Tethered Vengeance

by S.Y.K. Kelly

A dark romance fairy tale reimagining of the infamous Beauty and the Beast.

I've been called many things,
ravishing, ruthless, pure evil,
but when Belira Moreau calls me
Menace,
I become an even bigger one.
And when she runs,
I follow.
I've hunted my
little monster
once before, but this time is different.
She left me.
Our past was built on
blood and deceit,
but our story hasn't ended yet.
And it won't until all the villains in her life are six feet under,
even if it means I am too.

Tethered Vengeance is a dark romance and the fifth of the interconnected novella series Cruel Kingdoms, where the villains get to tell their stories.

Genres: Dark

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

SYK KELLY IS A DARK ROMANTASY WRITER WHOSE BOOKS REIMAGINE THE CLASSIC MYTHS AND STORIES WE ALL KNOW, BRINGING A DARK, SULTRY, EPIC,
ROMANTIC TWIST.

Cruel Kingdoms series: dark fairy tale retellings

Cruel Gods series: dark Greek mythology retellings

Reviews

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads)]

4⭐️
2.5🌶️
💙Tropes
🥀Dark Romance
💙Gaston's story
🥀Beauty & the Beast Vibes
💙Forced Marriage
🥀Pierced MMC
💙B100D k!nk
🥀Dual First Person POV

Welcome back to the Cruel Kingdoms, where the villains get their stories told. Tethered Vengeance is dark and twisted Beauty and the Beast retelling, where there are many evils, but Gaston is not one of them. Greyson was raised from a young age to be cruel and brutal. While takes his leave in a peaceful town is where he first sees Lira with her nose stuck in a book. Lira is a special character, she experiences highs and lows so severely she’s named them, La Belle and Le Bete, the beauty and the beast. Lira and Greyson’s story is told in dual timeline and with flashbacks. However, I was kept from being fully immersed in the story while trying to piece everything together. These two are complex and layered characters. Together they navigate their pasts, truamas, flaws, with unwavering devotion for each other. Everything they have they fought for and they have the scars to prove it. Theirs is a deep, raw, and painful love. They go through it before they find their peace. You will feel all the feels through all the unexpected twists and turns. I loved all the references to the original fairytale and the cameos of previous characters. This is a reminder that even villains deserve a happy ending, bu it might be a dark and a little twisted.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 4
Engaging: 4
Character: 4

Thank you SYK Kelly for the gifted advanced copy.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“Face of an angel, mouth of a devil.”

“My little monster. My f_€ k!ng haven.”

“I want all of you, La Belle, Le Bête, fighting or laughing. I want any parts you’re willing to give me.”

“You’re never going to be too little or too much for me, and I’m not going anywhere.”

“As much as she loves her books, she loves her life more. And that’s all I ever wanted to give her. Life with her is a gift.”

“A beast will hold you captive and dull your shine. He’ll keep you for himself, but the monster will see you and share you, put you on a throne if you ask for it. The monster sees that little monster inside you and understands.”

“He may be my villain, but he’s also my savior. A tale old as time itself.”

[Valeria Jiun]

Wowowowowow syk kelly did it again. This is book 5 in the cruel kingdoms series and it might be my favorite 🤩 we get our dark twisted beauty and the beast retelling that truly asks… but what it Gaston 👀 i was OBSESSED with the b&b references, it was great to check in on characters from previous novellas and then the spice!!! Whoooweeee syk always delivers 🥵 i was blushing!

Read if you love: (dark and twisted) fairy tale retellings, obsessive mmc, forced marriage, st@lking, pierced 🍆, bl00d k!nk, groveling 🤤

Releasing July 21,2026

[Febe]

SYK Kelly has done it again, she wrote another 5 star read.

I cannot express how much I love the world she has built and the characters in it. And I have to be honest, I think Lira and Grayson are my favorites up until now. Their love story was so beautifully written… Honestly, I might have cried…

I love the way SYK Kelly connects all the books in the Cruel Kingdoms series, and I loved reading about characters from the other stories again. She does these easter eggs so well, creating so many “OMG!” moments that made me want to reread the entire series ASAP.

Tethered Vengeance is a dark and twisted Beauty and the Beast retelling (Gaston’s story) for readers who love an obsessive mmc, forced marriage and mental health rep.

Thank you SYK Kelly for the ARC

[hannahsbookhaven]

I have been needing Beauty & the Beast with a twist and I knew SYK was going to give me exactly what I wanted. She has such a beautiful way of retelling fairytales with unique and fun twists that surprise me every time. Lira is so intriguing and I loved learning about her story. Grayson is a man that will end anyone who hurts the woman he loves and is completely obsessed with all of her. The light stalking in this one is a good, fun time. Their love story is one of a kind and brings all the emotions out of you. The twists and turns and villain reveals were perfect and brilliantly written. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I had so much fun reading this one!

Reading all books in the series will bring you full circle and give the best experience but it’s not mandatory in order to enjoy this story.

Thank you syk for this arc in exchange for my honest review. I love you and this series so much! 🖤

[blossomingwood]

How do I write a spoiler free review for book 5 in a series that continues to make me cry, blind side me, and pull the rug out from under me in the best ways possible?

I think the right way is to say this is an amazing dark retelling of Beauty and the Beast that goes so well with the first 4 books that I highly recommend you start with book 1 right now. And grab Kleenex’s, you need them for all 5 books.

The things I shouldn’t mention still keeping it spoiler free because you may want to read it more are:
- details about the FMC and MMC that are an adorable black cat and Doberman-Retriever mix who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Dark retelling, remember.
- bringing up that the lore tied up in this book was done in such an elegant way that I had tears softly rolling down my cheeks before I realized it.
- explaining that the heart wrenching moments caught me by surprise. Not in a gotcha way, but in a put the book down and walk away for 5 minutes type of way.

SYK keeps raising the bar with these stories and I love reading them! If you like dark romance, and twisted retellings of fairytales, give the Cruel Kingdoms series a read.

[Delaney]

Review of advanced copy received from author.

5/5 stars ⭐️ 3.5/5 spice 🌶️

This book was truly a full circle moment. From book 1 to book 5, you are taken on an emotional roller coaster. Tethered Vengeance is a dark fairy tale retelling based on Beauty and the Beast, from the POV of both Gaston and Belle. I was hooked from the very last page!

SPOILERS!

Learning about the Troves origin story was so wholesome but also tugged on my heartstrings. All the Easter eggs came full circle. The creation of Grim Rose, the creation of the Trove. Learning of the history and the hurt of the Trove and its members.
I always love and appreciate the mental health representation S.Y.K. Kelly includes in her stories. Reading about Lira and her two persona, La Belle (the beauty) and Le Bête (the beast), made me feel seen and feel a little less alone. The love that Grayson has for Lira and how he is still able to love Lira when Le Bête shows up truly brought a smile to my face. It showed me that true love will always be. When Grayson thought Lira left him AND he still went looking for her until it killed him, or he found her. Vowing to find and kill the man who took Lira is true love. That man being king Abel Aramos was chef kiss. I was hooked from the first page to the last!

[Ashes And Ink]

I will never get tired of these villain’s stories. The Cruel Kingdoms Series is without a doubt one of my favorites and Tethered Vengeance is a phenomenal addition! Grayson and Belira are my second favorite couple of this interconnected standalone series. Their story is so tragically beautiful, and the conclusion is beyond satisfying.

I enjoy how the author puts a unique spin on this beauty and the beast retelling. Belira is the beauty…and the beast. I found it easy to quickly become invested in Belira as a character. Her struggles are not only from a past filled with unfortunate circumstances but also from trying to exist in a world where she is not understood or fully accepted. What I loved most about Belira is that what she wants above everything is to experience life!

Grayson is a perfect counter to Belira. He doesn’t want to stifle her or hide her away. He doesn’t simply tolerate her when she may be “too much” because it is never enough for him. This man is an absolute cinnamon role for her and has the patience of a saint. He meets her where she is and pushes her where she needs even if it makes him her villain. I am always here when we see the big, strong man have emotional intelligence, not only for those he loves but for himself as well, and Grayson nails this for me.

Since this is an interconnected series I was giddy every time the characters from the other books made an appearance. While this book can absolutely be read on its own, the way the author connects all these stories is a fantastic experience. The connection between this story and the overarching story created in this world seem seamless. This book is well paced for me and is an easy read to pick up and lose yourself in. Time raced by and I could not get enough. This is a dark retelling and provided just enough darkness to satisfy my dark little heart.

I absolutely recommend this book if you always though…but what if…when it came to the villains. I recommend this entire series for those who like their fairytales a little darker. You won’t regret it. I know I have not regretted a second of these books, and Tethered Vengeance provides the most satisfying ending.

[Mrs.MorallyGrayReads]

This was my first Beauty and the Beast inspired retelling, and wow, what an experience.

S.Y.K. Kelly took the familiar fairy tale and transformed it into something completely unexpected. While the inspiration is there, this story stands entirely on its own,. It delivers an original, dark, and emotionally gripping journey that constantly kept me guessing.

The twists were jaw dropping. Each raising the stakes and pulling me deeper into the story. I never knew where things were headed, and each revelation completely changed the trajectory of my understanding each time.

Ultimately Lira and Grayson stole my heart. Their love story is deep, raw, painful, and beautifully written. Every moment between them is earned. Watching them navigate their trauma, flaws, and unwavering devotion to each other made them one of my new favorite fictional couples.

The characters are incredibly layered. No one is perfect, every single one feels authentic, compelling, and impossible not to become attached to. Even with all their darkness, they’re deeply lovable.

This was my first book by S.Y.K. Kelly, and it definitely won’t be my last. I cannot wait to pick up the rest of the books in this series.

[Mimi Lee]

What a good surprise this series was!
I‘m still pretty new to fairytale retellings but I can honestly say SYK Kelly‘s Cruel Kingdoms Series woke a new interest for the genre!

A dark Beauty and the Beast retelling that keeps you on your toes and had me gasp more times than I thought I would or should. 🥺 Well that‘s what you get when the villain gets to tell their story.
It‘s dark, it‘s intense, there are a lot of twists and it‘s overall such an exciting read! There is a lot of trauma and navigating through life with those scars. Lira and Grayson have been through so much; the mental health representation is so important and welcome. I loved both of those characters, their journey is rough but so rewarding in the end! I loved seeing how their relationship evolved. Also the spice! 👀🔥

Tethered Vengeance really took me on an emotional journey that made me reflect on trauma and healing.

Thank you SYK Kelly for this gripping ARC.💕

[Skyler Reel]

5/5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶️

WOW!!! SYK Kelly does it again and absolutely blows my mind, the way she had these stories align and connect all to this point is so so good!! This being the last book in Volume 1 of the Cruel Kingdom series is bittersweet, one because you know these characters stories are coming to an end, and secondly because the overall villain in all these characters stories comes to such such an very deserving end 🔥🤭 . Tethered Vengeance is SYK’s retelling on the fairytale Beauty and the Beast (my personal all time favorite fairytail). Grayson and Belira have my whole heart, these two characters have both endured so much including the hard lesson of having to learn to embrace the beast within ourselves.

Tropes:
🧡His little Monster
💙Her Menace
💀Touch her and die
🩸Blood play
💍Forced marriage
🥀Stalker
📚Observant and awkward but deadly FMC
🖤Tatted and pierced MMC

[Tequilla]

If you have not read anything from the Cruel Kingdoms series you are definitely missing out! Furthermore, if SYK writes it, I’m going to read it!

I was to preface this first by saying check the trigger warnings! Your mental health is important!

I love a fairytale reimagining and the books in this series do not miss… this one specifically! These books are so well written and easy to read, can be read as standalones but I highly suggest reading them all.

Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairytales and this was executed very well 🥹 thank you so much for the opportunity to receive this arc 🫶🏽

[Julia]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

3.5 stars

I always love retallings! I love seeing the small references and parallels between characters and seeing how much of the original is kept or changed, especially when there's villains involved! I did enjoy the push and pull between the characters, the mental health representation, and all the little details throughout the story.

The main thing that threw me off was the timeline. I felt a bit lost during the time skips and sometimes felt like I was missing some context. It is an interconnected series though! It's definitely still worth checking out if you enjoy dark retellings

[Kelsey]

Check the trigger warnings before you read this book. This is book 5 in the Cruel Kingdom series, they are interconnected standalones but I recommend reading the others to understand the characters, plus they are amazing. This is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and man did it have me hooked! The details were amazing. I loved how all the characters came into play and getting to see a little bit of the past characters. The spice was hot! I liked how Grayson got tied up lol. Im so ready for the next book.

[Stephanie Skiffington]

This is my absolute favorite of the Cruel Kingdoms series! I'm obsessed with the Beauty & the Beast retelling. This is dark, but in a very good way! I adored Lira and Grayson, they are flawed and morally grey wonderful characters. They both have had so much trauma and they have bonded really close. The journey they have together is just so good and they are so obsessed with each other. The whole story was a whirlwind and there were some points I just had to sit there for a couple of minutes. It was an amazing story and highly addictive! I'm so excited for the next one!!

[Angiewagg]

I love the Cruel Kingdoms series!
And this book did not disappoint.
Just make sure to read the trigger warnings.
Beauty and the Beast in a different time and more characters.
I love how SYK described the characters. They came to life in my mind.
I was hooked from the beginning and didn't stop till I finished the book. Can not wait for the next in this series.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jackie Taylor]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ok if you guys haven’t started the series yet what are you doing because immediately start you could read these as individual standalone they are interconnected so I totally recommend reading them all. They’re nice quick reads that fully grab your attention and oh my gosh, I love beauty and the beast so having this put into a retelling my girl did such a good job.
The spice the plot. EVERYTHING 🔥🔥
Syk Kelly will forever be my favorite author!!
Incredible job

[Robyn Beamer]

"Envy isn't always hate..."
A fresh take on Beauty and the Beast, Tethered Vengeance by SYK Kelly is a fantastic end(?) to Cruel Kingdoms vol. 1. Kelly deftly weaves all the strands from the previous 4 books into this one while still making the story stand on its own. I laughed. I cried. I cursed... a lot. This villain's book did not disappoint!
Tethered Vengeance is filled with longing or light stalking depending on how you look at it as well as forced marriage, piercings, a blood kink, mental illness, torture, and revenge. So, do monsters get happy endings? Only one way to find out.

[OooLaLa Reads]

Obsessed… And I Like It 🤭
Besties… this one? Yeah… this was dark, twisted, and oh so good! 👀 The tension and the vibes were dangerously addictive. Full tea coming soon.📝

🥀 My ratings and review are my own. 🖤

[bookbaefae]

I was not ready. You won't be either. It's ok.

Trust the process. Read the trigger warnings.

Devour the book.

I'm sorry.

You're welcome.

I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.

[Bonne Sharp]

Original and Dark

I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading this book, however it is really well written and the story is really good. The characters are unique and the story twists and changes your perspective on what’s good and bad. Definitely original!!