Are There Any Dark Mermaid YA Books Like *The Wicked Deep*?

2026-04-30 05:13:40
178
Share
ABO Personality Quiz
Take a quick quiz to find out whether you‘re Alpha, Beta, or Omega.
Start Test
Write Answer
Ask Question

3 Answers

Quentin
Quentin
Favorite read: The Dark Below
Sharp Observer UX Designer
I adore how 'The Wicked Deep' blends folklore with that gothic, small-town dread. For similar vibes, 'The Weight of Feathers' by Anna-Marie McLemore isn’t strictly about mermaids, but its magical realism and star-crossed lovers feel adjacent. The water symbolism is lush, and the family rivalries are just as toxic as the curses in Shea’s book. If you want literal dark mermaids, 'Into the Drowning Deep' by Mira Grant is technically adult horror, but it’s so gripping that older YA readers might devour it. Killer mermaids in the Marianas Trench? Yes, please.

Another gem is 'The River Has Teeth' by Erica Waters—more swamp witches than mermaids, but the environmental horror and eerie magic give off the same 'nature fights back' energy. And don’t overlook 'The Gracekeepers' by Kirsty Logan; it’s a quieter, poetic take on sea-bound isolation and performance. The melancholy lingers like saltwater on skin. If you’re after betrayal and brine, these books are tidal waves waiting to pull you under.
2026-05-03 05:12:46
5
Tessa
Tessa
Favorite read: Tidal Souls
Sharp Observer Journalist
Dark mermaid YA books? Oh, I’ve fallen down that rabbit hole before! 'The Wicked Deep' has such a haunting vibe, and if you’re craving more eerie, aquatic tales, 'House of Salt and Sorrows' by Erin A. Craig might hit the spot. It’s more of a dark fairy tale retelling with sea spirits and murder mysteries, but the atmosphere is just as chilling. Then there’s 'To Kill a Kingdom' by Alexandra Christo—less lyrical, more brutal, with a siren princess who collects hearts. It’s got that enemies-to-lovers tension but doesn’t shy away from bloodshed.

For something slower and more atmospheric, 'The Surface Breaks' by Louise O’Neill reimagines 'The Little Mermaid' with feminist horror undertones. The protagonist’s transformation is painful, both physically and emotionally, and the ending sticks with you. If you’re open to manga, 'Mermaid Saga' by Rumiko Takahashi is vintage horror—short stories about cursed mermaids and immortality gone wrong. It’s older but holds up with its creepy art and tragic twists. Honestly, dark mermaids are a niche that deserves more love—hope these scratch that itch!
2026-05-06 04:09:54
9
Avery
Avery
Responder Firefighter
Dark mermaid stories are my guilty pleasure! Beyond 'The Wicked Deep,' try 'The Mermaid’s Sister' by Carrie Anne Noble—it’s bittersweet with a folklore feel, though less outright horror. For a twist, 'All the Murmuring Bones' by A.G. Slatter mixes mermaids with gothic family secrets. The prose is gorgeous, and the underwater scenes are haunting. If you’re into anthologies, 'A Thousand Ships' has a mermaid retelling among its myths, and the tone is deliciously grim. Also, 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon reimagines mermaids as descendants of enslaved pregnant women thrown overboard—it’s heavy but breathtaking. The way these books weave darkness with water is just chef’s kiss.
2026-05-06 15:29:02
11
View All Answers
Scan code to download App

Related Books

Related Questions

Can you recommend dark fantasy books about mermaids?

3 Answers2026-04-07 23:03:32
Dark fantasy mermaid books? Oh, I've got a treasure trove for you! Let me start with 'The Mermaid’s Daughter' by Ann Claycomb—it’s a haunting reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, but with a gothic twist. The mermaids here aren’t singing sailors to their doom; they’re trapped in a cycle of cursed lineage, and the prose feels like drowning in melancholy. The way Claycomb blends opera, tragedy, and body horror is just chef’s kiss. Then there’s 'Into the Drowning Deep' by Mira Grant. It’s less fairy tale and more sci-fi horror, but the mermaids? Pure nightmare fuel. Think deep-sea predators with eerie intelligence and a hunger for human flesh. The claustrophobic pressure of the ocean depths adds such a visceral layer to the dread. If you like your fantasy with a side of existential terror, this one’s a must-read.

What are the best mermaid YA books to read?

3 Answers2026-04-30 04:16:57
The allure of mermaids in YA literature is irresistible, and I've devoured so many over the years! One standout is 'The Siren' by Kiera Cass, which blends romance and mythology with a hauntingly beautiful underwater world. The protagonist’s struggle between duty and desire feels achingly real, and Cass’s lyrical prose makes every page shimmer like sunlight on waves. Another gem is 'Deep Blue' by Jennifer Donnelly, the first in the 'Waterfire Saga.' It’s packed with political intrigue, sisterhood, and epic underwater battles. The world-building is lush—think Atlantis meets 'Game of Thrones,' but with mermaids. Donnelly doesn’t shy away from darker themes, which adds depth to the glittering scales and coral palaces. If you crave something darker, 'To Kill a Kingdom' by Alexandra Christo offers a twisted Little Mermaid retelling where the 'princess' is a killer siren. The enemies-to-lovers arc is deliciously tense, and the oceanic lore feels fresh despite its roots in familiar tales.
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status