"Midnight Pearls" by Debbie Viguie

Rating: 3

Description: When she was an infant, Pearl was found by a fisherman on the ocean in the middle of an unnatural storm. With her pale skin and hair and her ungainly limbs, she has been an outcast in her village her whole life. Her only friend is James, prince and heir to the realm, who knows what it's like to be stared at and thought of as something Other. Pearl and James' relationship seems to be changing, but their budding romance is interrupted by a series of events that threaten both Pearl and the kingdom itself. Two strangers, Kale and Faye, appear, claiming to be merpeople in search of a missing princess, Adriana, Kale's betrothed. Kale is certain that Pearl is the missing mermaid, and his presence stirs strange memories within Pearl. Faye has set her sights on James, and will stop at nothing to win his love. But in the meantime, evil looms from two sides as an evil sea witch and a scheming noble each enact their own murderous plots to bring down their respective royalties. When the storm clears, you may be surprised to see where Pearl and James end up.

Review: "Midnight Pearls" is a creative retelling of the tale of the Little Mermaid. The characters are a little misty and undefined, but you'll find yourself caught up in their story nonetheless. Pearl is an enigmatic but believable and identifiable main character (we all know what it's like to long to fit in). The book is short and would probably be better with a little filling out, but it's good enough for a quick read, and it's worth it to hear a version of the story with no singing lobsters and moping fish. And don't think you know how it all comes out in the end - this story has enough unexpected twists to keep you interested the whole way through.