I loved that history was tied to this story and I couldn't decide if I wanted the mermaid to return and help everyone or escape all the responsibilities of holding down all the other mermaids. At one point the story seemed to be going in loops like the mermaids would always be stuck in that horrible state of pain and nothingness. The friend the mermaid found was interesting and I think for the first time the historian realized that to save the society of mermaid they would have to go back even though it would put them in a lot of pain. This never ending cycle they were so happy to escape would have to be dealt with and once they were convinced the mermaids would be save. I was def team mermaids and not team stay on the island and let all the mermaids die.