Written by Mermaid Maxine
Up to this moment, we spoke about several aspects of the “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1,” so far focusing mostly on characters and the world. Today, we will do something else: analyze the marine motifs present in the collection, together with their inspiration sources.
Sea motifs in Mermaid Princess Amelia fantasy series, and what they were inspired by:
- Plants and animals – Marine biology
- Undersea inventions – Marine engineering and sea steampunk
- Sea-inspired hobbies – Nautical motifs
- Pirate motifs – Pirate culture and history
- Sea gods – Classical mythologies
- Princely themes – The “Mermaid Princess” aesthetic
Plants and animals – Marine biology
A big source of marine motifs in the “Stories from the Undersea World of Merrmaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1,” was the marine biology. Researching species and their habitats helped develop the undersea world, making it realistic, colorful and varied. Fish, crabs, sea snails, and other interesting animals help enrich the undersea world. Marine biology and related studies became an inspiration for the school curriculum in Poseyda’s high school, and certain species’ names became part of the language. E.g. when Jaya Mia Thakur wants to express her frustration with Shanaya Mia Khanda-Madhu, she calls her a red lipped batfish, and Mr. Madianis is called by mean students a frogfish. Saliffa Hatim, on the other hand, is a CLAM – certified laureate in advanced mathematics. This was already seen in the first novel from the Mermaid Princess Amelia fantasy series (if you’ve read carefully!).
Undersea inventions – Marine engineering and sea steampunk
Readers of the Mermaid Princess Amelia fantasy series have already come across certain marine motifs inspired by sea steampunk in the first novel, the most prominent one being Jet Mir’s submarine, a miracle of undersea technology. If you read attentively though, you should remember others as well: chemical lights, bottles with movable bottoms for drinking non-water liquids, hermetically packed clothes for moving on land, etc. The collection takes underwater tech further again, with mermen repurposing human inventions, as well as coming up with their own inventions! This makes the underwater world not only enchanting but gives it a tech type of cool as well.
Sea-inspired hobbies and pastimes – Nautical motifs
There are few nautical motifs in the “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1,”; but the ones that are in there, are still worth mentioning. Kostas enjoyed building miniature ships; and so did Thalassa. The two went with their newly engaged parents to an undersea restaurant inspired by a sunken ship from the ancient Greek era. As the author of the series, I can disclose that the nautical motifs will be more prominent in the second story collection from the Mermaid Princess Amelia fantasy series, so stay tuned!
Pirate motifs – Pirate culture and history
Several mermaid books draw from pirate culture and history, and the Mermaid Princess Amelia fantasy series is no different, although pirate motifs are introduced slowly and in small quantities, to add a certain distinct flavor to the plot, rather than immediately hijack it (and make it similar to other strictly pirate-themed books). One thing that readers can learn from the first story collection is that the hub of pirate culture in the oceans so far, is the mermaid kingdom of Lara Lanorth, the Bermuda Triangle. After the Lambert Dynasty set a decree allowing piracy, piracy brought wealth which turned the class society upside down in a very quirky way.
Sea gods – Classical mythologies
After piracy, sea mythology is another area from which mermaid book authors draw from. The “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1,” is no different, it takes from different mythologies but when it comes to marine motifs specifically, the collection borrows themes specifically from the Greeks and Egyptians. Amfitrite’s statue, Medusa’s Day, Children of Poseidon’s High School, etc. are all related to the mythology of the Peloponnese Peninsula, but in a very subtle way, without bluntly copying everything that can be copied (just like in the case of pirate inspirations). Regarding inspirations from the Egyptian mythology, we have the cobra mermaids inspired by cobra goddess, as well as the gods of the Nile River and Mediterranean Sea.
Princely themes – The “Mermaid Princess” aesthetic
Last but not least, some mermaid motifs were inspired by general “mermaid princess” themes available across popular culture. Reef gardens，shell-shaped beds, and pearls in hair, are all examples of marine motifs that readers have seen already in other mermaid works, and that are a must in stories about mermaid princesses. So, I got inspired with it, too, and as you can see, in the undersea world of Mermaid Princess Amelia, everything is splendid, beautiful and opulent. Think back to the highly detailed descriptions of Amelia’s palace, or Lumina’s castle.
Grab your copy of “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony” here:
English: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T6BJ6RG
Spanish: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Z8GK1JX
Italian: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0953PN3Y7
…and a copy of “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1” here:
English: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPM2JKMZ
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