Mermaid Princess Amelia – Best Mermaid Book Series For Teenagers

Atlantis – A Mermaid Kingdom in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony” by Maxine Foti

Even though Amelia Quintana never travels to Atlantis in the first novel of the series, we learn quite a lot about this country, thanks to Araminta Aragosta who later turns out to be missing mermaid princess Samantha Santoro from Atlantis.

Atlantis is a large and well-esteemed state in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s considered to be the richest one (after Bermuda Triangle), and also the one getting most tourists (after the Gulf of Mexico). It was ruled by the Santoro family for a long time. The Santoro family was full-blood royalty for over a dozen currents. Since one current has 125 years, that amounts to over 1500 years, which means that the dynasty is very long.

Unfortunately, after the disappearance of Princess Samantha, Atlantis began facing social problems, such as nepotism, corruption and riots. Atlantis has quite poor political relationship with Antemidia. Amelia and Tikalie Uxmal were both friends with Samantha, but that didn’t change anything.

It was stated as a fact that Antemidia was one of the reasons why one of Atlantis’ provinces, the Icosahedron, split away, becoming a separate country, the Icosahedron Kingdom.

Atlantis had a better relationship with other countries, such as the Balearic Bay, the Moonstone Queendom, Nerland, and the Thai Pearl Empire. Together, the five had a union for trade and tourism.

Judging by Samantha’s looks, Atlantis merpeople are tall, and have blue eyes. They also have tails in various shades of pink.

Atlantis in Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Destiny’s Theater by Maxine Foti

Atlantis: The Azorean Empire That Stole a Nation’s Identity (An Empire Built on Conquest and Opulence)

Atlantis, known internationally as the Azorean Atlantis, represents one of the most formidable powers in the Atlantic Ocean. This kingdom, which dominates from the Gates of Gibraltar to the Azores Isles with cultural influence extending to the twentieth meridian, built its empire through conquest and cultural appropriation. The nation’s history is inextricably linked to its defeat of Caribbean Atlantis in the Atlantis² War—a thirty-five-year conflict that forever changed the balance of power in the Atlantic. After their victory, the Azoreans claimed everything of value from the Caribbean, including inventions, valuables, and most significantly, the prestigious name “Atlantis” itself, relegating the original nation to the international designation of Antemidia.

The capital city, Atlas, stands as the crown jewel of this empire. Located in the inner ring of the three perfectly circular rings that compose Atlantis’s territory, Atlas brims with opulence that creates a stark contrast with the underdeveloped neighboring provinces. The city follows strict urban planning rules that have preserved the original design stolen from Antemidia—a bitter irony that Amelia observes when she notes that while Atlantis stole the city design, they excelled at preserving it. The three rings of Atlantis appear above the water’s surface, visible as perfect circles that announce the empire’s dominance to all who approach.

The Architectural Marvel of Atlas

Atlas’s architecture showcases the empire’s wealth and sophistication. Most buildings are three-story townhouses with inner courtyards, constructed from pastel-colored marble accented with golden and mirrored embellishments. The clever design creates dazzling light reflections, with light bouncing multiple times across streets through arrays of arches containing expertly placed mirrors. These mirrors reflect roads but never reveal reflections, adding an element of mystery to the city’s beauty.

The city is filled with parks abundant with stunning marine flora, and hidden doors within these parks lead to luxurious bathing centers, gyms, museums, fine dining restaurants, and buildings belonging to the prestigious Academy of Arts and Sciences. The local library holds the largest collection of books in the entire ocean, its entrance featuring a grand staircase of white marble leading to a columned portico adorned with marine reliefs. Towering sculptures of sea horses guard the triangular pediment, while the catacombs beneath the city hide mysteries in secret passageways.

The Azorean Temple dominates the city’s skyline with its rounded silhouette, its architectural style reminiscent of an era long past. At its pinnacle stands a masterfully sculpted statue depicting Poseidon and Cleito from ancient mythology, guiding a chariot pulled by three dolphins. Precious metals adorn the temple, matching Plato’s descriptions in Critias, and from this temple, the path to the royal palace leads directly north.

The Royal Palace and the Seat of Power

The royal palace, located in the northern section of the inner ring, represents the heart of Atlantean power. Heavy guard patrols surround the palace, making infiltration nearly impossible under normal circumstances. The terrace features unguarded doors, while corridors lined with marble arches and delicate shellwork lead through the lavish interiors. Plant pots with feathery palm trees, ethereal chandeliers resembling branching corals made of pearly sea foam, and opulent baroque paintings on ceilings create an atmosphere of overwhelming luxury. Floors crafted from white, beige, gold, and black marble mosaics reflect the wealth accumulated through conquest, while spiral staircases lead to upper floors with shimmering glazed walls and mother-of-pearl furniture with intricate carvings.

Within the palace, Samantha’s rooftop garden features a canopy of white, tulle-like fabric draped over pink marble framework. A large harp—Samantha is a talented harpist—dominates the space, accompanied by a low table with a golden tray and plate of fruits, including grapefruits, her favorites. The garden connects to summer rooms on the opposite side, while her study (the Astronomer’s Room) contains towering bookcases with countless scientific volumes, celestial maps with constellations and zodiac signs prominently displayed, and telescopes for stargazing.

Political Structure and Internal Divisions

Despite its power, Atlantis suffers from internal divisions and political intrigue. King Delphinius the Undefeated rules during the modern era, continuing the expansionist ambitions that led to the Atlantis² War. His refusal to limit expansion to within the twentieth meridian sparked the conflict, and his desire for hegemony in the Atlantic Ocean has never truly abandoned. However, the royal family’s internal dynamics reveal fractures in the empire’s foundation.

Samantha, the daughter of King Amadeus and Queen Estella (deceased), represents one faction within the royal family. She has two older stepsons, Dominic and Dorian Calidus, from the king’s second marriage to Donna Calida, and two blood brothers, Augustus and Silas. The family structure reveals deep divisions: Samantha claimed to have three brothers but mentioned four names—Fabritius, Neptunus, Vinicius, and someone else. This “missing brother” turned out to be Augustus, whom she omitted because mentioning him would reveal the king’s identity, exposing his illegitimacy in the family hierarchy.

The Pit, located within the coliseum complex in Atlas, represents the brutal enforcement mechanism of Atlantean justice. Criminals are humiliated publicly and pushed into the pit, where they fall to the bottom and are beaten by twelve guardians until they lose consciousness from blood loss. Prisoners are then locked in prison cells beneath the arena, with countless cells designed to drive prisoners insane over time until they beg for freedom. The clock-shaped platform at the bottom allows prisoners to move up by participating in combat, with each opponent knocked out advancing them one floor. A defeat sends them one floor down, creating a brutal hierarchy of suffering.

The prison cells, constructed from polished red marble, contain two prison beds suspended by chains and a small bathroom with a covered square toilet on metal crates. The drainage system can be manipulated, as Amelia discovers when she uses it to escape. Doors are held by water currents circulating between floors, adding another layer of complexity to the prison’s design.

The War that Shaped the Empire

The Atlantis² War remains the defining event in the nation’s history. The Azorean Army, well-equipped and modern, eventually reached Caribbean Atlantis borders after initial swift victories by the Caribbean forces. Rebellions in Caribbean-controlled territories turned the tide, allowing the Azoreans to advance. However, General Sal-An-Syon, Princess Albanera, and Um-Nah-Mel organized a successful defense when King An-Ta-Nas saw the Azorean Army at his gates, defeating the invading forces.

Despite this defeat, Atlantis emerged with significant advantages. They had killed many people, stolen everything of value, and claimed the name “Atlantis” for themselves. The Treaty of Athala created the framework that still governs relations between the two nations, though all four copies of the treaty have disappeared over time. The treaty’s terms require Antemidia to wage war against Atlantis within twenty years to regain lost honor, creating a ticking clock that shapes Atlantean political calculations.

King Delphinius secured allies among nations along the fortieth and fiftieth meridians, establishing a network of support that strengthens the empire’s position. The Atlantic Ocean’s Council held the referendum that granted Icosahedron independence, a decision that Atlantis likely opposed given its history of expansion and control. The empire’s ambition for hegemony has never truly abandoned, and the desire to see Antemidia erased from the global map remains a driving force in Atlantean foreign policy.

Daily Life and Cultural Practices

Atlantean culture reflects its imperial ambitions and Roman-inspired traditions. The Megalensis Ludi Festivities, inspired by the Roman celebration of Megalesia, lasts about a week and features chariot races, amphitheater performances, and gladiator fights. During this time, the royal palace has far fewer guards and the streets are notably quieter, as most citizens attend the festivities. This tradition allows merpeople to celebrate their empire’s glory while temporarily relaxing the usual security measures.

The Thermes (baths) offer a glimpse into Atlantean leisure culture. Vastly different from ancient Roman baths, these facilities allow merfolk to move between rooms with varying temperatures and salinity. Waters infused with essential oils offer healing properties, and the Thermes provide towels and scrubs for tails, along with sleeping rooms with minimal occupancy. These spaces serve as sanctuaries for both citizens and visitors, as demonstrated when Amelia, Portia, and Justus hide in various Thermes during their infiltration of Atlas.

The Megalensis Ludi Festivities also represent the empire’s cultural integration of Mediterranean influences. Chariot races and gladiator fights echo Roman traditions, while the architectural elements throughout the city reflect classical Mediterranean designs adapted to underwater environments. This cultural synthesis demonstrates Atlantis’s ability to incorporate and appropriate elements from other civilizations, much as they appropriated Antemidia’s city design and national name.

The Empire’s Darker Purpose

Atlantis hides a darker purpose beneath its glittering surface. An intricate mechanism controlling the empire’s emergence from the depths, modeled on Antemidia’s original design, can raise the three rings above the water’s surface, revealing the mermaid world to humans. This mechanism represents both power and danger—if activated, it would expose the existence of merpeople to the human world, potentially altering the course of history. The mechanism cannot be stopped without crushing an innocent life, creating a moral dilemma that haunts those who know its secrets.

Samantha’s master plan to activate this mechanism reveals the empire’s willingness to sacrifice anything for power. Her possession by Delphina, daughter of King Delphinius, demonstrates the long shadow of the Atlantis² War and the continuation of ancient rivalries through supernatural means. The necklace that possessed her, coupled with the war artifact she destroyed in Antemidia, represents the ongoing conflict between the two nations that threatens to consume both.

Internal Conflict and Uncertain Future

Despite its power and wealth, Atlantis faces internal challenges that threaten its stability. Augustus and Silas oppose their family’s direction, with Augustus revealing that Samantha has become as corrupt as Dominic and Dorian. The adopted brothers represent a faction that wants Atlantis to prosper peacefully, willing to risk imprisonment and torture rather than participate in further aggression.

The “missing brother” Augustus, adopted from the king’s friends, exemplifies the empire’s complex internal politics. His opposition to war and desire for peaceful prosperity place him at odds with Samantha’s ambitious plans. When Augustus and Silas were thrown into the pit for treason, it revealed the extent of the divisions within the royal family and the brutal consequences of opposing the empire’s direction.

Atlantis’s future remains uncertain. The Treaty of Athala’s deadline approaches, and the threat of war with Antemidia looms. The empire’s internal divisions, combined with external pressures from nations like Icosahedron and the Bermuda Triangle, create a volatile situation. Yet Atlantis remains incredibly powerful, with resources and alliances that make it a formidable opponent. The memory of the Atlantis² War, the stolen identity of Antemidia, and the ongoing struggle between these two nations will continue to shape the Atlantic Ocean’s politics for generations to come.

The empire that rose from the Azores, built on conquest and preserved through power, now faces the consequences of its aggression. Whether Atlantis can adapt to changing circumstances or will be consumed by its own ambition remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the nation that stole another’s name carries the weight of that theft in every stone of its glittering capital.