Tides of Deception

by Raquel Mudryk

Ianira is a bounty hunter on a secret endeavor. That is, until she learns there's a price on her head for crimes she didn't commit. Out of options and desperate for answers, she teams up with a wayward pirate to help clear her name. But if Ianira has learned anything from sailing the southern seas it's this: never trust a pirate.

Genres: Fantasy, Pirates

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2026

Reviews

[Samantha Leeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review ✨

I had the chance to read an advanced reader copy of Tides of Deception and wow — this one absolutely swept me away. From the very first meeting between Ianira and Slater, the tension is immediate and electric. Their chemistry practically crackles off the page, and every interaction left me wanting more.

One of the things that really stood out to me was the incredible world-building. The author has created such an immersive setting, filled with danger, intrigue, and pirates at sea. It feels vivid and alive, making it easy to get completely lost in the story. You can practically feel the salt air and hear the creak of the ships as the plot unfolds. I also LOVE duel POV -you get the story from both sides ♡

And the romantic tension? So well done. Love triangles can be tricky to pull off, but this one worked beautifully. The emotional stakes felt real, the connections between the characters were believable, and the push and pull kept me fully invested the entire time.

This book struck the perfect balance between plot and spice. The story never loses momentum, yet the romance is still intense and satisfying. It’s one of those reads where you keep telling yourself “just one more chapter” until suddenly you’re at the end.

If you love romance with high tension, sweeping adventure, and a richly built world, this is definitely one to add to your list. I already know this will be a standout read for many readers this year.

⭐ Highly recommend!

[Syddacia Sova · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC COPY REVIEW*

This a pirate-meets-mythical romantasy that leans heavily into chaos—both in its plot and its relationships.

This story follows a winding, ever-shifting narrative filled with multiple POVs, romantic tropes, and a constant sense of movement…though not always direction. At times, it felt like the story was searching for its center rather than building toward a clear goal, which made it harder to stay fully grounded in the plot.

That said, the banter? Solid. The tension and spice definitely delivered in moments, and there were flashes where the character dynamics really worked. However, the romance itself felt a bit rushed and forced, which made it harder to fully invest emotionally.

The pacing and structure were probably the biggest challenge for me. With frequent viewpoint shifts and a plot that didn’t always feel cohesive, I found myself wanting a stronger through-line to anchor everything together.

Overall, this was a mixed experience—there are enjoyable elements here, especially if you like trope-heavy romantasy with pirates and mythological influences, but the execution didn’t fully land for me.

The ending does leave off on a cliffhanger, so readers who enjoy open-ended conclusions or are planning to continue the series may find that aspect more compelling.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Angela Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY wish I didn’t have to wait for the next book. Omigosh, I loved this so much! I’m a huge fan of pirates and Greek mythology so this book was right up my alley. Full of lies and deceit and secrets, forgiveness, love and action. A perfect combination of all of that! I was so happy with how everything came together for Ianira, Slater and Cyric 🤌🏼. I was going to be a little upset if it had turned out differently. But that ending?!?! I was wondering what secret Ianira was holding through the book, but I was NOT expecting that! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Kallie Street · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He may be a pirate, but I saw the way he looked at you.”
“How did he look at me?”
“Like he was ready to die for you.” ⚓️❤️‍🔥

I never knew my heart desired a pirate romance, until reading this book.

Within these 416 pages, you’ll find yourself submerged in the action packed fights, banter, prophecy seeking, sword knife and pistol wielding scenes that keep you on your toes!! (See what I did there? Submerged…pirate ship..immersed) okay, not funny? Moving on.😄

I absolutely loved how the story unfolds and becomes a multi POV. Having the POV’s from each of the three main characters really helps the reader channel the feelings that each of the characters go through.
Speaking of feelings, there’s quite a few spicy scenes,(I’ll never complain of too much spice!) there is spice in ten chapters to be exact!🤭
It doesn’t feel like a “why-choose” until closer to the second half. I don’t want to spoil too much, but I loved the connection between two of them in the beginning, and then the why choose comes into play and it becomes so hard not to love the other MMC as well.

This pirate X bounty hunter romance with themes of Greek mythology and prophecy seeking, seriously had me in a chokehold. It kept me intrigued the whole way through. The ending left off on SUCH a cliffhanger, that I’m going to be wracking my brain until book two comes out!!

So if pirates are your thing (I know you’re thinking Johnny Depp, it’s okay I am too), or even if they aren’t..give this book a read! I think you’ll enjoy the ride as much as I did. 👏🏻

[Azarra Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏴‍☠️🦜✨ ARC REVIEW ✨🦜🏴‍☠️
CAN I PLEASE GIVE THIS 10 STARS?! I was blessed to read this masterpiece early now I'm DYING for book 2. I never knew I needed a pirate romantasy til now... hehe peep my name in the acknowlegments tho.. I am one of Raquel's influencers and I am here to INFLUENCE you to pick up this book ASAP!!!! You need to read this book… or I’m looking at you sideways and making you walk the plank 🏴‍☠️ No debate. (Also: sidenote: don't let the dates read fool you, it didn't take all month to finish the book because it sucked. NO, I truly kept getting sucked in and had to pace myself to truly enjoy it. Plus, life and having to be a responsible adult...

"𝐿𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒 𝐼𝒶𝓃𝒾𝓇𝒶. 𝐼 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝒾𝓉𝑒𝒹 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝑜𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝓊𝓈𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈. 𝒮𝑜, 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝑔𝒾𝓇𝓁 𝐼 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓁𝑒𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓁𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒾𝓃𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒷𝑜𝒹𝓎."

"𝐵𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝐼 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉. 𝒮𝓉𝓇𝑒𝓃𝑔𝓉𝒽. 𝒟𝑒𝓋𝑜𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃. 𝐻𝑜𝓅𝑒. 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒. 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓂, 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝓂𝑒𝓇𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝒶 𝓅𝒶𝓈𝓈𝑒𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃 𝓈𝓀𝒾𝓃, 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓅𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒹."

This truly was an enjoyable read and I was easily immersed into this world. Ianira is a bounty-hunter who is looking for her long-lost father. Her mission takes a sharp turn when pirate Captain E. Slater boards her ship and demands to join her because he is ALSO looking for her father. The bounty-hunter becomes the bounty-hunted as Ianira's mission changes while avoiding the Queen's navy as well a rouge pirate crews. Cyric Watson, an old lover as well as royal military guard joins the mission to protect Ianira while fighting for his freedom. Throughout it all, everyone is searching for clues for an ancient mythological prophecy and no one is safe on the hunt for the blood moon pearl.

This book is SPICY and hottttt 🥵🤤 I'm still thinking about the scene with Ianira and the Queen's consort...Because of that, I just KNOW book two is gonna be juicy.

And let's not forget the action!! Ianira is truly a bad-ass female and don't need NO man to save her. She is perfectly capable of saving herself. The fight scenes were truly delectable and well written. This whole book was like *insert graphic audio vc* "a movie in my mind.

Now, this does have some dark scenes so please, please, PLEASE check the triggers. For me, I already knew what to expect with a certain scene but Raquel handled it with grace. That is EXACTLY what I would have needed in a moment like that. It felt so natural and real... and someone like Ianira isn't gonna let it drag her down but lift her up... with her man (which one? i won't tell 🤫) by her side.

Now, it does end on a cliffhanger and there's a whole side plot going on that I NEED to know wtf is happening with them because there are some side characters that I love already.

Did I convince you to read this yet?? No? Well lemme just put this here: pirates, Greek mythology, rebellion, betrayal, revenge, battles, secrets, just one bed, and SPICEEEE.

OKAY NOW STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR

[Kimberly Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for the feint of heart. There is heavy triggerable content within these pages and requires a reader with an open mind and ready to be taken on a wild ride of an adventure.. out upon the TIDES. Upon the water and onto islands, a fantastical world created around pirates and kingdoms. The story is DECEPTIVELY delicious in a wild twisted kind of way that weaves the crass and debauchery of pirate culture, with mythology and Reverse Harem "why choose?"

Where some might have the notion of chaos, it was merely plucking the reader into the adventure as it was unfolding. There were constant reveals set up in the way that you never knew what was coming next. Some might try to classify that as twists but is more along the aspect of dimensional writing. There is no predicting, however after the first couple of reveals I noticed that there is a simple foreboding statement that will be placed at the end of a chapter that told me.. oh something is about to come about and be revealed! This is when I took note of the title again.. Tides of DECEPTION. Not only in the story but being deceptively clever upon the reader and taking that approach of.. oh by the way... and sprinkle in a reveal in the story line (not being privy to backstory information beforehand).

There was a two-fold nature that gave a twisted kind of experience while reading it.
-In regards to the smut, you will have pirate debauchery and crass/crude scenes littered throughout the story depicting the nature of the people within this world while overall the 'love' making scenes between the general love interests are overall 'good'.
-There was a scene that casually/nonchalantly described observations of a crude sex scene unfolding while engaged in conversation with the other person taking part in it.
-There was a scene where it depicted an all out ruthless-fight for your life-slaying and then right after ... "My name on her lips is worth more than a thousand words on anyone else's".

I loved the way that the atmosphere/settings were described like it was painting the picture poetically and did a good job at setting the scene/mood. I found this story to be intriguing and tantalizing, awakening different things within me where otherwise I would not have expected, and is unlike anything else I have read thus far! It's unique and I already want my own physical copy of this book on my shelf as well as am now impatiently awaiting the next installment of this book!

Also, the very end reveal was actually the only one that did not surprise me as I had a sense of it beforehand... it was a "I knew it!" Moment for me. While reading I personally wasn't sure why she held a certain attachment to one of the love interests but it all made sense to me at the end of this story. I am curious where this story goes next! I am grateful that I was able to obtain a copy to read in advance, and quickly devoured this read in 2 days.

[Simona-Lorena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Deception reminded me why I fell in love with reading. I loved every aspect of this book—it transported me into an entirely different world and took me on a rollercoaster of emotions—I laughed, I cried, I was shocked, intrigued, and constantly left wanting more.

The characters are phenomenal! Ianira is a nuanced and multidimensional heroine, balancing strength with vulnerability, which makes her feel authentic and relatable. Slater is charismatic, charming, and easy to love, yet beneath his humor and easygoing demeanor lies a hidden pain, giving him incredible depth. Cyric, on the other hand, is frustrating at times but extraordinary in his complexity—mysterious, compelling, and always keeping you guessing.

The world-building is another highlight. The integration of Greek mythology into a pirate setting is imaginative and immersive, creating a vivid atmosphere that pulls you right into the story. The plot is unpredictable, packed with twists that continually challenge your assumptions, culminating in an ending that completely redefines everything that came before.

In my view, this book is a perfect example of how the why-choose trope should be done. The tension and stakes of the romantic dynamic are compelling, adding both richness and excitement to the story. While it is a pretty spicy read, the romantic and intimate elements are handled beautifully, with scenes that feel natural and purposeful, deepening the characters’ emotional and relational connections rather than serving as filler.

Please take note of the trigger warnings. The book explores heavy themes, and the author handles trauma and PTSD with sensitivity and care, portraying these experiences with depth and realism.

Rating: 5.0/5.0 ⭐️

Overall, Tides of Deception is a captivating, masterfully crafted book that exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt, this is a 5-star read, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment!

I am grateful to Raquel Mudryk and BookSirens for providing an advance copy of this book, which I received for free. I am sharing my honest thoughts in this review voluntarily.

[Taylor Gallaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, BookSirens and the author, Raquel Mudryk, for allowing me to ARC read this!

Tides of Deception was honestly a really enjoyable read. The story leans heavily into romance, but it manages to balance that with enough plot and action to keep things engaging. The pacing is quick and easy to follow, making it a book that’s easy to get through while still holding your attention.

The concept itself is interesting, especially with the inclusion of mythological elements, which add an extra layer of intrigue to the story. It gives the narrative a unique edge while still feeling familiar within the genre.

One of the more surprising aspects was the romance. While it’s marketed as a why choose story, the extent of that isn’t immediately obvious—eventually revealing itself to be more of a quadruple dynamic, which is definitely unexpected. The relationships develop quickly, and while it doesn’t necessarily feel like insta-love, the pacing of the romance can feel rushed.

A noticeable issue lies in the main character’s development. She is introduced as a confident, capable bounty hunter, but after meeting the love interest, her personality shifts significantly. Much of her independence and sense of self seems to fade, replaced by a more dependent and emotionally driven version of herself. This loss of agency makes her character feel less consistent and can be frustrating to follow. Toward the end, her involvement in the romantic dynamic also begins to feel less selective and more loosely defined, which may not work for every reader.

There is also a heavier focus on explicit romantic content, which may not be for everyone, as it occasionally overshadows other elements of the story. However, the writing style feels in line with many popular BookTok reads, making it accessible and engaging rather than overly complex.

Overall, Tides of Deception is a fun, fast-paced read with an interesting concept and strong romantic focus. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely entertaining and easy to get invested in.

[Reina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dark, spicy pirate romantasy with a rich world building and layered characters.

Raquel's writing is absolutely beautiful, she really knows how to bring a story to life. It flows naturally and is easy to follow, you can just sink into its world. The pirate setting mixed with mythology adds depth and everything feels very alive and vivid.

I really loved Ianira. She’s strong, capable and clearly shaped by her past, but still feels very human and relatable. She’s not perfect and that’s what makes her character work so well. I loved that she doesn’t come across as someone who needs saving, but she can handle herself even when things get difficult, which made her very easy to root for.

The characters overall are so well written, bringing their own complexity and tension into the story. I also really liked multi POV, it was nice getting to experience the story through characters. The romance develops quite quickly, but it works well here. The tension and banter balance it out and the spice feels natural rather than forced.

What really stood out to me is how well everything comes together: characters, relationships, plot and worldbuilding all support each other. There’s always something happening, but it never felt overwhelming, it just keeps you reading and wanting to know how everything connects.

That ending though with the cliffhanger? I’m not okay, I need book two, please.

I’m so proud of Raquel! You can tell how much work, thought and heart has gone into this book and it really shows. Tides of Deception absolutely deserves all the hype!

This book includes dark themes and spice, so I recommend checking the trigger warnings.

If you love dark romantasy, pirates, strong FMC, mythology, banter, high tension and rich world building, this is definitely worth picking up.

All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Eleonore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will start out by saying that I was given an ARC copy to read and am giving my own opinion.
Tides of Deception is a fantastic story and I really enjoyed reading it! The best way that I can describe this story without spoiling it is take Pirates of the Caribbean, make it a lot darker, and add secret rebellions and a whole lot of mystical lore about the descendants of the gods. As someone who is absolutely obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean, I was excited to read it and it did not disappoint. Ianira (the FMC) reminds me of a better and more capable version of Elizabeth Swann and Slater (one of the MMCs) reminds me of a more competent Will Turner, especially with their backstories and relationship. The story does bounce around a little bit, but there’s a method to the madness and it actually helps explain a little bit more about the world and what is going on. There is a lot of stuff going on in the background of the story, but it’s woven into the story very well. While there is plenty of smut, I would say that the story has a lot of plot and knowledge that needs to be taken into account, so if you’re looking for a feel good, easy to breeze through romantasy, this is not it. However, this is perfect for if you’re looking for plot and detail heavy romantasies that make you think about how each part connects together.
I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it, especially if you love pirate romances, Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Sails, and love triangles!
Thank you so much to Raquel Mudryk and her team for letting me read the book! I really enjoyed it and appreciate the opportunity!

[Ashley Bardyszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC COPY REVIEW***


First I would like to thank BookSirens and author Requel Mudryk for allowing me to be included in this ARC read.


3 POV - Bounty Hunter - Pirates - Greek Mythology - Found Family - Adventure - Touch Her and Die - Why Choose - FMM


I didn't know till I read this book that I was missing out on pirate romance. Now I need more!!!


This story had me from the jump. I couldn't put it down and devoured it. 3 different points of views so you were able to enjoy everyone's perception. The world building was perfect. I felt like I was there. I felt the rocking of the boat, the sea breeze in my face, and the smell of gunsmoke in the air. The spice scenes are chefs kiss and where sprinkled throughout the story perfectly. If you love romance with some spice, a little Greek Mythology, fight scenes that make you feel like you are fighting alongside the FMC & MMC this is your book. 


***SPOILERS***

Ianira is a Bounty Hunter in search of her father who left when she was a child. She ends up finding more about herself in her travels than expected. She meets Captain E. Slater, a lone pirate with secret intentions and a past that will surprise Ianira. Master Cyric Watson Iainra's first love comes to help her on the second leg of her travels. Chaos knocks on Ianira's front door and Cyric is there to help her get through the darkness. Ianira, Slater, and Watson end up joining forces but find out there is more than just fighting together that they enjoy and are meant to have together.



***There is one scene that has sexual violence and can be hard to get through. 

[Nicole Unger · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌟ARC REVIEW🌟 First off, thank you to the author for creating this book and allowing me to review it open and honestly.

Ok so I love the concept here. I’m a huge history buff so of course I wanted to read this! I will say, while the story line is good and the characters are great; the banter world development and relationships,m, the repetitive nature is a bit of an annoyance to me.

A pirate, Slater and a bounty hunter, Ianira (great name drop, iykyk), without giving anything away, go on a quest to find her father, not all by choice I mind you. The angst between them is great but the “omg why did it have to be her/him?” Within every chapter is rough. I know that it’s to build the pull between the 2 but their dynamic between them builds beautifully and it’s just not needed.

The relationship and angst between our main characters though it’s good, it feels rushed at times. I’m not saying this is a horrible thing but if it were to be slowed I think it would’ve come across better.

I wish when we find out about MCs ID I wish there was a back story to it like afterwards when he goes on about life etc.

Multi POVs which I tend to adore because how could you not?! I cannot and will not include ANY spoilers here but the relationships are… intriguing in the best of ways.

Without giving anything away… the spice is just right… the world building is on point… could it use with less bath and forth of the woe is me why am I like this yes BUT it leaves you wanting to read more. It took until about chapter 17 to not want to put it down. I have never DNFd a book I wasn’t starting now and this is why!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ 3 POVs | Morally grey characters | Dark themes | Hidden heritage | Pirates | Rebellion | Prophecy | Spicy | Cliffhanger ✨

I found this gem in a @Booksirens email and immediately downloaded it. Mood reader instincts kicked in when I saw “why choose pirate romantasy based on Greek mythology?” and I was sold. I finished it in less than two days because I just could not put it down.

The story follows Ianira, Slater, and Cyric—a bounty hunter, a pirate captain, and a military guard. Ianira’s life takes a sharp turn when she discovers there is a bounty on her head for crimes she did not commit. To clear her name, she is forced to team up with the wayward pirate captain Slater because they are both searching for her father for very different reasons. Along the way she reconnects with Cyric, the military guard.

There are so many twists to keep you on your toes and just enough spice to keep the pages turning. The insta-lust is a little fast for me but the tension and longing are done really well. The world building can be a bit confusing at times but overall this was such a fun and engaging read. And that cliffhanger at the end will leave you wanting so much more.

This story explores some dark and serious themes, including sexual assault, abuse, and suicide. Please read with care.

[RomanticBelleReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was my first pirates, medieval timeline book and I loved it! I was so mad I had to do adulting things and couldn’t just devour the entire thing.

Ianira really is a baddie like Elizabeth Swann and everything you could hope for in a heroine. She kicks a$$ and takes names (or prisoners as the case may be 😂). The fact that she is still so strong after all the trauma she went through, and continues to go through, absolutely amazes me.

Slater reminds me so much of Captain Hook from OUAT. The attitude, the protectiveness, the ruthlessness was everything I expected from a pirate. I was angry at him for a bit, but I understood why he did what he did.

Cyric is the guy you didn’t know you needed until his position serves to protect them all. His redemption arc with Ianira was perfection and I loved how protective and sweet he is of her.

The spice is spicing in this as well. Please note that there are some situations that could be triggering to some. Please read the warning page thoroughly. Most of the triggers are graphic on page.

Beware, this book does end on the cliffhanger of ALL CLIFFHANGERS. You will want the next book right away. But it is so worth reading this now. Absolutely loved this.

[Erin Dyches · Rating 4 out of 5]

I need book two immediately. I’m left with so many questions and absolutely need answers.

This was an enthralling read that hooked me from the very beginning. It blends pirates, Greek mythology, rebellion, betrayal, battles, secrets, and spice into a story that is hard to put down. The world-building felt immersive without being overwhelming, and the pacing kept me consistently engaged.

The multiple POVs added strong emotional depth and gave insight into each character’s motivations. The characters themselves were well-developed, with complex and often torturous backstories that made their actions feel meaningful.

Slater was easily my favorite—his character carried that dark, commanding energy that made him stand out in every scene. Irania was a powerful female lead who held her own and brought a strong presence to the story. Cyric was an unexpected favorite; he grew on me over time and ended up delivering one of the most memorable moments in the book.

I do recommend that readers pay close attention to the trigger warnings at the beginning. There are darker elements that may be difficult for some readers, and one particular moment caught me off guard.

Overall, this was a captivating and emotionally engaging read, and I’m very much looking forward to continuing the series.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having had the chance to read Tides of Deception as an ARC, I went in curious and came away pleasantly surprised. Raquel Mudryk weaves a tale that’s both intricate and emotionally charged, with characters who linger in your mind long after the last page.

The story pulled me in with its blend of secrets, political intrigue, and personal stakes. I loved the way Mudryk gradually unravels the layers of deception, keeping me guessing while still rooting for the characters I grew attached to. There were moments that made me pause and reflect, and others that had my heart racing in tension and anticipation.

The romance thread is compelling without overshadowing the larger story, striking a nice balance between emotional intimacy and plot-driven suspense. My only hesitation is that certain plot points felt slightly predictable at times, which kept me from giving it a full five stars. But honestly, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment—there’s a lot here to love, and the writing is immersive and heartfelt.

Overall, Tides of Deception is a satisfying, clever read that I’d happily recommend to anyone who enjoys a mix of intrigue, romance, and well-drawn characters. This ARC has me excited to see how Raquel Mudryk’s story continues to evolve.

[Tiffany ✨️ Bergamot Book Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one. A lot of the story is meandering, with the pacing and plot kind of all over the place. I also found the author chose to include SA, violent sex and rape so frequently and almost casually that I was genuinely put off from reading.

The whole book took a turn for me when violent, graphic, on page rape of the FMC occurred both from her perspective, as well as one of the MMC's perspectives in the next chapter, including her screams and seeing the second man raping her from his POV. It was so violent, that this FMC who loves and recently enjoyed rough sex was bleeding all over her thighs. This entire scene is then used to push a romance plot forward between that MMC and FMC, including moving them towards declarations of love when she had previously chosen to harden her heart to him.

I cannot get behind rape being used to advance romance, and this immediately put me off the book. It also wasn't the end of scenes like that, and I found myself fully pulled out of the read and unable to enjoy it.

The book does include a trigger warning for SA, but I was not expecting the frequency or full on page scenes, so be aware.

*****

Thank you to the author for the complimentary advanced reader copy.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Booksirens and Raquel Mudryk for this advance copy of Tides of Deception. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book, to be honest, left me a little confused at parts. I was a little lost on the main plot and flow of the book and hope that it becomes clear as the series continues. This book felt like it was rushing along the narrative, jumping from one event to the next without much extra to it. I felt like there was a book before this? Like this the second book not the first.

Yet there was something so intriguing about this entire book. I really enjoyed the idea of the book, pirates, being on the ocean, and the mythology. I think the world had a really good system to it. I really enjoyed that there was land but most of it was on the water. I really enjoyed bring in the greek gods into this book but wished that it had been expanded more, explained a bit more.

The why choose? or love triangle? I am a bit confused at what it is. It wasn't really hinted at until the very end? The sexual tension was perfection, I loved all those tense moments, the banter between Ianira and both Slater and Cyric were excellent. I personally love Slater. I just wished there was more into their relationship.... I have a lot of questions about that... because that cliff hanger.... Lots of questions.

For what it's worth, I did read this book pretty fast and did enjoy it. I am looking forward to seeing where this book goes. Although confusing a bit of the time, the pace of the book did seem to fit and keep you guessing. Leaves you shocked in the moment when something happened.

[JustBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler free

I was an ARC reader of Tides of Deception and I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Overall I enjoyed this book. The story was entertaining and kept me wanting to read more throughout. I liked all of the 3 main characters and found myself wanting them to succeed. The plot was also great and I loved the setting of the ocean surrounded by pirates and myths.

The character development was done well with all of the backstories well explained. It let you sympathise with the characters when their actions seemed unfavourable. However, the mythology surrounding the Blood Moon Pearl became a bit hard to follow.

The writing itself started good and got better as the story went on. There was only one minor error in a bit of dialogue, but other than that I felt like I was reading a Trad published book.

The spice in the book was great and the scenes were written very well. It was not only enjoyable but made sense to the story.

I would highly recommend checking the triggers of the book as some scenes were hard to read and almost made me not continue.

Overall I enjoyed the book and I would be keen to read book 2 and continue the story.

[Donna Whittaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the author as a book ARC read.

Well, it took me longer to finish this than anticipated.... really wish I didn't have to be an adult at times.
It was such a good read though, thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me a mix of pirates of the Caribbean (regarding Ianira, could easily portray similar effect to Elizabeth Swann) with OUAT mixed in there too, (with regards to Slater, gives off Hook vibes very much, in my head anyway).
Ianira is such a strong kick ass character, she has been and going through such trauma but she doesn't let it hold her back, no she uses it to make herself strong, its beautiful.
Slater and his protectiveness, he is ruthless but in the best way, everything a pirate should be.
Then there is Cyric, a man you wouldn't expect to be the way he is with Ianira, but he truly shows his sweet side for her and protectiveness too, after a while.
The spice was spicing too, hot, hot, hot!!

These characters dragged me into this world and I don't want to leave it. Dying for book 2.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ | HOLY SHIP 🔥

This book? Absolute chaos in the best way. A dark pirate romantasy where it’s all rum, thievery, bloodshed, and very high heat—aka exactly what I signed up for. And the “why choose” dynamic? Executed so well. It honestly felt like if Elizabeth Swann said “why not both?” and took control of her own story.

The relationships didn’t feel rushed or forced—both were built with tension, chemistry, and banter that actually made me grin. The dialogue was sharp, the power dynamics were deliciously messy, and I was fully locked in from start to finish. Raquel’s writing made it so easy to sink into this world—I didn’t want to come up for air.

And then… THAT ENDING.

Raquel, respectfully, we need to talk. You cannot drop a bomb like that and then hit us with a “to be continued.” That was criminal behavior. I am both obsessed and personally offended.

Book 2 better be on the horizon because I will be the loudest, most unhinged fan until I get answers from the cliffiest of all cliffhangers.

AGGHHHH. Read it. 😤

[Andrea Merkord · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review for Tides of Deception-
That’s how you do a cliffhanger my friends! I enjoyed this pirate world, got lost in the mythology sprinkled into Ianira’s history, soaked up the story telling while she evaluates her relationships and decides where her quest will lead. The plot keeps a fast pace; however, I did feel like it might have been a little out of balance with the spice. Romance definitely took a back seat to spice in this tale. It felt a little too early in the book for the intense physical urgency they felt toward each other, but this could be explained away as you gain more information. Although I did read the warning prior to diving in, I wasn’t thrilled with certain spicy scenes that veered away from our M-F main characters. The book is honest in its “why choose” intention, so that’s not the spice I am referring to when I say it traveled in a direction away from my own preferences. Overall, do I want to read the next book and get all the answers? Heck, yes!!

[Ashton Buye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has promise to improve.

The storyline started out and I was HOOKED in and holding on for the ride! Think Pirates of the Caribbean meets a strong, take no prisoners FMC, and tie in some promise of spice 🌶️. There’s some mystery, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, and a sort of “who done it” suspense to this book.

This book is NOT for teenagers. The sex scenes are very depicting and dare I say it… too much for this storyline?! I got a little thrown off as the book went on, and the vulgarity of the sex scenes got more intense. I think if there were less sex scenes, the storyline would’ve had a more cohesive feel. I’m all for spice but I did find I got pulled out of the storyline and into what felt like a porno at times.

This book ended on a cliff hanger and I will likely read the second one, in hopes the story gives me more than what it did this first book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Trish House · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review:

With an unfair bounty on her head, Ianira needs to clear her name and also find her father to answer questions about the legend of the Blood Moon Pearl. Brooding pirate Slater who has dreams of revenge is also searching for Ianira's father and tricks his way onto Ianira's ship. They are not the only ones searching for information on the Blood Moon Pearl and will have to learn to trust each other in order to stay safe.

This is an exciting Pirate Romantasy novel, I enjoyed all the different island locations visited and could easily picture each one. The sea descriptions were very atmospheric as well and I enjoyed the Greek mythology tie-ins.

What I didn't love in this one was the spice, it seemed a bit too much compared to the rest of the tone of the book. I also feel like I didn't get to know each character as much as I would have liked but overall enjoyed this book and will read the sequel when it comes out!

[Ana Jagielko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honored to receive this book as an eARC from the amazing author! Raquel is truly the sweetest person and such a bright light in our book community!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is fast-paced and action packed right from the beginning. This was my first pirate romantasy and oh my goodness was it the best way to start this journey.
The story really keeps you guessing and Ianira is a complete badass. She’s strong & independent and shows so much vulnerability throughout her journey. The broody MMCs are possessive in the best way. Each relationship is formed differently, but the love is deep and all encompassing. The spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ and the brooding is perfection.
This story ends on a mind blowing cliffhanger and I am beyond feral for book 2. It is an absolute MUST READ for anyone interested in a pirate, why-choose romantasy.
Congratulations on your upcoming release Raquel!!! This book is so deserving and so are you!!

[Lisa Baker-Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tides of Deception
by Rachel Mudryk
469 pages
4/24/26 - 4/29/26
4/5 ⭐️
3/5🌶️

I was selected to receive a free ARC, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

The whole idea of this book intrigued me from the beginning- a pirate why-choose romantasy…… SIGN ME UP! The FMC is a pirate bounty hunter who reluctantly teams up with one of the MMC to search for her father. A bit later in the story, the second MMC - who happens to have a "history" with the FMC- joins in their search.

The action/adventure is there. The banter is there. The spice--- oh it's there! Please be aware of the trigger warnings….. there are some very dark parts.

The multiple POVs were good, but sometimes confusing. The FMC started out super badass, but seemed to lose some steam as the MMCs became more involved in the story. Their relationships were FAST…. but overall…. I really enjoyed it.

This one ends on a cliffhanger- and I'm definitely going to read book 2.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

HOLY CLIFFHANGER BATMAN!!! I don't often read pirate romance but boyhowdy this book made me want to start. From beginning to end it is nothing but adventure and twist. I stopped trying to figure out what happens next a third of the way in and just accepted that I was along for the ride.
Ianira is an amazing FMC. She is is so strong and fierce and loyal. A great heroine that I would be proud to call my Captain. She has been through so much and continues to remain steadfast in her convictions. And don't even get me started on Slater and Cyric. I won't spoil choices but what you think is going to happen is not even close. This book is quite steamy so prepare yourself.
I also enjoyed the blending of pirates and mythology. It was an unexpected but very entertaining development. I cannot wait to see what happens in the second book! The final sentence will have me in suspense until I can read it.

[Anna Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so the ending… one sentence and my jaw dropped. Book two, now!!

While I usually hate any form of love triangle or “why choose” trope—because they often prioritise spice over emotional depth—this one wasn’t too bad. There was enough history and explanation behind the relationships that it felt somewhat genuine. I still felt the hate-to-love back-and-forth moved a little too quickly, but I also understand how difficult it can be to fit full character arcs into a single book.

The action and adventure were awesome, and I really loved the FMC. She was strong but also kind-hearted, which made her easy to root for. The world itself is brutal, and the book doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities women can face, so definitely check the content warnings before going in.

Overall, I did enjoy this read.

[Michaela Zeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens and the author, Raquel Mudryk for an ARC of this. This book was my introduction to the author and it left me wanting more like I can’t wait to read more of her books. This is a pirate Romantasy, which I haven’t read many of them, but after reading this one, I definitely want to read more. The story is fast paced, so you are never going to lose interest. If anything you’re just going to want to keep reading to find out more because there are a lot of twist and turns. I loved Ianira’s character because of how strong and independent she is. Cyric, who has a past with Ianira, grew on me throughout the book. Slater on the other hand…that’s another story. Things started out fine and then he did something that wasn’t favorable. He needs to do some major groveling!! Looking forward to the next book in this series!!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author was not afraid of chaos. There was so much going on in this book that every chapter added more to the meyham. There are MULTIPLE love interests, multiple enemies, and a surprising amount of world building/lore packed into a book less than 400 pages.... AND THE ENDING!!! I hope the second book is in the works because that was quite the bombshell to leave the readers with.

It may be fantasy at its core but it captured the true nature of ruthless pirates. With that said, this book comes with a pretty decent amount of triggers so check up on those before reading.

Overall, it was a solid read. It keeps you on your toes and screaming at times. It also has a lot of spice, some with multiple characters at once. I've read a lot of pirate themed books but I'd put this one at the top.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.