Coral is very much what you might expect from the cover copy, but I suggest taking a look at the author's content notes on her website and on Goodreads.
I stopped reading at around 20% because it's honestly too much trauma for me to read at this time/in my mental state. The characters are experiencing some really terrible things in the aftermath of other terrible things, which is compounded by the narrative style. Told in three different POVs, the book sort of flips back and forth between one sort of trauma and another. It felt like being hit from different directions and while I suspect this book is ultimately hopeful, it's not a good fit for me.

So what intrigued me about this novel was that it was a retelling of some sort of the Little Mermaid that explored mental health. I’m a sucker for retellings so I was really interested…

However… this book sort of just fell flat for me. I love stories where there are different perspectives that all interconnect at some point and I was looking forward to that… and while eventually it did make sense, it took about 60% of the book before I understood where the story was going.

I think the discussion of mental health and depression was very well done. I especially appreciated that the first page was just explaining the trigger warnings (mental health, suicide, etc.). I think that was really important and well done. The aspects of the mental health were well done, which is why I gave this a 3…

BUT the way the story was set up was just a bit confusing for me. The timelines and perspectives made the story a bit harder for me to follow and I honestly would have DNFed this if I wasn’t pushing myself. I had no idea where the story was going for half of the book and so it was harder for me to connect to it.

Despite the choppy feeling of the novel, I think the discussion made this book worth the read. The characters all had their own stories to tell and each aspect of mental health that was discussed was well done.

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read about some different aspects of mental health and see a unique retelling of Little Mermaid. If you like mermaids, sad stories, interconnected stories, unique perspectives and storytelling, interesting metaphors and symbolism, you would enjoy this!

I really enjoyed this. It was dark and twisty but beautiful. I found it easy to relate to the characters and rooted for them to be able to move forwards.

I’d say not to read it if you’re currently not in a good place with your mental health but it was comforting to read it and see links between the characters feelings and my own at times.

Great spin on a ‘The Little Mermaid’ retelling

Disclaimer: I received an ARC through Netgalley for the blog tour, which doesn't affect my opinion. 

Life never waited. She'd once written that time was a ribbon. Her time had been knotted and lost and cut. She would never piece it together the way it was before. 

I'm going to be fairly blunt. As someone who has been suffering from mental illness for the last couple of years now, it was really nice seeing someone in fiction have mental illnesses and the way it could control your life. I had depression in fifth grade because I was getting bullied and that led me feeling lost and confused, desperately wishing I had someone and seeing depression one page like that. 

Like wow. It was so touching to me seeing that on page. And there was also mentions of self-harm and anxiety. I'm not crying at all, but it was really so touching as someone who is suffering from both of those issues especially right now where my social anxiety has made me feel like a freak, and an embarrassment in school-and kinda caused me to self-harm when things get bad. I'm not fine. I don't think I'm okay and that I won't get through this, and I'm just afraid of what will happen. 

I could tell that the author has done her research on mental illnesses and how that could affect someone's life-and she even added it in the author's note was touching, because we need trigger warnings in books. She did it in a caring, sensitive way possible and I'm grateful for that. 

I loved that Ella brought forth mental illnesses into a retelling, and that was a huge plus. Mental Illnesses are a huge taboo subject as a whole still, having proper rep. was really heart-touching. The retelling, however, wasn't one of the best retellings I've read.

I like The Little Mermaid, but barely even exploring the Little Mermaid origin was a letdown.  I wanted to see what Ella had done to it, but it was barely even there and I wanted to see more. Granted, the mental health exploration was really present and it shows, but this could have been explored more. There were things that needed to be explained well especially with the mermaid culture, but it wasn't really touched upon too much. 

The characters on their own is iffy. Most of the time, I really couldn't care less about them. I like Brooke and the fact that she was struggling with anxiety and depression making her feel isolated was true to me, and I liked it and that she was stuck getting help which was nice. Unfortunately, anything beyond that was beyond me and I couldn't care less about them especially Coral and Merrick. 

Coral and Merrick were so flat, and I really couldn't care less about them. They weren't really interesting and felt one dimensional. 

If there was one thing I noticed in the book was the whole switching perspectives. It could have been a lot smoother, instead of being rough and distant. I had to reread a few parts just to understand what was happening and it had multiple times when it came to switching POV's.

Coral was almost a DNF for me. Coral by Sara Ella is a YA dark retelling of the Little Mermaid. There should of been the following trigger warnings: suicide, self-harm, abuse, anxiety, depression, ED, non-consent.

If that appeals to you, maybe take a peek. If not, pass.

Coral by Sara Ella is such a great book. I really enjoyed these characters. This story is so beautiful and heart breaking. When everything comes down to it, this is a story of love. I love that Sara Ella was able to bring up such a delicate subject as depression. Sara Ella wanted to be sensitive towards people with this dark subject matter that she put a trigger warning out there for people.

Coral is more of a reimagining or a book inspired by The Little Mermaid rather than being a retelling. This book is so much more than The Little Mermaid. These characters were so easy to care for. I wanted everyone to succeed. I felt like this book really dug deep. It will definitely cause the reader to be emotional with what is going on. I honestly think this book is so much more than a reimaging. It is the gateway to talk about some really sensitive topics.

I think Sara Ella did such a good job with this book. I would jump to reread it but it was so emotional that I am going to have to wait a bit before I can reread this book. I definitely think it is worth another read for me. Thank you Sara Ella for writing such a thoughtful thought provoking book.

2-2.5 stars
I thought I would really enjoy this Little mermaid retelling, but, it fell short. I didn't connect with the characters and was pretty bored throughout.

As many have already said, there are 3 narrators with alternating chapters and extraordinarily separate story lines. This, I believe, is where I felt dropped off a fictional cliff. I generally enjoy the multiple POV novels, but I think these were just so disparate that I felt like I was picking up and putting down 3 different books altogether, and that's just not an experience you want a reader to have. You want a reader to feel drawn into the story, to forget a story is even there for the duration of the novel, to be absorbed. But this was not that book. To be honest, my favorite story line was Brooke's, because I love teenage mental health ward books (personal connections, plus just something honest and deep about them). But to pair that with an entirely new universe undersea, with everything about it different just didn't feel like the right move. I think Coral's world needed a whole solid novel to devote to that world, not basically 1/3 of the book.

Coral is a story centered around one’s mental health, society’s perception of it and the thoughts of this individual. It brings important, often undiscussed, problems and truths to the table—familial pressure to push down mental struggles, the efforts one puts into bettering their mental health (especially when taking that effort is difficult) and finding love as a healer.

➝ Sum it up in points!
✔pleasantly surprising
✔depression, anxiety & suicide rep
✔love as a healer
✔inspired by ‘the little mermaid’
✔explores humanity

➝ Trigger Warnings
⇾ suicide & self-harm
⇾ emotional abuse
⇾ anxiety & panic attacks
⇾ depression
⇾ PTSD
⇾ eating disorders
⇾ non-consensual advances.

➝ Plot
The story revolves around three main characters—Coral, Merrick, and Brooke—who are all tied with a common thread of sadness and struggle. Coral doesn’t want to confine herself as a mermaid, perform the sole role her family thinks she should carry out and is probably afflicted with the Disease that is seen only in humans: emotions. On the land, Brooke’s anxiety and depression have made her numb, despite the claims of this therapy home where she currently lives, and the consecutive loneliness and isolation is only leading her to a deeper and darker tunnel. Merrick wants to make things right in his house—considering a controlling father and the suicide attempt by his younger sister—and maybe finding his mother will be the solution.

➝ Representation
The excellent anxiety and depression rep is the strongest aspect of this story. While I can vouch for the anxiety representation as an ownvoices reviewer, I can’t say the same for depression or suicide rep so my opinions on the execution of the latter should be considered secondary to those who have experienced them. The descriptions and vivid emotions were reflected in a very natural yet powerful manner that forces the readers to empathise and feel the characters’ feelings. Coral also works on exhibiting therapy sessions and mental institutions under a bright light so as to open conversations about the importance of such initiatives.

The overall story and romance weren’t my most favorite since the multiple POVs weren’t distinct enough and the story lines didn’t always merge smoothly, but the commendable dialogue surrounding mental health and projection of the need for more serious reactions when considering mental illness has won my heart.

3 🌟-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now I just want to make one thing really clear. I did not dislike this book. i just did not LOVE this book.

I am in a place in my life where I am feeling pretty good, pretty stable and this completely abolished it. I do not have anything against books about depression or books that make me feel depressed I just felt this book kinda missed the point. For reasons of non-spoilery reviews, I will go into the fact why. This book could be confusing at times but I do believe the message this book was trying to deliver was bad, i just think the execution could have been handled in a way that could have been more direct and could have impacted me in a deeper way.

I had just broken my leg and needed something entertaining to take my mind off the pain. Sadly this just didn't do it. The story moved a long slowly and seemed a bit depressing at first so I put it down and moved on. Sorry. I like the concept.

Wow. BEYOND SPEECHLESS. I really can’t express how grateful I am to read this wonderful book. Not just a fairytale but also a story of love and hope comes together in a perfect harmony. I honestly cried, so many times while reading this book. It broke my heart but then heals me at the same time..Warning triggers: Strong words in Suicide..The story — i can’t help not to fall in love in every bits of the story. I think this one of the unique way of showing for Suicide awareness. Every turn of the chapter has a lesson to learn and I think I almost I highlight the whole book. I love how the author combines the characters in different perspective then surprises me how they’ve been connected with each other. There are times that I’ve been shock for some reveals and you’ll never see it coming. I like the little quotes from different authors as well; there’s a quote from John Green and Veronica Roth. I remember it all, i mean, the story really sticks in my heart until now. I’m really speechless. The love connection between Merrick and Coral is exciting but toxic. To be honest, I love this kind of story that is very toxic and to think no more for them to find love. I love how these two love birds come together in a story showing how good they’ll handle their own illnesses. I can totally see their frustrations, anxiety and anger comes along but still nothing defeats when they feel true love..There are three events that you’ll see from the start of the book. We have; Coral, the girl who live in the see. Merrick, live in his father’s quarters and Brooke, who’s placed in a facility. Each of them have this very unique story to tell, and I assure you once you read it, you really can’t get away..The Chacracters — I love everyone in this book. Amaya and Merrick, the siblings that I think you’ll love to the story. I love Maya’s teases her brother so much and I love her enthusiasm towards him. Merrick, on the other hand, is a great brother. He’ll do anything to make Amaya safe. Brooke and Hope, these two girls are seriously my favorite people in this book. They’ve help each other all thru thick and thin situation and I love them so much. They broke my heart, like seriously I cried over these two girls. As for Coral, a mermaid, she’s innocent and hesitant but at the same time her heart never fail to follow what she really wanted. The other characters like Grim, Nikki, MeeMaw, Jake, and Hiro they’ve been sooo good in the story. They also made me cry..Overall, I’m speechless. The Little Mermaid with a tragic twist inspires me and I feel so loved. There are so many things I want to say but I can’t because I want YOU to read this. I cried, giggle and laugh into this book, this is how good it is. This book also raise awareness against mental illness and it is written very carefully in a certain words to show how this awareness should be taken seriously.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, and Thomas Nelson for this free copy.

Content warnings:
Suicide, self-harm, emotional abuse,
anxiety, depression, eating disorders,
PTSD, unwanted advances

First, I’d like to point out that Ella had a very beautiful and concise letter to her readers in the beginning of the novel spelling out the above potential triggers. I know that some people are still in the middle of the whole “the real word doesn’t come with trigger warnings so don’t be a sensitive snowflake” argument but when authors do things like this to let their readers know ahead of time what to expect, it makes them so much better in my eyes. I truly respect authors that think about their readers that may potentially be triggered by their book’s content, and rather than not being dismissive of that fact, take the time to write something like this to them so they know. Seeing this letter before you read/buy/borrow this book can help a lot of people from getting into something they didn’t realize they were getting into.

So thank you again for that. Small things like that have a lasting impact.

Second, I didn’t think that I could read a Little Mermaid retelling that deals with the very real effects of depression, suicide, and still bring this kind of magic that I always look for under the sea. I really like that Ella made this more than about a mermaid trying to find her legs, because while I love what Disney did to the story – mostly because of Sebastian and Flounder, let’s be real here – I wanted to see some sort of human aspect to a mermaid that isn’t just about falling in love with a handsome dude.

Nothing wrong with that of course, but I like variety.

Depression is such a real thing, and I know that people don’t always understand it.

“Get out of your funk.”
“Just be happy.”
“Things could be worse, you know.”
“Just stop being depressed.”
Do you know how annoying that shit is?

It’s like people don’t get it because they can’t physically see something wrong with your body, like that’s the only qualifier for having an illness. So when Ella showed mermaids falling victim to this Disease called Red Tide, I thought that was extremely clever. Although, it sucks that it only affects women.

I just couldn’t help but relate to Coral, Brooke, and even Merrick throughout my time reading this novel. Sure, I wasn’t secretly a mermaid – I’m still salty about that one – and I never watched a sister get Diseased by Red Tide, but best believe that I have been there myself. Sure, I never actually wound up in a facility due to a suicide attempt, but best believe I could have been. And sure, I have not had a sibling commit suicide, but I’ve had one that thought about it. This whole book screams reality to me in almost the worst way, but in a way that reinforces the fact that I am not alone in these feelings, and I don’t have to go through any of this alone. None of us do if we actually allow ourselves to open our hearts, let down our walls, and allow someone to help us. It’s part of it, not all of it, but it’s a start.

So yeah I felt a certain type of way when I was reading this, and honestly I did not think I would, but a part of me is glad that I did. And a part of me will constantly revisit this story in the back of my mind, think about what Coral, Brooke and Merrick went through, the strength that they had to have throughout this novel that they probably didn’t even know they possessed. And I’ll keep going, one step at a time.

I think you should read this. I think you should digest this story, really think about what Ella is trying to tell you, and just keep that in your mind and heart for as long as you can.

Coral by Sara Ella is a young adult fantasy that is a loosely based retelling of the Little Mermaid. This one is a rather dark version of the classic that comes with a long list of trigger warnings for readers including suicide, self-harm, emotional abuse, anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and unwanted/non-consensual advances.

The book begins with Coral, our mermaid, who is different than all the others around her. Corals fears she has contracted a deadly disease that her older sister once suffered from that comes from the humans, emotions. Then there’s Brooke, a girl from the human world who is in a group therapy home being treated for depression and anxiety. And then there’s Merrick, the rich golden boy who blames his controlling father for his sister’s suicide attempt.

I have to say my biggest issue with this title simply came from the style in which the author chose to tell the story. As you may see with my little summary or even the book’s own blurb we are tossed into three main characters very different storylines all at once changing the point of view between them which I felt was extremely confusing and hard to follow and get to know any one side. With subject matter like the ones in this book the haphazard back and forth was not letting me feel their emotions but instead wondering if I should take notes.

I hate being a negative Nelly but this one took me four days to finish as I kept putting it down when I can normally be a book or two a day reader. So while I can appreciate the creativity of being inspired by a classic and writing something completely new and also tackling very deep subjects I can’t honestly say I’d recommend this one unless one enjoys the style of feeling like you are reading multiple separate books only for them to eventually join together.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Coral has tough and hard to read topics displayed in a somewhat easy to read fairytale.

The writing style, especially if you’re not really paying attention, is a little hard to read. Coral goes back and forth between before and after. And sometimes they combine. Which made the story a little confusing at times. I had to check back and see what chapter I was in.

The entire novel stands as a metaphor for depression and suicide and the way it affects both the people who have it and the people surrounding them. If it sounds like this has been said before on this blog, it’s because it has. When the Stars Lead to You, which was featured a few days ago, also talked primarily about depression and the affects it has on everyone. Honestly, I really enjoyed both books but it seemed as though Coral talked about suicide and the aftereffects rather than depression as a whole.

I actually had to take a step back and stop reading for a little while because the topics discussed in Coral are harsh and truthful and I love that there are more and more books talking about these topics.

Sara Ella was absolutely perfect in this novel. Taking brutal and hard topics and bringing them down to a manageable level is extremely hard to do but this story did it while not being too harsh.

This is my first time reading anything by Sara Ella and it will not be the last – as a matter of fact, I’ve already got some of her other books sitting in my Amazon wish list right now! This book hit me hard. Here is my trigger warning: this book is about depression, suicide, self-harm, anxiety, and mental illness is general. Although it is described as a YA book, it’s a very heavy read and any of those subjects are triggering for you, it may not be the book for you. The author has a beautiful note at the beginning of the book for her readers and this part really stood out to me:

“For the girl who is not okay. For the boy who wonders if it will ever get better. This story is for you. My hope is that Coral’s tale may be a small pinprick of light in your darkness — a reminder that you are seen. You are loved. You are not alone. You are not nothing, my friend. And neither am I.”

I struggle with anxiety and have for several years now. I know how frightening it is to feel like you’re drowning in your own mind — to feel like you’re just bobbing the surface but can’t catch a big enough breath. And I felt all of that come to life in this story. The author depicted the struggle of mental illness in a different way and I thought her analogies and descriptions were great. I had to keep in mind that this was a YA because sometimes these topics in the book did seem a little glossed over or sugar coated, but for the most part it was a heartbreaking and truly remarkable book.

The story is told from three perspectives. Coral, a mermaid, who, after losing her sister to Red Tide (suicide), follows her grandmother to the surface and becomes human. Brooke, a teenager with no one to rely on, who struggles with depression and loves the ocean. And Merrick, a young adult from a rich family who just wants to get away from his father’s grip and help his little sister who has depression and has attempted suicide. All three stories come together as the book goes on and although sometimes it was hard to keep track of timelines, it wasn’t too difficult to keep up. I have seen some reviews who didn’t like the way the different perspectives and timelines felt choppy or confusing; well I actually read on Sara Ella’s instagram page that she did that on purpose to display what anxiety and depression can feel like. I thought that was very innovative and honestly it didn’t bother me much at all, though I could see how some may find it very confusing.

The characters were not super deep or complex, but I think in this story the focus was on mental illness and how it affects those around you. Yes, the characters could have had more going for them, but I feel that it may have drowned out the main message if they had become too complex. I don’t feel they are forgettable by any means, though. In fact, these characters and their stories will stick with me for a while. I was in tears reading this book. The bonds formed by these characters only to be ripped apart and sometimes stitched back together was so real and so raw and just had me in all my feels.

The only thing that I can really say that I didn’t like about the book was how Coral seemed to automatically assimilate to the human world. She grew legs and just assumed a normal human life – well, as normal as it could be for what she was going through mentally. But there was no adjustment period, not one that was explained to the reader anyway. It felt rushed and incomplete. But I did like Coral as a character overall. I also loved the merworld’s depiction of depression and suicide. In the merkingdom, those with depression are said to have the Disease – that being too many emotions, crying, etc. However, only mermaids are susceptible. Mermen are never to be emotional. Those mermaids who end up with the Disease succumb to Red Tide, which is suicide. This is what happened to Coral’s sister before she decided to leave the kingdom.

This book is an extremely heavy, emotional read. It is also much-needed in this stigmatized world of mental illness and the family members and friends surrounding those who have it. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of this author’s work.

I want to point out that at the beginning of the e-ARC for this, there was a note highlighting the issues discussed, and possible triggers for readers. I’m a firm believer that trigger warnings are important as before reading the note at the beginning I didn’t actually realise this book focused on depression and suicide. Reading this book without that warning would have been a trigger for me so thank you to the author for including this in the proof copy.

So, the beginning of the story confused me a little, although that could have just been me overthinking it. I can’t explain without spoiling it but if you read/have read this book you will know what I mean. That being said, I thought the back and forth between characters was really good and I really enjoyed getting to know them. I also liked how the characters were linked – again I can’t say any more without spoilers. This review is going to be harder than I thought.
We have Coral; she loses her oldest sister to the Disease which means, as mermaids they have human feelings and it ends up destroying them in what they call Red Tide. Coral is also beginning to show signs of the disease and tries to hide it from her father and other older sister Jordan. When she fails to hide it, she then joins her grandmother on land and has to adapt to being a human, with human feelings. Next we have Brooke; she has been sent to a facility called Fathoms Ranch to try to help her with a treatment plan to manage her anxiety and depression. Finally we have Merrick; he has a strained relationship with his father who pushes and pushes, then when his sister attempts suicide and their mother runs away, he takes his sister away from their father and tries to help her himself by finding their mother.
This book deals and focuses around mental health and I think it’s been written really well. There are a few parts in particular that really stuck with me and I feel they’re important things for people to remember. I’ve taken out character names so I don’t spoil anything but wanted to still include them because the second one especially really got to me.

“I prefer to say ‘die by suicide’. ‘Commit’ implies on purpose. In your right mind. Suicide is the result of an illness. I don’t believe anyone really chooses it in the end.”

"Depression is an illness. It is a disease. Those on the outside sometimes brush it off as a choice. A simple change in mood or outlook. No one would ever tell a cancer patient to 'just get over it.' Why people think they can tell those with a mental illness as much is baffling."

Oh my word, Sara Ella knows how to write. Her prose is beautiful, lyrical, and pulls at heartstrings. She handled the difficult aspects of this novel with tenderness and care. All that being said, this story is very triggering to those struggling with depression, anxiety, or suicide.
To lighten the mood, there were many quips and quotes from other people or books that made me smile.
However, the middle and ending when the characters' stories met left me so confused. The beginning of the novel had slow pacing and then the middle happened with a BANG. Everything was revealed so quickly and I couldn't keep up.
All this said I am divided over what to think about this book. There were definite strengths and weaknesses in this story. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fairytale retellings and who don't mind diving into deeper issues.
Rating: 3 Stars
Content: 1 Star due to triggering subjects

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher/FFBC. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

Favorite Quotes

They didn't respond to things the same way Coral did. Soon she learned they didn't see or hear the same as she. Her world produced the brightest, most brilliant shades of turquoise and aqua and sapphire blue, all mixed with harmonies she couldn't begin to describe. Blues composed the prettiest sounds. Soft but full of life. Soothing but awakening too.

I am not nothing.

I helped you because that's what you do when someone is in trouble. We're both human. Both worth saving.
She resists at first, but I lock my eyes on hers. "You are not nothing," I say. "And neither am I."
My heart takes flight with the first lyric. I sing of drowning and sending floods. My own flood releases through the song, and soon I'm closing my eyes and getting lost in the melody. Hope joins in and we find our harmony. It. Is. Glorious.

She doesn't let me in, but I sit and lean against the barrier for a while. I slip my fingers under the crack so she knows I'm here. She's never given up on me. Not when I pushed her away or tried to throw life to the sea. So I stay. I choose this. Now. I choose after. I can only have faith that she will too.

"I know enough to tell you that love isn't cruel or controlling. I know that true love is patient and gracious and understanding. It's the kind of love that accepts you, tears and wounds and brokenness.

A leaf flutters to my lap. I examine its gradient hues -- a sunset of oranges, yellows, and reds bursting between each vein. Winter nears and colder days lie ahead. The world will dull, and the days will seem bleak. But I won't forget the warmth of summer.

That's the beauty of life, isn't it? Every day is a new page, waiting to be written.

We stay in the place. I take in his summer scent and he holds my gaze, challenging me to keep the intense stare without looking away from fear of what he might see. I match his stare with everything inside me, unafraid for the first time to let him look into who I am.

I really couldn't get on with this book and ended up DNF-ing it. The different stories felt very disconnected and I didn't find any of them particularly pulling me in. I could almost see myself getting into the story of Coral the mermaid, but then as soon as I began getting into it, the story would switch to other completely unrelated characters, and I lost interest in the whole thing unfortunately.

Overall, I enjoyed Coral, by Sara Ella. Though, to be honest, I was a bit annoyed for about half the book that names were not given for many of the characters, and terms like “the disease” and “red tide” were not defined until later. However, the story and characters were engaging enough that I wanted to see how it all ended up. I also felt a bit jerked around between the different time lines POVs. In the end it was all beautifully wrapped up and revealed and I enjoyed getting to the end. Sara Ella has a beautiful writing style. I enjoyed Sara’s characters and am eager to read more stories from her.

As she says in her forward, this book might be triggering to those who have dealt with mental illness and suicide. For those of us who are largely unfamiliar with the struggles of those dealing with depression, it was an enlightening read and has given me more insight into those who do suffer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.