After reading Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant (aka Seanan McGuire), I was trying to think of what other works I read with mermaids. The only thing that came up was Harry Potter the Goblet of Fire when mermaids are presented in one of the TriWizard Tournament Tasks. Then I wondered: Who would win? (By the way, there may be some spoilers – Into the Drowning Deep spoilers.)
Introducing the mermaids!
Harry Potter: The mermaids in Harry Potter have a lot of mystery about them but let’s go with what we know: They are taller than the average human, they are sentient (to the point they were considered beings until they wished to be considered beasts again), and they are highly collaborative living in organized societies. There is previous mentions of them having collaborative efforts with wizards.
Into the Drowning Deep: Into the drowning deep mermaids (also known as sirens), are thought to be around human height or a little bigger. Throughout the book, them being sentient is questioned but evidence suggests they do have complex thought processes. Also, they have multiple ways to communicate with each other (their version of sign, mimicry, and a type of vocal language). They do cooperate with each other but have been known to cannibalize when the need calls for it.
From here on out, Harry Potter will be known as mermaids and Into the Drowning Deep will be known as sirens. Just for clarity sake.
And what about the physical aspects, you ask? Let’s begin to analyze what a fight would look like.
Both mermaids and sirens are thought to be stronger than your typical human. How strong is that? Not quite certain on the mermaids side. On the siren side, we know that they can parkour their happy butts up sides of boats. I don’t know when the last time you did a pull up was but that is hard core stuff! (If you are able to do a pull up, well, then….-sobs- I can’t.) If the mermaids have that kind of strength then we’ll have to look at other methods.
Mermaids have physical weapons (at least that I remember in the movie). This is a good advantage for them. The sirens only have their own claws, teeth, and muscles. But! How would the weapons hold up against the siren’s ultimate weapon: mimicry. Mermaids talk mermish and if that is their form of communication, they’ll be in trouble. The sirens would be able to mimic and draw mermaids away from their school. (Is it called a school of mermaids?) The mermaids may just be taken down!
Last point: Mermaids may be able to get the upper hand if they can get help from the outside world. This isn’t entirely unheard of for mermaids. They’ve gotten help from wizards before. If they could get the effort of wizards involved, they may have the upper hand.
That is, if they are able to even get to the wizards. Ultimately, the sirens act quick and they travel is huge packs. They’re always ravenous and looking to feed their ‘queen’. The queen siren is HUGE. It takes a boat full of people to make her even interested in going near the surface. Take a bunch of mermaids closer to where she is? She may just inhale them.
Chrissy Conclusion: Siren’s would win.
It’s not that the mermaids are particularly weak or unintelligent, rather, I just don’t think we’ve seen enough evidence to suggest they’d be as ruthless and determined as the sirens. When the sirens were hunting down humans, they had to get out of their natural environment. Against mermaids already in the sea with them? They’d want to wipe them out as quickly as possible.
What do you think? Do you think my conclusion is wrong? Are there some things I missed? Do you think sirens would put the hurt on mermaids? Please leave a comment!
Interesting discussion, Chrissy! I reviewed a mermaid book today, though she was very much in the background. It was a different angle than what you are talking about though. Great post!
Oooh! What book was it?
The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock! I reviewed it yesterday! ♥️