Revenge on the Seas: A Pirate Fantasy Romance

The Shadow Sails #1

by Lauren Lee Merewether

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Pirates, Fantasy Romance

332 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 16, 2026

About the author

LAUREN LEE MEREWETHER writes multi-genre romantic sagas inspired by ancient places, legends, and myths. She loves to delve into the shadows of the past, spinning slow-burn, closed door romantic narratives that merge the timeless passions of history with the mysteries of ancient mythologies. Her award-winning novels invite readers to explore the thrilling depths of legends, emotions, and humanity, spanning high-seas adventures to the splendors of ancient empires.

In her free time, Lauren loves to daydream about times long past while sipping green tea and watching the experts on Discovery unearth our ancestors' civilizations.

Go behind the scenes, say hello, grab a free series starter, and stay current with Lauren’s latest releases at www.LaurenLeeMerewether.com.

Follow and connect with Lauren on:
BookBub - bookbub.com/authors/lauren-lee-merewe...
Facebook - facebook.com/llmbooks
Instagram - instagram.com/llmbooks
Pinterest - pinterest.com/llmerewether/llm-books
Twitter - twitter.com/llmbooks
TikTok - tiktok.com/@llmbooks
Lemon8 - lemon8-app.com/@llmbooks


"Merewether’s up-close and empathetic narrative style is combined with the many sensations, family conflicts, and political struggles of an exciting plotline, making for an unstoppable read."
- K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Reviews

[Lauren]

Dear Reader,

If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you have a taste for vengeance, legacy, love, and the call of the sea. Good. You’re in the right place.

Revenge on the Seas is a dark pirate romantasy woven with betrayal, myth, and blood-soaked ambition. I’m honored to welcome you aboard these brutal, beautiful vessels—Storm Rider and The Shadow Sails. This story is the beginning of a multigenerational saga of pirate kings, ancient prophecies, and the enduring cost of love and vengeance.

Inspired by the Scottish tale, The Sea Maiden, nautical folklore surrounding The Flying Dutchman, and my lifelong love of pirate stories, The Shadow Sails has been years in the making. Like many readers, I grew up captivated by the adventure, danger, and wonder of Pirates of the Caribbean, and those early inspirations helped shape the world you'll find here.

You'll meet Juliette Chadwick Jaymes—a pirate heiress forged in fire, loss, and a betrayal that carved her name into the black depths themselves. Her journey isn't just about vengeance. It's about survival when all has been stripped away. It's about carrying the weight of legacy, enduring unimaginable loss, and becoming the curse the traitors never saw coming. As she hunts those responsible for her family's fall, her fate becomes entwined with a rival from the South Sea, forcing her to choose between the vengeance that drives her and the possibility of a love she never expected to find.

If you’ve already read Scourge of the Shores (the prequel), you’ll recognize the legacy Robert "The Ruthless" Jaymes and Danna Chadwick left behind. And if you haven’t yet sailed these waters, fear not. The sea welcomes newcomers as readily as seasoned sailors.

I've built a world where ancient myths stir beneath the waves, where loyalty is tested, where prophecy lingers like a storm on the horizon, and where honor can drown as quickly as any ship.

The tides are turning.
The traitors are many.
The vengeance is slow and searing.

If these are the waters you long to sail, then welcome aboard.

Only 100 Advanced Review Copies available.
Grab yours now--> https://booksirens.com/book/ROYGIT4/C...


Fair winds and even tides,
Lauren Lee Merewether

[Bri West · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5
📚 The Shadow Sails (book 1)
Dual POV

Pirates of the Caribbean fans run, swim, sail whatever you need to do to immediately add Revenge on the Seas to the top of your TBR! I read it in less than a day because I couldn’t out it down once I started. I was HOOKED.

Juliette Jaymes, the princess of the seas, pirate royalty, born with a prophecy of the sea dragon, must watch her family betrayed and slaughtered by their allies. Forced to become a slave to the kraken king, Elorbin. Vengeance keeps her alive. She trust no one.

Viktor Bloodfang, son of a pirate king in the south seas, dreams of finding a pirate woman to spend his life with. His family, attacked by the kraken and betrayed by their fleet left to die, forced into a mission to find his families cursed treasure.

Fate seems to want them together. He falls first and hard, but she does everything to resist the pull to him. They’re thrown together on the quest to find the cursed treasure and must learn to trust one another to survive.

We have sirens, sea dragons, krakens, curses and prophecies. Thrown in revenge and immortal bonds and we have the makings of one of the best pirate series I’ve have the pleasure of reading!! I cannot wait for the next installment in the Shadow Sails series : Allies of the Deep!


Thank you to the author for the eARC!

******* spoilers below


- they’re immortal, bonded to live as long as one draws breath.
- She won’t tell him her true identity yet
- Mr Erik is planning a coupe to overthrow the kraken king while he is focused on Juliette and Viktor
- Adra, the Atlantean who granted the bond is now helping and protecting them as long as they don’t abuse her gift


Tropes:
- pirates
- Betrayal
- Prophecy
- Sirens, sea dragons, phoenix , kraken kind
- He falls first

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Lauren Lee Merewether for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

If there's one thing I can never resist, it's a pirate fantasy—and The Shadow Sails delivered everything I was hoping for and more. Packed with swashbuckling adventure, dangerous secrets, simmering romance, and the call of the open sea, this was an unforgettable journey from the first page to the last.

Lauren Lee Merewether brings the world to life with vivid descriptions of stormy oceans, mysterious islands, and life aboard a pirate ship. Every chapter feels like setting sail toward the unknown, where danger lurks around every horizon and every decision could change the course of fate. The atmosphere is immersive, adventurous, and wonderfully cinematic.

The characters are the true heart of this story. They're fierce, determined, and beautifully flawed, each carrying their own dreams, regrets, and reasons for seeking revenge. Their emotional journeys feel just as compelling as the action, and I loved watching trust slowly grow in a world where betrayal is always a possibility.

The romance is woven seamlessly into the adventure, adding heartfelt moments without ever slowing the pace. The chemistry builds naturally, making every shared glance, every hard-earned moment of trust, and every emotional confession feel all the more rewarding. Combined with thrilling action and unexpected twists, it created a story I couldn't put down.

By the final chapter, I found myself wishing I could stay aboard just a little longer. The Shadow Sails is the perfect blend of epic fantasy, pirate adventure, and swoon-worthy romance, leaving me eager to see where the tides will carry these characters next.

"Not all treasure is buried beneath the sea. Sometimes it's found in the people willing to brave the storm beside you."

If you're looking for a romantasy filled with pirates, revenge, found family, high-seas adventure, and a romance that will steal your heart, The Shadow Sails deserves an immediate spot on your TBR.

✨ Tropes & Themes
🏴‍☠️ Pirate Fantasy
🌊 High Seas Adventure
⚔️ Revenge Quest
❤️ Slow-Burn Romance
✨ Magic & Mystery
🧭 Found Family Crew
🗺️ Hidden Treasure & Secrets
💖 Emotional Character Growth
🌅 Adventure & Survival
📚 Romantic Fantasy

[Pamella S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced reader copy. When I first opened it, my plan was to just read the first chapter before bed to get an idea of what it was about. The only reason I stopped at 3:30am is because I had to be up at 5. I did finish it the next day. That said, I decided to wait a bit to review to be objective.
It's not perfect but it is engaging. The story switches between viewpoints of the love interests with one chapter at the end from another characters. The viewpoints are balanced well. I'm not the biggest fan of instalove which this feels like sometimes, especially with the ML having love at first sight, but I appreciate the author having him realize the person he's been imagining and the person in front of him are not the same person, but he likes the real version more. I also like them not dragging out certain conflicts longer than needed, but one is that feels weaker because of how the book is written from both perspectives. As the reader, we know it's not as big a deal as the lead is making it out to be so it feels more annoying than it probably still would if we didn't have the extra information.
Still, those are my only real complaints and since they are kinda genre staples, I can't complain too much. A villian with horrifying consequences makes him truly threatening. Good banter and relatability makes the romance not feel too insta-love even if it's fast. Seeing potential betrayal coming and being forced to risk it makes the characters still intelligent instead of feeling dumb for falling for obvious traps or overly trusting.
Overall, I like it and look forward to reading the next book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Lauren Lee Merewether has woven a story as intricate as a tapestry, with every thread and stitch carefully placed to create a tale infused with magic, brimming with fantasy, and nuanced with romance, 

Juliette:
Daughter of prophecy, born under a sea dragon relic on the North Sea, the only remaining vestige of the Chadwick-Jaymes legend and legacy. After losing her family to betrayal at the hands of their former allies, she is sold into slavery to the King of the Krakenkind. With fierce resolve she vows to escape servitude and take her revenge on those who betrayed and destroyed those she loved. 

Viktor:
Elder son and heir to the High Captain of the South Sea, he's a pirate captain with polish, who doesn't quite fit the mold from which he was cast. He carries the knowledge of a powerful treasure, stolen long ago by his Bloodfang ancestor, a treasure said to be cursed, bringing death if he dares to retrieve it.

A brief glance, shared between them, plants a seed of remembrance and longing in the heart of each.

Will the seed grow?
Will the fates bring them together again?
Will they ever be more than a memory to one another?
Will longings be fulfilled?
Will treasure be found?

You'll have to read the story to learn the answers to those questions. 

[Jemma Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read! As someone who was obsessed with the pirates of the carribean when I was younger, anything that mentions pirates has me instantly interested! But, that being said - there was a lot more to this than just pirates.

I absolutely loved the fact that rather than it just being two pirates who meet and fall in love blah blah blah, they both were true pirates. Neither the FMC or MMC trust easily, both have their own secrets and objectives, and the push and pull really kept the plot interesting. There was never just a simple fix to any problem and every step led to another step that needed to be taken, which kept it feeling a lot more real than some stories where the massive issue is just suddenly fixed!

Overall, the only thing I do think could've gained that extra star from me, would be the fact that there were certain things that were mentioned almost to a point of over-repetition, but at the same time I do feel these things would've truly been thought about repetitively in the characters minds, so I can see why this was done. BUT as a reader, I did feel like I just wanted to see what was coming FASTER!

Super happy to see there is a book two and will definitely be reading because I am EAGER to see what happens next!

Thank you to Lauren for letting me read this, I thoroughly enjoyed!

[MT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge on the Seas is a fantastic addition to Ms. Merewether's catalog. The pirate setting, sea mythology, and family legacy kept me turning pages, while Juliette's determination and quest for vengeance made her easy to root for. Viktor was another standout...a strong, thoughtful counterpart whose growing relationship with Juliette added genuine emotional weight to the story.

As someone who usually reads science fiction and fantasy, I appreciated that the romance complemented the larger adventure rather than overshadowing it, but Merewether does romance well, even for middle-aged dudes like me, as I really enjoyed her The Darkest Oath book.

If you enjoy pirate stories, rich worldbuilding, and characters driven by loyalty, loss, and destiny, this book is well worth the voyage. Looking forward to Allies From the Deep.

My wife shared her advanced reader copy with me. This is my honest review.

[Doreen Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Lee Merewether is one of my favorite independent authors. Whenever she releases a new book, I immediately put aside whatever I'm currently reading to dive into her latest creation.

"Revenge on the Seas" grabs your attention from the very first page, placing readers in the middle of a major battle. The battle is the beginning of Juliette Chadwick Jaymes's journey and her oath for vengeance.

Along the way, Juliette, Pirate Heiress of the North Sea , crosses paths with her South Sea pirate rival, Viktor Bloodfang and that is when the adventure truly sets sail.

Lauren Lee Merewether never disappoints. Her characters pull me in every time and she has a knack for mixing suspense, slow burn romance, angst and enough twists and turns to me keep turning the pages.

Add in a strong female main character and an equally strong male lead and it's the cherry on top.

I received an an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating story full of scenic and environmental description. While I would think it commonplace for a pirate life, still, the traumas Juliette suffered were heart-rending and made her a sympathetic heroine (though only to a point it seems). Victor had struggles of his own to contend with during their journey. His were more future focused, while hers were very much in the moment. These star-crossed allies joined to reach a common target, and demonstrated not only compatability, but chemistry, along the way. The one issue I had with the tale, and it was a biggie for me, was the lack of honesty displayed, even when confronted with total transparency. I understood the initial hesitation, not the lie. (The difference between 4 & 5⭐️ is that I haven't decided whether or not to continue the series - for stated reason. I'll decide when I know more about the next phase of the series. Maybe.)

I received a gift copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review.

[Carol Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story. Juliette's family is betrayed by the triad when they are attacked within and everyone is killed but herself. She is sent to the slave trader and sold to the King of Krakenkind, Elorbin. He enslaves her and is able to talk to her and she can't talk back. When she given a ship to find the treasure, the ship crashes and she is alone on the island until she is tackled to the ground. Viktor has been placed on the island to bring the treasure and free his family. He recognizes Juliette, but doesn't really know if she is the last Jayme. The story becomes a series of adventures that the two experience as they look for the treasure. Trust has to be earned and the attraction will be tested. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Awkamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment of Revenge of the Seas. The writing is engaging throughout and keeps you looking forward to what is coming next. I didn't experience any points of drag or the story droning. Dual pov. Pirate, betrayal, krakens, sirens, curses, etc. So much happened, and yet I look forward to more.

Juliette is a spit fire raised by her father, High Captain of the North Sea. His lessons get her through a lot of the perils she faces. While Viktor is mostly portrayed as a sweetheart in this book. He also has gumption. I like that his character could take Juliette's jabs without being offended. He looked beyond. The banter. The loyalty. All endearing.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nik Putnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wow... Going to need a moment. Dragons, pirates, kracken people. Plus there is so much more to come!!! Plot, feelings, could listen to audiobooks in public without getting weird looks. Also major cliff hanger!!! I can't wait. Lauren is the new Robin hobb or George R R Martin with real raw feelings. I always seem to find her books when great and magical things are afoot. Found a 110 year old blank journal for my daughters navy travels. A bunch of other good stuff. It's soul lifting in a world where everyone is too busy glued to their phone. Hopefully this book sits in my library for future reads someday. I love physical paperbacks. This book could use some leather instead of paper! A definite reread someday and I will end up buying the books even tho I have a kindle editions

[Annette Pena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book! This book has pirates, krakens, mermaids and a slow burn romance, you can't go wrong! This is a story about Viktor and Juliette two pirates from different seas and families. I won't go into anymore of the story because you have to find out for yourself how great a story this is. It had me hooked from page one and continued to have me hooked through to the last. Now I need to read book 2 because I need to know how their story continues! If you read the book, you won't be disappointed!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carol Seniw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great world and character building. The story keeps you engaged. The interaction between main characters Juliette and Viktor (both of whom are pirates) was both gripping and frustrating. They were both humorous and fierce at times. They were thrown together on a mysterious island to find a hidden and cursed pirate treasure. They were pursued and manipulated by monsters and mythical beings while trying to stay alive. They had to learn to trust each other. And while all this was going on, they were falling for each other. Recommended for everyone who likes to lose themselves in the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms Merewether spins a good yarn with her tale of sea and land. Memorable for the creativity and vivid imagery of the islands, ships, and peoples, Revenge on the Seas blends the natural and supernatural into a coherent yet mysterious whole. A fair amount of angst between the two main characters, but they come to realize what is most important after all, leaving their worries behind.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and fast paced. I love the deep characters, thrilling story, romance and suspense put together so expertly. It's always original story and Lauren never disappoints. I wish the next book came sooner. I really enjoyed the banter and new paranormal experience.

[Pierre Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book.

This was another one of those stories which engaged my interest from the first sentence to the last. It was certainly worth the time taken to read it!

I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author and am under no obligation to review it.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good pirate story. Legends, myths, treachery, lost treasure, all woven together in a wonderful tale. Very engaging and entertaining, love of family and fighting to free them or avenge them. Thoroughly enjoyable story.

[Nicholas J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasical creatures, blood-thirsty pirates, simmering romance--this book is packed with action! If you like the Disney movie, Pirates of the Caribbean, this book has a flavor of the 2nd film. Enjoyed my read. Would recommend!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of Revenge of the Seas, and I loved it. Strong plot, great characters, and an angst to die for! I can't wait for more of Ms. Merewether's The Shadow Sails!

[Cathy Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pirate book with lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to read the next in the series.


I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pirates, krakens, fantasy, adventure, danger, romance, love, this book has it all, so much so that once you start reading you can't stop, it has a power that grabs hold of you and doesn't let you go.
If you have ever read one of the author's books, you know what you are getting into, books that are well written, weaving stories that makes you feel you are living into and suffering the same fate as the protagonists of her books, this book is not the exception, you are in the action along with Juliette and fighting with her for her destiny.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series, because this book was a great way to begin a new one.