In Andie Holman’s The Mermaid’s Wrath, Jelly is a Warrior inside a hidden Mer civilization protected beneath a magical ocean barrier weakened by pollution spreading through the sea. After an ancient artifact called the Vetula Pearl awakens around her neck during a disaster on land, Jelly is linked to terrifying visions involving Simmi, a missing scientist imprisoned by Terrun, a rogue Fae prince using blood magic to control marine creatures for a campaign against humanity. The attacks soon spread toward the reef itself as possessed sharks, swordfish, and octopuses turn against the Mers under Terrun’s influence. Forced to leave the ocean alongside fellow Warrior Mori, Jelly enters the human world to seek help from the Surfecti, a secret society of surface magic users tied to Simmi’s family history. While searching for Simmi across Bermuda, Jelly discovers that the pearl has immense power connected to the future of both worlds.

This book is so darn good. Andie Holman’s The Mermaid’s Wrath has a firm authorial point of view, and the author puts her best work into the ocean itself. The underwater setting feels inhabited through polluted currents pressing against magical barriers, Mer communities living inside protected spaces, and Pūrus, the hidden reef preserved in pre-pollution condition beneath the larger Mer bubble. Now, that is where the story really earns attention. The author also gives the Vetula Pearl real force, using ancestral visions tied to nuclear detonations beneath the Pacific to make Mer history feel physical. Jelly's compassion is linked to action, especially when she teaches sea turtle hatchlings to recognize jellyfish beside discarded balloons. Mori is another strong presence, bringing humor through espresso at the Surfecti compound and loyalty when Roan insults the Mers. Readers who enjoy ocean mythology, eco fiction, and paranormal fantasy will fall in love with this first book in The Laughter of the Sun series. Very highly recommended.

The Mermaid’s Wrath by Andie Holman is the first book in The Laughter of the Sun series. Jelly isn’t your typical mermaid: she’s a warrior. And she’s determined to use her position to help heal the sea and every being living in it. Her inquisitive nature makes her stand out from others of her kind, but she doesn’t care if she’s different. That pales in comparison to the larger issue shown to her when the pearl she wears presents her with disturbing images. These push her toward the surface, where she allies herself with the magical people there. A deal is struck as she needs their help to save the world below the surface, and they need her help in staging a rescue. The alignment won’t be easy, as the bad blood between the two races runs deep, adding conflict to Jelly’s attempts to do what’s right and potentially preventing her from saving everything she knows.

Andie Holman puts a unique twist on The Little Mermaid story by blending drama, romance, and climate commentary into a riveting adventure. While the romance is an important element of the story, the core of it is an exploration of climate violence and how it impacts the sea. You see how climate change and pollution impact the sea life through the mermaids, who are a voice to show the devastation. The visions from the pearl add to this, depicting devastation and destruction that haunt Jelly, pushing her into action to save the sea. The pearl gives her constant reminders of what’s to come, literally haunting her throughout the story. The mermaids live in a magical bubble under the water in a place that should be wonderful and protected. Still, Holman quickly reveals the cracks, from the mistreatment of Jelly to the infertility struggles. Jelly finds herself between these two worlds, not fully part of either, and doing everything she can to save both. The magical elements expand beyond the sea with magical people on land who have a past friction with the mermaids. This creates drama and potentially romantic sparks for Jelly. This is a female-driven narrative that supplies the humor, voice, and perspective. Holman incorporates various themes into The Mermaid’s Wrath from romantasy to mythology to create a tale that is driven by female empowerment, climate change, and the ocean.

The Mermaid's Wrath by Andie Holman is the first volume in The Laughter of the Sun series. Jelly is a mermaid warrior who cares for the sea. She can't help but be furious at humans for how much plastic they use and for continuing to destroy the environment everywhere. Now that the pearl Jelly is wearing has been activated, she has terrifying visions, hears a strange voice, and is attacked out of nowhere. She learns that the ocean is in peril and that a dark, hungry power is after the awakened pearl and intends to kill the bearer. She also learns that she must go to the surface and work with the Mers' enemies to survive. However, on her quest to protect the Mers and save the sea creatures, Jelly also must find a girl and free her from her captor. Now that the magical bubble that keeps the Mers safe is failing, will she succeed in her mission to the surface before it's too late?

The Mermaid's Wrath by Andie Holman is a fascinating contemporary fantasy. I loved Jelly for her attitude and constant dedication to protecting sea life. This aspect of the story, her commitment to protecting the sea creatures, is a valuable reminder of the plastic pollution we still create. Moreover, her reaction upon seeing plastic dominate the human world is both valid and satisfying. This debut romantasy is an excellent choice for readers who want more than just a story. It is beautifully crafted and plotted, and unique in its mythology, with an appealing romance, magic, environmental themes, and female empowerment. It makes readers consider the damage plastic causes to ocean life and inspires them to make positive changes.

The Mermaid's Wrath by Andie Holman follows Jelly, a warrior mermaid living beneath an ocean that is slowly being destroyed by human pollution. The reef where her people live struggles to survive as plastic waste, climate change, and infertility threaten both sea life and the future of the mermaids themselves. Jelly secretly travels to the human world to study what is happening on the surface and becomes increasingly horrified by the careless way humans treat the planet. After an explosive incident in a supermarket leaves her exposed and punished by her own people, strange visions and dangerous magic begin surrounding her. As tensions rise both above and below the ocean, Jelly finds herself caught between protecting her home, uncovering the truth behind the mysterious pearl she carries, and deciding how far she is willing to go to save the sea.

The Mermaid's Wrath by Andie Holman is a very intriguing read and certainly had me guessing a few times as to where the story would go. The writing has a really emotional and immersive quality that made it easy to get pulled into Jelly’s world right away. I liked that the story balances heavy environmental themes with humor, friendship, tension, and some genuinely creepy moments. Jelly herself felt flawed and believable, especially because her anger and frustration made complete sense. The underwater world-building was one of my favorite parts because it felt unique without becoming overwhelming or overly complicated. I also thought the supporting characters added a lot of warmth and personality to the story, especially Mori and Nell. The pacing kept me interested the whole time, and several scenes stuck in my head long after I finished reading. Overall, it is a fresh and emotional fantasy story with a strong voice and a message that actually matters.