧜♀️ love everything about mermaids
📖 enjoy middle grade books
🪄 like a bit of magical realism
🧟♀️ think you could outrun (or outswim) zombies
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
In the quaint, windswept town of Madderly Bay, twelve-year-old Selena Flowers' dream of a peaceful life shatters as an eerie voice echoes in her mind, a reminder of the nightmarish encounter that awaits her beneath the waves: "Just relax. You can breathe easily. I've got total control over you."
Selena, newly arrived from the bustling streets of London, finds herself in a gothic mansion teetering on the edge of a coastal cliff, her mother Fiona's strange inheritance. But their new beginning turns into a chilling adventure when an undead mermaid, Faustina, crashes through Selena's window, heralding a descent into a dark, hidden world.
The once thriving zombie merkingdom beneath Madderly Bay, now a forgotten abyss, is Faustina's haunting domain. Cursed to eternal youth, this zombie mermaid queen is driven by a lonely, venomous desire to expand her ghostly army. When Fiona begins to show signs of a ghastly transformation, Selena knows the curse has found its newest victim.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a super cute read that is great for middle school or early high school readers. The plot is quick paced and keeps your attention. I loved the incorporation of magical realism and zombie mermaids, which I’ve never actually read about before, so that was entertaining! The jokes were hilarious and the characters were quick witted. The best part is the fact that this will be a series and book two is releasing soon! Overall, I recommend this one to middle schoolers and people who love zombie mermaids!
November 2, 2024
Oh, what a thrilling read this story is! From the moment that eerie mermaid, Faustina, crashes into Selena’s world, you’re swept into a mysterious adventure filled with suspense, courage, and a touch of magic. Selena, a young girl with an intense fear of water, suddenly finds herself facing challenges that would make even the bravest soul tremble. When her mother falls under a terrible curse, Selena’s journey to find a legendary ruby necklace feels both heart-pounding and heartfelt. I couldn’t help but admire her bravery, especially when she faces that chilling zombie-mermaid queen. There’s a wonderful message here about finding strength in the most unlikely places.
The setting by the coast adds a deliciously spooky feeling. You can almost feel the chill of the sea air and hear the eerie whispers of Faustina’s ghostly army of undead sea creatures. It’s a story that pulls you in and makes you want to leave a light on as you read! The descriptions of the zombies go into a bit too much detail, but the characters, especially Selena, feel real and relatable, and her determination to save her mother is so touching. This journey to conquer her fears shows just how powerful love and bravery can be, even when things seem impossibly frightening.
I’d happily recommend this book to any young adventurer or anyone who loves a good supernatural mystery. It’s a story of facing fears, fighting for family, and discovering inner strength. My granddaughter is going to adore it, and I know she’ll be rooting for Selena just as much as I was. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, a hint of spookiness, and a reminder that even the smallest bit of courage can go a long way.
The setting by the coast adds a deliciously spooky feeling. You can almost feel the chill of the sea air and hear the eerie whispers of Faustina’s ghostly army of undead sea creatures. It’s a story that pulls you in and makes you want to leave a light on as you read! The descriptions of the zombies go into a bit too much detail, but the characters, especially Selena, feel real and relatable, and her determination to save her mother is so touching. This journey to conquer her fears shows just how powerful love and bravery can be, even when things seem impossibly frightening.
I’d happily recommend this book to any young adventurer or anyone who loves a good supernatural mystery. It’s a story of facing fears, fighting for family, and discovering inner strength. My granddaughter is going to adore it, and I know she’ll be rooting for Selena just as much as I was. It’s the perfect mix of adventure, a hint of spookiness, and a reminder that even the smallest bit of courage can go a long way.
July 22, 2024
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby (Book 1, the Merblood Saga) by Ella English is a great first book in the series. The main character is a young girl, who has lived a very chaotic life. Her parents are divorced, and her father is basically absent, building a new life with his new family.
Her mother struggles, moving them from place to place and dodging eviction. When her mother moves her to a house they inherited, she is hopeful that they can now have peace. But strange and scary events start to happen nearly the minute she arrives.
Selena also has a deep fear of water, and this is not helped by the fact that she happens to live by zombie mermaids, who infect her mother the the curse. She now must go on an adventure to find an necklace, which is the only hope to save her mother.
I think young and old alike will be entertained by this delightful adventure. It is perfect for middle grade readers, with just enough "scariness" to keep them entertained and reading.
I thought the author had very descriptive writing, which helped me visualize the house and the area. My only criticism is that sometimes, the author got a little adjective happy.
In all, a great summer read for bored kids. Perfect to take along to the beach house : )
Her mother struggles, moving them from place to place and dodging eviction. When her mother moves her to a house they inherited, she is hopeful that they can now have peace. But strange and scary events start to happen nearly the minute she arrives.
Selena also has a deep fear of water, and this is not helped by the fact that she happens to live by zombie mermaids, who infect her mother the the curse. She now must go on an adventure to find an necklace, which is the only hope to save her mother.
I think young and old alike will be entertained by this delightful adventure. It is perfect for middle grade readers, with just enough "scariness" to keep them entertained and reading.
I thought the author had very descriptive writing, which helped me visualize the house and the area. My only criticism is that sometimes, the author got a little adjective happy.
In all, a great summer read for bored kids. Perfect to take along to the beach house : )
August 7, 2024
🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒃𝒚: 𝟏 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑺𝒂𝒈𝒂)
🆀🅾🆃🅳#:Do you have a dedictaed nook or you can read anywhere?
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Ella English
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle/ Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 288 pages
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: Spiderman Web Press
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Fantasy
Do you like to read about Zombie and Mermaid, then this book is for you?
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒃𝒚 is a beautiful amalgamation of fantasy, horror and much more, which will captivate the readers interest throughout.
The story revolves around Selena who is 12 years old girl living in quite dysfunctional family with absent father basically divorced. When Selena moved into a new house to make peace with his chaotic life strange things started happening with her. And new twists and turns build in the story which keep you hooked to you and I'm sure to kids as well. The book takes you to on an adventure ride with all the cursed that has been given to Selena's mother and how she will help her mother.
The way the story has been built with all those aspects and perfect imaginative plot make this a perfect read of this genre.
This is the first part of the genre and eagerly waiting for second one.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindz.
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒃𝒚: 𝟏 (𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒓𝒃𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑺𝒂𝒈𝒂)
🆀🅾🆃🅳#:Do you have a dedictaed nook or you can read anywhere?
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Ella English
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle/ Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 288 pages
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: Spiderman Web Press
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Fantasy
Do you like to read about Zombie and Mermaid, then this book is for you?
𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑭𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑹𝒖𝒃𝒚 is a beautiful amalgamation of fantasy, horror and much more, which will captivate the readers interest throughout.
The story revolves around Selena who is 12 years old girl living in quite dysfunctional family with absent father basically divorced. When Selena moved into a new house to make peace with his chaotic life strange things started happening with her. And new twists and turns build in the story which keep you hooked to you and I'm sure to kids as well. The book takes you to on an adventure ride with all the cursed that has been given to Selena's mother and how she will help her mother.
The way the story has been built with all those aspects and perfect imaginative plot make this a perfect read of this genre.
This is the first part of the genre and eagerly waiting for second one.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindz.
November 3, 2024
“Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby” by Ella English is an absolute gem of a story, filled with just the right mix of magic, mystery, and mermaids—with a twist! Following twelve-year-old Selena Flowers as she discovers her zombie mermaid heritage and embarks on a quest to save her mother, this book grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. The cursed ruby, spooky seaside settings and captivating world of Madderly Bay all combine to create a fantastic adventure that had me reading well past bedtime.
What I loved most was Selena’s relatable character. Despite facing a frightening curse and overcoming her deep fear of water, she steps up to the challenge, showing courage and heart. The story balances darker, spine-tingling moments with light-hearted details like glittery ice cream and whimsical underwater worlds, making it perfect for middle-grade readers and fantasy fans.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive, painting vivid scenes that make you feel like you’re right there with Selena, exploring eerie mansions and magical ocean depths. The blend of horror, mythology, and fairy-tale elements brings a fresh twist to the mermaid genre. I can’t wait to see where Ella English takes this enchanting series next. A perfect read to get lost in—highly recommended!
What I loved most was Selena’s relatable character. Despite facing a frightening curse and overcoming her deep fear of water, she steps up to the challenge, showing courage and heart. The story balances darker, spine-tingling moments with light-hearted details like glittery ice cream and whimsical underwater worlds, making it perfect for middle-grade readers and fantasy fans.
The writing is wonderfully descriptive, painting vivid scenes that make you feel like you’re right there with Selena, exploring eerie mansions and magical ocean depths. The blend of horror, mythology, and fairy-tale elements brings a fresh twist to the mermaid genre. I can’t wait to see where Ella English takes this enchanting series next. A perfect read to get lost in—highly recommended!
September 15, 2024
I’m not a horror fan, but I do love mermaids. So, when this middle-grade “zombie mermaid” novel came across my feed, I was intrigued. Usually, the fictitious mermaids (as if there were another kind?) I come across range from tragic to magical to fetishized and this author’s concept was -so- different. I had to read it. And I’m glad I read it. What author Ella English does well is balance three major genres: horror, mythology, with fairy tale elements, a plot that kept me reading to find out what came next, and at the heart of it all, a coming of age story for the protagonist, Selena Flowers. I’m a little partial because as a kid, I, too was often the “new girl” because of frequent family moves. And while my own getaway was into my imagination and fairy tales, there’s much more at stake in Selena’s case. Her mother’s life. Her new hometown. Her having to do what we all have trouble with many times in our lives—facing our own fears and wondering if we’re up to the task of standing up and fighting the good fight when it becomes necessary. Am I a new fan of the horror genre? No. Am I a new fan of Ella English? Absolutely.
July 8, 2024
Thank you author for the copy.
Selena Flowers and her mother Fiona move to a big old mansion after Aunt Ada dies. Fiona knows a lot about the lore but seems aloof most of the time. There are magic and dark secrets to unveil and the author grabs our attention since the first chapter when a zombie mermaid tries to come in the night to greet Selena and tries to bite her to make her a zombie. Faustina the 12-year-old zombie is my favorite character. Horror elements. Some adults have a part in the narrative as well making the themes sometimes for upper teen readers. Selena doesn't have to deal only with Faustina, there are some mean characters at the Madderly Academy as well, but I am glad she finds in Chloe a great friend. The story picks up when the two friends learn that there is a necklace that can protect them from the plot of the undead. This is the start of a series that combines mermaids and zombies in a fun creative way. Horror for middlegraders and older readers that makes for a good fun zombie-like plot twist summer read.
Selena Flowers and her mother Fiona move to a big old mansion after Aunt Ada dies. Fiona knows a lot about the lore but seems aloof most of the time. There are magic and dark secrets to unveil and the author grabs our attention since the first chapter when a zombie mermaid tries to come in the night to greet Selena and tries to bite her to make her a zombie. Faustina the 12-year-old zombie is my favorite character. Horror elements. Some adults have a part in the narrative as well making the themes sometimes for upper teen readers. Selena doesn't have to deal only with Faustina, there are some mean characters at the Madderly Academy as well, but I am glad she finds in Chloe a great friend. The story picks up when the two friends learn that there is a necklace that can protect them from the plot of the undead. This is the start of a series that combines mermaids and zombies in a fun creative way. Horror for middlegraders and older readers that makes for a good fun zombie-like plot twist summer read.
July 9, 2024
A haunted mansion by the sea, a pirate curse, and undead mermaids.
Zombie mermaids?!
Selena Flowers and her mother leave London to move into their late Aunt Ada’s seaside abode due to dwindling finances. Selena is less than enthused about moving away but especially so when she discovers her new living quarters are haunted. A super strange encounter with a breaking-and-entering zombie mermaid leaves Selena feeling completely unsettled by her new living situation. Selena then stumbles across the story of a cursed ruby and how it gives the wearer power, good or evil depending on the wearer’s intentions and decides she needs to find it to combat her bullies at school. Selena’s mother wants to find the ruby to further her own acting career. Faustina, the zombie mermaid, wants to find the necklace to rule over the other zombie mermaids below the sea.
Follow Selena’s journey as she faces perils both in the deep and on land.
This quirky and unique book is written for teens and young adults that would be interested in an oddly curious mermaid zombie tale.
Zombie mermaids?!
Selena Flowers and her mother leave London to move into their late Aunt Ada’s seaside abode due to dwindling finances. Selena is less than enthused about moving away but especially so when she discovers her new living quarters are haunted. A super strange encounter with a breaking-and-entering zombie mermaid leaves Selena feeling completely unsettled by her new living situation. Selena then stumbles across the story of a cursed ruby and how it gives the wearer power, good or evil depending on the wearer’s intentions and decides she needs to find it to combat her bullies at school. Selena’s mother wants to find the ruby to further her own acting career. Faustina, the zombie mermaid, wants to find the necklace to rule over the other zombie mermaids below the sea.
Follow Selena’s journey as she faces perils both in the deep and on land.
This quirky and unique book is written for teens and young adults that would be interested in an oddly curious mermaid zombie tale.
November 16, 2024
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby is a wonderfully spooky (in the best possible way) adventure that drew me in from the very first chapter! Madderly Bay feels like a character in its own right—eerie and full of secrets. The main character, Selena, is such a breath of fresh air. She's brave, relatable, and has just the right mix of curiosity and courage to make you root for her all the way through.
The plot moves along at a decent clip, with plenty of twists and turns as Selena explores her family’s strange past as zombie (yes, really) mermaids. It’s such a cool, unique twist. I also loved how the book balances supernatural suspense with moments of humor and warmth, making it perfect for pre-teen to teen readers, or anyone who loves a bit of creepy charm without going too dark.
Overall, Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby hits the mark for a middle-grade novel: it's imaginative, just the right amount of spooky, and delivers an empowering message about embracing who you are—even if who you are is a little unusual!
The plot moves along at a decent clip, with plenty of twists and turns as Selena explores her family’s strange past as zombie (yes, really) mermaids. It’s such a cool, unique twist. I also loved how the book balances supernatural suspense with moments of humor and warmth, making it perfect for pre-teen to teen readers, or anyone who loves a bit of creepy charm without going too dark.
Overall, Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby hits the mark for a middle-grade novel: it's imaginative, just the right amount of spooky, and delivers an empowering message about embracing who you are—even if who you are is a little unusual!
October 15, 2024
Ella English brings us an awesome young adult adventure filled with zombie mermaids, magic, and a dash of romance with Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby! Twelve year old Selena Flowers moves to the quiet seaside hamlet of Madderly Bay only to discover she is descended from zombie mermaids. Now it falls to Selena to stop her evil ancestor from zombifying the town, find a cursed ruby, and navigate the challenges of school and friends that all twelve year olds face. You can’t hear the term ‘zombie mermaids’ and not be intrigued, and Ella English does a fantastic job of building that promise into an engrossing world of creatures, YA drama, and heartfelt moments! English does a wonderful job balancing the tense creature lore and adventure with the nice young adult plot in a similar vein to Percy Jackson (which I love). If you’re looking for an exciting, at times spooky or touching YA adventure, definitely come battle the undead with Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby!
June 26, 2024
Selena moves from London to Madderly Bay 🌊. The ocean side family home seems haunted and filled with mysteries. Selena has an amazing friend named Chloe, who is willing to overlook her oddities and help in in sticky situations. Selena faces her greatest challenge when her mother was scratched by a fearsome zombie mermaid. 🧜🏻♀️
Determined to save her mom’s life, Selena discovered that the only way to break the curse was to retrieve a mystical ruby♦️necklace from where it’s buried 🗺️. Braving the dark, treacherous waters and armed with her courage and quick thinking, Selena must outsmart the zombie mermaid.
Will Selena be able to save her mother?
You will enjoy this book if you like:
🧜🏻♀️ Zombie Mermaids
🍦Found Friendship
♦️Discovery
📓School Bullies to Friends
🌊Overcoming Fears
🧟♀️Horror - they eat humans
Determined to save her mom’s life, Selena discovered that the only way to break the curse was to retrieve a mystical ruby♦️necklace from where it’s buried 🗺️. Braving the dark, treacherous waters and armed with her courage and quick thinking, Selena must outsmart the zombie mermaid.
Will Selena be able to save her mother?
You will enjoy this book if you like:
🧜🏻♀️ Zombie Mermaids
🍦Found Friendship
♦️Discovery
📓School Bullies to Friends
🌊Overcoming Fears
🧟♀️Horror - they eat humans
June 29, 2024
3.75/5⭐️
It’s hard to rate this because I don’t think I’m exactly the audience for it, but I think its proper audience would really enjoy this. I would definitely put this in the hands of a kid between 3rd-7th grade. It’s quirky and strange with its mermaid zombies that I know it would be enjoyed by kids. For me, the dialogue felt awkward and unrealistic, but I don’t think kids would pick up on that so much. It’s easy to weird with short chapters to help read faster. And the mother/daughter dynamics were fascinating and great kind of conversations to have.
So overall, I think this is tough for an older audience to probably enjoy too, but I would 1000% give this book to my younger cousins or friends kids cause I know they would love it.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.
It’s hard to rate this because I don’t think I’m exactly the audience for it, but I think its proper audience would really enjoy this. I would definitely put this in the hands of a kid between 3rd-7th grade. It’s quirky and strange with its mermaid zombies that I know it would be enjoyed by kids. For me, the dialogue felt awkward and unrealistic, but I don’t think kids would pick up on that so much. It’s easy to weird with short chapters to help read faster. And the mother/daughter dynamics were fascinating and great kind of conversations to have.
So overall, I think this is tough for an older audience to probably enjoy too, but I would 1000% give this book to my younger cousins or friends kids cause I know they would love it.
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book for my honest review.
September 22, 2024
✨Book Review✨
Thank you so much @ellaenglishauthor for the gifted copy.
My children and I read this together. My two older girls love thriller so they took turns reading it outloud over summer break. We all agree is was 5 stars!
It hooked us right from the start. It was packed with suspense! We loved that it was so exciting. The girls were on the edge of their seats when I was reading to them. We really enjoyed the magical aspect of it and we all thought mermaid zombies were so cool!!
The plot was fun and the idea of it was unlike something we had ever read. We all enjoyed the multiple points of view given as well.
The writing style was great! My girls are 9 and 13 and had no trouble reading and comprehending. We all recommend this! (I will say… only you know your kids scare factor so take that into consideration with this dark mermaid fantasy)
Thank you so much @ellaenglishauthor for the gifted copy.
My children and I read this together. My two older girls love thriller so they took turns reading it outloud over summer break. We all agree is was 5 stars!
It hooked us right from the start. It was packed with suspense! We loved that it was so exciting. The girls were on the edge of their seats when I was reading to them. We really enjoyed the magical aspect of it and we all thought mermaid zombies were so cool!!
The plot was fun and the idea of it was unlike something we had ever read. We all enjoyed the multiple points of view given as well.
The writing style was great! My girls are 9 and 13 and had no trouble reading and comprehending. We all recommend this! (I will say… only you know your kids scare factor so take that into consideration with this dark mermaid fantasy)
November 15, 2024
This book was so much fun! I can absolutely see 12 year old me devouring it. I love zombies, I love mermaids, so what could be better than zombie mermaids!
I absolutely adored Selena and her Mum, I've been a single Mum for a long time and could definitely see aspects of my relationship with my children in there.
I really liked Faustina as well, although she was the 'villain' of the story. She was incredibly well written, and her motives were clearly driven by the loss of her sister.
The parallels between life on land and life under the sea were fantastic. Faustina recreating Aunt Ada's house underwater showed, to me, how much Faustina wanted other mermaids to stay.
The multi POV narrative, short, engaging chapters make this book perfect for the intended age group. I really hope there'll be more adventures for Selena in the future.
I absolutely adored Selena and her Mum, I've been a single Mum for a long time and could definitely see aspects of my relationship with my children in there.
I really liked Faustina as well, although she was the 'villain' of the story. She was incredibly well written, and her motives were clearly driven by the loss of her sister.
The parallels between life on land and life under the sea were fantastic. Faustina recreating Aunt Ada's house underwater showed, to me, how much Faustina wanted other mermaids to stay.
The multi POV narrative, short, engaging chapters make this book perfect for the intended age group. I really hope there'll be more adventures for Selena in the future.
April 18, 2024
Get ready to dive into the depths of adventure with Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby, where mermaids, magic, and mayhem collide in a tidal wave of excitement! From the moment Selena hears that eerie voice echoing in her mind, I was hooked like a fish on a line, reeling with anticipation for what awaited beneath the waves. With a gothic mansion, an undead mermaid queen, and a cursed ruby necklace thrown into the mix, this book is like a treasure chest waiting to be plundered by anyone hungry for thrills and chills. But it's not just about the action – Selena's journey is a reminder that even in the darkest of depths, there's always a glimmer of hope. So grab your snorkel and prepare for a splash-tastic adventure with Selena Flowers!
April 19, 2024
Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby swept me away on an exhilarating adventure filled with magic, mystery, and mermaids. From the moment I stepped into the windswept town of Madderly Bay, I was captivated by Selena's journey from an ordinary girl to a brave heroine facing the depths of the ocean to save her mother. The intricate world-building and richly drawn characters kept me turning the pages, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. But what truly resonated with me was Selena's unwavering determination and the powerful message of courage and family woven throughout the story. It's a middle-grade fantasy that will hook readers of all ages, leaving them eagerly awaiting the next installment.
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