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

Beasts of the Briar #1.5

by Elizabeth Helen, Robert Hatchet (Narrator)

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 listening to 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 listening to 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, Why Choose, M M Romance

Audible Audio

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

[aeryn rose]

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 😭

[Saraya]

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)

[Ali]

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]

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

[EmJustReading]

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.

[Toni]

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]

god i love these bisexual fae men.

[Abbie Toria]

My favourite of the series.

[Romantasy Ruined Me Cherice]

Prince of Arena – Book Review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Five stars. No notes.

You know why this book was so good?

No Rosalina.

I'm only half joking.

After spending multiple books struggling to connect with Rosalina, it was refreshing to read a story that focused entirely on Dayton and Farron. This book honestly convinced me that the series might have worked even better if the princes had been the true main characters all along.

This story was absolutely chef's kiss.

Tropes
• Enemies to Lovers
• Queer Romance
• Forced Proximity
• Fae Politics
• Heartbreak
• Found Love

Watching Dayton and Farron fall in love was everything I wanted and more. Their relationship felt natural, emotional, and earned. Every conversation, every moment of tension, and every step toward trust made me root for them.

For the first time in the series, I wasn't waiting for the princes' chapters.

The princes were the story.

Every page felt like a treasure. Their love story was beautiful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. The emotional connection between them was stronger than many of the romances in the main series.

I laughed, I smiled, and by the end I was in tears.

This was easily the best book in the entire series.

The heartbreak hit harder because I cared so deeply about both characters. Their love felt real, their struggles felt real, and their journey completely captured my heart.

Verdict

This book ruined me in the best possible way.

Dayton and Farron stole the show and proved exactly why they are my favorite characters in the series. If you asked me what book to read from this world, this would be the one I'd recommend first.

The best romance.
The best character development.
The best emotional payoff.

A perfect five-star read.

[RamblingReads]

Cute little novella.

Kel and Cas novella WHEN?!

[Kayla T (kaylabobayla)]

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!

[Mandie Capps]

This novella was appreciated after Book 1 to get a glimpse into the 4 princes lives 25+ years prior.

[loverexreads]

⭐️ 4.25/5 | 🌶️ 3/5

After finishing the first book in the series, Bonded by Thorns, I had decided to DNF the series, even though I had enjoyed that first installment. Still, I couldn’t shake the FOMO every time I saw readers recommending the series. So, I finally caved and decided to give it another chance by picking up this short novella, which focuses entirely on Dayton and Farron’s relationship.

They were one of my favorite parts of the first book, so it came as no surprise that I loved them just as much here. It was really interesting to see exactly how they met and how their relationship developed.

My heart broke for both of them more than once, albeit for very different reasons. This was a spicy novella with plenty of heart, and I really enjoyed getting to see a more intimate side of their story.

And the way the novella ended definitely made me want to continue with book two.

This is such a magical, whimsical universe, and even though the writing isn’t perfect for me, there’s something about this world that keeps pulling me back in. I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes from here.

[Shannon]

This was absolutely stunning and subtly weaves past threads that help us to know the beasts better. I wept, forget everyone else I’m shipping Day and Fare 🥺🫠

[Gollie]

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 🫠

[Hannah⸝*.☘︎ ́˖]

˖°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.

[Kirsten]

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

[Heather Blackwood]

3🌟

I still have so many questions about the plot, and did we really need THAT much sexy time on page for a novella!! It was cute and stuff but like damn.

[Isa]

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.

[Lidia]

⭐ 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 😅

[alix]

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

[Stephanie Keijzer]

Loved this novella with Farron and Dayton's background story. They are such a great couple🥰

[em (whats.em.reading)]

“i kiss my boy back and he tastes like starlight” im SOBBING

[labibliofille]

I really loved getting this insight into Dayton and Farron's relationship. I want more of them!

[Outcast]

Day when I catch your ass

[Natasha]

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.

[Emma Busch]

4.5

[Cheyenne Brau]

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.

[a n n a]

good soup good soup

[Aurien]

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.