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Sea and Stars #0.5
Beneath the Dark Moon
On the night of the dark moon, followers of the Goddess of Stars come to pray and bask in her love and light on the ocean’s surface. All the mermaid priestesses-in-training are there—except Tallora.
Tallora is at a party meeting a beautiful stranger. But she’ll arrive before the night is through.
…right?
Tallora is at a party meeting a beautiful stranger. But she’ll arrive before the night is through.
…right?
18 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2020
8 people are currently reading
669 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Simper
22 books872 followersSD Simper is a bestselling horror author, award-winner of fantasy romance, and understands that the true secret to writing great villains is living with cats. She and her wife share a home with four cats, a Great Dane, and innumerable bookshelves.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 2, 2020
I'm weary of reading series, it's quite difficult to complete them unless the authors know how to turn their readers into addicts like one author, I am not going to mention her name.
Confession #too many.
Forgive me, Librarian, for I have sinned. My last confession was a few days ago when I finished Child's Play. Since then, I have been having One Night Pages with many books.
SD Simper's standalones - Carmilla and Laura, Beneath The Loch are among my favorite Lesfic paranormal / fantasy books. I have yet to indulge in her series but I have been a fan of The Little Mermaid since forever so it's a no brainer to get this series started...well I'm trying.
It's only a Dollar, supposedly a 3O minutes read.. yeah², it took me days, see the confession above for some love and understanding. It's the prequel to a 3 books series, do you need to read it? NO, unless you want to eye fcuk the cover as I did. If you're a fan of mermaids and interested, then head straight to Book 1. This prequel was absolutely unnecessary, Simper should have just started with Book 1.
If you're a fan of Sirens, then head over to Mira Grant's Rolling In The Deep Series. Scribd has the prequel audio and get ready to enjoy your body odor for days as you'll be avoiding the bathroom.
Confession #too many.
Forgive me, Librarian, for I have sinned. My last confession was a few days ago when I finished Child's Play. Since then, I have been having One Night Pages with many books.
SD Simper's standalones - Carmilla and Laura, Beneath The Loch are among my favorite Lesfic paranormal / fantasy books. I have yet to indulge in her series but I have been a fan of The Little Mermaid since forever so it's a no brainer to get this series started...well I'm trying.
It's only a Dollar, supposedly a 3O minutes read.. yeah², it took me days, see the confession above for some love and understanding. It's the prequel to a 3 books series, do you need to read it? NO, unless you want to eye fcuk the cover as I did. If you're a fan of mermaids and interested, then head straight to Book 1. This prequel was absolutely unnecessary, Simper should have just started with Book 1.
If you're a fan of Sirens, then head over to Mira Grant's Rolling In The Deep Series. Scribd has the prequel audio and get ready to enjoy your body odor for days as you'll be avoiding the bathroom.
June 10, 2020
Loved this adorable short story prequel to S.D. Simper's Sea & Stars trilogy!
(And not just because I designed the cover, but hey, look at my first ever published cover design!)
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Let's be friends!
Bookstagram | Book Blog | Twitter
February 26, 2023
Having not read any of the Sea and Stars trilogy this was both an introduction to S D Simper writing as well as her underwater world.
A fantastic short read prequel with just enough to make me crave more.
Wonderful visual description, and brilliant world so far.
Can’t wait to read more.
A fantastic short read prequel with just enough to make me crave more.
Wonderful visual description, and brilliant world so far.
Can’t wait to read more.
December 17, 2021
Short and sweet.
I read the Sea and Stars trilogy and loved them all. In The Fate of Stars, Tallora is on the surface beneath the stars doing her duty as a priestess-in-training to Staella. She should have been there the previous night, but she'd been ... distracted. This sexy short story tells us about that distraction.
Completely unnecessary to read before the trilogy, but if you want another taste of Tallora, this is very satisfying.
I read the Sea and Stars trilogy and loved them all. In The Fate of Stars, Tallora is on the surface beneath the stars doing her duty as a priestess-in-training to Staella. She should have been there the previous night, but she'd been ... distracted. This sexy short story tells us about that distraction.
Completely unnecessary to read before the trilogy, but if you want another taste of Tallora, this is very satisfying.
May 12, 2021
As far as prequels go, this was a bit meh. I loved Simper’s Fallen Gods series, though, so I know her stories improve over time…
May 7, 2023
tallora is the sweetest always and forever.🧜🏻♀️🩷🧸
July 9, 2025
Set in the deep sea city of Stelune , this short story carries a glimpse into the heart & mind of our main protagonist - Mermaid Tallora who is a Priestess-In-Training to their Goddess of Stars- Goddess Stealla . But Tallora also wants to enjoy her young age on one hand while she has been chosen to read the Stars - the most Sacred Path amongst Merfolk. Commitment on the Priestess Path is harrowing and while Tallora sneaks and wiggles some time out to have fun with friends of her age - Fate has a different plan for her life ahead. Atmospheric and fun filled - this sets a tone to the world building to this Series underwater.
February 26, 2023
This book was a great insight into the series, I am yet to read this series however it is now on my TBR following reading this short prequel.
Tallora is a mermaid and priestesses-in-training she goes to a party instead of going to a party to the goddess of the stars. She meets a beautiful woman to whom she is immediately attached too and spend some quality time together 😉
Very good novella, I will definitely check out the first book of the series 'The Fate of Stars' ✌️
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥
Tallora is a mermaid and priestesses-in-training she goes to a party instead of going to a party to the goddess of the stars. She meets a beautiful woman to whom she is immediately attached too and spend some quality time together 😉
Very good novella, I will definitely check out the first book of the series 'The Fate of Stars' ✌️
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2021
A lovely little story.
It was a cute story that really sets the scene for the events of the first book. It was nice to get a little insight into Tallora’s mind about her action that lead into the first book.
It was a cute story that really sets the scene for the events of the first book. It was nice to get a little insight into Tallora’s mind about her action that lead into the first book.
June 21, 2022
2.5⭐️
i thought this was a good prequel to the series, as book 1 picks up right where this left off. this didn’t give a huge amount of info, so it really wasn’t too necessary. but it intrigued me enough to read the series!
i thought this was a good prequel to the series, as book 1 picks up right where this left off. this didn’t give a huge amount of info, so it really wasn’t too necessary. but it intrigued me enough to read the series!
May 21, 2020
A perfect sneak peek into the characters you're about to follow through trials, love and hate. The Sea and Stars series is worth your while!
August 22, 2021
I love this glimpse into Simper's mermaid world and into Tallora's life! Plus the mermaid sex?? ... it's fade to black but it gives just enough to know. Love it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2022
Nice preface to the main story
July 11, 2025
This short prequel is more of a teaser for book one with only 20 pages and one scene depicting Tallora's life before her rise to the surface.
It's an okay r3ad, not much to comment about
It's an okay r3ad, not much to comment about
August 13, 2025
Could’ve been the beginning of the first book but loved getting more insight on Tallora’s life! 🧜🏽♀️
August 22, 2025
4 stars. Intriguing. I’ve been meaning to start this series for years and this little novella has finally pushed me to do so. Loved the writing and the setting so I’m excited to get to book one.
November 26, 2020
I loved this insight into Tallora’s life under the sea before she was taken by Dauriel. It also gives some more the backstory as to why Tallora was praying to the goddess of the stars alone during a storm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2023
It was quick (the reason it's two stars not one). Honestly, this novella could've just been a chapter in Fate of the Stars. It didn't need to be a whole separate book and honestly this particular part of Tallora's life didn't really need to be elaborated on.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews