Secrets of the Last Merfolk (Kelpies)

Finn is going on a winter break to the Ayrshire seaside town of Dunlyre with his dad, his little sister, and his evil stepmother. If it was just a matter of spending some time with his dad and his sister, that would be fine - they could take their dinghy out on the Firth of Clyde and have a great time - but Lizzy his stepmother is bound to ruin things. Then he finds out his dad is actually in Dunlyre to work on a development project, and not to spend time with him at all. This is going to be the worst holiday ever.Sage is living in Dunlyre with her brother and her mums, who are environmental activists. Soon the development in Dunlyre will be approved or rejected, and one way or the other the family will be on the move again. It's hard to get attached to a place - or its people - when you know you're going to be leaving, but Sage is going to miss Dunlyre. Most of all, she's going to miss her kayak.But when Finn sees some strange swimmers in the icy waters, and Sage hears otherworldly singing, they're drawn together to investigate these bizarre occurrences. In time, they discover the secrets of the last merfolk...This is a wonderful book with relentlessly exciting action scenes, glorious descriptions of landscape and seascape, vivid depictions of both the delights and terrors of nature, a strong environmental message, and real heart, particularly in its depiction of Finn and Sage's family dynamics. The rich mythology that Littleson has crafted around her merfolk is extensive and satisfying, drawing on Scottish folklore, Atlantean myths, and the fascinating genuine history of lost Doggerland, that massive landmass that sank beneath the North Sea thousands of years ago.Highly recommended for anyone who like a bit of magic in their wintry seascapes.

Secrets of the Last Merfolk is an exciting, action-packed dual-narrative story that swept me into a magical, heart-pounding adventure to discover the truth behind a legend.Finn has come to the Scottish coastal town of Dunlyre to spend Christmas with his father, stepmother and little sister, Ava; however, it is not long before he discovers that his father has work plans as he is the architect involved in the local harbour development.Sage and her younger brother Taj move around a lot with their environmental campaigner mothers who have come to Dunlyre to protest about the harbour development.Finn sees unusual swimmers at sea, and Sage hears strange, haunting singing. When Sage finds a shell box with a silver lock, she wonders if there could be any truth in the legend of the merfolk that her mother has told her. When Finn gets in trouble swimming out at sea, he is rescued by merfolk and Sage who is kayaking nearby. The key opens the shell box and inside is a map: could it be the location of the last merfolk?When Sage and Finn follow the map, they discover the truth: merfolk are real, and they are in desperate need of the children’s help. Will Sage and Finn have the courage to help their new friends defeat an ancient enemy intent on their destruction?This is an incredibly exciting, fast-paced story with heart-pounding danger as secrets are uncovered and truths revealed. I really enjoyed the blending of realism with fantastical elements. Whilst this adventure has the incredible legend of the merfolk threaded throughout, it also deals with issues such as divorce, adjusting to new family relationships and bullying as well as environmental issues related to development and protecting the seas. I loved the depiction of the merfolk as powerful creatures, grieving a terrible loss and trying to survive.A fantastic and thrilling read for children of 9+.

As well as delving into historical, mythical creatures and using a local heritage area to set the scene (fishing village of Dunure, near Alloway in South Ayrshire), this gripping novel tackles an underlying issue of divorce and remarriage and how this can be difficult for children/young adults to deal with. One of the central characters, Finn, finds himself struggling to accept his dad's new wife and his mum's new boyfriend. He also feels a bit 'displaced' moving between two homes:'Having two bedrooms was a total pain. The stuff he needed always seemed to be in the wrong place'.Another central character, Sage, and her wee brother, Jaz, are always moving schools and experience bullying.Other issues include gender stereotyping, coping with sadness, accepting change, exploring the ecological implications of a potential new harbour development... For any teachers/families out there wishing to explore these issues further, Lindsay (as an experienced Primary Teacher) provides a comprehensive interdisciplinary resource pack: https://lindsaylittleson.co.uk/As ever, author Lindsay Littleson intertwines the real with the mythical, hooking readers of all ages into the story and leaving them to come away feeling just that bit more magical/energised! I, for one, will be checking my local waters for the 'grey-green skin emerging seamlessly with the lichen blooming on the rocks'.

Lindsay Littleson triumphs again! Her skill for writing books that make fantasy creatures feel utterly real and believable is unsurpassed (see also 'Guardians of the Wild Unicorns'). Her descriptions of the Merfolk in this new book bring them to life as flesh and blood, with feelings and emotions. They have a rich history and are fighting to make sure they have a future. Young friends Sage and Finn unexpectedly get caught up in this struggle and vow to help the Merfolk survive.The tale is so beautifully paced. Excitement, suspense and danger are perfectly blended in with quieter, more thoughtful scenes amid the beauty of Scotland's wild west coast. Although aimed at children aged around 9 to 12, I defy any adult not to enjoy the book and, next time you are by the sea, you will doubtless find yourself scanning the waves for a brief sighting of a flicking Mer tail!

I loved the glossary and explanation of the Merfolk names

I am always interested in how merfolk are portrayed. There is a mystique about these sea creatures that captures the imagination. And 'Secrets of the Merfolk' does not disappoint. I was drawn into the story almost immediately, by the human relationships as much as by the mysterious beings of the sea. Satisfying and moving.