For teens drawn to dark, atmospheric tales of forbidden love and ancient secrets, this book explores the powerful pull of destiny and the search for identity.
Parents might reach for this book when their teen is drawn to dark, atmospheric romance and stories about feeling like an outcast. It's for the reader who enjoys Gothic mystery and is navigating their own intense feelings about belonging and first love. 'Ashes on the Waves' is a moody retelling of 'The Little Mermaid,' set on a remote Irish island. It follows Liam, a boy cursed to kill any girl he loves, and Annabel, a girl who feels an inexplicable, dangerous pull toward him. The story explores themes of destiny, self-sacrifice, and identity. Best for older teens (14+), it's a compelling choice for those who appreciate a blend of fantasy, horror, and romance that takes their complex emotions seriously.
The curse's victims are central to the plot; deaths are discussed and depicted.
Sad ThemesModerate
Themes of grief, loss, and the heavy weight of a deadly family curse are central.
Romantic ContentMild
Kissing and intense romantic pining, which is central to the plot.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with death and grief. The deaths are supernatural and often violent (drowning, ghostly attacks). The family curse serves as a metaphor for inherited trauma and the feeling of being destined for tragedy. The resolution is ultimately hopeful but is achieved through significant struggle and loss, suggesting that while destiny is powerful, it can be defied.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 15-17, who loves atmospheric, Gothic romance (like 'Wuthering Heights' or 'Mexican Gothic') and paranormal stories with a darker, more literary feel. This reader is likely introspective, perhaps feels like an outsider, and is drawn to tales of fate, tragic love, and deep, mysterious connections.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the scary and sometimes violent supernatural scenes, including ghostly apparitions and intense peril. The romance is heavy with a sense of impending doom. The book can be read cold, but if a teen is particularly sensitive to horror elements, a parent may want to preview chapters involving ghost sightings. A parent notices their teen is consuming dark, moody media or expressing feelings of fatalism, like "Everything is out of my control," or "Bad things just happen to me." This book provides a narrative that mirrors those feelings of being trapped by circumstance while offering a path toward agency.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely focus on the central forbidden romance and the thrilling, spooky mystery elements. An older teen (16-18) may connect more deeply with the underlying themes of inherited trauma, the symbolism of the sea as an emotional force, and the struggle to define oneself outside of family history and expectations.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many action-oriented YA paranormal romances, this book is a slow-burn, atmospheric Gothic horror. Its unique strength lies in its faithful yet twisted retelling of 'The Little Mermaid,' grounding the fantasy in Irish folklore and prioritizing mood, dread, and emotional intensity over fast-paced plot.
Read plot summary
A dark, gothic retelling of 'The Little Mermaid' set on a remote Irish island. Liam comes from a family cursed by the sea: any woman he falls in love with will die. When Annabel moves to the island, she feels an irresistible and dangerous connection to him, despite warnings from the locals. The two must unravel the secrets of the curse and the ghosts that haunt the island before Annabel becomes the sea's next victim.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Annabel is warned to stay away from Liam, but she feels compelled to get closer to him. Why do you think she ignores the warnings? Is it destiny, love, or something else?
2
The sea is almost a character in this book. How does the author use the setting (the island, the sea, the weather) to create a sense of fear and mystery?
3
The story is a dark retelling of 'The Little Mermaid.' What elements of the original fairy tale did you recognize, and how did the author change them to fit her story?
4
Liam feels trapped by his family's curse. Do you think people can ever truly escape the history or 'curses' they inherit from their families? How does Liam try to do this?
