One hundred years into the future, after a great flood, humans started getting strange adaptations. Some started developing gills and webbed fingers. This change caused a war between the Mers and regular humans. But an uneasy truce was created and the Mers could live on Liberty Shores while the humans took New Jersey. But things are changing. Mers are disappearing, pirates are capturing the Mers, and strange and dangerous sea creatures are arriving in the water.

Mira has always felt like an outsider in the Mer community. She doesn’t have gills or webbed fingers and a head full of bright red hair really makes her stand out. She has always been loved but when she learns that she is a foundling, she wants to know more about the humans so she sets out for the human colony even though it is forbidden. So Mira and her best friend decided to go to New Jersey to find out more. There they are introduced to the different classes of people that run the human colony. They also learn the plans of the humans for the Mers and they have to go save their people. But being held captive will hinder their plans.

This is a great new approach to the dystopia stories. You usually don’t see too many mermaid stories although they are slowly coming out. I loved the background and how the Mers come about and all the drama it caused. The world was expertly created and the story just flowed. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more in the Mer Chronicles.

I received this book for free from the Library Thing early Reviewer Program in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I really liked this book. It was different and a change of pace for me. Yes, it is another Dystopia novel, but with an interesting twist. If you are looking for a new book to read, start here! ( )

There is something about The Mers by Ami Blackwelder that is enchanting. The uniqueness of the story and the way that this race as well as the human race is written draws you in. You can't help but fall in love with the characters as they journey through an adventure to discover just who Mira really is.

Ami Blackwelder captures the earnest desire of Mira's to understand who or rather what she is. All Mira knows is that she's different from the Mers who raised her. Is she like anyone else out there? It is this unquenchable desire that drives this book to its pinnacle and places anyone that Mira holds dear in danger. Especially Niren, her best friend and love interest.

I adore how the author captured the human race with all of its darkness coming into play throughout this tell. But where there is darkness, there is also light. You will come to hate and love the different humans that play a part in this book. There are those that would kill to find a Mer, only to kill the Mer later, and those that will be the greatest help to Mira in her quest to save her friend and return to the home she took for granted.

It's a wonderful book. It's unique and beautiful. ( )

This book was o.k. The plot of Mers is good and interesting and a nice break from vampires, zombies, angels, and werewolves. She did a great job building up the world in which her characters live and travel to. I think that this is a series that you need to take the time to look at and read. It may not be to everyone's taste, but if you want something different then give it a try. I don't think that you'll disappointed. ( )

Received this book through lt giveaway.

Once you ignore the scientific impossibilties of this book (both evolutional, biological, ecological and engineering wise), it is a rather amusing though somewhat simplistic book.
Not being an american, i' m unsure what a ya book should be aimed for, but this book would be suitable at 12-14 yrs of age (at most) in Europe with the possible exception of the romantic references and kissing involved... ( )