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A Ship of Bones and Teeth
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is a standalone gothic dark fantasy pirate romance re-telling of The Little Mermaid.
Princess Maren is a woman with a secret. When she was just 16-years old, she sold her soul to the sea witch Edonia, giving up a life underwater in exchange for the love of Prince Aerik on land. But after a decade of abuse and misery inflicted by the cruel prince, Maren wants nothing more than to leave him and her royal role behind and find Edonia to reverse the spell. An opportunity for escape presents itself when the prince and princess are traveling overseas and are taken hostage by a band of notorious pirates, led by the fearsome Captain Ramsay "Bones" Battista. Maren has heard the sordid stories about the infamous pirate--not only is his ship supposedly haunted and crewed by the damned, but that no prisoners ever survive. Fortunately for Maren, she learns that the captain also has a score to settle with the sea witch. With any luck, Maren may be able to get her old life back, even if it's being held in the captain's wicked hands. But Ramsay gets more than he bargained for when he learns who--and what--Maren is, and that her appetite for revenge, freedom, and bloodlust rivals his. Meanwhile Maren finds herself falling for the pirate's dark nature, even as she discovers that Ramsay has a secret more deadly than her own.
When it comes to the high seas, not all monsters lurk beneath the surface.
Princess Maren is a woman with a secret. When she was just 16-years old, she sold her soul to the sea witch Edonia, giving up a life underwater in exchange for the love of Prince Aerik on land. But after a decade of abuse and misery inflicted by the cruel prince, Maren wants nothing more than to leave him and her royal role behind and find Edonia to reverse the spell. An opportunity for escape presents itself when the prince and princess are traveling overseas and are taken hostage by a band of notorious pirates, led by the fearsome Captain Ramsay "Bones" Battista. Maren has heard the sordid stories about the infamous pirate--not only is his ship supposedly haunted and crewed by the damned, but that no prisoners ever survive. Fortunately for Maren, she learns that the captain also has a score to settle with the sea witch. With any luck, Maren may be able to get her old life back, even if it's being held in the captain's wicked hands. But Ramsay gets more than he bargained for when he learns who--and what--Maren is, and that her appetite for revenge, freedom, and bloodlust rivals his. Meanwhile Maren finds herself falling for the pirate's dark nature, even as she discovers that Ramsay has a secret more deadly than her own.
When it comes to the high seas, not all monsters lurk beneath the surface.
508 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2023
About the author
Karina Halle
114 books17.8k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, a former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, & USA Today bestselling author of River of Shadows, The Royals Next Door, and Black Sunshine, as well as 70 other wild and romantic reads, ranging from light & sexy rom coms to horror/paranormal romance and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever genre you're into, she's probably written a romance for it.
When she's not traveling, she and her husband split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, their sailboat the Norfinn, and their condo in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.authorkarinahalle.com
When she's not traveling, she and her husband split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, their sailboat the Norfinn, and their condo in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.authorkarinahalle.com
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October 18, 2023
"It's been so long since I've felt this way about anyone," I murmur the emotions too buoyant to keep submerged any longer.
"What way is that?" she asks, her voice breathy husky, hopeful.
"Like you're the moon and I'm the tides, and every thought, every need, every want, is drawn to you, Maren." I laugh to myself. "You're right, this is madness an I'm drowning and I don't give a damn. Let me drown in you, will ya?"
I'll never look at fish the same way, ever again.
***
🏴☠️𝗔 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗢𝗙 𝗕𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗛 - 𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗔 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘🏴☠️
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐⭐¾
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅽🅰/🅰
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙳𝙰𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 - 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙼𝙴𝚁𝙼𝙰𝙸𝙳𝚂 - 𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚂 - 𝙼𝙰𝙶𝙸𝙲 - 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙳𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝙿𝙾𝚅 - 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚃𝙻𝙴 𝙼𝙴𝚁𝙼𝙰𝙸𝙳 𝚁𝙴𝚃𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽𝙶𝙴 𝙿𝙻𝙾𝚃 - 𝙴𝙽𝙴𝙼𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂 - 𝙿𝙾𝚆𝙴𝚁𝙵𝚄𝙻 𝙰𝚃𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽 - 𝙷𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙸𝙳𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝙹𝙴𝙰𝙻𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙿𝙾𝚂𝚂𝙴𝚂𝚂𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝙼𝙼𝙲 - 𝚃𝙾𝚄𝙲𝙷 𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙳𝙸𝙴 - 𝙼𝙾𝚁𝙰𝙻𝙻𝚈 𝙶𝚁𝙰𝚈 𝙼𝙰𝙸𝙽 𝙲𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙲𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚂
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥👥/𝟱
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼/𝟱
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜📜/𝟱
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: 💀💀💀💀/𝟱
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧/𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🔥🔥🔥🔥/𝟱 (𝚃𝙾𝚄𝙲𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙾𝚁𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙴𝚇 - 𝙴𝚇𝙿𝙻𝙸𝙲𝙸𝚃 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝚂𝙼𝚄𝚃)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🚒🚒🚒½/𝟱 (𝚁𝙴𝙰𝙻𝙻𝚈 𝙷𝙾𝚃 𝙽𝙶𝙻 - 𝙴𝚇𝙲𝙴𝙿𝚃 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙾𝙽𝙴 𝚂𝙲𝙴𝙽𝙴 𝙶𝙰𝙶)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 💣💣💣/𝟱
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐🤐🤐/5 (𝙼𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴 - 𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚅𝙸𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴/𝚂𝙴𝚇)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌻🌻🌻/𝟱
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🌹🌹🌹½/𝟱 (𝙸 𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 𝚃𝙷𝙴𝙼 - 𝚈𝙴𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙰 𝙿𝚄𝙽 - 𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝙿𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙽𝙴𝚁𝚂/𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂)
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: 💔💔/𝟱
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🖤🖤/𝟱
★𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚:
★𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚: 🎶𝙷𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙵𝙸𝚁𝙴 - 𝚆𝙸𝙽𝙳 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙺𝙴𝚁𝚂🎶
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
***I always try to be as objective as I can with my ratings for DARK THEMES & TRIGGER WARNINGS, SMUT TECHNICAL CONTENT/INTENSITY, SMUT QUANTITY, ROMANCE QUANTITY, ANGST LEVEL, ENEMIES-TO-LOVERSNESS; the ratings for CHARACTERS, WRITING, PLOT, SMUT QUALITY, ROMANCE QUALITY, are instead tied to my own subjective reading experience and final opinion of the book.
I've finally had some time to actually think about this book and, after a little conversation with my book twinsie Koisty, I can confirm that I liked this a lot, but didn't love it as much as I expected.
Halle's writing is amazing; I highlighted the hell out of this book (so many good quotes!!) and the romance aspect gave me lots of emotions, but I feel like something was missing plotwise speaking, and after my exchange of ideas with miss Fishy, I was able to figure out what that something was.
For one, there seems to be too much focus on telling rather than showing, especially when it comes to focal plot points and action scenes.
There were moments were the pathos was basically oozing off the page, except it all went downhill and fell impossibly flat when the scene required it the most.
A little disorientating, to be honest.
There were times I literally had to go back and check if I was missing someting, because I couldn't comprehend how quickly some conflicts were handled.
Then, the characters. Sure, I liked a lot both Maren and Ramsey, but they both seemed to have layers the author never properly explored. Again, I was told they were and felt a certain way, but I was often not shown so.
The romance was really good and I've grown accustomed to Halle's idea of what a dark romance should be like, so I don't particularly mind how MMC was obsessed with FMC a little after they met or how the fact that they're both fucked up by their past was often used to excuse their present behaviors.
I, on the other hand, would have totally done without a few scenes that had me gagging. I mean, I've read a lot of questionable things and even enjoyed many of them, but apparently I draw my line at . Funny how you never stop learning things, even about yourself lol.
As much as I love my romantasy books with a side of well-written smut, there were a couple times I would have appreciated if the two main characters forgot about their hormones and focused on how to make it out of situations alive.
Weird of me to say this, I know. Mark this day on the calendar because it might be a Halley's comet kind of situation.
I am a bit conflicted about the ratings on this. I'm not sure I liked it enough to give it 4 full stars, but, at the same time, I had fun with it -mostly with the romance and the smut, if I have to be completely honest- and my paperback looks so pretty with all its highlighted lines and colored bookmarks.
I think I'll go with a 3.75 rounded up because my enjoyement, despite very superficial, was real.
I love how Halle never disappoints.
And even when she does, she does it with style.
May 26, 2023
"You are a stunning abyss of a creature…one that I could spend eons swimming in and never get to the bottom of."
—fantasy dark (ish) romance
—found family
—spicy 🔥
—stand-alone
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is a little mermaid retelling meets pirates of the Caribbean and it had me on my knees. A story I didn’t know I needed, this book was the spicy adventure that had me flipping the pages even way past my bedtime.
AND RAMSAY. THAT FICTIONAL MAN IS PHEWWWWWW. 🔥🥵
Maren is a syren who wishes to be a human, after making a deal with a sea witch, she lands on two legs as a human where she falls in love with a prince. A decade passes where a horrific marriage and betrayal lead to her and her husband being on a ship. A ship that is captured by pirates. From there they get kidnapped and meet the notorious Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. Tension fills the ship, lust, love, lies, and revenge unveils, the question is, what will Maren decide in the end?
A unique enemies to lovers romance with dark elements, magic, pirates, and syrens, ASOBAT truly sets itself apart. I loved reading every single minute of reading this story, I loved the characters (especially the side characters Nill, Sam, Thane, Sedge, and all of them), and I LOVED THE SPICE. Boy oh boy does Ramsay have a mouth on him, a dirty mouth. And it gave me all the butterflies 🦋. If you’re looking for a sea filled adventure spicy romance, A Ship of Bones and Teeth needs to be added to your tbr.
Check TW first please, I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable.
The only two reasons I’m giving this 4.75/5 stars is because the overuse of the pet names became a little too much for my personal taste and I do wish we got a longer ending. The final battle was so cool, amazing, and interesting but it felt a bit short. Other than that, this story was a top notch read and had me wanting to go back to the beginning to read it all over again.
All my love is for Maren and Ramsay right now, I love them. 🏴☠️🧜🏼♀️
—fantasy dark (ish) romance
—found family
—spicy 🔥
—stand-alone
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is a little mermaid retelling meets pirates of the Caribbean and it had me on my knees. A story I didn’t know I needed, this book was the spicy adventure that had me flipping the pages even way past my bedtime.
AND RAMSAY. THAT FICTIONAL MAN IS PHEWWWWWW. 🔥🥵
Maren is a syren who wishes to be a human, after making a deal with a sea witch, she lands on two legs as a human where she falls in love with a prince. A decade passes where a horrific marriage and betrayal lead to her and her husband being on a ship. A ship that is captured by pirates. From there they get kidnapped and meet the notorious Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. Tension fills the ship, lust, love, lies, and revenge unveils, the question is, what will Maren decide in the end?
A unique enemies to lovers romance with dark elements, magic, pirates, and syrens, ASOBAT truly sets itself apart. I loved reading every single minute of reading this story, I loved the characters (especially the side characters Nill, Sam, Thane, Sedge, and all of them), and I LOVED THE SPICE. Boy oh boy does Ramsay have a mouth on him, a dirty mouth. And it gave me all the butterflies 🦋. If you’re looking for a sea filled adventure spicy romance, A Ship of Bones and Teeth needs to be added to your tbr.
Check TW first please, I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable.
The only two reasons I’m giving this 4.75/5 stars is because the overuse of the pet names became a little too much for my personal taste and I do wish we got a longer ending. The final battle was so cool, amazing, and interesting but it felt a bit short. Other than that, this story was a top notch read and had me wanting to go back to the beginning to read it all over again.
All my love is for Maren and Ramsay right now, I love them. 🏴☠️🧜🏼♀️
Want to read
May 28, 2023I saw one quote on tiktok…
anyway, on the tbr it goes!
anyway, on the tbr it goes!
June 30, 2023
tbh this fell really flat for me and felt incredibly cheesy.
June 5, 2023
This book is dark, hot, and kept me on the edge of my seat. One of my favorite things about Karina’s writing is she is amazing at creating dark and atmospheric words that jump off the page. Maren is a totally baddie and Ramsey is a morally gray pirate captain. The two of them together is explosive.
I didn’t love the way the pirates spoke when compared to the inner monologues. The way the characters thought felt very modern but when they spoke out loud they used more time-specific language. The juxtaposition of the two pulled me out from time to time. The pacing was also a little disjointed at times.
Other than those two things I did enjoy this! Thank you so much to Karina and Literally Yours PR for an arc 🫶 it’s out now!
Read if you like
✨ stand-alone fantasy romance
✨ dark romance
✨ pirates of the Caribbean x the little mermaid
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ revenge
✨ strong fmcs
✨ morally gray mmcs
I didn’t love the way the pirates spoke when compared to the inner monologues. The way the characters thought felt very modern but when they spoke out loud they used more time-specific language. The juxtaposition of the two pulled me out from time to time. The pacing was also a little disjointed at times.
Other than those two things I did enjoy this! Thank you so much to Karina and Literally Yours PR for an arc 🫶 it’s out now!
Read if you like
✨ stand-alone fantasy romance
✨ dark romance
✨ pirates of the Caribbean x the little mermaid
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ revenge
✨ strong fmcs
✨ morally gray mmcs
June 3, 2023
I am currently on the hunt for a pirate romance so I was excited to read this. I feel like 3 star is a bit generous… but also I didn’t hate this book? I just had a hard time getting into some of the themes. I’m not sure I would consider this a dark romance for MYSELF but the smut was weird at times and some descriptors kinda make me feel icky.
The characters are fun, I just feel like we don’t get too much out of them. This is something I’ve experienced before with standalone novels! There wasn’t any emotional love that ✨made sense✨. It all seemed so quick and irrational and we don’t learn too much about the characters for us to grow attached to them. However it is a quick easy read with a lot of smut if that’s something you’re into. I don’t judge. 🫡
I do feel like this book had lots of potential with pirates, monsters, and some morally grey men with tragic backstories. It just didn’t reach the mark for me. I can understand thought why someone may enjoy it.
I sailed the high seas with this novel but I will now be DISEMBARKING. Farewell. 💀⚔️⚓️🌊🪸🐚🧜🏻♀️
The characters are fun, I just feel like we don’t get too much out of them. This is something I’ve experienced before with standalone novels! There wasn’t any emotional love that ✨made sense✨. It all seemed so quick and irrational and we don’t learn too much about the characters for us to grow attached to them. However it is a quick easy read with a lot of smut if that’s something you’re into. I don’t judge. 🫡
I do feel like this book had lots of potential with pirates, monsters, and some morally grey men with tragic backstories. It just didn’t reach the mark for me. I can understand thought why someone may enjoy it.
I sailed the high seas with this novel but I will now be DISEMBARKING. Farewell. 💀⚔️⚓️🌊🪸🐚🧜🏻♀️
October 27, 2023
3.5 Nill's Tooth Stars ⭐
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
The whole time thinking about what to write in this review, that TikTok sound clip of "Paige, you were good. I'm waiting for you to be great" played on repeat in my mind, as that is exactly how I feel about this book.
Do not get me wrong, it was enjoyable the same way a Marvel Movie is, and contains so many annotateable and memorable lines. But going in I wanted the next Endgame or Guardians of the Galaxy, and instead was given Black Widow. The one that is not "technically" bad, but it's not "technically" good either.
This book is a Dual POV story that follows Maren, a littlemermaid syren, who was hungry for experience and adventure after growing tired of her life under the sea. She makes a deal with a sea witch to turn her human but is lied to about what life is truly like with feet. Soon Maren finds herself married to an abusive prince, where she is expected to be seen and not heard. On the voyage home, our dear Captain Ramsey captures their ship and takes her and the prince hostage...but soon Maren learns that things are not always what they seem on board with the Brethren of Blood.
Before I elaborate on what kept this from AMAZING I want to touch on what I did like. The worldbuilding is absolutely exceptional. Considering this is standalone, there is not often a lot of time given to this to set the foundation, but it was there. I could smell the ocean, I felt like I was on that Pirate ship. There was a fully-fledged magic system and lore that truly paid homage to the vibes of The Little Mermaid mixed with Pirates of the Caribbean. I also really enjoyed the writing as a whole and the style. It was easy to follow and as I mentioned, the number of lines I highlighted in the book truly gives a testament to how much I enjoyed the general quotability of the book.
It was clear that a lot of time and care was put into understanding the life of a pirate as well as the mechanics of sailing a ship. My vocabulary-loving brain practically squealed at the amount of nautical terms that I learnt reading this.
So why then is this only good? Firstly there are a lot of action scenes in this book but every single one of them felt like they had this intense build-up to a climax that would be instantly over or brushed off very quickly. I honestly thought I must have been missing pages or chapters as the story would move on and not line up. It was like aspects of the plot were just missing, conversations were not had and the consequences of the events weren't ever shown.
We were just told things happened and not shown how they happened. Big events would just be mentioned in a passing line and wouldn't have the reaction expected. I would have not minded this if it happened once or twice but it happened numerous times, to the point that I got frustrated. This bled into the smut and the inopportune time that the smut happened.
There were also factors of the plot and writing that felt like they were added purely to elicit a shock from the reader. Added to create a feeling of being unhinged for the sake of being unhinged.
The relationship switches from lust to love with the main characters feeling very quickly. They both lack some characterization and development. For a captain who has been mourning his dead wife and his daughter for so long to move on almost instantly because he found someone to warm his sheets felt weird. I would have liked to see him going through that emotional struggle to accept this. And I felt that any time anything was borderline serious or crossing into that emotional exploration, it would move on very quickly into action or smut.
The tropes you can expect in this are:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ The Little Mermaid X Pirates of the Caribbean
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Revenge Plot
▶ Morally Grey MMC
Ultimately it's still good...I'll still recommend this as I had fun with it but it had so much potential to be more...
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5
The whole time thinking about what to write in this review, that TikTok sound clip of "Paige, you were good. I'm waiting for you to be great" played on repeat in my mind, as that is exactly how I feel about this book.
Do not get me wrong, it was enjoyable the same way a Marvel Movie is, and contains so many annotateable and memorable lines. But going in I wanted the next Endgame or Guardians of the Galaxy, and instead was given Black Widow. The one that is not "technically" bad, but it's not "technically" good either.
This book is a Dual POV story that follows Maren, a little
Before I elaborate on what kept this from AMAZING I want to touch on what I did like. The worldbuilding is absolutely exceptional. Considering this is standalone, there is not often a lot of time given to this to set the foundation, but it was there. I could smell the ocean, I felt like I was on that Pirate ship. There was a fully-fledged magic system and lore that truly paid homage to the vibes of The Little Mermaid mixed with Pirates of the Caribbean. I also really enjoyed the writing as a whole and the style. It was easy to follow and as I mentioned, the number of lines I highlighted in the book truly gives a testament to how much I enjoyed the general quotability of the book.
It was clear that a lot of time and care was put into understanding the life of a pirate as well as the mechanics of sailing a ship. My vocabulary-loving brain practically squealed at the amount of nautical terms that I learnt reading this.
So why then is this only good? Firstly there are a lot of action scenes in this book but every single one of them felt like they had this intense build-up to a climax that would be instantly over or brushed off very quickly. I honestly thought I must have been missing pages or chapters as the story would move on and not line up. It was like aspects of the plot were just missing, conversations were not had and the consequences of the events weren't ever shown.
We were just told things happened and not shown how they happened. Big events would just be mentioned in a passing line and wouldn't have the reaction expected. I would have not minded this if it happened once or twice but it happened numerous times, to the point that I got frustrated. This bled into the smut and the inopportune time that the smut happened.
There were also factors of the plot and writing that felt like they were added purely to elicit a shock from the reader. Added to create a feeling of being unhinged for the sake of being unhinged.
The relationship switches from lust to love with the main characters feeling very quickly. They both lack some characterization and development. For a captain who has been mourning his dead wife and his daughter for so long to move on almost instantly because he found someone to warm his sheets felt weird. I would have liked to see him going through that emotional struggle to accept this. And I felt that any time anything was borderline serious or crossing into that emotional exploration, it would move on very quickly into action or smut.
The tropes you can expect in this are:
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ The Little Mermaid X Pirates of the Caribbean
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Revenge Plot
▶ Morally Grey MMC
Ultimately it's still good...I'll still recommend this as I had fun with it but it had so much potential to be more...
December 25, 2023
“When it comes to the high seas, not all monsters lurk beneath the surface.”
If you are searching for a delightfully dark/spicy and twisted story to drown yourself in, please board the Nightwind in A Ship of Bones and Teeth! It’s bone-chilling, soul-warming, and heart-pounding all the way to the very empowering ending. Aside from the fact that the main characters Maren and Ramsay (aka Captain Bones Battista) have an engaging monstrous addiction to one another that results in many steamy romance scenes, it’s also ultimately a tale of revenge and freedom from one’s past. I never wanted to put this book down! It had me captivated from beginning to end.
All that being said, please review the trigger warnings prior to indulging and/or committing to reading this book as recommended by the author herself as some content may be found offensive or cause emotional distress to some readers!
This was a complete surprise read/impulse buy for me after I so fortunately stumbled upon this book’s existence on a GR friend’s update! Having just seen the new Little Mermaid movie in theatres just made me feel this was fate that I indulge in a dark retelling of the Little Mermaid. I am glad I saw that first because the twist in this story was deep! This story deserves a 10/10 for creativity! There is magic. Sea witches. Pirates that aren’t your average pirates. The mermaid is not even your average mermaid! She even has a shark companion! Ahh! I love sharks! Let’s just say, I was squealing out loud every few pages with all the little surprises! I even had to use my shark bookmark while reading this book because it seemed so fitting!
Indeed, there were lots of little surprises in this book. Let's just say I now have an open mind about how mermaids have intimate encounters. Ahem!
The cover of the book is even hauntingly beautiful as are the chapter illustrations. The attention to detail was extremely evident. I also really loved that the author included a book playlist from her Spotify at the beginning of the book. I spent about 20 minutes just going through songs and emotionally preparing myself for the story to come. I am also writing my own book, and I have a book playlist too! So, it was so awesome to see this done in an actual published book! Thank you, Karina Halle for such an amazing book! I cannot wait to explore her other books now!
Favorite Quotes:
“I know that this is where I belong, drowning in this madness with her. Two monsters that have found their souls in one another.”
~ Captain Ramsay
“Then perhaps the both of us are mad, if madness and monsters are one of the same. But we can be mad together. We can drown in our madness together.”
~ Captain Ramsay
If you are searching for a delightfully dark/spicy and twisted story to drown yourself in, please board the Nightwind in A Ship of Bones and Teeth! It’s bone-chilling, soul-warming, and heart-pounding all the way to the very empowering ending. Aside from the fact that the main characters Maren and Ramsay (aka Captain Bones Battista) have an engaging monstrous addiction to one another that results in many steamy romance scenes, it’s also ultimately a tale of revenge and freedom from one’s past. I never wanted to put this book down! It had me captivated from beginning to end.
All that being said, please review the trigger warnings prior to indulging and/or committing to reading this book as recommended by the author herself as some content may be found offensive or cause emotional distress to some readers!
This was a complete surprise read/impulse buy for me after I so fortunately stumbled upon this book’s existence on a GR friend’s update! Having just seen the new Little Mermaid movie in theatres just made me feel this was fate that I indulge in a dark retelling of the Little Mermaid. I am glad I saw that first because the twist in this story was deep! This story deserves a 10/10 for creativity! There is magic. Sea witches. Pirates that aren’t your average pirates. The mermaid is not even your average mermaid! She even has a shark companion! Ahh! I love sharks! Let’s just say, I was squealing out loud every few pages with all the little surprises! I even had to use my shark bookmark while reading this book because it seemed so fitting!
Indeed, there were lots of little surprises in this book. Let's just say I now have an open mind about how mermaids have intimate encounters. Ahem!
The cover of the book is even hauntingly beautiful as are the chapter illustrations. The attention to detail was extremely evident. I also really loved that the author included a book playlist from her Spotify at the beginning of the book. I spent about 20 minutes just going through songs and emotionally preparing myself for the story to come. I am also writing my own book, and I have a book playlist too! So, it was so awesome to see this done in an actual published book! Thank you, Karina Halle for such an amazing book! I cannot wait to explore her other books now!
Favorite Quotes:
“I know that this is where I belong, drowning in this madness with her. Two monsters that have found their souls in one another.”
~ Captain Ramsay
“Then perhaps the both of us are mad, if madness and monsters are one of the same. But we can be mad together. We can drown in our madness together.”
~ Captain Ramsay
June 1, 2023
DNF @ 50%
I just couldn’t do it. I reaaaaally hoped that I would like this one. But I think Blood Orange might have just been a fluke from Halle. Cause that book slapped but everything I have read from her since has been a miss. This book just didn’t do anything for me. Le sigh.
To start, for any dark readers: don’t get excited about the trigger warnings at the beginning LMAO they’re just there to catfish you, as another reviewer said 😂 fr
I feel like Halle’s writing in this is just not very good. It’s very info dump-y at the beginning, but honestly this continues throughout the whole thing. There’s a lot of telling instead of showing. It’s needlessly descriptive and repetitive which I found boring. The dialogue was also really long and a lot of it was unnatural sounding. Like… no one talks like that in real life.
I also just didn’t really like the story or the FMC, Maren. She didn’t really have a personality aside from being pissed off and it just grated on me. The plot didn’t hook me. I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters or even find them charming. I actually didn’t even laugh once which is a damn shame. There’s no banter, it’s not intriguing, it’s just meh.
My honest to god most major gripe with this book is that the author had no flippin clue as to what the MMC, Ramsey, actually sounded like. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what his voice was supposed to sound like in my head. So buckle in cause I’m about to go on a rant about that single point HAHA it literally drove me out of my mind.
We’ve got three main contenders here: Scottish, pirate and English 🏴 🏴☠️ 🏴
Our MMC is supposed to have grown up in the Scottish highlands (think Jamie Fraser from Outlander). This was mentioned three times in the first half of the book so it must be a crucial part of his characterisation, right? RIGHT? Well let’s see. To contribute to this we’ve got things like:
- “aye” instead of yes but only… sometimes… for some reason
- “lass”
- “wee”
- and the line “his accent got thicker the more aroused he was” or something to that effect.
Like alright… anyone who’s heard a Scottish person talk knows that accent is STRONG AF. Plus they have their own Scots words so they’re not pronouncing words like “you” and instead pronounce “ye”. So if you want someone to read as if they have a Scottish accent you actually have to spell it out as such. Again, see Outlander (Diana Gabaldon is a queen at writing Scottish accents).
The next contender is pirate (dialect or accent or however it can be classified lmao) and for that we’ve got things like:
- “savvy?”
- “if it be your XYZ”
- “It ain’t going to be XYZ”
- “Yo-ho” YEAH. YO FUCKIN HO.
- “That be true”
Even a pirate accent would say “ye” instead of you. But having these things just randomly thrown in?? It’s like the author googled “thing pirates say” and then just injected them into random spots in the book. It felt so out of pocket with the rest of his speech. As a side note she makes two side characters sing a SEA SHANTY IN THE MIDDLE OF A BATTLE cause yk, pirates.
And then, for the most part, he speaks like just a regular, well-spoken Englishman of the 1800’s-ish. Examples:
- “well suffice to say”
- “I’ve come to rescue you milady”
- “Have you ever considered dabbling in levity […]?”
- “Nay” instead of no… sometimes… even though this is OLD old English
IT WAS SO INCONSISTENT I had no idea who this man was or what he was supposed to sound like. He mostly read as a well educated Englishman who then had random bouts of an identity crisis for gods sake. It was honestly so jarring. The snippets of “savvy” and “poppet” especially are so ingrained with Pirates of the Caribbean in my brain that I literally cannot unhear them and they just made me cringe. It’s just embodying Jack Sparrow a lil too much yk? Like we get it… that’s the only depiction of pirates you’ve ever been exposed to.
I know authors can take creative liberties and while that’s entirely fine can we at least have the main characters accent/dialect/speech be consistent? Like holy Christ surely that’s not asking for much.
Anyway… yeah, I just didn’t like it.
I just couldn’t do it. I reaaaaally hoped that I would like this one. But I think Blood Orange might have just been a fluke from Halle. Cause that book slapped but everything I have read from her since has been a miss. This book just didn’t do anything for me. Le sigh.
To start, for any dark readers: don’t get excited about the trigger warnings at the beginning LMAO they’re just there to catfish you, as another reviewer said 😂 fr
I feel like Halle’s writing in this is just not very good. It’s very info dump-y at the beginning, but honestly this continues throughout the whole thing. There’s a lot of telling instead of showing. It’s needlessly descriptive and repetitive which I found boring. The dialogue was also really long and a lot of it was unnatural sounding. Like… no one talks like that in real life.
I also just didn’t really like the story or the FMC, Maren. She didn’t really have a personality aside from being pissed off and it just grated on me. The plot didn’t hook me. I didn’t fall in love with any of the characters or even find them charming. I actually didn’t even laugh once which is a damn shame. There’s no banter, it’s not intriguing, it’s just meh.
My honest to god most major gripe with this book is that the author had no flippin clue as to what the MMC, Ramsey, actually sounded like. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what his voice was supposed to sound like in my head. So buckle in cause I’m about to go on a rant about that single point HAHA it literally drove me out of my mind.
We’ve got three main contenders here: Scottish, pirate and English 🏴 🏴☠️ 🏴
Our MMC is supposed to have grown up in the Scottish highlands (think Jamie Fraser from Outlander). This was mentioned three times in the first half of the book so it must be a crucial part of his characterisation, right? RIGHT? Well let’s see. To contribute to this we’ve got things like:
- “aye” instead of yes but only… sometimes… for some reason
- “lass”
- “wee”
- and the line “his accent got thicker the more aroused he was” or something to that effect.
Like alright… anyone who’s heard a Scottish person talk knows that accent is STRONG AF. Plus they have their own Scots words so they’re not pronouncing words like “you” and instead pronounce “ye”. So if you want someone to read as if they have a Scottish accent you actually have to spell it out as such. Again, see Outlander (Diana Gabaldon is a queen at writing Scottish accents).
The next contender is pirate (dialect or accent or however it can be classified lmao) and for that we’ve got things like:
- “savvy?”
- “if it be your XYZ”
- “It ain’t going to be XYZ”
- “Yo-ho” YEAH. YO FUCKIN HO.
- “That be true”
Even a pirate accent would say “ye” instead of you. But having these things just randomly thrown in?? It’s like the author googled “thing pirates say” and then just injected them into random spots in the book. It felt so out of pocket with the rest of his speech. As a side note she makes two side characters sing a SEA SHANTY IN THE MIDDLE OF A BATTLE cause yk, pirates.
And then, for the most part, he speaks like just a regular, well-spoken Englishman of the 1800’s-ish. Examples:
- “well suffice to say”
- “I’ve come to rescue you milady”
- “Have you ever considered dabbling in levity […]?”
- “Nay” instead of no… sometimes… even though this is OLD old English
IT WAS SO INCONSISTENT I had no idea who this man was or what he was supposed to sound like. He mostly read as a well educated Englishman who then had random bouts of an identity crisis for gods sake. It was honestly so jarring. The snippets of “savvy” and “poppet” especially are so ingrained with Pirates of the Caribbean in my brain that I literally cannot unhear them and they just made me cringe. It’s just embodying Jack Sparrow a lil too much yk? Like we get it… that’s the only depiction of pirates you’ve ever been exposed to.
I know authors can take creative liberties and while that’s entirely fine can we at least have the main characters accent/dialect/speech be consistent? Like holy Christ surely that’s not asking for much.
Anyway… yeah, I just didn’t like it.
March 18, 2024
"I'm a Syren. Mermaids are mythical creatures that you men made up, as if there were swarms of females in the seas just waiting to worship you." I let out a mirthless laugh. "Syrens, on the other hand, we don't want to worship you. We want to eat you."
Oh I DEVOURED this. Not only is the plot incredibly epic and a true enemies to lovers romance, but this book is filled with delicious feminine rage. If you love your women monstrous and unapologetic about it, READ THIS. I was literally cheering and dancing around my room throughout this book.
The dynamic and romance between Ramsay & Maren absolutely swept me away. They are both monstrous, they both have a shit ton of rage, and are true equals in every sense of the word. And that truly makes for a fun as hell book couple. But make no mistake, he falls first and harder, as he should tbh.
And the spice?? Good lord I was sweating. Let’s just say this man ✨enjoys eating✨. They literally f*ck at the bottom of the ocean at one point LIKE?!
P. S. I cried 5 times lmfao
Oh I DEVOURED this. Not only is the plot incredibly epic and a true enemies to lovers romance, but this book is filled with delicious feminine rage. If you love your women monstrous and unapologetic about it, READ THIS. I was literally cheering and dancing around my room throughout this book.
The dynamic and romance between Ramsay & Maren absolutely swept me away. They are both monstrous, they both have a shit ton of rage, and are true equals in every sense of the word. And that truly makes for a fun as hell book couple. But make no mistake, he falls first and harder, as he should tbh.
And the spice?? Good lord I was sweating. Let’s just say this man ✨enjoys eating✨. They literally f*ck at the bottom of the ocean at one point LIKE?!
P. S. I cried 5 times lmfao
September 5, 2023
4,0 ✨✨✨
May 19, 2023
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is an amazing book that captivates readers with its dark and fairytale-like atmosphere. Karina skillfully weaves a tale that combines elements of romance, action, suspense, horror, and fantasy, creating a unique and original retelling of The Little Mermaid. From the very beginning, the prologue sets the mood, drawing readers into a world that is both enchanting and chilling.
“You’re a fever in my soul, for which there is no cure.”
The character development in the story is exceptional, particularly that of the heroine, Maren. She starts as a meek and scared princess but undergoes a remarkable transformation into a fierce, empowered, and ruthless syren. Her journey is captivating, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.
“I make no false claims when it comes to you, luv, you belong to me body and soul, heart and spirit.”
The relationship between Maren and Ramsay, the male lead, is a highlight of the book. Their banter is fun and enjoyable, and their chemistry is palpable. It is refreshing to see their bond develop before delving into the physical aspects of their relationship. The author wisely avoids overpowering the plot with excessive sex scenes, allowing the characters and their personal growth to take center stage. Their love developed organically and I enjoyed seeing them together.
"I've never had an addiction before," he says hoarsely. "But I think you'll be mine."
The story is unpredictable until the very end, keeping readers on their toes. Karina's attention to detail is evident, creating a rich and immersive world that enhances the overall experience. The love, loyalty, and sacrifices between Maren and Ramsay are beautifully portrayed. The absence of unnecessary drama and the logical thinking of the protagonist contribute to a well-paced and satisfying plot.
“Stay with me,” he whispers. “Don’t go back to the deep. Stay with me at the surface. With the sun and the moon and the stars."
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is an exceptional book that takes readers on a thrilling and enchanting journey. Karina's storytelling skills shine through, delivering a complete and well-crafted tale. The character development, intricate plot, and unexpected twists make it a standout read. This book is a must-read for fans of dark fairytales, romance, and fantasy. It is one of my favorite books of the year and I hope Karina will decide to write more books in this world.
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is an amazing book that captivates readers with its dark and fairytale-like atmosphere. Karina skillfully weaves a tale that combines elements of romance, action, suspense, horror, and fantasy, creating a unique and original retelling of The Little Mermaid. From the very beginning, the prologue sets the mood, drawing readers into a world that is both enchanting and chilling.
“You’re a fever in my soul, for which there is no cure.”
The character development in the story is exceptional, particularly that of the heroine, Maren. She starts as a meek and scared princess but undergoes a remarkable transformation into a fierce, empowered, and ruthless syren. Her journey is captivating, and readers will find themselves rooting for her every step of the way.
“I make no false claims when it comes to you, luv, you belong to me body and soul, heart and spirit.”
The relationship between Maren and Ramsay, the male lead, is a highlight of the book. Their banter is fun and enjoyable, and their chemistry is palpable. It is refreshing to see their bond develop before delving into the physical aspects of their relationship. The author wisely avoids overpowering the plot with excessive sex scenes, allowing the characters and their personal growth to take center stage. Their love developed organically and I enjoyed seeing them together.
"I've never had an addiction before," he says hoarsely. "But I think you'll be mine."
The story is unpredictable until the very end, keeping readers on their toes. Karina's attention to detail is evident, creating a rich and immersive world that enhances the overall experience. The love, loyalty, and sacrifices between Maren and Ramsay are beautifully portrayed. The absence of unnecessary drama and the logical thinking of the protagonist contribute to a well-paced and satisfying plot.
“Stay with me,” he whispers. “Don’t go back to the deep. Stay with me at the surface. With the sun and the moon and the stars."
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is an exceptional book that takes readers on a thrilling and enchanting journey. Karina's storytelling skills shine through, delivering a complete and well-crafted tale. The character development, intricate plot, and unexpected twists make it a standout read. This book is a must-read for fans of dark fairytales, romance, and fantasy. It is one of my favorite books of the year and I hope Karina will decide to write more books in this world.
September 5, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4. Preemptively stating that there are some spoilers in the below 😇
I always thoroughly enjoy Karina Halle books, and this one was no exception. This book is a combination of a fractured reimagining of The Little Mermaid and of the Pirates of the Caribbean. This is also an extremely dark book, and I really appreciated the really detailed trigger warning that Karina Halle put at the beginning of the book. I don't think I've ever seen a content warning this intense. Basically, Karina Halle doesn't want to hear anyone's shit if you get triggered or upset by anything in this...she did warn everyone 😂
Plot
In the prologue, we learn that at 16 years old, Maren is the 3rd-in-line syren princess, and she feels ignored by her father and sisters. After she grows infatuated by a human man who she watches on the beach, she begs a sea witch to turn her into a human by trading her fins/gills/tail/syren song/immortality for a human lifespan, legs, and the love of the man on the beach.
The story begins 10 years after Maren made this deal with the sea witch. Unfortunately for Maren, after she became human and met "Prince Aerik" (the man who she had been obsessed with from afar), she learns he is actually a cruel man, and she spends 10 years married to this very abusive man.
While on a voyage with Prince Aerik and the Royal navy, their ship gets attacked by pirates, and Prince Aerik and Princess Maren are taken as hostages to be held for ransom by the pirates. This is where we meet Captain Ramsey who becomes infatuated with Princess Maren, and he has an agenda of his own which involves hunting down syrens. We also learn that Captain Ramsey and his whole crew are not humans--they were all born as "Brethren" which are basically vampire/zombie hybrids. It's all very The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean coded, as promised, which I fucking loved.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed it. It's very dark, as promised. There's a lot of really fucking fucked up shit that the main characters do to each other and to others. Ramsey literally brands her with his initials to show that she belongs to him, Maren shreds Ramsey's entire body/face to pieces, , a few kids die, etc. If you can't handle that stuff, I don't think this book is for you (and that's OK).
I really enjoyed watching Maren get her "monster" back and become vicious again after becoming so lifeless while suffering Aerik's abuse for a decade. I think Maren and Ramsey are actually written to be perfect for each other, which I can't always say about every book couple. Both Maren and Ramsey had fabulous character development and arcs throughout this book.
I did get a little annoyed because the MCs had sex at like 40% of the book, and then there were basically sex scenes every like 3-4 chapters after that. By 75% into the book, I was skimming over all of the sex scenes. With the exception of the time they literally had sex while she's in syren form (with a tail/no human vagina) and he's a human man, all of the sex scenes were pretty repetitive and the same. I was a little bored of the sex scenes.
The one thing that frustrated me with this book is that there were periods where it was extremely slow, and then all the sudden it would be super fast and good again. It was a rollercoaster to read. For example, the beginning is slooooow moving because the story had to set the foundation a bit, but then I thought the book got really good between chapters* ~10 - 15, 22 - 26, 31 - 36 and then 40 - 42.
*For the record these chapters are all complete estimations because I'm doing this off memory without the book in front of me, but this is what it felt like. Everything between these chapters just dragged a bit for me.
Anyways, I enjoyed it. I probably won't re-read it, but I'd recommend it if you like very dark fantasy romance. I'm not sure if I've ever read another The Little Mermaid x Pirates of the Caribbean crossover retelling. Good summery pirate/mermaid story with lots of 18+ content and a lotttt of content for my dark romance girlies.
I always thoroughly enjoy Karina Halle books, and this one was no exception. This book is a combination of a fractured reimagining of The Little Mermaid and of the Pirates of the Caribbean. This is also an extremely dark book, and I really appreciated the really detailed trigger warning that Karina Halle put at the beginning of the book. I don't think I've ever seen a content warning this intense. Basically, Karina Halle doesn't want to hear anyone's shit if you get triggered or upset by anything in this...she did warn everyone 😂
Plot
In the prologue, we learn that at 16 years old, Maren is the 3rd-in-line syren princess, and she feels ignored by her father and sisters. After she grows infatuated by a human man who she watches on the beach, she begs a sea witch to turn her into a human by trading her fins/gills/tail/syren song/immortality for a human lifespan, legs, and the love of the man on the beach.
The story begins 10 years after Maren made this deal with the sea witch. Unfortunately for Maren, after she became human and met "Prince Aerik" (the man who she had been obsessed with from afar), she learns he is actually a cruel man, and she spends 10 years married to this very abusive man.
While on a voyage with Prince Aerik and the Royal navy, their ship gets attacked by pirates, and Prince Aerik and Princess Maren are taken as hostages to be held for ransom by the pirates. This is where we meet Captain Ramsey who becomes infatuated with Princess Maren, and he has an agenda of his own which involves hunting down syrens. We also learn that Captain Ramsey and his whole crew are not humans--they were all born as "Brethren" which are basically vampire/zombie hybrids. It's all very The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean coded, as promised, which I fucking loved.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed it. It's very dark, as promised. There's a lot of really fucking fucked up shit that the main characters do to each other and to others. Ramsey literally brands her with his initials to show that she belongs to him, Maren shreds Ramsey's entire body/face to pieces, , a few kids die, etc. If you can't handle that stuff, I don't think this book is for you (and that's OK).
I really enjoyed watching Maren get her "monster" back and become vicious again after becoming so lifeless while suffering Aerik's abuse for a decade. I think Maren and Ramsey are actually written to be perfect for each other, which I can't always say about every book couple. Both Maren and Ramsey had fabulous character development and arcs throughout this book.
I did get a little annoyed because the MCs had sex at like 40% of the book, and then there were basically sex scenes every like 3-4 chapters after that. By 75% into the book, I was skimming over all of the sex scenes. With the exception of the time they literally had sex while she's in syren form (with a tail/no human vagina) and he's a human man, all of the sex scenes were pretty repetitive and the same. I was a little bored of the sex scenes.
The one thing that frustrated me with this book is that there were periods where it was extremely slow, and then all the sudden it would be super fast and good again. It was a rollercoaster to read. For example, the beginning is slooooow moving because the story had to set the foundation a bit, but then I thought the book got really good between chapters* ~10 - 15, 22 - 26, 31 - 36 and then 40 - 42.
*For the record these chapters are all complete estimations because I'm doing this off memory without the book in front of me, but this is what it felt like. Everything between these chapters just dragged a bit for me.
Anyways, I enjoyed it. I probably won't re-read it, but I'd recommend it if you like very dark fantasy romance. I'm not sure if I've ever read another The Little Mermaid x Pirates of the Caribbean crossover retelling. Good summery pirate/mermaid story with lots of 18+ content and a lotttt of content for my dark romance girlies.
December 30, 2023
I liked the part where she tore out her abusive husbands heart and ate it in front of him as he died.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2024
I enjoyed this right from the start! A dark little mermaid meets pirates of the Caribbean retelling? YES PLEASE 👏🏻
I honestly had so much reading this! This is one of my favorite retellings HANDS DOWN.
Maren is one crazy fmc 😂😂 but I freaking loved her so much & Ramsey is the perfect combination of dark & scary but will do anything for his woman… and I ate👏🏻it👏🏻up
I love how Karina Halle kept so many little mermaid similarities yet had the story line completely different at the same time. It was honestly so much fun!
Quotes:
“I’ve never had an addiction before, but I think you’ll be mine.”
“Two monsters that have found their souls in one another.”
“Let’s not fight, shall we? Even though I rather like it.”
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves:
- retellings (little mermaid x pirates of the Caribbean)
- pirates, mermaids, syrens
- dark fantasy
- captive romance
- hate to love
- they try to unalive each other
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I honestly had so much reading this! This is one of my favorite retellings HANDS DOWN.
Maren is one crazy fmc 😂😂 but I freaking loved her so much & Ramsey is the perfect combination of dark & scary but will do anything for his woman… and I ate👏🏻it👏🏻up
I love how Karina Halle kept so many little mermaid similarities yet had the story line completely different at the same time. It was honestly so much fun!
Quotes:
“I’ve never had an addiction before, but I think you’ll be mine.”
“Two monsters that have found their souls in one another.”
“Let’s not fight, shall we? Even though I rather like it.”
I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves:
- retellings (little mermaid x pirates of the Caribbean)
- pirates, mermaids, syrens
- dark fantasy
- captive romance
- hate to love
- they try to unalive each other
🌶️🌶️🌶️
June 12, 2023
OMG OMG OMG i love love loved this book!!!! think pirates of the carribean meets the little mermaid… what more could you want???? i found it on tiktok from a booktoker named sloan (u better know her) and i immediately downloaded it and started reading. a dark romance retelling of the little mermaid with pirates, sharks, sea witches, and krakens?? touch her and i’ll kill you vibes???yeah my type of book. i am obsessed with the mmc. the mouth on this man, good lord. also i am obsessed with how the author tied nill back into the ending 😭😭😭😭 5/5 stars for me i love her 🫶🏻
July 2, 2023
DNF 70% it’s so boring, can’t even make myself speed read the rest.
April 8, 2024
Hear me out.... vampire pirates 🥵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2023
This was just what I wanted it to be: light, smutty fun with a bad-boy mmc. It’s not literary genius, but it’s not trying to be. The setting and characters were engaging. The ending dragged a bit for me, but the ride was fun. I liked this author’s Dracula retelling (blood orange and black rose) more, but I’m still glad I read this and I had a great time. Note: I do notice the random typo with this author which distracts me, and writing style in this one felt a little cheesy at points.
July 10, 2023
“I’ve never had an addiction before,” he says hoarsely. “But I think you’ll be mine.”
I wanted so badly to love this one but it unfortunately wasn't my vibe. It started off strong with the promise of a The Little Mermaid x The Pirates of the Carribean re-telling but ended up falling flat somewhere in the middle. Once the big plot twist about the pirate crew was revealed, I honestly fely like that did me in because it took the book so far from what I expected it to be. I also found this book to be a bit long with a meandering plot and I honestly just wasn't invested.
I wanted so badly to love this one but it unfortunately wasn't my vibe. It started off strong with the promise of a The Little Mermaid x The Pirates of the Carribean re-telling but ended up falling flat somewhere in the middle. Once the big plot twist about the pirate crew was revealed, I honestly fely like that did me in because it took the book so far from what I expected it to be. I also found this book to be a bit long with a meandering plot and I honestly just wasn't invested.
December 29, 2023
I thought I was getting something similar to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, but then BOOM suddenly ‘Twilight’ is making an appearance. I was not expecting it and I don’t know if I appreciated it 🫣
👇🏼Spoilers👇🏼
So it’s a sequel to the little mermaid, if everything went to sh1t and Prince Eric was a complete a-hole. Moral of the story, be careful what you wish for.
All the men in this book are pretty problematic. I guess it’s in keeping with the era, but they didn’t seem to stay very consistent. Especially the main MMC. Is he a brooding pr1ck, is he not ?
He also got too gushy ! He was this intimidating, smug character, which I really liked and then he turned to mush. It made zero sense to me. The problematic title also carries over to him. I can’t find the exact quote for this, but this was the gist of it.
So the main pirate crew are vampires and they need blood. So one of the men propose they drink from the FMC, the captain says no and then to show he has claimed her he brands her … like livestock. At this point she doesn’t know they drink blood, so she is asking why the captain did it and if the men would have SA’ed her if he didn’t. He explains about the blood thing, but says that some of his crew might be r4pists, but what they do in their spare time isn’t his concern. I didn’t really liked him again after this point. That response was trash.
His quote - “Some may be madmen and some might have been rapists. I don’t keep tabs on them all hours of the day and I don’t judge what they did before they joined my crew. But there are other ways of harming you, luv, and they don’t all involve things of a sexual nature”
There is a fair bit of domestic abuse and lots of mentions of SA and an attempted SA. Also, death of a 2 children at separate points of the book. Yeah this isn’t very happy at points.
I have to say I did really enjoy the beginning and the FMC was very headstrong and witty. I enjoyed seeing her personality switch depending on who she was around. It was quite a long book though, but I’m guessing that was because it was a standalone. The spice scenes were good, but also pretty long, so that might have been a contributing factor.
I’m sorry WTF was the death that occurred at 86%, you have to be kidding me with that. Why did they have to die ? There was honestly no need. They were such a lovable character. The main characters then proceed to get revenge 2 seconds later, before having mermaid sex. The whole situation was weird, I don’t know how to explain it. Either way, probably wasn’t the time.
The book could have ended after the battle scene, but then another chapter happened and then another. It ends with her going back home and finding out that her pet shark had been waiting for her for 10 years. I think that was meant to be an ‘ahhhhh’ moment, but that just made me super depressed.
I’m giving it 3 stars because I liked the first half of the book and despite skimming parts, I did end up finishing it. I would have been happy with just a pirate romance without throwing the vampires in there.
👇🏼Spoilers👇🏼
So it’s a sequel to the little mermaid, if everything went to sh1t and Prince Eric was a complete a-hole. Moral of the story, be careful what you wish for.
All the men in this book are pretty problematic. I guess it’s in keeping with the era, but they didn’t seem to stay very consistent. Especially the main MMC. Is he a brooding pr1ck, is he not ?
He also got too gushy ! He was this intimidating, smug character, which I really liked and then he turned to mush. It made zero sense to me. The problematic title also carries over to him. I can’t find the exact quote for this, but this was the gist of it.
So the main pirate crew are vampires and they need blood. So one of the men propose they drink from the FMC, the captain says no and then to show he has claimed her he brands her … like livestock. At this point she doesn’t know they drink blood, so she is asking why the captain did it and if the men would have SA’ed her if he didn’t. He explains about the blood thing, but says that some of his crew might be r4pists, but what they do in their spare time isn’t his concern. I didn’t really liked him again after this point. That response was trash.
His quote - “Some may be madmen and some might have been rapists. I don’t keep tabs on them all hours of the day and I don’t judge what they did before they joined my crew. But there are other ways of harming you, luv, and they don’t all involve things of a sexual nature”
There is a fair bit of domestic abuse and lots of mentions of SA and an attempted SA. Also, death of a 2 children at separate points of the book. Yeah this isn’t very happy at points.
I have to say I did really enjoy the beginning and the FMC was very headstrong and witty. I enjoyed seeing her personality switch depending on who she was around. It was quite a long book though, but I’m guessing that was because it was a standalone. The spice scenes were good, but also pretty long, so that might have been a contributing factor.
I’m sorry WTF was the death that occurred at 86%, you have to be kidding me with that. Why did they have to die ? There was honestly no need. They were such a lovable character. The main characters then proceed to get revenge 2 seconds later, before having mermaid sex. The whole situation was weird, I don’t know how to explain it. Either way, probably wasn’t the time.
The book could have ended after the battle scene, but then another chapter happened and then another. It ends with her going back home and finding out that her pet shark had been waiting for her for 10 years. I think that was meant to be an ‘ahhhhh’ moment, but that just made me super depressed.
I’m giving it 3 stars because I liked the first half of the book and despite skimming parts, I did end up finishing it. I would have been happy with just a pirate romance without throwing the vampires in there.
October 3, 2023
I love retellings and this one was quite enjoyable. It was a bit darker than The Little Mermaid tale we all know and love. For one, Princess Maren wasn't a mermaid. She was a Syren—vicious, man-eating, creature of the sea. She felt unloved and ignored and wanted more. After a glimpse above the sea, she found the sea witch and made a fool's bargain to get legs, have the prince fall in love with her, and get her happily ever after.
Too bad nothing happened the way she wanted them to.
Prince Aerik was abusive and after 10 years of it, Maren had practically accepted her lot in life. When they're captured by pirates, she finally had a taste of freedom. And the first person to see her, to actually see her is the captain of the ship, Ramsay.
I loved Ramsay. He was hilarious, without intending to be. He was loyal, honorable, and yet he was an outcast leading a group of outcasts. There is so much more to learn about him, but I'll let you discover all of the magic of him and this story for yourself. Enjoy!
Too bad nothing happened the way she wanted them to.
Prince Aerik was abusive and after 10 years of it, Maren had practically accepted her lot in life. When they're captured by pirates, she finally had a taste of freedom. And the first person to see her, to actually see her is the captain of the ship, Ramsay.
I loved Ramsay. He was hilarious, without intending to be. He was loyal, honorable, and yet he was an outcast leading a group of outcasts. There is so much more to learn about him, but I'll let you discover all of the magic of him and this story for yourself. Enjoy!
June 22, 2023
Excellent mermaid retelling. Not dark really IMO. I’ll read the next for sure.
December 31, 2023
Take The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean. Mash them together, but make it dark and sexy.
Holy shit! Reading slump who ? I had the best fucking time reading this book, and from now on I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to find mermaid and pirate stories that will compare to this one!
This story follows our FMC, Maren, a 16 year old Syren who is unhappy with her life and desperate for freedom. She watches a prince named Aerik from afar and decides that nothing will make her happier and being a human and having Aerik love her. So she bargains with a sea witch to make her dreams come true.
But the sea witch tricks her, and the life that she ended up having was completely different than what she wanted. Turns out the prince isn’t the man she thought he was.
Ten years later, she and the prince are captured my pirates and imprisoned on their ship. That’s where the story truly begins.
It turns into a dark romance between her and the pirate captain!
If dark romance bothers you, you better not read it or you’re going to be real mad.
At one point he even brands her on the hip with his mark, making her his property (which he says repeatedly) so the rest of the crew won’t touch her or hurt her.
He’s a protective, possessive, morally grey pirate that becomes completely taken with her.
The story follows their romance, their desire for revenge against the sea witch, and also Maren trying to regain her inner power and become a Syren again.
I’m completely obsessed with everything about this story!
Also the pirates on the ship reminded me so much of Barbosa and his crew or Davy Jones and his crew on Pirates of the Caribbean because they also have a curse that makes them more supernatural than human.
Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book before you read it. Some of them include physical abuse by her husband, suicide idealization, and threat of sexual assault.
P.S. what happens on page 366 will literally stay in my brain forever! That was wild!
Holy shit! Reading slump who ? I had the best fucking time reading this book, and from now on I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to find mermaid and pirate stories that will compare to this one!
This story follows our FMC, Maren, a 16 year old Syren who is unhappy with her life and desperate for freedom. She watches a prince named Aerik from afar and decides that nothing will make her happier and being a human and having Aerik love her. So she bargains with a sea witch to make her dreams come true.
But the sea witch tricks her, and the life that she ended up having was completely different than what she wanted. Turns out the prince isn’t the man she thought he was.
Ten years later, she and the prince are captured my pirates and imprisoned on their ship. That’s where the story truly begins.
It turns into a dark romance between her and the pirate captain!
If dark romance bothers you, you better not read it or you’re going to be real mad.
At one point he even brands her on the hip with his mark, making her his property (which he says repeatedly) so the rest of the crew won’t touch her or hurt her.
He’s a protective, possessive, morally grey pirate that becomes completely taken with her.
The story follows their romance, their desire for revenge against the sea witch, and also Maren trying to regain her inner power and become a Syren again.
I’m completely obsessed with everything about this story!
Also the pirates on the ship reminded me so much of Barbosa and his crew or Davy Jones and his crew on Pirates of the Caribbean because they also have a curse that makes them more supernatural than human.
Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book before you read it. Some of them include physical abuse by her husband, suicide idealization, and threat of sexual assault.
P.S. what happens on page 366 will literally stay in my brain forever! That was wild!
July 16, 2023
not a 5-star book..... but i still really loved it, it's so underrated fr 🫶🏻
––
PLEASE CAN THE UNIVERSE GIVE ME A 5-STAR BOOK FOR ONCE
––
PLEASE CAN THE UNIVERSE GIVE ME A 5-STAR BOOK FOR ONCE
April 15, 2024
A Ship of Bones & Teeth by Karina Halle is an adult dark(ish) fantasy romance inspired by The Little Mermaid and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Potential triggers: violence and gore, mentions of abuse, grief and loss, murder, explicit sexual scenes and a captor/captive romance dynamic, sexual scenes that border on monster romance.
Princess Maren is a Syren who was tricked by a sea witch at the age of sixteen into giving up her fins and tongue to live and love as a human. The main problem being, Prince Aerick preyed on her silence and vulnerability and she found herself attached to an abusive prick and filled with regret for all she lost. For a decade she endures a horrible life at the mercy of Prince Aerick, until one day they are both captured by pirates. Captain Ramsay "Bones" Batista takes them by force as hostages for ransom, but soon takes an interest in Maren beyond what she's worth in gold.
This story is full of dark whimsy, comic relief and lots of spicy scenes, but it was Maren's character arc along the way that held my interest. I absolutely loved fierce and monstrous she became, and I really enjoyed her emotional growth. Maren is fighting an inner battle, her vision clouded by regret, anger and grief. And it's only through her journey with Ramsay that she is able to clear the fog, accept herself and understand what she truly wants.
Though the premise was strong, I felt the fantasy elements and the plot were underdeveloped. A few things did not make much sense to me and were either explained away by magic or not acknowledged at all. I would add examples, but I don't want to spoil any aspects of the story. This is definitely a matter of personal preference because I feel many people will find this story entertaining without taking it so seriously.
I am so grateful to have received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this to romance readers that enjoy dark(ish) fantasy romance, monster romance, fierce female protagonists, male protagonists that worship their woman, feminist reads, and light (albeit sometimes gory) reads.
Potential triggers: violence and gore, mentions of abuse, grief and loss, murder, explicit sexual scenes and a captor/captive romance dynamic, sexual scenes that border on monster romance.
Princess Maren is a Syren who was tricked by a sea witch at the age of sixteen into giving up her fins and tongue to live and love as a human. The main problem being, Prince Aerick preyed on her silence and vulnerability and she found herself attached to an abusive prick and filled with regret for all she lost. For a decade she endures a horrible life at the mercy of Prince Aerick, until one day they are both captured by pirates. Captain Ramsay "Bones" Batista takes them by force as hostages for ransom, but soon takes an interest in Maren beyond what she's worth in gold.
"I only call her kind vicious beasts because they are and in my eyes it's the highest compliment you can give a woman."
This story is full of dark whimsy, comic relief and lots of spicy scenes, but it was Maren's character arc along the way that held my interest. I absolutely loved fierce and monstrous she became, and I really enjoyed her emotional growth. Maren is fighting an inner battle, her vision clouded by regret, anger and grief. And it's only through her journey with Ramsay that she is able to clear the fog, accept herself and understand what she truly wants.
"What is madness if not rage? If not a monster?"
Though the premise was strong, I felt the fantasy elements and the plot were underdeveloped. A few things did not make much sense to me and were either explained away by magic or not acknowledged at all. I would add examples, but I don't want to spoil any aspects of the story. This is definitely a matter of personal preference because I feel many people will find this story entertaining without taking it so seriously.
I am so grateful to have received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this to romance readers that enjoy dark(ish) fantasy romance, monster romance, fierce female protagonists, male protagonists that worship their woman, feminist reads, and light (albeit sometimes gory) reads.
June 2, 2023
This book is SO GOOD!! And it’s a stand-alone so we get the most satisfying conclusion. I love it!!
In this world, mermaids are actually vicious Syrens who eat the organs of men. Maren is a Syren who traded her tail/voice for a chance to be with the handsome human, Prince Aerik. Life with Aerik is NOT what she wanted (he SUCKS) so she’s miserable until she finds herself kidnapped and taken prisoner on Captain Ramsey’s ship, the Nightwind.
This book has spice, enemies-to-lovers romance, found family, pirate life, abuse, grief, character growth, and magical creatures.
I LOVE the “If you’re a monster, I’m a monster. Let’s be monsters together” dynamic between Maren and Ramsey. Their bickering/banter and angsty tension is the best.
This book is pretty dark/violent/gory so proceed with caution. (:
In this world, mermaids are actually vicious Syrens who eat the organs of men. Maren is a Syren who traded her tail/voice for a chance to be with the handsome human, Prince Aerik. Life with Aerik is NOT what she wanted (he SUCKS) so she’s miserable until she finds herself kidnapped and taken prisoner on Captain Ramsey’s ship, the Nightwind.
This book has spice, enemies-to-lovers romance, found family, pirate life, abuse, grief, character growth, and magical creatures.
I LOVE the “If you’re a monster, I’m a monster. Let’s be monsters together” dynamic between Maren and Ramsey. Their bickering/banter and angsty tension is the best.
This book is pretty dark/violent/gory so proceed with caution. (:
July 16, 2023
4.5 stars! I was instantly sucked in, it starts as a very dark little mermaid retelling and gets crossed with a pirates of the Caribbean theme. It’s honestly a perfect retelling and enjoyed every moment!
August 5, 2023
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 Stars
When she was young, Princess Maren made a grave mistake that changed the course of her life. Determined to fix the problem, she took the opportunity when taken by the infamous pirate Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. But what she faced could be even more devastating than before.
Knowing the book' theme, I was excited to dive into this one. Though I felt the first half was slow, I enjoyed the overall story, filled with action and sexiness.
Maren was the type of heroine I root for, with her fearlessness and determination. While Ramsay was daring and sometimes vicious, he carried a pain that highlighted his humanity.
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is a tale of adventure and accepting oneself. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a fairytale retelling of fantasy romance.
⚔️⚓️⚔️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . ⚔️⚓️⚔️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
4.25 StarsWhen she was young, Princess Maren made a grave mistake that changed the course of her life. Determined to fix the problem, she took the opportunity when taken by the infamous pirate Captain Ramsay “Bones” Battista. But what she faced could be even more devastating than before.
Knowing the book' theme, I was excited to dive into this one. Though I felt the first half was slow, I enjoyed the overall story, filled with action and sexiness.
I know that this is where I belong, drowning in this madness with her. Two monsters that have found their souls in one another.
Maren was the type of heroine I root for, with her fearlessness and determination. While Ramsay was daring and sometimes vicious, he carried a pain that highlighted his humanity.
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is a tale of adventure and accepting oneself. It would appeal to readers who enjoy a fairytale retelling of fantasy romance.
⚔️⚓️⚔️. . . (F)BR with Twinsie CC . . . ⚔️⚓️⚔️
For more reviews/interviews/book talk/promo visit:
For graphics, trailers & author services visit Warhawke Design Studio.
July 10, 2023
You are the moon, and I am the tides.
3.5 stars 3/5 spicee
This book was great, I really enjoyed it for what the story was. I was very intrigued by a Little Mermaid retelling and the premise of a dark romance theme.
The authors note did state that if you are a dark romance reader that this one wouldn’t be that dark to me. I thought that was pretty accurate. The first 1/2 of the story was so well done & had a great build up of enemies with a forced proximity. I loved the setting for I don’t have the chance to really read many pirate books.
There is something about a dangerous man that runs a ship thats just so easily a win in my mind.
I will say I thought the two MC’s felt a little instant love-y by the time we got to 60%. There was some odd pacing in the middle-end of the book that had me a little pulled out of the story slightly. I still really like Maren and her character, I understand she is a Siren and they lure men into becoming prey, but this girl only had a one track mind when it came to Captain Ramsay. Sometimes!
Also, there was an underwater smut scene with him & her WITH her tail.... I was very confused on how any of that would happen or work. I read that with giant question marks hanging over my head, because HUH?
I wouldn't say I disliked the book because of either of those criticisms they just took me out of the story in the slightest.
I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy:
- slightly darker themes
- good spice
- enemies to lovers
- sirens and bloodthirsty pirates
- adventure
This one was a win for me, it may not be a favorite but I had fun reading this!
3.5 stars 3/5 spicee
This book was great, I really enjoyed it for what the story was. I was very intrigued by a Little Mermaid retelling and the premise of a dark romance theme.
The authors note did state that if you are a dark romance reader that this one wouldn’t be that dark to me. I thought that was pretty accurate. The first 1/2 of the story was so well done & had a great build up of enemies with a forced proximity. I loved the setting for I don’t have the chance to really read many pirate books.
There is something about a dangerous man that runs a ship thats just so easily a win in my mind.
I will say I thought the two MC’s felt a little instant love-y by the time we got to 60%. There was some odd pacing in the middle-end of the book that had me a little pulled out of the story slightly. I still really like Maren and her character, I understand she is a Siren and they lure men into becoming prey, but this girl only had a one track mind when it came to Captain Ramsay. Sometimes!
Also, there was an underwater smut scene with him & her WITH her tail.... I was very confused on how any of that would happen or work. I read that with giant question marks hanging over my head, because HUH?
I wouldn't say I disliked the book because of either of those criticisms they just took me out of the story in the slightest.
I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy:
- slightly darker themes
- good spice
- enemies to lovers
- sirens and bloodthirsty pirates
- adventure
This one was a win for me, it may not be a favorite but I had fun reading this!
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