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Beasts of the Briar #1.5
Prince of the Arena
What happens when the studious Prince of Autumn falls for the wild Prince of Summer? 🍂☀️
Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of Bonded by Thorns. It is best enjoyed after reading Bonded by Thorns.
Farron, the Prince of Autumn, wants nothing less than to be tangled up with Dayton, the Prince of Summer. Dayton is reckless, wild, and probably hasn’t opened a book once in his life. Meanwhile, Farron likes to think everything through—including how to survive the next few weeks while his family is staying in the Summer Realm.
But Dayton has set his sights on Farron, and despite his better judgment, Farron finds himself drawn into the storm that is the Summer Prince. The deeper he falls, the more Dayton pulls away, and Farron can’t hold onto him any more than the sand can hold onto the tide.
Amid the dangerous landscape of gladiator battles, political intrigue, and the scorching heat of a Summer sky, Farron and Dayton are set on a path that will lead to true love or eternal heartbreak.
A love story years in the making before a certain Rose blooms in the hearts of two men destined to save the Enchanted Vale… or destroy it.
PRINCE OF THE ARENA is a sweet-and-spicy prequel novella featuring MM content. It is best enjoyed after reading BONDED BY THORNS, the first book in the BEASTS OF THE BRIAR series, a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling set in a fantasy fae realm, where the beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between four fae princes.
Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of Bonded by Thorns. It is best enjoyed after reading Bonded by Thorns.
Farron, the Prince of Autumn, wants nothing less than to be tangled up with Dayton, the Prince of Summer. Dayton is reckless, wild, and probably hasn’t opened a book once in his life. Meanwhile, Farron likes to think everything through—including how to survive the next few weeks while his family is staying in the Summer Realm.
But Dayton has set his sights on Farron, and despite his better judgment, Farron finds himself drawn into the storm that is the Summer Prince. The deeper he falls, the more Dayton pulls away, and Farron can’t hold onto him any more than the sand can hold onto the tide.
Amid the dangerous landscape of gladiator battles, political intrigue, and the scorching heat of a Summer sky, Farron and Dayton are set on a path that will lead to true love or eternal heartbreak.
A love story years in the making before a certain Rose blooms in the hearts of two men destined to save the Enchanted Vale… or destroy it.
PRINCE OF THE ARENA is a sweet-and-spicy prequel novella featuring MM content. It is best enjoyed after reading BONDED BY THORNS, the first book in the BEASTS OF THE BRIAR series, a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling set in a fantasy fae realm, where the beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between four fae princes.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2025
About the author
Elizabeth Helen
12 books4,054 followersElizabeth Helen is the combined pen name of sister writing duo, Elizabeth and Helen. Elizabeth and Helen write fantasy romance and love creating enchanting adventures for their characters. When they’re not writing, you can find them snuggling their cats, exploring their rainforest home in British Columbia, Canada, or rolling the dice for a game of Dungeons & Dragons. You can connect with them on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.
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Website: https://elizabethhelen.carrd.co
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews
April 4, 2026
3⭐️
I'm gonna keep this review short and sweet since it was literally only just over 170 pages, but I really enjoyed this! I really loved getting so much of the backstory between Dayton and Farron and how they came together and why their dynamic is the way that it is in the first book.
I will say, however, that this book it pretty much just pure smut. There is a small amount of plot, but the whole purpose of this book was to get some more insight to their relationship and I think it accomplished that...to a certain extent.
I really wish we got some more depth and substance rather than it all just being sex. I know it's so short and you can only fit so much, but I feel like Farron and Dayton's dynamic was really superficial in this. With that being said, I did like the fact that this set it up perfectly to run into the next book. I wish we got more, but I did also enjoy the beginning of this novella where we got more explanation as to how this world works and how we got to where we are today.
I feel like after reading this I feel more informed and can get a better view of how things played out the way they did in the first book and how it will go moving forward. I am still really enjoying this series and I already have the second book in the series, so I'm really excited to see where this story goes! I love all of the princes, but Farron has my heart right now and has from the very beginning. Looking forward to seeing more. 🖤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 👑🖤
I actually had no idea this novella existed and that it was attached to the trad published version of the book, but ya know what? I might as well read and enjoy Farron and Dayton because they're quickly becoming my babies and I love them 😭
I'm gonna keep this review short and sweet since it was literally only just over 170 pages, but I really enjoyed this! I really loved getting so much of the backstory between Dayton and Farron and how they came together and why their dynamic is the way that it is in the first book.
I will say, however, that this book it pretty much just pure smut. There is a small amount of plot, but the whole purpose of this book was to get some more insight to their relationship and I think it accomplished that...to a certain extent.
I really wish we got some more depth and substance rather than it all just being sex. I know it's so short and you can only fit so much, but I feel like Farron and Dayton's dynamic was really superficial in this. With that being said, I did like the fact that this set it up perfectly to run into the next book. I wish we got more, but I did also enjoy the beginning of this novella where we got more explanation as to how this world works and how we got to where we are today.
I feel like after reading this I feel more informed and can get a better view of how things played out the way they did in the first book and how it will go moving forward. I am still really enjoying this series and I already have the second book in the series, so I'm really excited to see where this story goes! I love all of the princes, but Farron has my heart right now and has from the very beginning. Looking forward to seeing more. 🖤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
𝓟𝓻𝓮-𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭: 👑🖤
I actually had no idea this novella existed and that it was attached to the trad published version of the book, but ya know what? I might as well read and enjoy Farron and Dayton because they're quickly becoming my babies and I love them 😭
April 19, 2026
awww I missed my favourites even though this was highkey depressing (just pls don’t ask me to recount the beasts of briar plots because I fear I’ve forgotten a lot)
July 11, 2025
Updated review for the new 150-page novella update!
The updated version has a lot more meat to the story that I really enjoyed! THe original edition of this felt like the abridged version, but with all the new additions to this story, this makes the novella more memorable for me. Originally, to those I'd recommended this series to, I told them they could skip this novella if they didn't want to sign up to the newsletter or stray from the series. Now, with this updated edition, I wouldn't recommend going into the rest of the series without it!
Although this is a prequel novella, the authors recommend reading Prince of the Arena AFTER you read the first book in the series, Bonded by Thorns.
Original review from March 2025 of the original 54-page newsletter version. No longer being circulated.
Prince of the Arena is the story about Farron and Dayton in the Summer realm. It's their little escape before the events in Bonded by Thorns. This was a good novella, but it wasn't anything to run home to. I'm glad I read it, but it doesn't add anything to the story if you're worried about missing out. I would personally recommend reading this after book one.
This novella is a free giveaway when you sign up for their newsletter until March 10, 2025! They’re rereleasing and expanding on this short story into a 40,000-word novella this June! Excited to reread and see the new content then!
The updated version has a lot more meat to the story that I really enjoyed! THe original edition of this felt like the abridged version, but with all the new additions to this story, this makes the novella more memorable for me. Originally, to those I'd recommended this series to, I told them they could skip this novella if they didn't want to sign up to the newsletter or stray from the series. Now, with this updated edition, I wouldn't recommend going into the rest of the series without it!
Although this is a prequel novella, the authors recommend reading Prince of the Arena AFTER you read the first book in the series, Bonded by Thorns.
Original review from March 2025 of the original 54-page newsletter version. No longer being circulated.
Prince of the Arena is the story about Farron and Dayton in the Summer realm. It's their little escape before the events in Bonded by Thorns. This was a good novella, but it wasn't anything to run home to. I'm glad I read it, but it doesn't add anything to the story if you're worried about missing out. I would personally recommend reading this after book one.
This novella is a free giveaway when you sign up for their newsletter until March 10, 2025! They’re rereleasing and expanding on this short story into a 40,000-word novella this June! Excited to reread and see the new content then!
March 21, 2026
Question for those of you who’ve read this: did you relate more to Farron or Dayton? [Definitely Farron for me]
Obviously this novella is a bit different than the typical books in this series. It reminded me more of a “cozy bookstore” story, but I really liked reading it. The writing made me feel a lot of strong emotions while reading. Most memorably the ooey-gooey feelings of happiness when people are in love, but also the pit in your stomach when you’re devasted and absolutely heartbroken.
Similarly to the other books in the series; there is a lot of longing and yearning, and I just wanted them to be honest and tell the other person their feelings. I liked this book, but because we have seen a lot of the relationship between Day and Farron — I wish we could’ve seen a similar story but featuring Keldarion and Caspian’s history. But I imagine that wouldn’t work because it could spoil stuff.
I knew in advance that Rosalina wasn’t going to be in this story, and while it was a nice stepping stone while I’m waiting for the next book— she’s still the reason I am so in love with this series.
It’s cute to see Farron transformation, from where he started to the confidence he gains to become the Prince. We also got to experience Day before he was the person in line for Summer’s blessing. It felt like that tied up some questions regarding his feelings and guilt that we see in the other stories.
Obviously this novella is a bit different than the typical books in this series. It reminded me more of a “cozy bookstore” story, but I really liked reading it. The writing made me feel a lot of strong emotions while reading. Most memorably the ooey-gooey feelings of happiness when people are in love, but also the pit in your stomach when you’re devasted and absolutely heartbroken.
Similarly to the other books in the series; there is a lot of longing and yearning, and I just wanted them to be honest and tell the other person their feelings. I liked this book, but because we have seen a lot of the relationship between Day and Farron — I wish we could’ve seen a similar story but featuring Keldarion and Caspian’s history. But I imagine that wouldn’t work because it could spoil stuff.
I knew in advance that Rosalina wasn’t going to be in this story, and while it was a nice stepping stone while I’m waiting for the next book— she’s still the reason I am so in love with this series.
It’s cute to see Farron transformation, from where he started to the confidence he gains to become the Prince. We also got to experience Day before he was the person in line for Summer’s blessing. It felt like that tied up some questions regarding his feelings and guilt that we see in the other stories.
June 25, 2025
3.5⭐️ this was sweet but didn't add much to the series imo
June 26, 2025
Oh-my-freaking-goodness
How? How do you get me every time? I fall for it hook line and sinker every time... I'm in but again and screaming cos I want more. These books are my addiction and each time I get lost in the story you snatch it away with a Cliff hanger that has me gasping. I love and hate it at the same time... And yes, like a fool I'll be back for more! Arrrrrrgggghhhh!
How? How do you get me every time? I fall for it hook line and sinker every time... I'm in but again and screaming cos I want more. These books are my addiction and each time I get lost in the story you snatch it away with a Cliff hanger that has me gasping. I love and hate it at the same time... And yes, like a fool I'll be back for more! Arrrrrrgggghhhh!
March 7, 2026
My favourite of the series.
June 28, 2025
god i love these bisexual fae men.
July 7, 2025
Cute little novella.
Kel and Cas novella WHEN?!
Kel and Cas novella WHEN?!
December 31, 2025
Spicy, and more enjoyable than Book 1! Ending left me intrigued and debating going for book 2… Also - this cured me of my Heated Rivalry hangover!
March 23, 2026
This novella was appreciated after Book 1 to get a glimpse into the 4 princes lives 25+ years prior.
June 30, 2025
Really cute, but oh boy do I wish there was more of it, especially after the Curse hits and there’s 25 years of pain and effery and how they then navigate the jealousy (and do I remember correctly from s1 them sharing sometimes?). I understand why the book ended where it did, and I hope there’ll be another novella of some sort regarding that end scene. My guess is, all the angst is being saved for Winter’s tale 🫠
March 19, 2026
˖°𓇼🌊⋆🐚⁺☀︎₊
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of book one in the series, Bonded by Thorns.
This book gives the backstory between the Prince of Summer, Daytonales and the Prince of Autumn, Farron. Farron and Dayton meet during a political visit between their respective realms and are instantly drawn to each other. They spend their time wrapped up in each other on various beaches in the summer realm.
I gave this book three stars just because it felt more like a sidenote, and I wish we had more internal dialogue of the characters expressing their own feelings to themselves. I was quite disappointed, because it felt like there was no plot and that there was nothing happening between the two of them. It was nice to get a glimpse into how Farron and Dayton met, but Dayton is such an idiot and it’s a bit frustrating how long he remains an idiot for.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of book one in the series, Bonded by Thorns.
This book gives the backstory between the Prince of Summer, Daytonales and the Prince of Autumn, Farron. Farron and Dayton meet during a political visit between their respective realms and are instantly drawn to each other. They spend their time wrapped up in each other on various beaches in the summer realm.
I gave this book three stars just because it felt more like a sidenote, and I wish we had more internal dialogue of the characters expressing their own feelings to themselves. I was quite disappointed, because it felt like there was no plot and that there was nothing happening between the two of them. It was nice to get a glimpse into how Farron and Dayton met, but Dayton is such an idiot and it’s a bit frustrating how long he remains an idiot for.
April 13, 2026
Another fantastic read! I love reading more of Dayton's and Farron's early days! I want more!!
April 5, 2026
Me encontré con Prince of the Arena en Kindle Unlimited justo cuando quería volver al mundo de Beasts of the Briar, y esta precuela me vino perfecta para reconectar con la historia y con algunos personajes, porque hacía bastante tiempo que había leído el primer libro.
Además, aquí los protagonistas son Farron y Dayton, y Farron es mi príncipe favorito, así que tenía muchas ganas de ver más de su historia. En esta novela podemos descubrir cómo empezó todo entre el Príncipe del Otoño y el del Verano, mucho antes de los acontecimientos de la saga principal.
Es una historia corta, pero muy intensa, que deja ver la dinámica entre ambos y cómo comenzó su relación. Me ha gustado mucho poder volver a este universo y pasar un rato más con estos personajes.
Eso sí… me ha dejado con más preguntas que respuestas.
Pero hay algo que tengo claro: amo a estos dos.
Además, aquí los protagonistas son Farron y Dayton, y Farron es mi príncipe favorito, así que tenía muchas ganas de ver más de su historia. En esta novela podemos descubrir cómo empezó todo entre el Príncipe del Otoño y el del Verano, mucho antes de los acontecimientos de la saga principal.
Es una historia corta, pero muy intensa, que deja ver la dinámica entre ambos y cómo comenzó su relación. Me ha gustado mucho poder volver a este universo y pasar un rato más con estos personajes.
Eso sí… me ha dejado con más preguntas que respuestas.
Pero hay algo que tengo claro: amo a estos dos.
January 31, 2026
This story added a lot of depth to Farron and Dayton, and definitely helped with understanding their dynamic a bit more in Bonded by Thorns. It was a sweet story, and it definitely has me more intrigued by what happened prior to the events of BBT. It did end up leaving me with more questions than answers, and I’m very motivated to find out more of the story. If nothing else this story definitely helped me learn a bit more about Dayton.
March 15, 2026
⭐ 2,5 estrellas ⭐
Menudo pastelón de precuela innecesaria y sin sentido (aunque adictiva).
Los protagonistas son estereotipos con patas sin ningún tipo de evolución que parecen no tener más de tres años de madurez mental, sobre todo Dayton.
El único personaje que se ha salvado ha sido Nori, la hermana de Farron, por las dos frases que dice.
No sé si la traducirán al español, pero no os perdéis nada 😅
Menudo pastelón de precuela innecesaria y sin sentido (aunque adictiva).
Los protagonistas son estereotipos con patas sin ningún tipo de evolución que parecen no tener más de tres años de madurez mental, sobre todo Dayton.
El único personaje que se ha salvado ha sido Nori, la hermana de Farron, por las dos frases que dice.
No sé si la traducirán al español, pero no os perdéis nada 😅
February 6, 2026
4.5 ⭐️- half a star deduction bc farron really needs to give dayton a hard time for being such a flake but i love them so muuuuuuch 😭
also i read this in one sitting it’s been such a long time since something made me want to stay up past my bedtime reading
also i read this in one sitting it’s been such a long time since something made me want to stay up past my bedtime reading
January 17, 2026
Loved this novella with Farron and Dayton's background story. They are such a great couple🥰
January 22, 2026
“i kiss my boy back and he tastes like starlight” im SOBBING
March 18, 2026
I really loved getting this insight into Dayton and Farron's relationship. I want more of them!
April 12, 2026
Day when I catch your ass
April 27, 2026
3.5 Fun little prequel novella about Farron and Dayton. All princes make a cameo and leads up to the curse. Several steamy scenes and was interesting to see where their relationship started.
September 22, 2025
Nothing makes me happier than my boys being happy. Rosie not being in here makes me sad but it's nice to see what Farron and Dayton were like before the curse.
February 16, 2026
good soup good soup
April 21, 2026
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for him. And damn to the gods if that isn’t more frightening than fighting to the death in the arena.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
You stole my sense, my reason, the very breath from my lungs. You stole the peace from my soul and every thought that dared not be of you.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
You stole my sense, my reason, the very breath from my lungs. You stole the peace from my soul and every thought that dared not be of you.
June 21, 2025
This novella was everything I wanted it to be! Fun, spicy, and the perfect way to kick off the summer. I loved being back in the Enchanted Vale because the descriptions are always so vivid and beautiful. I loved seeing more of the summer realm without so much darkness looming over it like in the main books. The cameos from the other princes were very fun, too.
There was still complexity in Farron’s and Dayton’s feelings, so it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but nor did I expect it to be. I would have liked to have seen more of their initial summer together instead of having some of those encounters related back to us, but I understand that space is limited in a novella.
I read this in one sitting and was smiling and kicking my feet the whole time 🤭 And now begins the wait for book five!
There was still complexity in Farron’s and Dayton’s feelings, so it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but nor did I expect it to be. I would have liked to have seen more of their initial summer together instead of having some of those encounters related back to us, but I understand that space is limited in a novella.
I read this in one sitting and was smiling and kicking my feet the whole time 🤭 And now begins the wait for book five!
November 4, 2025
plot ⭐️4/5⭐️
spice 🌶️4/5🌶️
tropes ✔️summer love, secret relationship, nerd x jock but fae, mm romance✔️
🐚 this is a wonderful novella to introduce us to the complexities of farron and dayton’s relationship. after reading the first book, “bonded by thorns”, i couldn’t quite figure out why their relationship had to be so difficult (so much miscommunication omg) but this novella helped answer a lot of my questions. if only they’d just speak to one another about how they felt, and that’s why this gets 4 instead of 5 stars because communication doesn’t have to be hard, my sweet princes.
✨bookstagram @whatsvictoriareading
spice 🌶️4/5🌶️
tropes ✔️summer love, secret relationship, nerd x jock but fae, mm romance✔️
🐚 this is a wonderful novella to introduce us to the complexities of farron and dayton’s relationship. after reading the first book, “bonded by thorns”, i couldn’t quite figure out why their relationship had to be so difficult (so much miscommunication omg) but this novella helped answer a lot of my questions. if only they’d just speak to one another about how they felt, and that’s why this gets 4 instead of 5 stars because communication doesn’t have to be hard, my sweet princes.
✨bookstagram @whatsvictoriareading
June 26, 2025
This is one of those books that tears your heart out but you love it and you’re still going to recommend every one you know read it! If you’re considering this one, make sure you read the other books in the series first so you don’t miss out on all of the Easter eggs/references to them! The chili peppers were spicy as usual (MM). It was so fun getting to see all the families interact with each other. And that ending?! 👀 I NEED FROZEN BY STARDUST YESTERDAY!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 396 reviews