cassmoaka's review
4.0
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
spice: several open door scenes
TWs: traumatic brain injury, mental illness, mentions of death, kidnapping, war, murder, curses
standalone: book 2 in the Matchmaker Monster Romance series
final thoughts: monster romance is one of my favorite genres and this hit so many of the tropes you want to see in a monster romance! Plenty of romance, reluctance, adventure, and possessive monster MC displays. And you know krakens=tentacles so…. Didn’t disappoint
read this book if you love
🔀 opposites attract
🤐 miscommunication
🌀 plot twists
🧑🤝🧑 great side characters
🏝️ forced proximity (alternate realm)
💓 slowburn
💖 fated mates
🔎 adventure
❓ mystery
☠️ “touch her and die”
😡 grumpy/sunshine
🌈 LGBT+ representation
🔮 supernatural creatures- krakens, shifters, witches
🪄 magic
💖 paranormal romance
😳 forbidden lovers (rivals)
🫡 big MMC
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
HEA: yes
spice: several open door scenes
TWs: traumatic brain injury, mental illness, mentions of death, kidnapping, war, murder, curses
standalone: book 2 in the Matchmaker Monster Romance series
final thoughts: monster romance is one of my favorite genres and this hit so many of the tropes you want to see in a monster romance! Plenty of romance, reluctance, adventure, and possessive monster MC displays. And you know krakens=tentacles so…. Didn’t disappoint
read this book if you love
🔀 opposites attract
🤐 miscommunication
🌀 plot twists
🧑🤝🧑 great side characters
🏝️ forced proximity (alternate realm)
💓 slowburn
💖 fated mates
🔎 adventure
❓ mystery
☠️ “touch her and die”
😡 grumpy/sunshine
🌈 LGBT+ representation
🔮 supernatural creatures- krakens, shifters, witches
🪄 magic
💖 paranormal romance
😳 forbidden lovers (rivals)
🫡 big MMC
tate_43's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
hobbithopeful's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Sweet, steamy, and over all too soon, The Kraken's Prize is a must for any fans of tentacle based romance.
We follow Ava, she has an overbearing mother because of her TBI, and all she wants to do is explore the world. Seb is a feared kraken pirate captain, who will stop at nothing to find the sea witch who cursed him and his crew. Of course his plans get a bit derailed when he has to save Ava's life..
This is the second book in the series, and I actually liked this more than the first! Any hang-ups or nitpicky issues I had with the first one, are non existent here. I wish it was longer because I was enjoying the characters, the story, and the relationship between Seb and Ava.
I really like the illustration inclusion at the end of all the "adorable" guardians that the girls have bonded with so far! (And a sneak peek at upcoming cuties!) I especially enjoy the new "found family" Ava has with the crew, and how they all make pictures for her to help remember. As a proud member of the cute journals and pens community, it was cool to see that included as one of her hobbies.
It is so rare to see romance, especially monster romance with disability rep, and The Kraken's Prize shows how masterfully it can be done. Seb never infantalizes her, but provides support and care, understanding that she is perfectly capable of knowing her needs and wants.
Of course there is some lovely tension between Ava and Seb, let's just say he has tentacles and knows how to use them! There's something about reading fated mates that is always so comforting, maybe the fact the person is going to stand by you no matter what. There's a reason I always save monster romance for when I'm feeling particularly down, they just always cheer me up and are so fun to read.
Perfect for fans of tentacles, monster romance, or just good books in general, I definitely recommend this book! I am so excited that with each book that comes out they keep getting better and better, I can't wait to read what Luna Joya writes next.
Thank you to the author for this ARC
We follow Ava, she has an overbearing mother because of her TBI, and all she wants to do is explore the world. Seb is a feared kraken pirate captain, who will stop at nothing to find the sea witch who cursed him and his crew. Of course his plans get a bit derailed when he has to save Ava's life..
This is the second book in the series, and I actually liked this more than the first! Any hang-ups or nitpicky issues I had with the first one, are non existent here. I wish it was longer because I was enjoying the characters, the story, and the relationship between Seb and Ava.
I really like the illustration inclusion at the end of all the "adorable" guardians that the girls have bonded with so far! (And a sneak peek at upcoming cuties!) I especially enjoy the new "found family" Ava has with the crew, and how they all make pictures for her to help remember. As a proud member of the cute journals and pens community, it was cool to see that included as one of her hobbies.
It is so rare to see romance, especially monster romance with disability rep, and The Kraken's Prize shows how masterfully it can be done. Seb never infantalizes her, but provides support and care, understanding that she is perfectly capable of knowing her needs and wants.
Of course there is some lovely tension between Ava and Seb, let's just say he has tentacles and knows how to use them! There's something about reading fated mates that is always so comforting, maybe the fact the person is going to stand by you no matter what. There's a reason I always save monster romance for when I'm feeling particularly down, they just always cheer me up and are so fun to read.
Perfect for fans of tentacles, monster romance, or just good books in general, I definitely recommend this book! I am so excited that with each book that comes out they keep getting better and better, I can't wait to read what Luna Joya writes next.
Thank you to the author for this ARC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Violence and Toxic relationship
kassiebetweenpages's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Luna Joya is definitely one of those instant read authors for me. I really enjoyed Matched to the Minotaur but this...THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE!!!! Oh my gosh I am obsessed; I love pirates so flipping much and add in delicious monsters and this book has my heart.
This book was filled with endless amounts of humor, and Tentacle spice thanks to our Kraken Captain. I love the disability rep in this book as well, our FMC was in an accident when she was younger, and she now has a traumatic brain injury and struggles to remember things. As a result, she has developed a love for all things planner and Washi tape to help her remember.(one of my favorite scenes is when the crew helps her remember things about them by having an arts and crafts party) because of her TBI her family holds her a little to close out of fear for her, when all she really wants is to travel and see out adventure.
adventure finds her one night at a haunted house attraction, she is kidnapped and pulled under the water by a freaking merman!!! the captain of a pirate ship sees this and senses something in her, so he saves her, but he has ulterior motives, he plans on using her to break his curse. Captain Seb is gruff, and broody with a dry sense of humor that will have you rolling with laughter. he is also able to change the size of his tentacles if you know what I mean...
I am so excited to continue with the series...Bring on the Gargoyles!!!
This book was filled with endless amounts of humor, and Tentacle spice thanks to our Kraken Captain. I love the disability rep in this book as well, our FMC was in an accident when she was younger, and she now has a traumatic brain injury and struggles to remember things. As a result, she has developed a love for all things planner and Washi tape to help her remember.
adventure finds her one night at a haunted house attraction, she is kidnapped and pulled under the water by a freaking merman!!! the captain of a pirate ship sees this and senses something in her, so he saves her, but he has ulterior motives, he plans on using her to break his curse. Captain Seb is gruff, and broody with a dry sense of humor that will have you rolling with laughter. he is also able to change the size of his tentacles if you know what I mean...
I am so excited to continue with the series...Bring on the Gargoyles!!!
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