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The Dark Sea
In a kingdom where I was never meant to rule, my fate has been sealed as the bride of the ruthless King Galvin. My only chance at freedom? The treacherous Kingdom of Shadows, home to the powerful Sea Witches.
Accompanied by Finn, my forbidden confidant, and Sebastian, my father's suspicious aide, we navigate the perilous world, unsure of who to trust. Our path leads to King Erebus, an enigmatic ruler ensnared in a web of dark illusions.
As seduction and betrayal lurk in every shadow, I'm torn between fear, longing, and a crown as deadly as any prison. With the fate of the kingdom hanging by a thread, I'm caught between forbidden love, dark desire, and impossible choices.
Dive into a world where love and power clash with dark magic. Will I save my kingdom or lose my heart?
If you enjoyed the classic fairytale retelling of The Little Mermaid, you'll love The Dark Sea.
Accompanied by Finn, my forbidden confidant, and Sebastian, my father's suspicious aide, we navigate the perilous world, unsure of who to trust. Our path leads to King Erebus, an enigmatic ruler ensnared in a web of dark illusions.
As seduction and betrayal lurk in every shadow, I'm torn between fear, longing, and a crown as deadly as any prison. With the fate of the kingdom hanging by a thread, I'm caught between forbidden love, dark desire, and impossible choices.
Dive into a world where love and power clash with dark magic. Will I save my kingdom or lose my heart?
If you enjoyed the classic fairytale retelling of The Little Mermaid, you'll love The Dark Sea.
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2023
29 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 1, 2023
I loved this story so much! Aria and her men were perfect!
This is a little mermaid retelling 🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️
This tells the story of Aria, the sea princess. Her father has arranged her marriage to another king to unite both kingdoms. However, there are so many secrets that her father has kept from her and the kingdom.
Aria is drawn to 3 men, Finn her longest and best friend whom she has secretly loved for a long time, Sebastian, her father's right hand man who she watches over her with a lot of possessiveness and King Erebus, who she meets along her travels and can't resist him and his shadows.
Angelica did amazing at creating this world! Loved it so much!!!
This is a why choose romance where Aria doesn't have to choose between her men.
This is a little mermaid retelling 🧜♀️🧜♀️🧜♀️
This tells the story of Aria, the sea princess. Her father has arranged her marriage to another king to unite both kingdoms. However, there are so many secrets that her father has kept from her and the kingdom.
Aria is drawn to 3 men, Finn her longest and best friend whom she has secretly loved for a long time, Sebastian, her father's right hand man who she watches over her with a lot of possessiveness and King Erebus, who she meets along her travels and can't resist him and his shadows.
Angelica did amazing at creating this world! Loved it so much!!!
This is a why choose romance where Aria doesn't have to choose between her men.
May 21, 2024
great twist
The Dark Sea
Fairytales With A Twist book seven
New Rose
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Time to read: 2.5 hours
HEA
**My review may contain spoilers!!!!!
**Read Trigger Warnings!!!!
Tropes/Genres/tags:
Retellings
Friends to l0vers
Age gap
V1rg1n heroine
“Daddy”
Aria, 20-21
Finlee, best friend and guard
Sebastián, King Oceanus’ trusted advisor,
Erebus, King of the Shadows
A thrilling twist on the beloved “The Little Mermaid “ tale! I enjoyed this book a lot.
The Dark Sea
Fairytales With A Twist book seven
New Rose
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Time to read: 2.5 hours
HEA
**My review may contain spoilers!!!!!
**Read Trigger Warnings!!!!
Tropes/Genres/tags:
Retellings
Friends to l0vers
Age gap
V1rg1n heroine
“Daddy”
Aria, 20-21
Finlee, best friend and guard
Sebastián, King Oceanus’ trusted advisor,
Erebus, King of the Shadows
A thrilling twist on the beloved “The Little Mermaid “ tale! I enjoyed this book a lot.
May 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Dark Sea by Angelica Aquiles is a dark and captivating retelling of The Little Mermaid, full of intrigue, forbidden love, and dangerous magic. The protagonist finds herself caught between the oppressive rule of King Galvin and the treacherous allure of the Kingdom of Shadows, where the powerful Sea Witches reign. The relationships are complex, with Finn, the forbidden confidant, and Sebastian, the mysterious aide, adding layers of emotional tension and uncertainty. The dark magic, seductive power plays, and ever-present sense of betrayal create a compelling atmosphere of suspense and desire. The protagonist's internal struggle—torn between duty and love—draws you in, making the choices she faces feel even more heart-wrenching. With its vivid world-building and strong emotional undercurrents, this book will appeal to fans of romantic fantasy with high stakes and intense emotional depth. The pacing and suspense will keep readers eagerly turning the pages until the last twist.
The Dark Sea by Angelica Aquiles is a dark and captivating retelling of The Little Mermaid, full of intrigue, forbidden love, and dangerous magic. The protagonist finds herself caught between the oppressive rule of King Galvin and the treacherous allure of the Kingdom of Shadows, where the powerful Sea Witches reign. The relationships are complex, with Finn, the forbidden confidant, and Sebastian, the mysterious aide, adding layers of emotional tension and uncertainty. The dark magic, seductive power plays, and ever-present sense of betrayal create a compelling atmosphere of suspense and desire. The protagonist's internal struggle—torn between duty and love—draws you in, making the choices she faces feel even more heart-wrenching. With its vivid world-building and strong emotional undercurrents, this book will appeal to fans of romantic fantasy with high stakes and intense emotional depth. The pacing and suspense will keep readers eagerly turning the pages until the last twist.
June 30, 2023
This book was an amazing read that grabbed me from the very first page and kept me reading until the end. It moves along at a pace that is perfect for the flow of this story, speeding up and slowing down when needed. The characters are so real that you feel like you know them and no matter what happens you cant help but love them. This book has to be on your TBR list, no doubt about it.
July 4, 2023
The Dark Sea was a steamy retelling of the Little Mermaid with a reverse harem twist. It was a short novel which meant some things happened very quickly and felt a bit rushed- for example Aria fell in love with and had sex with multiple people very quickly. Many steamy sex scenes - probably a few too many for my tastes.
July 10, 2023
Sweet Ariel! I loved this retelling of the little mermaid! Ariel is sweet and caring, despite what she has been through growing up. The challenges continue as she comes of age but she meets her men they all pull together despite their initial differences. I love the way they all love Ariel! A great read.
July 31, 2023
KC Rating: 3.5🍁 | 1.25🌶️
Okay, so i both loved the book and at the same time it’s like something was missing from it. The plot, the spice, the group scenes, the book had everything, but at the same time it felled as if the author was rushing to tell us the story and bring us to the conclusion. I would have preferred for the story to be more slow paced, and expand more on all the relationships!
Aria was a great character, that i believe would have been even better if we got more of her story. She is courageous, she’s filthy when needed, and she’s dumb in parts as well (like girlie, you knew your destiny (or at least suspected it) act on it!!)
Now for the harem, i got how Finn and Sebastian fell in it, and while i loved addition of Erebus, it was kind of rushed and inorganic. But the guy was one dirty talking mf, so i loved him a lot!!
Overall, this was another great fairytale retelling which i enjoyed!
Okay, so i both loved the book and at the same time it’s like something was missing from it. The plot, the spice, the group scenes, the book had everything, but at the same time it felled as if the author was rushing to tell us the story and bring us to the conclusion. I would have preferred for the story to be more slow paced, and expand more on all the relationships!
Aria was a great character, that i believe would have been even better if we got more of her story. She is courageous, she’s filthy when needed, and she’s dumb in parts as well (like girlie, you knew your destiny (or at least suspected it) act on it!!)
Now for the harem, i got how Finn and Sebastian fell in it, and while i loved addition of Erebus, it was kind of rushed and inorganic. But the guy was one dirty talking mf, so i loved him a lot!!
Overall, this was another great fairytale retelling which i enjoyed!
July 7, 2023
This is a dark retelling of the Little Mermaid with why choose twist. I really like Aria and her 3 men. The world building made the story immersive. I only wish that I was a bit longer. I hope that this author writes more like this!
July 16, 2023
I enjoyed reading this retelling of The Little Mermaid. It was a great read. I never read this author before this book and will surely read more. I enjoy reading new authors and especially like when I enjoy them. I would recommend these books to anyone.
June 28, 2023
Great story line. Spicy, under the sea retelling with a reverse harem
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2023
Looking for a little mermaid retelling, this story might just be for you, With some twist and some, why choose this just might be for you. I wish the book was a little longer than what it was.
July 24, 2023
I enjoyed this dark retelling of The Little Mermaid. This had a lot of twists and turns and I look forward to reading the next book by this author!
June 15, 2024
A short but interesting retelling of the Little Mermaid. One you’ve never read before. Enjoyable for all.
July 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 10, 2023
Who doesn't love a retelling? Especially when it's the retelling of the Little Mermaid with a spicy twist! I absolutely loved this story. The Aria was a wonderful FMC and her men!! Well. . .Sebastian for the win for me. Angelica created an inticate world and I wished for more!! This story does not disappoint!! Excellent read.
July 22, 2023
I received a copy of this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. This book was an interesting take on a story that we should all be pretty familiar with, and it was a fast paced and easy read. However, for some readers, the pacing may be a little too quick, especially as there’s a lack of very thorough exposition when describing the actions in a particular scene. It felt a bit more like you were reading a play with stage directions, rather than a thoroughly developed out piece of literature. I know the advice is “show, don’t tell,“ however, there could be a little bit more telling, if maybe people are not as used to forming the images in their minds that correspond to the scenes on the page. There were many spicy scenes, and those could have used some more exposition in them as well, but they do seem to be a place where the author paid more attention to detail than perhaps scenes where there were fights, or characters were traveling, or other more setting/action scenes that did not pertain to spice directly. Did I have fun reading it? Sure. It felt like a promising start and could be taken much further in its development, but it was a solid way to pass an evening.
August 11, 2023
In a little mermaid retelling, we see princess Aria trying to get out of the arranged marriage that hr father set her up in to a Fae king. Aria travels to a different territory to try and get out of a blood oath binding her to her marriage. On the way she falls in love with 1. Her best friend fin 2. Her guard Sebastian 3. Te fae king to the territory the visit. Along the way she discovers that the past didn’t go down how her father told everyone and that she is more powerful that she originally thought.
I think this book had too much happening for it to only be 200 pages. I think during the romance scenes stuff happened way too quickly. I like fast pace books but this exceeded that to where it was at times confusing. I like the whole vibe that it gave, but I think it needs more substance and explanation to make it feel real and not rushed. Overall I liked everything that was happening though.
I think this book had too much happening for it to only be 200 pages. I think during the romance scenes stuff happened way too quickly. I like fast pace books but this exceeded that to where it was at times confusing. I like the whole vibe that it gave, but I think it needs more substance and explanation to make it feel real and not rushed. Overall I liked everything that was happening though.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews