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The Stolen Kingdom #2
The Jinni Key
She holds the key to his heart, and he wants it back.
Rena is the youngest daughter of the Sea King, and she’s dreamed of the surface for years. But her first visit on her 16th birthday isn’t what she expects. She watches a Jinni fall from the sky—and chooses to save him, despite her mother’s warnings that all Jinn are evil.
Once she meets Gideon, she can’t get him out of her mind. And maybe, with a little help from the Queen of Hodafez and some magic of her own, she doesn't have to...
The Jinni Key is a loose “Little Mermaid” retelling. Set in a world that humans share with mermaids, dragons, and the elusive Jinn, this is not the fairytale you remember…
If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, and intrigue, then try the books in The Stolen Kingdom series now! These interconnected fairy tale retellings each feature a different princess who has to fight for her happily ever after.
Rena is the youngest daughter of the Sea King, and she’s dreamed of the surface for years. But her first visit on her 16th birthday isn’t what she expects. She watches a Jinni fall from the sky—and chooses to save him, despite her mother’s warnings that all Jinn are evil.
Once she meets Gideon, she can’t get him out of her mind. And maybe, with a little help from the Queen of Hodafez and some magic of her own, she doesn't have to...
The Jinni Key is a loose “Little Mermaid” retelling. Set in a world that humans share with mermaids, dragons, and the elusive Jinn, this is not the fairytale you remember…
If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, and intrigue, then try the books in The Stolen Kingdom series now! These interconnected fairy tale retellings each feature a different princess who has to fight for her happily ever after.
287 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2019
49 people are currently reading
1533 people want to read
About the author
Bethany Atazadeh
21 books1,077 followersOnce upon a time, Bethany Atazadeh escaped into writing YA fantasy—and never came back. Now she’s the award-winning author of The Stolen Kingdom Series, a wife, mom of two, and professional chocolate taster (unofficial title), who shares her writing adventures and helpful tips she’s learned about publishing on YouTube. To find out when her next book arrives, sign up at bethanyatazadeh.com.
CONNECT WITH BETHANY ON:
Website: www.bethanyatazadeh.com
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon Author Profile: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B077FRKJGW
CONNECT WITH BETHANY ON:
Website: www.bethanyatazadeh.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/bethanyatazadeh
Instagram: @authorbethanyatazadeh
YouTube: www.youtube.com/bethanyatazadeh
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Amazon Author Profile: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B077FRKJGW
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
September 1, 2021
The Little Mermaid was the only princess story I was willing to watch as a kid, probably because it's not about a human. So I was excited for this.
Most of the time I know where the stories (the romance part at least) go, so I'm not nervous about them, but this time there were two paths it could take and the whole time I was like "please, don't let it be true to the original". Because it would have been so stupid.
But Bethany didn't disappoint! Even if I had an idea about the love story, I still wasn't sure how it'll turn out until the end.
This is a really loose retelling. A smart one.
Most of the time I know where the stories (the romance part at least) go, so I'm not nervous about them, but this time there were two paths it could take and the whole time I was like "please, don't let it be true to the original". Because it would have been so stupid.
But Bethany didn't disappoint! Even if I had an idea about the love story, I still wasn't sure how it'll turn out until the end.
This is a really loose retelling. A smart one.
March 15, 2023
*4.5*
Wow, this was a fun and exciting sequel! I loved returning to the world and seeing Arie and Kadin again!! Just like with book one, The Jinni Key offers a fun cast of characters, an intriguing world you love to get lost in, and a plot that keeps you turning pages for more! But the ending?!?!? I need book three stat!
Wow, this was a fun and exciting sequel! I loved returning to the world and seeing Arie and Kadin again!! Just like with book one, The Jinni Key offers a fun cast of characters, an intriguing world you love to get lost in, and a plot that keeps you turning pages for more! But the ending?!?!? I need book three stat!
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April 27, 2020The Jinni Key is a loose retelling of "The Little Mermaid" that follows Arie’s story in a surprising direction. It’s the second book in a four-book series of fantasy retellings, all based in the same world.
Title: The Jinni Key
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Series: Book 2 of 4
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She holds the key to his heart, and he wants it back.
When Arie reveals her Gift, she thinks the worst is over. But she couldn’t be more wrong. The only one who can save her now is a mermaid named Rena.
Rena is the youngest daughter of the Sea King, and she’s dreamed of the surface for years. But her first visit on her 16th birthday isn’t what she expects. She watches a Jinni fall from the sky—and chooses to save him, despite her mother’s warnings that all Jinn are evil.
Once she meets Gideon, she can’t get him out of her mind. And maybe, with a little help from Arie and some magic of her own, she doesn’t have to...
The Jinni Key is a loose “Little Mermaid” retelling. Set in a world that humans share with mermaids, dragons, and the elusive Jinn, this is not the fairytale you remember…
BUY THE JINNI KEY (ebook):
https://books2read.com/thejinnikey
BUY THE JINNI KEY (paperback):
Barnes & Noble:http://bit.ly/thejinnikeybn
Amazon: http://bit.ly/thejinnikey
THE JINNI KEY GOODREADS PAGE:
https://bit.ly/thejinnikeygoodreads
THE STOLEN KINGDOM WEBSITE:
https://bit.ly/thestolenkingdom
*This is book two of four. The last two books in the series are set to release in spring and fall of 2020.*
Title: The Jinni Key
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Series: Book 2 of 4
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She holds the key to his heart, and he wants it back.
When Arie reveals her Gift, she thinks the worst is over. But she couldn’t be more wrong. The only one who can save her now is a mermaid named Rena.
Rena is the youngest daughter of the Sea King, and she’s dreamed of the surface for years. But her first visit on her 16th birthday isn’t what she expects. She watches a Jinni fall from the sky—and chooses to save him, despite her mother’s warnings that all Jinn are evil.
Once she meets Gideon, she can’t get him out of her mind. And maybe, with a little help from Arie and some magic of her own, she doesn’t have to...
The Jinni Key is a loose “Little Mermaid” retelling. Set in a world that humans share with mermaids, dragons, and the elusive Jinn, this is not the fairytale you remember…
BUY THE JINNI KEY (ebook):
https://books2read.com/thejinnikey
BUY THE JINNI KEY (paperback):
Barnes & Noble:http://bit.ly/thejinnikeybn
Amazon: http://bit.ly/thejinnikey
THE JINNI KEY GOODREADS PAGE:
https://bit.ly/thejinnikeygoodreads
THE STOLEN KINGDOM WEBSITE:
https://bit.ly/thestolenkingdom
*This is book two of four. The last two books in the series are set to release in spring and fall of 2020.*
March 11, 2021
This is the second book in the stolen kingdom series and it's a loose retelling of the little mermaid, my favourite fairytale ever!
We follow the characters we got to know in the first book, as well as Rena, a new character. She's a mermaid who got to the human world on a mission and she has just one month to complete it.
Soon it becomes clear Rena has an important role to play in Arie's story as well.
This book is fast paced and full of mystery and adventure.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, but the writing style is amazing! Lots of great dialogue and beautiful descriptions.
Rena is a brilliant character. She is experiencing the human world for the first time and it's written so well.
I'm really excited for the next book in this series!
We follow the characters we got to know in the first book, as well as Rena, a new character. She's a mermaid who got to the human world on a mission and she has just one month to complete it.
Soon it becomes clear Rena has an important role to play in Arie's story as well.
This book is fast paced and full of mystery and adventure.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, but the writing style is amazing! Lots of great dialogue and beautiful descriptions.
Rena is a brilliant character. She is experiencing the human world for the first time and it's written so well.
I'm really excited for the next book in this series!
November 14, 2019
Bethany Atazadeh's writing talent grew with book 2 in The Stolen Kingdom series, THE JINNI KEY. There was very little that I predicted, when there was a moment of loss I truly felt it, and I loved the unique spins she placed on the well-known THE LITTLE MERMAID tale. THE JINNI KEY is a very loosely-based retelling of THE LITTLE MERMAID, with the only similarity being that there's a mermaid who longs to be on land with the man she loves. I found a lot of the choices that Bethany made to be very clever, which allowed THE JINNI KEY to mesh really well with book 1 (THE STOLEN KINGDOM, an ALADDIN retelling). The stories following the same characters flowed seamlessly together while maintaining their own plots and their individual character focus. I feel as though Bethany truly knows her characters and never strays from how they would act or what they would say, while still keeping me on my toes.
April 21, 2021
I really liked The Stolen Kingdom and was excited to read this sequel, but it was very disappointing. A much younger audience (like 11-13) might like it as at times it feels very middle grade. I personally had trouble getting through it. The characters lack agency and spend most of the book waiting for things to happen. The two main storylines have no real connection and feel forced together. Rena’s character is very immature and unlikable, Arie’s chapters are very repetitive and just a less interesting copy of what happened in the previous book, and Kadin’s POV is unnecessary—his scenes either serve to drag the plot with filler, or to tell what is happening to other characters instead of showing through their perspectives. One thing that was done well was how all of Rena’s language accurately centered around the sea, and I wish that the worldbuilding of the undersea world and culture had been developed more. I will buy and read the next book in this series because I do think the author is a good writer and I’m hoping this book was a fluke. Ultimately, if you would like to support the author (and drool over the beautiful cover) go ahead and get this book, but if you are only interested in the story, you could probably skip this entirely and wait for the next installment. Since so little is developed in this book, a one sentence summary of the only relevant reveal could have you knowing everything you need to continue with the series. I do still recommend The Stolen Kingdom, and I absolutely recommend following this author on all of her platforms for excellent advice about the industry. I look forward to reading her future work.
August 29, 2019
Review to come!!! 🤩
May 3, 2023
I liked this one, but not as much as the first. But I still love Kadin and the other characters were good. I really liked seeing Gideon in this one.
October 20, 2023
2 STARS. It’s sad how frustrated I am with this book. I LOVE retellings, and even though I didn’t really care too much for the first book, ONE thing made me pick up this book. My favorite character. Aka Gideon. If you read my review for The Stolen Kingdom, you know the only reason I picked this book up, was because Gideon was the love interest.
UUUUGGGHHH. FRUSTRATION.
The tag line on the cover and the blurb implies he is the love interest. He’s not. I understand what they author was trying to do—the whole “real love isn’t at first sight” kind of thing—but I did not appreciate it.
That was just one of the many things that annoyed me about this book. I’ll try to be quick so I’m not here forever. The povs. I hated how the whole book focused mostly on Kadin and Arie from the last book. Though Rena was annoying, this was her book and I felt like she was cheated. Also, it was frustrating because there wasn’t a strong difference in the voices of the characters, so I had to MAKE SURE I read the name on the chapter or I would know who it was. Another thing was that while it was Kadin and Aries point of view, I feel like they were only focusing on negatives, which got old.
Alright. Next thing. Rena. She was pretty immature and—if I’m being completely honest—dumb. She didn’t know what anything was, which I understand since she’s a mermaid, but she doesn’t know what stars looks like? Really? Really?
Okay, now that I have some of that out we can talk about the good things. Yay!
Bosh. The only reason I’m not furious at Gideon not getting the girl, was that I like Bosh. (Also the fact that I HIGHLY suspect is the candidate for the last book in the series which is a Sleeping Beauty retelling. Because of that comment he said about liking a girl once and that he’s lived for over 100 years.)
But yeah, him and Bosh are the only two characters I care about at all. He’s so young and lively, yet sad and lonely. He saved the book. I only wish he got his own perspective. (Again, the injustice of the pov choice)
It wasn’t all bad. I was just frustrated a lot. It wasn’t an awful book, but it could have been better. Despite this, I do plan to pick up the next book in the series. (The Cursed Hunter) Because I am excited about the fact that the lost prince Gideon is looking for is the dragon in it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, so maybe it will get better?
UUUUGGGHHH. FRUSTRATION.
The tag line on the cover and the blurb implies he is the love interest. He’s not. I understand what they author was trying to do—the whole “real love isn’t at first sight” kind of thing—but I did not appreciate it.
That was just one of the many things that annoyed me about this book. I’ll try to be quick so I’m not here forever. The povs. I hated how the whole book focused mostly on Kadin and Arie from the last book. Though Rena was annoying, this was her book and I felt like she was cheated. Also, it was frustrating because there wasn’t a strong difference in the voices of the characters, so I had to MAKE SURE I read the name on the chapter or I would know who it was. Another thing was that while it was Kadin and Aries point of view, I feel like they were only focusing on negatives, which got old.
Alright. Next thing. Rena. She was pretty immature and—if I’m being completely honest—dumb. She didn’t know what anything was, which I understand since she’s a mermaid, but she doesn’t know what stars looks like? Really? Really?
Okay, now that I have some of that out we can talk about the good things. Yay!
Bosh. The only reason I’m not furious at Gideon not getting the girl, was that I like Bosh. (Also the fact that I HIGHLY suspect is the candidate for the last book in the series which is a Sleeping Beauty retelling. Because of that comment he said about liking a girl once and that he’s lived for over 100 years.)
But yeah, him and Bosh are the only two characters I care about at all. He’s so young and lively, yet sad and lonely. He saved the book. I only wish he got his own perspective. (Again, the injustice of the pov choice)
It wasn’t all bad. I was just frustrated a lot. It wasn’t an awful book, but it could have been better. Despite this, I do plan to pick up the next book in the series. (The Cursed Hunter) Because I am excited about the fact that the lost prince Gideon is looking for is the dragon in it. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale, so maybe it will get better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2020
THE JINNI KEY by Bethany Atazadeh is the second in her Stolen Kingdom series where each book is a loose retelling of a classic fairytale. The first in the series is called THE STOLEN KINGDOM and is loosely based on Aladdin. This second one is based on Little Mermaid.
🐚
This has classic elements of the original story: a young mermaid princess who's fascinated with the human world, saves a man from drowning, falls in love with him, and bargains for legs. But things don't go as planned for this little mermaid, Rena.
🐚
Rena is a necessary element to helping save princess Arie and her kingdom since Rena can't be controlled by Jinni magic. But Rena is selfish and under a time limit with her bargain. Will she help Arie? Will the man she loves fall in love with her?
🐚
Another element I enjoyed about this story was how the author "filled out" the details of what it would be like to live on land for a mermaid. For example, Rena is used to eating cold, raw seafood which no one in that land eats and thinks she's crazy for wanting!
🐚
#thestolenkingdomseries #unreadshelfproject2020 #bookstagram #bookreview
🐚
This has classic elements of the original story: a young mermaid princess who's fascinated with the human world, saves a man from drowning, falls in love with him, and bargains for legs. But things don't go as planned for this little mermaid, Rena.
🐚
Rena is a necessary element to helping save princess Arie and her kingdom since Rena can't be controlled by Jinni magic. But Rena is selfish and under a time limit with her bargain. Will she help Arie? Will the man she loves fall in love with her?
🐚
Another element I enjoyed about this story was how the author "filled out" the details of what it would be like to live on land for a mermaid. For example, Rena is used to eating cold, raw seafood which no one in that land eats and thinks she's crazy for wanting!
🐚
#thestolenkingdomseries #unreadshelfproject2020 #bookstagram #bookreview
March 5, 2020
I was really excited to continue this series, but this book wasn't quite as good as the first one. I found Rena a little too naive and annoying. It was cute that she didn't know about human things like clothes and horses, but the naive instalove she had for the Jinni was too eye-roll inducing. The book never said mermaids didn't fall in love or anything, and her parents were somewhat happily married, so it seemed like love should have come up at some point in her life...? And that was just too much of the story. I did like that she kind of snapped out of it at the end, and it was a creative take on The Little Mermaid, but somehow she wasn't charming like Ariel, she was just kind of ditzy. Anyway, I did like the continuation of the main story, with Arie and her kingdom, and the Jinnis involved. I definitely still want to read the next book in the series and find out what happens with all of that!
March 12, 2021
This book started out kinda dark, which I honestly really liked, but quickly turned into a fun read as Rena explores above the ocean for the first time and makes many mistakes because she knows nothing about it. I really enjoyed the second installment of The Stolen Kingdom series but I think I liked the first one better. It was just so good!
I absolutely loved that we saw a lot of the ocean world before heading back above. Most Little Mermaid retellings don't show much of it and the underwater kingdoms are some of my favorite worldbuilding to read about.
I liked how even though Rena is the main character in this book, Aria was still the overall main one and we get her and Kadin's POV along with Rena's. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get Gideon's POV in here, and how it ended for him (can't say 'cause spoilers) but I'm excited to see where the next two books take him!
I was so stressed for Arie the entire book, and my heart broke for the poor girl and Kadin over and over. I just want them to be happy! I liked Rena and Bosh's relationship and how they laughed and joked with each other a lot.
All in all, this was a great read and I can't wait to read the next one!
I absolutely loved that we saw a lot of the ocean world before heading back above. Most Little Mermaid retellings don't show much of it and the underwater kingdoms are some of my favorite worldbuilding to read about.
I liked how even though Rena is the main character in this book, Aria was still the overall main one and we get her and Kadin's POV along with Rena's. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get Gideon's POV in here, and how it ended for him (can't say 'cause spoilers) but I'm excited to see where the next two books take him!
I was so stressed for Arie the entire book, and my heart broke for the poor girl and Kadin over and over. I just want them to be happy! I liked Rena and Bosh's relationship and how they laughed and joked with each other a lot.
All in all, this was a great read and I can't wait to read the next one!
August 7, 2020
I. Loved. This. Story!!! It's even better than the first book in the series, and that's saying something! With a mix of romance, self-discovery, and action, this book has the perfect balance. I didn't want to put it down at all. Literally, I stayed up until 2:30am reading this! If you haven't read it yet, why are you reading this review?! Go buy it!!!
September 14, 2024
Exciting second book! Loved the way all the characters mold perfectly together and just the whole concept! Especially loved Rena because come on… who doesn’t love mermaids?
December 3, 2019
Once again, Bethany Atazadeh takes some risks with this Little Mermaid retelling and mixes in a lot of original story and world elements, along with engaging characters to make it an intriguing and magical read that I was sad to see end.
This installment in the Stolen Kingdom series stars Rena, a mermaid that has fallen in love with a Jinni, Gideon, and throughout the next year, falls in love via her visions through her enchanted key, the Jinni Key, which targets one’s desires. I grew to love Rena, as she realizes that things aren’t as they seem and learning about herself, others, and the world through her journey. I loved the lesson she learned and applying it for great character growth.
I loved the characters, all fleshed out with their own motivations, and that’s for the new and returning cast. None of them felt one note or cliched, and didn’t go out of character. I liked the new cast, and the conflict they brought and interested in how they will affect the rest of the overall story. I was happy to see the returning characters and getting more growth out of them, . I like how Arie grew and faced her new situation .
I really loved the world of the series, inspired by the original tales, middle eastern culture and general fantasy tropes, creating something all its own. And no, the Aladdin and Little Mermaid tales don’t clash; it flows seamlessly here as it focuses more on thematics than retelling the story. This installment expands on several aspects that were hinted at before, which I really loved . The magic system is expanded, and i love the role it plays throughout the story . The prose is vivid and for the most part clear and got me into the world easily. There was a few times where things were unclear and muddled, but it didn’t impact things too much.
The plot was different enough from the first book from the series and avoided being a rehash story, though there were some parts of the plot I thought felt similar, but had a different mood this time around. Though I felt it took a while for the story to really ramp up, despite liking seeing how Rena’s life under the sea was like and getting into her goals and motivations , as well as world building. But by the time trouble starts happening, I was into the story with all the tension, twists and emotions that came with it and rushed through the last 2/3rds of the story within a day, with my emotions going up and down throughout.
The last few chapters had me at the edge of my seat and the ending brought some closure and that cliffhanger ending makes me look forward to the rest of the series to see what happens next. If you want to read a mashup of fairytales with an original world, story and endearing characters, read this series.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
This installment in the Stolen Kingdom series stars Rena, a mermaid that has fallen in love with a Jinni, Gideon, and throughout the next year, falls in love via her visions through her enchanted key, the Jinni Key, which targets one’s desires. I grew to love Rena, as she realizes that things aren’t as they seem and learning about herself, others, and the world through her journey. I loved the lesson she learned and applying it for great character growth.
I loved the characters, all fleshed out with their own motivations, and that’s for the new and returning cast. None of them felt one note or cliched, and didn’t go out of character. I liked the new cast, and the conflict they brought and interested in how they will affect the rest of the overall story. I was happy to see the returning characters and getting more growth out of them, . I like how Arie grew and faced her new situation .
I really loved the world of the series, inspired by the original tales, middle eastern culture and general fantasy tropes, creating something all its own. And no, the Aladdin and Little Mermaid tales don’t clash; it flows seamlessly here as it focuses more on thematics than retelling the story. This installment expands on several aspects that were hinted at before, which I really loved . The magic system is expanded, and i love the role it plays throughout the story . The prose is vivid and for the most part clear and got me into the world easily. There was a few times where things were unclear and muddled, but it didn’t impact things too much.
The plot was different enough from the first book from the series and avoided being a rehash story, though there were some parts of the plot I thought felt similar, but had a different mood this time around. Though I felt it took a while for the story to really ramp up, despite liking seeing how Rena’s life under the sea was like and getting into her goals and motivations , as well as world building. But by the time trouble starts happening, I was into the story with all the tension, twists and emotions that came with it and rushed through the last 2/3rds of the story within a day, with my emotions going up and down throughout.
The last few chapters had me at the edge of my seat and the ending brought some closure and that cliffhanger ending makes me look forward to the rest of the series to see what happens next. If you want to read a mashup of fairytales with an original world, story and endearing characters, read this series.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
December 29, 2019
I was introduced to this author through a subscription box and I cannot be more grateful! I fell in love with the first book in this series, The Stolen Kingdom, which is a loose retelling of Aladdin. The Jinni Key is the second book in a 4 book series and it’s a loose retelling of The Little Mermaid but picks up where Stolen Kingdom left off.
We get to see how our favorite characters are doing in this book and get to know Rena quite a bit better. I preordered this as soon as I finished reading the first one, but was able to receive an ARC from the author a few weeks before the release, super thankful! Bethany weaves such a beautiful tale with her words. Each book in the series is based off a different fairytale. The fairytales are just a glint in the background because the heart of these stories go so much deeper.
Rena, a silly young Meremaid, battles to understand the human world and how she fits in. She’s hopeful and naive in the beginning. Trusting everyone at their word, which brings her nothing but pain and sorrow time after time. Until she realizes her worth and how there are some humans out there who are worth risking it all for.
I devoured this book!! I can’t wait for the next two books in the series to come out next year. Run, don’t walk, to grab The Stolen Kingdom and Jinni Key and experience the magic for yourselves!!!
We get to see how our favorite characters are doing in this book and get to know Rena quite a bit better. I preordered this as soon as I finished reading the first one, but was able to receive an ARC from the author a few weeks before the release, super thankful! Bethany weaves such a beautiful tale with her words. Each book in the series is based off a different fairytale. The fairytales are just a glint in the background because the heart of these stories go so much deeper.
Rena, a silly young Meremaid, battles to understand the human world and how she fits in. She’s hopeful and naive in the beginning. Trusting everyone at their word, which brings her nothing but pain and sorrow time after time. Until she realizes her worth and how there are some humans out there who are worth risking it all for.
I devoured this book!! I can’t wait for the next two books in the series to come out next year. Run, don’t walk, to grab The Stolen Kingdom and Jinni Key and experience the magic for yourselves!!!
November 26, 2019
I'd honestly give this book 4.5 stars. It was a good story and I loved finding out what happens next. I'm excited and am definitely going to read the third book. Captivating story. I had an issue with the main character though. She just rubbed me the wrong way. Not that there was anything the author did wrong, it just wasn't a personality I connect with. The character had some good growth throughout the book and by the end of it, I didn't hate her as much as I did when the story first started. I'm excited for the next book.
November 18, 2019
I received an ARC of this novel from the author!
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Ok to start off with I LOVED the Stolen Kingdom so I was really excited for this book and I preordered it the moment I finished book one and I was NOT disappointed. Bethany Atazadeh weaves such a wonderful story and you really do find yourself so invested in all of the characters. I couldn't even put the book down because I had to know what happened with Rena. These are the kind of retellings that I love because while the base story is weaved in there lightly the story doesn't rely on The Little Mermaid. It goes so far past that and you are invested in everything that is happening and finding away to let Rena keep her legs and be with the person that truly loves her.
100% would recommend this book and I can't wait for book 3!
.
Ok to start off with I LOVED the Stolen Kingdom so I was really excited for this book and I preordered it the moment I finished book one and I was NOT disappointed. Bethany Atazadeh weaves such a wonderful story and you really do find yourself so invested in all of the characters. I couldn't even put the book down because I had to know what happened with Rena. These are the kind of retellings that I love because while the base story is weaved in there lightly the story doesn't rely on The Little Mermaid. It goes so far past that and you are invested in everything that is happening and finding away to let Rena keep her legs and be with the person that truly loves her.
100% would recommend this book and I can't wait for book 3!
November 26, 2019
Bethany knocked this one out of the park! After reading The Stolen Kingdom, I was excited to read the second installment in the series and it was fantastic. This was not what I expected.
I was frustrated and agitated by the characters (especially Rena) and there were times I had to put the book down and walk away but I couldn’t stay away.
I was totally invested in the characters and wanted to see what would happen next...and now I'm waiting anxiously for book 3...
I was frustrated and agitated by the characters (especially Rena) and there were times I had to put the book down and walk away but I couldn’t stay away.
I was totally invested in the characters and wanted to see what would happen next...and now I'm waiting anxiously for book 3...
November 20, 2019
This story was a roller coaster of emotions for me!
I was gripped into Rena's story from the very start and was rooting for her to succeed in her mission.
I absolutely loved this take on the Little Mermaid and the concept of how our greatest desires can constantly change.
There is so much action going on in this book and as the story moved on, the stakes kept getting higher and higher - I couldn't put it down (read it in a few hours) and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I was gripped into Rena's story from the very start and was rooting for her to succeed in her mission.
I absolutely loved this take on the Little Mermaid and the concept of how our greatest desires can constantly change.
There is so much action going on in this book and as the story moved on, the stakes kept getting higher and higher - I couldn't put it down (read it in a few hours) and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
November 21, 2019
This was an amazing second book! All of Bethany’s hard work paid off ten fold! I loved how all the relationships developed and all the animal moments. I especially love Rena and her quirky personality. She makes an amazing POV character.
April 17, 2020
The Jinni Key is the second book in the Stolen Kingdom series and it is a very very loose retelling of the little mermaid. Rena, the Ariel of this story, had saved a jinni from drowning when he fell out of the sky and she has fallen in love with him and she will do anything to prove that love to herself and her family.
After I got the first book in the series through once upon a book club, I was extremely excited to read this sequel. I’m just as excited to read the third book and the forth when they come out. Bethany Atazadeh does an amazing job at helping the world she has made come alive and she also writes characters so well. You will go from hating a character to loving them throughout reading the book. She gives them dimensions and hopes and dreams that are always evolving and makes it all seem so real. There are a lot of cute scenes, sad scenes, and scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat in this book.
Like in the first book, the pacing was a little off. It definitely starts out slow and then ramps up as it goes on. And I like I said before, you will probably start out hating some of the characters but I promise that you will love them in the end.
Ok I need to talk about book covers. I personally love minimalist book covers and I absolutely hate when there are people on covers. While this book is not one of my favorite covers I have to admit that the colors are absolutely gorgeous. It is definitely not a bad cover it’s actually quite nice. It looks absolutely beautiful it’s just a bit crowded in my opinion.
Overall I really loved this book and I do recommend the series to anyone who loves adventure, romance, and Disney. It is a great book written by a great author.
After I got the first book in the series through once upon a book club, I was extremely excited to read this sequel. I’m just as excited to read the third book and the forth when they come out. Bethany Atazadeh does an amazing job at helping the world she has made come alive and she also writes characters so well. You will go from hating a character to loving them throughout reading the book. She gives them dimensions and hopes and dreams that are always evolving and makes it all seem so real. There are a lot of cute scenes, sad scenes, and scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat in this book.
Like in the first book, the pacing was a little off. It definitely starts out slow and then ramps up as it goes on. And I like I said before, you will probably start out hating some of the characters but I promise that you will love them in the end.
Ok I need to talk about book covers. I personally love minimalist book covers and I absolutely hate when there are people on covers. While this book is not one of my favorite covers I have to admit that the colors are absolutely gorgeous. It is definitely not a bad cover it’s actually quite nice. It looks absolutely beautiful it’s just a bit crowded in my opinion.
Overall I really loved this book and I do recommend the series to anyone who loves adventure, romance, and Disney. It is a great book written by a great author.
November 25, 2019
I went into this story super excited to find out more about Rena and Arie, and I was left unable to wait for the next book! I seriously read this book in one sitting (which left everything aching, but so worth it!). I absolutely loved The Stolen Kingdom, and book two did not disappoint. The Jinni Key’s world-building was actually one of my favorites, so complex and detailed and very fun. The characters were all easy to connect with too, with funny wits and realistic feelings. I was especially interested in Gideon, and wished we could've gotten a bit more of his backstory. I've got a feeling it's going to be coming soon!
I could see glimpses of The Little Mermaid throughout (which makes total sense, since this is a LM retelling!). It just made the story feel so familiar and exciting, a classic feel on a brand new story. I can’t wait to see what Bethany does with the rest of the series, and I definitely know I’m locked in for this ride!
** I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I could see glimpses of The Little Mermaid throughout (which makes total sense, since this is a LM retelling!). It just made the story feel so familiar and exciting, a classic feel on a brand new story. I can’t wait to see what Bethany does with the rest of the series, and I definitely know I’m locked in for this ride!
** I received an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2019
This book was sent to me as an ARC from the author.
As a long-time Disney fan, and someone who truly enjoyed the first book in this series, I was anxiously anticipating the second book. Unfortunately, due to circumstances and life, I was unable to read it when I first got it, but I was off today, picked it up intending to read only a few chapters, and immediately got sucked in. I finished the book in only a few hours.
The pacing and character development in this book was excellent. This is a loose retelling of The Little Mermaid and I loved getting to know Rena, her crazy family, and learning more about the characters Bethany introduced us to in the first book.
Last, but not least, Bethany has yet to fail in the covers for this series. They are all gorgeous and captivating. :)
P.S. I can’t wait to read book three when it’s released and learn more about this world! And I want more of Gideon. He’s definitely one of my favorites. :)
As a long-time Disney fan, and someone who truly enjoyed the first book in this series, I was anxiously anticipating the second book. Unfortunately, due to circumstances and life, I was unable to read it when I first got it, but I was off today, picked it up intending to read only a few chapters, and immediately got sucked in. I finished the book in only a few hours.
The pacing and character development in this book was excellent. This is a loose retelling of The Little Mermaid and I loved getting to know Rena, her crazy family, and learning more about the characters Bethany introduced us to in the first book.
Last, but not least, Bethany has yet to fail in the covers for this series. They are all gorgeous and captivating. :)
P.S. I can’t wait to read book three when it’s released and learn more about this world! And I want more of Gideon. He’s definitely one of my favorites. :)
January 16, 2020
Another great read! I can't imagine living in a kingdom where your whole family likes to torture you. I'm not sure it's because she held a precious artifact that everyone wanted, but I felt so sorry for Rena. As soon as the deal was made with her sister, I couldn't help but wonder how it would all end. I had a feeling Gideon wouldn't fall madly in love with Rena. If that was true, then would Rena go back to her underwater kingdom? I was glad everything turned out alright in the end.
In Arie's point of view, her kingdom is under attack from Amir again. I didn't quite understand the point of why she was being controlled, but it didn't sound like there was a good reason. I'm glad she was saved before it was too late.
In Arie's point of view, her kingdom is under attack from Amir again. I didn't quite understand the point of why she was being controlled, but it didn't sound like there was a good reason. I'm glad she was saved before it was too late.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2020
What a gem (or should I say seashell?) of a book! Lol. This sequel delivers on everything TSK promises: continuing Arie and Kadin's story and sweeping us up in a new tale with Rena. I absolutely adored Rena's voice and appreciated all the metaphors she used involving the ocean, things only she would say. Despite Arie being helpless at times, she fought as hard as she could and was not the typical damsel in distress. Bosh is a cinnamon roll and I kind of love him. Ha ha. And um, hello, I kept turning the page with the love triangle ! Such an exciting and well-written story. Bethany is killin it with this series and I can't wait for The Cursed Hunter!!
April 9, 2020
I am so glad Once Upon a book club introduced me to this author. Bethany is such an amazing writer. She makes fantasy so fun. The second book of the series is a retelling of Little mermaid. I loved how it picked up exactly where the first one ended. Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
February 8, 2022
To be completely honest I am gonna have to admit that I enjoyed this book more than the first one, I can't exactly put my finger on why, but I have a feeling it's due to my obsession with retellings that all fit together somehow (like the Once Upon a Time show). I love how a little bit more is revealed in this story and I am excited to see what direction it goes in for the next book as there is a lot of potential with all the characters and their individual plot lines. Retellings are one of my absolute favorite kinds of books and this is a stellar job of being a retelling but also having their own completely different plotline. I highly recommend this series for anyone like me who just consumes any retelling (especially when it comes to Disney princesses) like a chocoholic in a candy store. I also feel like I got some crossover vibes in this story as well, more of a Jim/Ariel trope rather than the traditional Eric/Ariel pairing that everyone is used to. I loved this book, the characters, the storyline, overall a great installment in the series and I am super excited to read the next one soon!
August 2, 2020
I absolutely love The Little Mermaid and re-tellings. This novel is an wonderful combination of both. The gorgeous cover art pulled me in right away. It takes me a while to read through ebooks, but this time it was hard to put the book down when I couldn't handle reading on a device. These characters are so lifelike and relatable even though they are fantastical and mythical. The vivid language and storytelling really brings the book to life. I love the intersection of previous character with the addition of new ones is seamless. I really liked that this wasn't your typical mermaid princess falls in love with land-bound prince.
July 20, 2024
4/5 ⭐
This was my first Little Mermaid retelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd say I enjoyed the first book more since...most of the characters got on my nerves in this book 😂 especially Kadin. And there was a weird...plot hole during a very pivotal moment. However, the romance, the Meres, and Rena in this book were so cool! I love mermaids so of course this was right up my alley. I'll be diving into the third story and am excited to learn more about the dragons 👀
This was my first Little Mermaid retelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd say I enjoyed the first book more since...most of the characters got on my nerves in this book 😂 especially Kadin. And there was a weird...plot hole during a very pivotal moment. However, the romance, the Meres, and Rena in this book were so cool! I love mermaids so of course this was right up my alley. I'll be diving into the third story and am excited to learn more about the dragons 👀
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