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The Wicked Sea #1
The Wicked Sea
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Expected 7 Apr 26Win a free print copy of this book!
14 days and 20:26:50
20 copies available
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In 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
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 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!!!
dnf
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 🧜♀️📚
Want to read
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.
Want to read
May 28, 2025A MERMAID ROMANTASY?! Everything I wanted...
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 🥹
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!
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 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.
dnf
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.
November 5, 2025
This was lacking I make it to 35% and had to DNF. It felt like all the other romantasy’s that are coming out no substance. I know the edition when it gets published is beautiful that is why I was so excited to get the ARC on NetGalley but it was such a letdown. In need more to my reads give me the yearning we all want.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In the world of The Wicked Sea, merrow and humans have been violently at odds for centuries, each pointing the finger at the other side in blame. Ever since the Merrow Wars, humans continue to viciously slaying mermaids and mermen whenever given the chance, going so far as to enlist extremely powerful warlocks to aid them in their efforts. To keep themselves safe, merrow folk stick to their underwater kingdoms as much as possible. However, on the run from a dark and twisted past, Zephyra of the Syl has no choice but to live in the human lands, lying and stealing to barely scrape by in the streets of Mortia. Her thieving days come to an abrupt end when a heist goes wrong and she is captured by the most powerful warlock in the kingdom, Arion Stone. He is a cold as he is powerful, and he has no qualms about taking Zephyra to his king, who imprisons her and sentences her to a public execution. Arion does not give this a second thought; he hates merrow with a fiery passion, and he is otherwise preoccupied trying to find a way to halt the increasingly degenerative effects of his magic usage. However, as Zepyhra is on the way to the gallows, Arion makes a stunning discovery - his rapidly approaching death can only be stopped by an ancient artifact, and the only person who can help him find it is about to hang for her crimes.
Zephyra and Arion strike a hurried bargain: he will save her life, and in exchange she will take him to the Heart of Mortem, buried deep under the sea in merrow territory. After barely escaping from Mortia with their lives, Zephyra and Arion both realize the significant shortcomings of their arrangement: as it turns out, Zephyra doesn't even *know* if the Heart exists (let alone where to find it), and their lives are now tied together with a merrow life debt, meaning that Zephyra will also die if (or when) Arion dies. With no other choice, they set out on an impossible search for the Heart, facing danger from both the kingdom of Mortia, desperately trying to hunt them down, as well as unknown evils from Zephyra's past. As their search becomes more and more dangerous, Zephyra and Arion start to realize that the only way they'll be able to find the Heart, and save both their lives, is if they can put aside their mutual hatred and learn to trust each other.
I read Jordan Stephanie Gray's YA debut, Bitten, last year on a whim and was blown away. After reading her adult debut here, I can confidently say that she is a fantastic writer! The world that she has built in The Wicked Sea is so unique and original; the different subspecies of merrow (and their different powers) as well as the way the warlocks are created in this world was a really fascinating part of the story. The beginning of the book was really strong, and I loved that we got an enemies-to-lovers where they actually really *hated* each other for a large part of the book (and the story was set up such that it was completely understandable why that was the case for each of them!). The banter between Zephyra and Arion at the start was fantastic, and it was great watching their initial relationship start to blossom as they both realize they have tortured pasts. Though I enjoyed the expansion of the world as the story continued, the book started to fall a bit flat for me here; the tension between Zephyra and Arion (in my opinion the best part of the book) takes the back seat as several secondary characters join them on their quest to find the Heart. The plot at this point was particularly action-packed, which advanced the story line but seemingly at the cost of any additional character development. Because of this, when the "insta-love" hit in the last part of the book, it felt unearned and almost bordered on melodramatic. However, the twist on the very last page had me on the edge of my seat, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Requited for this ARC!
Zephyra and Arion strike a hurried bargain: he will save her life, and in exchange she will take him to the Heart of Mortem, buried deep under the sea in merrow territory. After barely escaping from Mortia with their lives, Zephyra and Arion both realize the significant shortcomings of their arrangement: as it turns out, Zephyra doesn't even *know* if the Heart exists (let alone where to find it), and their lives are now tied together with a merrow life debt, meaning that Zephyra will also die if (or when) Arion dies. With no other choice, they set out on an impossible search for the Heart, facing danger from both the kingdom of Mortia, desperately trying to hunt them down, as well as unknown evils from Zephyra's past. As their search becomes more and more dangerous, Zephyra and Arion start to realize that the only way they'll be able to find the Heart, and save both their lives, is if they can put aside their mutual hatred and learn to trust each other.
I read Jordan Stephanie Gray's YA debut, Bitten, last year on a whim and was blown away. After reading her adult debut here, I can confidently say that she is a fantastic writer! The world that she has built in The Wicked Sea is so unique and original; the different subspecies of merrow (and their different powers) as well as the way the warlocks are created in this world was a really fascinating part of the story. The beginning of the book was really strong, and I loved that we got an enemies-to-lovers where they actually really *hated* each other for a large part of the book (and the story was set up such that it was completely understandable why that was the case for each of them!). The banter between Zephyra and Arion at the start was fantastic, and it was great watching their initial relationship start to blossom as they both realize they have tortured pasts. Though I enjoyed the expansion of the world as the story continued, the book started to fall a bit flat for me here; the tension between Zephyra and Arion (in my opinion the best part of the book) takes the back seat as several secondary characters join them on their quest to find the Heart. The plot at this point was particularly action-packed, which advanced the story line but seemingly at the cost of any additional character development. Because of this, when the "insta-love" hit in the last part of the book, it felt unearned and almost bordered on melodramatic. However, the twist on the very last page had me on the edge of my seat, and I am anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Requited for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 ⭐️
Quick tags: Dual POV, dark Romantasy, enemies to lovers, grumpy x grumpy, trauma-bonding, mermaids and magic.
This book is a dark romantasy, and I think it’s important to mention that this world is violent, cruel, and gory. The characters are deeply flawed and unlikeable, as they see the world through their own trauma and bias. If that doesn’t get you interested, then you need to know that this is also one of the greatest representations of enemies to lovers. They are true enemies and it shows. If you’re not ready for foul-mouthed characters that inflict pain and suffering upon each other, maybe don’t read this book. If you’re a dark-hearted reader, then let’s dive into some specifics.
It took me a long time to connect with Zephyra, but once I did, the payoff was excellent. She is incredibly unlikable, but it feels like an intentional choice, because it leads to a deeper understanding of how her trauma impacts every facet of her character. Trauma isn’t pretty. Sometimes it makes people make shitty choices, and Zephyra is a great example of that. By the end, I was rooting for her, even when I disliked her choices. She has excellent growth throughout this novel and I found myself really liking her by the end!
The world building was interesting and unique. I particularly liked the shopkeepers (Gerald and Harold), the Death Cult, the labyrinth castle, the gods, and the different factions of mermaids that all have different powers.
The first 35% of this book is pretty slow, made slower by my struggle to connect with the characters. That said, once the plot picks up, it gallops at a rapid pace. Once the quest starts, I was intrigued by the world and wanted to know what was going to happen.
The dual POV is fun, but sometimes I found it hard to decipher which character’s head we were in as the story is 1st person. There are character tags at the beginning to explain which POV we’re getting, but there weren’t enough differences in the way the characters think to make it super clear. I often forgot which characters head we were in. There were also a few times the characters were speaking in a group but there weren’t dialogue tags. It was hard to tell who was saying what because most of the characters sound the same. This didn’t happen a lot, but it did happen enough for me to notice.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, especially once I adjusted my expectations and realized that this is a dark fantasy without any true heroes. The spice was great and not overdone. The plot was interesting and the character growth was excellent. I loved that the story felt original, and I didn’t feel like I was reading the same story for the thousandth time. I loved the quest and the adventure, and I liked the characters enough by the end that I would definitely read the second book!
3.5 ⭐️
Quick tags: Dual POV, dark Romantasy, enemies to lovers, grumpy x grumpy, trauma-bonding, mermaids and magic.
This book is a dark romantasy, and I think it’s important to mention that this world is violent, cruel, and gory. The characters are deeply flawed and unlikeable, as they see the world through their own trauma and bias. If that doesn’t get you interested, then you need to know that this is also one of the greatest representations of enemies to lovers. They are true enemies and it shows. If you’re not ready for foul-mouthed characters that inflict pain and suffering upon each other, maybe don’t read this book. If you’re a dark-hearted reader, then let’s dive into some specifics.
It took me a long time to connect with Zephyra, but once I did, the payoff was excellent. She is incredibly unlikable, but it feels like an intentional choice, because it leads to a deeper understanding of how her trauma impacts every facet of her character. Trauma isn’t pretty. Sometimes it makes people make shitty choices, and Zephyra is a great example of that. By the end, I was rooting for her, even when I disliked her choices. She has excellent growth throughout this novel and I found myself really liking her by the end!
The world building was interesting and unique. I particularly liked the shopkeepers (Gerald and Harold), the Death Cult, the labyrinth castle, the gods, and the different factions of mermaids that all have different powers.
The first 35% of this book is pretty slow, made slower by my struggle to connect with the characters. That said, once the plot picks up, it gallops at a rapid pace. Once the quest starts, I was intrigued by the world and wanted to know what was going to happen.
The dual POV is fun, but sometimes I found it hard to decipher which character’s head we were in as the story is 1st person. There are character tags at the beginning to explain which POV we’re getting, but there weren’t enough differences in the way the characters think to make it super clear. I often forgot which characters head we were in. There were also a few times the characters were speaking in a group but there weren’t dialogue tags. It was hard to tell who was saying what because most of the characters sound the same. This didn’t happen a lot, but it did happen enough for me to notice.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, especially once I adjusted my expectations and realized that this is a dark fantasy without any true heroes. The spice was great and not overdone. The plot was interesting and the character growth was excellent. I loved that the story felt original, and I didn’t feel like I was reading the same story for the thousandth time. I loved the quest and the adventure, and I liked the characters enough by the end that I would definitely read the second book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A mermaid on the run. A warlock seeking salvation. Two unlikely allies reluctantly team up to save themselves.
The merrow (merfolk) of the Syl may have a fairytale aesthetic with their candy-coloured hair, but make no mistake - they’re more like what you see in Pirates of the Caribbean than The Little Mermaid. They have sharp claws, siren song, and they’re angry after years of persecution by the humans (and warlocks) of Mortia.
Zephyra, a mermaid forced to hide as a human, is fierce and brutal. She’s in even more danger in the sea than she is on land, so she’s not the kind of FMC who thinks twice about attacking or defending herself. She’s forced to help Arion, a warlock whose time is ticking due to the cost of his magic, after he saves her life for his own means.
There’s quite a lot of setting up characters and lore at the beginning, but after the first 20% I was completely drawn in and confident I’d enjoy it. The author is very good at writing internal dialogue that feels like a natural flow of thoughts, and captures their moments of grief or shock perfectly.
While unwilling attraction emerges fairly soon, I didn’t feel the spice came so early that it took the sexual tension out. Zephyra and Arion’s romance takes time to build up, and the progression felt natural and believable to me.
I liked the characters that we slowly accumulate into a group of reluctant allies, and the many little comedic moments Jordan threw in. I loved the lore and it seemed like a lot of thought was put into it - especially the warlocks, which felt quite unique.
The final plot twist didn’t come as a big surprise to me due to the parallels we see throughout the book, but I prefer a somewhat predictable twist to a shocking one that doesn’t really fit. Then we are left with… the cliffhanger. The impact of this was not lessened by seeing it coming - I’ll definitely be tuning in for the sequel!
For me, this hit a spot that I’ve been wanting a mermaid romantasy to for a while. This story is fun, sweary, and a little bit gory, but it also deals with serious themes of persecution and abuse that give the story impact.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy:
💞 Forced proximity
✨ Magical bonds
🌊 Ocean quests
🔪 Backstabbing and bickering
❤️ A few explicit, open-door spicy scenes
Thank you much to Jordan Stephanie Gray, Requited and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book!
The merrow (merfolk) of the Syl may have a fairytale aesthetic with their candy-coloured hair, but make no mistake - they’re more like what you see in Pirates of the Caribbean than The Little Mermaid. They have sharp claws, siren song, and they’re angry after years of persecution by the humans (and warlocks) of Mortia.
Zephyra, a mermaid forced to hide as a human, is fierce and brutal. She’s in even more danger in the sea than she is on land, so she’s not the kind of FMC who thinks twice about attacking or defending herself. She’s forced to help Arion, a warlock whose time is ticking due to the cost of his magic, after he saves her life for his own means.
There’s quite a lot of setting up characters and lore at the beginning, but after the first 20% I was completely drawn in and confident I’d enjoy it. The author is very good at writing internal dialogue that feels like a natural flow of thoughts, and captures their moments of grief or shock perfectly.
While unwilling attraction emerges fairly soon, I didn’t feel the spice came so early that it took the sexual tension out. Zephyra and Arion’s romance takes time to build up, and the progression felt natural and believable to me.
I liked the characters that we slowly accumulate into a group of reluctant allies, and the many little comedic moments Jordan threw in. I loved the lore and it seemed like a lot of thought was put into it - especially the warlocks, which felt quite unique.
The final plot twist didn’t come as a big surprise to me due to the parallels we see throughout the book, but I prefer a somewhat predictable twist to a shocking one that doesn’t really fit. Then we are left with… the cliffhanger. The impact of this was not lessened by seeing it coming - I’ll definitely be tuning in for the sequel!
For me, this hit a spot that I’ve been wanting a mermaid romantasy to for a while. This story is fun, sweary, and a little bit gory, but it also deals with serious themes of persecution and abuse that give the story impact.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy:
💞 Forced proximity
✨ Magical bonds
🌊 Ocean quests
🔪 Backstabbing and bickering
❤️ A few explicit, open-door spicy scenes
Thank you much to Jordan Stephanie Gray, Requited and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy of this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 Stars.
The Wicked Sea is for the ones who know what it’s like to endure the darkness for so long, they’re not sure how to trust the light again. That maybe if they keep running, they will stay safe, no matter the cost. No matter how painful.
An adult romantasy perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco, Holly Black, and Jennifer L. Armentrout, you might want to consider this book if you like: enemies-to-lovers, deadly mermaids, banter between people that can’t decide whether they’re about to murder or f*ck each other, a crew you can’t trust and can’t help but adore, and a world reminiscent of a Barbie mermaid utopia with a lot of gore.
Zephyra, a cunning thief with a sarcastic mouth, has been on the run and is about to pull the biggest heist she’s ever attempted when everything goes sideways, and she ends up the captive of Arion, a terrifying warlock working for the king that has to watch over her until her execution. Not only is she a criminal, but a mermaid, which makes her all the more dangerous. Since the Merrow Wars hundreds of years ago, humans have been attempting to hunt the merrow to extinction, so capturing Zephyra is another win for Arion. It’s too bad that he desperately needs her help and ends up saving her from the chopping block, and while (seemingly) the whole world is trying to hunt them down for treason, they have to not only make a deal and pull off an unimaginable heist, they have to figure out how to survive in time to find something they’re not sure even exists. Oh, and not kill each other in the process. No big deal.
This was a very fun read. Zephyra is so lively, and her banter with Arion was so entertaining. It took me a minute to get used to Arion, since to me he came off a little less terrifying and a little more emo edgelord, but once he started to warm up to Zephyra, he was a little less angsty. The world building is interesting, I love how colorful everything is and I like the different characters we meet along the way. I’d like to see more magic and powers being used in the next book, since I thought that was interesting, especially with how Arion was “made” and how there are different kinds of powers that merrow have. The cliffhanger was a hell of a doozy, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Hopefully less glitter (iykyk).
Thank you to Jordan Stephanie Gray, Requited, and Netgalley for my copy!
The Wicked Sea is for the ones who know what it’s like to endure the darkness for so long, they’re not sure how to trust the light again. That maybe if they keep running, they will stay safe, no matter the cost. No matter how painful.
An adult romantasy perfect for fans of Kerri Maniscalco, Holly Black, and Jennifer L. Armentrout, you might want to consider this book if you like: enemies-to-lovers, deadly mermaids, banter between people that can’t decide whether they’re about to murder or f*ck each other, a crew you can’t trust and can’t help but adore, and a world reminiscent of a Barbie mermaid utopia with a lot of gore.
Zephyra, a cunning thief with a sarcastic mouth, has been on the run and is about to pull the biggest heist she’s ever attempted when everything goes sideways, and she ends up the captive of Arion, a terrifying warlock working for the king that has to watch over her until her execution. Not only is she a criminal, but a mermaid, which makes her all the more dangerous. Since the Merrow Wars hundreds of years ago, humans have been attempting to hunt the merrow to extinction, so capturing Zephyra is another win for Arion. It’s too bad that he desperately needs her help and ends up saving her from the chopping block, and while (seemingly) the whole world is trying to hunt them down for treason, they have to not only make a deal and pull off an unimaginable heist, they have to figure out how to survive in time to find something they’re not sure even exists. Oh, and not kill each other in the process. No big deal.
This was a very fun read. Zephyra is so lively, and her banter with Arion was so entertaining. It took me a minute to get used to Arion, since to me he came off a little less terrifying and a little more emo edgelord, but once he started to warm up to Zephyra, he was a little less angsty. The world building is interesting, I love how colorful everything is and I like the different characters we meet along the way. I’d like to see more magic and powers being used in the next book, since I thought that was interesting, especially with how Arion was “made” and how there are different kinds of powers that merrow have. The cliffhanger was a hell of a doozy, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Hopefully less glitter (iykyk).
Thank you to Jordan Stephanie Gray, Requited, and Netgalley for my copy!
January 17, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
I love mermaid stories, and so I was really looking forward to a darker mermaid romantasy. The opening chapter is bloody and brutal, and everything I wanted from dark sirens, and the world created here is pretty interesting, with merrow persecuted for their magic and their role in the death god Mortem's fall. Our main character Zephyra is a siren on the run, out for herself and intent on survival no matter the cost, while our male love interest and other POV character Arion is a warlock also hellbent on survival no matter the cost and if he has to ally with monstrous merrow to do so. They're both assholes in their own way, but you do get into their heads to see why they are that way and to understand their relative attitudes towards everything. I did actually like their initial dynamic--make no mistake, they are complete and total enemies, only kept from killing each other by the life bond that forms and ties both of their life forces together. They snipe and jibe and eventually come to a grudging respect for each other--but despite all that, I did find the sudden turn to romance quite abrupt. The lust was there at the beginning, and I didn't mind that, but the shift into romantic feelings came out of left field for me.
Also, the pacing of this book dragged; possibly at least a hundred pages could be cut, especially the entire deviation into the lands of Tempest. The writing is also occasionally clumsy and heavy-handed, needing Zephyra to lecture a character about how love doesn't fix everything and the difference being love and obsession. That being said, the climatic moments in the sorcerer's castle were very cool and horrifying, . The smut is also very well-written and hot.
Overall, interesting setting, would have liked to see more, and I did like Zephyra and Arion, even if their romance didn't quite land for me.
I love mermaid stories, and so I was really looking forward to a darker mermaid romantasy. The opening chapter is bloody and brutal, and everything I wanted from dark sirens, and the world created here is pretty interesting, with merrow persecuted for their magic and their role in the death god Mortem's fall. Our main character Zephyra is a siren on the run, out for herself and intent on survival no matter the cost, while our male love interest and other POV character Arion is a warlock also hellbent on survival no matter the cost and if he has to ally with monstrous merrow to do so. They're both assholes in their own way, but you do get into their heads to see why they are that way and to understand their relative attitudes towards everything. I did actually like their initial dynamic--make no mistake, they are complete and total enemies, only kept from killing each other by the life bond that forms and ties both of their life forces together. They snipe and jibe and eventually come to a grudging respect for each other--but despite all that, I did find the sudden turn to romance quite abrupt. The lust was there at the beginning, and I didn't mind that, but the shift into romantic feelings came out of left field for me.
Also, the pacing of this book dragged; possibly at least a hundred pages could be cut, especially the entire deviation into the lands of Tempest. The writing is also occasionally clumsy and heavy-handed, needing Zephyra to lecture a character about how love doesn't fix everything and the difference being love and obsession. That being said, the climatic moments in the sorcerer's castle were very cool and horrifying, . The smut is also very well-written and hot.
Overall, interesting setting, would have liked to see more, and I did like Zephyra and Arion, even if their romance didn't quite land for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**2.5/5 stars** Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc!
I don't think I've read a mermaid romantasy so I was definitely curious on how this would go. The romance could be considered insta-love but that may be due to the unintentional bond/curse they created. If one dies, the other does too. They can also feel each other's emotions through the bond. I didn't mind the romance but I also wasn't that invested. Both Zephyra and Arion are strong and stubborn characters but seemed very compatible.
There is a lot of action immediately from the start but somehow parts of the story felt slow or dragged on. Towards the end when they are trying to navigate through the sorcerer's castle to find the mystical heart, I found that to be part of the book where I was the most engaged but honestly it was a tad predictable. Like of course the sorcerer who is obsessed with Zephyra is going to finally make their presence known right when they make progress with the heart and of course there are side characters who end up being untrustworthy.
The main thing that I didn't like is that there is absolutely no world-building. A good chunk of the story they spend in the sea (obviously), but they don't come across any other mermaids or creatures besides an octopus. Obviously civilization must exist in the sea because Zephyra is from there yet they don't come across any cities. No houses. No architecture. So the whole time I imagined them just swimming in the open sea. Idk snorkeling?? Since Arion has wings, there are several times him and Zephyra are flying but there is no description of their surroundings, what they are seeing, the scenery. NOTHING. I genuinely don't know if the sea is surrounded by desert, a city, or a forest. In my mind, they are standing against a blank background. Towards the end, Zephyra uses her magic to uncover the sorcerer's castle that is located deep in the sea, but there is no description of what this castle looks like. The only thing the characters point out are the "large doors". So unfortunately the story was not immersive for me.
I don't think I've read a mermaid romantasy so I was definitely curious on how this would go. The romance could be considered insta-love but that may be due to the unintentional bond/curse they created. If one dies, the other does too. They can also feel each other's emotions through the bond. I didn't mind the romance but I also wasn't that invested. Both Zephyra and Arion are strong and stubborn characters but seemed very compatible.
There is a lot of action immediately from the start but somehow parts of the story felt slow or dragged on. Towards the end when they are trying to navigate through the sorcerer's castle to find the mystical heart, I found that to be part of the book where I was the most engaged but honestly it was a tad predictable. Like of course the sorcerer who is obsessed with Zephyra is going to finally make their presence known right when they make progress with the heart and of course there are side characters who end up being untrustworthy.
The main thing that I didn't like is that there is absolutely no world-building. A good chunk of the story they spend in the sea (obviously), but they don't come across any other mermaids or creatures besides an octopus. Obviously civilization must exist in the sea because Zephyra is from there yet they don't come across any cities. No houses. No architecture. So the whole time I imagined them just swimming in the open sea. Idk snorkeling?? Since Arion has wings, there are several times him and Zephyra are flying but there is no description of their surroundings, what they are seeing, the scenery. NOTHING. I genuinely don't know if the sea is surrounded by desert, a city, or a forest. In my mind, they are standing against a blank background. Towards the end, Zephyra uses her magic to uncover the sorcerer's castle that is located deep in the sea, but there is no description of what this castle looks like. The only thing the characters point out are the "large doors". So unfortunately the story was not immersive for me.
January 24, 2026
1.75 rounded up
I was so excited to read this because Bitten (her previous book) was a five star, but this was a struggle.
First of all the characters were so static, which was a trend in the last book. You just keep hearing from both of the main characters how miserable they are; literally on and on. And to add to that, both points of view were so similar I would genuinely forget whose point of view it even was! I truly believe this book would’ve done better had it been just one POV and if it was in third person. I say third person because this is first person but is described so unrealistically. No one is sitting there narrating about how hot and sexy and ripped they are and keeps mentioning their own genitals. Literally had me constantly sighing and setting the book down.
The romance wasn’t good either as it was insta lust. 😢
The writing style is extremely repetitive, amateurish, and simple. Literally if I had to take a drink every time the characters snarled, growled, or bared their teeth I would’ve died of liver failure after the first chapter… This book is adult but the only adult thing about it is that there’s cursing and explicit scenes. Also the story itself was very cliche and predictable.
But it wasn’t all bad! I know my review is pretty negative but it’s only because I had such high hopes. I loved the atmosphere and the adventure they went on. I could really see and feel the setting and the only thing that kept me going was their adventure! And although I predicted the twist, I think it was handled really well. I am still confused on the overall ending, though. (And of course there were plot holes).
Overall, I would recommend this to someone who enjoys the romantasy genre and doesn’t mind insta lust. I would also recommend it to people who can embrace cheesy stories for the underwater atmosphere and adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this even though it was free to read. I feel so bad for not liking it, but I was really miserable 😭😭
I was so excited to read this because Bitten (her previous book) was a five star, but this was a struggle.
First of all the characters were so static, which was a trend in the last book. You just keep hearing from both of the main characters how miserable they are; literally on and on. And to add to that, both points of view were so similar I would genuinely forget whose point of view it even was! I truly believe this book would’ve done better had it been just one POV and if it was in third person. I say third person because this is first person but is described so unrealistically. No one is sitting there narrating about how hot and sexy and ripped they are and keeps mentioning their own genitals. Literally had me constantly sighing and setting the book down.
The romance wasn’t good either as it was insta lust. 😢
The writing style is extremely repetitive, amateurish, and simple. Literally if I had to take a drink every time the characters snarled, growled, or bared their teeth I would’ve died of liver failure after the first chapter… This book is adult but the only adult thing about it is that there’s cursing and explicit scenes. Also the story itself was very cliche and predictable.
But it wasn’t all bad! I know my review is pretty negative but it’s only because I had such high hopes. I loved the atmosphere and the adventure they went on. I could really see and feel the setting and the only thing that kept me going was their adventure! And although I predicted the twist, I think it was handled really well. I am still confused on the overall ending, though. (And of course there were plot holes).
Overall, I would recommend this to someone who enjoys the romantasy genre and doesn’t mind insta lust. I would also recommend it to people who can embrace cheesy stories for the underwater atmosphere and adventure.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this even though it was free to read. I feel so bad for not liking it, but I was really miserable 😭😭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ll start with the good.
This book jumps straight into the action avoiding endless buildup. We’re immediately thrown into a brutal, bloody battle between mermaids and humans. I also appreciated that this is a true enemies-to-lovers story: our MMC and FMC genuinely try to kill each other multiple times in the beginning (unsuccessfully, of course). Add in mermaids and the promise of a quest, and I really thought this book was going to be a win for me.
Now…the bad.
This book feels like it grabbed every typical romantasy ingredient and kept them all painfully shallow. It’s obvious the focus was on quick shots of dopamine rather than doing the hard work of building depth. It’s basically: add what everyone loves and call it a day.
Our MMC has essentially no personality beyond being grumpy and growly, until, out of absolutely nowhere, he becomes wildly possessive and obsessed with the FMC. And when I say out of nowhere, I mean it. They spend the first 25% of the book actively trying to murder each other, and then suddenly he’s completely consumed by her. No emotional transition. No believable development. Just…obsession.
And don’t even get me started on the 11 inches…….and how that came about...
The FMC is another familiar trope: feisty, feral, middle-finger-in-the-air, “I need no man,” with a tortured past. I’ve read this character a million times before, and this version didn’t bring anything new or interesting to the table like I was hoping it to.
We also get the standard funny sidekick meant for comic relief—another checkbox on the romantasy bingo card.
The plot is extremely predictable, the world-building is thin, and nothing is explored with any real depth. I’m honestly so disappointed, because this book started with so much promise. Mermaids. A quest. An ancient war. The potential was there but everything felt surface-level and rushed, with no emotional or narrative weight behind it.
This book jumps straight into the action avoiding endless buildup. We’re immediately thrown into a brutal, bloody battle between mermaids and humans. I also appreciated that this is a true enemies-to-lovers story: our MMC and FMC genuinely try to kill each other multiple times in the beginning (unsuccessfully, of course). Add in mermaids and the promise of a quest, and I really thought this book was going to be a win for me.
Now…the bad.
This book feels like it grabbed every typical romantasy ingredient and kept them all painfully shallow. It’s obvious the focus was on quick shots of dopamine rather than doing the hard work of building depth. It’s basically: add what everyone loves and call it a day.
Our MMC has essentially no personality beyond being grumpy and growly, until, out of absolutely nowhere, he becomes wildly possessive and obsessed with the FMC. And when I say out of nowhere, I mean it. They spend the first 25% of the book actively trying to murder each other, and then suddenly he’s completely consumed by her. No emotional transition. No believable development. Just…obsession.
And don’t even get me started on the 11 inches…….and how that came about...
The FMC is another familiar trope: feisty, feral, middle-finger-in-the-air, “I need no man,” with a tortured past. I’ve read this character a million times before, and this version didn’t bring anything new or interesting to the table like I was hoping it to.
We also get the standard funny sidekick meant for comic relief—another checkbox on the romantasy bingo card.
The plot is extremely predictable, the world-building is thin, and nothing is explored with any real depth. I’m honestly so disappointed, because this book started with so much promise. Mermaids. A quest. An ancient war. The potential was there but everything felt surface-level and rushed, with no emotional or narrative weight behind it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An adventure for fans of the deadly sirens in Pirates of the Caribbean, the Wicked Sea is a New Adult Romantasy following mermaid Zephyra and winged warlock Arion, who must retrieve a mystical artifact against all odds and save each others’ lives. They adventure alongside a cast of secondary supporting characters across various treacherous waters, where Zephyra’s secret history and trauma threaten to stop them at every turn.
The story dives right into a bloody action-packed massacre, introducing to readers the centuries-old hatred shared by humans and merrow. Our two main characters share this hatred of each other in true enemies to lovers fashion, and their scathing descriptions of each other are delicious to witness. However, the two are bonded by a mysterious merrow life debt, which links any physical harm inflicted on one to also be done to the other.
This book solidly sits in New Adult. The storyline is easy to follow, the magic system is straightforward enough, and the stakes are clear. That being said, it also suffers from the prose and storytelling strongly residing in New Adult territory where the characters seem shallow and a bit caricatured in black-and-white angst. Many words and turns of phrases are repeated, sometimes to a point of annoyance. The instant lust that puts the book in New Adult categorization is explained by their magical bond, but that skips past any developments that characterize their relationship.
The premise, the theming, the non-stop action, the rage of the oppressed, all landed for me. If you want a dark and moody romantasy with a good amount of spice and accessible writing, The Wicked Sea would be a good fit for you!
Thank you Requited/Hachette for the e-ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story dives right into a bloody action-packed massacre, introducing to readers the centuries-old hatred shared by humans and merrow. Our two main characters share this hatred of each other in true enemies to lovers fashion, and their scathing descriptions of each other are delicious to witness. However, the two are bonded by a mysterious merrow life debt, which links any physical harm inflicted on one to also be done to the other.
This book solidly sits in New Adult. The storyline is easy to follow, the magic system is straightforward enough, and the stakes are clear. That being said, it also suffers from the prose and storytelling strongly residing in New Adult territory where the characters seem shallow and a bit caricatured in black-and-white angst. Many words and turns of phrases are repeated, sometimes to a point of annoyance. The instant lust that puts the book in New Adult categorization is explained by their magical bond, but that skips past any developments that characterize their relationship.
The premise, the theming, the non-stop action, the rage of the oppressed, all landed for me. If you want a dark and moody romantasy with a good amount of spice and accessible writing, The Wicked Sea would be a good fit for you!
Thank you Requited/Hachette for the e-ARC on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Thank you to Novl for the Goodreads Giveaway of an advanced copy!
I wasn’t a fan of the author’s first book (Bitten) for several reasons, but I also always give authors a second chance, and I’m glad I did because I enjoyed this! I felt like it had a more consistent writing style and better character development, and far less conflicts within the settings and dialogue. Overall, it just kept my interest more! And I’m sure there are other romantasies out there with mermaids as a main character, but I haven’t read any, so this also felt like a fun, fresh concept to me.
If you’ve ever watched the Australian kids show H2O, you’ll pretty easily understand the basics of the mermaid magic system and “rules” here. Depending on which sea they’re from, their power will be either that of a siren, or the ability to freeze water, heat water, or manipulate water. I think all of the other mermaids we meet are sirens, but our FMC Zephyra is one that can manipulate water. I’m hoping we can meet more of the others in book 2. Mermaids can also grow legs and stay in human form until salt water touches them. There is a good amount of time spent on land, but we also get some cool underwater scenes too.
I liked the enemies to lovers aspect, and while I think it relied a little too heavily on the magical bond at times, I do think there’s still plenty of non-bond-induced growth between them to make their feelings for each other feel somewhat natural and believable. The more they learn about each other and their pasts, the more they understand each other and come to care for/want to protect each other. I thought it was a little cliche that Arion, the MMC, had wings, but the author puts her own spin on it, so that made it a little better.
I really liked the ending and the twists that were revealed. There’s a lot that happens at the end, and with what’s shown in the epilogue, I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in book 2!
I wasn’t a fan of the author’s first book (Bitten) for several reasons, but I also always give authors a second chance, and I’m glad I did because I enjoyed this! I felt like it had a more consistent writing style and better character development, and far less conflicts within the settings and dialogue. Overall, it just kept my interest more! And I’m sure there are other romantasies out there with mermaids as a main character, but I haven’t read any, so this also felt like a fun, fresh concept to me.
If you’ve ever watched the Australian kids show H2O, you’ll pretty easily understand the basics of the mermaid magic system and “rules” here. Depending on which sea they’re from, their power will be either that of a siren, or the ability to freeze water, heat water, or manipulate water. I think all of the other mermaids we meet are sirens, but our FMC Zephyra is one that can manipulate water. I’m hoping we can meet more of the others in book 2. Mermaids can also grow legs and stay in human form until salt water touches them. There is a good amount of time spent on land, but we also get some cool underwater scenes too.
I liked the enemies to lovers aspect, and while I think it relied a little too heavily on the magical bond at times, I do think there’s still plenty of non-bond-induced growth between them to make their feelings for each other feel somewhat natural and believable. The more they learn about each other and their pasts, the more they understand each other and come to care for/want to protect each other. I thought it was a little cliche that Arion, the MMC, had wings, but the author puts her own spin on it, so that made it a little better.
I really liked the ending and the twists that were revealed. There’s a lot that happens at the end, and with what’s shown in the epilogue, I’m excited to see what’s going to happen in book 2!
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