Mermedusa: 02/11/25

Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor (2023) is the conclusion to the Eerie-on-Sea series. Another year has rolled around and the town is awaiting the return of the Malamander. Along with his return is the arrival of two paranormal researchers and Sebastian Eels.

Unfortunately for Herbert he's under the weather due to an unearthly hum that seems to be rattling the entire village. Others are affected too and it seems that whatever it is, it's a threat to the well being of everyone including the village itself. Like the first book this one has an extensive look into the past of the village. Specifically it's Sebastian's childhood and the last time the village held a boating race.

The last monster of Eerie-on-Sea is also the means for tying up all the loose threads from the previous novel. By the end Herbie will know who he is; Vi will be reunited with her parents; and other missing folks will be accounted for. Also Eels will pay the ultimate price for decades of evil.

Herbert learning his identity ends up being a subtle but satisfying trans allegory. We've always only known Herbert by his foundling name. At the end he discovers his original name and decides it's not who he is and it's not something he needs to share with anyone else. Herbert Lemon is Herbert Lemon, end of story, end of series.

Like the previous novels, this final one sits as an outlier on the Road Narrative Spectrum. As this novel is all about families and reunions, the travelers are made up of families (33). Their destination is home (66). Their route is uhoria (CC).

Five stars

Comments (0)