By Kate Leyh. Published by Gallery 13. Hardcover, 256 pages, Colour, 2021. The raucous and literal fishes-out-of-water graphic novel from prolific comic artist and writer Kat Leyh, creator of the acclaimed Snapdragon and coauthor of the Eisner and GLAAD Award–winning series Lumberjanes.Fresh out of shipwreck wine, three tipsy mermaids decide to magically masquerade as humans and sneak onto land to indulge in much more drinking and a whole lot of fun in the heart of a local seaside tourist trap. But the good times abruptly end the next morning as, through the haze of killer hangovers, the trio realizes they never actually learned how to break the spell, and are now stuck on land for the foreseeable future. Which means everything from: enlisting the aid of their I-know-we-just-met-can-we-crash-with-you bartender friend, struggling to make sense of the world around them, and even trying to get a job with no skill set…all while attempting to somehow return to the sea and making the most of their current situation with tenacity and camaraderie (especially if someone else is buying). “Smart, heartfelt, and hilarious….Each page vibrates with glowing colors, lending energy to Leyh’s already raucous (and bodily diverse) character designs; even the lettering feels full of life. This modern myth-bending escapade from a rising comics star serves up humor and light.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Delightfully told….Leyh’s art is the perfect complement to the raucous nature of [the] protagonists, with bold, vibrant colors and designs leaping off the page….Recommended for grown fans of My Little Pony, buddy comedies, and sea witches.” —Booklist (starred review) “Rollicking….wonderfully diverse….Leyh neatly marries the book’s themes of friendship, acceptance, and diversity of experience with fantastical elements…and boisterous humor….The book breezes along, grounded by the characters’ kindness and affection for one another. A bright, bold shot of fun with a chaser of feels.” —Kirkus Reviews “[Thirsty Mermaids] isn’t just high-concept fun....It’s a very down-to-earth kind of magic and a visual parallel to the inclusive world [Leyh] writes....a joyful universe.” —The Comics Journal “Hilarious....Thirsty Mermaids is full of profanity, bawdy jokes, and commentary on capitalism, but it's also a very queer story about the power of acceptance and finding family...A diverse LGBTQ+ cast, a distinctive art style and a bighearted message make this book a standout.” —Shelf Awareness “Leyh expertly crafts a story with LGTBQ+ characters that deals with various issues around family, acceptance, mental health, and feeling comfortable in your own skin. There’s plenty of belching and profanity and a whole lot of heart in this story…highly entertaining...Graphic novel enthusiasts who love adventurous stories with diverse and boisterous characters will get a kick out of this book.” —Portland Book Review
