The Merblood Saga, Book 2
YA Fantasy
Date Published: 02-25-2025
Publisher: Spider Web Press
Something strange is going down in the sleepy seaside village of Madderly Bay. Best friends Selena and Chloe are stuck in the most boring summer ever—until food starts coming to life and running wild in the streets.
But that’s just the beginning. Earthquakes start shaking the village, and creepy claw marks show up, hinting at something dark stirring beneath the waves. Only Selena and Chloe know the real story about the zombie mermaids they faced before—and now they’re worried the threat they thought was gone might be back.
As the tremors get worse and the water turns a scary green, the girls have to figure out what’s awakening in the depths before it’s too late. With their friend Zelda and her magical squid, Glowella, by their side, they’ll risk everything to save both the human and magical worlds from a danger that could destroy them all.
In this thrilling adventure, Selena and her friends have to face their fears and dig up some serious secrets between the human and magical worlds. With their village and the ocean in danger, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can they figure out what’s messing with the sea before it’s too late? Or will they realize that saving their town—and both worlds—might be way harder than they thought?
Interview with Ella English
What is your favorite part of the book?
One of my favorite moments is when Selena and Glowella team up against the evil sea witch Ellora. Glowella, this glowing squid with a personality as fierce as any warrior, becomes an unexpected ally. There's something so satisfying about seeing Selena finally believe in herself, channeling the magic she’s been struggling with, and unleashing it at just the right moment. It’s a turning point for her—not just in the battle, but in her journey of realizing she’s stronger than she thinks.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
I never start with a moral in mind, but looking back, I think the story is about finding strength in impossible situations, believing in yourself, and not giving up even when everything seems lost.
Selena doesn’t start as a hero—she’s scared, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning herself. But when it comes down to it, she steps up, even when it’s terrifying. That’s something I hope readers take away: you don’t have to feel ready to be brave—you just have to try.
Are your characters based on real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
A mix! Some characters just appeared in my head fully formed, while others definitely have a little real-life inspiration. Chloe, for example, has some traits of my childhood best friend—witty, sarcastic, always ready with a joke, even when things are terrifying.
Faustina, the queen of the merkingdom, isn’t based on one person, but I’ve always been fascinated by powerful women who walk the line between villain and tragic figure. She’s scary, yes, but also deeply complex and misunderstood. She’s suffered a lot in her young life and that’s what’s made her so bitter and angry.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?
It has to be Aunt Ada. She’s the kindest, most motherly person in Selena’s life, always ready with a terrible pun and a cup of tea. But beneath that warmth, she’s also one of the fiercest warriors in the merkingdom—someone who will fight to protect the people she loves and never backs down from a challenge. I love writing characters who have both softness and strength, and Aunt Ada is the best of both.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Definitely Palisada, the creepy zombie mermaid with way too many tentacles and a love for messing with people’s heads. She’s manipulative, smug, and honestly, she enjoys terrifying people way too much. I feel like if I met her in real life, I’d just turn and swim in the opposite direction.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
Selena would probably say something like:
"Really? You had to put me through ALL of that? Couldn’t I just have had a normal, non-terrifying mermaid adventure for once?"
And honestly, she’d have a point. I do put her through a LOT. But I think, deep down, she’d also get why—she grows so much with every challenge, and by the end, she’s stronger than she ever thought she could be.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Both! Each book in the Merblood Saga is a standalone story with its own plot and resolution, so you don’t need to read them in order. But they’re all connected—characters, events, and the merkingdom’s history build over time. So if you read them all, you get a bigger picture of the world and the growing stakes beneath the waves.
About the Author
Ella English grew up in the heart of London, where the hustle and bustle of city life met summer adventures at her grandma’s house on the Kent coast. Exploring tide pools and collecting seashells, she developed a love for the ocean and a knack for creating imaginative worlds that she now brings to life through her writing.
Now living in Baltimore, Maryland, Ella is the author of The Merblood Saga, a dark fantasy YA series that plunges readers into a haunting underwater realm filled with cursed mermaids, ancient magic, and buried secrets. The first book, Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby, has been a hit with young readers, drawing them into its mysterious and dangerous world.
Ella also writes and illustrates Kitty in the City, a whimsical series about a singing cat named Katy who takes New York City by storm. The latest installment, Katy in Central Park, will be released in June 2025.
When she’s not weaving dark magic or drawing cats, Ella is kept busy by her two mischievous felines who make sure she stays entertained and grounded. Follow her adventures (and plenty of cat cameos) on Instagram @EllaEnglishAuthor or visit www.ellaenglish.com for more.
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