Best Young Adult Mermaid Books (2026): 4 Compared

A teen reader who just finished the last page of a mermaid story wants another one before the weekend, and the shelf is full of retellings that all look the same. The best young adult mermaid books on this list were compared by how directly each serves a teen mermaid reader, what the listing publishes about contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. Four books made the cut, from a siren-hunting adventure to a cozy selkie romance.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	To Kill a Kingdom by Christo	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Sea Witch by Henning	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Against the Tide by Elle	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Kiss of the Selkie by Odette	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

To Kill a Kingdom by Christo

Alexandra Christo·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A siren-versus-siren-hunter adventure for teen readers who want action and romance at a 13 to 18 reading level.

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Pros

• 368 pages in a reprint edition published March 5, 2019.
• Reading age 13 to 18 and grade level 7 to 9 are both stated.
• A siren princess and a siren-hunting prince fit the mermaid theme directly.

Cons

• The description centers on killing and revenge; parents may want to preview.
• The 2019 reprint is the only edition stated; check the listing for newer printings.
• The premise's body count may be intense for readers at the younger end of 13 to 18.

2

Sea Witch by Henning

Sarah Henning·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A villain-origin fairy-tale retelling for readers who like dark, romantic fantasy at a 12 to 18 reading level.

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Pros

• Reading age 12 to 18 and grade level 6 to 12 are both stated.
• Book 1 of 2 in the Sea Witch series, a clear starting point.
• A villain-origin retelling of the sea witch for fairy-tale fans.

Cons

• The description opens with a character's death and grief; parents may want to preview.
• No page count is stated.
• The 2018 reprint is the only edition stated; check the listing for newer printings.

3

Against the Tide by Elle

J. Elle·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Disney-inspired mermaid quest for readers in grades 7 to 9 who want Ariel at fifteen.

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Pros

• 320 pages with grade level 7 to 9 stated.
• Ariel at fifteen on a quest with her sisters, per the description.
• Published April 11, 2023, the newest edition in this list.

Cons

• The description centers on the death of Ariel's mother; parents may want to preview.
• No reading age is stated, only grade level.
• The description ties the story to a film reimagining rather than the original tale.

4

Kiss of the Selkie by Odette

Tessonja Odette·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A cozy standalone selkie retelling for readers who like slow-burn fae romance.

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Pros

• A complete standalone that can be read in any order, per the description.
• A Little Mermaid retelling with fae bargains and a bridal competition.
• Published December 31, 2021, with a complete story promised.

Cons

• The description notes mild steam and a new-adult label; it may suit older teens.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.
• No page count is stated.

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More picks to compare

• The Mermaid's Tale by RichmondSeries starter, customer-listed age 12+, for quest-romance readers.Check on Amazon
• Water Wishes: Bound by AguiarYA fantasy about tide-bound magic, ages 13 to 18.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026. Three of the four state a reading age or grade level.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Three of the four list a reading age or grade level: To Kill a Kingdom by Christo lists 13 to 18 and grades 7 to 9, Sea Witch by Henning lists 12 to 18 and grades 6 to 12, and Against the Tide by Elle lists grades 7 to 9. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best young adult mermaid books

Match the reading age to the reader

Three of the four picks state a reading age or grade level, and the fourth states none. To Kill a Kingdom lists 13 to 18 and grades 7 to 9, Sea Witch lists 12 to 18 and grades 6 to 12, and Against the Tide lists grades 7 to 9. Kiss of the Selkie states no reading age at all, so an adult buying for a younger teen should read the description first. Browse every young adult list to compare ages across the shelf.

Standalone or series starter

Sea Witch is listed as Book 1 of 2, so it is the natural series start for a reader who wants a second volume. Kiss of the Selkie is described as a complete standalone that can be read in any order. The listings for To Kill a Kingdom and Against the Tide state no series position. If the reader prefers romance-forward mermaid stories, our mermaid romantasy books list covers that shelf.

Check the tone before you hand it over

These four do not share a mood. To Kill a Kingdom centers on killing and revenge, Sea Witch opens with a death and grief, and Against the Tide centers on the death of Ariel’s mother. Kiss of the Selkie is the lightest of the four but notes mild steam and a new-adult label. The listed reading age is the starting point; the description is the final check.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date on the listing: these range from a 2018 reprint to a 2023 release.
• Confirm the series position before buying a sequel: Sea Witch is listed as Book 1 of 2.
• Compare the stated reading age or grade level with the reader: one pick states none at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a reader start with these mermaid books?

Start with the premise that fits the reader: a siren adventure, a villain origin, a Disney-inspired quest or a cozy standalone romance. Sea Witch is listed as Book 1 of 2, so it is the natural series start.

What ages are these books listed for?

To Kill a Kingdom lists 13 to 18 and grades 7 to 9, Sea Witch lists 12 to 18 and grades 6 to 12, and Against the Tide lists grades 7 to 9. Kiss of the Selkie states no reading age.

Are these books part of a series?

Sea Witch is Book 1 of 2 in its series, and Kiss of the Selkie is described as a complete standalone. The listings for To Kill a Kingdom and Against the Tide state no series position.

Still deciding? Our top pickTo Kill a Kingdom by Christo

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Related lists

See every young adult list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: young adult magic books, young adult witch books, young adult paranormal books.