This is one of those books that every single person needs to read. It is a fantasy novel, and while not everyone is a fan of that genre, it is still very important to read it because of its historical value. I love fantasy, and I love when fantasy is mixed with history, which is what this novel does. It's a rather short book, less than two hundred pages. But that does not take away the emotional impact that the book delivers. It features the "descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slave owners." Just think about that for a second. I felt a huge wave of emotion while reading this book, just thinking of all the pain and suffering those women experienced. Because of the trauma, all the 'mermaids' have forgotten their pasts, save for their historian. It's such a fantastic story, mesmerizing and haunting and heartbreaking all at the same time. Not to be missed!