The original characters of The Little Mermaid are welcomed with open arms into this story and, despite the notable differences in our two protagonists, the remaining characters are comforting and familiar. Can he regain his memory in time to rescue his kingdom from his wife? Will he and Ariel meet again? Can the new Queen of the Sea rescue Triton or is Ursula just too powerful now?

He loses himself in music, with his latest opera telling a familiar tale that the reader will surely recognise. Instead, overpowered by Ursula’s magic, he is distant and confused: still loved by his people but now labelled as “mad”. I’m also relieved to say that I got a very sassy and sarcastic vibe from Ariel at points in the book- a woman after my own heart!Įric too is not the suave, smouldering-before-it-was-cool character he was back in the day.

Nevertheless, this withdrawal into herself has not dampened her courage and when she learns King Triton may still be alive, she immediately begins her quest to save her father. After living as a mute Queen for 5 years Ariel has lost the naïve, childish part of her personality and has become a ruler consumed by guilt and melancholy. The star of the book has to be Ariel though, she is the Little Mermaid after all…or is she? Braswell’s character is much more mature and tougher than the Little Mermaid we remember. There wasn’t enough Flounder for my liking but a lot of the story takes place above ground so I can’t really complain- maybe he needs his own tale? The book includes all of your favourite characters from the classic 1989 movie: Scuttle, Sebastian, Flounder and even Grimsby and Carlotta! Liz Braswell does such a good job in rejuvenating these characters and reminding us why we loved them in the first place. NB: Just for clarification this isn’t really a spoiler as you find this out on page 20- please don’t send in complaints. Oh yeah! Spoiler! Ursula still has Triton in her slimy grasp as well. Conversely Ariel is Queen of the Sea, ruling Atlantica in her father’s absence. In this twisted tale Ursula succeeded in tricking Eric into marrying Vanessa she now rules the Kingdom, with Eric remaining under Ursula’s spell and pretty much clueless to his wife’s evil tendencies. Part of Your World is based five years after Ursula defeats Ariel, yes you heard me right! The whole miraculous, shiny magic being released from the shell, the little mermaid regaining her voice, the whole harpoon, giant octopus, child scarring scene…never happened!

Therefore, it only seemed right that it was my first review. I LOVE the twisted tales’ series of books but so far, I think Part of Your World may be my favourite.

Part of your world liz braswell