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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to netgalley and Metal Blonde Books for this eARC!
I have read a few books by Karina Halle this year, but this one is by far my favorite so far. The setting, the story, the atmosphere - all of it was amazing especially as a Little Mermaid retelling. It takes a sad, familiar story and gives it a dark romance/fantasy spin that makes for a deliciously fun time from start to finish. I could hardly put this book down.
There were some parts of the book that I didn’t love, but I can’t elaborate on those without spoiling the book. All I will say is that a surprise or two is thrown into the plot down the line and some readers will either love it or hate it. I am in the mixed bag about it which is why I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5.
If you love retellings and dark fantasy (and sexy pirates!) than this absolutely the book for you!
I have read a few books by Karina Halle this year, but this one is by far my favorite so far. The setting, the story, the atmosphere - all of it was amazing especially as a Little Mermaid retelling. It takes a sad, familiar story and gives it a dark romance/fantasy spin that makes for a deliciously fun time from start to finish. I could hardly put this book down.
There were some parts of the book that I didn’t love, but I can’t elaborate on those without spoiling the book. All I will say is that a surprise or two is thrown into the plot down the line and some readers will either love it or hate it. I am in the mixed bag about it which is why I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5.
If you love retellings and dark fantasy (and sexy pirates!) than this absolutely the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, War
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
This one surprised me and gave me everything I wanted as a summer read. You’ve got cursed pirates 🏴☠️, a syren turned human 🧜🏻♀️, enemies-to-lovers romance ❤️🔥, sea witches 🧙♀️, krakens 🐙,and plenty of spice 🔥 With the premise of A Little Mermaid retold, this story takes you on an adventure of mystery, self-discovery, witty banter, and a plot that ties together so well in the end. The characters are VERY morally grey to morally black, and yet the growth and depth to each of them was a big highlight that I did not expect in this smutty pirate book. I loved this one. I plan to pick up more books by this author including one of her upcoming releases this year! 4 dazzling ⭐️’s for this one.
*Check triggers at the beginning of this book before you pick it up. There are some scenes that may cause discomfort for sensitive readers.*
*Check triggers at the beginning of this book before you pick it up. There are some scenes that may cause discomfort for sensitive readers.*
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
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:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
This got a bit too weird for me near the end iykyk
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
“Then perhaps the both of us are mad, if madness and monsters are one of the same,” I murmur. “But we can be mad together. We can drown in our madness together.”
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
The Important Highlights
This is a dark reimagining of the Little Mermaid. We've got pirates, syrens, and curses galore! This is an enemies-to-lovers with a bit of a slow burn. Very dark themes, please exercise caution.
My Unhinged and Messy Thoughts
This was my first Karina Halle book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love an aquatic themed book, especially when it's a retelling (or inspired by) the Little Mermaid. What I enjoyed was that it also felt like a nod to Pirates of the Caribbean as well. This took me a few days to finish, but it was due to being a bit busy, not due to the book itself.
In Conclusion
I wouldn't read this one again but I would like to read the next in the series (which is an interconnected standalone, to my understanding). I also want to read some of her other work!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the early review copy of this book. These opinions are my own.
The Important Highlights
This is a dark reimagining of the Little Mermaid. We've got pirates, syrens, and curses galore! This is an enemies-to-lovers with a bit of a slow burn. Very dark themes, please exercise caution.
My Unhinged and Messy Thoughts
This was my first Karina Halle book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love an aquatic themed book, especially when it's a retelling (or inspired by) the Little Mermaid. What I enjoyed was that it also felt like a nod to Pirates of the Caribbean as well. This took me a few days to finish, but it was due to being a bit busy, not due to the book itself.
In Conclusion
I wouldn't read this one again but I would like to read the next in the series (which is an interconnected standalone, to my understanding). I also want to read some of her other work!
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent