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Taken by a Gorgon

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Princess Calla has never fit in with her family's expectations. Necromancers were meant for combat, but all she wanted to do was dance with the spirits. When she has finally had it with her mother's lectures, she takes off into the forest surrounding the Dead City to make her own way in the world.

What she did not expect was an encounter with a monster that would turn her to stone.

Nathaira had lived a solitary life after being cast out from gorgon society. She was content with her home, her art trade--until her magic lashed out at an innocent woman. An innocent and incredibly beautiful woman. Nathaira quickly tangles herself in a web of lies and deceit that she has no way of undoing without hurting herself and Calla in the process.

This standalone romance novelette is set in the world of Domhan na Rùin, in the Dead City of the necromancers. Please check the content considerations.

69 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

3 people are currently reading
26 people want to read

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Emma Elizabeth

11 books75 followers

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Poppy || Monster Lover.
1,821 reviews507 followers
December 31, 2025
3.5 stars
I liked Calla and her impulsivity. She was an interesting character. Nathaira was broody but did genuinely care for Calla. I disliked the lie she told and thought it took away from their budding romance. It was a weird lie.

Spice: 3/5

Triggers: kidnapping, captivity, threat of human sacrifice, toxic family, necromancy (just spirits), past murder, mention of marital rape
Profile Image for Lili.
170 reviews4 followers
October 26, 2025
A very sweet read.
Calla the princess of Daosbor, is constantly talked down to by her mother for not commanding the spirits, but dancing with them.
Calla snaps and runs away, she would rather leave than be the disappointment of the family. Her freedom doesn’t last very long because she gets kidnapped by a Gorgon.

Nathaira, a Gorgon who’s been alone for a very long time, stumbles upon Calla dancing in the forest. She’s enthralled with her from that very moment and has to find a way to speak with her, even if it means turning Calla into stone.

Kind of funny meeting and oh so sweet. I think my favorite thing in this book was how Nathaira describes Calla, especially when she sees her for the first time. Then her actions to make Calla comfortable and happy instantly warmed my heart!

Very good short read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Eel.
Author 2 books10 followers
October 17, 2025
A silly & spicy sapphic novelette. When Calla isn’t appreciated by her parents, which isn’t hard for an unmarried 30 year old princess who’s sole purpose in life is to break it down and turn any surface into a dance floor, she runs away and falls in love with a gorgon. Nathaira is stoic on the outside and hilariously nervous inside. I didn’t like where her snake hair bit Calla (ouch) but they did have multiple spicy scenes, which is great. This story is really vivid and has a good amount of world building for only 100 pages.
Profile Image for Ana Ruano.
112 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2025
Princess Calla has never quite fit into her family’s expectations. As a necromancer, she’s supposed to be built for battle—but all she wants is to dance with spirits. After one too many lectures from her mother, Calla runs away into the forest surrounding the Dead City… only to cross paths with a lonely gorgon whose touch could turn her to stone. Nathaira has spent years in isolation after being cast out from gorgon society, content in her solitude—until an accident binds her fate to Calla’s in a way neither expected.

What really stood out to me was the tenderness in the way Nathaira sees Calla. The way she describes her when they first meet, the care she takes while Calla is trapped in her home, and the quiet respect she shows by giving her space to dance—the one thing her family never allowed her to do. It’s soft, emotional, and unexpectedly healing. This story reminds us that sometimes, the acceptance and understanding we crave come from the person we least expect, at the most unexpected time.

I loved this novella! For being around 100 pages, it’s packed with heart, detail, and vivid worldbuilding. Emma Elizabeth’s writing instantly pulls you in—you can practically feel the forest air, the tension, and the soft moments between Calla and Nathaira. Her “cozy fantasy” tagline fits perfectly; it’s comforting and magical but still delivers the kind of beautifully written spice that feels earned and intimate.

I couldn’t put it down and found myself wishing there was more. Emma Elizabeth has definitely earned a spot on my must-read list!

If you love cozy fantasy with rich emotion, tender sapphic romance, mythical beings, and stories about finding belonging in unexpected places—Take by a Gorgon will absolutely enchant you.
Profile Image for R.
14 reviews
October 24, 2025
This is an ARC review and the book was kindly given to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

Calla, a necromancer, is not appreciated by her royal family due to the way she chooses to express her gift and decides to escape the city and its expectations of her. Nathaira, a Gorgon, lives in exile in the forest outside the Dead City due to traumatic events from her past. Let’s just say, when she is stunned by the beauty of Calla’s dancing, she doesn’t exactly handle it in the best way.

I really enjoyed my time with Taken by a Gorgon. Sometimes I just want to read something that I know I can finish in a day and this 100 page novelette was perfect. I thought the characters were lovely and flawed in a wonderful way. I was surprised at the level of detail and world building that was included in such a short time span. There were plenty of spicy scenes included which isn’t always the case in novelettes.

I would highly suggest you give this a read!
Profile Image for • jennifer •.
8 reviews
October 24, 2025
🖤 Taken by a Gorgon by Emma Elizabeth, Arc Review 🖤
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Thank you so much Emma Elizabeth for the ARC copy of this book!! Be sure to get your copy today!! ☺️
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I loved this story!! The people, world building and story were all very well developed for its short page count. It was easy to get lost in the pages of this world and feel like you were right in the story with the characters. Also, it was a good mixture of sweet and spicy! 🩵
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Calla is a princess whose family doesn’t appreciate her talents and magic. Natharia is a gorgon, banished by her family, living alone in the woods outside the city walls. When Calla attempts to escape palace life, and her unsupportive family, she never could have imagined the magic and lies she would end up tangled in. 🐍
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My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5)
Profile Image for Violet.
171 reviews7 followers
October 25, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

👀Tropes: Sapphic Monster Romance with insta-lust and captor/captive.

☠️CW: Kidnapping, Mention of Past Rape, Pretend Discussion of Human Sacrifice

🪢Kinks: Fisting, Snake Smut (👀)

📚Read Method: Kindle eBook. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

✨My Thoughts: I freaking love Emma's book, especially the novellas. The short, sweet, spicy, quick reads are just a breathe of fresh air. A great story, a wonderful pallet cleanser.

💖Quotes: "Tonight I am going to have you screaming my name first; hands to yourself, alright?"
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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