Song of the Cerulean Sea: A Dark Why-Choose Little Mermaid Retelling

by Ava Zoe

A deadly siren. A cursed witch. A ruthless prince. When enemies fall in love, kingdoms burn.

Alura once led her sisters into battle against the human prince, Varik. Their defeat cost her everything - her powers, her voice, her place in the sea. Exiled and desperate, she strikes a bargain with the sea witch, kill the human king and capture the prince's heart, or remain human forever.

But as Alura navigates the treacherous waters of human politics and forbidden magic, she finds herself entangled in a web of desire and deception, torn between the prince she was meant to destroy and the witch who holds her fate.

A dark fantasy romance weaving enemies-to-lovers tension, ruthless and dangerous characters, and high-stakes bargains. Perfect for fans of To Kill a Kingdom, The Sea Witch, and From Blood and Ash.

Genres: Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Librarian Jessie (BibliophileRoses) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review*

Rating: 4/5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes:
~ Fairytale Retelling (Little Mermaid)
~ Enemies to Lovers
~ Love Triangle
~ Found Family
~ Why Choose

Scents:
Alura: Sea, Sweat, Lavender
Varik: Salt, Smoke, Worn Leather, & Cold Iron
Scylla: Sea

Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this fun new take on the little mermaid fairytale. The interactions between the three characters felt believable & the romance was truly perfect!

I will admit, the writing style towards the start wasn’t personally for me as the sentence to paragraph style was a bit jarring. However, the author truly excelled in descriptors & the writing grew more enjoyable the more I continued to read! I truly look forward to reading their future novels!

[RogueMarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this Dark Little Mermaid Retelling. I was hooked from the first page until the end. I loved the prince. I loved the plot progression. I didn't want it to end. I need more mermaid reads like this one!

[Avasha Lochan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A haunting melody of love, vengeance, and impossible choices.”

I give it a 4.5/5 stars.

Song of the Cerulean Sea is the kind of book that lingers long after the last page—achingly beautiful, darkly magical, and brimming with heartache.

Ava Zoe really spins a siren's tale like no other.

Alura is fierce and fractured, a heroine you ache for even as she claws her way through impossible choices. Her journey from exile to entanglement with prince and sea witch alike had me completely hooked.

The enemies-to-lovers tension? Perfection. The writing? Lyrical and immersive. The world? A briny mix of politics, power, and pain. I especially loved how this story doesn’t shy away from moral complexity. Every character is layered. Every decision, costly.

You’ll root for love, rage at betrayal.

This is for fans of To Kill a Kingdom, From Blood and Ash, and messy, dangerous, fated love. Absolutely deserves the hype—and a spot on your favorites shelf.

[Tabitha Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you’re a child, you read the little mermaid, you wanna be Ariel but when you cross over and become a woman you want to be Alura, a powerful siren. First of all, I love retellings secondly, I love them even more if they’re the dark retellings… this book takes the little mermaid and shatters it.

This is not a nice soft retelling by any means this is a dark fantasy retelling of the little mermaid…loosely of the little mermaid. Ava Zoe goes way outside of the box with this one and reimagined it and a whole new light and I was there for it. This was my first book written by this author, and I already have the next two books lined up to read.

Alura, siren and heir to the Cerulean throne is calculated cunning, cold, and strong. Everything that you would imagine a siren would be until one fatal night when she’s unable to protect her people…her mother, the queen exiles her from the kingdom. So what’s a siren to do when they’re no longer really a siren when they’ve lost their voice? They go see a sea witch except this isn’t your fairy tale Ursula… this sea witch is dark, sexy and knows exactly what she wants. Without giving away too much let’s just say Alura makes a deal to get her life back as a siren, but she has to accomplish two things. She has to kill a king and she has to win the heart of the prince. The problem is the prince was the prince who killed a lot of her sisters. He’s also very cold and calculated and as the book goes on, you’ll know he’s very aggressive in certain aspects if you know what I mean. *chefs kiss*

This book has spice! I honestly was not prepared for the aggressive spice action that this book gave me and I loved every bit of it. Also, there was a little bit of a twist in the storyline which I was pleasantly surprised for, but you’re going to have to read the book to find out what it is. Needless to say this book will keep you on the edge. There’s a lot of action. There’s a lot of things going on. Finally, we have an FMC that has guts and has the fortitude to hold her ground and be independent and also a bad ass let’s be real. Now the mmc Prince Varik… if you’re into aggressive, cold calculated men that become obsessive and possessive, he’s all yours, ladies. I really wanted to dislike him, but I just couldn’t… the man is a menace and knows what he wants. This is a true enemies to lovers.


Do yourself a favor like I did, try this book out and then go ahead and read all her other books . Especially if you like retellings… the dark side of retellings. I am a fan.

[Xan · Rating 4 out of 5]

‧₊˚✧3.75 ✧˚₊‧

I got approached by the author herself on TikTok. She asked me to read her book as an ARC reader, and I thank her for this opportunity to read this book early and review it for her. So thank you Ava Zoe for the eARC of Song of the Cerulean Sea.

After a devastating loss against human prince Varik, Alura gets stripped of everything that makes her siren and exiled from the court by the queen. In her sadness she connects with sea witch Scylla, who offers her a task: kill the king and steal the prince's heart. If she succeeds, she'll be a siren again. Will she accomplish her task or will she be shackled to an existence as a human?

I haven't read that many retellings before this one, so I was very curious as to how this story would unfold itself. My curiosity got rewarded in this book full of intrigue and brutality. It made me think of how fairy tales used to be originally (aka before Disney). Ava Zoe took the story of he little mermaid and plunged it right back into the original form of fairy tales: magical but also dark and ruthless. She didn't shy away from making this story less 'romance only' and more a balance between the romance and the betrayal haunting our main character.

I was also pleasantly surprised to read chapters from the point of view from both Scylla and Varik. They added value and depth to this story, allowing us to look into the minds of both characters. Next to that the smut in the book was written well and flowed between the main storyline without getting annoying.

All in all I really enjoyed this book and would like to award it 3.75 - 4 stars. If I can get my hands on the other books by this author, I'm going to read them too, because the writing style suits my reading style well. I hope other people will enjoy this book as I did too!

[Nanette TheBookWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off let me say this is my first time reading this author and I happy I took a chance on this book. The book hits everything with great timing, storytelling and character development. She does this so nicely you begin to question who truly the villain in this story.

The characters individually are a perfect blend of darkness, smoldering passion, vulnerable and more. The FMC at first irritated me as many ladies to in the beginnings of their story they are strong and is needed. Alura does make some very questionable decisions just as another mermaid did since this is an adult retelling of a classic fairytale The Little Mermaid. But, as you read she begins to find her pace once again after having everything taken from her for something she didn’t do.

Varik is fighting his own battles and holding his own secrets when Alisa arrives he sees a puzzle he must pick apart no matter his obvious arousal for this name girl. He is everything you want in a dark romance brooding, cold, passionate, a bit cruel , possessive, protective and more.

Scylla immediately brought to mind the musical EPIC where she has a 2 songs who matches the one here. She is a dark twisted evil who has had her heart and soul cracked open by those in her past. She seeks to obtain everyone she can to enhance her own self but in preparation for what ,one might ask?

This book was an enjoying read that was a pleasant change from your atypical Dark World Romances and for that I thank her. I found her storytelling to slowly pull you in with the promise of more, more, more story unfolding while edging us with each erotic encounter the characters have.

My review is a solid 4.
Buy it!
You won’t regret it!
Perfect to read in the tub or as you settle into bed.!
🌶️🌶️

[Brooklyn L. Wolves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Song of the Cerulean Sea offers a compelling blend of enemies-to-lovers romance, high stakes magic, and morally grey characters that kept me hooked. Ava Zoe crafts a dark and atmospheric world where sirens and witches make dangerous pacts, and princes are more than just charming royalty.

The story follows Alura's desperate journey from fallen siren leader to a pawn in a witch's game, tasked with manipulating and ultimately killing the human king. Her internal conflict, battling her past and the undeniable attraction to Prince Varik, is a strong point of the novel. The tension between them is palpable, and their relationship development feels earned, laced with distrust and simmering desire.

Zoe's writing is evocative, bringing the treacherous seas and shadowy courts to life. The magic system is intriguing, and the bargains made with the witch have real consequences, adding weight to Alura's choices. The plot is engaging, with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, although at times the pacing felt a little uneven.

While the world-building is generally well-done, I felt that certain aspects could have been explored in more depth. I would have loved to see more of the siren culture and the nuances of their powers.

Overall, Song of the Cerulean Sea is an enjoyable read for fans of dark fantasy romance. It delivers on its promises of enemies-to-lovers tension, ruthless characters, and dangerous bargains. While not perfect, it's a captivating story that leaves you wanting more. I eagerly await the next installment to see where Alura's choices will lead her and the kingdom.

[amanda_coffee_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. The cover was super simple and beautiful, though. I went into it completely blind, and let me tell you, this is my first dark retelling of the Little Mermaid. I usually don’t read retellings, but I did read a Wizard of Oz retelling, and that was amazing! So, this book was a totally different experience for me.

Now, I have to admit, it took me some time to finish this book. I felt like the author really went all out with this one. But I loved how she reimagined the Little Mermaid and twisted the classic story. I could totally picture this book as a movie! I love books that take me out of my comfort zone when it comes to reading. And if you’ve read this book, you know exactly what I mean.

I didn’t even realize that this book was a “why choose” until I finished it. But hey, that’s what makes it so interesting! I ended up buying my own ebook copy of the book, even though I’ve never read anything from this author before. But after reading this one, I decided to buy the other two books in the collection.

Alura is my new favorite character of 2025! She’s so strong and willing to do whatever it takes for her sisters and her people. Even though some people have turned on her, she never gives up. And let’s not forget about that prince! And of course, we can’t forget about the sea witch. She’s been keeping an eye on our princess Alura for a long time, I just know it.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. The author even reached out to me on social media to read and review her book, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read and have a new auto-buy author. Thanks again, author!

[Day by Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers, THIS is how you write a dark fairy tale retelling. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading the others, and I hope we learn more background on the FMC.I loved the little mermaid as a child but then you realize how naïve and flawed Ariel was, and then you get adult retellings like this one which are better to read for us grown ups. There are books that whisper to you, and then there are books that drag you beneath their waves and refuse to let you come up for air. Song of the Cerulean Sea is a haunting lullaby wrapped in salt and secrets. Ava Zoe paints an ocean that is as merciless as it is mesmerizing—each page thrums with the hush of the tide and the promise of things better left unseen. Beneath the lyrical prose lurks something ancient and hungry, pulling you deeper into a world where beauty is a blade and innocence is easily drowned.

Zoe’s characters drift like lost ghosts through brine and mist—flawed and complicated and dark. Their choices stain the water darker with every chapter, until you’re left wondering if any soul can stay afloat when the sea is always listening.
If you crave a story that seeps under your skin and echoes long after you’ve closed the cover, Song of the Cerulean Sea will claim you, body and bones. Just don’t expect it to let you go... I'm totally hooked, teeth, claws, and tail. Instead of 5 stars I give 5 sirens! 🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧜‍♀️

[Kez Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, spicy and enticing little mermaid retelling that is filled with feminine rage, scheming, tension and unexpected passions.
Alura is exiled, broken, and alone, in her desperation she makes a dangerous bargain with the sea witch and has a mission to complete.
As she wanders the shadows of the human palace she's infiltrated, spying, sabotaging and planning her revenge, she doesn't expect to hesitate, but the ruthless Prince Varik has her doubting her purpose, and every interaction they have only increases her longing for her enemy.
Torn between her bargain, need for redemption, and desire to save her people, the sea witch Scylla increases the stakes and makes Alura's feelings more conflicted.
The chemistry is intense, I loved Alura's wit and methods to deflect, and how she riles up Varik being the enigma he can't solve. Scylla was wholly unexpected, but I loved the added dynamic she brings and the drama she causes.
There is a good balance of plot, spice, intrigue and action, alongside the violence, betrayals, schemes and unexpected desires.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! I will admit it started slow, but the Author did that so you could be drowning into the world.
First you know all the details and why she becomes an angry Siren on a mission. She had her armor & song taken away from her. She became a simple mermaid and it wasn’t even her fault.
Now she must strike a bargain with the sea witch to reclaim her place in the kingdom. She must take the heart from the one that took so many of her loved ones. When the time comes though she cannot decide if she can take his or he will take hers. He is cold and ruthless just like her. Makes her question herself.
Such a dark twisted adult retelling of the little mermaid. There is betrayal and feral life affirming sex and enemies to lovers and Looking over your back at all times. Having no one to trust, but yourself. On the edge of your seat for the last half of the book. The sea witch makes things even more interesting and fun. I wish I could tell you more, but you’ll just have to read it.

[Kamila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was approached by the author on TikTok to be an arc reader for this book and I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity.

I think I should start with how I FLEW through this book, once it got going it got GOING and I couldn’t stop myself.

This was my first retelling of a classic story and I really loved the dark twist on it. I did find the beginning a little bit slow but it definitely picked up and I ended up not being able to put it down!

I wasn’t 100% sure of Scylla’s involvement but overall it fit well and I got the reasons why the more I read and I loved Alura’s character and how badass she was. Don’t get me started on Varik… ☺️😍 The spice was great and complemented the story well.

Overall I’m really happy I got to read it and would definitely recommend if you like the dark retelling aspect. I would give this book 4.2/5

Highly recommend giving this a go if you want to dive into a fun and gripping dark little mermaid book x

[Books4Movies · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GODS. I am obsessed with this book!! Song of the Cerulean Sea completely swallowed me whole and didn’t let go. The writing? Lush and lyrical. The characters? Feral, messy, powerful, and SO painfully human (even when they’re not). Alura is the sharp, vulnerable siren princess of my dreams, and Varik? Dark, broody, secretly soft?? I am deceased. And Scylla?? GIVE ME MORE SCYLLA.

This book is the perfect blend of high-stakes fantasy, forbidden romance, morally grey chaos, and just the right amount of spice. The tension?? Off the charts. The banter?? ICONIC. I was literally kicking my feet and swooning at certain scenes. If you love enemies-to-lovers, magic that bites back, and found-family vibes with LITERAL CLAWS, you need this book in your life. Immediately.

I don’t usually reread books, but I’m already eyeing a second read-through. Absolutely devoured it in two days. 10/10 would sell my soul to the sea witch for more.

[Ashley Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alura is a deadly siren and heir to the Queen of the Sirens. Her failure to protect her sisters in battle against the human Prince Varik leads to her exile. That defeat cost her everything. In her desperation to reclaim it all she strikes a bargain with Scylla, the sea witch. Kill the human king and capture the prince’s heart. Or she will die a human.

As Alura navigates human politics in a court which hunts sirens, she finds herself falling for the human prince. Her desires and emotions are further thrown into turmoil by the sea witch who holds her fate in her hands. Will Alura be able to survive these treacherous new waters?

Brilliant retelling of a fairytale. Dark, emotional, spicy and exciting. The beginning was a little slow paced and took some getting into but it eventually picks up. The author describes little things like Alura’s movements in such detail that I can actually see it in my mind’s eye. Wonderfully written and I look forward to more works by her.

[The_neurospicy_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another phenomenal novel from this author. I absolutely love this author's work and cannot wait for the next book. This story is not the little mermaid you know, I loved how dark this story got but also how there were such wholesome moments throughout. The author has a way of allowing you to really connect with the characters and make you either love or loathe them. I could not get enough of the twists and turns that the author weaved into the tale, it was such a fresh perspective on it all. I was hooked from the start and got really attached to the MCs. The world building is so beautifully done and you feel like you can fully immerse yourself into the world. Also love the easter eggs throughout this series and cannot wait to see how they all link together. Looking forward to seeing what comes next from this author. Highly recommend reading this series if you love dark fairytale retellings and don't mind a bit of spiciness, cause it gets spicy.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark, beautiful and intriguing. Those words are barely enough to cover what is this dark Little Mermaid retelling. I’ve read a handful of stories that were retellings of this famous story, but this book? This one tops them all. You just never know that you wanted and truly needed a darker version of the story until you find it and it devours your entire being. Devours and leaves you with a deep seated ache that can’t be soothed or quenched.
Alura’s story is one of revenge. When she is stripped of everything makes her a siren, she embarks on a quest to make the humans who are the cause of it all to pay. While I didn’t understand the penalty levied against her by her own kind, I understood the desire to hurt those who caused her to hurt.
This book is dark, twisted, unexpectedly delightful and will rend your heart in the best ways.
Prepare to be tormented in the best ways possible with steamy scenes, heartbreak, and an ending that will bring a touch of healing.

[JC Alvarado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alura is the great protector of her kingdom. She’s the heir to the throne of the underwater kingdom of Astaria. During a battle with the world up above, Alura loses a sister and that is the moment her world gets flipped upside down. Seeking to avenge her sister’s death, she seeks out the sea witch, Scylla, and strikes a bargain. She has one mission, but if she is capable of completing that mission is the real question. Will she be able to get retribution, or will her emotions cloud her judgment and keep her from succeeding.

In this thrilling twist and fresh take on the Little Mermaid, you find magic, action, and romance. You get a why choose trope intertwined with an enemies to lovers trope. I really enjoyed this novel by @avazoeauthor. The flow and ease of this novel was perfect and the pacing was just the right speed! I also couldn’t pass up an opportunity to read about mermaids. One of my, if not my favorite, mythological/fantasy creature!

[Krystal Mire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Zoe does it again! Song of the Cerulean Sea was EXHILARATING! I couldn’t put this down! I rated it 5 stars. I was fortunate enough to be asked to be an ARC reader again for this lovely author, and she excelled exponentially. This book is a Little Mermaid retelling and it was delicious. This why choose romance sends you into the depths both in the ocean and on land. Varik and Scylla are amazing characters and helped give the story its depth. I loved that it not only was told through Alura’s POV but theirs as well. Ava’s writing style is legend. Her words flow on the page so effortlessly and it’s so easy to get transported into the realm of storytelling that she is providing. If you love enemies to lovers, dual POVs, why choose tropes then this is the book for you. Sirens, kingdoms and romance are all packed in this beautiful book. Trust me, you will want to read this.

[Teri Halterman-Panuelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I begin with this book? It’s an amazing retelling of the little mermaid. But only the adult version of it! This author has such an amazing writing style. She develops the characters enough for you to imagine the scenes so that you can understand the book. While also drawing you into the book and telling the story, the book is spicy enough to be fun, but not overbearing that would be inappropriate for a younger audience. I’m not gonna go into too many details because I don’t wanna give away any spoilers to the book. But I will say it is definitely a must read. I will say it’s not the sweet little mermaid from our childhood. Alura is strong and determined a true warrior but Varik is charming and handsome and….. well just read it you will see.

[TheRealBookishRoyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m absolutely obsessed! The tension, the angst, the chemistry... OMG I could not put this book down. Alura is a feral, powerful siren heroine, and don’t even get me started on Scylla and Varik. The enemies-to-lovers energy? Immaculate. The banter? Ugh I crave more of it.

This book has everything I love in a dark romantasy: forbidden magic, high-stakes betrayal, morally grey characters, and that perfect blend of spice and heartbreak. I was screaming at some of the twists and clutching my Kindle like it was oxygen. I would LOVE if there could be a second book that shows that Alura, Varik, and Scylla do as they rule the kingdom together.

[Erin Saulpaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words. This is a Little Mermaid retelling, and I loved this way more than the original Little Mermaid. This is my favorite retelling of the Little Mermaid.

I couldn't put this book down. I was hooked from the beginning! I love the dark aspect. The spice was amazing! I loved this so much I couldn't think of anything single thing that I didn't like about this book.
I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone. especially to the ones who loved watching the little mermaid growing up. Alura is a badass. I fell in love with her instantly
Varik dont even get me started!
you need to read this book ASAP!

[Ashton Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast moving stoyline

This story moved quick. I really enjoyed the overall story of what was written. Adventure, forbidden love, and a sea witch. The story only takes place inbetween a few set days but there is much movement andexciting drama. Of course our main heroine is strong, stubborn and looks (and voice) could kill. If you are looking for a fun adventure that inbolves lots of fantasy and lust, mixed with bad desisions, this book is for you.  The overall way it was written is the reason I put slightly lower stars as there were some events that didn't fit seamlessly for me, and i like more slowbuild romance.

World building ⭐️⭐️

Spice 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[darkspellreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a retelling of a classic fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" but with more darker plot with epic twists and turns. The poetry at beginning was good .The story starts slow but later the it picks up pace and you cannot stop reading it.It moves in a darker direction, the tension and chemistry between Alura and Varik is palpable,the excitement increases when the scylla enters the whole dynamics changes.The spice part adds extra touch to the story. 
I personally like the writing style,the pov of characters and how empowering the Alura character was. I devoured the book it was perfect combination of classic retelling.

[Lorna Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little mermaid is by far my favourite Disney movie, so to say I was excited to receive this arc copy, would be an absolute understatement.
In this retelling of the little mermaid, we follow our FMC Alura a warrior for her people, who after a devastating loss in battle, is exiled. So she turns to the witch (obviously) who offers a chance at redemption… at a small cost!!!!
Our MMC is Varik, the young human.
I love how this retelling takes us back to the original tale more so than Disney, and it’s just perfection.
Enemies to lovers
Dark fantasy romance
Nice and spicy
Unput downable 5 star read for all the dark romance readers

[Angiewagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this! A play on The Little Mermaid but with a few extra, darker twists.
Alura wants to avenge the death/murder of her sister sirens. But when she makes a deal with the sea witch. Can she hold up her end of the bargain?
She wasn't prepared for how her story would play out. Has a twist that I did not see coming. But I think this is what made this story so good.
Well written, easy to read, and love how the story progresses!
Spice level 5+
5+ stars
I received an advance review copy as an Alpha reader and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sarah Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to be an arc reader for this book and I really loved it!! It’s a must ready book!! This is a dark, spicy and enticing little mermaid retelling. Alura wants to avenge the death/murder of her sister sirens. But when she makes a deal with the sea witch. Can she hold up her end of the bargain?
She wasn't prepared for how her story would play out. Has a twist that I did not see coming. I was also pleasantly surprised to read chapters from the point of view from both Scylla and Varik. They added value and depth to this story, allowing us to look into the minds of both characters.

[Eloise Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was approached by Ava to read this book ahead of realase. So Thankyou for allowing me read your book early!!
This is a dark why choose little mermaid retelling. This is not a children’s book!!
The spice was on point and the plot was fantastic. I couldn’t put this book down.
After a tragic loss Alura doesn’t see another way out, she seeks out a dangerous person who has promised to help her but for something in return.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is a sweet retelling of the original. This book is dark!!
Another 5* read from Ava!!

[Sam_books18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rate: 4/5 Spice: 4/5

This is a retelling of the Little Mermaid. Instead of mermaid you have a siren Alura. The prince Varik is at war with the sirens and when Alura loses the battle her queen isn’t happy. Alura is stripped and sent to exile where she encounters a sea witch Scylla. Scylla gives Alura 6 days to kill the king and bring her the princes heart. Will Alura be able to go through with this? You will have to read in this why choose, tensions high, and action fantasy retelling. I recommend if you love fairytales with a twist! 💙🧜🏽‍♀️👑

[Ann Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a darker version of a Little Mermaid retelling. Generally I love adult fairy tale retellings but this one gave an unexpected enemies to lovers twist to it. It is a why choose story with MF and FF. While I'm not a fan of FF, I know there are readers who will enjoy this. However, from a storyline point of view, the FF relationship wasn't well developed, it feels like it's secondary here. Some very nice spicy scenes , especially between the FMC and MMC. I feel like this is a solid 4 stars for me.

[Norma Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my third Ava Zoe book and easily my favorite so far! Song of the Cerulean Sea is a dark, why-choose Little Mermaid retelling and I was all in. I really enjoyed Alura as the main character. She’s fierce, layered, and totally held her own. The story was dark, magical, and had just the right amount of spice.

Song of the Cerulean Sea is now available on Amazon and KU. And if you end up loving it like I did, definitely check out Ava Zoe’s other books. She knows how to write dark, twisty romance with the perfect edge.