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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters: 3⭐️
Setting: 4⭐️
Plot: 3⭐️
Themes: 3⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3⭐️
Emotional Impact: 1⭐️
Overall rating: 3/5⭐️
A dark little mermaid retelling meets Pirates of the Caribbean
Is this a literary work of art? No. Is it a smutty good time? Yes
I enjoyed the syrens, pirates, and dark ocean atmosphere of this book. A simplistic magic system that keeps the reader interested but doesn’t over complicate.
Tropes: morally grey MMC, rivals to lovers
TW: DV, suicidal ideation, grief, violence, gore, graphic smex scenes
Maren sells her voice to the sea witch Edonia in exchange to live happily ever after with prince Aerik on land. After years of abuse, while traveling overseas their ship is overtaken by pirates. Captain Ramsay plans to use the Maren and Aerik as hostages for money. Both Ramsey and Maren have a debt to settle with the sea witch, both seeking revenge & freedom.
Thank you to NetGalley for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ariel - Karen. Eric - Aerik. Also, it's ten years after their fairytale ending and Aerik is a horrible person. When they both get taken by pirates (with a moral code!), can Maren escape both of them? Before the pirates discover she's a Syren whose blood fuels them? Oh and, of course, he's hot and sexy and maybe she's not in too much of a hurry to get back to the sea. Spicy, great story, and full of vengeance.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Pirates, sirens, revenge, and a romance that will pull you under—this book is pure romantasy gold.
Maren, a Syren princess, struck a deal with a sea witch at sixteen: trade her fins for legs and earn the love of human Prince Aerik. But that love never came—instead, she endured ten years in an abusive marriage to the prince. Everything changes when their ship is attacked by the Nightwind, the infamous vessel of bloodthirsty pirates led by Captain Ramsay.
Seeing a chance to reclaim her fins, Maren decides to use Ramsay’s quest for revenge to her advantage. But as they sail together, something unexpected happens—love begins to bloom between the vengeful captain and the Syren princess.
This story is the perfect blend of pirate high-seas adventure and underwater Syren magic. The pacing is spot-on, propelling Maren and Ramsay through thrilling escapades, shifting alliances, and dangerous battles—both on deck and deep beneath the waves. I felt like I was right there with the crew of the Nightwind, swept along for the ride.
The romance? Absolutely scorching. Ramsay and Maren’s connection is raw, magnetic, and all-consuming—you feel it in your bones. It’s rare to find a pirate-meets-siren story that gives you such a vivid look at both worlds, but this book nails it. From ship raids to undersea fights (and make-up scenes), it’s an exhilarating, immersive journey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Karina Halle, and Metal Blonde Books for the ARC!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
- Syren/Mermaid × Pirate
-“Touch her and 💀”
- Feisty FMC
-Feminine rage
- Vampire pirates
- Hidden identity
- Revenge plot
- Enemies to lovers
- Morally grey MMC
- Forced proximity
- Captor × captive
- Villain gets the girl
Maren, a Syren princess, struck a deal with a sea witch at sixteen: trade her fins for legs and earn the love of human Prince Aerik. But that love never came—instead, she endured ten years in an abusive marriage to the prince. Everything changes when their ship is attacked by the Nightwind, the infamous vessel of bloodthirsty pirates led by Captain Ramsay.
Seeing a chance to reclaim her fins, Maren decides to use Ramsay’s quest for revenge to her advantage. But as they sail together, something unexpected happens—love begins to bloom between the vengeful captain and the Syren princess.
This story is the perfect blend of pirate high-seas adventure and underwater Syren magic. The pacing is spot-on, propelling Maren and Ramsay through thrilling escapades, shifting alliances, and dangerous battles—both on deck and deep beneath the waves. I felt like I was right there with the crew of the Nightwind, swept along for the ride.
The romance? Absolutely scorching. Ramsay and Maren’s connection is raw, magnetic, and all-consuming—you feel it in your bones. It’s rare to find a pirate-meets-siren story that gives you such a vivid look at both worlds, but this book nails it. From ship raids to undersea fights (and make-up scenes), it’s an exhilarating, immersive journey.
Thank you to NetGalley, Karina Halle, and Metal Blonde Books for the ARC!
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶.5
Tropes:
- Syren/Mermaid × Pirate
-“Touch her and 💀”
- Feisty FMC
-Feminine rage
- Vampire pirates
- Hidden identity
- Revenge plot
- Enemies to lovers
- Morally grey MMC
- Forced proximity
- Captor × captive
- Villain gets the girl
I know I repeat myself, but I really have to stop picking up books by Karina Halle. I can't finish a book of hers anymore. Just not my style.