Prince of the Arena: A Beasts of the Briar Prequel Novella

Beasts of the Briar #1.5

by Elizabeth Helen

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.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fae, Novella, Magic, M M Romance

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2025

About the author

Elizabeth 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.

Visit us at:

Website: https://elizabethhelen.carrd.co

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorelizabe...

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author.eliz...

Facebook Reader's Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58300...

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ this was sweet but didn't add much to the series imo

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

god i love these bisexual fae men.

[Kayla T (kaylabobayla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[RamblingReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little novella.

Kel and Cas novella WHEN?!

[Gollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 🫠

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read! I love reading more of Dayton's and Farron's early days! I want more!!

[Emma Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Cheyenne Brau · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Aurien · Rating 4 out of 5]

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
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.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[litlindseyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

I liked learning more about their families and about how they first met, but their romantic story was just very repetitive.


**Slight Spoiler Ahead**

Day makes the first move, they get together, Day pushes Fare away. Next time they see each other Day initiates them getting together again, then he pushes Fare away, again. And repeat at least one more time.

Fare needs to stand up for himself, and Day needs to grow up and stop drinking to escape his problems.

[Cassie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

It was SO NICE to be back in this world. This is one of the most underrated series and I can’t wait until the rest of the world finds it. I missed the rest of the princes and Rosalie but let’s be honest…. More time with Dayton and Farron is never time wasted 😂❤️ such a sweet treat before the next book release. Guess I should do a reread now 😂

[Ida Korhonen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this novella! I already love these characters so much, and it was such a joy to get to know them better before the first book. I’m so excited for what’s next 😍

”I’m in love with you, Daytonales, Prince of Summer. All the stars and the sun and the moon could vanish from the sky, and you would be all the light I’ll ever need”🥹

[Lana Gooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is an expansion of a newsletter exclusive bonus chapter set of Dayton and Fare’s time in the Summer Court. This was absolutely beautiful.
I loved seeing their relationship develop into what we see at the beginning of Bonded by Thorns, and the appearances of some familiar faces was a nice surprise.

[Rebecca Levasseur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute novella about the backstory of two of the fae princes from this story. As usual, I wish it was a longer book because I missed these characters! I’m sad to wait another year for the rest of the series to be released.

I will say, there are some knowledge gaps between this book and the rest of the series but it’s still a fun read.

[Veronica Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to get a glimpse into how Farron and Dayton met, but it’s a clear now why Dayton is such an idiot and it’s a bit frustrating how long he ends up being an idiot for….. but it was a good world building opportunity with this story especially before the second book

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more Fare and Day in my life ❤️ I blasted through this so quick - I'm hoping to see more novellas and back stories

[Courtney S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh that was fun. I’ll takes a prequel for all of them please and thank you 🫠

[Kelly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved getting Farron’s and Dayton’s backstory! 🩵

[Ania · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,8 stars . It was the cutest novella. I loved reading their beginning

[Rebecca Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Farron and Dayton's love story, and some other cameos thrown in !

[Gloria Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Fare and Day.

[Jacklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY HEART!!!!!!!!😭😭😭😭💔
DAYTON WHY MUST YOU LISTEN TO YOUR IDIOTIC BROTHERS!!😭😭😭 If you would like to be emotionally damaged but with a cheeky amount of spice, this is it! This series has a chokehold on me!

[Sarah Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ughhh I love Day and Fare

[Megan Todaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun easy SPICY read! Makes me want to reread the whole series again!

[Charlotte Hardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little novella giving some context to main series, I enjoyed it