Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid" (Once Upon a Time)

Let me start by saying that The Little Mermaid is one of my all time favorite fairy tales (and Disney movies). I love it-- even the super sad ending. That story started my obsession with all things mermaid. A few years ago I picked up some other books in the "Once Upon a Time" series at a local library book sale. I read through them before I put them in my classroom library and thought that they were fun versions of many of my favorite fairy tales. I had no idea there was TLM book in the seriess (although it makes perfect sense). So, obviously, when I discovered this book did exist, I made it one of my summer goals to obtain a copy to read. My local book stores disappointed me with their lack of availability, but the library came through for me! I sat down a few days ago to start this book and fell head first into the "new" plot.




There are a few major differences in this version of TLM than other retellings I have found. First of all, Pearl is a mermaid living on land with no knowledge of her true identity. Add that to her relationship with her best friend (the Prince) and you already have a new tale. But it doesn't stop there... Other merfolk appear throughout the plot to really make this version do a tail-spin (pun intended).




When things started to get complicated, I realized that this would be a pretty straight forward read. I knew instantly when a few new characters appeared how things would play out. That disappointed me a bit because I had high hopes for this story, but then I realized this entire series is pretty predictable. Once I made up my mind to just read to enjoy the story, I found myself pretty happy with how things turned out. In the end, everything fit into a nice little box with a shiny bow.




Of course, making everything fit in said box made the plot a little transparent. There were so many loose ends that were quickly tied up (and in a somewhat unsatisfying way). But again, I reminded myself that I was reading this just for the new twist on a classic tale. I wasn't looking for an award winner or a new favorite mermaid book. In the end, I did manage to get a fun story (although a slightly rushed ending) that didn't take long to read. There was no deep thought or characters involved. Just a simple summer read.




If you enjoy mermaid stories, read this one for fun while you sit pool side or at the beach. You'll speed through it with ease. Do not read this book if you're looking for a break out mermaid novel that is beyond anything you've ever read before. You will be disappointed. I can safely say, however, that I enjoyed it-- but I'm glad I didn't buy the book. Another plus for the local public library!

Reader reviewed by Ruthie

I actually probably enjoyed this retelling of The Little Mermaid more then the original! It was a new creative twist on it. Most people I know strongly dislike fairy tales but if they become you, I'd reccommend this book. There are many others in this "Once Apon A Time" series and I plan on reading them all!

Reader reviewed by EshInoBi

I finally got around to writing this review. It took me
quite some time to think about what to write about it. Though I will
try to write positively about it, as it was pretty amusing &
exciting, I just didn't like it. I didn't approve and like how the
author made the main character, Pearl (a simple fisherman's daughter)
and James (a prince) so intimate. It was very early on the story, and
then, all of a sudden these 2 new characters come from the blue and
love both of them... I just didn't like it... It might've been okay
with Kale, one of the new characters, being in love with Pearl, because
they were engaged since her birth and from him she finds out her true
ancestry. The girl who falls in love with Prince James, Faye, I just
don't approve of the love-at-first-sight thing. It just didn't seem
right, with the devotion James showed towards Pearl through the start.
Okay, so I won't rate positive, because I really don't want to. It was
just so catastrophically annoying.

Reader reviewed by Stephanie E.

When I think about Midnight Pearls, what do I think about?
This is the question I asked myself after I finished this delightful new addition to fairy tale mermaids book. Its a simple question to be answered, all I have to do is say my opinion. Easy enough, right? Thats what I thought when coming onto this site. But now as I sit here trying to think of what to say it has turned out to be harder than I once thought. How about I start off by telling you about the "J" hook, then ease into my opinion of the story...sound good? Okay then lets get started!
My favorite English Teacher of all time taught me the "J" hook. The "J" hook is pretty simple...its the very beginning of the story you wish to tell; the first page. Its like this...you have to have drawn in your reader from the very first page; very first sentence. If you fail to do this, then, no matter how good a story you wish to tell, the reader has already lost interest. So its very important for the writer to capture us from the very beginning, and to keep us interest through out the entire book, or risk lack of interest.
I bet your wondering where this is going, aren't you? The "J" hook has a lot to to do with my interest in Midnight Pearls. Debbie successfully caught my attention with her use of the "J" hook. but...
I love almost everything about Midnight Pearls, from such a capturing name...to the even MORE capturing story. Debbie completely caught my attention with the book. The beginning was so detailed and amazing that I couldnt look away! I LOVED the way it switched characters the way it did. Even more the better. BUT once it got toward the end it got less detailed by the page. Like how when it came to defeating the Wicked Sea Witch it was so easy...so short. Almost boring. Then with her daily activity in the castle? Not detailed...almost like I wasnt in the story any more. I thought you would have told of how Faye helps her brother get set free or at the very end I thought you would have detailed the real parents meeting their daughter again for the second time more so. I mean it was like...'hey mom and dad i know i havent seen you in 13 years but lets not get to emotional because its time to end the book now.' I'm very sorry if this is rude on my part but thats the only way i could think of to put it.

I really did love this book. I'm so glad that someone would remake fairy tales the way you did. Like i said this is a great book! i totally recommend it! This is just my opinion.

The very beginning sentence of this review I asked myself a question and now i shall answer it.
When I think of Midnight Pearls, I think about a lonely outcast girl who doesnt know who she is, but knows that something is missing. I think about how she thinks shes in love to one man and how she forces herself to think shes in love with another, and how her TRUE love reveals himself and wins.
A powerful read that is sure to touch your heart!

Reader reviewed by Jenny

this book was extremley good. It was way better than the original Little Mermaid. I love this book it was ver very good!

This book is about a little girl found at sea. Not knowing where she came from. She ends up falling in love with her best friend, Prince james. But, the blacksmith wants to marry her but she doesnt love him, and he's also twice her age!

So she rejects him. Both james, and pearl go to the beach one day, thats there spot where they always hang out. They go on about & the boat starts to leak! Do they live? Does one of them die & move a long? If you want to know u have gotta read the book!

Reader reviewed by Christina

Although the book was really good, it had an unexpected ending; which can be good or bad. I personally did not love the ending and I believe the ending to be the thing that defines a book. It did not follow the original story and I think that threw me off a bit. I think it is a fun book to read, at least once.

Reader reviewed by Jo

I remember reading this book a couple of years ago, and I remember how different it was. I never read The Little Mermaid, nor have I seen it, but I did know that the Disney version was not the story that was supposely passed down.

Though lots of people I know didn't like it, I found it very interesting, and a very nice way of USING YOUR IMAGINATION, which, sadly, not a lot of people do now-a-days. I'm sad that another review perferred the Disney version, thought it isn't my business, because it was much too childish for my tastes, and it had a very broad sense of magic, which in this book, the pearls were magical, but they weren't like the triton, and controlled all seven seas. Too much power for one pitchfork if you ask me.

I would definately recommend "Midnight Pearls" to those that will appreaciated it, and use their IMAGINATION to enjoy it, and take pleasure in its little differences.

Reader reviewed by artemis

Stick to the original. It's way better. This book is so bad it's not even funny. I didn't like how the author butchered up the Little Mermaid story! It's terrible! Some advice: watch The Little Mermaid movie or read the book. It's so much better and entertaining. this book was just too awful for words. I didn't like it. i won't be picking this up again. Good thing I borrowed it from the library.

Reader reviewed by Amanda D.

"Midnight Pearls" is about a mermaid named Pearl who only knew that her hair was abnormaly pale, her legs were really long, and her hair like that of silver. She lives with her foster parents by the sea. Her only friend is James, the prince. One day while Pearl and James are out on a boat, it capsizes. Pearl makes it ashore, and James is rescued by a mermaid. The mermaid then becomes human by the Sea Witch and must get a marriage proposal from the prince or she'll die. Her brother, Kale, that was with her recognizes Pearl as Adriana, his bethrothed from years ago. He also becomes human, but is blind and must find his bethrothed. With the mermaid trying to catch James, and Kale trying to reclaim Pearl, the story goes in many different ways.

I like this book and highly recommend it to mermaid lovers like myself. I like that it had the "Little Mermaid" thing with the prince and the mute mermaid with twists from the author's imagination.

Reader reviewed by Riney

Midnight Pearls is basically a retelling of the Little Mermaid, not the disney version though.

The plot line is basically the same: theres a girl who feels awkward on land and theres another girl whos a mermaid who falls in love with a land prince.

Anyways, I didn't really find this book to be that well... convincing. It seemed like it was rushed, especially the little "battle" that the book is named after. I felt that the back cover of the book was wrong too. *shrug*