Ingo Series

Comprised of five novels, Helen Dunmore's sweet and charming Ingo series is a perfect introduction to young adult fantasy, especially for teenagers. After Sapphire's father vanishes off the coast of Cornwall, she is left alone with her brother and mother, wondering what exactly happened. However, when Sapphire feels the pull of the ocean, she becomes enchanted by the stories of a kingdom. Sapphire even believes that her father may still be alive and living under the waves with the kingdom's inhabitants, the Ingo, or Mer, people. Dunmore has a vivid and serene writing style throughout the entire Ingo series, imbuing each novel with a powerful undercurrent of emotion. While this series would technically be classified as children's fantasy, that should by no means stop you. The dream-like narrative and intriguing plot from Dunmore presents a completely new premise, only relying on the basic tropes of mermaid fiction and a refreshing depiction of Cornwall, England. This more light-hearted narrative is a breath of fresh air for the young adult genre, giving readers a brief respite from the dark and tortured tales of other young adult novels. The characters Dunmore has created are simple, yet entirely realistic and bursting with personality. Furthermore, the world of Ingo, as portrayed by Dunmore, manages to be magical while also being dark and dangerous. With strong elements of suspense and mystery, the Ingo series should not be thought of as a second-rate fantasy series.