A review by simonlorden
Mermaid Prince by 尾崎かおり, Kaori Ozaki

5.0

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this.

This is a collection of three beautifully drawn stories that are just really really good and full of feeling. I love the writing of the stories, but I especially love the little, quiet visual moments and scenery. All three of them are sort of dream-like, and I think about finding yourself and your place in the world.

Ametsukigahara is about a teenage girl navigating life and identity, struggling with questions such as what she wants to be, what to do when you grow apart from your friends, when you're not sure who you are at the core, and also when creeps on the train want to keep grabbing you.

One Snowy Day is about a librarian, as well as a father and a son who take refuge in the library on a snowy day. It is adorable and very heartfelt and also kind of sad. I would have loved for it to be longer.

And finally, Mermaid Prince is about a teenage boy looking for his place in the world after being moved away to an island, being bullied, and living with his only sister and his new brother-in-law. Does he still have a place in his sister's new family? And if not, then where does that leave him? There's also mermaids, but they're more of a background for the emotions and way-searching.