Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thank you, Liesl West for the opportunity to read this wonderful arc!
Of Song and Scepter definitely exceeded my expectations. I knew going into it that it was a retelling with a twist, but it was so intriguing that I found myself staying up way too late to see what would happen next. The story had rich descriptions of their undersea world and a unique magic system. And I love a good side character- looking at you Pearl and Hugo!
A few things I loved:
🔱 He falls first.
🔱 He would drain the sea for her.
🔱 “Who did this to you?”
🔱 A magical library with a fin-tastic librarian
❤️ I appreciate that the author took the time to provide specific content warnings and list the 🌶️ chapters for readers who prefer closed door.
Really enjoyed this book, and I’ll be looking forward to the next one!
Of Song and Scepter definitely exceeded my expectations. I knew going into it that it was a retelling with a twist, but it was so intriguing that I found myself staying up way too late to see what would happen next. The story had rich descriptions of their undersea world and a unique magic system. And I love a good side character- looking at you Pearl and Hugo!
A few things I loved:
🔱 He falls first.
🔱 He would drain the sea for her.
🔱 “Who did this to you?”
🔱 A magical library with a fin-tastic librarian
❤️ I appreciate that the author took the time to provide specific content warnings and list the 🌶️ chapters for readers who prefer closed door.
Really enjoyed this book, and I’ll be looking forward to the next one!
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book does have spicy scenes and she does include the chapters but the scenes don't go on and on. I'd give it a 2.5 🌶️
Definitely didn't want to put the book down, finished so quick. A quick read and such a fun one too. The way she has written this book is perfect. I loved the characters, in love with the way she paints the scenery and the different kingdoms or lands. Love that she included a Map and a playlist 🧜♂️🧜🏽♀️
Definitely didn't want to put the book down, finished so quick. A quick read and such a fun one too. The way she has written this book is perfect. I loved the characters, in love with the way she paints the scenery and the different kingdoms or lands. Love that she included a Map and a playlist 🧜♂️🧜🏽♀️
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is Liesl West’s debut novel, but she’s already been added to my list of favorite authors. I DEVOURED this book in a day and a half because I simply could not put it down.
This is a dark Little Mermaid retelling with nods to the original story—though you can be sure you’ll still get your HEA! Liesl does an amazing job sprinkling the story with elements from the Little Mermaid fable, while also weaving a completely unique and exciting tale filled with violence, spice, betrayal and magic.
Enna is a ruthless and efficient death-dealer with razor sharp daggers and a heart guarded with spikes and sharp fangs. But she meets her match in Prince Soren, whose sunny, golden-retriever energy and swaggering charm has her resolve to feel absolutely nothing slowly slipping away with the tides.
I am obsessed with the main characters, but especially Enna, who made me smile more than once with her wicked personality and unapologetic confidence in who she is. I also found myself enjoying the side characters just as much. There were some I loved, some I loved to hate—and every single one felt real and relatable in a way that immersed me in the story.
The world itself was vibrant and magical and I really did find myself feeling like I could see the colors of the reef, feel the heat of the sand, and taste the fish and fruit they were eating. Had me craving sushi real bad! 😂
If you love romantasy and mermaids-or if you are just looking for something that’s a little different from the fae and vampires that abound—with all the magic and spiciness that comes with it, you will absolutely love this book.
Tropes:
🐚 Morally grey FMC
🐚 Cinnamon roll siren prince
🐚 Forbidden love
🐚 Dark little mermaid retelling
🐚 He falls first
🐚 I’d drain the sea for you
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 (Multiple detailed open door scenes)
Much thanks to Liesl West for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. 🩵
This is a dark Little Mermaid retelling with nods to the original story—though you can be sure you’ll still get your HEA! Liesl does an amazing job sprinkling the story with elements from the Little Mermaid fable, while also weaving a completely unique and exciting tale filled with violence, spice, betrayal and magic.
Enna is a ruthless and efficient death-dealer with razor sharp daggers and a heart guarded with spikes and sharp fangs. But she meets her match in Prince Soren, whose sunny, golden-retriever energy and swaggering charm has her resolve to feel absolutely nothing slowly slipping away with the tides.
I am obsessed with the main characters, but especially Enna, who made me smile more than once with her wicked personality and unapologetic confidence in who she is. I also found myself enjoying the side characters just as much. There were some I loved, some I loved to hate—and every single one felt real and relatable in a way that immersed me in the story.
The world itself was vibrant and magical and I really did find myself feeling like I could see the colors of the reef, feel the heat of the sand, and taste the fish and fruit they were eating. Had me craving sushi real bad! 😂
If you love romantasy and mermaids-or if you are just looking for something that’s a little different from the fae and vampires that abound—with all the magic and spiciness that comes with it, you will absolutely love this book.
Tropes:
🐚 Morally grey FMC
🐚 Cinnamon roll siren prince
🐚 Forbidden love
🐚 Dark little mermaid retelling
🐚 He falls first
🐚 I’d drain the sea for you
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥 (Multiple detailed open door scenes)
Much thanks to Liesl West for allowing me to read an early copy of this book. 🩵
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This stabby Little Mermaid re-telling was a wild ride start to finish. After seeing a reel by Liesl West through her instagram account I immediately knew that I needed to add this book to my tbr.
Reading debut novels is such a fun experience because it really sets the tone for what kind of writer is going to be and let me just say: I absolutely cannot wait to read more from Miss West!
This book has everything from some pretty great spice, a badass FMC, and (one of my personal favorites) a golden retriever MMC. From the first interaction between Soren and Enna I knew that I was going to be obsessed with their dynamic (and lets just say that their chemistry was TOP TIER). Throw in lots of drama, blood lust (love the stabby little siren), and some pretty great semi-dark romance it has all of the makings to be a fun and entertaining read. I read this book in literally a day so it's safe to say that it really was hard to put down.
I will say that I would've loved some more interaction between Nara and Soren. Their dynamic seemed like such a fun friendship and Nara seemed like she would've added so much more humor to cut some of the tension that is a lot of the book. The relationship between Soren and Enna was intense and really quick, it would've been cool to have more moments where they're interacting before the all consuming love starts taking place. But the heart wants what it wants, so I can also appreciate that.
But to end my rant: if you're looking for another dark disney re-telling you should absolutely give "Of Song and Scepter" a chance because I think that it was done so so well.
Thank you Liesl West for an early copy of "Of Song and Scepter"! It was truly an honor to be able to be one of your first readers!🫶🏻
Reading debut novels is such a fun experience because it really sets the tone for what kind of writer is going to be and let me just say: I absolutely cannot wait to read more from Miss West!
This book has everything from some pretty great spice, a badass FMC, and (one of my personal favorites) a golden retriever MMC. From the first interaction between Soren and Enna I knew that I was going to be obsessed with their dynamic (and lets just say that their chemistry was TOP TIER). Throw in lots of drama, blood lust (love the stabby little siren), and some pretty great semi-dark romance it has all of the makings to be a fun and entertaining read. I read this book in literally a day so it's safe to say that it really was hard to put down.
I will say that I would've loved some more interaction between Nara and Soren. Their dynamic seemed like such a fun friendship and Nara seemed like she would've added so much more humor to cut some of the tension that is a lot of the book. The relationship between Soren and Enna was intense and really quick, it would've been cool to have more moments where they're interacting before the all consuming love starts taking place. But the heart wants what it wants, so I can also appreciate that.
But to end my rant: if you're looking for another dark disney re-telling you should absolutely give "Of Song and Scepter" a chance because I think that it was done so so well.
Thank you Liesl West for an early copy of "Of Song and Scepter"! It was truly an honor to be able to be one of your first readers!🫶🏻
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read an early copy of this book. Really enjoyed the concept of this book overall and look forward to spending more time in this universe. Would love more information / definitions / descriptions to help us understand differences between sirens / merpeople and between the kingdoms. Hope we get more of this in future books in this world! There were a few points that I felt didn’t quite make sense (ex why not using their Voices towards the end, aspects of the checking of princess backstory) but didn’t detract from overall enjoyment of the characters.
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved these characters so much, but parts of the story felt slightly rushed and I wanted to spend more time with them 💕
The journey Enna goes on from the start the end is magnificent, I was rooting for her the entire way.
I am a sucker for a man who falls first and so Soren was everything I want in an MMC.
The spicy chapters were fantastic, the first one 🔥🥵 I only wish the last one was slightly longer.
Would read again, and Liesl will no be an auto buy author for me 💛
I was sent an ARC for this book and am so grateful to have been able to read it.
The journey Enna goes on from the start the end is magnificent, I was rooting for her the entire way.
I am a sucker for a man who falls first and so Soren was everything I want in an MMC.
The spicy chapters were fantastic, the first one 🔥🥵 I only wish the last one was slightly longer.
Would read again, and Liesl will no be an auto buy author for me 💛
I was sent an ARC for this book and am so grateful to have been able to read it.