Review: Pearlina and the Water Faery

Over the years, I frequently referenced the mermaid stories by my long-time friend, Kae-Leah Williamson. Today, she has completed her longest mermaid book yet, Pearlina and the Water Faery, which is free to read on Wattpad! This is the latest story in her series of reimagined fairy tales that take place in undersea fantasy kingdoms of merfolk and talking fish. Pearlina is a loose retelling of "Thumbelina" that ties into the other books Kae-Leah has written on Wattpad and includes tons of Easter egg-style references to Don Bluth, Hans Christian Andersen, and "The Little Mermaid." Over the time I have known Kae-Leah, she has grown exponentially as a writer, and this is her best work yet.

When an ancient mermaid mourns the distant loss of her daughter, a prince's favor grants her a magic shell promised to grant her heart's desire. From the shell emerges Pearlina, a dark-skinned mermaid the size of a Barbie doll. Pearlina helps to care for her mother in the little time she has left in the world. At night, her dreams are haunted by a handsome water faery named Merrow Finless. Merrow is desperate to meet Pearlina, but his lack of fins make it impossible for him to travel the seas as she does. One day, the water faery is captured by pirates and desperately seeks Pearlina's help through their mysterious dream connection.

This story contains a rich fantasy world with lush descriptions of the kingdoms and cultures surrounding both the mermaids and the elemental faeries. The undersea world is a mostly benevolent place, but it still has its share of problems with racism and the ongoing threat of pirates. The elemental faeries protect the elements of fire, earth, air, and water, and reside on a magical island called La Isla Magica, which is never in the same place twice. Although most of the conflicts in the story are minor, there is one surprisingly dark chapter that serves as an homage to "The Little Mermaid."

I particularly liked this book's colorful cast of characters. Each fairy and mermaid presented has unique and memorable traits, from Pearlina's unusual size to her mother's disability and the uncharacteristic emotions of the primary faery characters. It was an unusual choice for the faeries to be a foot in height since it makes them larger than pixies but smaller than humans. If it weren't for that discrepancy, this world would be very similar to Neverland with its faeries, mermaids, and pirates. The love story between Merrow and Pearlina is like none I've seen before, and it ends with a surprise twist on the original "Thumbelina" fairy tale.

Pearlina and the Water Faery is a charming and imaginative retelling of "Thumbelina" that showcases Kae-Leah Williamson's growth and skill as a writer. With its richly detailed fantasy world, colorful cast of characters, and original love story, this book is a must-read for fans of mermaid tales and reimagined fairy tales. The way Kae-Leah weaves together elements of different stories and cultures, while still tackling complex themes like racism and disability, is truly impressive. I'm excited to see what Kae-Leah comes up with next, and I highly recommend checking out Pearlina and the Water Faery on Wattpad – it's a treasure worth discovering!