The Song of Salt and Shadow

by Seren Rose

The Song of Salt and Shadow is an atmospheric siren–pirate romantasy about lost identity, treacherous seas, and slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension.

A siren born without a tail.
A song meant to drown pirates.
A pirate ready to drown for her.

Hunted for her blood and the scales that grant humans magic they should never wield, Eryse flees the hunters and climbs aboard a vast black ship. The crew is cursed, and when night falls, ghostly shadows roam the deck. Some would sell her before dawn. Others would keep her. The captain does neither, and he does not let her go.

Caught between a curse that tightens its grip and a sea that never forgives, Eryse cannot live in water and cannot live without it. To reclaim what she has lost, she is forced to confront her own voice and follow a path that leads straight through a pirate who may be just as dangerous as the sea itself.

- Cover is a placeholder -

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Pirates, Fantasy Romance, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Mermaids

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 3, 2026

About the author

Writer of slow burn, dark(ish) pirate romance🖤🌊🧜🏻‍♀️

Reviews

[Noi (in & out)]

I think we are in the age of pirate books, and I am not mad about it

[Miglė · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you author for the ARC! I registered and didn’t expect to receive it, so, it was much of a surprise!

I really liked the book. World of pirates and sirens is new to me. I had really big expectations and book didn’t disappoint me at all 🩷

[aurelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Seren Rose for this ARC and letting me read an early copy of this brilliant novel. This review is completely voluntary and honest
🏴‍☠️🧜‍♀️💜

To start off, I’m shocked by how quickly I got hooked on this story (I seriously could not put it down and I read it in less than 24 hours). The world building was utterly amazing and just the concept of the story was so unique that I have never read anything like it. I also loved Eryse and Sable because of how fearless they were and how they looked out for everyone around them which really went along with the story nicely. Their relationship and interactions with each other were so perfect and they had me smiling so wide every time they interacted.

The Song of Salt and Shadow is a must read for anyone who loves books about pirates and sirens and sea adventures. This story brought me back to that childhood wonder of whimsical fantasy worlds while being perfectly suited for my current tastes. I truly cannot recommend this book enough. There were huge Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but it was still so unique that I adored every twist and character. I’m so obsessed and I cannot wait to read anything else she writes!!

[Jenni | The Zesty Library 🧡✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Song of Salt & Shadow - Seren Rose 🌊🪸
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲?"
"𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗜'𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗲."

OMG - this story was exactly what my mermaid/siren/pirate/ocean loving soul needed!!
I am in absolute awe of this phenomenal plot, the characters, the character development, the paranormal elements of this story and the journey these characters embark on.

One of my TOP reads of the year and utterly captivating, beautiful, empowering and immersive.

I loved every minute of this. This book utterly consumed me and Eryse is going down as one of top FMC’s - I LOVE HER! 🥹🌊🪸

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC 🧡

🪸 Pirate Captain/Siren
🌊 Slow Burn
🪸 Earned Spice
🌊 Plot Twist
🪸 Dark Elements
🌊 Pirates of the Caribbean meets Phantasma

[Em ☽✦ღ · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all - this is a debut?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I’ve been following Seren on TikTok for ages, watching little snippets of this world come together, and getting to read it early as part of the ARC team genuinely feels like such a privilege. And let me tell you, it EXCEEDED every expectation I had.

Also can we talk about how there are simply NOT ENOUGH pirate romantasies out there??? Because there aren’t. And this??? This FILLS THAT GAP PERFECTLY. Pirates, sirens/mermaids, curses, sea magic, tension, yearning - ALL OF IT DONE SO WELL. I was hooked from page one and absolutely flew through it!!!

Eryse is SUCH a compelling main character. I loved that she exists between worlds, carrying that constant push and pull between land and sea, it added so much depth to her choices and identity. Watching her navigate trust, loyalty, and belonging while uncovering the mysteries around her had me completely invested.

And SABLE????? I’M SORRY BUT HELLO??? The tension??? The chemistry??? The slow burn??? I was LOSING MY MIND. Their dynamic is everything, sharp, layered, emotional, and the way their relationship builds from distrust into something deeper felt so natural and satisfying. Every scene with them had me kicking my feet and clutching my chest like PLEASE I NEED MORE 😭

The world itself is so immersive. The atmosphere is rich and slightly dangerous, with this constant sense of mystery threading through everything, from the curse to the wider pirate world and the secrets lurking beneath the surface. It has that perfect mix of adventure and emotional weight that keeps you turning pages way past when you should’ve gone to sleep.

And the found family vibes??? YES PLEASE. The crew dynamics, the bonds that form, the way characters come to care for each other, it all just hit so perfectly. I loved how even smaller interactions helped build that sense of belonging and loyalty.

Honestly, this book gave me that feeling of pure escapism while also making me FEEL so much. I was smiling, stressed, emotional, and completely obsessed the entire time!!!

Thank you so much to Seren for allowing me into this world early 🤍

[saima ۶ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to seren rose for an arc in exchange for an honest, voluntary review!

𑣲⋆｡˚ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 𓂃⋆.˚

no notes. absolutely none, what the heck!! 😭 can we PLEASE bring back pirate x siren books because this made me realise how much i genuinely missed this genre. from the moment i picked this up i was so excited to step back into that kind of world again, and it did NOT disappoint.

reading this felt so refreshing after reading a bunch of contemporaries lately. at first i was a little lost with some of the locations and everything being introduced, but once it all settled in with me, it genuinely started to feel like home. the atmosphere that was established was beyond incredible! 🥹 from the ocean to the ship, to the danger and the magic - it all felt so immersive that sometimes i genuinely forgot i was reading because it played out like a movie in my head (i hope u get what i mean).

eryse was SUCH a strong female lead, let me just start off by saying that. 🙂‍↕️ what i loved most about her was that we got to see her embrace both her strengths and her vulnerabilities. she kept pushing forward despite everything being against her and never gave up once. there were so many little moments where my heart genuinely hurt for her, but seeing her continue to persevere and eventually embrace herself fully was everything to me!

and sable. do i even need to write anything about him or will his name just do because oh my GOSH, no words actually. kicking my feet and giggling rn. just him breaking the pirate code for her, HELLO??? THAT ALONE, quite literally the epitome of romance!!! from the very beginning, the things he said had me FEELING THINGS 😮‍💨 i loved how strong and commanding he was, but also how deeply he cared for both eryse and his crew. the found family aspect was done SO well and it made me love the story even more because you could truly feel how much they all meant to each other.

the romance itself was written perfectly. and i mean PERFECTLYYY. even at like 10% in i could already feel the tension radiating off the two of them. i could see like literal smoke wafting out from my kindle 🤤🤤 the romance never took away from the story, but blended into the plot so naturally. it wasn’t rushed or overbearing, and it genuinely felt like sable and eryse healed parts of each other over time. a lot of books jump straight into romance without really exploring the emotional vulnerability behind it, but seren rose balanced it so beautifully here!!

ALSO LARK 🥹 my BABY. i literally felt maternal towards him the entire book. deffo one of my favourite side characters!! so attached to him.

the plot was INCREDIBLE. i was hooked from the very first line and there were so many layers and mysteries to it. i physically couldn’t stop reading because i NEEDED answers (i was up till like.. 5am. goodbye sleep schedule). i also loved the humour mixed in with the more serious moments - it was the perfect balance!! there were moments where i gasped and sat up in shock (cue chapter 29 - never forgiving u for that, btw), and other moments where i was smiling at my kindle screen like an idiot. 🧍‍♀️ only a teennyyy tiny handful of books have the ability of evoking a physical reaction from me and this book has joined that list

i also really loved how the story didn’t only revolve around sable and eryse, but gave attention to the side characters too! everyone played a small part, and everything that happened felt bigger than just the romance. i feel like it’s actually rare to find fantasy books that balance that so well!

going through the absolute rollercoaster that this story was made the ending feel so rewarding and emotional, my heart lowkey hurt a bit. 🥹🥹 i’m so attached to these characters now that one book genuinely does not feel like enough. i need an entire five book series about them immediately (please)!! 💳💳🏃‍♀️

seren rose, you have truly reignited my love for pirate romances. from the bottom of my heart, thank you for that, and again, thank you so much for providing me with the opportunity to read an arc of your debut!!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, and my review reflects my honest thoughts.

This book was such a fun read! I love the concept of a pirate and a siren falling in love, and this story did not disappoint! I could not put it down, I just flew through it so quickly, I was that invested in the story and wanted to see where it went.

The world building was so fun to imagine, the descriptions of people, places and things was very well done without being too little or too overly descriptive, and was able to bring that world to life in my mind. I especially enjoyed the names of the different seas, and how each one would take or give something to you, that was a unique add on that made the story more interesting. It made me want to be a part of the sailing adventure, too (even the terrifying parts). I also liked how the author included correct terms for the ship, adding realism to the scenes.

I loved all of the characters throughout this book. You truly love the good guys, and hate the bad guys. Our two main characters, Eryse and Sable, are true enemies being what they are, but realize over time that they are more alike then they think, and are both broken in their own way (a siren without a tail who is trying to find her path, a pirate who is cursed and is trying to break it). The slow build of their romance from enemies, to alliance, to friendship, to lovers, was well paced as they learn to understand the other, while also going through their own individual character developments and growth.

What made me love this book:
•storyline was well paced, no rushing, not too slow, got to the point each time, building up to the resolution or big reveal
•had enough of a mystery element regarding the curse before diving in to solve it
•little details and quotes that came back later in the book full circle
•satisfying revenge
•surprise elements were there
•main characters were not boring, did not have drawn out conflict or fighting, felt like a genuine connection was being made as the story progressed, making the romance enjoyable
•no cliffhangers, everything gets resolved, almost everyone has a happy ending, and everything gets tied up in a neat little bow

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and would read it again.

[Celise]

I started following this author a little while ago and oh my goodness I can't wait to read her book! I love supporting fellow teen authors and book genuinely seems so interesting, I can't wait until It's published 💕

[Jordy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW FOR THE SONG OF SALT AND SHADOW

First off, I’m so grateful to have been chosen to receive an ARC of The Song of Salt and Shadow by Seren Rose, thank you so much for the opportunity! This review is my honest and voluntary option as I am under no pressure to post a review after receiving this ARC.

One of my favourite things right from the start was the inclusion of a map (I always love a good map in fantasy), along with the really helpful breakdown of ship locations and terminology. It made everything feel much more immersive and easy to follow. The illustration of the ship, the Noctis, was also such a cool touch. I really appreciated having character names and explanations of their roles on the ship at the beginning too, it helped me settle into the story without constantly wondering who’s who. I also loved the sneak peak character art we got to see straight away which was incredible!

We start off by meeting the FMC as she is trying to connect with the sea and finally get her tail, she’s half siren half pirate, when she realises she’s been hunted. In this chapter I really liked that we got information about Eryse’s parents early on. She then ends up on the Noctis and meets Sable and the crew.

I will admit it did take a while to feel fully grounded. By chapter 7, I still didn’t know the FMC’s name, and when it was finally revealed, I wasn’t entirely sure how to pronounce it. I would’ve preferred that clarity a bit earlier and I struggled to feel connected in those first few chapters without knowing her name.

There were also a few small issues like repeated mentions (her canines and “brushed shoulders” came up quite often throughout the story) and some minor spelling or missing word errors but nothing major. There was also a slight continuity hiccup regarding the time whilst she was locked up on the Noctis at first, which confused me a bit. I would have also liked to know/find out more about what the “glim” actually was by the end but it didn’t bother me too much or affect how I viewed the overall story.

Now, onto the fun parts, the mystery! The introduction of the “ghost” man had me instantly intrigued. I needed to know more about him, and honestly… I liked him right away. His interactions with Eryse, especially the compliments, added a really engaging layer to the story as we had no idea who or what he was.

The characters were definitely a highlight. Grim brought some great humour, Lark was strong but sweet and Nightglass, Match and Harrow also really grew on me. I loved Sable from the start but liked him more and more as the story continued, especially as more of his motivations and secrets were revealed. His honesty and emotional openness were refreshing, and the way he stepped in to protect Eryse multiple times and also along with the rest of the crew backing her up at the end, was genuinely heartwarming. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the nickname “little fish,” but I did love when he started calling her “darling.”

The dynamic between characters really carried the story, with lots of small, flirty moments between Sable and Eryse that were cute without being overdone and the friendships between Eryse and the crew developing was lovely. The beach and corset scene stood out, and the reveal about the cursed crew and their shadows, especially Sable’s, was such a cool and creative twist. Another scene that stood out was Sable’s shadow showing Eryse his journal which had so much about her and also heartbreaking little messages to try and remember himself.

I also really liked Sable’s sister, and I wish we got even more of her!

The plot unfolded nicely, with secrets and reveals that kept things interesting, especially discovering how much Sable had been orchestrating behind the scenes. I am so glad that Eryse finally got her tail in the end. And I love a good epilogue, so having one from Sable’s POV was the perfect finishing touch.

Overall, this was a really enjoyable read with a strong cast of characters, an engaging plot, and a satisfying mix of romance and mystery. A few small pacing and repetition issues aside, it didn’t take away from how much I liked the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars)

[MaReads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fleeing from ruthless hunters, a half-human, half-siren woman boards the Noctis, a ship believed to be empty. Trapped at sea with a crew that despises sirens, she must forge an alliance with the brooding captain to survive, only to discover a power within her that transcends the sea itself.

4.5/5⭐️ — 3/5 🌶️ (1 chapter/41)

🏴‍☠️🧜🏻‍♀️ Pirate x Siren
❤️‍🔥 Slow burn
💘 He falls first
 ⛓️ She is captive
✨ Bound destinies
💗 Found family-ish

I absolutely devoured this book, it's a real page-turner that I could hardly put down! The mix of tension, the raw and dangerous depiction of sirens, and the deep emotional connection between the main characters made this an incredible reading experience. It hits the perfect balance between high-stakes adventure and a compelling, layered romance. I love that Seren Rose also weaves in themes of racial and cultural identity, giving Eryse a real sense of vulnerability and growth.

⚠️ Spoilers ahead

🌍 The Universe & Worldbuilding
The worldbuilding is fantastic, especially the concept of the seas acting as entities with their own rules and personalities. We encounter the Sea of Renewal, which heals in exchange for a memory, and the Sea of Bones, the final destination for pirates cursed to roam the waters. The lore of the sirens, depicted here as fierce, fanged, and bloodthirsty creatures rather than fragile maidens, brings a thrilling edge to the narrative. The curses on the pirate crews and the presence of sea witches create a dark and captivating atmosphere.

👩🏻‍🦳👨🏻 The Characters
Eryse (FMC): I love Eryse and her uniqueness: a siren without a tail, whose skin is speckled with gorgeous scales. She is a fascinating representation of mixed heritage, feeling too siren for the humans, and too human for the sirens. Her determination to navigate every sea in search of her transformation is both heartbreaking and admirable.

Sable (MMC): Sable is the quintessential brooding, charming, and torturous captain trying to fight his inner monsters. I love that he gives Eryse the benefit of the doubt early on, taking up a protective role despite the curse hanging over him.

Their mutual support is so satisfying: Sable gives Eryse a sense of belonging, and she is the light that pierces his darkness.

❤️ The Romance & Relations
The romance is an incredible slow burn. I absolutely love how they transition from intense mutual distrust to profound love. It’s very clear that Sable falls first, though he tries to keep his distance because of her siren nature and his crew's safety. For Eryse, it starts as a physical attraction, but it's Sable's underlying nuance and vulnerability that truly win her over.

🤔 What I would like to see developed
The world-building leaves a few fascinating threads that I would love to see expanded in a sequel:

The Siren Hunters: I’d like to know more about the hunters. We know they cut off scales to sell and use siren blood? But what exactly do they do with it?

Sea Witches & Royalty: The lore surrounding the sea witches was touched upon with Cailia, but I’d love to understand their origins and goals. Similarly, what is the royal fleet's ultimate purpose at sea?

I am definitely hoping for a prequel focusing on Cailia and Grim!

Recap & Recommendations
What I liked:
-The concept of sirens as fierce, fanged predators rather than delicate creatures
-The stunning worldbuilding, especially the unique seas and sea magic
-The compelling he falls first dynamic and the slow-burn romance
-Eryse's exploration of her mixed identity and belonging

What I liked less:
-The worldbuilding could have explained the motives of the siren hunters and the royal fleet a bit more clearly.

I recommend this book if: You love hate-to-love or slow-burn romance between a fierce captain and a captive-turned-ally, and enjoy immersive fantasy with dark sirens and deep, emotional worldbuilding.
I do not recommend this book if: You prefer fast-paced romances without high-stakes fantasy worldbuilding.

Thank you so much Seren, for sending me your book ! This genuine opinion is my own.

[Gyula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

**ARC Read**

4⭐️
1.5/5🌶️
First person/single POV (only epilogue from MMC POV)
Standalone
Format: e-arc

Spoilers ahead

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read her beautiful debut. (& to TT for putting me on to this author😂) I’m loving my mermaid-pirate era!

I don’t mind at all when a book opens softly & then throws us into the action. We meet the FMC who very clearly has not had it easy by being a siren without a tail. Such an original concept within the mermaid/siren romantasy space! For this subgenre, it’s so original that she barely has her siren song & a sprinkling of scales. She’s been through it but is still so understanding and fair. As the book goes on, there were even more unique & original aspects throughout that made this such a refreshing read.

The writing itself is so descriptive/it flows like water. it’s almost like I am actually on that ship/swimming through the words. The prose are so moving & touching but also pack a punch. The way the plot unfolds revolving the FMC is not soft or tender but harsh. I was really in pain with her as she was being treated like a pariah. There was barely any care for her from anyone (even the MMC) at the start. I LOVE how she did not make herself smaller to appease these men on board! She’s scrappy & determined & a fighter. I felt for her but it was never pity.

I like the subtle way the mystery on board started & then continued to grow & fuse with her character arc. The side characters, both good & bad were superb.

This is a standalone but I think it could have benefited from being slightly longer. I’m all for no info dumping but the world building & magic system is weak & didn’t have nearly enough explanation to it. both of the MC’s backgrounds are a bit too vague for my liking.

Now for the romance: unfortunately I did not enjoy it as much as the rest of the book. I’m all for no insta anything plus single POV but in this case, what we did get was not enough for me personally. I love when they’re not lusting after each other but I do need chemistry & I just didn’t feel their chemistry at the start & by the end it was only slightly improved. Also, I’m all for being just in her head but I honestly had enough of her pining/yearning. I wish we got all of that from him through her POV. We barely got interactions between them. Once things (excruciatingly slowly) started to move for them, the rest of the gorgeous book overshadowed their romance IMO.

Which brings me to the MMC: idk why but he was giving bland. I needed more of everything from him. Yes, this can be due to a specific plot point but still. He wasn’t giving enough simp energy or barely any energy. By the end we are to believe that he was down bad for her from the start but where? When?

As for the ending: I was really hoping for something truly unique in this subgenre of a siren staying a siren without a tail & still persevering & overcoming all that prejudice but alas. Giving her a tail after years of all that hardship was IMO an easy plot device. The ending was still lovely though.

Also: I saw no point in adding the scene of him gifting her the pink dress at the end but she never got a chance to wear it & it was never even acknowledged/brought up.

Another also: I really hate how similar these names are: Glim/Grim/Grimsbane. I think there could have been more creativity than this.

**Publishing 06/03/2026**

[Rachel’s Coffee & Rain Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

🏴‍☠️ enemies to lovers
🧜‍♀️ captor x captive
🏴‍☠️ pirate x siren
🧜‍♀️ adventure, curses, hunters
🏴‍☠️ found family
🧜‍♀️ slow burn

A fast-paced, slow burn adventure romance between a cursed pirate captain and tailless siren on the run, A Sea of Salt and Shadow offers everything we love about romantasy: rich world building, found family, a heroine coming into her power, a broody hero, and a hard earned love that defies all.

This book didn’t let up from the first chapter. I read it so fast, every time I thought I could set it down I had to keep going to see what happened next. It was non-stop adventure and tension, and I didn’t take my first deep breath until like 92% in.

Eryse (or Risa as she comes to be called) was everything we love in a FMC. Smart, empathetic, compassionate, compelling, strong. She’s felt ‘broken’ her whole life due never shifting into her siren tail and having a weak song, but the way she finds her voice (in more ways than one) aboard the Noctis was inspiring and genuine. I loved that she was soft and sweet, but her inner siren came out in times of distress and she let a little crazy slip lol. It was needed, and gave her teeth in a way that made her multidimensional and more complex. She had things to learn, and ways to grow, but she also wasn’t entirely helpless.

Sable, our broody hot and cold pirate captain was so layered I wasn’t sure what to make of him at first. Enigmatic and alluring, their chemistry was instantly apparent, but the push/pull he created between them left things tense and unsure for much of the story. Is he morally dark? Does he see Risa as an enemy, a potential ally, or a tool to be used? He kept me coming back for me because I simply needed to figure him out, and I was desperate for him to thaw enough to let Risa in.

Their quiet moments were so well done, actually connecting as two people sharing histories and traumas, and it was those scenes I felt the romance soar.

The found family was great, though I wanted more. I would have loved to see Risa bond with the pirates even more than she did, and really feel that sense of belonging she’s been missing. It was there, but could have been more.

I think this book mostly suffered from the lack of Sable’s POV. I felt a bit disconnected from him throughout, and his motives and what he was going through felt removed from the reader. I would have loved to dive deeper into his mind, let us feel his desperation and frustration, his internal struggle between being drawn to Risa and wanting to keep his distance, his sorrow reading his journal entries, etc. I won’t say much so as not to spoil the twists and turns, but I think this story could have felt so much more emotionally impactful, and the love story so much more epic and deep, had we been able to connect with Sable in that way.

This was still a slow burn (I mean slow) epic love story and the last 20% was so intense and wild I kept thinking it couldn’t be a standalone (fear not, it is!)

Lastly, I feel slightly conflicted about their HEA (you’ll see when you finish it) but I am choosing to believe in the fantasy aspect and that ‘all’ potential obstacles in their path to spending their lives together are surmountable and overcome 😏

Definitely recommend if you love pirate/siren romantasy, high adventure, twists and turns, action, and a slow burn to a hard earned HEA!

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

Oh Seren… You really could not have gifted me anything better.

I have never in my life written a review, but for you I’ll make an easy exception.

Getting to know you was a pleasure first. Then, working with your brain and creativity was anchoring in a turbulent year, and reading your well-crafted characters after scribbling their faces myself is an experience I’ll keep in my heart forever.
You are gifted, you are spilling magic from your finger tips and you are interesting, inspiring.

This book really dipped my brain in seawater. I felt close to Eryse, becoming scared for her, soft for her, proud of her. I could see what she saw and felt the same stings and itches she felt. Even the ugly parts made me grin with a certain pride that felt like we were sharing a moment.
The characters are interesting. The more we read about Eryse, the more I felt like I could truly understand what it’s like to be a siren. Becoming a pirate.
Sable, I felt like, was crafted with precision and a very detailed character in mind. Disliking him is not an option.
And Lark, oh my baby Lark, what I would do to laugh with you if only you were real. At first I was so scared he was going to be the pet-baby, a young boy merely there to center the pirates innocence. But I think he was the one to truly teach a siren how to trust a pirate. A perfect bridge of innocence and fault.

The worldbuilding in this book is easy to understand, complex enough to be interesting but not too over-explained that it makes you gain more questions than answers. I don’t think I have ever thought of the sea as an embodiment of power. As a god that controls many. But I trusted Seren’s view of the ocean in her world and never second guessed it.

It’s a flowy read, a captivating one, without being overly complex or strained. Plot driven, surprising and rim-filled with emotion and heartache.
Some small things were left bobbing on the surface, but no holes that disrupted the current of the story.

Reading and judging a book is done with the twist of a hand. But writing a story, your debut at that, and writing it with so much flow and humanity, is a piece of art that I’ll always praise you for.

Can’t wait for the next one <3

[Margaret Minoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️ | 1.5 🌶️

Thank you Seren Rose for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your ARC team.

After devouring two siren books in one month, I can safely say that I am officially back in my Pirates of the Caribbean era! The Song of Salt & Shadow is a total debut novel standout.

The Song of Salt & Shadow by Seren is a high-seas adventure featuring a crew of cursed pirates and a siren born without a tail who holds the key to either their salvation, or their downfall. Checks all my boxes: eerie mystery, pulse-pounding adventure, and a sizzling slow-burn romance that had me kicking my feet!

I was blown away by the world-building, especially for a debut. Seren is the silver-tongued siren of the ink; the life on the pirate ship, Noctis, truly came to life on the page. We follow Eryse, abandoned by her mother when she was just a child, leaving her to scavenge the streets to stay alive, desperate and hungry for more than 10 years. She trades the dangers of the streets for a pirate ship where her iridescent scales make her a walking target. Enter Captain Sable—the dashing and wicked MMC who is not so thrilled to find a siren stowaway on board.

The tension between Eryse and Sable? Chef’s kiss. Watching their tentative truce blossom into a sweet, heartfelt relationship while our siren unfolds the mystery behind the ghosts that come alive at night was a such a vibe. Seren does a brilliant job developing the characters and the adventure storyline first, making the romance feel earned and even more rewarding.

For readers who miss the magic of Peter Pan but want something a bit more "grown-up" and enchanting, this standalone romantasy is an absolute must read.

Bravo, Seren! I’m officially obsessed with mermaids and pirates now.

[Dayna | daynas.bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect for siren summer - add this to your tbr for a pirate / mermaid adventure! 🧜🏼‍♀️✨

3.75 ⭐️

Eryse is a siren born without her tail, stuck between two worlds. when she stows away on a pirate ship to escape capture, little does she know she’s running head first into an encounter with the cursed crew of the Noctis. the crew is on a quest to follow the mysterious “glim”, a glimmer in the sea that they think will lead them to breaking their curse before time runs out and they’re called to their death in the sea. Eryse is mysteriously able to draw out the glim, and allies with the crew in hopes it will also help her finally shift into her siren form. Along the way, she learns of the complexities of the crew’s curse and forms an unlikely connection with the captain, Sable.

I had so much fun reading this book! I actually wish there were a hundred or so more pages just to delve deeper into the world, magic systems, lore, and character depth. there’s so much potential in a world ripe with curses, sea witches whom the sea speaks through, different kinds of sirens, and pirate crew found family that i would have loved any deeper morsel of detail. In that same vein, I loved the reluctant alliance between Eryse and Sable - what’s not to love about a siren and a pirate?? the complexities of Sable’s curse bring out yearning that i loved, and would have loved to hurt a little harder as the reader throughout the process.

I definitely recommend this book for your Summer reading lists - perfect for a bingeable adventure that’ll make you yearn for the sea!

[Chapter 55 Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this as an ARC, and it completely pulled me in from the very start. I began the book on a Sunday morning and finished it that same afternoon, which honestly says everything about how engaging it is.
The story flows beautifully, with a plot that kept me hooked throughout. At first, I found the captain quite frustrating, but as the story unfolds, his motivations become clearer. This added a deeper emotional layer for me and made his character feel much more complex and real.
Eryse is a character I really liked. In the beginning, she came across as a bit passive, but as the story progresses, she grows into her power. I did find myself wishing for more explanation about this...why can she see the glim? How is that possible? A bit more depth here could have enriched the story even further.
The world-building is strong and immersive; I was drawn in almost immediately. That said, there are a few areas where more detail or clarification would have elevated the experience.
Of course, reading is always a personal journey, and part of the magic lies in how differently each reader experiences a story. Overall, I really enjoyed this book,it’s a wonderful escape and easy to get lost in for a while.
I’m especially curious to see if there will be a sequel. I would love to know how the story between Sable and Eryse continues. And Sable’s sister? Definitely an intriguing character I’d like to learn more about.
All in all, a captivating read that left me wanting more.

[Darci Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel - intrigued by the marketing and so excited to read the book!

I was hooked from the beginning. Eryse is such a charming character, and I enjoyed seeing the book unfold from her perspective.

I was confused about the magic system a bit as well as the seas in general, but it didn’t really affect the overall story or the read. There were just some plot points not fully fleshed out, and I felt like besides the FMC, the other characters existed as loose plot devices rather than unique and important characters. Some of the crew were mentioned by name only a few times, and even though I read the book in less than two days, I had a hard time remembering who they were, simply because they were so forgettable, and didn’t have personalities besides plot.

This book is a standalone - which I enjoy - I feel like so many books these days are part of infinite series.

I rated it 4⭐️ - I did really enjoy the novel, there were just some unexplained things I couldn’t get over - (slight spoiler but not really) the Glim in general, and the curse - why and how curses happen. As well as the seas in general and how they hold magic but not every sea holds magic, or do they? It was a little confusing. It was all so interesting, I just wanted more!

I also wanted MORE from the MMC. He was a pirate, but not soft enough and also not cruel enough. He had some EXCELLENT one liners, but they almost came out of nowhere. I wanted to hate him or love him, and I kinda just felt neutral about him besides through the FMC’s lens.

[maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review!

4,5⭐️

“Darling,” he breathes, “if you wanted me on my knees, you could have just told me.”

When I heard about this story, I was already so excited because it's quite difficult to find a pirate story, especially since it's the first time I've found one where the protagonist is a mermaid. I never imagined I would fall so in love with this book, it's so perfect.

I thought it was great that the protagonist wasn't a "complete" mermaid; it made everything more interesting, and how the mermaid developed this conflict, her living with the conflict of belonging to the sea and the land.

I also loved the story's setting so much!! This atmosphere, which we later discover about the curse that unfolds, how to escape it, and also the mission the pirates are after. The investigative atmosphere that the character tries to use to find out about certain things, and how she manages to win over each person at every moment (I was so moved by her managing to befriend them 😭💞).

“While I tried to resist, tried to avoid you, to make you hate me,” he says and glances away, only for a brief second before our eyes meet again. “My shadow couldn’t. My soul was drawn to you, and I knew I was doomed to want someone I could never have.”

And about the romance... omg I got hooked, the dynamic between Eryse and Sable was so enjoyable to read, the slow burn, enemies to lovers, the way they managed to create a relationship of trust with each other

[E H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it the year of the pirate themed novels? No? Well it should be.
A siren stumbles upon a pirate ship, as she hopes to run from the only life she’s ever known. Her plan to hide away until they reach the next shore fails when the Captain of the ship, and our MMC smokes the siren out of hiding and into captivity. Along the way, our Siren FMC starts noticing some inexplicable things happening on the ship. Sable, our pirate captain MMC seems like two different people, with multiple different motives, someone keeps visiting Eryse in the night, and the waters they travel through come with their own difficult trials. Eryse quickly goes from captor to savior, even though pirates have been raised to despite her kind!

This story unravels so cleanly, and the climaxes hit at just the right time. There’s a tiny bit of insta-love ish tension, but beside that, the two characters really grow together naturally.. which makes sense considering they are stuck on a ship together with intertwined fates.

How Seren built such a beautiful world when 90% of the book takes place on a ship is BEYOND me, but she did it. While this is a standalone (I think?) I would easily read a trilogy of our two main characters traveling the open seas together, learning about each other, and hunting those who have done them harm. Maybe even helping other pirates along the way? Wow it would be gorgeous. That’s how much Seren makes you love her characters.

[Chelsie reads books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

thank you so much to the author for sending me this ARC in exchange for a voluntary review 🤍

when the book popped up on my fyp I knew I had to apply to read it! anything with sirens literally has me foaming at the mouth. I cant get enough.

this book captured my attention from page 1 and I found myself reading chapter after chapter. finished this within a couple days! as a debut novel, this definitely had some strong points. The relationship between the fmc and mmc didnt feel rushed, which I liked. The writing style was beautiful and very atmospheric, descriptive and the plot was intriguing.

I marked this 3.75 due to the plot being confusing at times. I was thrown off by the female main characters name - it was introduced slightly late but then it was shortened/ given a nickname with no context, so at first I thought this was an error, but it kept being used more often than her proper name. There was a point where the ghost & the captain both use it but she doesnt connect the dots until later.

I would have liked to have know more about the glim (which was slightly confusing as one of the characters is called grim) and also how it connected to our fmc. The curse could of been delved into more as well, as this is a stand alone romantasy, I would of loved moreeee!

just small errors here and there but the concept was interesting, it was full of twists and turns and the book has so much potential to be a stand out! ✨⭐️

[Natasha Chidgey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge huge thank you to Seren Rose for my first ever ARC! 💜
(This review is voluntary and completely honest)
🏴‍☠️ 🧜🏻‍♀️🪸 🌊
Pirate × Siren
Enemies to lovers
Captor × Captive
Slow burn
Curses, Hunters, Magic, Adventure

Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️

"Why did you kiss me"
"Because darling, I'm selfish. And resisting you is like telling the moon to stop pulling the tide"

This had me giggling and kicking my feet!!
This had to be a top read of 2026.

I absolutely loved this book, I had seen about it on Instagram and then tiktok and knew I just had to read it. I have followed Seren for a while and kept seeing snippets of this and was so excited. Never having been an arc I was unsure of the process and didn't expect to receive an early copy of this beautiful book. I was absolutely over the moon when I received it!
This story had me absolutely HOOKED from start to finish I read it in less then 24hrs and will definitely be rereading! The story itself so unique and well written I forgot I was reading and could picture everything so perfectly. I fell in love with the characters Eryse and Sable both so well written. The world building was so beautiful as well and I loved every part of this book.

I have never read a pirate x siren book before this but I am now absolutely craving for more! But I don't think any of them stand a chance.

[Tonje Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eryse (fmc) lived a hard life without much love and as a siren she has also been without a tale and weak magic.

As she escapes hunters she unknowingly gets on a pirate ship. Pirates who hate sirens and make all of them out to be manhunting, flesh eating piranahs...From there the story unfolds into a push and pull between Erys and Sable (the pirate captain) and Erys and all of the crew.

I felt bad for Erys for much of the book because she was treated so badly by nearly everyone on the ship and those few who was a little nice did not give her much either. But The relationship between Erys and Sable is restraint and shallow. So I did not get the connection between them in the first half when he was so standoff-ish, mean and overlooked her completely. From that to I really like you and need you was a bit fast, but that's just me I guess. It did not bother me for the overall story!

The different storylines from Erys' story and the captain and the crews' story was interesting! And it really reminded me of like a mix of Pirates of the caribbean and Peter Pan. That mixed with Erys who lacks her tale as a siren was very new and unique. And it all wrapped up nicely in the end!!

As a debut this is a strong start and I look forward to what comes next from Seren!

Thank you Seren for the gifted book, I really enjoyed it!!

[RoseGreyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the social media art before I read it, but I loved the story even more!

Eryse is such a strong character in ways people often do not recognize, because she is strong in her heart and her empathy. The heartbreaking perspective she has growing up as a siren without her tail, her full power, her identity essentially which meant she couldn’t belong with get Mother’s swarm, but couldn’t find her place with people either is so deep but didn’t color her hope and optimism even when things looked so dark. She is a perfect balance of soft but badass FMC! And who doesn’t love a sarcastic cocky pirate captain with a dark side and heart of gold?! Sable was truly an MMC to root for, seeing his struggle with his curse, but continue to put his crew and Eryse before himself. He believed in her so much and is 100% the kind of guy who “if he could not walk to her, he would crawl”.

I loved that Eryse was looking for someone to love her despite being a siren (and a “broken” one at that) but truly I felt Sable loved her BECAUSE she was a siren, but not in how that benefited him but in how that made him appreciate her strength, kindness, and spirit. These two were unlikely lovers on a journey so much bigger than themselves and I loved every page of it. Thank you so much for the ARC read from the author, this is review reflects my honest, voluntary opinion.

[Laureninpink · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review ✨

A pirate x siren Romantasy will always be at the top of myTBR! The Song of Salt & Shadow won me over with its overall plot, yearning, and of course- the crew <3

The MMC was easily one of my favourite parts of the story; charismatic, layered, and impossible not to root for. I personally love when the FMC isn’t a damsel in distress all the time, actually has a back bone, as well as character development throughout. Bonus points for the crew having some characters that I genuinely grew attached to. It made reading this book a whole lot more enjoyable!

I also have to mention the acknowledgements at the end - referring to readers as part of the crew was 🥹✨

There were a few spelling errors and occasional misused words throughout that I hope will be amended before release, but overall it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.

Wishing you Seren every success with this release, and I’d absolutely love to see more stories set amongst this crew in the future. Keep the Pirates of the Caribbean energy and the yearning coming please✨🏴‍☠️⚓️💗


✨I clearly loved a lot of quotes and parts of this book as I have 87 annotations but this was one of my faves -

🏴‍☠️“I am very much wedged between two pirates - not a bad place to be tbh”🏴‍☠️

[spellsofthepage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This romantasy was such a fun that I couldn't put down. The combination of a half-siren FMC and a pirate MMC completely swept me away, and the worldbuilding was stunning. The magical oceans felt so unique and vivid that every scene played out like a movie in my head. If you love pirates, mermaids, and adventurous fantasy romances, this book absolutely delivers.
The story balances adventure, emotion, and romance so well. I especially loved the found family dynamics and the sweet banter between the characters—it made the crew feel real and lovable. The character growth throughout the story added a lot of heart, and the plot twist genuinely surprised me (not gunna say what it was 🤐) and added so much more depth to the overall story.
The romance was soft and engaging, with just enough tension and one-spice-level chemistry to keep things fun without overpowering the plot. And yes, the “he washes her” among so many other sweet scenes had me 🥺💕. There’s also a small amount of gore, but nothing excessive.
Overall, I had such a great time reading this book. The characters were memorable, the setting was magical, and the story captured the wonder and adventure that every pirate-and-mermaid fan dreams of.

[Caitlyn ✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author, and my review reflects my honest opinion.

OMG this book?! It's so beautiful and captivating - from the cover to the story and characters, and everything in between, I was hooked! I would've read this in one sitting if I was able to.

The story follows Eryse, a siren without a tail who has been alone from a young age, and Sable, a pirate who is the captain of the Noctis and, alongside his crew, has been cursed by the sea. They meet when Eryse boards the Noctis whilst running from siren hunters, who are determined to capture her.

Together, they sail the various dangerous seas in an attempt to 1. break the curse on the Noctis's crew and 2. finally gain Eryse the shift into her full siren form that she has longed for. However, there are strange occurences aboard the Noctis that bring forth questions and secrets for Eryse and Sable to work through.

I absolutely loved the world building, the adventure, the romance, even the side characters were amazing (Lark is definitely my favourite of them!) and the story was the perfect length. If you're looking for a romantasy book with pirates, sirens, sea witches, ghosts and a whole lot of intrigue, I cannot recommend this book enough. I look forward to Seren Rose's next work!

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from author!

3.5🌟 for a debut standalone this was a lot of fun! Quick read following a siren without a tale, and cursed pirate captain. You give me pirates and sirens/mermaids I am going to eat it up, and this was no exception. The setting, the lore, chemistry, and the crew (loved them!) made this hard to put down. ✨🧜🏻‍♀️🏴‍☠️ Would recommend for fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, In The Veins of Drowning or A Ship of Bones and Teeth books.

There were unfortunately a lot of technical errors. Continuity issues with the timeline (ex: things mentioned as happening “last night” occurred a few days prior). We didn’t learn the sirens name for a while then it kept alternating between either different spelling or a nickname? There was a lot of repetition like “shoulders brushing”, and some names sounded too alike: Glim, Grim and Grimsbane. I’m also still a tad confused about the origin of the curse and Glim, so some of the plot could have been fleshed out as well as the editing.

Overall had a fun time reading and look forward to what Seren does next!

Thank you again Seren Rose! I received this ARC and my review reflects my honest, voluntary opinion.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

Thank you so much to the author for the ARC! I had been searching for a great pirate romantasy for ages and finally found it!🧜‍♀️🏴‍☠️

The story:
The worldbuilding is immersive and unfolds naturally as we learn the “rules of the sea”. The descriptions of the different seas are vivid and even the side characters feel layered and memorable. The story feels fresh and original, constantly pulling me deeper in and making me more curious as it unfolded.

The character:
Eryse surprised me in the best way. At first, she gave off a damsel-in-distress vibe, but her growth throughout the story was beautifully done. Her struggles with her missing tail and feeling disconnected from her inner siren added so much emotional depth to her character.

And Sable? A cocky, flirtatious, cursed pirate with a soft heart underneath? Impossible not to love! His chemistry with Eryse felt natural and earned, and the slow-burn romance had me completely invested.

This is perfect for anyone looking for a story filled with cursed pirates, sirens, slow-burn romance, atmospheric worldbuilding, and a touch of mystery and adventure!⚔️🪸🫧

What to expect:
• Siren FMC
• Cursed pirate MMC
• Slow burn romance
• Found family
• Mysterious lore
• Pirates of the Caribbean vibes

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited about the concept for this story and was lucky enough to receive an arc for it.

Pirates and sirens stories are something that immediately pick up my interest.

This book was good. The concept was interesting. However, the execution fell a little flat. The world building could be done better, as there were several things that could be explored more, or better explained. There were different oceans and they were all magical, but we don't learn more than the basics of them.

In the same vein, the characters were interesting, but I didn't manage to form a connection with any of them. Not even the main characters.

I understand there is going to be at least another book set up in this world. However, I don't feel like we properly wrapped up the story for the MCs of this one in a way that set up expectations for the next book. It was an ending but it didn't feel satisfactory, as I still have a million questions for these MCs like: what happened with the FMC mother? Are sirens able to shift to two legs? Otherwise how was the FMC born? Is the FMC able to shift back and forth? If not, how can the MCs handle a relationship?

Overall, a good read but it left me wanting more. Thank you to the author for giving me this arc 💕

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A massive thank you to Seren Rose for this ARC!

“Darling” he breathes, “if you wanted me on my knees, you could have just told me.”

SWOOOOOOOON. The man that you are Sable 👏🏻

Gosh I have been so incredibly excited about this book since I saw Seren posting TikToks teasing it! This is my first pirate x siren romance and I am officially hooked.

I do have to say, I love that she provided a beautiful map and a breakdown of ship locations & terms which helped immensely. I also liked that she gave a breakdown of characters and what their role is on the ship.

Gosh I loved the banter between Eryse & Sable, the subtle flirting. Then our mystery ghost, he added so much. I loved this aspect so much and then learning of the curse and how he would journal to try to remember and it being filled with things about Eryse 😭

The side characters were so much fun too, I have such a soft spot for Lark and Seren got me so good when the nightmare happened.

Overall I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to get a hold of a physical copy!

“You never had to use your song on me. I was always yours. And I will always be”