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Cursed by a Siren's Kiss
Winner of the 2025 Imadjin award for best fantasy!!
She needed a heart to break her humanity, but he needed her to awaken his.
Deep within the sea, Siren Princess Talia must perform a ritual - consuming the heart of a human who loves her - to gain her siren power and her throne. She will risk everything to earn what is rightfully hers, even if it means being completely vulnerable.
Captain 'Black-Eyes' Kipp, cursed centuries ago, has a growing darkness threatening to consume his soul. He has easily claimed everything he ever wanted, but nothing fills the void created by this ancient curse. Now, he needs to capture a siren to break the curse before he's lost to it forever.
Forced together on an epic quest through sea monsters and the wrath of Poseidon himself, Talia and Kipp must decide whether to surrender to the all-consuming power they crave or make a heart-wrenching sacrifice. Only one thing is certain - to defeat the darkness, one of them will have to take the ultimate plunge.
Will she be able to break the curse and save Kipp? Or will they both succumb to the darkness inside them?
This isn't the Little Mermaid you remember, but a darker, twisted version full of heat and uncontrollable lust...Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss is book 2 in the Once Upon a Curse series. A unique collection of retellings that go beyond just the fairytale. This is a dark romantasy fairytale retelling with monsters, Greek gods, curses, sirens, and pirates!! There is a ton of steam with multiple open-door scenes. This will not be your Disney sweet fairytale.
For fans of To Kill A Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Little Mermaid, Ever King and Sea Witch.
She needed a heart to break her humanity, but he needed her to awaken his.
Deep within the sea, Siren Princess Talia must perform a ritual - consuming the heart of a human who loves her - to gain her siren power and her throne. She will risk everything to earn what is rightfully hers, even if it means being completely vulnerable.
Captain 'Black-Eyes' Kipp, cursed centuries ago, has a growing darkness threatening to consume his soul. He has easily claimed everything he ever wanted, but nothing fills the void created by this ancient curse. Now, he needs to capture a siren to break the curse before he's lost to it forever.
Forced together on an epic quest through sea monsters and the wrath of Poseidon himself, Talia and Kipp must decide whether to surrender to the all-consuming power they crave or make a heart-wrenching sacrifice. Only one thing is certain - to defeat the darkness, one of them will have to take the ultimate plunge.
Will she be able to break the curse and save Kipp? Or will they both succumb to the darkness inside them?
This isn't the Little Mermaid you remember, but a darker, twisted version full of heat and uncontrollable lust...Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss is book 2 in the Once Upon a Curse series. A unique collection of retellings that go beyond just the fairytale. This is a dark romantasy fairytale retelling with monsters, Greek gods, curses, sirens, and pirates!! There is a ton of steam with multiple open-door scenes. This will not be your Disney sweet fairytale.
For fans of To Kill A Kingdom, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Little Mermaid, Ever King and Sea Witch.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
94 people are currently reading
1058 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hunt
13 books59 followersRiley Hunt is the pen name of Trish Beninato. She writes both adult and young adult fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal with a little romance and strong female leads that kick ass all on their own. She lives in Maryland currently, but who knows where she will end up next, even she doesn’t know. She holds a master’s in Education with an emphasis on Reading Literacy, but instead writes the literature she once sought to teach. She is a wine and coffee enthusiast who overindulges way too much. A proud nerd to the core, you’ll find Star Wars and Marvel characters littering the shelves of her office; which she uses influence from as she writes her stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
September 8, 2024
"Cursed by a Siren's Kiss" is a dark fantasy romance with sirens and pirates, that had me HOOKED! I loved the twist on The Little Mermaid—instead of a typical mermaid, we get a monstrous siren, and swapping out the prince for a cursed pirate? I ate this up.
The mix of Greek mythology, gods, and mythical creatures was chef’s kiss. The plot had the perfect balance of spice and story, and once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. The world-building was so vivid, and the tension between Talia and Kip was 🔥. There were a few grammar issues and a slow start, but the romance, action, and humor more than made up for it.
Highly recommend if you love dark romantasy with some added spice!
The mix of Greek mythology, gods, and mythical creatures was chef’s kiss. The plot had the perfect balance of spice and story, and once it got going, I couldn’t put it down. The world-building was so vivid, and the tension between Talia and Kip was 🔥. There were a few grammar issues and a slow start, but the romance, action, and humor more than made up for it.
Highly recommend if you love dark romantasy with some added spice!
September 10, 2024
Devoured this, loved the enemy to lover tension, forced proximity, and all the intense chemistry and stabby threats.
It's a fantastic mix of the little mermaid, pirates of the Caribbean and greek mythology, that is dark, deadly and violent.
Talia, the Siren Princess is fierce, seductive and volatile, and Kipp the cursed Pirate Captain was dark, intense and possessive.
This has a great balance of intriguing plot, worldbuilding, mythology and spicy romance. I loved the layers to the curses, bonds and fates threading everything together.
It's a standalone dark romantasy you need to read.
🔱 "Good things came to those who took what they wanted. And I wanted...everything"
🔱 "You're like an enigma that will haunt even my dreams"
🔱"We can't all be perfect specimens like yourself. Some of us are just mere mortals"
"Please, I've seen sea slugs with more charm"
🔱"How am I supposed to pleasure you without the threat of being stabbed at any second?"
🔱"My beautiful seductive siren was going to be the death of me...in the most pleasurable way possible"
🔱"I don't want to be in this world if you are not in it too"
It's a fantastic mix of the little mermaid, pirates of the Caribbean and greek mythology, that is dark, deadly and violent.
Talia, the Siren Princess is fierce, seductive and volatile, and Kipp the cursed Pirate Captain was dark, intense and possessive.
This has a great balance of intriguing plot, worldbuilding, mythology and spicy romance. I loved the layers to the curses, bonds and fates threading everything together.
It's a standalone dark romantasy you need to read.
🔱 "Good things came to those who took what they wanted. And I wanted...everything"
🔱 "You're like an enigma that will haunt even my dreams"
🔱"We can't all be perfect specimens like yourself. Some of us are just mere mortals"
"Please, I've seen sea slugs with more charm"
🔱"How am I supposed to pleasure you without the threat of being stabbed at any second?"
🔱"My beautiful seductive siren was going to be the death of me...in the most pleasurable way possible"
🔱"I don't want to be in this world if you are not in it too"
September 11, 2024
(4,5 ☆)
To get her powers and the throne to Atlantis, Siren Princess Talia needs to perform a ritual: consume the heart of a human that loves her. If she fails she will be forced to live on land for the rest of her life.
Pirate Captain Kipp wanted it all: fame, fortune, riches. But instead of finding a powerful witch he found a sea witch who cursed him. Now he's unbeatable, but a darkness is threatening to consume him. He has to break the curse before it's too late, and it can only be done with a siren's kiss.
This is a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid, with Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. In the dedication it says "for all the bold souls out there who like their romance with a side of darkness, their curses hot, and aren't afraid to dive headfirst into the stormy seas of passion and power". Both our protagonists are morally grey, or maybe even black, and I really appriciate that we get dual POV's. In this dark romantasy we encounter monsters, Greek mythology, curses, sirens and pirates, as well as explicit s*xscenes with knife play, so this is not for the straitlaced!
I like both Talia and Kipp, and it's fun to see how they go from enemies to lovers. The s*xual attraction between them is palpable from the beginning, but they keep their emotions in check for quite some time. The development feels well paced, the tension and anticipation makes you want to read on! Highly recommend!
“I deserve an unhappy ending. I’m not a good man, Talia. I’m a selfish man who has done everything in my power to get whatever I wanted. I never cared who it harmed in the process. I’m not going to fight against what I deserve anymore.”
* I received an ARC from the authors and I'm giving my honest review. *
To get her powers and the throne to Atlantis, Siren Princess Talia needs to perform a ritual: consume the heart of a human that loves her. If she fails she will be forced to live on land for the rest of her life.
Pirate Captain Kipp wanted it all: fame, fortune, riches. But instead of finding a powerful witch he found a sea witch who cursed him. Now he's unbeatable, but a darkness is threatening to consume him. He has to break the curse before it's too late, and it can only be done with a siren's kiss.
This is a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid, with Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. In the dedication it says "for all the bold souls out there who like their romance with a side of darkness, their curses hot, and aren't afraid to dive headfirst into the stormy seas of passion and power". Both our protagonists are morally grey, or maybe even black, and I really appriciate that we get dual POV's. In this dark romantasy we encounter monsters, Greek mythology, curses, sirens and pirates, as well as explicit s*xscenes with knife play, so this is not for the straitlaced!
I like both Talia and Kipp, and it's fun to see how they go from enemies to lovers. The s*xual attraction between them is palpable from the beginning, but they keep their emotions in check for quite some time. The development feels well paced, the tension and anticipation makes you want to read on! Highly recommend!
“I deserve an unhappy ending. I’m not a good man, Talia. I’m a selfish man who has done everything in my power to get whatever I wanted. I never cared who it harmed in the process. I’m not going to fight against what I deserve anymore.”
* I received an ARC from the authors and I'm giving my honest review. *
September 29, 2024
YES YES YESSSSS !! I absolutely ate this book up !! I am a huge fan of sirens & mermaids. There are not as many fantasy dark romance books with sirens like there are for vamps , fae & monsters , so the fact that this was different from the norm was what pulled me in to begin with !! This book is written very well , the descriptions of characters & scenes around them, details of the world itself .. I could see it all playing out in my head as I read along !! Another thing that I loved about this book THE BALANCE OF SPICE TO PLOT !!! Don’t get me wrong I am a dark romance girly so I love the spice from cute to unhinged BUT I cant keep my attention on a book that is 90% spice & 10% plot lmaoo nope that’s too boring . BUT THIS BOOK HAD A PERFECT BALANCE with some humor thrown in !! & The plot was interesting & thick from the beginning!!! I caught myself crying a few times there near the end I was like “whaattt nooooo” ! I absolutely would read this book again !!! I loved it so much !!
September 15, 2024
When I heard about the Once Upon a Curse series that would feature unique fairytales with touches and nods to the classics we've all loved, I couldn't wait to get started reading these books. Cursed by a Siren's Kiss, which is a dark Little Mermaid retelling where the little mermaid and her villain are equally dark and ferocious.
This was a book that I had the chance to read while on vacation at the beach and it was the perfect story for the moment. It is my first time reading a story by these authors but it certainly will not be my last. In Cursed by a Siren's Kiss, we meet Talia, a young siren who comes from both god and ocean royalty, as she is the daughter of the former Siren Queen and Poseidon. All of her life, Talia's father has made her feel less than worthy of the throne that should be rightfully hers. As part of her coming of age and claiming her full siren power, Talia must find a man to fall in love with her and consume his heart.
Unbeknownst to Talia, as she coldly seeks out her mortal target on land, there is another dark force at play that could change the course of her path and impact her ability to claim her birthright. This force comes in the form of the handsome yet singularly focused pirate known as Captain Dark Eyes, or Kipp. Kipp is on a mission to break a powerful curse placed on him by the Sea Witch Circe in exchange for power and being able to claim anything he wants. This curse is consuming Kipp from within and he is running out of time before it completely takes over his soul and leaves him void, unable to feel anything. The key to breaking his curse--a certain siren, who he binds to himself just as she is completing her powerful ritual.
When I tell you that the spark and tension between Talia and Kipp is off the charts, it is no lie. From the beginning these two recognize the darkness in each other and rather being frightened by it, they find a mutual respect and attraction in it. I adored the absolutely fiery banter and at time vicious way that these two dig right into each other's hearts, literally and figuratively. For the first time in centuries, Kipp feels emotions as he is awed and drawn to the ferocity and fearlessness of Talia.
As the two make a tenuous agreement to help each other achieve their goals, they begin to learn more about one another's worlds. I thought that the authors brought a really unique spin to the Little Mermaid world, especially in the way that they wove in the lore of the Greek gods and how Talia and Kipp dare to defy the destinies set out for them. Not to mention, when the spice hits it is on fire and you have to love a dark antihero who still has his principles and is not afraid to claim his feelings first.
I absolutely devoured this book in a whirlwind of two days. This dark retelling was filled with plenty of action, a dark MMC and a dark FMC whose fire and spite burn equally hot! I definitely recommend this and can't wait to read more books in this series.
This was a book that I had the chance to read while on vacation at the beach and it was the perfect story for the moment. It is my first time reading a story by these authors but it certainly will not be my last. In Cursed by a Siren's Kiss, we meet Talia, a young siren who comes from both god and ocean royalty, as she is the daughter of the former Siren Queen and Poseidon. All of her life, Talia's father has made her feel less than worthy of the throne that should be rightfully hers. As part of her coming of age and claiming her full siren power, Talia must find a man to fall in love with her and consume his heart.
Unbeknownst to Talia, as she coldly seeks out her mortal target on land, there is another dark force at play that could change the course of her path and impact her ability to claim her birthright. This force comes in the form of the handsome yet singularly focused pirate known as Captain Dark Eyes, or Kipp. Kipp is on a mission to break a powerful curse placed on him by the Sea Witch Circe in exchange for power and being able to claim anything he wants. This curse is consuming Kipp from within and he is running out of time before it completely takes over his soul and leaves him void, unable to feel anything. The key to breaking his curse--a certain siren, who he binds to himself just as she is completing her powerful ritual.
When I tell you that the spark and tension between Talia and Kipp is off the charts, it is no lie. From the beginning these two recognize the darkness in each other and rather being frightened by it, they find a mutual respect and attraction in it. I adored the absolutely fiery banter and at time vicious way that these two dig right into each other's hearts, literally and figuratively. For the first time in centuries, Kipp feels emotions as he is awed and drawn to the ferocity and fearlessness of Talia.
As the two make a tenuous agreement to help each other achieve their goals, they begin to learn more about one another's worlds. I thought that the authors brought a really unique spin to the Little Mermaid world, especially in the way that they wove in the lore of the Greek gods and how Talia and Kipp dare to defy the destinies set out for them. Not to mention, when the spice hits it is on fire and you have to love a dark antihero who still has his principles and is not afraid to claim his feelings first.
I absolutely devoured this book in a whirlwind of two days. This dark retelling was filled with plenty of action, a dark MMC and a dark FMC whose fire and spite burn equally hot! I definitely recommend this and can't wait to read more books in this series.
November 15, 2024
This was a really fun fantasy read. It really meshed a lot of things together in a great way. A pirate/siren tale with Greek gods. Several smutty scenes for spice readers. This is the first book in an onset series, I'm excited to continue this series!
September 3, 2024
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book.
When I first started this book, I was a bit put off by the description of "A Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean." That sounds like an amazing combo, but it made me worry that this book would feel like an unoriginal fanfiction. Despite my reservations, this story took me by surprise. I found myself feeling very attached to multiple characters and eager to know what would happen next. It didn't feel too based on another work, and there were a lot of creative and interesting concepts that grabbed my attention and gave the story a much more adult feel.
My issues:
Writing-wise, there are a LOT of grammar issues and a decent amount of typos. However, I do want to note that I read an ARC, so some of this is likely to be fixed. Certain phrases are repeated many, many, many times, especially when Kipp is expressing his feelings for Talia. There was also a lot of recapping of the story so far, which felt really unneeded. Altogether, this repetition made quite a few of the scenes feel cut-and-pasted.
The story started out a bit scattered and rushed, with a lot of telling instead of showing. A large plot point revolves around Talia's responsibility to her people, but you never really see her interacting with them in Atlantis. There wasn't much world-building in that regard to make the reader even care about her people (or understand why she cares so much about them).
Now the positive:
I love the mix of mythology and pirates! The setting was exciting because of this, with lots of interesting characters (Proteus <3). The romance is CONSENSUAL, which is always great, and I enjoyed the dynamic of both characters being victims of circumstance but finding each other through their struggles. They both clearly care for each other, but they have larger battles to fight and try to maintain level heads for the sake of those around them. I think so many scenes in this book will stick with me for a long time due to the setting, characters, and concepts of the story.
Overall, I felt like the plot could use some patching, and there was a pretty large need for editing in the writing as far as repetition and mistakes. However, this book was a very fun read with interesting characters and a ton of super creative ideas!
Writing: 2
Characters: 5
Plot: 4
Setting: 5
Enjoyment: 4
When I first started this book, I was a bit put off by the description of "A Little Mermaid meets Pirates of the Caribbean." That sounds like an amazing combo, but it made me worry that this book would feel like an unoriginal fanfiction. Despite my reservations, this story took me by surprise. I found myself feeling very attached to multiple characters and eager to know what would happen next. It didn't feel too based on another work, and there were a lot of creative and interesting concepts that grabbed my attention and gave the story a much more adult feel.
My issues:
Writing-wise, there are a LOT of grammar issues and a decent amount of typos. However, I do want to note that I read an ARC, so some of this is likely to be fixed. Certain phrases are repeated many, many, many times, especially when Kipp is expressing his feelings for Talia. There was also a lot of recapping of the story so far, which felt really unneeded. Altogether, this repetition made quite a few of the scenes feel cut-and-pasted.
The story started out a bit scattered and rushed, with a lot of telling instead of showing. A large plot point revolves around Talia's responsibility to her people, but you never really see her interacting with them in Atlantis. There wasn't much world-building in that regard to make the reader even care about her people (or understand why she cares so much about them).
Now the positive:
I love the mix of mythology and pirates! The setting was exciting because of this, with lots of interesting characters (Proteus <3). The romance is CONSENSUAL, which is always great, and I enjoyed the dynamic of both characters being victims of circumstance but finding each other through their struggles. They both clearly care for each other, but they have larger battles to fight and try to maintain level heads for the sake of those around them. I think so many scenes in this book will stick with me for a long time due to the setting, characters, and concepts of the story.
Overall, I felt like the plot could use some patching, and there was a pretty large need for editing in the writing as far as repetition and mistakes. However, this book was a very fun read with interesting characters and a ton of super creative ideas!
Writing: 2
Characters: 5
Plot: 4
Setting: 5
Enjoyment: 4
October 3, 2024
Cursed by Sirens is a Little Mermaid retelling which entwined greek mythology and gave me Pirates of the Carribbean vibes. I really enjoy retellings that are different to what I expect and this one was up there with the best of them. This gave me romance, enemies to lovers trope and tensions were high, I felt like it sizzled off the page. I loved the dark romance elements and the characters were great. Kipp in all of his angst and possessiveness and Talia being the seductive siren princess were brilliant together, their chemistry was believable and phew what a pairing 🔥The spice in this book was on point too along side the storyline, it made for an excellent read!
October 5, 2024
Wow 🤯 This is such a beautifully dark twisted Retelling of 2 fantastic tales(Little Mermaid & Piratesof the Caribbean), thrown in with some Greek Mythology & all the spice🖤 was not expecting all those twists/ turns but it fits beautifully!! Felt like I could literally picture the story as I was reading! Love love this, highly recommend 👌
September 26, 2024
I read this as a part of an ARC read for the author/ The start of the story was a little slow getting into, but once the witty banter between Kipp and Talia started. It is like a cross between The Little Mermaid, Pirates of the Caribbean, and a bit of Greek mythology all wrapped together. If you love all of the above and a little bit of dark romance this is a great book. Check for trigger warnings before reading. I would love to see where this story could go next!
September 12, 2024
The second part of the Once upon a curse series is a little mermaid retelling. It features greek mythology as well as pirates, like those of The pirates of the caribbean. This won't be your ordinary fairytale retelling, since it will be a dark steamy romantasy. I have read tons of retellings but never a dark and steamy one. What will I think of Cursed by a Siren's Kiss?
This book is a real adventure in the seas. It has gods, goddesses, sirens, pirates and monsters of the sea. In addition, the story has a great worldbuilding and I really enjoyed reading it. The authors really created a wonderfull story with a nice balance between emotion and spice.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
This book is a real adventure in the seas. It has gods, goddesses, sirens, pirates and monsters of the sea. In addition, the story has a great worldbuilding and I really enjoyed reading it. The authors really created a wonderfull story with a nice balance between emotion and spice.
Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg
September 17, 2024
This was a deliciously dark retelling of the little mermaid. A siren cursed to be on land if she doesn't secure her mark, and a pirate out to break a curse. Neither trusts the other, but they must in order to reach their goals. Seductive and cunning, this story draws you in just like a siren song.
September 10, 2024
"We were all monsters. It only mattered who told our story."
I really liked this! It was a lot darker than the first in this series, which is one of the things I love about multi author series. There's always something for everyone, or a nice change of pace for people reading them all.
This is a Little Mermaid/Pirates of the Caribbean mashup, with heavy usage of Greek Mythology. There were a ton of layers and depth to each of the characters that I loved and each time I thought I had them figured out, there was some new information added.
I really liked this! It was a lot darker than the first in this series, which is one of the things I love about multi author series. There's always something for everyone, or a nice change of pace for people reading them all.
This is a Little Mermaid/Pirates of the Caribbean mashup, with heavy usage of Greek Mythology. There were a ton of layers and depth to each of the characters that I loved and each time I thought I had them figured out, there was some new information added.
September 10, 2024
Cursed by a Sirens Kiss takes Little Mermaid and mixes in Pirates of the Caribbean and Greek mythology to create an awesome adventure.
We follow Talia, a siren on a quest to claim her power and Captain “Black-Eyes” Kipp, a pirate with a dark curse. Their paths collide and they must work together to break their curses on an epic quest across the seas.
I loved both Talia and Kipp as characters and loved their chemistry and banter. The adventure in this book was top notch. The Greek gods being sprinkled in fit perfectly with this story and was such a fun element.
4.5 stars
We follow Talia, a siren on a quest to claim her power and Captain “Black-Eyes” Kipp, a pirate with a dark curse. Their paths collide and they must work together to break their curses on an epic quest across the seas.
I loved both Talia and Kipp as characters and loved their chemistry and banter. The adventure in this book was top notch. The Greek gods being sprinkled in fit perfectly with this story and was such a fun element.
4.5 stars
September 13, 2024
A great dark fantasy/romance with some Pirates of the Caribbean and Little Mermaid vibes. Loved the dialogue and action and fighting scenes too! If you enjoy enemies to lovers, gods and goddesses, curses, romance, and adventure this is the book for you.
September 29, 2024
Would you give it all up for love?!
Definitely recommend this book! It’s a twist with little mermaid, pirates of the Caribbean, and Greek mythology. I haven’t read anything with the combo before and it was beautifully done. The fmc and mmc have their own darkness within and end up working together on epic journeys.
Definitely recommend this book! It’s a twist with little mermaid, pirates of the Caribbean, and Greek mythology. I haven’t read anything with the combo before and it was beautifully done. The fmc and mmc have their own darkness within and end up working together on epic journeys.
September 5, 2024
Well I don’t know if it says more about me or the book but I read this in under 24 hours 😅
The start was a little slow, the first few chapters are definitely world builders.
But once the story starts it really gets going!
I loved the inclusion of the Greek Gods into the fairytale retelling, it added some extra layers to the story that tied everything together.
The relationship between Kipp and Thalia had the perfect amount of slow burn for a standalone.
I had so much fun with this story.
I highly recommend it for someone who wants a dark retelling with some added oomph.
The start was a little slow, the first few chapters are definitely world builders.
But once the story starts it really gets going!
I loved the inclusion of the Greek Gods into the fairytale retelling, it added some extra layers to the story that tied everything together.
The relationship between Kipp and Thalia had the perfect amount of slow burn for a standalone.
I had so much fun with this story.
I highly recommend it for someone who wants a dark retelling with some added oomph.
September 12, 2024
I really enjoyed the book. I like the dark aspects in it . The pirates ,curses ,sirens and the Greek gods it was just a good read I enjoyed it.
September 12, 2024
This book….i have no words!!! Ugh growing up the litter mermaid was my favorite movie and then it became pirate’s of the Caribbean. Then I get this book! Ugh all my fantasies come true!!! A dark pirate looking to break his curse, a siren looking for a heart to steal to get her powers. He needs her, she doesn’t know she needs him. Yes!!! More than five stars!!!
September 6, 2024
At first it was hard to get into, but then I was hooked so definitely give it time!! There’s so much fun banter in this book- like I’d actually giggle. there’s pirates, sirens, gods & witches and the best part 🔥smut🔥
November 11, 2024
This book was freaking fantastic!
I would say it’s lightly inspired by The Little Mermaid, but so much better. First off, there’s the switch of mermaid to siren. Instead of a whiny child we get something more monstrous. Switch out a Prince for a pirate and it’s game on.
I love it when writers let their monsters be actual monsters, yet still make us feel for them. That’s what we get with Talia the siren. Kip the pirate suffers from a curse that gives him a darker twist as well.
Next is the deep dive into Greek mythology. You get up close and personal with a mythological beast that I was recently reading up on and it was so fun to see her on the page! We also get appearances from several gods who throw some wrenches into everyone’s plans. Even the sea witch ties back to the myths.
With monsters, mythology, and animal magnetism, it’s hard to go wrong!
I would say it’s lightly inspired by The Little Mermaid, but so much better. First off, there’s the switch of mermaid to siren. Instead of a whiny child we get something more monstrous. Switch out a Prince for a pirate and it’s game on.
I love it when writers let their monsters be actual monsters, yet still make us feel for them. That’s what we get with Talia the siren. Kip the pirate suffers from a curse that gives him a darker twist as well.
Next is the deep dive into Greek mythology. You get up close and personal with a mythological beast that I was recently reading up on and it was so fun to see her on the page! We also get appearances from several gods who throw some wrenches into everyone’s plans. Even the sea witch ties back to the myths.
With monsters, mythology, and animal magnetism, it’s hard to go wrong!
September 12, 2024
✨ARC Review ✨
Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss by Riley Hunt & LS Embers is the second book in the Once Upon a Curse Series, and it truly does not disappoint!
This spicy, one-bed, enemies-to-lovers, touch him and die, dark retelling of The Little Mermaid is infused with a dash of Pirates of the Caribbean and rich Greek Mythology. At first, I was a bit hesitant, thinking it might lean more towards the young adult genre, but my worries were completely unfounded. The authors did an incredible job blending these three elements together to create a story that's both familiar and refreshingly spicy. The twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish! I did manage to guess a few surprises along the way, but not all, and regardless, I found myself reading late into the night!
I absolutely loved the mash-up of fairy tale retelling, mythology, and pirates. It was so cleverly crafted that I can’t help but regard The Little Mermaid in this new light. Each element chosen for Cursed by a Siren's Kiss fits perfectly into the narrative and felt just right, without being overly complicated. The ensemble of characters brought their unique personalities to the table, enhancing the story and bringing it to life. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Talia and Kipp was fantastic! The tension was so palpable you could almost cut it with a knife, and when the sparks finally flew – wow, did they ever! Just a heads-up, though; this book is spicy and features some “play” that might not be for everyone, so definitely check the trigger warnings or be ready to skim through parts.
There's just something about Proteus that tugs at my heartstrings. I’m not sure if it's his unwavering support for Talia, his protectiveness without wanting anything in return, or his honesty, but he quickly became my favorite character, and I can't help but wish he had his own story!
The beginning of the book is a bit slow, but that’s totally okay since it’s setting the stage for our main characters and the world they inhabit. Once the story picks up, expect plenty of action (in more ways than one), so hang in there! With so many moving parts, I did feel that some details were a bit glossed over. For instance, Willy, Kipp’s right-hand man—what happened to him? He appears early on, but then he seems to vanish without a clear explanation. Given his significance to Kipp, I expected a bit more clarity there. I appreciated how the story showcased Talia’s dedication to her people, but it didn’t translate well in the narrative. We don't get to see her interact with her people in Atlantis, which makes it harder to understand her motivations related to Kipp.
As the story reached its conclusion, I felt it could have used an extra chapter or two, or even an epilogue, to bring everything to a nice, rounded finish. An epilogue would have been fantastic, perhaps set a few years later, to check in on where they are now and how their abilities might have evolved. I'd have also loved to see how Scylla and Glaucous’s storyline wrapped up.
All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I definitely recommend giving it a read! A huge thank you to Riley Hunt & LS Embers for the advanced reader copy of Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss!
Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss is out now!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss by Riley Hunt & LS Embers is the second book in the Once Upon a Curse Series, and it truly does not disappoint!
This spicy, one-bed, enemies-to-lovers, touch him and die, dark retelling of The Little Mermaid is infused with a dash of Pirates of the Caribbean and rich Greek Mythology. At first, I was a bit hesitant, thinking it might lean more towards the young adult genre, but my worries were completely unfounded. The authors did an incredible job blending these three elements together to create a story that's both familiar and refreshingly spicy. The twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish! I did manage to guess a few surprises along the way, but not all, and regardless, I found myself reading late into the night!
I absolutely loved the mash-up of fairy tale retelling, mythology, and pirates. It was so cleverly crafted that I can’t help but regard The Little Mermaid in this new light. Each element chosen for Cursed by a Siren's Kiss fits perfectly into the narrative and felt just right, without being overly complicated. The ensemble of characters brought their unique personalities to the table, enhancing the story and bringing it to life. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Talia and Kipp was fantastic! The tension was so palpable you could almost cut it with a knife, and when the sparks finally flew – wow, did they ever! Just a heads-up, though; this book is spicy and features some “play” that might not be for everyone, so definitely check the trigger warnings or be ready to skim through parts.
There's just something about Proteus that tugs at my heartstrings. I’m not sure if it's his unwavering support for Talia, his protectiveness without wanting anything in return, or his honesty, but he quickly became my favorite character, and I can't help but wish he had his own story!
The beginning of the book is a bit slow, but that’s totally okay since it’s setting the stage for our main characters and the world they inhabit. Once the story picks up, expect plenty of action (in more ways than one), so hang in there! With so many moving parts, I did feel that some details were a bit glossed over. For instance, Willy, Kipp’s right-hand man—what happened to him? He appears early on, but then he seems to vanish without a clear explanation. Given his significance to Kipp, I expected a bit more clarity there. I appreciated how the story showcased Talia’s dedication to her people, but it didn’t translate well in the narrative. We don't get to see her interact with her people in Atlantis, which makes it harder to understand her motivations related to Kipp.
As the story reached its conclusion, I felt it could have used an extra chapter or two, or even an epilogue, to bring everything to a nice, rounded finish. An epilogue would have been fantastic, perhaps set a few years later, to check in on where they are now and how their abilities might have evolved. I'd have also loved to see how Scylla and Glaucous’s storyline wrapped up.
All in all, this was a fantastic read, and I definitely recommend giving it a read! A huge thank you to Riley Hunt & LS Embers for the advanced reader copy of Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss!
Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss is out now!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25/5
Spice - 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
September 23, 2024
"Cursed by a Siren's Kiss" is an exhilarating dive into a world where ancient mythology collides with dark fantasy, delivering a narrative that is both hauntingly beautiful and irresistibly captivating. This innovative twist adds a refreshing layer to the well-trodden waters of mermaid lore.
The intertwining of Greek mythology with mythical creatures and gods is executed with finesse, immersing the reader in a magical world that feels both enchanting and treacherous. The world-building is astoundingly vivid, painting a larger-than-life backdrop against which Talia and Kip’s tumultuous relationship unfolds. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, creating an atmospheric tension that had me turning pages late into the night.
While the book does have a somewhat slow start and some minor grammatical issues, these are easily overshadowed by the plot's dynamic flow and the sharp wit embedded in the dialogue. The balance of romance, action, and humor kept the story engaging, making it impossible to set aside.
Overall, "Cursed by a Siren's Kiss" is a thrilling read for fans of dark romantasy who crave a blend of steamy romance and spellbinding adventure. If you’re ready to be swept away by sirens and pirates, this book is a must-read! Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in a tale that is as fierce as it is passionate. 🌊⚓️
The intertwining of Greek mythology with mythical creatures and gods is executed with finesse, immersing the reader in a magical world that feels both enchanting and treacherous. The world-building is astoundingly vivid, painting a larger-than-life backdrop against which Talia and Kip’s tumultuous relationship unfolds. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable, creating an atmospheric tension that had me turning pages late into the night.
While the book does have a somewhat slow start and some minor grammatical issues, these are easily overshadowed by the plot's dynamic flow and the sharp wit embedded in the dialogue. The balance of romance, action, and humor kept the story engaging, making it impossible to set aside.
Overall, "Cursed by a Siren's Kiss" is a thrilling read for fans of dark romantasy who crave a blend of steamy romance and spellbinding adventure. If you’re ready to be swept away by sirens and pirates, this book is a must-read! Highly recommended for anyone looking to indulge in a tale that is as fierce as it is passionate. 🌊⚓️
October 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It had enemies-to-lovers slow burn which I always eat up. The characters were also so well developed that you couldn’t help falling in love with them. The relationship between gods and mortals in this book was so fun and I really enjoyed the exploration of how much say gods had in real life. I also very much loved the relationship in this book. It was a more romantic relationship heavy book rather than friendship so it was really good that the romance was top tier. Talia and Kipp just worked so well and were so interesting. I loved how their relationship was built on lust but became more. I also love that Talia was always powerful no matter what. I loved how it was never a choice between her powers and love. She got her powers right at the beginning and what followed was her learning her powers. Even with the ending, I don’t think she truly became any weaker.
I really recommend this book.
I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
I really recommend this book.
I read this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
October 4, 2024
She needed a heart to break her humanity, but he needed her to awaken his.
Forced together on an epic quest through sea monsters and the wrath of Poseidon himself, Talia and Kipp must decide whether to surrender to the all-consuming power they crave or make a heart-wrenching sacrifice. Only one thing is certain - to defeat the darkness, one of them will have to take the ultimate plunge.
Cursed by a Siren's Kiss is a dark Little Mermaid retelling filled with mermaids, pirates, mythology and more!
Talia the FMC siren princess is looking for a heart to steal. She is fierce and an absolute force to be reckoned with.
Kip the MMC dark pirate captain is looking to break his curse.
Together these 2 have great chemistry and banter, and the plot was well balanced with the smut to make an intriguing story.
Tropes:
- Fairytale retelling
- Enemies to lovers
- Magic
- One bed
- Forced proximity
Forced together on an epic quest through sea monsters and the wrath of Poseidon himself, Talia and Kipp must decide whether to surrender to the all-consuming power they crave or make a heart-wrenching sacrifice. Only one thing is certain - to defeat the darkness, one of them will have to take the ultimate plunge.
Cursed by a Siren's Kiss is a dark Little Mermaid retelling filled with mermaids, pirates, mythology and more!
Talia the FMC siren princess is looking for a heart to steal. She is fierce and an absolute force to be reckoned with.
Kip the MMC dark pirate captain is looking to break his curse.
Together these 2 have great chemistry and banter, and the plot was well balanced with the smut to make an intriguing story.
Tropes:
- Fairytale retelling
- Enemies to lovers
- Magic
- One bed
- Forced proximity
September 15, 2024
ARC Review- Cursed by a Siren’s Kiss by Riley Hunt and LS Embers
Rating 5⭐️ and 1.5🌶️ (slow burn and good banter)
I enjoyed this book. The pirate reminds me of a hot killian aka Hook from once upon a time series and the siren isn’t your normal cute bubbly mermaid. This book has some good banter leading up to the end viability. I can’t wait to read more of the once upon a time book series as they come out🖤
TROPES—
🧜♀️Magical Powers
🏴☠️Cursed
🧜♀️Gods and Goddesses
🏴☠️Dark Hero
🖤Forbidden Love
🏴☠️Enemies to Lovers
🧜♀️One bed
🏴☠️Soul Bond
🧜♀️Forced Proximity
TALIA—- she is the siren princess who must gain her official powers to till the kingdom in the sea that he mom left for her. The ritual is critical and she will either succeed or lose everything, possibly her life. She is fierce and doesn’t take sh!t from anyone including a pirate who took her by complete surprise.
" It is you who should be afraid, pirate,"
KIPP aka CAPTIAN BLACK EYES—- he was once a slave turned ship captain and is known as the most feared captain there is. He wants it all and he gets it but in return is cursed with life alone feeling empty. He learns that being rich, powerful, and having it all isn’t as it seems to be. He then sees her, he feels that she is everything he wants and yet she can either help break the curse or be his undoing.
“Tell me. What do you want to do with that dagger, my vicious little monster?"
"Oh, my dear vicious siren," he said, his fingers dragging through his dark hair as he laughed. "You have quite the effect on me."….
…he ticked his lips,admiring me. "I can almost taste the power flowing through your veins."
The banter these two have are chefs kiss and make you want to keep reading. As time goes on you see plot twists that you never thought to see coming and yet all you want to know is 1- do they help each other or each other undoing, 2- will they bond in more ways that one. Happy reading 🤫😏😏
Rating 5⭐️ and 1.5🌶️ (slow burn and good banter)
I enjoyed this book. The pirate reminds me of a hot killian aka Hook from once upon a time series and the siren isn’t your normal cute bubbly mermaid. This book has some good banter leading up to the end viability. I can’t wait to read more of the once upon a time book series as they come out🖤
TROPES—
🧜♀️Magical Powers
🏴☠️Cursed
🧜♀️Gods and Goddesses
🏴☠️Dark Hero
🖤Forbidden Love
🏴☠️Enemies to Lovers
🧜♀️One bed
🏴☠️Soul Bond
🧜♀️Forced Proximity
TALIA—- she is the siren princess who must gain her official powers to till the kingdom in the sea that he mom left for her. The ritual is critical and she will either succeed or lose everything, possibly her life. She is fierce and doesn’t take sh!t from anyone including a pirate who took her by complete surprise.
" It is you who should be afraid, pirate,"
KIPP aka CAPTIAN BLACK EYES—- he was once a slave turned ship captain and is known as the most feared captain there is. He wants it all and he gets it but in return is cursed with life alone feeling empty. He learns that being rich, powerful, and having it all isn’t as it seems to be. He then sees her, he feels that she is everything he wants and yet she can either help break the curse or be his undoing.
“Tell me. What do you want to do with that dagger, my vicious little monster?"
"Oh, my dear vicious siren," he said, his fingers dragging through his dark hair as he laughed. "You have quite the effect on me."….
…he ticked his lips,admiring me. "I can almost taste the power flowing through your veins."
The banter these two have are chefs kiss and make you want to keep reading. As time goes on you see plot twists that you never thought to see coming and yet all you want to know is 1- do they help each other or each other undoing, 2- will they bond in more ways that one. Happy reading 🤫😏😏
September 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this from the author.
As soon as I started reading this, my first thought was of Pirates of the Caribbean. I know this was a twist on Little Mermaid, and I could absolutely feel that. But the PotC atmosphere and vibes were very present as well.
I love a good enemies to lovers story. I could tell from the tension rolling off the main characters that his was going to drag me in. Mix in the forced proximity and I devoured this in two day. (I did have to stop to do mundane things like work and sleep lol)
Talia's reluctance to ascend the throne gave me such "but I dont want to become an adult!" feeling. It made me connect with her more I think. On the flip side Captain Kipp's insatiable appetite for fame and fortune didn't make me that connected to his overall character, but then again who doesn't love the morally gray MC that you have nothing in common with? The attraction between the two could be felt in the air. I loved the pacing and loved even more that the build up to the relationship didn't feel too drawn out.
The entire setting was described so beautifully. I could practically see the monsters in front of me. Could almost feel the ocean spray on my skin, just from how well the author laid everything out. The one bad thing about this book? Now I NEED to read some more mermaid stories
As soon as I started reading this, my first thought was of Pirates of the Caribbean. I know this was a twist on Little Mermaid, and I could absolutely feel that. But the PotC atmosphere and vibes were very present as well.
I love a good enemies to lovers story. I could tell from the tension rolling off the main characters that his was going to drag me in. Mix in the forced proximity and I devoured this in two day. (I did have to stop to do mundane things like work and sleep lol)
Talia's reluctance to ascend the throne gave me such "but I dont want to become an adult!" feeling. It made me connect with her more I think. On the flip side Captain Kipp's insatiable appetite for fame and fortune didn't make me that connected to his overall character, but then again who doesn't love the morally gray MC that you have nothing in common with? The attraction between the two could be felt in the air. I loved the pacing and loved even more that the build up to the relationship didn't feel too drawn out.
The entire setting was described so beautifully. I could practically see the monsters in front of me. Could almost feel the ocean spray on my skin, just from how well the author laid everything out. The one bad thing about this book? Now I NEED to read some more mermaid stories
September 28, 2024
I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Talia and Kipp as morally grey characters, both using each other to fulfill their desires with no qualms. Their intertwined fates create a compelling narrative filled with tension, capturing the essence of true enemies to lovers. The blend of pirates, sirens, and mythology adds richness, though the phrasing can be repetitive and minor inconsistencies occasionally detract from the story. Overall, it’s a captivating dark fairytale retelling that keeps you on the edge of your seat! ⚔️✨
September 28, 2024
I received this as an ARC read (along with the rest of the MAS). This is the second of the series I've read, and...not my favorite. A Mashup of Pirates of the Carribean and The Little Mermaid, with Greek mythology and a lot of spice, it had sooooo much potential, but it just fell flat for me.
Kipp is a Pirate who has sold his soul to be able to achieve success in all of his endeavors. Talia is the heir to the Siren Kingdom throne. They both need to seek the sea witch Circe in order to break the curses tearing their lives apart and to tame the darkness within.
The good: I absolutely love the plot and the Mashup of two of my favorite tales. The addition of the Greek mythology is really great (Dionysius adds so much flair to EVERYTHING!).
The bad: The timeline is really confusing to me. We're dealing with swashbuckling pirates and tall ships, but at one point, they also mention shorts and a t-shirt. The language also doesn't fit with the world/time period I pictured in my head. As far as the spice level, I get that some of it is necessary to fit with the storyline of bound souls and lusty sirens, but it feels excessive to me and a lot of if just feels like spice for the sake of spice.
Kipp is a Pirate who has sold his soul to be able to achieve success in all of his endeavors. Talia is the heir to the Siren Kingdom throne. They both need to seek the sea witch Circe in order to break the curses tearing their lives apart and to tame the darkness within.
The good: I absolutely love the plot and the Mashup of two of my favorite tales. The addition of the Greek mythology is really great (Dionysius adds so much flair to EVERYTHING!).
The bad: The timeline is really confusing to me. We're dealing with swashbuckling pirates and tall ships, but at one point, they also mention shorts and a t-shirt. The language also doesn't fit with the world/time period I pictured in my head. As far as the spice level, I get that some of it is necessary to fit with the storyline of bound souls and lusty sirens, but it feels excessive to me and a lot of if just feels like spice for the sake of spice.
September 17, 2024
✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ - Incredible!! Can’t stop thinking about it, has consumed my thoughts…
WOAH…it’s been a hot minute since i’ve read this spicy of a read but man it’s DID NOT disappoint😮💨
Cursed by A Siren’s Kiss is a fairytale retelling of both The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean!! So instead of the usually damsel princess mermaid and chaotic silly pirate, you get a monstrous siren queen set to rule Atlantis and an evil pirate who concours all in the high seas and destroys anything in his path.
Talia - the powerful, soon-to-be Siren Queen of Atlantis and all the seas. Only her father Poseidon would rather see her suffer and die than break the curse of the Siren’s and rule like her Titan mother had done just before her untimely death… Now she must make a man fall in love with her, devour his heart, and regain her powers to their true potential, but can she do it without falling into the pits of lust or love?
Kipp - the sexy, evil pirate captain, makes a deal with a manipulating sea witch to earn good fortune for the rest of his days on the seas.. however he didn’t realize the immense price that would come with such fortunes. What will it take to break his curse and how far will he go to do so?
SUCH a great plot!!! I really enjoyed how both the MCs were evil and not the typical prince and princess you get in a fairytale. This is the second book in the Once Upon A Cursed Series!!! CHECK IT OUT!! These books have not disappointed at all so far❤️
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