Storms

HighTower Fairytales: The Little Mermaid #3

by Jacque Stevens

I once thought I might kill a prince. In another glance, I thought I would marry him. But then came a day I never expected.

The day I would kill a god.

When Arianna freed the soul of the prince from a dark god and shattered the underworld, she assumed she could bring peace to the world above. But there are consequences to the powers she gained and a war brewing between the provinces that will require all her magic and heart.

To master her gifts and save her home, Ari climbs to the top of Olympus and fights a war with gods on either side.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2021

About the author

Jacque Stevens wrote her first novel as a stress relief activity during nursing school. Now, as a USA-Today Bestselling Author, she has taken a step back from nursing so she can spend all her time writing stories filled with elves, fairies, and all things awesome. She also is a freelance editor.

Jacque lives in Arizona. New friends, enemies, and wandering visitors from cyberspace can contact Jacque here: sjacquebooks.com or sjacquebooks(at)gmail.com.

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Reviews

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion to this incredible series which has a dark twist on The Little Mermaid. It’s been an exciting and thrilling journey with hints of Greek/Roman mythology and early Christianity. Fast paced and action packed this has had me hooked from the very start, questions have been answered, battles have been fought and relationships that end well. All in all a fab dark fantasy fairytale retelling that I had loved.

[Elizabeth Lavender · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I merely gave you my heart. What you choose to do with it has always been up to you.” The words temporarily call back the sickening dark thirst that washes over Arianna’s spirit, even as Prince Ery’s gentle words somehow cut her to the core. He knew her, the murky darkness of her past, and yet he had stayed by her side. He had desperately tried to create a world that erased the ugliness of her past and had always done everything to protect her. Finally, he had done the unthinkable to save her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And that’s why Arianna couldn’t let go of him, why she had offered her heart to him in the beginning. She’d go to the underworld and back on the chance to save him. And she had. She’d kill a god to make things right for him, to stop the war being waged under his name, and save his kingdom. Yes, she would somehow do the impossible now for Erys. Even if it she had to do the unthinkable as well to save him. Because she had his heart, and yet she didn’t. At least not in the way she had wanted. Erys admits that it was the battle he wished he would have taken up, the one to claim Arianna’s heart when she stood ready to give it. He wanted to, and looking back maybe it was the only battle worth waging. We wish he had too. Because a part of us falls in love with Erys too. Perhaps we wanted to see the prince of the fairy tales who for that moment thought only of what he wanted to make his happily ever after, because there’s no doubt who it would include. We wanted to see the prince Erys that didn’t consider his life bound to what his world had dictated was best for his kingdom’s stability. The chance went by though and what’s left is… an ending that is heart wrenching beautiful, because Erys and Arianna aren’t the same two people as when they began the journey. With who they have become, this was the only ending possible as we see the whole picture. A peace is found when the storm has finally waged and the waves have stilled. The sunset descends into the stunning emerald depths. Two lives always connected. As the moon and the sun to each other. As the sea meets the land. As Arianna is to Erys.

[Constance Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending

The final installment in Jacque Stevens' Little Mermaid trilogy was a perfect ending to the series.

Ari is a proper siren now, and a little bloodthirsty. But not to fear! She has Erys-the-ghost to be her moral compass. It's all good!
Or...is it?
This story explores a complex relationship and what it means to rely on others--and how much relying is too much. It's a beautiful story, and Ms. Stevens did a superb job resolving everything satisfyingly while still staying true to the characters.

This is all set against the backdrop of war, of course, and all the tragedy and awfulness that comes with that. The story doesn't shy away from that grimness, as it is reflected in Ari and her new reality as a siren.

Overall this is fantastic. I love Ari, and I especially love Erys, and I wouldn't have wanted their relationship to turn out any other way.

I received an ARC and I willingly wrote this review!

[Ranee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another story by the author I had to read cover by cover in one day! I was a little confused on the battles with the Gods but maybe if I’d paid attention more in the mythology part of English classes I would 😃 I loved the theme of trying your best through conflicts of your own and others’ making to do what is better than before. The ghostly banter and not eating guys was fun but also gave a nice twist on how our own conscience and angels can guide us to avoid temptation. Have to say too the covers of this series are beautiful!
I received a complimentary copy of this book.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What powerful and emotional ending to the series! The little mermaid meets Odyssey and the Iliad in the conclusion to this story. I really loved the whole series, I felt an affinity to the characters and felt their joy and their pain. I even shed a few tears at some parts of the story. This truly is a fantastic retelling with a darker twist more inline with the original story than with the Disney version.

[Mary Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion of this trilogy takes us through many moods and shows the convictions of Ari to remain true to herself and loyal to her loved ones. I was very satisfied with the ending, and appreciated the insights offered in the Epilogue. This entire retelling went far beyond my expectations; so glad I read all three!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!!!

I loved reading this series! I couldn’t put the books down. I highly recommend! I am not great at reviews but since this one didn’t have many I thought I would try. I loved that this was about people that had great character flaws- like how all humanity does- but through love much was conquered.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing and different twist to the little Mermaid. From the start, there’s everything happening to drawn you in and keep you intrigued.