This was so good! I loved reading the origins of Mera! The character development was great and I think girls will definitely look up to her as a role model.

An origin story graphic novel: how Arthur Curry (Aquaman) and Mera first meet, as teenagers, when she comes up on land with the mission to kill him, the enemy prince who's going to rule over her people. They're from warring undersea kingdoms. Interesting stuff, as I've never read any Aquaman comics before and I'm looking forward to the movie. This is your basic girl-meets-boy starcrossed romance, with aquatic complications. I liked learning about the backstory to Mera, and the history between the Xebellians and the Atlanteans. Mera is a cool character, a feisty warrior. Really nice art.

Good origin story, and it made me want more. I liked the art. I read an eARC, so I look forward to seeing it in print. My only issue was the pace of the relationship. It was major instalove, which never feels particularly genuine, but that might have been somewhat the result of the format. I could have used a bit more character development across the board, but it didn't take away my enjoyment, and I think my students will really like it.

Danielle Paige did an amazing job with Mera's story. I'm glad the character is in the hands of someone who writes well and can capture the emotions of a girl trying to find her own path. I can't wait to read more.

Confession: this was the reviewer version of a cover-buy. I know absolutely nothing about Mera, or Aquaman, or the DC version of Atlantis. I requested a review copy because I saw it on NetGalley and went, "Ooooh a red-haired girl with a trident!" Then I read it, and it said Atlantis, and I still thought maybe it had something to do with Greek gods because of the trident. So sue me. I STILL ENJOYED IT! So I am living, breathing proof that you don't have to have back story to enjoy this graphic novel. 

Mera: Tidebreaker is an origin story for Mera, but even without knowing her future (I didn't, I only looked it up after I finished this book) I thoroughly enjoyed the story, mainly for the stunning artwork. It has a brighter look and feel to it than a lot of the graphic novels I've picked up and it made it much easier to read and very engaging. Mera is such an intriguing character - immature, headstrong, but with ability and heart - and a TON of potential. Then there is the ongoing battle between Atlantis and Xebel, with SO MUCH there that wasn't explained - I'm guessing because it is explained in the actual comics. And Arthur - I'm very interested in his back story, like how did his parents ever meet and why did he grow up as he did?

My one complaint with this story was the instalove. SO MUCH INSTALOVE. Why?!? I feel like even a teenage girl of Mera's character and inclinations wouldn't just suddenly -poof- fall in love with a boy just because he was nice to her. It seemed so off for her, so strange and jarring...maybe there is something there that I'm missing due to my lack of knowledge about the rest of their story, but I just really felt like that didn't belong. Why does she have to end up paired up right now? Why not just assume that happens later, but that they MEET right now?

Regardless of that, 4/5 stars for beautiful artwork and engaging story. 

Review will be posted at the link below on 2 April 2019.

Mera is the princess of the underwater kingdom Xebel, which is under the control of the kingdom of Atlantis. The king of Xebel has chosen a successor to his crown, as long as he can kill the prince of Atlantis - Arthur Curry. Mera is upset and angry with her father for always seeing her as a princess first, and never a warrior like her mother. In order to secure her rightful place on the throne of Xebel, Mera steals away and decides to kill Arthur herself and win her own crown. Above water the people are much different than how she has been taught, and while getting closer to Arthur Mera learns more about herself.
This is not a love story, however, but a coming-of-age tale about a strong and independent young woman learning more about herself through perseverance and grit.

I usually do not read graphic novels, but I am glad that I have read this one. Although pretty predictable, I found this book to be a fun read. This is a book that I would recommend to others.

I have just recently started reading graphic novels and I enjoyed this one. I am a big fan of retellings and this is a Little Mermaid retelling done very well. The illustrations helped the story along and seemed appropriate to the events happening.

Mera Tidebreaker gives us a fabulous origin story of Mera warrior princess . Written by the wonderful Danielle Paige author Of Dorothy Must. Die ,Mera has romance , intrigue and background of the princess. For fans of Aquaman a must read

Ms. Paige rocks the Graphic Novel genre with her take on Mera. It is a great novel for young adults, but for comic book fans it takes the character to the forefront. What at great story on a less known character! #Mera #NetGalley #Edelweiss

Mera: Tidebreaker is the kind of YA graphic novel I have wanted for the longest time! I wish it weren't an origin story, but I get that the aim is to be accessible to readers who may not know anything about the DC Universe. That being said, I loved, loved, loved this book! I fully expect the teens in my library to check this out like hotcakes. DC Ink, keep doing this!

I loved this story! Totally a different POV in the Aquaman world and so much girl power. I was obsessed with this even being an adult. My first foray into middle grade novels, this did not disappoint.

Cute origin story, but the insta-love between Mera and Arthur was really jarring. Very fast-paced and the characters seems rushed and one-dimensional, but I'm not sure it could have been done better at 186 pages. I would have rather read a longer (like, twice as long) story that took more time to develop Mera's relationships and maybe a bit longer than 4 days for her to change trajectories so completely.

Well-developed artwork and an engaging storyline combine in the story of Mera. Danielle Page brings this character to center stage eloquently and beautifully.

This is a fine example of the quality work produced by DC Comics and a book I would gladly share with readers young and old.

Mera: Tidebreaker is a a mash-up of The Littler Mermaid and Romeo and Juliet, but Ariel/Juliet is on a mission to murder Eric/Romeo. Spoiler alert: she falls in love instead.

This DC universe graphic novel is along the same vein as the DC Icons series and Rainbow Rowell's The Runaways series putting a fresh face on beloved superheroes as Mera: Tidebreaker is the origins story of Aquaman and Mera. (Danielle Paige is the author of the popular Dorothy Must Die series.) I'm not familiar with the original DC comic books or Aquaman's MO at all, but Mera: Tidebreaker was a bit love triangle-y. I'm not sure if that's a close adaptation to the original or if it's Paige's proclivity as a YA author, but it is a little tired at this point, 10 years post-Twilight.

Either way, what bothered me most about this graphic novel was how shallow the story/plot and the character development is. Yes, Mera is a dynamic character and has a change of heart, but it was so quick. I suppose that is --partially-- the nature of graphic novels and why (reluctant) readers like them so much, but as someone who is still struggling to come to terms with the medium, it was hard for me to immerse myself in the pages and the story. It seemed like there wasn't enough inner wrestling and cognitive dissonance happening to be authentic to the massive change of heart Mera has.

Arthur is similarly one-dimensional. I think, though, that that stems from the fact that graphic novels are limited in what goes on in a character's head, as well as the minimal little tics and nonverbal communication readers are privy to from narration. That falling into the shoes of the protagonist just doesn't happen for me in Mera: Tidebreaker; I never felt for Mera or Arthur.

That being said, I will probably order it when it comes out next spring since there will be the Aquaman movie being released in 2019, too. Movie/novel duos always do well.

This was a refreshing jump into the Aquaman story-line while approaching it from a different angle than expected. Mera is a quasi-superhero that all young women can look up to as she faces tough decisions on what she wants to do with her life beyond her father's urging.

I really enjoyed this book. I am not a reader of superhero books and do not know anything about Mera and Aquaman. However, since this is an origin story you don't need to know anything! It had great artwork and I enjoyed the bit of teenage romance. I would hand this to 12+, especially if they are into superheroes. I also think it's a good segue for those who don't know superheroes.