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The Wicked Sea #1
The Wicked Sea
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26In this dark and sultry romantasy a mermaid battles hatred—and lust—for the wretched warlock who saved her life.
Mermaid Zephyra of the Syl dreams of freedom. On the run from a dangerous captor and years of abuse, she’s shed her tail, grown legs, and hidden herself on land in the merrow-loathing kingdom of Mortia, left to steal and barter on the dirty streets. But her freedom is short-lived when she’s caught and sentenced to death by the brutal warlock, Arion Stone.
Arion is as beautiful as he is cold and deadly, only interested in punishing the merrow he views as evil. He has grown as strong as any warlock might, but at great personal cost…which can only be remedied by the heart of the God of Death, lost to a fabled kingdom beneath the ocean’s treacherous depths.
So Arion offers Zephyra a deal she can’t refuse; help him find the mystical heart, and he’ll spare her life. With no other options, Zephyra agrees, entangling their souls and forbidden desires in a magical bargain until death do they part. But Zephyra's past is catching up to her, and the enemy she fled seeks vengeance. If Zephyra and Arion can't learn to fight together--and trust each other--there are worse things awaiting them than just death.
Of course, in the wicked sea, everyone has secrets, and no one should be trusted.
For Fans Enemies-to-lovers
Magic Sensual Bonds
Winged Romantic Lead
Forced Proximity
Mermaid Zephyra of the Syl dreams of freedom. On the run from a dangerous captor and years of abuse, she’s shed her tail, grown legs, and hidden herself on land in the merrow-loathing kingdom of Mortia, left to steal and barter on the dirty streets. But her freedom is short-lived when she’s caught and sentenced to death by the brutal warlock, Arion Stone.
Arion is as beautiful as he is cold and deadly, only interested in punishing the merrow he views as evil. He has grown as strong as any warlock might, but at great personal cost…which can only be remedied by the heart of the God of Death, lost to a fabled kingdom beneath the ocean’s treacherous depths.
So Arion offers Zephyra a deal she can’t refuse; help him find the mystical heart, and he’ll spare her life. With no other options, Zephyra agrees, entangling their souls and forbidden desires in a magical bargain until death do they part. But Zephyra's past is catching up to her, and the enemy she fled seeks vengeance. If Zephyra and Arion can't learn to fight together--and trust each other--there are worse things awaiting them than just death.
Of course, in the wicked sea, everyone has secrets, and no one should be trusted.
For Fans Enemies-to-lovers
Magic Sensual Bonds
Winged Romantic Lead
Forced Proximity
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 7, 2026
50 people are currently reading
27949 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
February 7, 2026
4.75/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Wow. What an amazing adult debut. I am jaw DROPPED over how thoroughly I loved this book. The first 20% definitely has a slow pace that does seem to take a while to get to the main plot point teased in the synopsis, but once we get to that point, this book is full throttle non stop action. An incredible sense of when to put in emotional beats makes the structure of this story just something I’m envious over. It’s practically flawless.
Zephyra is such a gorgeous heroine. She is not likable at all to start the story off, but as we get her backstory, all of her actions make SO much sense. The amount of trauma she’s been through hurts my heart but her growth in this novel is done masterfully. Her sense of humour brings levity to a pretty dark novel, but her introspective thoughts are what make her so compelling. Also, I mean, she’s a mermaid!!! I need more mermaids in my fantasy NOW!
Arion is a character I instantly liked. His character growth is subtle yet profound. Although he starts off seeming broody in a typical way, uncovering his trauma gives him so many sides in a way I find lots of fantasy books don’t give the MMC. He is a character and lead in this story in his own right, and does not exist to only support Zephyra. He has his own journey that I’m very excited to see continue in the sequel.
The romance is true enemies to lovers. They did not fuck with each other at all for a while. I do wish the friends stage had been longer but I just am so invested in their love story. The way their souls connect is just so beautiful and ahhhhhh!!!!!! I will say I think them falling in love in like 2 weeks is kind of crazy but it’s fantasy lol. The smut was also well written, and didn’t happen at the worst moments in the story hahah.
The plot?!!! AGHH. The prologue kind of seems out of place and I think doesn’t do much for the overall story, but the fast pacing and non stop action is a delight. So many things happen in this book and the mystery of the heart of mortem is so fun to make theories about. There are so many fun elements in this story - a cursed skull, for example - that give it life. The world seems so lived in.
I am eager to hopefully see more of the mermaid seas in book 2. The book sets up the world very well but we focus more on humans in this one. I was super invested in the world.
The writing style is IMMACULATE. Exactly the type of writing you need for this story. The descriptions of the sea and of mermaids are gorgeous, the humour is well balanced with the intense trauma of these characters, and the atmosphere is very well crafted.
AND THE END? Happy to say my streak of guessing final twists has continued and this one is delightful. Super excited to see where this story will now go. It’s a well foreshadowed twist as well, which I always appreciate.
But the epilogue is SO INTERESTING. The writing is gorgeous in it especially so, but I am dead with everything that happened. How is Zephyra getting out of this situation?! 😩 the sequel is shooting to the top of my most anticipated 2027 list.
I am so happy I got to read this early because this is SO GOOD and everyone needs to grab a copy this April!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
Wow. What an amazing adult debut. I am jaw DROPPED over how thoroughly I loved this book. The first 20% definitely has a slow pace that does seem to take a while to get to the main plot point teased in the synopsis, but once we get to that point, this book is full throttle non stop action. An incredible sense of when to put in emotional beats makes the structure of this story just something I’m envious over. It’s practically flawless.
Zephyra is such a gorgeous heroine. She is not likable at all to start the story off, but as we get her backstory, all of her actions make SO much sense. The amount of trauma she’s been through hurts my heart but her growth in this novel is done masterfully. Her sense of humour brings levity to a pretty dark novel, but her introspective thoughts are what make her so compelling. Also, I mean, she’s a mermaid!!! I need more mermaids in my fantasy NOW!
Arion is a character I instantly liked. His character growth is subtle yet profound. Although he starts off seeming broody in a typical way, uncovering his trauma gives him so many sides in a way I find lots of fantasy books don’t give the MMC. He is a character and lead in this story in his own right, and does not exist to only support Zephyra. He has his own journey that I’m very excited to see continue in the sequel.
The romance is true enemies to lovers. They did not fuck with each other at all for a while. I do wish the friends stage had been longer but I just am so invested in their love story. The way their souls connect is just so beautiful and ahhhhhh!!!!!! I will say I think them falling in love in like 2 weeks is kind of crazy but it’s fantasy lol. The smut was also well written, and didn’t happen at the worst moments in the story hahah.
The plot?!!! AGHH. The prologue kind of seems out of place and I think doesn’t do much for the overall story, but the fast pacing and non stop action is a delight. So many things happen in this book and the mystery of the heart of mortem is so fun to make theories about. There are so many fun elements in this story - a cursed skull, for example - that give it life. The world seems so lived in.
I am eager to hopefully see more of the mermaid seas in book 2. The book sets up the world very well but we focus more on humans in this one. I was super invested in the world.
The writing style is IMMACULATE. Exactly the type of writing you need for this story. The descriptions of the sea and of mermaids are gorgeous, the humour is well balanced with the intense trauma of these characters, and the atmosphere is very well crafted.
AND THE END? Happy to say my streak of guessing final twists has continued and this one is delightful. Super excited to see where this story will now go. It’s a well foreshadowed twist as well, which I always appreciate.
But the epilogue is SO INTERESTING. The writing is gorgeous in it especially so, but I am dead with everything that happened. How is Zephyra getting out of this situation?! 😩 the sequel is shooting to the top of my most anticipated 2027 list.
I am so happy I got to read this early because this is SO GOOD and everyone needs to grab a copy this April!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If it has mermaids, I'm already half in love with it before we start, and when I read the prologue I thought, 'this is going to be a new favourite'. A high stakes, gritty world with gloriously vicious mermaids and tyrannical, fanatical humans at war with them. And then we hit chapter one and that dark tone and atmosphere that had been established in the prologue fizzles away entirely.
Zephyra was that typical out-for-herself, running-from-her-past FMC with an attitude and a witty quip always at the ready, and to me she read much more juvenile than she is supposed to be.
The romance wasn't anything I could sink my teeth into either. Our MMC Arion, is introduced as this emotionless, almost all-powerful Warlock who hates our FMC and all of her kind. His intro in the book is him destroying those fantastically murderous mermaids in the prologue (RIP, you were missed). He and Zephyra actually almost kill each other several times, and though it was very lust-driven, the tension was still bubbling, and this dynamic was still going at 50%. I thought we might have a true enemies-to-lovers arc building, but then **magical bond** and in just the last 50% they fall madly in love. It did absolutely nothing for me.
The premise is fantastic, and the bones of the world-building are pretty decent, but the execution of it just left me off-kilter all the way through. One minute i'm vibing in this dark, sultry world, the next the FMC is facing off against the big-baddie (who tortured, abused and imprisoned her for years) and we get "you...you fucking dick!" And "yeah, well you're a jackass"...compared to the prologue in which we get "We are the depths of the sea and the salt of tears. We are the violence of the riptide and the snarl of waves. We are vengeance." So, yeah. We teeter between those two moods throughout the whole book and I was desperate for more of the latter.
I'm intrigued about where the second book is going but I'd need more bite from it to commit to continuing the series.
Zephyra was that typical out-for-herself, running-from-her-past FMC with an attitude and a witty quip always at the ready, and to me she read much more juvenile than she is supposed to be.
The romance wasn't anything I could sink my teeth into either. Our MMC Arion, is introduced as this emotionless, almost all-powerful Warlock who hates our FMC and all of her kind. His intro in the book is him destroying those fantastically murderous mermaids in the prologue (RIP, you were missed). He and Zephyra actually almost kill each other several times, and though it was very lust-driven, the tension was still bubbling, and this dynamic was still going at 50%. I thought we might have a true enemies-to-lovers arc building, but then **magical bond** and in just the last 50% they fall madly in love. It did absolutely nothing for me.
The premise is fantastic, and the bones of the world-building are pretty decent, but the execution of it just left me off-kilter all the way through. One minute i'm vibing in this dark, sultry world, the next the FMC is facing off against the big-baddie (who tortured, abused and imprisoned her for years) and we get "you...you fucking dick!" And "yeah, well you're a jackass"...compared to the prologue in which we get "We are the depths of the sea and the salt of tears. We are the violence of the riptide and the snarl of waves. We are vengeance." So, yeah. We teeter between those two moods throughout the whole book and I was desperate for more of the latter.
I'm intrigued about where the second book is going but I'd need more bite from it to commit to continuing the series.
Did not finish
January 25, 2026Sadly, another DNF. Thought I found the siren-centric book for me, but these fierce ladies of the sea spend the story on land (i.e., they might as well be humans). 🫤 Also, the story is incredibly GORY. 🩸 Just a few pages in and someone's neck is sliced, eyeballs are ripped out, a person's head is torn off, etc. Excessive use of the word "fuck" is ultimately what put me off. I've got nothing against the word, but using it this often undermines its impact.
I suspect plenty of fantasy and/or romantasy readers will find a lot to enjoy in The Wicked Sea, it just happens to be not quite what I'm looking for at the moment, so I'm swimming off to other reads 🧜♀️📚
I suspect plenty of fantasy and/or romantasy readers will find a lot to enjoy in The Wicked Sea, it just happens to be not quite what I'm looking for at the moment, so I'm swimming off to other reads 🧜♀️📚
Currently reading
March 25, 2026ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤 ੈ✩‧₊˚
an extra special thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC 💗💗💗
ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ੈ✩‧₊˚
im so excited because BELIEVE ME when I say that I’ve been trying to get a hold of this ARC copy for MONTHS
an extra special thank you to the author and NetGalley for this ARC 💗💗💗
ੈ✩‧₊˚ 𝕡𝕣𝕖-𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 ੈ✩‧₊˚
im so excited because BELIEVE ME when I say that I’ve been trying to get a hold of this ARC copy for MONTHS
Did not finish
March 12, 2026if your favourite swear word is ‘fuck’ then BOY do I have the book for you right here
Currently reading
October 8, 2025I fear I may already be obsessed with this book
November 11, 2025
I'M SAT. Exasperated publishers and frightened booksellers politely ask me (a fangirl in a pink wig and fishtail) to leave but I can't hear them. I'm too busy chanting "mermaids, mermaids, mermaids" while waving a pink banner covered in fan art of Zephyra and Arion.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Updated Review:
A mermaid and warlock put aside their mutual hatred to find and steal the heart of a death god to save themselves from destruction. Zephyra has experienced something so horrible she will do whatever it takes to keep her freedom. Arion will do whatever he must to keep his life.
The juxtaposition of world and its inhabitants gave the story unique and fun twists as it's equally whimsical and deadly. Jordan's writing is so vivid each location felt distinct with it's own magic, creatures, and emotions. Nothing was as it seemed which made everything more exciting.
The character growth in this book truly left my jaw on the floor. Zephyra is for anyone who has experienced being stuck in darkness for so long they don't know who they are when they finally reach the light. She is for anyone who hurt others in the process of escaping the dark. For those who have to face their fears and do so even though they're terrified. She might not be for everyone but she is for me.
When I pictured a mermaid book I was thinking about the beautiful mermaids that hang out in lagoons but Zephyra surprised me. She is beautiful but also deadly, slightly broken and full of rage. I didn't know I wanted a mermaid like her until I read this story. TWS checked all my boxes. A heist plot, mermaids (obviously), amazing character arcs, twists, magic, and more. Jordan seriously outdid herself with this one.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
Updated Review:
A mermaid and warlock put aside their mutual hatred to find and steal the heart of a death god to save themselves from destruction. Zephyra has experienced something so horrible she will do whatever it takes to keep her freedom. Arion will do whatever he must to keep his life.
The juxtaposition of world and its inhabitants gave the story unique and fun twists as it's equally whimsical and deadly. Jordan's writing is so vivid each location felt distinct with it's own magic, creatures, and emotions. Nothing was as it seemed which made everything more exciting.
The character growth in this book truly left my jaw on the floor. Zephyra is for anyone who has experienced being stuck in darkness for so long they don't know who they are when they finally reach the light. She is for anyone who hurt others in the process of escaping the dark. For those who have to face their fears and do so even though they're terrified. She might not be for everyone but she is for me.
When I pictured a mermaid book I was thinking about the beautiful mermaids that hang out in lagoons but Zephyra surprised me. She is beautiful but also deadly, slightly broken and full of rage. I didn't know I wanted a mermaid like her until I read this story. TWS checked all my boxes. A heist plot, mermaids (obviously), amazing character arcs, twists, magic, and more. Jordan seriously outdid herself with this one.
Want to read
January 14, 2026excited about this one🌊🧜🏾♀️#arc
September 27, 2025
MY. SHATTERED HEART.
Jordan Stephanie Gray is my favorite author and person ever and I love her dearly but OMG she really outdid herself with this one, her adult debut! The Wicked Sea is the mermaid romantasy we've all been waiting for, and it's A Court of Silver Flames meets Quicksilver meets Six of Crows. It follows a spitfire pink-haired mermaid named Zephyra who is saved from execution from a super hot super sexy warlock WITH WINGS who end up on a heist/quest together. Oh, and because he saved her life, there's a magical bond between them that makes them super horny for each other. There's also a light academia angle in this story that I won't spoil.
Jordan Gray is the Michaelangelo of banter, and this book is a true romp - silly and hysterical and witty and ridiculous, all in the absolute best way. If you are allergic to fun, you are not allowed to grace this book with your presence! The book is not at all like this movie, but in terms of pure fun, whit, comedy, and wholesomeness, I felt like I was reading a book version of one of my favorite comedies, The Other Woman. But Jordan expertly balances this with the heart of the story, which is about two people with extremely traumatic and abusive pasts starting to heal and finding love, and in that, I felt like I was reading one of my all-time favorite books, A Court of Silver Flames.
The ending of this book is full of crazy twists and absolutely wild reveals. One of my absolute favorite tropes is also in this book, but it's a spoiler, so my lips are sealed. I do not know how I am going to wait for book 2.
And oh, the spice. Top tier, truly. There is a scene in here that is so spectacularly filthy I was actually shrieking.
There is also so much casual diversity in this book, which I deeply appreciated. Zephyra is pansexual, one of the main supporting characters is a Black mermaid, and another is a bisexual man who's also a hilarious and nerdy historian.
I already want to reread this book, and I truly do not know what to do with myself now that I've finished. I truly envy anyone who gets to read it for the first time. The world is so dark right now, and this book was a brightly burning eternal flame.
Jordan Stephanie Gray is my favorite author and person ever and I love her dearly but OMG she really outdid herself with this one, her adult debut! The Wicked Sea is the mermaid romantasy we've all been waiting for, and it's A Court of Silver Flames meets Quicksilver meets Six of Crows. It follows a spitfire pink-haired mermaid named Zephyra who is saved from execution from a super hot super sexy warlock WITH WINGS who end up on a heist/quest together. Oh, and because he saved her life, there's a magical bond between them that makes them super horny for each other. There's also a light academia angle in this story that I won't spoil.
Jordan Gray is the Michaelangelo of banter, and this book is a true romp - silly and hysterical and witty and ridiculous, all in the absolute best way. If you are allergic to fun, you are not allowed to grace this book with your presence! The book is not at all like this movie, but in terms of pure fun, whit, comedy, and wholesomeness, I felt like I was reading a book version of one of my favorite comedies, The Other Woman. But Jordan expertly balances this with the heart of the story, which is about two people with extremely traumatic and abusive pasts starting to heal and finding love, and in that, I felt like I was reading one of my all-time favorite books, A Court of Silver Flames.
The ending of this book is full of crazy twists and absolutely wild reveals. One of my absolute favorite tropes is also in this book, but it's a spoiler, so my lips are sealed. I do not know how I am going to wait for book 2.
And oh, the spice. Top tier, truly. There is a scene in here that is so spectacularly filthy I was actually shrieking.
There is also so much casual diversity in this book, which I deeply appreciated. Zephyra is pansexual, one of the main supporting characters is a Black mermaid, and another is a bisexual man who's also a hilarious and nerdy historian.
I already want to reread this book, and I truly do not know what to do with myself now that I've finished. I truly envy anyone who gets to read it for the first time. The world is so dark right now, and this book was a brightly burning eternal flame.
January 15, 2026
**ARC READ**
4.5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Dual/first person POV
Book 1 in a duology
Format: e-arc
Check the triggers
Spoiler free
What a great time!
Thank you so very much to the author, to NetGalley & to Requited Publishing for allowing me to read this arc!
Right from the bloody prologue, i was hooked by its teeth. I was invested in the action from the start & it did not stop. The pacing is this books biggest draw. It’s so fast paced, from the very first line until the very last sentence. & that ending wow! Just for a moment towards the end, it slowed down & started to unfold so excruciatingly slowly in the absolute best & shocking way; with the twists & reveals & I was still kept at the edge of my seat.
The other great draw here is this vast fantasy world/magic system; even for mermaid romanticies, it’s so fresh & new. The originality really shines through in the descriptive & imaginative storytelling & fascinating detail work. & the writing itself is so polished & clean.
The FMC here is another big draw for me. At the beginning tho, I was getting flaky vibes from her/she only thought about herself. she holds herself with such high regards while really just letting people down…. or worse. But as the story unfolded & we get to know her story, it all becomes clear & I just ended up falling in love with her & her history.
& the sir. Like excuse me! This MMC ended up being so down bad for her & the yearning damn.
Their romance started out as literal enemies to lovers. Deadly!!! Vicious!!! Enemies!!! (I don’t wanna give anything extra away.) straight away, we see how equally matched they are in terms of strength but also in terms of hardship & life ass kicking😥 & to see how all of that grew into what it did between them & with that ending, uch I’m so heart broken.
Can NOT wait for book 2! Great adult debut from Ms Gray.
Some critiques:
1 the enemies to lovers pipeline was more of a medium burn IMO. It could have moved slower considering how much they hard core despised each other. But I understand due to a certain plot detail it makes sense.
2 which leads to the timeline issue for me. Because the plot moves so quickly, I realized that everything between them is happening possibly within a few days? It’s not all totally clear, leading to-
3 -some scenes/moments are a little vague or glossed over while-
4 -other times scenes run on for too long or even due to their inner dialogues getting repetitive
**Releases on 4/7/26**
4.5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Dual/first person POV
Book 1 in a duology
Format: e-arc
Check the triggers
Spoiler free
What a great time!
Thank you so very much to the author, to NetGalley & to Requited Publishing for allowing me to read this arc!
Right from the bloody prologue, i was hooked by its teeth. I was invested in the action from the start & it did not stop. The pacing is this books biggest draw. It’s so fast paced, from the very first line until the very last sentence. & that ending wow! Just for a moment towards the end, it slowed down & started to unfold so excruciatingly slowly in the absolute best & shocking way; with the twists & reveals & I was still kept at the edge of my seat.
The other great draw here is this vast fantasy world/magic system; even for mermaid romanticies, it’s so fresh & new. The originality really shines through in the descriptive & imaginative storytelling & fascinating detail work. & the writing itself is so polished & clean.
The FMC here is another big draw for me. At the beginning tho, I was getting flaky vibes from her/she only thought about herself. she holds herself with such high regards while really just letting people down…. or worse. But as the story unfolded & we get to know her story, it all becomes clear & I just ended up falling in love with her & her history.
& the sir. Like excuse me! This MMC ended up being so down bad for her & the yearning damn.
Their romance started out as literal enemies to lovers. Deadly!!! Vicious!!! Enemies!!! (I don’t wanna give anything extra away.) straight away, we see how equally matched they are in terms of strength but also in terms of hardship & life ass kicking😥 & to see how all of that grew into what it did between them & with that ending, uch I’m so heart broken.
Can NOT wait for book 2! Great adult debut from Ms Gray.
Some critiques:
1 the enemies to lovers pipeline was more of a medium burn IMO. It could have moved slower considering how much they hard core despised each other. But I understand due to a certain plot detail it makes sense.
2 which leads to the timeline issue for me. Because the plot moves so quickly, I realized that everything between them is happening possibly within a few days? It’s not all totally clear, leading to-
3 -some scenes/moments are a little vague or glossed over while-
4 -other times scenes run on for too long or even due to their inner dialogues getting repetitive
**Releases on 4/7/26**
November 14, 2025
outrunning a dangerous captor and years of torture, mermaid zephyra never stays in one place for long. disguised as a human in a merrow-loathing kingdom, she is left to barter and steal to survive. but her freedom is short-lived when she is caught by the brutal, handsome warlock arion stone.
burdened by tremendous power and a dark secret of his own, arion is desperate to find the mythical heart of the god of death, lost to a fabled kingdom deep within the ocean.
in exchange for her life, zephyra promises to help arion find the heart, binding their souls and lives together in a magical bargain. with their enemies closing in and danger around every turn, they must learn to set aside their differences - and desire - before it's too late.
zephyra's complex character development is compelling and heartbreaking. dealing with lasting trauma, she undergoes a complete transformation from where the reader meets her at the beginning to her final choices in the end. this is truly one of the most beautiful and well-developed journeys I've read, and I love that she was allowed to be imperfect and make mistakes with serious consequences, which she, in turn, learned and grew from.
arion had unexpected depth to his character. it can be so easy to fall into the strong-gruff-warrior-no feelings stereotype, and while he was still all of that, he had complexities and a tragic journey that complemented zephyra's - and as it turns out, he has (more than) a soft spot for a certain pink-haired mermaid.
the plot was moderately paced with plenty of action to keep things interesting. the banter and quick-witted one-liners are unmatched, adding comic relief and brevity to an otherwise fairly heavy book. the descriptions are vivid and lush, pulling the reader beneath the waves with arion and zephrya.
this story is still living in my mind - I want to reread it already. this is a breathtaking adult romantasy debut that left me staring at a wall crying after I finished.
perfect for fans of lj andrews, a court of silver flames, and kalie cassidy.
thank you to netgalley and requited for an arc of this book.
burdened by tremendous power and a dark secret of his own, arion is desperate to find the mythical heart of the god of death, lost to a fabled kingdom deep within the ocean.
in exchange for her life, zephyra promises to help arion find the heart, binding their souls and lives together in a magical bargain. with their enemies closing in and danger around every turn, they must learn to set aside their differences - and desire - before it's too late.
zephyra's complex character development is compelling and heartbreaking. dealing with lasting trauma, she undergoes a complete transformation from where the reader meets her at the beginning to her final choices in the end. this is truly one of the most beautiful and well-developed journeys I've read, and I love that she was allowed to be imperfect and make mistakes with serious consequences, which she, in turn, learned and grew from.
arion had unexpected depth to his character. it can be so easy to fall into the strong-gruff-warrior-no feelings stereotype, and while he was still all of that, he had complexities and a tragic journey that complemented zephyra's - and as it turns out, he has (more than) a soft spot for a certain pink-haired mermaid.
the plot was moderately paced with plenty of action to keep things interesting. the banter and quick-witted one-liners are unmatched, adding comic relief and brevity to an otherwise fairly heavy book. the descriptions are vivid and lush, pulling the reader beneath the waves with arion and zephrya.
this story is still living in my mind - I want to reread it already. this is a breathtaking adult romantasy debut that left me staring at a wall crying after I finished.
perfect for fans of lj andrews, a court of silver flames, and kalie cassidy.
thank you to netgalley and requited for an arc of this book.
February 15, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an early E-ARC of the Wicked Sea!
4.75 ⭐️ rounded up
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a romantasy: well written and with plenty of plot. The novel follows our two main characters: Zephyra, a mermaid with a traumatic past, on the run from something (or someone) that haunts her, and Arion, a Warlock who’s been bred to hate merrows and has a tragic past of his own. When these two cross paths, they find that they need each other to free themselves from a tragic fate, despite the fact that they’re enemies. A reluctant bond forces them to work together, along with a ragtag team of side characters, to find the heart of a dead god in a place that exists only in stories, to secure the future they desperately want.
This quest the characters go on is reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies as well as Atlantis, and I also got a lot of Crescent City vibes, though that may be because Arion reminded me a lot of Hunt. This is definitely a plot-forward book with romance/spice sprinkled in which is honestly very refreshing given some of the romantasy books on the market these days. I did feel like the romantic relationship between Arion and Zephyra blossomed a bit too quickly, and the twist at the end was semi-predictable, though the epilogue has me excited to pick up the next book.
If you like mermaids, Pirates of the Caribbean, quests, and/or Atlantis I would definitely recommend this book!
4.75 ⭐️ rounded up
This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a romantasy: well written and with plenty of plot. The novel follows our two main characters: Zephyra, a mermaid with a traumatic past, on the run from something (or someone) that haunts her, and Arion, a Warlock who’s been bred to hate merrows and has a tragic past of his own. When these two cross paths, they find that they need each other to free themselves from a tragic fate, despite the fact that they’re enemies. A reluctant bond forces them to work together, along with a ragtag team of side characters, to find the heart of a dead god in a place that exists only in stories, to secure the future they desperately want.
This quest the characters go on is reminiscent of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies as well as Atlantis, and I also got a lot of Crescent City vibes, though that may be because Arion reminded me a lot of Hunt. This is definitely a plot-forward book with romance/spice sprinkled in which is honestly very refreshing given some of the romantasy books on the market these days. I did feel like the romantic relationship between Arion and Zephyra blossomed a bit too quickly, and the twist at the end was semi-predictable, though the epilogue has me excited to pick up the next book.
If you like mermaids, Pirates of the Caribbean, quests, and/or Atlantis I would definitely recommend this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC. I liked that the FMC wasn’t framed as a traditional hero, but as morally complex and sometimes unlikable. I also appreciated the ambitious lore and that the story doesn’t shy away from brutality. However, tonal inconsistencies, overly convenient plotting, and underdeveloped characters made it difficult for me to connect with and stay engaged. The gore often felt inserted for shock value without real meaning or purpose.
Despite the dark content, elements like talking skeleton heads, quippy dialogue, and trope-heavy fantasy kept pulling the story back into YA territory. The mix of YA aesthetics with explicit sex scenes and nonstop swearing felt disjointed and distracting.
The romance also fell short for me as it felt built more on shared trauma than genuine connection, with trauma bonding as a (poor) substitute for emotional development.
I really wanted the story to lean into character development, emotional healing, and the different histories depending on who is telling them, but it didn’t really.
In the end, I didn’t feel like the story had anything substantial to say. It felt engineered to fit popular romantasy trends rather than having its own purpose or story to tell.
Despite the dark content, elements like talking skeleton heads, quippy dialogue, and trope-heavy fantasy kept pulling the story back into YA territory. The mix of YA aesthetics with explicit sex scenes and nonstop swearing felt disjointed and distracting.
The romance also fell short for me as it felt built more on shared trauma than genuine connection, with trauma bonding as a (poor) substitute for emotional development.
I really wanted the story to lean into character development, emotional healing, and the different histories depending on who is telling them, but it didn’t really.
In the end, I didn’t feel like the story had anything substantial to say. It felt engineered to fit popular romantasy trends rather than having its own purpose or story to tell.
March 13, 2026
“What if I deserved it? What if I’m just as evil, Arion?”
“I see you, Zephyra. The worst parts and the best parts. I see you, and…if you’re evil, fucking destroy me, Zephyra”
Alright where do I even start? My shelves have been severely lacking in mermaids so I started this as soon as the proof landed on my door step.
I was hooked from page one. The prologue did a fantastic job of setting the scene and instantly made it clear this wasn’t going to be a pretty, frilly mermaid story. We’re immediately thrown into a world where mermaids are strung up and gutted simply for the crime of existing.
The Wicked Sea follows Zephyra the mermaid as she teams up with a winged (!) warlock, Arion, on a mission to hunt down a fabled heart that’ll save both of them from a mutual demise. Set in a world where humans & mermaids are enemies, Zephyra & Arion DESPISE each other. We’re taking genuine iwilldrownthefuckoutofyou enemies to lovers. If you’re someone who gets a little irked by the false promise of enemies to lovers, I need you to pick this up.
The Wicked Sea has seamlessly managed to paint us a world that’s both breathtakingly ethereal & whimsical, whilst also being gruesome and dark. I absolutely love the balance between the two. It’s giving me Once Upon a Broken Heart sort of vibes with the dark but mystical setting
Arion is raised to despise mermaids, with countless mer deaths on his hands, so learning that his only saving grace is a sarcastic pink haired mermaid has him reeling. He thoroughly hates her. We see him go through such a beautiful character arc as he slowly begins to question the unfounded hatred he’s been spoonfed for as long as he can remember. Both he and Zephyra are simply trying to survive their own respective traumas.
For a man who hates her, he sure does call her ‘my mermaid’ and awful lot 🤭
My favourite part of The Wicked Sea was without a doubt the romance. It’s well-earned rather than instalove or lust. Arion’s internal struggle between his ingrained hatred for mermaids & his yearning eventually dissolves into straight up pining and it’s delicious 🤌
The banter & the flirting has me giggling like a teenager. I’m literally hiding my face behind this book so my boyfriend doesn’t see me smirking 🫣 The spice was fucking delectable. “Don’t be gentle. I like it when it hurts” Arion bless his heart is there like say less 🫡
“My loathsome mermaid. My wicked, wicked girl”
✨ Winged Warlock
🐚 Pink haired mermaid
✨ Sentient trees
🐚 Sky pirates
✨ Vengeful sirens
🐚 Tragic backstories
✨ Magical bonds
🐚 Scorching hot spice
Thank you kindly to Hodderscape for providing me with a proof. All thought and opinions are my own.
“I see you, Zephyra. The worst parts and the best parts. I see you, and…if you’re evil, fucking destroy me, Zephyra”
Alright where do I even start? My shelves have been severely lacking in mermaids so I started this as soon as the proof landed on my door step.
I was hooked from page one. The prologue did a fantastic job of setting the scene and instantly made it clear this wasn’t going to be a pretty, frilly mermaid story. We’re immediately thrown into a world where mermaids are strung up and gutted simply for the crime of existing.
The Wicked Sea follows Zephyra the mermaid as she teams up with a winged (!) warlock, Arion, on a mission to hunt down a fabled heart that’ll save both of them from a mutual demise. Set in a world where humans & mermaids are enemies, Zephyra & Arion DESPISE each other. We’re taking genuine iwilldrownthefuckoutofyou enemies to lovers. If you’re someone who gets a little irked by the false promise of enemies to lovers, I need you to pick this up.
The Wicked Sea has seamlessly managed to paint us a world that’s both breathtakingly ethereal & whimsical, whilst also being gruesome and dark. I absolutely love the balance between the two. It’s giving me Once Upon a Broken Heart sort of vibes with the dark but mystical setting
Arion is raised to despise mermaids, with countless mer deaths on his hands, so learning that his only saving grace is a sarcastic pink haired mermaid has him reeling. He thoroughly hates her. We see him go through such a beautiful character arc as he slowly begins to question the unfounded hatred he’s been spoonfed for as long as he can remember. Both he and Zephyra are simply trying to survive their own respective traumas.
For a man who hates her, he sure does call her ‘my mermaid’ and awful lot 🤭
My favourite part of The Wicked Sea was without a doubt the romance. It’s well-earned rather than instalove or lust. Arion’s internal struggle between his ingrained hatred for mermaids & his yearning eventually dissolves into straight up pining and it’s delicious 🤌
The banter & the flirting has me giggling like a teenager. I’m literally hiding my face behind this book so my boyfriend doesn’t see me smirking 🫣 The spice was fucking delectable. “Don’t be gentle. I like it when it hurts” Arion bless his heart is there like say less 🫡
“My loathsome mermaid. My wicked, wicked girl”
✨ Winged Warlock
🐚 Pink haired mermaid
✨ Sentient trees
🐚 Sky pirates
✨ Vengeful sirens
🐚 Tragic backstories
✨ Magical bonds
🐚 Scorching hot spice
Thank you kindly to Hodderscape for providing me with a proof. All thought and opinions are my own.
January 4, 2026
I am dubbing Jordan the Queen 👸of Cliffhangers and debauched endings!! I definitely did not see the last paragraph coming in the last chapter nor the epilogue ending coming. I was shocked but in a really good way! Overall, I loved this book as it was filled with banter, badass characters, and strong character growth! It definitely has a Pirates of the Caribbean vibes which I absolutely loved. Plus how can you go wrong with mermaids and warlocks?! Now go read this book when it comes out this April!!
*I received an ARC of The Wicked Sea via NetGalley.
*I received an ARC of The Wicked Sea via NetGalley.
February 4, 2026
*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Requited for sharing with me this arc, and thanks to the author Jordan Stephanie Gray for this story! this is my completely honest review*
3.5⭐️
going into the wicked sea, i really wasn’t prepared for how dark and intense it would be 🖤
there are quite a lot of dark, violent scenes, including torture and prolonged torment, and some parts were genuinely hard for me to read 😭
i really recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand, because this book leans heavily into themes of abuse, trauma, hurt, and post traumatic survival, which can be very confronting 🥹
the romance between fmc zephyra and mmc arion is also TRUE enemies to lovers, in the most literal sense ⚔️ they don’t just dislike each other; the way they treat each other in the first half of the book can be considered quite hateful, which definitely adds to the overall heaviness and brutality of the book.
these def affected my reading experience a bit🥺 i can see what the author was trying to explore, especially around how trauma shapes people, but probably because i was not expecting the cruelty of several scenes to this extent, for me it crossed into the territory that was not very pleasant to read 😭
there are also a few quite intense open door scenes imo, which i wasn’t expecting going in, and i truly think having the right expectations beforehand would make a big difference with this book.
emotionally, i struggled to connect with both the fmc zephyra and mmc arion 💔 even though their past traumas are shared in detail, they still felt distant to me, and neither character was particularly likable in a way that made me feel deeply for them🥺
i understand that this setup may be intentional given the story, but still it made it harder for me to feel fully invested
the world itself has a lot of potential 🌑⚓️ but i think the worldbuilding didn’t feel immersive enough to balance out the darkness of the story.
on top of that, the ending felt a bit unsatisfying for me as it’s quite open and interpretive, and didn’t fully wrap up the main characters’ arcs, which left me feeling a bit hollow at the end (i assume this is a standalone, as i didn’t see any information about this pitched as part of a series) 🖤
overall, i think the wicked sea is still a well-developed story: the characters are consistent (in the way that their actions are true to their character arc), it explores what it means to grow into dark and painful characters when living in a dark and painful world itself, and the mystery revealed in the end definitely is unexpected and twisty 🔥
i think readers who enjoy very dark, sultry romantasy and who go in fully aware of the intensity will likely appreciate this story more than i did 🖤
for me, it just wasn’t aligned with my personal taste, especially that i didn’t feel connected enough to the main characters 🥹
3.5⭐️
going into the wicked sea, i really wasn’t prepared for how dark and intense it would be 🖤
there are quite a lot of dark, violent scenes, including torture and prolonged torment, and some parts were genuinely hard for me to read 😭
i really recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand, because this book leans heavily into themes of abuse, trauma, hurt, and post traumatic survival, which can be very confronting 🥹
the romance between fmc zephyra and mmc arion is also TRUE enemies to lovers, in the most literal sense ⚔️ they don’t just dislike each other; the way they treat each other in the first half of the book can be considered quite hateful, which definitely adds to the overall heaviness and brutality of the book.
these def affected my reading experience a bit🥺 i can see what the author was trying to explore, especially around how trauma shapes people, but probably because i was not expecting the cruelty of several scenes to this extent, for me it crossed into the territory that was not very pleasant to read 😭
there are also a few quite intense open door scenes imo, which i wasn’t expecting going in, and i truly think having the right expectations beforehand would make a big difference with this book.
emotionally, i struggled to connect with both the fmc zephyra and mmc arion 💔 even though their past traumas are shared in detail, they still felt distant to me, and neither character was particularly likable in a way that made me feel deeply for them🥺
i understand that this setup may be intentional given the story, but still it made it harder for me to feel fully invested
the world itself has a lot of potential 🌑⚓️ but i think the worldbuilding didn’t feel immersive enough to balance out the darkness of the story.
on top of that, the ending felt a bit unsatisfying for me as it’s quite open and interpretive, and didn’t fully wrap up the main characters’ arcs, which left me feeling a bit hollow at the end (i assume this is a standalone, as i didn’t see any information about this pitched as part of a series) 🖤
overall, i think the wicked sea is still a well-developed story: the characters are consistent (in the way that their actions are true to their character arc), it explores what it means to grow into dark and painful characters when living in a dark and painful world itself, and the mystery revealed in the end definitely is unexpected and twisty 🔥
i think readers who enjoy very dark, sultry romantasy and who go in fully aware of the intensity will likely appreciate this story more than i did 🖤
for me, it just wasn’t aligned with my personal taste, especially that i didn’t feel connected enough to the main characters 🥹
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Early on in the book I got To Kill a Kingdom vibes and I loved that book so I was very excited to continue and thankfully that vibe didn't change other than this one being darker in it's themes.
Our main character Zephyra is a badass throughout most of the book and I really loved reading from her and our MMC Arion's POV also and their relationship doesn't start off on the right foot and I loved how they tried to resist each other and the banter.
I'm very excited to see the book box edition of this because I had such a good time reading it, especially towards the last third 👀
Also honourable mention, the cave scene 👀
Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy of this one.
Our main character Zephyra is a badass throughout most of the book and I really loved reading from her and our MMC Arion's POV also and their relationship doesn't start off on the right foot and I loved how they tried to resist each other and the banter.
I'm very excited to see the book box edition of this because I had such a good time reading it, especially towards the last third 👀
Also honourable mention, the cave scene 👀
Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy of this one.
January 28, 2026
My first time reading a 🧜♀️ book! It kept me REALLY engaged!
I enjoyed the concept and surprises! Also my first book from Jordan. I love the twists and lots of sprinkling romance 🥰 It’s refreshing to see warlocks as painfully beautiful.. my only reference of Warlock is probably World of Warcraft lol
The agony is.. I have to wait for the sequel. And again, thank you Jordan and Netgalley for this early access!
I enjoyed the concept and surprises! Also my first book from Jordan. I love the twists and lots of sprinkling romance 🥰 It’s refreshing to see warlocks as painfully beautiful.. my only reference of Warlock is probably World of Warcraft lol
The agony is.. I have to wait for the sequel. And again, thank you Jordan and Netgalley for this early access!
February 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ (Kindle) NetGalley
WOW! Never knew I needed a mermaid fantasy in my life! The tension between Arion and Z was palpable and explosive when it came out! The twist at the end was something I didn’t see coming (although I do wish she didn’t do what she did with the heart and somehow gave it to Arion instead) and then Jacin’s return…..just WOW! Definitely leaving me wanting for the second book because I NEED to know what happens!
WOW! Never knew I needed a mermaid fantasy in my life! The tension between Arion and Z was palpable and explosive when it came out! The twist at the end was something I didn’t see coming (although I do wish she didn’t do what she did with the heart and somehow gave it to Arion instead) and then Jacin’s return…..just WOW! Definitely leaving me wanting for the second book because I NEED to know what happens!
January 25, 2026
Unfortunately, this was a DNF at 20%.
I love all things mermaids - I mean, who doesn’t? Hence, my excitement to read this book. I have not read Bitten by this author, so I can’t compare this to that work. However, I went into this yearning for a really good mermaid/siren story, and I didn’t get that. The plot was so very slow and repetitive. I didn’t care about any of the characters enough to continue.
Overall Rating: ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love all things mermaids - I mean, who doesn’t? Hence, my excitement to read this book. I have not read Bitten by this author, so I can’t compare this to that work. However, I went into this yearning for a really good mermaid/siren story, and I didn’t get that. The plot was so very slow and repetitive. I didn’t care about any of the characters enough to continue.
Overall Rating: ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 1, 2025
This enemies-to-lovers tale has a strong dose of tension, from the dark alleys of Mortia to the ocean’s most forbidden depths. Arion’s icy presence and Zephyra’s fierce, wounded resilience make for an easy read, though I wish their chemistry had been given even more time to fully unfold.
The empire of the sea is vividly imagined and Jordan Stephanie Gray nails the atmosphere. If you're a sucker for mermaid lore, this could be for you.
The empire of the sea is vividly imagined and Jordan Stephanie Gray nails the atmosphere. If you're a sucker for mermaid lore, this could be for you.
March 9, 2026
My Mermaid
| fantasy romance | paranormal romance | romantasy | netgalley | upcoming release | fairyloot pick | sarcasm | slow burn | quest | warlock lore | trauma bonding | enemies x lovers | morally grey | forbidden romance | forced proximity | yearning | dark fantasy | political intrigue | religion x mythology | humorous |
This was one of the first romantasy stories I’ve read that features a mermaid as the main character, and I thought the worldbuilding was really well established. The author provides enough context and history to fully support the plot without ever feeling overwhelming. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the humor, particularly the banter, sarcasm, and the genuine depth of hatred that fuels the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Up to a certain point, this really is a true enemies-to-lovers story.
Because the romance is such a slow burn, much of the restraint between the characters stems from the fact that their relationship is forbidden. The quest at the heart of the story often takes precedence, which I greatly appreciated. Even though romance is the foundation of the narrative, a surprising amount of substance is woven into the story, and the plot and world-building constantly reinforce the romantic tension rather than overshadow it.
The humor was another standout element for me. There were a few moments where it felt like the author was balancing the line between YA and adult humor, but as someone who reads both genres, that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment at all. If anything, the tone still worked well with the characters and the pacing of the story.
My only real critique is that there were occasional moments when certain lines, past stories, or inner thoughts were repeated within the same chapter. Sometimes the wording would change slightly, likely to emphasize the emotional impact, but the similarities were close enough that it occasionally felt like I was reading the same sentiment twice in quick succession. That said, this was a minor issue for me and definitely not a deal breaker.
The epilogue, however, left me absolutely convinced that this story is not finished. Whether this becomes a series or a duology, I refuse to believe that this is the true end of the story. The world that’s been crafted still has so many unresolved threads, and I would genuinely love to see where the author takes these characters and the world as a whole next.
Another aspect I really appreciated was the lore behind the world itself, particularly how it became divided. The history and mythology woven into the narrative added depth and enhanced the conflicts. It felt meaningful and intentional rather than purely plot-driven.
I’ve seen some reviews suggest that the romance isn’t very deep, but I disagree. The MMC undergoes massive growth, which is, in fact, reality-shattering. He begins the story on a very dark path, and it ultimately takes the heart of a mermaid, his sworn enemy, to force him to confront his past and reevaluate a past that shaped him. Their relationship does involve trauma bonding, but to me, it felt authentic. When two people spend so much time together, especially in dangerous circumstances, they’re bound to find common ground. Both characters carry incredibly dark pasts, and there’s something powerful about watching them confront that pain and speak openly about it with someone who can truly understand.
Overall, I think this story includes many of the elements romantasy readers tend to love: an interesting world, a mouth-watering MMC with a mouthpiece, a snarky FMC who is utterly confident, until she’s forced to confront her own vulnerability, and a plot that continuously moves forward with strong momentum.
Highly recommend!
happy reading, friends xx
| fantasy romance | paranormal romance | romantasy | netgalley | upcoming release | fairyloot pick | sarcasm | slow burn | quest | warlock lore | trauma bonding | enemies x lovers | morally grey | forbidden romance | forced proximity | yearning | dark fantasy | political intrigue | religion x mythology | humorous |
This was one of the first romantasy stories I’ve read that features a mermaid as the main character, and I thought the worldbuilding was really well established. The author provides enough context and history to fully support the plot without ever feeling overwhelming. One of my favorite aspects of the story was the humor, particularly the banter, sarcasm, and the genuine depth of hatred that fuels the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. Up to a certain point, this really is a true enemies-to-lovers story.
Because the romance is such a slow burn, much of the restraint between the characters stems from the fact that their relationship is forbidden. The quest at the heart of the story often takes precedence, which I greatly appreciated. Even though romance is the foundation of the narrative, a surprising amount of substance is woven into the story, and the plot and world-building constantly reinforce the romantic tension rather than overshadow it.
The humor was another standout element for me. There were a few moments where it felt like the author was balancing the line between YA and adult humor, but as someone who reads both genres, that didn’t affect my overall enjoyment at all. If anything, the tone still worked well with the characters and the pacing of the story.
My only real critique is that there were occasional moments when certain lines, past stories, or inner thoughts were repeated within the same chapter. Sometimes the wording would change slightly, likely to emphasize the emotional impact, but the similarities were close enough that it occasionally felt like I was reading the same sentiment twice in quick succession. That said, this was a minor issue for me and definitely not a deal breaker.
The epilogue, however, left me absolutely convinced that this story is not finished. Whether this becomes a series or a duology, I refuse to believe that this is the true end of the story. The world that’s been crafted still has so many unresolved threads, and I would genuinely love to see where the author takes these characters and the world as a whole next.
Another aspect I really appreciated was the lore behind the world itself, particularly how it became divided. The history and mythology woven into the narrative added depth and enhanced the conflicts. It felt meaningful and intentional rather than purely plot-driven.
I’ve seen some reviews suggest that the romance isn’t very deep, but I disagree. The MMC undergoes massive growth, which is, in fact, reality-shattering. He begins the story on a very dark path, and it ultimately takes the heart of a mermaid, his sworn enemy, to force him to confront his past and reevaluate a past that shaped him. Their relationship does involve trauma bonding, but to me, it felt authentic. When two people spend so much time together, especially in dangerous circumstances, they’re bound to find common ground. Both characters carry incredibly dark pasts, and there’s something powerful about watching them confront that pain and speak openly about it with someone who can truly understand.
Overall, I think this story includes many of the elements romantasy readers tend to love: an interesting world, a mouth-watering MMC with a mouthpiece, a snarky FMC who is utterly confident, until she’s forced to confront her own vulnerability, and a plot that continuously moves forward with strong momentum.
Highly recommend!
happy reading, friends xx
March 15, 2026
'There is no point in living without friendship, without trust, without love.'
Mermaids, sirens and warlocks - combined with an epic quest and a certain level of wickedness - will quickly become your new obsession 🧜🏻♀️
First of all, a huge thank you to the author and Required for sending me an ARC of this book. I hadn't read anything by her before this, so I was overjoyed by what The Wicked Sea had to offer.
From the very first chapter, this story gripped me and never let go. Right away, I gobbled up the dark, sultry atmosphere.
From the pacing to the descriptions and the witty dialogue, this book had everything my fantasy-lover heart desired. We are presented with a rich history shaped by tales and legends, as well as an addictive magic system and an enchanting world to match. The vivid writing allows the reader to become fully immersed in the story and its world 🪼 Add to that the exceptional world-building, and we're all set.
At times the story takes some dark turns, so be sure to check the trigger warning before joining Arion and Zephyra on their quest to uncover an ancient kingdom beneath the sea and retrieve the God of Death's treacherous heart 🫀
With enough mystery and action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, Jordan has created a book you definitely can't miss - especially if you're a fan of mermaids and all things romantasy. I guessed the main plot twist pretty early on, but this didn't make it any less impactful - I do love it when I'm right 🤪
And can we take a moment to appreciate the love story? This is exactly what I'm talking about when I say I love enemies to lovers. For the first few hundred pages, I really wondered how Arion would become the love interest and how he would redeem himself 🪽 At the beginning, he really is an arrogant, loathsome, egotistical prick 👀
Naturally, they despise each other, but once they eventually learn to trust each other and develop a deeper bond, it becomes tooth-achingly sweet. Their banter was *chef's kiss*, and the slowwww burn delivered.
Zephyra deserves her own moment as well. She doesn't take shit from no one, and I'm here for it. At first, she seems like the most selfish person ever, but it turns out that she's actually the most selfless of them all. Also, as a child, she had a pet octopus called Bean… how unbelievably cute 🦑
What goes without saying is that I need book two immediately. That ending really was evil… just the way I like it 🤭
5 ⭐️ ARC Review
Mermaids, sirens and warlocks - combined with an epic quest and a certain level of wickedness - will quickly become your new obsession 🧜🏻♀️
First of all, a huge thank you to the author and Required for sending me an ARC of this book. I hadn't read anything by her before this, so I was overjoyed by what The Wicked Sea had to offer.
From the very first chapter, this story gripped me and never let go. Right away, I gobbled up the dark, sultry atmosphere.
From the pacing to the descriptions and the witty dialogue, this book had everything my fantasy-lover heart desired. We are presented with a rich history shaped by tales and legends, as well as an addictive magic system and an enchanting world to match. The vivid writing allows the reader to become fully immersed in the story and its world 🪼 Add to that the exceptional world-building, and we're all set.
At times the story takes some dark turns, so be sure to check the trigger warning before joining Arion and Zephyra on their quest to uncover an ancient kingdom beneath the sea and retrieve the God of Death's treacherous heart 🫀
With enough mystery and action to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, Jordan has created a book you definitely can't miss - especially if you're a fan of mermaids and all things romantasy. I guessed the main plot twist pretty early on, but this didn't make it any less impactful - I do love it when I'm right 🤪
And can we take a moment to appreciate the love story? This is exactly what I'm talking about when I say I love enemies to lovers. For the first few hundred pages, I really wondered how Arion would become the love interest and how he would redeem himself 🪽 At the beginning, he really is an arrogant, loathsome, egotistical prick 👀
Naturally, they despise each other, but once they eventually learn to trust each other and develop a deeper bond, it becomes tooth-achingly sweet. Their banter was *chef's kiss*, and the slowwww burn delivered.
Zephyra deserves her own moment as well. She doesn't take shit from no one, and I'm here for it. At first, she seems like the most selfish person ever, but it turns out that she's actually the most selfless of them all. Also, as a child, she had a pet octopus called Bean… how unbelievably cute 🦑
What goes without saying is that I need book two immediately. That ending really was evil… just the way I like it 🤭
5 ⭐️ ARC Review
March 26, 2026
Mermaid Romantasy 🧜♀️
Enemies to Lovers ⚔️
Incredible Twists 🤯
This is an INCREDIBLE adult debut and Jordan once again reminds me how beautifully talented an author she is with The Wicked Sea.
The world building in this is unmatched, I was so immersed into the world Jordan wrote that when I stopped reading I had to remind myself I wasn’t there with Zephyra and Arion myself!
And Zephyra and Arion?! Oh my gosh!!! Most of the book they are at each others throats and I love the slow burn between them as they realize they want each other and love each other. Like a pure slow burn. And the character development is so good. Arion is the grumpy warlock we grow to love because we see he has a soft side, and some trauma wounds. And Zephyra, our pink haired merrow, she is unlikable at first.. frustrating even.. but then you realize she’s just trying to survive and has her own traumas she’s fighting through and you grow to love her too.
The best part or this book though?! MISS JORDAN PROVING SHE IS THE QUEEN OF TWISTS! The end of this book had me SAT. I was not expecting to find out what I did.. and the absolute cliffhanger we were left on.. I need book two like NOW. Because I need to know what Zephyra is going to do next.
Enemies to Lovers ⚔️
Incredible Twists 🤯
This is an INCREDIBLE adult debut and Jordan once again reminds me how beautifully talented an author she is with The Wicked Sea.
The world building in this is unmatched, I was so immersed into the world Jordan wrote that when I stopped reading I had to remind myself I wasn’t there with Zephyra and Arion myself!
And Zephyra and Arion?! Oh my gosh!!! Most of the book they are at each others throats and I love the slow burn between them as they realize they want each other and love each other. Like a pure slow burn. And the character development is so good. Arion is the grumpy warlock we grow to love because we see he has a soft side, and some trauma wounds. And Zephyra, our pink haired merrow, she is unlikable at first.. frustrating even.. but then you realize she’s just trying to survive and has her own traumas she’s fighting through and you grow to love her too.
The best part or this book though?! MISS JORDAN PROVING SHE IS THE QUEEN OF TWISTS! The end of this book had me SAT. I was not expecting to find out what I did.. and the absolute cliffhanger we were left on.. I need book two like NOW. Because I need to know what Zephyra is going to do next.
Want to read
March 5, 2026🌊 The Wicked Sea
Thank you to Requited and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Thank you to Requited and NetGalley for the advanced copy. I’ll be sharing my full review closer to publication date.
📅 Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Read
March 17, 2026Thank you NOVL Nation for the ARC!
January 19, 2026
Jordan does it again. Again. At this point I’m convinced she’s incapable of missing.
The Wicked Sea is everything my unhinged little reader heart wants: true enemies to lovers, winged men, mermaids, forced proximity, magically bonded/stuck-together tension, gods, sea monsters, and a soul-crushing dose of “who did this to you?” I was gagged. On my knees. Fully unwell. And somehow also floating blissfully above the ocean about it.
If you loved Bitten, prepare yourself; because this takes that chemistry, longing, and character growth and cranks it up until it’s physically painful. The slow-burn ache? Immaculate. The emotional payoff? Violent. The way these characters change each other? I need it injected directly into my bloodstream.
And if you’re coming off Quicksilver or The Blood/Bonds of Hercules and wondering what could possibly fill the void? Hi, hello, it’s this book. Put it on your TBR. Tattoo it on your soul. Cancel plans.
I will be begging for book two like it’s my full-time job. Loudly. Publicly. Even though book one isn’t even officially out yet. No shame. None.
Also, while I wasn’t chosen as an ARC reader, the second Jordan announced early access I blacked out and woke up neck deep in this book less than an hour later. Zero self-control. Zero regrets. 😮💨
“I would have loved you, but I would never have deserved you. Not in any lifetime.”
“If you’re evil, fucking destroy me Zephyra”
Final verdict: Jordan never misses, The Wicked Sea owns my heart, and I will be feral until the sequel drops. Read it. Immediately.
The Wicked Sea is everything my unhinged little reader heart wants: true enemies to lovers, winged men, mermaids, forced proximity, magically bonded/stuck-together tension, gods, sea monsters, and a soul-crushing dose of “who did this to you?” I was gagged. On my knees. Fully unwell. And somehow also floating blissfully above the ocean about it.
If you loved Bitten, prepare yourself; because this takes that chemistry, longing, and character growth and cranks it up until it’s physically painful. The slow-burn ache? Immaculate. The emotional payoff? Violent. The way these characters change each other? I need it injected directly into my bloodstream.
And if you’re coming off Quicksilver or The Blood/Bonds of Hercules and wondering what could possibly fill the void? Hi, hello, it’s this book. Put it on your TBR. Tattoo it on your soul. Cancel plans.
I will be begging for book two like it’s my full-time job. Loudly. Publicly. Even though book one isn’t even officially out yet. No shame. None.
Also, while I wasn’t chosen as an ARC reader, the second Jordan announced early access I blacked out and woke up neck deep in this book less than an hour later. Zero self-control. Zero regrets. 😮💨
“I would have loved you, but I would never have deserved you. Not in any lifetime.”
“If you’re evil, fucking destroy me Zephyra”
Final verdict: Jordan never misses, The Wicked Sea owns my heart, and I will be feral until the sequel drops. Read it. Immediately.
January 22, 2026
Procured an ARC via NetGalley and let me tell you, this ending had me SCREAMING!!!! I am obsessed with everything about this book and I cannot wait for everyone to discover the beautiful torment that is this book. 10/10 recommend, hands down, STUNNING. I need book 2 asap.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
DNF@22%. Listen, I love mermaids, especially when they're vicious and bloody and when they have cool hair, eye, and scale colors. I think stuff like that is so, so fun! ...Unfortunately, I did not love this. From the prologue, I could tell that I wasn't going to vibe with the writing style but I tried to tell myself it might get better, that there could be something fun here, even if it wasn't the highest quality. However, it didn't get better and I don't like any part of the book enough to stick around for more.
The Wicked Sea is marketed as New Adult on NetGalley and that category can be hit or miss, IMO. Often, I find that New Adult books are as shallow and childish as (bad) YA books, just with more adult language and situations, and that was unfortunately the case here. Every single character so far feels like they were written for a young audience who doesn't expect adult behavior from actual adults. The king is laughable; for someone who's so bloodthirsty and ruthless, he acts so petty and childishly, without a sliver of regal dignity in him. The same can be said of the supposed leader of the most fearsome gang in the city who the FMC Zephyra threatens in an early chapter; he doesn't act with the maturity and grit of someone in his position. I also found it pretty unbelievable that the FMC actually had to tell him of a way to properly fence stolen jewels. You're telling me a man of his experience wouldn't have already known to melt down the precious metal and split up the gems? That's *basic*.
And the writing, god, the writing. It is SO REPETITIVE. I said earlier that I love when mermaids have fun colors but this really tested me. I only read seven chapters total and every single opportunity there was to mention Zephyra's hair and eyes, the author *has* to write that her hair is pink or that her eyes are turquoise. EVERY SINGLE TIME. I swear it was mentioned at least 20 times, and if I have to hear "pink-haired demon", "pink-haired merrow", "pink waves", "pink locks", or "turquoise/ocean-blue gaze" again, I'm going to drown a man. This unnecessary description extends to other characters, however. I understand describing the features of merrow-blooded people (to an extent) because it's an important indicator of their race, but it is totally out of place for human characters the way this author describes them. The first instance of this was Zephyra describing the MMC Arion's hair as "chocolate-brown locks" as she's being restrained and about to be knocked out, which was just...why? Just "brown" would've worked fine and wouldn't have disrupted the atmosphere of the moment. The human characters were just described so clumsily and awkwardly that I found myself rewording the scene every time it happened.
Aside from the character descriptions, the internal thoughts of the MMC and FMC were also just very repetitive and clumsy, but I noticed it much more with the former. WE GET IT, you're dying, you don't have to hammer it in 10 fucking times, and you don't need to constantly repeat the verses of the poetry stanza we JUST READ A CHAPTER AGO. You also don't need to info-dump lore to a character who says he already knows the lore, that *everyone* knows the lore. The lore-dumping overall is lazy and, at the risk of being repetitive myself, clumsy. Additionally, there was one chapter in which "she snarls (again)" was used literally 3 times in the same page. In general, "snarls" was used too much with too little effect. And "demon" too, god, pick a new insult. There is also so much fucking cursing. I don't usually have a problem with heavy swearing, I think it can be used well and characters have a right to be foul-mouthed, but the way it's used in this book feels like an edgy teenager who just discovered "fuck" and "godsdamned" for the first time and is using it *everywhere*. It makes the book feel, again, childish and lazy.
There were a bunch of smaller, seemingly inconsequential details that also bothered me while reading, and I don't expect anyone to drop the book over them because that would be silly but they just really cement to me that either the author wasn't putting much thought into her work and/or she needs a better editor. Details like Zephyra's thieving crew in the beginning just continuously lighting and burning out tiny matches for all of them to see in the dark instead of...lighting a fucking lantern, for some reason? Or Zephyra inexplicably not being gagged while imprisoned despite merrow being feared for their singing? (Yes, she can't sing but they don't know that when they first imprison her. Also the king ungags her at her execution which just seems wildly risky.) Or Arion killing half a dozen salmon in a bowl in front of him in a childhood flashback, except...I'm pretty sure just one salmon of the smallest species would be too big for the implied bowl, much less six of them, unless it was a really, *really* big bowl. Yes, I'm nitpicking salmon; you could've just said "fish"! And back to the writing style, I consistently felt like reactions were happening one second too late because of how the author describes the sequence of events or even doesn't describe certain things. Like, a character will be stabbed in the neck and dying but there's no description of the pain she feels even though it's from her POV, or a character will jump-scare everyone but the FMC's immediate reaction will only be described after the other characters'. It makes things feel very weird and distant, despite the overall intimacy of the first-person POVs.
Lastly, as for the main characters, I...don't really like either of them. I find Zephyra immature and insufferable. Her establishing moment with her thieving crew made her seem like she's wildly irresponsible, which would be fine as a flaw, but telling your crew you don't have the key after tricking them into thinking you do and having them execute the plan that relies on the key and then miraculously finding a new way in while in the middle of said plan should not paint Zephyra as "a genius or extremely lucky"; it's reckless and stupid and no one seems nearly as upset at her as they should be. Arion seemed kind of cool in his first appearances from outside POVs, but getting in his head made him just as insufferable because of aforementioned repetitive writing issues. I kiiiind of appreciate that they do genuinely hate each other and the narration doesn't obviously point out any attraction they may have towards each other, but I could not get invested in either of them.
All in all, not the book for me but I expect this to be popular among the usual romantasy crowd.
DNF@22%. Listen, I love mermaids, especially when they're vicious and bloody and when they have cool hair, eye, and scale colors. I think stuff like that is so, so fun! ...Unfortunately, I did not love this. From the prologue, I could tell that I wasn't going to vibe with the writing style but I tried to tell myself it might get better, that there could be something fun here, even if it wasn't the highest quality. However, it didn't get better and I don't like any part of the book enough to stick around for more.
The Wicked Sea is marketed as New Adult on NetGalley and that category can be hit or miss, IMO. Often, I find that New Adult books are as shallow and childish as (bad) YA books, just with more adult language and situations, and that was unfortunately the case here. Every single character so far feels like they were written for a young audience who doesn't expect adult behavior from actual adults. The king is laughable; for someone who's so bloodthirsty and ruthless, he acts so petty and childishly, without a sliver of regal dignity in him. The same can be said of the supposed leader of the most fearsome gang in the city who the FMC Zephyra threatens in an early chapter; he doesn't act with the maturity and grit of someone in his position. I also found it pretty unbelievable that the FMC actually had to tell him of a way to properly fence stolen jewels. You're telling me a man of his experience wouldn't have already known to melt down the precious metal and split up the gems? That's *basic*.
And the writing, god, the writing. It is SO REPETITIVE. I said earlier that I love when mermaids have fun colors but this really tested me. I only read seven chapters total and every single opportunity there was to mention Zephyra's hair and eyes, the author *has* to write that her hair is pink or that her eyes are turquoise. EVERY SINGLE TIME. I swear it was mentioned at least 20 times, and if I have to hear "pink-haired demon", "pink-haired merrow", "pink waves", "pink locks", or "turquoise/ocean-blue gaze" again, I'm going to drown a man. This unnecessary description extends to other characters, however. I understand describing the features of merrow-blooded people (to an extent) because it's an important indicator of their race, but it is totally out of place for human characters the way this author describes them. The first instance of this was Zephyra describing the MMC Arion's hair as "chocolate-brown locks" as she's being restrained and about to be knocked out, which was just...why? Just "brown" would've worked fine and wouldn't have disrupted the atmosphere of the moment. The human characters were just described so clumsily and awkwardly that I found myself rewording the scene every time it happened.
Aside from the character descriptions, the internal thoughts of the MMC and FMC were also just very repetitive and clumsy, but I noticed it much more with the former. WE GET IT, you're dying, you don't have to hammer it in 10 fucking times, and you don't need to constantly repeat the verses of the poetry stanza we JUST READ A CHAPTER AGO. You also don't need to info-dump lore to a character who says he already knows the lore, that *everyone* knows the lore. The lore-dumping overall is lazy and, at the risk of being repetitive myself, clumsy. Additionally, there was one chapter in which "she snarls (again)" was used literally 3 times in the same page. In general, "snarls" was used too much with too little effect. And "demon" too, god, pick a new insult. There is also so much fucking cursing. I don't usually have a problem with heavy swearing, I think it can be used well and characters have a right to be foul-mouthed, but the way it's used in this book feels like an edgy teenager who just discovered "fuck" and "godsdamned" for the first time and is using it *everywhere*. It makes the book feel, again, childish and lazy.
There were a bunch of smaller, seemingly inconsequential details that also bothered me while reading, and I don't expect anyone to drop the book over them because that would be silly but they just really cement to me that either the author wasn't putting much thought into her work and/or she needs a better editor. Details like Zephyra's thieving crew in the beginning just continuously lighting and burning out tiny matches for all of them to see in the dark instead of...lighting a fucking lantern, for some reason? Or Zephyra inexplicably not being gagged while imprisoned despite merrow being feared for their singing? (Yes, she can't sing but they don't know that when they first imprison her. Also the king ungags her at her execution which just seems wildly risky.) Or Arion killing half a dozen salmon in a bowl in front of him in a childhood flashback, except...I'm pretty sure just one salmon of the smallest species would be too big for the implied bowl, much less six of them, unless it was a really, *really* big bowl. Yes, I'm nitpicking salmon; you could've just said "fish"! And back to the writing style, I consistently felt like reactions were happening one second too late because of how the author describes the sequence of events or even doesn't describe certain things. Like, a character will be stabbed in the neck and dying but there's no description of the pain she feels even though it's from her POV, or a character will jump-scare everyone but the FMC's immediate reaction will only be described after the other characters'. It makes things feel very weird and distant, despite the overall intimacy of the first-person POVs.
Lastly, as for the main characters, I...don't really like either of them. I find Zephyra immature and insufferable. Her establishing moment with her thieving crew made her seem like she's wildly irresponsible, which would be fine as a flaw, but telling your crew you don't have the key after tricking them into thinking you do and having them execute the plan that relies on the key and then miraculously finding a new way in while in the middle of said plan should not paint Zephyra as "a genius or extremely lucky"; it's reckless and stupid and no one seems nearly as upset at her as they should be. Arion seemed kind of cool in his first appearances from outside POVs, but getting in his head made him just as insufferable because of aforementioned repetitive writing issues. I kiiiind of appreciate that they do genuinely hate each other and the narration doesn't obviously point out any attraction they may have towards each other, but I could not get invested in either of them.
All in all, not the book for me but I expect this to be popular among the usual romantasy crowd.
Did not finish
January 26, 2026DNF barely 7% in. The prologue started strong. Gory and filled with so much promise for a dark tale…. And then chapter 1 hit and that vibe sailed off to sea.
“Mortem is a dickhead.”
“I think their heads are shoved so far up Morten’s ass their snorting his shit and calling it divinity salt.”
Oh. And “fuck” and all of its variations are found on just about every page. Sometimes 2 or 3 times.
I thought these were supposed to be sirens? And older/mature ones? They talk like 18 year old entitled brats with a filthy mouth. It’s pretty silly, actually.
Sad day. Another preorder I’m cancelling.
“Mortem is a dickhead.”
“I think their heads are shoved so far up Morten’s ass their snorting his shit and calling it divinity salt.”
Oh. And “fuck” and all of its variations are found on just about every page. Sometimes 2 or 3 times.
I thought these were supposed to be sirens? And older/mature ones? They talk like 18 year old entitled brats with a filthy mouth. It’s pretty silly, actually.
Sad day. Another preorder I’m cancelling.
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