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bookedbykiki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Gore
bangiebangs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5* from me.
So this is my first pirate romance (ever), and it delivered! I love Ramsay and I love Maren, and I read this off two lines quoted in some short video and knew nothing else about anything. Which was exactly the right way to read this, I think!
The pacing is really good, there is humor, it's frustrating sometimes (so angsty all around) but the characters' actions make sense. They talk about what is going on with them emotionally. Maybe not always instantly, but the fact that this doesnt have a lot of the miscommunication trope is a HUGE plus. It actually felt so much more real: sometimes you can tell what's up, sometimes you need a while to get the courage to speak. You grow, you leave things behind.
Idk why this gripped me so much, but pretty sure that this detail sold me 100%, and I'm sure I will re-read this.
So this is my first pirate romance (ever), and it delivered! I love Ramsay and I love Maren, and I read this off two lines quoted in some short video and knew nothing else about anything. Which was exactly the right way to read this, I think!
The pacing is really good, there is humor, it's frustrating sometimes (so angsty all around) but the characters' actions make sense. They talk about what is going on with them emotionally. Maybe not always instantly, but the fact that this doesnt have a lot of the miscommunication trope is a HUGE plus. It actually felt so much more real: sometimes you can tell what's up, sometimes you need a while to get the courage to speak. You grow, you leave things behind.
Idk why this gripped me so much, but pretty sure that this detail sold me 100%, and I'm sure I will re-read this.
“Play nice,” he warns, his grip tight and bruising as he presses me against the wall.
I manage to move my throat enough to spit in his face. My spit lands on his forehead, a sliver of fish bone in it. He grunts and reaches up with his other hand, wiping it away.
“Do it again,” he whispers, eyes dancing darkly. “This time in my mouth, please.” He opens his mouth, showing me his tongue, wanting it. Damn it. Everything that’s uncouth and repulsive about me he somehow loves.
He shuts his mouth and grins. “Fine. Just know I will be returning the favor one day.”
Like omg yes.
By the way, I didn't get the Jack Sparrow vibe that others talk about here. Yes, there is rum, but Ramsay often stays sober, isn't some whacky figure, just a hard-ass pirate (and kinky af).
So TL;DR this is dark romance, it's believable, it has pirates and sirens and cursed ships and it is dark. Heed the CNs, and if you're sensitive to violence,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Vomit, and Death of parent
angelamarcela2's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this book- it is definitely a dark romantasy retelling of the Little Mermaid with a few twists. What drove me into wanting to read it was the supposed Pirates of the Caribbean vibes, which ultimately came from the location of the plot, the language, and the captain being a little “Jack Sparrow”-like.
I wish there was a bit more emphasis or building on Marrens 10year gap in the story which we know was a large issue in her marriage with Aerik. But if that gap was worth her literally ending his life, I think it’s worth exploring in the novel!
The spice scenes were okay- they come off a little “rapey” in nature, but the author does issue a trigger warning for such. After all is it DARK romantasy.
All in all I did enjoy the book- I think the author does a great job at bringing the reader to the location and writes with vivid imagery. The book was entertaining for me enough to get through in only a few days. Fans of this genre and pirates of the Caribbean will absolutely love this book.
I wish there was a bit more emphasis or building on Marrens 10year gap in the story which we know was a large issue in her marriage with Aerik. But if that gap was worth her literally ending his life, I think it’s worth exploring in the novel!
The spice scenes were okay- they come off a little “rapey” in nature, but the author does issue a trigger warning for such. After all is it DARK romantasy.
All in all I did enjoy the book- I think the author does a great job at bringing the reader to the location and writes with vivid imagery. The book was entertaining for me enough to get through in only a few days. Fans of this genre and pirates of the Caribbean will absolutely love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Murder
millenialglowworm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve never read a mermaid or a pirate story before picking this up. I’m glad that Halle’s work was my first! I love the characters in this story and even though there is tragedy and horror elements, it was full of adventure and 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️!! I’m also glad Halle answered a question I had through out the book about the HOW of mermaid….relations 😅. Ramsey and Maren’s banter had me laughing. I’m usually not a reader who relishes on the setting of a book but Halle does a great job of describing the scenery and feeling of all the places the book takes place. Halle is definitely one of my favorite authors!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death, Confinement, and Death of parent
bekahzabel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
ark Fantasy Romance Little Mermaid Retelling? Yeah I was sold, and this may cause a canon event.
3.75🌟/5 & 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it got pretty hot in there wowza)
Definitely check out triggers before reading if you have any.
Syrens, Sea Witches, Pirates, & Krakens
Enemies to Lovers
Touch Her & Die
Found Family
Morally Gray MMC & FMC
Dom/Sub
BDSM
What can I say, I was into it. Devoured this, and suddenly I’m a Karina Halle fan.
3.75🌟/5 & 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (it got pretty hot in there wowza)
Definitely check out triggers before reading if you have any.
Syrens, Sea Witches, Pirates, & Krakens
Enemies to Lovers
Touch Her & Die
Found Family
Morally Gray MMC & FMC
Dom/Sub
BDSM
What can I say, I was into it. Devoured this, and suddenly I’m a Karina Halle fan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
awaywiththefairies's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book is all spice basically and I really didn't like the dialogue between the two characters how sometimes a certain control is idealised.. however the writing will pull you in and even though I didn't love the character development , the world is well written and charming and I still wanted to see what would happen at the end.
Take note of content warnings
Take note of content warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Rape, Blood, and Kidnapping
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