What if the little mermaid became a human, not to marry the prince, but to kill him?

This book has everything you want from a fantasy novel:
~ Relatable FMC that’s not afraid to show her emotions
~ Witty banter between all the characters
~ Wonderful world building that leaves room for expansion
~ Plenty of secrets to uncover

The author does such a great job of describing details and bringing her characters to life! I loved learning about the world that she created and the storyline was so intriguing and easy to follow. If you are a huge fan of the Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean, you’ll love this book!

I don't know who this book was targeted for but I found the writing very juvenile, genuinely that's all I can think of to describe the book. I still appreciate the spins to the original story.

2.5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, this book was a struggle. I was so excited because the concept is so fun and I’m always looking for new mermaid related books but this one wasn’t for me.

The pacing was a huge struggle at the beginning. I felt that there was far too much detail and it took almost half the book to set up the story. I’m not certain I needed so much insignificant things described to me in such detail when most of it was never mentioned in the book again. Then there were massive chunks of time that got skipped over and it was quite jarring to read.

I didn’t actually realise this was being sold as a book for fans of The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean and in all honesty The Little Mermaid element was too similar to the point where I was bored.

I’m very torn however, because I really wasn’t enjoying this book and really wanted to dnf at the 30% mark but I soldiered on and once I hit 70% the characters suddenly felt different somehow and the relationship between Celeste and Raiden was actually likeable where before I really disliked how toxic the air between them seemed. There were other characters I liked but not enough to carry the book for me.

Let me just say I loved that she made the prince a pirate! It changes the entire dynamic, making them at sea (a place where Celeste the little mermaid) is comfortable and experienced as well as adding extra to the tensions between the two kingdoms! I have read a lot of Little Mermaid retellings that don’t make sufficient changes from the original fairytale that the plot is still entertaining to follow but the reveal at the end (even though there were clues!) I was still surprised by.
I mentioned that it was at sea, we get to see a little bit of the palace as well as generally her on the ship and then on the land for a brief amount of time. There isn’t much word building, the focus is Celeste and her personal relationships
also really liked that Celeste was able to speak and just didn’t because she knew her accent would stand out.
Damsel Reader Recommendation: 13+, for lovers of fairytale retellings!
Violence Rating: Level 3
Romance Rating: Sweet
Content Warnings: she is stripped at one point, I was worried it would lean into SA but it balanced on the edge.

Voice of the Ocean is a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. I found it slow in parts, and then fast paced at the end. Great easy read with fairy tale like story.

Voice of the Ocean is a compelling YA fantasy debut that blends The Little Mermaid with political intrigue, moral conflict, and a dash of slow-burn romance. While the pacing had its uneven moments, the imaginative world-building and emotional character journey pulled me in—and by the final third, I could not put it down. I was up reading through 2 a.m. and audibly gasped when I turned the page and hit the acknowledgments!

Celeste is a layered and relatable protagonist. Her struggle to reconcile her loyalty to the sirens with her growing understanding of the human world felt genuine and earned. The emotional complexity of her journey, along with some truly standout supporting characters aboard the ship, made for a cast I really enjoyed following.

The first part of the book did feel slower at times, and I occasionally found myself wanting more development around major plot points, especially since some of the descriptive sections felt overly long. The meaning behind the title itself was also introduced fairly late, which threw me off just a little. But those concerns were outweighed by how satisfying and emotionally charged the final chapters were.

Retellings can be hit or miss, but this one hit the mark for me. Kelsey did an excellent job creating a fresh, morally rich twist on the classic story, and I am so ready for the sequel!

Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I mostly liked the beginning and the ending, but the middle was soooo long! it felt like I was reading forever, but I got nowhere.. the descriptions were beautiful, but dragged out 😞

as I said the middle part of this book felt really dragged out and was just too slow for me to enjoy 😞 I think I would have enjoyed it much more, if we got some more romance or moments between the fmc and the mmc though! considering the importance of the romance/love story between the siren and the prince in the blurb, it was pretty underwhelming. the romance we got was cute, but there was barely any..

if it wasn’t because I got this as an e-ARC, I think I would have dnf’ed around 45%. the ending felt rushed, but after clawing my way through the middle it was a welcome change since I just wanted to finish the book. the ending itself (besides being rushed) was probably the best part of the book. lots of twists and revelations. I do think the ending is giving the second book potential to be great, but I’m not sure this series is for me.
while I love me a good YA book, this was just missing something.

this might be a light spoiler, but imo she did not attempt to kill him enough times HAHAHA 😂 I was looking forward to reading about her attemps where she’d be about to get discovered and would have to cover up her attemps with something like kissing him or flirting or SOMETHING.. but that just didn’t happen😭

Thank you to Netgalley, Atom Books and the author; Kelsey Impecciche for providing me with the e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a lover of fariytales and all things romantasy, I was so excited for this arc, and it didn't disappoint! I adored the rich and unique world of Staria, and found Celeste's journey full of tension, enchantment and discovery.

I loved how Kelsey's talent for storytelling really shone through in this read, and it was evident she's devoted herself to making this story both compelling and intriguing. The characters were nuanced and well-rounded, and the story itself was a great mix of being fun yet filled with mystery and the world-building felt realistic yet wide-reaching, and was interesting to follow along with!

I imagine some people might find Celeste's naivety and soft-heartedness a little frustrating, but I personally found her to be super endearing and very sweet. I loved seeing the human world through her eyes and following along with her discoveries of human culture, language and her picking up on new skills was adorable!

Raiden was also a firm favourite, and I found him to be the perfect mix of charming yet rakish, and the mysterious edge he had left me giggling throughout the book (also the pet name 'love' - yep that'll do it for me!!). The other relationships Celeste develops is also lovely to see, and I adored her friendship with Kiyami and the pirate crew onboard the Revenge; it was the perfect found family dynamic!

My only gripe was that the pacing was a little bit stilted throughout the middle, and lost momentum throughout the last 30% or so. Some of the lore was a tad confusing to follow, and it was super fast paced in the ending, to try and wrap up a large plot development and also leave us with enough drama to head into the next instalment.

Apart from that, I really enjoyed this unique take on a siren/mermaid romantasy, and I can't wait to see where the story takes us next! This was a fantastic debut novel for an author, go Kelsey!

DNF at 27%

I didn’t realise this was a The Little Mermaid retelling when I started, and I just didn’t enjoy it, I couldn’t force myself through anymore.

Whilst I appreciate ARCs are unfinished unedited versions of books, it was really difficult to deal with the complete lack of structure. The chapters weren’t even separated and I know all it takes is a simple page break and header function. I’m not rating the book down on this though.

There were many little flaws:
Years are called cycles but months are called months, why?
She cried like 10 times in the first quarter of the book.
They have gills for when they’re underwater but when they’re fighting their chests are heaving - this isn’t how oxygen exchange works when you have gills. Similarly, how does one gasp underwater?
She sang to the shark right at the start then questioned if she was able to sing to the dog.

A thrilling tale of Sirens, magic and adventure! I adore a pirate tale and this was phenomenal. It is one of those books that I started before bed and then proceeded to stay up way too late reading into the early hours of the morning. There were so many twists I did not anticipate and I adored Celeste and just want more of her now. I will not hesitate to read anything else Kelsey Impicciche publishes.

I AM OBSESSED!

I need everyone to read this book! It's amazing!

It is the PERFECT blend of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid.

Celeste and Raiden's romance is beautiful. Not too full-force from the get go - there's a nice build-up in their relationship (before it all comes crumbling down 😭).

Celeste is also such a well-rounded character. She's emotional but firm in her beliefs and she refuses to sacrifice innocent lives regardless of who they are. I LOVE HER. She's such a strong FMC in terms of her want and drive to not only please her family but make something of herself.

Raiden is a fun, flirty MMC who slowly brings Celeste out of her shell but also keeps a LOT of secrets close to his chest (which eventually blow up in his face) but he too is trying to stay alive and prove himself a worthy man.

I love all the side characters too and I'm living for all the queer rep in the story.

An amazing book and I'm soooooo desperate for book 2!

3.5⭐️

Hans Christian Andersen‘s <i>The Little Mermaid</i> is one of the most depressing stories out there. She ends up as seafoam and the Prince marries someone else (I apologise if this was a major spoiler for you - I‘m not adding any warning because I think it‘s common knowledge?). It‘s just such an incredibly unfeminist story and I‘ve never understood why it has so many retellings.

Soooo… I was lured by the great cover and thought this was about sirens, which it is, but it‘s inspired by <i>The Little Mermaid</i> (something I would have found out, had I read the blurb).

The sirens have the order to kill everyone on the Prince’s ship but Celeste ends up rescuing the Prince and his friend (plus his doggo - thank god). She is thus punished and has to kill the Prince to redeem himself.

This story‘s like a mix between <i>The Little Mermaid</i> and <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i>. It‘s a good debut and I was really entertained, esp. towards the end.

I struggled with Celeste‘s motivation and there‘s just a lack of depth that you can‘t solely blame on the book being YA. I also struggled with the love interest Raiden (the Prince - he seemed like a caricature of a dashing and mysterious man, but he behaved like a dick).

Overall it‘s just light entertainment, so if that‘s what you‘re after then this might be the book for you. I‘m inclined to read book 2 because I‘m curious to see where this is going.

But like I said, this is absolutely solid for a debut.

—-

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK | Atom for providing me with a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

This morally-grey twisted Little Mermaid inspired tale takes us to a place where everything is not quite as it seems. Following a siren who just can’t seem to fit in, we venture through a tale of hope, deceit and mystery that leaves you aching to read more.

The book is well paced and allows you to dive deep into the innermost feelings of the characters, leaving you with a true found-family connection to the cast. The book starts out with strong Little Mermaid vibes and quickly transforms into a swashbuckling tale of romance, betrayals, and good old fashioned treasure hunts. I enjoyed slowly learning about the lore of the world, as the more that was revealed the more captivated I became, as though the book itself was a siren song that I could not turn away from.

Thank you to Kelsey Impicciche and the publishing/NetGalley team for allowing me the opportunity to give an advance review of this book. This was such a refreshing read and perfect for all you pirate-loving, Little Mermaid fans who can rally behind an FMC with a dagger. I really enjoyed this one, and award a 4/5 starfish rating 🦀

Voice of the Ocean by Kelsey Impicciche is everything I wanted in a siren story and more. Think The Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean, but make it full of feelings, longing, betrayal, ancient magic, and a sizzling forbidden romance.

Celeste has always been told she is too much. Too loud, too emotional, too dramatic, too everything. As the youngest daughter of the Siren Queen, she has spent her whole life trying to prove herself worthy of the Chorus, the elite siren warriors. But when she breaks the rules to save a human prince, her world is turned upside down. What follows is a twisty and heartfelt journey across land and sea, with secrets, soft moments, found family vibes, and one very good dog.

I love reading YA fantasy, especially when it is a retelling, and this one completely scratched the itch. The emotional depth and chemistry between Celeste and Raiden had me absolutely hooked. I flew through this book and am already counting the days until I can hold a finished copy in my hands. The banter, the tension, the quiet vulnerability between the characters... I am obsessed.

Also, “I can think of other ways you can thank me” lives rent free in my mind.

Thank you so much to Kelsey Impicciche, Little, Brown Book Group UK, Atom, and NetGalley for this early copy. I adored it and cannot wait for what’s next.

Tropes you’ll love:
🧜‍♀️ Siren and human romance
🐾 Loyal animal companion
⚔️ Warrior training
🚢 Hidden identity
💘 Forbidden love
🫣 One bed
📖 Retelling magic
✨ Sizzling prince
👑 Pressure to prove yourself
⛵ Friends to lovers (with tension)

Voice of the Ocean releases April 22, 2025, and you’ll definitely want this one on your shelf.

I follow Kelsey on YT and was so excited to get a hand on the ARC of her debut book.

The story itself is very trope heavy and the influence of the most famous versions of The Little Mermaid was definitely obvious. However, I went in expecting a retelling and that’s what I got. It was in the world building and the later half of the book that the originality of this retelling really came out. I enjoyed the character of Celeste and how she learnt the power of her emotions in a world where that isn’t accepted and Raiden was a good swoony love interest for her.
Kelsey’s writing style is decent and easy to read but you can tell it’s her first book. I’m excited to see how her writing improves and develops as she writes further into this series and others.

Overall, this was a book I really enjoyed, read most of it in one day. I am looking forward to the following book!

A fun and unique Little Mermaid retelling with a pirate twist—what's not to love? As a big fan of mermaids (and always wishing there were more books about them), I was excited to dive into this one. The world-building is rich and immersive, and the found family dynamic added a lot of heart. The plot is twisty and ends on a strong note, setting up the sequel nicely.
That said, the pacing was a struggle. The beginning felt slow and overly detailed, especially before Celeste even got on the ship. Once there, the story lingered too long on bonding moments and pirate hijinks that didn’t push the plot forward. The most exciting parts didn’t arrive until about 80% in—and then everything felt rushed. I also wish the “Voice of the Ocean” had been introduced earlier and with more buildup.
The characters had potential, but many of the side characters felt flat. Raiden and Celeste were more developed, but I never fully connected with them. Raiden didn’t click as a love interest for me, and their relationship felt a bit forced. Celeste, though, was a refreshing main character—emotional and soft in a way we don’t often get to see. I loved that, but her inner conflict around it became repetitive and started to lose its impact.
Despite some flaws, this was still an enjoyable read, and I might pick up the sequel to see where things go next

This was everything my To Kill a Kingdom loving heart has been looking for!! Even though I think I actually love this FMC more, she's an over emotional queen like me. I'm very picky about retellings but I love this

This was very sweet, my all read screamed Ariel if I can be honest. But regardless I found it beautiful. I definitely enjoyed it and will recommend to all sea lovers

'Voice of the Ocean' centres around Siren, Celeste, in both her home nation of Staria and the human world in which she finds herself. We hear of her curiosity about humans throughout her formative years and get to know Celeste as someone who dreams of more than the life she is born into, as a princess of Staria. Partly a retelling of 'The Little Mermaid', many may recognise the heroine of that story in this theme and in the plot point that catapults Celeste onto human shores.

From here we get many chapters that build the reader's understanding of Celeste's upbringing, her talents and her insecurities. I like the running internal narrative that Impicciche has included for Celeste, who can be hard on herself. An important message for Young Adult readers today, and something many will be able to relate to. The novel also ensures to have a range of representation for gender and sexual identity, which was nice to see.

The world created here is well described and mapped out. It does feel like a lot of time and attention is paid to these observations in the first 2/3 of the novel, as Celeste experiences new places, new words, new human customs and human relationships. A little tension occurs within these chapters, but largely it feels like 'Voice of the Ocean' is setting the scene for further work to come. For a reader like myself, who isn't massively familiar with sirens, I did find it interesting. I liked the lore woven around this and learning more about Celeste's ancestral history. The novel in itself felt like it had been thought through and tightened up, to create a solid backstory for each of the main characters we meet.

It took me a while to read this novel, dipping in and out for the first 3/4. However, the last section flew by in one sitting and was completely action packed.

I personally would have liked the climatic scenes to occur somewhat sooner, to allow these to build for the reader and to give us more sense of the impact on the characters. It feels a lot is revealed in the later scenes, with little time to digest. I felt the pivotal scenes were handled well, without too much idealism- the characters remained true to themselves and their motives and the previous character building paid off in helping an understanding of why alliances were formed (or not) as the novel continued. I assume the novel will have a sequel or two to allow further exploration from the rather busy finish.

The 'enemies-to-lovers' trope feels one of the main themes, but actually one area that seemed more rushed. It would have been interesting to develop more of Celeste's internal narrative here and understand the development of the romance plotline. It feels some cuts could have been made elsewhere to allow for this.

I erred between two and four stars at various points in this novel. A nice debut for Kelsey Impicciche and, for those who are aware of her from her online platforms, it does feel reflective of her personality and voice. There is a lot of potential here and I'll await (hopefully) more about Celeste in the future, to see where the climatic events of 'Voice of the Ocean' take her next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this book was a huge disappointment.

Reading the description for this book, I thought, finally! A book about Siren's and the ocean. As a lover of all things ocean and mermaid/siren related, I was super excited to see a book based on Sirens. However, I was immediately disappointed when the first 20% was a copy and paste of The Little Mermaid. Do not get me wrong, I love The Little Mermaid and it is my all time favourite Disney film, but I was not looking for a retelling, I was looking for a new Siren story. I took to goodreads to read the current reviews to see if people felt the same and I saw many reviews, including the authors, describing this as a retelling of the original fairy tale, however I am just disappointed that this was described as so in the books description, otherwise I may not have been as enticed to pick up this title.

Despite the original disappointment, I carried on in hopes that the book would ultimately win me over, now that I knew what it was I was reading. However, the book did not get much better for me. Despite the first 60% of the book being super slow and pouring detail into so many small things that could have been cut down, the ending of the book was rushed and ultimately a huge let down. I found it really hard to connect with any of the characters, and the FMC's quick sympathy for humans and relationship development over just a couple of days was just not very believable.