The Dark Reflections Trilogy by Kai Meyer

[Garrett]

In Venice, magic is not unusual. Merle is apprenticed to a magic mirror maker, and Serafin - a boy who was once a master thief - works for a weaver of magic cloth. Merle and Serafin are used to the mermaids who live in the canals of the city and to the guards who patrol the streets on living stone lions. Merle herself possesses something magical: a mirror whose surface is water. She can reach her whole arm into it and never get wet.

But Venice is under siege by the Egyptian Empire; its terrifying mummy warriors are waiting to strike. All that protects the Venetians is the Flowing Queen. Nobody knows who or what she is - only that her power flows through the canals and keeps the Egyptians at bay.

When Merle and Serafin overhear a plot to capture the Flowing Queen, they are catapulted into desperate danger. They must do everything they can to rescue the Queen and save the city - even if it means getting help from the Ancient Traitor himself.

[oliviasbooks]

I love it - although the mermaids are playing a minor role.

I've re-read volume one in January and plan to re-read two and three in the course of this year, too.

Much better than that other Venice story...
Wish I had an edition with a cover like this one:

[Garrett]

I've been wanting to read this series for quite some time. I've heard only good reviews about it. Maybe I'll buy the omnibus edition.

That edition's cover is beautiful! I wish that was the cover for the US edition as well.

[Randi]

Why does it seem most merbooks in the U.S. don't have as pretty covers.

[Garrett]

Exactly. 'Cept for Tempest Rising and a couple others.

[Emily, Merfreak & Tribute]

Read the first and definitly recommend. Yeah, the mermaids are not the main players, but the parts that do involve them are great. The story is really well done :)