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Of Song and Scepter
She's a killer in disguise. He's determined to make her his queen.As a deep sea death-dealer, Enna Valomir's life is kill the siren, deliver the body, collect the reward. There's just one problem. Enna owes a mermaid her life, and in the cutthroat waters of the Abyss, that's a lifelong blood oath of service.
When the mermaid orders her to kill the Abyssal Princess, Enna is pulled into an impersonation scheme with no choice but to infiltrate a gaudy surface court and help the mermaid win the heart—and throne—of its unwitting future king.
But Prince Soren isn't interested in courting the so-called Abyssal Princess, or any power-hungry princess, for that matter. He's finally met his match in her fierce and mysterious handmaid, and he'll be damned if he can't have Enna for his queen instead.
Breaking a blood oath means death, but Enna falls for Soren anyway. Now she must watch him descend into a ruin of her own making, or warn him of the ruse—and die.
Part of the Sirens of Adria dark fantasy romance series, Of Song and Scepter is a standalone little mermaid retelling intended for mature audiences.
When the mermaid orders her to kill the Abyssal Princess, Enna is pulled into an impersonation scheme with no choice but to infiltrate a gaudy surface court and help the mermaid win the heart—and throne—of its unwitting future king.
But Prince Soren isn't interested in courting the so-called Abyssal Princess, or any power-hungry princess, for that matter. He's finally met his match in her fierce and mysterious handmaid, and he'll be damned if he can't have Enna for his queen instead.
Breaking a blood oath means death, but Enna falls for Soren anyway. Now she must watch him descend into a ruin of her own making, or warn him of the ruse—and die.
Part of the Sirens of Adria dark fantasy romance series, Of Song and Scepter is a standalone little mermaid retelling intended for mature audiences.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2024
488 people are currently reading
9792 people want to read
About the author
Liesl West
4 books143 followersWhen Liesl West was a child, she desperately wanted to be the little mermaid. Maybe it’s because she grew up in rural Ohio, USA, with not an ocean in sight, but something about the ocean has always called to her. It’s just too bad she can’t swim. She can, however, write dark fantasy mermaid romance stories that feature strong female leads and wounded cinnamon roll love interests. And for now, that’ll have to be close enough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 485 reviews
June 9, 2024
4.5 Wicked Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
It's no secret that The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Princess, and it's books like this that remind me why I love that story so much!
So this is obviously a Little Mermaid retelling, with a unique little spin. Our mermaid, Enna, is also part Siren and has essentially sold her soul to Odissa due to a life debt. Odissa has forced her to become a death-dealer, so Enna is a very morally grey stabby murderer. Odissa orders Enna to kill the Abyssal Princess so Odissa can impersonate her, with Enna as her handmaid, so that Odissa can marry Soren, the prince from the Kingdom of Coral, to take over the Kingdom. Soren has rejected multiple marriage prospects and is out of time, as his Kingdom needs him to marry. However, he longs for love, and when he mistakenly sees Enna basically naked on the beach and thinks she is his betrothed, he believes he might just have found a bride who can give him just that, only to realize that Enna is his betrothed handmaid.
This did not read like a debut. The writing was easy to follow and sophisticated, polished, and descriptive, containing a great balance of plot and characterization. While there was some purple prose, it didn't feel like an overabundance of metaphor blended into the storytelling, however, still giving the writing that lyrical quality. I felt like I was under the sea and in this world of sirens and mermaids. I cannot stress how fully polished and clean this felt as it did not read like an author's first book. It was an incredibly captivating and realistic portrayal of what mermaid life and lore are like. I want to commend Liesl on the amount of detail and clear research she did for this. You can see the care and precision given to the world-building to accurately portray the behavior, the nuances, the way the world is described, to how they would eat fish. It was probably one of the most robust portrayals of a mermaid/siren I have seen in literature.
Our little Enna is a badass. She is feisty and fierce. It is very clear she does not want a life of killing, but she is trapped in a bargain and wants nothing but to escape out of Odissa's clutches. She is put in awful situations, where her forced hand often causes her to battle her moral compass, but she is a fighter and uses that fight to be resourceful and smart. Her story is heartbreaking and sad, and while I could see the twists in her tale pretty clearly, I didn't mind that. At that point, I was so absorbed into the story and drawn in that I was just along for the ride.
Soren is a cinnamon roll and everything you would expect in a prince. He has his mind set on what he is looking for in a wife, and he doesn't want to just settle for anybody. He is honorable, noble, and cares for his people. He is quite strong-minded but has a totally wholesome character that also makes him a total romantic at heart.
My one issue is that the ending felt very rushed and a little bit too easy, so it was a small letdown compared to the climb towards the climax. I wanted to see it drawn out a little more, and... .
Tropes in this include:
▶ Little Mermaid Retelling
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Badass Feisty FMC
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Golden Retriever/Cinnamon Roll
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ She Stabs Him
▶ Cheating*
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ He Falls First and Falls Hard
▶ Dual POV
▶ Amazing Worldbuilding
Overall, this was a satisfying romance and an excellent take on a Little Mermaid Retelling. If you love that trope or just like books featuring Mermaids, this one is for you!!!
Thank you to Liesl West for my gifted ARC copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level: 🌶️.5/5
It's no secret that The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Princess, and it's books like this that remind me why I love that story so much!
So this is obviously a Little Mermaid retelling, with a unique little spin. Our mermaid, Enna, is also part Siren and has essentially sold her soul to Odissa due to a life debt. Odissa has forced her to become a death-dealer, so Enna is a very morally grey stabby murderer. Odissa orders Enna to kill the Abyssal Princess so Odissa can impersonate her, with Enna as her handmaid, so that Odissa can marry Soren, the prince from the Kingdom of Coral, to take over the Kingdom. Soren has rejected multiple marriage prospects and is out of time, as his Kingdom needs him to marry. However, he longs for love, and when he mistakenly sees Enna basically naked on the beach and thinks she is his betrothed, he believes he might just have found a bride who can give him just that, only to realize that Enna is his betrothed handmaid.
This did not read like a debut. The writing was easy to follow and sophisticated, polished, and descriptive, containing a great balance of plot and characterization. While there was some purple prose, it didn't feel like an overabundance of metaphor blended into the storytelling, however, still giving the writing that lyrical quality. I felt like I was under the sea and in this world of sirens and mermaids. I cannot stress how fully polished and clean this felt as it did not read like an author's first book. It was an incredibly captivating and realistic portrayal of what mermaid life and lore are like. I want to commend Liesl on the amount of detail and clear research she did for this. You can see the care and precision given to the world-building to accurately portray the behavior, the nuances, the way the world is described, to how they would eat fish. It was probably one of the most robust portrayals of a mermaid/siren I have seen in literature.
Our little Enna is a badass. She is feisty and fierce. It is very clear she does not want a life of killing, but she is trapped in a bargain and wants nothing but to escape out of Odissa's clutches. She is put in awful situations, where her forced hand often causes her to battle her moral compass, but she is a fighter and uses that fight to be resourceful and smart. Her story is heartbreaking and sad, and while I could see the twists in her tale pretty clearly, I didn't mind that. At that point, I was so absorbed into the story and drawn in that I was just along for the ride.
Soren is a cinnamon roll and everything you would expect in a prince. He has his mind set on what he is looking for in a wife, and he doesn't want to just settle for anybody. He is honorable, noble, and cares for his people. He is quite strong-minded but has a totally wholesome character that also makes him a total romantic at heart.
My one issue is that the ending felt very rushed and a little bit too easy, so it was a small letdown compared to the climb towards the climax. I wanted to see it drawn out a little more, and... .
Tropes in this include:
▶ Little Mermaid Retelling
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Badass Feisty FMC
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Golden Retriever/Cinnamon Roll
▶ Political Intrigue
▶ She Stabs Him
▶ Cheating*
▶ Forbidden Romance
▶ He Falls First and Falls Hard
▶ Dual POV
▶ Amazing Worldbuilding
Overall, this was a satisfying romance and an excellent take on a Little Mermaid Retelling. If you love that trope or just like books featuring Mermaids, this one is for you!!!
Thank you to Liesl West for my gifted ARC copy!
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 11, 2024
I got an ARC and these are my only thoughts:
If you ever watched The Little Mermaid and thought “huh, I wish these mermaids were way hornier and also that there was more fish sex!!!”, then do I have the book for you!
If you ever watched The Little Mermaid and thought “huh, I wish these mermaids were way hornier and also that there was more fish sex!!!”, then do I have the book for you!
June 4, 2024
the vibes of this book are immaculate and I devoured it 🧜🏻⚔️👑⛓️💥🪼
if you’re a fan of SJM’s leading ladies with their sassy men and/or a certain wingleader & his lightning bearing gf you will absolutely LOVE this pretty prince and beach dancer. the story jumps right into an action scene and the pace does not slow down! make sure you’ve got some time set aside when you start this bc you will not want to stop until it’s finished ✔️
thank you so much Liesl for having me on your ARC team! 🫶🏼
if you’re a fan of SJM’s leading ladies with their sassy men and/or a certain wingleader & his lightning bearing gf you will absolutely LOVE this pretty prince and beach dancer. the story jumps right into an action scene and the pace does not slow down! make sure you’ve got some time set aside when you start this bc you will not want to stop until it’s finished ✔️
thank you so much Liesl for having me on your ARC team! 🫶🏼
October 15, 2025
Dark • Vengeful • Emotional
Liesl West delivers a powerful and gut-wrenching fantasy that had me hooked from start to finish. Enna completely stole the show with her strength, fire, and resilience. Every choice she made carried so much weight, and you can’t help but ache for her as her story unfolds. The way she was wronged was absolutely heartbreaking, and I found myself furious at Odissa for what she did. The emotional depth and sense of betrayal hit hard, making this one of those stories you feel long after you close the book.
West’s writing is both lyrical and raw, weaving pain and vengeance into something beautifully haunting. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the pacing keeps you fully immersed as Enna’s fate unfolds. While not everything tied up the way I wanted, the journey was unforgettable and left me craving more.
I highly recommend it if you want a dark and twisty little mermaid vibes story!
Liesl West delivers a powerful and gut-wrenching fantasy that had me hooked from start to finish. Enna completely stole the show with her strength, fire, and resilience. Every choice she made carried so much weight, and you can’t help but ache for her as her story unfolds. The way she was wronged was absolutely heartbreaking, and I found myself furious at Odissa for what she did. The emotional depth and sense of betrayal hit hard, making this one of those stories you feel long after you close the book.
West’s writing is both lyrical and raw, weaving pain and vengeance into something beautifully haunting. The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming, and the pacing keeps you fully immersed as Enna’s fate unfolds. While not everything tied up the way I wanted, the journey was unforgettable and left me craving more.
I highly recommend it if you want a dark and twisty little mermaid vibes story!
January 2, 2025
DNF
This isn’t spicy, it’s just disturbing. Disappointed.
This isn’t spicy, it’s just disturbing. Disappointed.
July 28, 2024
4⭐️ when i started i didn’t even knew that this was a forbidden romance👌🏻 also loved the fact that the MMC was a hopeless romantic
June 30, 2024
As an ARC reader, this was the first of its kind that I have read; I was instantly hooked from the beginning. Liesl did an amazing job of captivating the audience with great writing, intricate details of the world she created and a thrilling story that kept you on your toes! From blood thirsty death dealers to a lustful price, this book had it all!
July 10, 2024
I heard Little Mermaid retelling and was all in from the get go!! If you loved the little mermaid as a kid but as an adult you want to yell at Ariel for giving up her whole voice for a man, this is the redemption. Enna is a literal death dealer, she collects kills okay? And she runs around topless because when you’re a mermaid who needs clothes? I love that for her.
To be completely frank, this read very much like a romance with a fantasy background and I don’t typically love books like that. Howeverrrrer the vibes were vibing and I couldn’t put it down!
EDIT: also had to add I just noticed the cover (read it on KU) and excuse me it’s freaking beautiful
To be completely frank, this read very much like a romance with a fantasy background and I don’t typically love books like that. Howeverrrrer the vibes were vibing and I couldn’t put it down!
EDIT: also had to add I just noticed the cover (read it on KU) and excuse me it’s freaking beautiful
June 11, 2024
Of Song and Scepter
Main characters
MMC - Soren
MFC - Enna
Odissa
I am a mother of four boys, 11yo, 5yo, 1.5yo and a 6wo. To say I don’t have a lot of time to sit down and read is an understatement! This book was great! I could not wait to be able to sit down and read this one.
Of Song and Scepter is a little mermaid retelling with adult themes.
In this retelling, our Ariel is Enna and our prince Eric is Soren. Enna is a death dealer from down below and has never seen the sun before and Soren is our prince needing a queen so he can rule his kingdom. Our book starts with Enna in the middle of a kill and those consequences lead to the rest of the book. The first couple chapters were so intense and really sucked me into the storyline. I love a woman who is hard-core and can take care of herself.
Unfortunately, after these couple chapters, it kind of goes downhill a little bit. You have the Insta love with Prince Soren instantly falling for Enna (one of my least favorite tropes). You also have a lot of internalizing monologues about how the two are falling for each other, even though they haven’t spoken to each other. I also felt like they instantly jumped into bed with each other. It kind of felt like they were just throwing smut in just to throw it in. I normally don’t complain about people like this, but I just couldn’t get into it for this book. For some reason I was more into the actual story and the background of each character. There is one thing I wish she would’ve expanded more on, the parent history, she touched on it a little bit I just wish it was a little bit more detailed.
Overall, this book did keep my attention and I’ll totally read something else from this author, I love a good fairytale retelling no matter what.
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thoughts while reading:
- 7% in I have no idea what is really going on. What’s the difference between mermaid and sirens 🤷🏼♀️…. Also the MMC is he under water as well? What is he?
- 21% the main characters have finally met, it was cute.
- 32% we just got a flash back of when Enna and Odissa first met, intrigued about their backstory
- 50% they are finally having a conversation! 🤯
- Honestly their physical relationship is kinda out of no where they have hardly spoken to each other
Main characters
MMC - Soren
MFC - Enna
Odissa
I am a mother of four boys, 11yo, 5yo, 1.5yo and a 6wo. To say I don’t have a lot of time to sit down and read is an understatement! This book was great! I could not wait to be able to sit down and read this one.
Of Song and Scepter is a little mermaid retelling with adult themes.
In this retelling, our Ariel is Enna and our prince Eric is Soren. Enna is a death dealer from down below and has never seen the sun before and Soren is our prince needing a queen so he can rule his kingdom. Our book starts with Enna in the middle of a kill and those consequences lead to the rest of the book. The first couple chapters were so intense and really sucked me into the storyline. I love a woman who is hard-core and can take care of herself.
Unfortunately, after these couple chapters, it kind of goes downhill a little bit. You have the Insta love with Prince Soren instantly falling for Enna (one of my least favorite tropes). You also have a lot of internalizing monologues about how the two are falling for each other, even though they haven’t spoken to each other. I also felt like they instantly jumped into bed with each other. It kind of felt like they were just throwing smut in just to throw it in. I normally don’t complain about people like this, but I just couldn’t get into it for this book. For some reason I was more into the actual story and the background of each character. There is one thing I wish she would’ve expanded more on, the parent history, she touched on it a little bit I just wish it was a little bit more detailed.
Overall, this book did keep my attention and I’ll totally read something else from this author, I love a good fairytale retelling no matter what.
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thoughts while reading:
- 7% in I have no idea what is really going on. What’s the difference between mermaid and sirens 🤷🏼♀️…. Also the MMC is he under water as well? What is he?
- 21% the main characters have finally met, it was cute.
- 32% we just got a flash back of when Enna and Odissa first met, intrigued about their backstory
- 50% they are finally having a conversation! 🤯
- Honestly their physical relationship is kinda out of no where they have hardly spoken to each other
July 3, 2024
For any girl who grew up loving the little mermaid and is now finding herself loving romance and fantasy, this book is 100% for you! I was hooked from the first chapter! (Haha - hooked, get it?)
What a retelling this one is! The Little Mermaid with some spice and murder. I really enjoyed the aspect of Odissa and all her Ursula vibes. I do wish that with our female main character, the wicked Enna, had gotten more of a backstory. Some love there, from parents, siblings or anything really, that would have made her childhood that much more tragic. That being said she is a feisty little thing, and I am here for all of it!
We start off with Enna on a mission from Odissa that doesn’t go quite as planned, it even seems Enna may not have been given all the details. After some twists and turns, we meet Soren, the Coral Prince. I loved the chapters from his point of view - he is funny! I loved some of his inner monologue, just dripping in sarcasm. He falls first, and he falls hard. Soren is entranced by Enna from the moment they meet, and she stabs him! What a way to land a guy. But, Enna is there to help the Prince fall for Odissa, and due to a blood oath she must help is every way she possibly can (due to some unfortunate wording when the oath was made).
The blood oath in itself was such an excellent aspect, very believable and terrifyingly difficult to break. I would have liked to know more about these oaths, are they common, how often do they break or get released from them?
I do wish there was more. What of the kingdoms and their relationships with each other; I would have liked to see some more political aspects. Odissa and her past along with diving deeper into motives. Also the gods and goddesses of the sea, how many are there? We know of the goddess of death but she can’t be the only one.
Overall this is five wicked stars for me. I loved it. The world building was amazing; both land and sea. It was written wonderfully, I found myself reading through it quickly and not getting hung up on small tidbits. When I wasn’t reading I was thinking about it, the world, the characters - they will be on my mind for a while still! And not to mention the romance!
The snippy comments, the banter, the nicknames - ugh! This had everything my heart desires.
Thank you to Lies West for my gifted ARC copy!
What a retelling this one is! The Little Mermaid with some spice and murder. I really enjoyed the aspect of Odissa and all her Ursula vibes. I do wish that with our female main character, the wicked Enna, had gotten more of a backstory. Some love there, from parents, siblings or anything really, that would have made her childhood that much more tragic. That being said she is a feisty little thing, and I am here for all of it!
We start off with Enna on a mission from Odissa that doesn’t go quite as planned, it even seems Enna may not have been given all the details. After some twists and turns, we meet Soren, the Coral Prince. I loved the chapters from his point of view - he is funny! I loved some of his inner monologue, just dripping in sarcasm. He falls first, and he falls hard. Soren is entranced by Enna from the moment they meet, and she stabs him! What a way to land a guy. But, Enna is there to help the Prince fall for Odissa, and due to a blood oath she must help is every way she possibly can (due to some unfortunate wording when the oath was made).
The blood oath in itself was such an excellent aspect, very believable and terrifyingly difficult to break. I would have liked to know more about these oaths, are they common, how often do they break or get released from them?
I do wish there was more. What of the kingdoms and their relationships with each other; I would have liked to see some more political aspects. Odissa and her past along with diving deeper into motives. Also the gods and goddesses of the sea, how many are there? We know of the goddess of death but she can’t be the only one.
Overall this is five wicked stars for me. I loved it. The world building was amazing; both land and sea. It was written wonderfully, I found myself reading through it quickly and not getting hung up on small tidbits. When I wasn’t reading I was thinking about it, the world, the characters - they will be on my mind for a while still! And not to mention the romance!
The snippy comments, the banter, the nicknames - ugh! This had everything my heart desires.
Thank you to Lies West for my gifted ARC copy!
February 2, 2025
3,5 - goede romantasy om je gedachten eens te verzetten
June 18, 2024
I received this book directly from the author for an ARC. The world building of the different kingdoms and species was very vivid and well done. The love story between Enna and Soren was believable and I very much enjoyed that Enna was not classically pretty like you find in most fairytale retellings. She was strong and smart as well as solidly dangerous. I found the ending a bit anticlimactic as I thought we’d get more of a twist from Ennas background but I still overall enjoyed the story and will read more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
ARC review:
Yes, just yes. This was my first mermaid romantasy, and I was definitely skeptical. I wasn't sure I could take mermaids seriously. But this book blew me out of the water. From the thoughtful world-building, elaborate characters, heart-pounding action and satisfying spice, OSAS kept me page turning!
If you love an adult FMC who is confident, deadly, and not easily swept off her feet, Enna is your girl.
This debut novel is so wonderfully written. The writing flows naturally, the dialogue is believable and witty, and the imagery is truly captivating.
I cannot wait to continue discovering the Sirens of Adria series!
Yes, just yes. This was my first mermaid romantasy, and I was definitely skeptical. I wasn't sure I could take mermaids seriously. But this book blew me out of the water. From the thoughtful world-building, elaborate characters, heart-pounding action and satisfying spice, OSAS kept me page turning!
If you love an adult FMC who is confident, deadly, and not easily swept off her feet, Enna is your girl.
This debut novel is so wonderfully written. The writing flows naturally, the dialogue is believable and witty, and the imagery is truly captivating.
I cannot wait to continue discovering the Sirens of Adria series!
June 17, 2024
3.5 stars - Received as an ARC
A fun debut novel that is a darker reimagining of the Little Mermaid. I enjoyed the FMC being morally gray and a fighter instead of a victim.
It reads as a stand alone, so you do get closure at the end. I thought her family's past or maybe the history of the kingdoms would come into play at some point, but they didn't. I was also hoping for a plot twist or a big discovery that didn't happen, it was rather a pretty straight forward story which is fine. I just kept expecting a big !!!! moment and then all of a sudden the story was finished.
Overall a great job for her first novel! I'm excited to see how she grows in her story telling as an author.
A fun debut novel that is a darker reimagining of the Little Mermaid. I enjoyed the FMC being morally gray and a fighter instead of a victim.
It reads as a stand alone, so you do get closure at the end. I thought her family's past or maybe the history of the kingdoms would come into play at some point, but they didn't. I was also hoping for a plot twist or a big discovery that didn't happen, it was rather a pretty straight forward story which is fine. I just kept expecting a big !!!! moment and then all of a sudden the story was finished.
Overall a great job for her first novel! I'm excited to see how she grows in her story telling as an author.
February 4, 2025
And those eyes – gods, those eyes. Like two purple stars, brilliant in color against the pale white of her skin.
This book - AMAZING - LOVED IT
⭒⭒⭒⭒⭒ / 5
The flow of the book was too good to be true, I loved this book by heart –
The Story - So fabulous written
The Plot - it was not big - but I loved it either ways AHHAH
The Love Story – Oh my
- how Soren is in love with her the moment he meets her AHHHHH
- He really fell first and harder, it was sooo good.
- She (Enna) is such a fierce and brave woman and cant forget about Soren
Okay now that you can feel what I feel - QUOTES:
Since meeting him, I have flirted with him, insulted him, ignored him, scolded him, and then stabbed him. This male who is apparently the fucking Coral Prince.
I would have dropped to my knees and worshipped her for the sheer joy of being bound to an equal.
“My little moon goddess,”
“You’ve stolen my heart, and I have no intentions of escaping your clutches.”
Okay enough, read that book, its really worth it!
Thanks for reading <3
June 3, 2024
4⭐️
1.5🌶️
Of Song and Scepter blew me away as a debut novel! I stumbled upon it on Instagram and was immediately hooked. I've never delved into a siren-centered story before, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! The underwater scenes were everything I hoped for and more. Honestly, I could have used even more of them. I'm a sucker for retellings, especially when they take a dark turn, and this one did not disappoint.
My only gripe? It felt like the book was over in a flash. Some moments whizzed by so quickly I barely had time to catch my breath. And the resolution of the main conflict? Don't get me wrong, it was satisfying, but I was left wanting a bit more of a showdown. The villain deserved a bit more suffering, if you ask me.
Oh, and Soren and Enna? Their romance felt a tad too rushed for my liking. I get it, instant connections are a thing, but it felt a bit too convenient. As for the spice, it was honestly great, but I found myself craving even more mermaid sex. That scene was so tantalizingly fascinating to read, leaving me hungry for more. Here's hoping for even more steamy scenes like that in the future!
Overall, though, Of Song and Scepter is an absolute gem of a debut. Major kudos to Liesl for crafting such a captivating world. And thank you for letting me dive into this adventure early!
1.5🌶️
Of Song and Scepter blew me away as a debut novel! I stumbled upon it on Instagram and was immediately hooked. I've never delved into a siren-centered story before, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! The underwater scenes were everything I hoped for and more. Honestly, I could have used even more of them. I'm a sucker for retellings, especially when they take a dark turn, and this one did not disappoint.
My only gripe? It felt like the book was over in a flash. Some moments whizzed by so quickly I barely had time to catch my breath. And the resolution of the main conflict? Don't get me wrong, it was satisfying, but I was left wanting a bit more of a showdown. The villain deserved a bit more suffering, if you ask me.
Oh, and Soren and Enna? Their romance felt a tad too rushed for my liking. I get it, instant connections are a thing, but it felt a bit too convenient. As for the spice, it was honestly great, but I found myself craving even more mermaid sex. That scene was so tantalizingly fascinating to read, leaving me hungry for more. Here's hoping for even more steamy scenes like that in the future!
Overall, though, Of Song and Scepter is an absolute gem of a debut. Major kudos to Liesl for crafting such a captivating world. And thank you for letting me dive into this adventure early!
June 11, 2024
Okay first of all I was so honored to read an early copy of this book and I never thought I would actually make the list! This is the first early review copy I have ever gotten to read. I will do my best to provide an honest review, I tend to be someone who clicks 5 stars on my kindle every time I finish a book :P
I love love love mermaid/siren books and feel like it is so hard to find one that isn’t for kids, and has a plot that interests me. I’ve read other siren books that didn’t fulfill my thirst for the genre, but Of Song and Scepter definitely managed to do so!
I’m not a picky reader by any means, most writing styles do not bother me. There were parts where I yearned for more context to make things feel a little less shallow. I think we could’ve used more explanation of certain concepts, which could’ve helped the story feel more well rounded. I understand, though, that indie authors don’t often get to push out books that are as long as they would like, and overall I really enjoyed this read!
The concept for this book is so beautifully unique, I love that there’s no humans involved, and I haven’t read any books lately that were overtly similar. A LOT of fantasy books lately have had borrowed bits and pieces here and there, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s nothing quite like diving into a completely new fantasy world. I say this even though Of Song and Scepter is a retelling of the little mermaid!! The details that link the two works are not painfully obvious, and I delighted in picking them out when they came up.
If you are looking for a light (but violent) summer read that ISNT boring, I would highly recommend checking out Of Song and Scepter. This book would pair perfectly with a towel on the beach and a cold drink in hand. I would love to see a sequel and more books from this author!
I love love love mermaid/siren books and feel like it is so hard to find one that isn’t for kids, and has a plot that interests me. I’ve read other siren books that didn’t fulfill my thirst for the genre, but Of Song and Scepter definitely managed to do so!
I’m not a picky reader by any means, most writing styles do not bother me. There were parts where I yearned for more context to make things feel a little less shallow. I think we could’ve used more explanation of certain concepts, which could’ve helped the story feel more well rounded. I understand, though, that indie authors don’t often get to push out books that are as long as they would like, and overall I really enjoyed this read!
The concept for this book is so beautifully unique, I love that there’s no humans involved, and I haven’t read any books lately that were overtly similar. A LOT of fantasy books lately have had borrowed bits and pieces here and there, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s nothing quite like diving into a completely new fantasy world. I say this even though Of Song and Scepter is a retelling of the little mermaid!! The details that link the two works are not painfully obvious, and I delighted in picking them out when they came up.
If you are looking for a light (but violent) summer read that ISNT boring, I would highly recommend checking out Of Song and Scepter. This book would pair perfectly with a towel on the beach and a cold drink in hand. I would love to see a sequel and more books from this author!
June 24, 2024
Of Song and Scepter by Liesl West
4/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️
Releases July 2nd, 2024
I was sent an early copy of this book as an arc reader. But this review is all my own. Thank you so much Liesl West for sending me this early!
This is a Little Mermaid retelling. It’s fast paced, full of good banter and emotion. (If you don’t like fast based books then this is not the book for you) This is darker than the Little Mermaid you grew up watching and a lot closer to the original fairytale. It’s dark, spicy and twisty. What more could you ask for? Also can we just stop and admire the cover for a second? STUNNING. Anyways, I found the world building and plot interesting! I do wish there were more details but I just love when books delve deep into lore or the world around them. (Which isn’t for everyone, but I love it) also duel POV which is my absolute FAVORITE. The spice was good without feeling too much. And overall was a great debut novel! I look forward to reading more from the author.
4/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️
Releases July 2nd, 2024
I was sent an early copy of this book as an arc reader. But this review is all my own. Thank you so much Liesl West for sending me this early!
This is a Little Mermaid retelling. It’s fast paced, full of good banter and emotion. (If you don’t like fast based books then this is not the book for you) This is darker than the Little Mermaid you grew up watching and a lot closer to the original fairytale. It’s dark, spicy and twisty. What more could you ask for? Also can we just stop and admire the cover for a second? STUNNING. Anyways, I found the world building and plot interesting! I do wish there were more details but I just love when books delve deep into lore or the world around them. (Which isn’t for everyone, but I love it) also duel POV which is my absolute FAVORITE. The spice was good without feeling too much. And overall was a great debut novel! I look forward to reading more from the author.
July 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! Enna was a great main character, although I wish we got to see her deadly side a little more throughout the book. The sparring scene between Enna and Soren was probably my favourite from the book. I love seeing a strong, powerful FMC who can hold her own against the males around her.
Soren was great too. He was smart, kind and cheeky. I loved the tension between the two main characters and those spicy scenes were definitely spicy!
I was engaged throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the links to the little mermaid. The story set up some great opportunities to explore aspects like political and court intrigue, and I hope we get to explore that in the rest of the series, which I am eagerly awaiting!
Soren was great too. He was smart, kind and cheeky. I loved the tension between the two main characters and those spicy scenes were definitely spicy!
I was engaged throughout the story, and I really enjoyed the links to the little mermaid. The story set up some great opportunities to explore aspects like political and court intrigue, and I hope we get to explore that in the rest of the series, which I am eagerly awaiting!
June 11, 2024
Not your traditional Little Mermaid tale and you will be so happy about that!
The storyline grabs you from the begining and you will be hooked (no pun intended). A unique retelling with some of your favorite tropes, including black cat FMC/golden retriever MMC and he falls first.
This debut novel reads like something put out by a well established author. I can’t stress enough that Liesl West does an absolutely fantastic job of putting you directly into the world of sirens and mermaids. A fantastic storyline in a unique world that has me desperate for a sequel.
Thank you to author, Liesl West, for the ARC!!
The storyline grabs you from the begining and you will be hooked (no pun intended). A unique retelling with some of your favorite tropes, including black cat FMC/golden retriever MMC and he falls first.
This debut novel reads like something put out by a well established author. I can’t stress enough that Liesl West does an absolutely fantastic job of putting you directly into the world of sirens and mermaids. A fantastic storyline in a unique world that has me desperate for a sequel.
Thank you to author, Liesl West, for the ARC!!
June 3, 2025
3.5 stars. I real enjoyed this story and thought the romance was good. Enna was a complex character and despite her job title, a big softy. Soren yearning for Enna was everything I wanted. I also enjoyed the world as I’ve never read a book with sirens and mermaids in it with different sections of the sea divided. The antagonist was a bit lack lustre for me as I didn’t completely understand her motivation and it seemed a bit random which is why it is not a higher rating.
June 3, 2024
Thank you to the author, Liesl West, for the ARC!
This was so fun! I really enjoyed this book and it hit all the sweet spots:
- MMC gives FMC a nickname
- no miscommunication trope
- magical system that makes sense
- that spice (including a list of chapters with the spicy scenes) 🌶️🌶️
- badass FMC who has a penchant for knives
- golden retriever warrior/prince MMC who is an immediate fool in love
- retelling of a childhood story (specifically the Little Mermaid here)
I highly recommend to anyone looking for their next mermaid/siren read
This was so fun! I really enjoyed this book and it hit all the sweet spots:
- MMC gives FMC a nickname
- no miscommunication trope
- magical system that makes sense
- that spice (including a list of chapters with the spicy scenes) 🌶️🌶️
- badass FMC who has a penchant for knives
- golden retriever warrior/prince MMC who is an immediate fool in love
- retelling of a childhood story (specifically the Little Mermaid here)
I highly recommend to anyone looking for their next mermaid/siren read
June 15, 2024
Thank you to Liesl West for an early copy of the book. All I can say is wow! I have loved every second of this book.
Liesl West has created this amazing world and I am all in. I loved all the detailed world building and I am hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that we will get more stories from this world.
The spice is amazing, the banter is chef’s kiss perfection, and there are moments that made me laugh out loud.
This is a book I know I will think about often and I expect I will reread it multiple times.
Liesl West has created this amazing world and I am all in. I loved all the detailed world building and I am hoping with all my fingers and toes crossed that we will get more stories from this world.
The spice is amazing, the banter is chef’s kiss perfection, and there are moments that made me laugh out loud.
This is a book I know I will think about often and I expect I will reread it multiple times.
June 21, 2024
I was selected as an ARC reader for this book and to say I’m obsessed would be an understatement. If you’ve ever looked at the little mermaid and thought to yourself, “let’s make this darker and sexier”, this is DEFINITELY the book for you. It has all the betrayal and dark twists you could ever want with just the right amount of spice. Enna is an absolute badass of a main character with just the right amount of vulnerability to make her relatable.
June 4, 2024
This was a very cute example of a little mermaid retelling. I loved how the little mermaid was actually a death dealer and had a darker twist to it. Out of all the retelling I have read, this one was a favorite.
June 19, 2024
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this book and truly enjoyed getting the chance to read it early! It is my first time reading erotica, and this book did not disappoint! Liesl's writing style is engaging and vibrant - bringing her characters and world to life. Sexy scenes were erotic, tasteful, and fun :) I'm excited to learn more about the intriguing world of Adria in the books to come! Such cool ideas about how to merge the known with the unknown in fantastical ways^^
June 11, 2024
I stumbled across this book on instagram and was luckily chosen as an ARC reader! This book is fantastic and I cannot wait for more from this author! MMC gives FMC a nickname, “Who did this to you”, stabby not meek FMC with some decent spice! The world and magic were so unique compared to most fantasy books out right now! I ate this up and the only thing that stopped me from finishing it in a day was the life duties of a mom with kids on summer vacation! Definitely recommend this story!!!
July 2, 2024
ARC review!
I ate this book up. I love Disney. I love fantasy. I love romance. I love spice. This book had a little of everything. The spice was minimal but the scenes were well written. I have to say I would not have guessed this was a debut book. It was easy to read and everything flowed so well. So much detail but not too much that you get bored. You get some twists and gore. I look forward to seeing what this author continues to come out with.
I ate this book up. I love Disney. I love fantasy. I love romance. I love spice. This book had a little of everything. The spice was minimal but the scenes were well written. I have to say I would not have guessed this was a debut book. It was easy to read and everything flowed so well. So much detail but not too much that you get bored. You get some twists and gore. I look forward to seeing what this author continues to come out with.
June 23, 2024
I always love a retelling but I adore a retelling that reinvents and brings new excitement to the story. The tropes are what brought me to this book and I wasn't sure how I would feel as this is my first mermaid/siren book, but the plot is what kept me coming back!
This story caught my attention from the first chapter and kept me wanting more as I read on. The characters are interesting and fun, the world is rich and vibrant and the banter/anticipation is top tier!
Thank you so much Liesl for having me on your ARC team 🖤
This story caught my attention from the first chapter and kept me wanting more as I read on. The characters are interesting and fun, the world is rich and vibrant and the banter/anticipation is top tier!
Thank you so much Liesl for having me on your ARC team 🖤
June 9, 2024
Thank you so much for the ARC copy.
I was very excited for this book and i am so glad I read it. The little mermaid is my favorite and this stabby FMC did not disappoint. I love Enna as the villian. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. The world building was wonderful and I can't wait to explore Adria further!
I was very excited for this book and i am so glad I read it. The little mermaid is my favorite and this stabby FMC did not disappoint. I love Enna as the villian. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the story. The world building was wonderful and I can't wait to explore Adria further!
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