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Ocean of Sin and Starlight
PRIEST. PIRATE. MONSTER.
From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes Ocean of Sin and Starlight, a dark-fantasy romance with morally gray pirates and monstrous sirens, a standalone spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.
I wasn’t always a monster.
Once upon a time I had a family, a home, dreams.
Until it was taken away from me and I was turned into a creature only the Devil could love, cursed with bloodlust and immortality.
I spent a century in an isolated monastery for other heathens like me, learning to control my most monstrous impulses, becoming a man of faith so I could put my sins behind me.
I was doing so well.
I was almost…human.
Until I met her.
Larimar, the tempting siren who made me forget my vows, who promised herself to me before she escaped my clutches.
Now I’m obsessed with tracking Larimar down, joining an infamous pirate crew on their ship the Nightwind as we search the high seas for any sign of her.
I don’t know what I’ll do when I find her.
But I know she belongs to me.
And I’ll become a monster once more.
NOTE TO This book can be read as a standalone. HOWEVER, if you were planning on reading A Ship of Bones and Teeth, then I would read that first before you read OOSAS.
ALSO...please head the content warnings inside the front of he book as it has many triggers.
From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes Ocean of Sin and Starlight, a dark-fantasy romance with morally gray pirates and monstrous sirens, a standalone spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.
I wasn’t always a monster.
Once upon a time I had a family, a home, dreams.
Until it was taken away from me and I was turned into a creature only the Devil could love, cursed with bloodlust and immortality.
I spent a century in an isolated monastery for other heathens like me, learning to control my most monstrous impulses, becoming a man of faith so I could put my sins behind me.
I was doing so well.
I was almost…human.
Until I met her.
Larimar, the tempting siren who made me forget my vows, who promised herself to me before she escaped my clutches.
Now I’m obsessed with tracking Larimar down, joining an infamous pirate crew on their ship the Nightwind as we search the high seas for any sign of her.
I don’t know what I’ll do when I find her.
But I know she belongs to me.
And I’ll become a monster once more.
NOTE TO This book can be read as a standalone. HOWEVER, if you were planning on reading A Ship of Bones and Teeth, then I would read that first before you read OOSAS.
ALSO...please head the content warnings inside the front of he book as it has many triggers.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2024
About the author
Karina Halle
114 books18.1k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
June 21, 2024
Karina promised "sexy bonkers" and she delivered. ✨
Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a standalone dark fantasy romance from the incredible mind of Karina Halle — featuring pirates, vampyres, syrens, magic and some good old fashioned depravity.
While Ocean of Sin and Starlight can be enjoyed on its own, it's a spin-off of A Ship of Bones & Teeth and I definitely recommend reading ASOBAT first if you haven't already. They truly pair so well together and I believe reading ASOBAT first provides valuable context for appreciating the bulk of this story. Additionally, this story will spoil some major plot points from ASOBAT.
Father Aragon is a beast in Priest's clothing; a Vampyre who has spent the better part of his immortal existence trying to tame his inner monster. Larimar is a Syren searching for her sister, eating the hearts of men along the way, as Syrens do. When Priest stumbles on Larimar, he can't resist snatching her up to hold her captive in his church and steal her precious blood. Though Larimar is hellbent on escaping, she begins to enjoy Priest's cruelty a little more than she should. Their romance is intense, bizarre, morally questionable and completely monstrous... so of course, I freaking loved it.
Karina's imagination is wild. I love how she is able to consistently spin stories that are bold, unique and entertaining. The dynamic and banter between Priest and Larimar had me cracking up! This duo is as bloodthirsty and unhinged as they come. But their journey together (and apart) carries subtle commentary on acceptance and vulnerability that tugged at my heart.
I love the direction Karina took with this story, with the second half featuring some beloved characters from ASOBAT. She crafted such a satisfying conclusion not only for Priest and Larimar but also Bones and Maren and everyone else aboard the Nightwind.
Overall, this was fun, spicy as heck, ridiculous and blasphemous and just a really great escape! I already miss these characters and this world and I would definitely read both of these books again.
Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a standalone dark fantasy romance from the incredible mind of Karina Halle — featuring pirates, vampyres, syrens, magic and some good old fashioned depravity.
While Ocean of Sin and Starlight can be enjoyed on its own, it's a spin-off of A Ship of Bones & Teeth and I definitely recommend reading ASOBAT first if you haven't already. They truly pair so well together and I believe reading ASOBAT first provides valuable context for appreciating the bulk of this story. Additionally, this story will spoil some major plot points from ASOBAT.
She’s the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen, shining in this watery darkness like a beacon, a North Star, a light that will lead me somewhere. Except I already know she’s going to lead me straight to Hell. And I’m going to go willingly.
Father Aragon is a beast in Priest's clothing; a Vampyre who has spent the better part of his immortal existence trying to tame his inner monster. Larimar is a Syren searching for her sister, eating the hearts of men along the way, as Syrens do. When Priest stumbles on Larimar, he can't resist snatching her up to hold her captive in his church and steal her precious blood. Though Larimar is hellbent on escaping, she begins to enjoy Priest's cruelty a little more than she should. Their romance is intense, bizarre, morally questionable and completely monstrous... so of course, I freaking loved it.
“You have a filthy mouth for a holy man.”
Karina's imagination is wild. I love how she is able to consistently spin stories that are bold, unique and entertaining. The dynamic and banter between Priest and Larimar had me cracking up! This duo is as bloodthirsty and unhinged as they come. But their journey together (and apart) carries subtle commentary on acceptance and vulnerability that tugged at my heart.
“Love is a strange creature... It doesn’t follow logic or reason. It just exists, and we can either make friends with it or become its enemy, but it doesn’t stop what it is.”
I love the direction Karina took with this story, with the second half featuring some beloved characters from ASOBAT. She crafted such a satisfying conclusion not only for Priest and Larimar but also Bones and Maren and everyone else aboard the Nightwind.
Overall, this was fun, spicy as heck, ridiculous and blasphemous and just a really great escape! I already miss these characters and this world and I would definitely read both of these books again.
June 16, 2024
Ok, I had to really sit with my feelings before penning this review because I was genuinely conflicted haha. Overall, I did enjoy a lot of this book, but as a whole it’s not my favorite. I definitely preferred A Ship of Bones and Teeth a LOT more. Karina does do a great job at writing literal monsters, not just morally grey characters. These two are MONSTERS, and you get the vibe again and again. Which I loved. Karina also writes feminine rage really, really well.
All that being said, there were just a lot of scenes and elements of the plot I didn’t like, and didn’t enjoy. I won’t go into detail, because I don’t care to honestly, and it would spoil major plot points haha.
Would I recommend this book? Probably. Honestly, it was fun getting to see cameos of other characters, and I did love the last half more than the first. So my feelings are complicated. I likely won’t reread it though.
All that being said, there were just a lot of scenes and elements of the plot I didn’t like, and didn’t enjoy. I won’t go into detail, because I don’t care to honestly, and it would spoil major plot points haha.
Would I recommend this book? Probably. Honestly, it was fun getting to see cameos of other characters, and I did love the last half more than the first. So my feelings are complicated. I likely won’t reread it though.
June 14, 2024
Clownish, cringey, and badly written around tropes. The priesthood is used as a cheap costume to fake a forbidden love story that’s about as convincing as a bad wig.
The heroine is spineless and boring, and the hero is a pathetic oversized bat who first claims undying love for his wife, waxing nostalgic about their past to the heroine, only for it to be revealed later that he oftentimes used to fantasize about killing his wife and their kids, which he eventually did. To top it off, there’s no epilogue, and the ending seemed so abrupt and rushed that it felt like as if the author ran out of the ink.
The heroine is spineless and boring, and the hero is a pathetic oversized bat who first claims undying love for his wife, waxing nostalgic about their past to the heroine, only for it to be revealed later that he oftentimes used to fantasize about killing his wife and their kids, which he eventually did. To top it off, there’s no epilogue, and the ending seemed so abrupt and rushed that it felt like as if the author ran out of the ink.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2024
dark romance 🫱🏻🫲🏼 fantasy 🫱🏻🫲🏼 vicious sirens 🫱🏻🫲🏼 pirates and a priest
this book was EVERYTHING I needed in a fast paced dark fantasy romance with great plot, interesting characters, a complex relationship, and spice.
I HIGHLY recommend you read A Ship of Bones and Teeth first, because although these are interconnected standalone, they do go in chronological order! aSoBaT is another one of my favorites that I’m constantly recommending if you want dark pirates with a twist and a violent little mermaid inspired retelling.
Ocean of Sin and Starlight delves into the lives two complex characters who are fatefully brought together- a priest fighting to keep his dark side at bay, and a siren searching for her lost sister and stopping at nothing (and no one) to get to her. Their relationship was deliciously complicated- no insta love here folks!
I loved seeing characters from A Ship of Bones and Teeth show up (this is why I recommend reading it first!) and felt like I was reunited with old friends.
The spice was WHEW- check content warnings and heed them! But overall they were so well written. Karina Halle never disappoints. 😌
this book was EVERYTHING I needed in a fast paced dark fantasy romance with great plot, interesting characters, a complex relationship, and spice.
I HIGHLY recommend you read A Ship of Bones and Teeth first, because although these are interconnected standalone, they do go in chronological order! aSoBaT is another one of my favorites that I’m constantly recommending if you want dark pirates with a twist and a violent little mermaid inspired retelling.
Ocean of Sin and Starlight delves into the lives two complex characters who are fatefully brought together- a priest fighting to keep his dark side at bay, and a siren searching for her lost sister and stopping at nothing (and no one) to get to her. Their relationship was deliciously complicated- no insta love here folks!
I loved seeing characters from A Ship of Bones and Teeth show up (this is why I recommend reading it first!) and felt like I was reunited with old friends.
The spice was WHEW- check content warnings and heed them! But overall they were so well written. Karina Halle never disappoints. 😌
July 1, 2024
Second book after “A Ship of Bones and Teeth” which is a dark fantasy mashup between Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid.
This book follows Maren’s sister from book one, and it’s a dark romance between her (a Syren) and the vampire priest who captures her to live off of her blood.
It’s very bingeable, entertaining, and spicy! How could it not be with vampires, syrens, pirates, and witches??
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is still my favorite, but I had a good time reading this one.
There is a detailed trigger warning page at the front of the book that you should DEFINITELY take seriously, particularly if you are religious.
The MMC is a murderous, vampire priest and there are scenes involving religious settings and objects that some readers may find offensive. (Not me though 😂)
This book follows Maren’s sister from book one, and it’s a dark romance between her (a Syren) and the vampire priest who captures her to live off of her blood.
It’s very bingeable, entertaining, and spicy! How could it not be with vampires, syrens, pirates, and witches??
A Ship of Bones and Teeth is still my favorite, but I had a good time reading this one.
There is a detailed trigger warning page at the front of the book that you should DEFINITELY take seriously, particularly if you are religious.
The MMC is a murderous, vampire priest and there are scenes involving religious settings and objects that some readers may find offensive. (Not me though 😂)
July 4, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
"Always and to the end, whatever that end may be"
Tropes:
🌊DARK romance
🏴☠️mermaids and pirates
🧜♀️ spice>>plot
🌊inner demons
🏴☠️we're all monsters here
🧜♀️ wholesome romance
🌊Possessive MMC
🏴☠️ Captor/captive
I was so excited for this book because I really really loved A ship of Bones and Teeth, and while this one was enjoyable and we even got to see some of the characters from ASOBAT, it just didn't hit quite as hard. It was still enjoyable though, I really enjoy how Karina Halle can write truly vicious monsters, that aren't really good, but they aren't evil either - violence is just in their nature
"I wouldn't do that if I were you... she bites"
One of my FAVOURITE tropes is where the FMC and the MMC are attacked and the attacker thinks the
“You have every broken piece of me Larimar... All the dark and the Light”
Thank you to @authorhalle for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
"Always and to the end, whatever that end may be"
Tropes:
🌊DARK romance
🏴☠️mermaids and pirates
🧜♀️ spice>>plot
🌊inner demons
🏴☠️we're all monsters here
🧜♀️ wholesome romance
🌊Possessive MMC
🏴☠️ Captor/captive
I was so excited for this book because I really really loved A ship of Bones and Teeth, and while this one was enjoyable and we even got to see some of the characters from ASOBAT, it just didn't hit quite as hard. It was still enjoyable though, I really enjoy how Karina Halle can write truly vicious monsters, that aren't really good, but they aren't evil either - violence is just in their nature
"I wouldn't do that if I were you... she bites"
One of my FAVOURITE tropes is where the FMC and the MMC are attacked and the attacker thinks the
“You have every broken piece of me Larimar... All the dark and the Light”
Thank you to @authorhalle for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2024
‧₊˚ 4.25 stars — no spoilers
I’m genuinely surprised on how much I enjoyed this book considering how much I didn’t care for 𝘈 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 & 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩. Overall I just liked this one a lot more than the previous.
I really liked the dynamic between our two main characters. The story kept me pretty captivated (and there’s somewhat of an actual plot which I enjoyed).
I loved the somewhat gothic and sultry vibe that this book had. This one had such a different vibe to the first book and I lived for it.
This book covers the guilt and dread that comes with the back and forth trying not to give into your dark side. I felt like it did a pretty great job at showing that you need to make peace with your dark side so that you can live with more of a balance.
“𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦… 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴.”
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣
I felt like Priest was the perfect mmc for this book. His character definitely grew on me. I loved the way we got to learn more about his character and his backstory. He was such an unbelievably in depth character that you just had to read more of the book to know more about. The way Priest talks of not finding something of a salvation and then later in the book refers to Larimar as his salvation was just so satisfying. Like that just it for me.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴. “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥.”
𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙧
Overall I really liked Larimar as an fmc. I loved that even though she gave into her desires with Priest she never strayed away from trying to find her sister. And I loved the sassiness and resilience she brought to the story.
“𝘚𝘺𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦.”
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙧 ♡
I absolutely adored the captor and captive dynamic between the two mcs and how their relationship developed. I loved how they both recognize the monsters in each other and don’t hide from the fact.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦,” 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴. “𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘥𝘰, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩.” “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵. “𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩.” “𝘕𝘰. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢,”
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘴.
“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥.”
“𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘥����𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘈𝘣𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴… 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯.”
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬.”
“𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘵��𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.”
“𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴.”
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.”
“𝘐𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥. “𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵.”
“𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳. 𝘔𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘥𝘰. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.”
“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦.” “𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, ��𝘪��𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦.”
It was nice that we got cameos from Maren and Ramsay; while I didn’t love their book it was nice to see Maren and Larimar’s reunion. I loved seeing how they got their happy endings and the closure we got within the ending.
I’m genuinely surprised on how much I enjoyed this book considering how much I didn’t care for 𝘈 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴 & 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘩. Overall I just liked this one a lot more than the previous.
I really liked the dynamic between our two main characters. The story kept me pretty captivated (and there’s somewhat of an actual plot which I enjoyed).
I loved the somewhat gothic and sultry vibe that this book had. This one had such a different vibe to the first book and I lived for it.
This book covers the guilt and dread that comes with the back and forth trying not to give into your dark side. I felt like it did a pretty great job at showing that you need to make peace with your dark side so that you can live with more of a balance.
“𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦… 𝘐𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴.”
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣
I felt like Priest was the perfect mmc for this book. His character definitely grew on me. I loved the way we got to learn more about his character and his backstory. He was such an unbelievably in depth character that you just had to read more of the book to know more about. The way Priest talks of not finding something of a salvation and then later in the book refers to Larimar as his salvation was just so satisfying. Like that just it for me.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴. “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥.”
𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙧
Overall I really liked Larimar as an fmc. I loved that even though she gave into her desires with Priest she never strayed away from trying to find her sister. And I loved the sassiness and resilience she brought to the story.
“𝘚𝘺𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘦.”
𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙧 ♡
I absolutely adored the captor and captive dynamic between the two mcs and how their relationship developed. I loved how they both recognize the monsters in each other and don’t hide from the fact.
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦,” 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬, 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘴. “𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘥𝘰, 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩.” “𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯,” 𝘐 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵. “𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩.” “𝘕𝘰. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢,”
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘴.
“𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐’𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘥.”
“𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘥����𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦. 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯.”
“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯’𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘈𝘣𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴… 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘣𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘯.”
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯, 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐 𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬.”
“𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘨𝘰, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, 𝘵��𝘬𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦.”
“𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩. 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘭 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴.”
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺, 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.”
“𝘐𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘺, 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵. 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥. “𝘐 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯’𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘐 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴.
“𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶. 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵.”
“𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘳. 𝘔𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘴. 𝘔𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘴𝘩. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘦, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘥𝘰. 𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧.”
“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳.”
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦.” “𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶,” 𝘐 𝘴𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬, ��𝘪��𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯. “𝘈𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦.”
It was nice that we got cameos from Maren and Ramsay; while I didn’t love their book it was nice to see Maren and Larimar’s reunion. I loved seeing how they got their happy endings and the closure we got within the ending.
Shelved as 'dnf-d'
June 21, 2024DNF @ 153 pages in
I dnfd 153 pages in. I couldn’t push through. I have tried other books by Karina and liked them but this was a miss for me.
I disliked it for a couple different reasons but one of the biggest was that the mmc felt like he was being overly sexy for no reason and it came across as forced and trying too hard. Below is a paragraph from the book and at the end of it, he’s like yah and spilling my seed. and it didn’t feel necessary at all. The mmc does that ALOT in first like 35%.
“I want her to remind me of my wife, of the woman I loved before I lost her. But time has erased so much of that life from me. I remember her, I remember my children, can recall the memories and feelings, but I can’t see them anymore. They are nebulous, blank faces. I know what it was like to caress my wife’s body, to spill my seed inside her, to lose myself to the throes of passion,”
I also HATE toe sucking with a passion. I didn’t dnf because of the toe sucking but i dislike it aggressively.
The 153 pages I did read just read kinda weird tbh. Because the mmc is this vampire priest who misses his family but he’s a monster and hates that he has to kill people to live but LOVES that he has the siren captured and wants to like RUIN her and is obsessed with her. And the fmc is a siren he is holding captive and she wants to find her sister. So her game plan is to seduce him and get free. But she’s so into him and his wang that forget her sister even thought that a huge part of the story
Overall, this was a HUGE let down. If I did rate my dnfs, I would give this a 2
I dnfd 153 pages in. I couldn’t push through. I have tried other books by Karina and liked them but this was a miss for me.
I disliked it for a couple different reasons but one of the biggest was that the mmc felt like he was being overly sexy for no reason and it came across as forced and trying too hard. Below is a paragraph from the book and at the end of it, he’s like yah and spilling my seed. and it didn’t feel necessary at all. The mmc does that ALOT in first like 35%.
“I want her to remind me of my wife, of the woman I loved before I lost her. But time has erased so much of that life from me. I remember her, I remember my children, can recall the memories and feelings, but I can’t see them anymore. They are nebulous, blank faces. I know what it was like to caress my wife’s body, to spill my seed inside her, to lose myself to the throes of passion,”
I also HATE toe sucking with a passion. I didn’t dnf because of the toe sucking but i dislike it aggressively.
The 153 pages I did read just read kinda weird tbh. Because the mmc is this vampire priest who misses his family but he’s a monster and hates that he has to kill people to live but LOVES that he has the siren captured and wants to like RUIN her and is obsessed with her. And the fmc is a siren he is holding captive and she wants to find her sister. So her game plan is to seduce him and get free. But she’s so into him and his wang that forget her sister even thought that a huge part of the story
Overall, this was a HUGE let down. If I did rate my dnfs, I would give this a 2
August 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book. The title didn’t make a ton of sense, given the storyline. I loved Priest! Larimar was very impulsive and conniving, but she was great too. Some aspects of the storyline frustrated me and I thought the characters fell for each other rather quickly. Overall it was a great story.
July 20, 2024
I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so heavenly before.
She’s an angel.
She’s a devil.
She’ll be my downfall.
I want to make this clear. These aren’t morally grey characters, these are monsters. They do, not morally grey things, but monstrous things.
4.25 stars
“Might you let me down too?”
I see what’s happening. She thinks because I made her come, I’m about to get sweet on her too.
I smirk. “ I already gave you ecstasy with my fingers. Don’t get greedy little fish.”
Then, I turn and walk to the door, leaving her naked on the cross.
This was a first for me lmao
She’s my sustenance.
She’s my meal.
And if I was back in the ocean with her, I have no doubt I would be hers.
A first for cruelness and spice together. Nailing her to a cross and then doing spicy things. Her biting off a chunk of his hand and then his ear and more spicy things.
They killed a dude, ate him, than had sex beside his body.
And there were lots more of those scenarios lmao. These two were…um, twisted. I guess you woudn’t expect anything different from a siren who eats humans and a vampire/beast that drinks blood.
It was a fast, enjoyable read though, and I liked Larimar as a main character, more about Priest later (or Aragon/whatever his name actually was). I thought she was a strong character. I always love a sea-related story. Books that take place on a ship >>>
If you like:
🔥Hot blasphemous priests
🧜🏻♀️Sex-crazed Syrens
🩸Blo0d play
🐚Murderous MCs
🖤Equally unhinged hero and heroine
🌶️Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
🏴☠️Pirates
📿Captor and captive situation
🔪Obsessed hero
🗡️”I’d rather kill you than have feelings for you”
🧛🏻 Vampires
✋She eats his hand and his ear but they still have sex
💦 He *does things* after nailing her to a cross 👀
"Larimar," he says, my name a whisper, an offering, something revered.
Then, he plants a kiss on my shoulder.
Sweet.
Soft.
"Priest," I whisper back.
He tenses with hesitation.
Then, he chuckles warmly.
"Sorry, I'm having trouble hearing you," he says. "My ear seems to be missing."
Okay, sometimes I like a book enough, even though it’s not 5 stars, that I don’t need to write anything negative. This was not the case. This next part is negative but keep in mind that I still enjoyed this book enough to rate it 4.25 stars!
It was pretty rushed since the first part went on for so long that the second half, or last 40% was quick through everything. The blurb made it seem like the second half would have been a bigger part of the story, but it was mostly them on the island and her tied up. I would have liked more story of them on the ship and all the things that happened there.
I also didn’t expect the time jump, it threw me off a little, like, completely. I would have liked more on that. – I would have expected some character change or something, but there wasn’t anything, so the jump wasn’t necessary.
I also stopped liking Priest after his “talk” with the beast. Things were revealed about his past that just weren’t right, and I stopped liking him. I mean, he was a hard character to even like in the first place, but after, eh.
Overall, I would have liked more editing, I know she was writing it up until it was submitted, it may have helped when it dragged in the beginning, and maybe a new MMC lmao. I still liked this though, so yeah, *conflicted*
Thank you to the author for providing me an eARC and a pretty special edition physical ARC.
_____________________
A physical ARC is headed my way *swoons*
___
Priests IRL <<<<<<< Hot Book Preists
She’s an angel.
She’s a devil.
She’ll be my downfall.
I want to make this clear. These aren’t morally grey characters, these are monsters. They do, not morally grey things, but monstrous things.
4.25 stars
“Might you let me down too?”
I see what’s happening. She thinks because I made her come, I’m about to get sweet on her too.
I smirk. “ I already gave you ecstasy with my fingers. Don’t get greedy little fish.”
Then, I turn and walk to the door, leaving her naked on the cross.
This was a first for me lmao
She’s my sustenance.
She’s my meal.
And if I was back in the ocean with her, I have no doubt I would be hers.
A first for cruelness and spice together. Nailing her to a cross and then doing spicy things. Her biting off a chunk of his hand and then his ear and more spicy things.
They killed a dude, ate him, than had sex beside his body.
And there were lots more of those scenarios lmao. These two were…um, twisted. I guess you woudn’t expect anything different from a siren who eats humans and a vampire/beast that drinks blood.
It was a fast, enjoyable read though, and I liked Larimar as a main character, more about Priest later (or Aragon/whatever his name actually was). I thought she was a strong character. I always love a sea-related story. Books that take place on a ship >>>
If you like:
🔥Hot blasphemous priests
🧜🏻♀️Sex-crazed Syrens
🩸Blo0d play
🐚Murderous MCs
🖤Equally unhinged hero and heroine
🌶️Enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
🏴☠️Pirates
📿Captor and captive situation
🔪Obsessed hero
🗡️”I’d rather kill you than have feelings for you”
🧛🏻 Vampires
✋She eats his hand and his ear but they still have sex
💦 He *does things* after nailing her to a cross 👀
"Larimar," he says, my name a whisper, an offering, something revered.
Then, he plants a kiss on my shoulder.
Sweet.
Soft.
"Priest," I whisper back.
He tenses with hesitation.
Then, he chuckles warmly.
"Sorry, I'm having trouble hearing you," he says. "My ear seems to be missing."
Okay, sometimes I like a book enough, even though it’s not 5 stars, that I don’t need to write anything negative. This was not the case. This next part is negative but keep in mind that I still enjoyed this book enough to rate it 4.25 stars!
It was pretty rushed since the first part went on for so long that the second half, or last 40% was quick through everything. The blurb made it seem like the second half would have been a bigger part of the story, but it was mostly them on the island and her tied up. I would have liked more story of them on the ship and all the things that happened there.
I also didn’t expect the time jump, it threw me off a little, like, completely. I would have liked more on that. – I would have expected some character change or something, but there wasn’t anything, so the jump wasn’t necessary.
I also stopped liking Priest after his “talk” with the beast. Things were revealed about his past that just weren’t right, and I stopped liking him. I mean, he was a hard character to even like in the first place, but after, eh.
Overall, I would have liked more editing, I know she was writing it up until it was submitted, it may have helped when it dragged in the beginning, and maybe a new MMC lmao. I still liked this though, so yeah, *conflicted*
Thank you to the author for providing me an eARC and a pretty special edition physical ARC.
_____________________
A physical ARC is headed my way *swoons*
___
Priests IRL <<<<<<< Hot Book Preists
June 14, 2024
Clownish, cringey, and badly written around tropes. The priesthood is used as a cheap costume to fake a forbidden love story that’s about as convincing as a bad wig.
The heroine is spineless and boring, and the hero is a pathetic oversized bat who first claims undying love for his wife, waxing nostalgic about their past to the heroine, only for it to be revealed later that he oftentimes used to fantasize about killing his wife and their kids, which he eventually did. To top it off, there’s no epilogue, and the ending seemed so abrupt and rushed that it felt like as if the author ran out of the ink.
The heroine is spineless and boring, and the hero is a pathetic oversized bat who first claims undying love for his wife, waxing nostalgic about their past to the heroine, only for it to be revealed later that he oftentimes used to fantasize about killing his wife and their kids, which he eventually did. To top it off, there’s no epilogue, and the ending seemed so abrupt and rushed that it felt like as if the author ran out of the ink.
July 4, 2024
“I start running down the aisle, heading for the main doors, spitting out parts of his neck and ear as I go, my feet stumbling as I try to run for the first time ever.”
This is a fantastic, smutty, faced paced romantic fantasy that’s a spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.. it’s the sister Larimar’s story.
This is about how a Syren held captive for her blood and body fell in love with a twisted vampire priest.
This book is full of debauchery and I’m here for it. 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“My pulse is quickening, blood rushing to my cock until my pants are tight. I find myself wondering if the Syren is as beautiful as they say, getting harder and harder at the thought of finding her, feasting upon her... defiling her.”
Magic, monsters, and mayhem, this is enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers. Second chances. And fated. Full of mystic creatures, we see our old friends from book A Ship of Bones and Teeth including the Brethren of Blood. Maren and Nim. 🦈
It’s an extra spicy book with a wonderful storyline. I love anything underwater/pirate and it kept me sated till the last page.
“My sea goddess. My little fish. You're mine for eternity, stretching across life and death. Love doesn't die, not like mortals do. It is eternal in itself."
July 4, 2024
“I start running down the aisle, heading for the main doors, spitting out parts of his neck and ear as I go, my feet stumbling as I try to run for the first time ever.”
This is a fantastic, smutty, faced paced romantic fantasy that’s a spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.. it’s the sister Larimar’s story.
This is about how a Syren held captive for her blood and body fell in love with a twisted vampire priest.
This book is full of debauchery and I’m here for it. ��️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
“My pulse is quickening, blood rushing to my cock until my pants are tight. I find myself wondering if the Syren is as beautiful as they say, getting harder and harder at the thought of finding her, feasting upon her... defiling her.”
Magic, monsters, and mayhem, this is enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers. Second chances. And fated. Full of mystic creatures, we see our old friends from book A Ship of Bones and Teeth including the Brethren of Blood. Maren and Nim. 🦈
It’s an extra spicy book with a wonderful storyline. I love anything underwater/pirate and it kept me sated till the last page.
“My sea goddess. My little fish. You're mine for eternity, stretching across life and death. Love doesn't die, not like mortals do. It is eternal in itself."
June 22, 2024
Every single time I open Karina Halle's book there is this excitement that I feel inside. This happened with this book as well. "Ocean of Sin and Starlight" is a spinoff of "A Ship of Bones and Teeth", but in the meantime, it can be read as a standalone. I actually liked the story being a standalone.
Aragon aka Priest is not your usual man of god. He is a deadly vampire/witch who still feels guilt after the things he did when he was turned into a vampire. Due to some fatal circumstances in his village, he captures a siren that he wants to use for his thirst.
Well, his plan didn't go as he planned. This siren, this beautiful deadly woman, became his sole obsession...an obsession he couldn't stop. At first, he wanted only her blood, but there was something about her. He wanted to own her, body and soul.
Larimar was looking for her sister. But when she decided to feed her thirst, she was captured by this priest. At first, she thought he was just a normal human being. But after a while she saw him as a feral creature. She hated him from the moment he captured her, and she didn't let him have her without a fight. But being his prisoner gave her time to know him. She saw his obsession and, after a bit of time, she struck a deal with him. A deal that will bind these two for eternity.
All the time they spent together gave them the chance to fall in love. Even though there were still secrets between them, their hearts made the choice. But it wasn't an easy one. He never believed in being worthy of love and had a difficult time accepting that he loved her. Even with him showing her what could be between them, her heart made the choice more easily. But when she was on the verge of barring her soul to him, something happened, and she had to run away.
Their story goes through a time-lapse from Larimar's escape, to her going through some rough times, to Priest looking all over the world for her. Years later, she was finally able to reconcile with her sister, when she met him again. But this time, she had a lot to say. She was hurt and angry by his actions and wanted him to suffer. She unleashed her rage so beautifully, but I wanted to see more of it. Most importantly, I wanted to see more grovel from Priest, because Larimar definitely deserved it. But we all know that there is a fine line between hate and love.
I loved all the spicy scenes between them. They were extremely hot and kinky. The smut was at the top level and I couldn't tear my eyes from every single page. The carnal desire coming from Priest and Larimar was so, so good 🥵🥵🥵.
I was so glad that I had the chance to see the crew from Nightwind and especially Maren and Ramsey. In this book they were already husband and wife and I freaking loved it. The only thing is that I wished their story was longer, because I wanted to have more time with Priest and Larimar.
Overall, I really loved reading "Ocean of Sin and Starlight".
***I received an ARC from the author and my review is given voluntarily.***
Aragon aka Priest is not your usual man of god. He is a deadly vampire/witch who still feels guilt after the things he did when he was turned into a vampire. Due to some fatal circumstances in his village, he captures a siren that he wants to use for his thirst.
Well, his plan didn't go as he planned. This siren, this beautiful deadly woman, became his sole obsession...an obsession he couldn't stop. At first, he wanted only her blood, but there was something about her. He wanted to own her, body and soul.
Larimar was looking for her sister. But when she decided to feed her thirst, she was captured by this priest. At first, she thought he was just a normal human being. But after a while she saw him as a feral creature. She hated him from the moment he captured her, and she didn't let him have her without a fight. But being his prisoner gave her time to know him. She saw his obsession and, after a bit of time, she struck a deal with him. A deal that will bind these two for eternity.
All the time they spent together gave them the chance to fall in love. Even though there were still secrets between them, their hearts made the choice. But it wasn't an easy one. He never believed in being worthy of love and had a difficult time accepting that he loved her. Even with him showing her what could be between them, her heart made the choice more easily. But when she was on the verge of barring her soul to him, something happened, and she had to run away.
Their story goes through a time-lapse from Larimar's escape, to her going through some rough times, to Priest looking all over the world for her. Years later, she was finally able to reconcile with her sister, when she met him again. But this time, she had a lot to say. She was hurt and angry by his actions and wanted him to suffer. She unleashed her rage so beautifully, but I wanted to see more of it. Most importantly, I wanted to see more grovel from Priest, because Larimar definitely deserved it. But we all know that there is a fine line between hate and love.
I loved all the spicy scenes between them. They were extremely hot and kinky. The smut was at the top level and I couldn't tear my eyes from every single page. The carnal desire coming from Priest and Larimar was so, so good 🥵🥵🥵.
I was so glad that I had the chance to see the crew from Nightwind and especially Maren and Ramsey. In this book they were already husband and wife and I freaking loved it. The only thing is that I wished their story was longer, because I wanted to have more time with Priest and Larimar.
Overall, I really loved reading "Ocean of Sin and Starlight".
***I received an ARC from the author and my review is given voluntarily.***
August 23, 2024
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Karina Halle's An Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a dark-fantasy romance that plunges readers into a world of morally grey pirates and monstrous sirens. A standalone spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth, the novel seamlessly blends romance, horror, and adventure.
The story follows the Priest, a vampire struggling with his cursed existence and his efforts to maintain his faith. Halle expertly portrays his inner turmoil, making him a deeply compelling character. His journey from a man of God to a creature battling his monstrous impulses is gripping from the start.
“Back then… I hated myself. I didn’t deserve to feel better. But when I’m with you, even now, I can breathe. I don’t know what it is, but something about you has always softened the agony, making it so I don’t feel like I’m suffocating.”
The introduction of Larimar, a captivating siren, adds intensity to the narrative. Their dynamic is electric, marked by mutual bloodlust and ruthless desires. The Priest's possessive attachment to Larimar and his struggle with his sinful nature adds significant depth to his character. Larimar’s blend of confidence and vulnerability makes her a well-rounded and relatable character.
The novel excels with its unpredictability, gruesome and spicy scenes, and surprising twists. The pacing is perfect, allowing the slow build of the relationship between the Priest and Larimar to develop naturally. The character development is believable and adds authenticity to their arcs.
Overall, An Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a compelling, dark-fantasy romance that will captivate readers from start to finish. Karina Halle has crafted a richly textured tale exploring faith, sin, and love in a world teeming with danger and desire.
Karina Halle's An Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a dark-fantasy romance that plunges readers into a world of morally grey pirates and monstrous sirens. A standalone spinoff of A Ship of Bones and Teeth, the novel seamlessly blends romance, horror, and adventure.
The story follows the Priest, a vampire struggling with his cursed existence and his efforts to maintain his faith. Halle expertly portrays his inner turmoil, making him a deeply compelling character. His journey from a man of God to a creature battling his monstrous impulses is gripping from the start.
“Back then… I hated myself. I didn’t deserve to feel better. But when I’m with you, even now, I can breathe. I don’t know what it is, but something about you has always softened the agony, making it so I don’t feel like I’m suffocating.”
The introduction of Larimar, a captivating siren, adds intensity to the narrative. Their dynamic is electric, marked by mutual bloodlust and ruthless desires. The Priest's possessive attachment to Larimar and his struggle with his sinful nature adds significant depth to his character. Larimar’s blend of confidence and vulnerability makes her a well-rounded and relatable character.
The novel excels with its unpredictability, gruesome and spicy scenes, and surprising twists. The pacing is perfect, allowing the slow build of the relationship between the Priest and Larimar to develop naturally. The character development is believable and adds authenticity to their arcs.
Overall, An Ocean of Sin and Starlight is a compelling, dark-fantasy romance that will captivate readers from start to finish. Karina Halle has crafted a richly textured tale exploring faith, sin, and love in a world teeming with danger and desire.
June 17, 2024
this book is the definition of how desire can become an addiction.
this book is brutal, philosophical, very smutty, and filled with guilt and violence. it's a dark look at what it would be to give over to your dark side and the constant dread just from the thought of it. both these characters are monsters and neither are good people. but even monsters can find a happy ending.
I loved ASOBAT more, but this wasn't supposed to be ASOBAT part 2, this was something darker, slower, more measured and more filthy.
check the trigger warnings and enjoy if you like reading darker books.
this book is brutal, philosophical, very smutty, and filled with guilt and violence. it's a dark look at what it would be to give over to your dark side and the constant dread just from the thought of it. both these characters are monsters and neither are good people. but even monsters can find a happy ending.
I loved ASOBAT more, but this wasn't supposed to be ASOBAT part 2, this was something darker, slower, more measured and more filthy.
check the trigger warnings and enjoy if you like reading darker books.
June 17, 2024
“𝓛𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓶𝓪𝓻. 𝓜𝔂 𝓼𝓮𝓪 𝓰𝓸𝓭𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓼. 𝓜𝔂 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓯𝓲𝓼𝓱. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓽𝔂, 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓮𝓽𝓬𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓬𝓻𝓸𝓼𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱. 𝓛𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓭𝓸𝓮𝓼𝓷’𝓽 𝓭𝓲𝓮, 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓪𝓵𝓼 𝓭𝓸. 𝓘𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓮𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓷𝓪𝓵 𝓲𝓷 𝓲𝓽𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯.”
i am such a sucker for a good unhinged mmc and fmc duo, and this book delivered that perfectly. i fell in love with Priest and Larimar just as quickly as they fell for each other. two monsters that were able to accept each other's darkness with no hesitation.
the spice. the banter. the gothic setting. i honestly loved all of it. my only complaint is that i wanted more from the ending but i also just didn't want their story to end yet. ♡
(Ty Karina for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
i am such a sucker for a good unhinged mmc and fmc duo, and this book delivered that perfectly. i fell in love with Priest and Larimar just as quickly as they fell for each other. two monsters that were able to accept each other's darkness with no hesitation.
the spice. the banter. the gothic setting. i honestly loved all of it. my only complaint is that i wanted more from the ending but i also just didn't want their story to end yet. ♡
(Ty Karina for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
June 24, 2024
I was so excited when Karina wanted to continue in this world and I really enjoyed this one! It’s definitely darker than A Ship of Bones and Teeth but I personally love the darkness and it worked perfectly for Larimar & Priest’s story!
- dark romantasy
- mermaids/vampires/pirates
- captive romance
- all the spice
This book was a wild ride and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I devoured this in one night! Something about Karina’s writing just sucks me in every time. Definitely recommend!
- dark romantasy
- mermaids/vampires/pirates
- captive romance
- all the spice
This book was a wild ride and I wasn’t sure what to expect but I devoured this in one night! Something about Karina’s writing just sucks me in every time. Definitely recommend!
July 25, 2024
If I could give 10 stars, I would! A Ship Of Bones And Teeth and Ocean Of Sin and Starlight we great! Love both! Add to your TBR! ♥️♥️♥️♥️
June 17, 2024
What do we deserve, and who do we answer to?
Ocean Of Sin And Starlight by Karina Halle takes you on a journey and discovery of your inner desires, and who ultimately makes the call in your destiny.
This book is a dark fantasy romance. Karina has graciously put in a very extensive trigger warning and it will definitely help determine if this is something you’d like to read.
If you regularly read dark romance like myself, this won’t be incredibly dark to you. if you aren’t a dark romance reader… and you want to dabble into the world of dark romantic fantasy… this could be a good place to start. Just… check those trigger warnings, and decide for yourself.
The dedication of this book is “To those readers who like their men feral, their women wild, and their fantasy dark” 1,000 times YES.
Now this story can be read by itself, but if you know you want to read this book… read A Ship Of Bones And Teeth first. Absolutely 100%…. That is my recommendation.
This story follows a Syren named Larimar, and a Priest… who is also a Vampyre… and a witch.
One day Priest captures Larimar on her quest to find her missing sister… Syren blood is stronger and works better than human blood for Vampyres… and so Priest is working through the turmoil of letting the beast inside him out… or staying the devout holy man that he is to his small village in Chile.
When Larimar discovers that Priest is also a witch, she begs him to grant her legs so she may walk on land. (Something that will help her search for her sister, though she does not divulge this to Priest) He accepts… but only for a price. “No matter where you go, I will find you. I will take you back, take what’s mine. I know you mean to escape any way you can, but even if you are successful one day, I will stop at nothing to hunt you down. This magic will ensure I find you, no matter how long it takes. And believe me, you won’t want me to find you.”
What I really enjoyed about this story is it gives me Midnight Mass vibes. I absolutely loved the conflicted religious undertones of the story. It explores dark religious elements and it was done incredibly well and was very fascinating.
There’s a scene where Larimar bites at Priest with her Syren teeth and he growls “What did I just tell you? You bite me, and I’m going to bite you right back.” I yank her head to the side, exposing the skin of her neck, and sink my teeth into her jugular.
“You should realize I am worse than the worst men you’ve ever heard about our come across. I was turned into a beast by the Devil himself. If there’s anything you should be ridding the world of, it’s me”
This man, this vampyre, is absolutely tortured. But the discovery he goes on to find who he really is and what he’s capable of is incredibly enduring. Does he crucify Larimar at one point? Sure… but the point is he’s working on himself…
This story is full of Vampyres, monsters, Sirens, Witches, and Pirates, and it is absolutely delectable.
Also if you have a sister, you will love this story too. The depths you will go to to make sure they’re safe… relatable.
There is tortured separation with years gone by that are absolutely agonizing… but man… it’s one hell of a reunion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so heavenly before. She’s an angel. She’s a devil. She’ll be my downfall.”
If you want a story on the high seas with action, passion, and heart… definitely read… Ocean Of Sin And Starlight.
Ocean Of Sin And Starlight by Karina Halle takes you on a journey and discovery of your inner desires, and who ultimately makes the call in your destiny.
This book is a dark fantasy romance. Karina has graciously put in a very extensive trigger warning and it will definitely help determine if this is something you’d like to read.
If you regularly read dark romance like myself, this won’t be incredibly dark to you. if you aren’t a dark romance reader… and you want to dabble into the world of dark romantic fantasy… this could be a good place to start. Just… check those trigger warnings, and decide for yourself.
The dedication of this book is “To those readers who like their men feral, their women wild, and their fantasy dark” 1,000 times YES.
Now this story can be read by itself, but if you know you want to read this book… read A Ship Of Bones And Teeth first. Absolutely 100%…. That is my recommendation.
This story follows a Syren named Larimar, and a Priest… who is also a Vampyre… and a witch.
One day Priest captures Larimar on her quest to find her missing sister… Syren blood is stronger and works better than human blood for Vampyres… and so Priest is working through the turmoil of letting the beast inside him out… or staying the devout holy man that he is to his small village in Chile.
When Larimar discovers that Priest is also a witch, she begs him to grant her legs so she may walk on land. (Something that will help her search for her sister, though she does not divulge this to Priest) He accepts… but only for a price. “No matter where you go, I will find you. I will take you back, take what’s mine. I know you mean to escape any way you can, but even if you are successful one day, I will stop at nothing to hunt you down. This magic will ensure I find you, no matter how long it takes. And believe me, you won’t want me to find you.”
What I really enjoyed about this story is it gives me Midnight Mass vibes. I absolutely loved the conflicted religious undertones of the story. It explores dark religious elements and it was done incredibly well and was very fascinating.
There’s a scene where Larimar bites at Priest with her Syren teeth and he growls “What did I just tell you? You bite me, and I’m going to bite you right back.” I yank her head to the side, exposing the skin of her neck, and sink my teeth into her jugular.
“You should realize I am worse than the worst men you’ve ever heard about our come across. I was turned into a beast by the Devil himself. If there’s anything you should be ridding the world of, it’s me”
This man, this vampyre, is absolutely tortured. But the discovery he goes on to find who he really is and what he’s capable of is incredibly enduring. Does he crucify Larimar at one point? Sure… but the point is he’s working on himself…
This story is full of Vampyres, monsters, Sirens, Witches, and Pirates, and it is absolutely delectable.
Also if you have a sister, you will love this story too. The depths you will go to to make sure they’re safe… relatable.
There is tortured separation with years gone by that are absolutely agonizing… but man… it’s one hell of a reunion.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen something so heavenly before. She’s an angel. She’s a devil. She’ll be my downfall.”
If you want a story on the high seas with action, passion, and heart… definitely read… Ocean Of Sin And Starlight.
July 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
•ARC Review•
Standalone spin off of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.
The book starts straight to the point smut wise, yet somehow plot wise nothing really happens until the second half of it. I was bored, sadly, while reading the Priest part where Larimar is captured by Priest and kept in a church. I usually am entertained when it’s sacrilegious, but I wasn’t. I appreciated the “gory” aspects, such as the hand eating, body shredding and all the blood, though.
Comes the second part where Priest is “reformed” as a Pirate. It was fun to see again the characters from A Ship of Bones and Teeth, I loved that book. We get some action, yet my interest is still nowhere to be found. I wanted to like it and I’ve been waiting for it to release, but it wasn’t working for me. Maybe it’ll be someone else’s cup of tea.
🩸Witch-vampire priest turned pirate mmc
🧜♀️Syren fmc
🩸Unholy
🧜♀️Stockholm syndrome
🩸Morally grey
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
•ARC Review•
Standalone spin off of A Ship of Bones and Teeth.
The book starts straight to the point smut wise, yet somehow plot wise nothing really happens until the second half of it. I was bored, sadly, while reading the Priest part where Larimar is captured by Priest and kept in a church. I usually am entertained when it’s sacrilegious, but I wasn’t. I appreciated the “gory” aspects, such as the hand eating, body shredding and all the blood, though.
Comes the second part where Priest is “reformed” as a Pirate. It was fun to see again the characters from A Ship of Bones and Teeth, I loved that book. We get some action, yet my interest is still nowhere to be found. I wanted to like it and I’ve been waiting for it to release, but it wasn’t working for me. Maybe it’ll be someone else’s cup of tea.
🩸Witch-vampire priest turned pirate mmc
🧜♀️Syren fmc
🩸Unholy
🧜♀️Stockholm syndrome
🩸Morally grey
July 18, 2024
"wonderful how mu®der makes the both of you turn into lovebirds"
this book has everything. dark and spicy romance, syrens and pirates, and a priest who used to be a witch that is also a vampire. (please tell me y'all caught my stefan joke...)
this was a quick read, and did I mention the spice??? also truly dark and messed up (in the best way) but might not be for some, so check the content warnings! I highlighted tf out of this and I'm gonna share a bunch bc there's too many goodies (including the one above). obviously I highly recommend reading this!
this book has everything. dark and spicy romance, syrens and pirates, and a priest who used to be a witch that is also a vampire. (please tell me y'all caught my stefan joke...)
this was a quick read, and did I mention the spice??? also truly dark and messed up (in the best way) but might not be for some, so check the content warnings! I highlighted tf out of this and I'm gonna share a bunch bc there's too many goodies (including the one above). obviously I highly recommend reading this!
June 12, 2024
first off, go read a ship of bones and teeth, and then read this one! you can read this on it’s own for sure but i highly recommend both! this is the PERFECT smut filled pirate fantasy and i just love this world that karina had created. priest and larimar are 🔥 and boy oh boy did they do some THANGS in a church that’ll make even an athiest feel some type of way. this was just so much fun and i highly recommend for my smut lovers!! it’s the perfect summer read.
June 19, 2024
a dark fantasy romance with vampires, witches, pirates AND sirens? that is everything i could ask for.
karina halle knows exactly how to write the perfect vampire romance.
karina halle knows exactly how to write the perfect vampire romance.
August 10, 2024
This was so badddd
June 17, 2024
Cringy, badly written, had my eyes rolling till it hurt
July 23, 2024
Incredibly happy to have received an ARC of this book. I loved A Ship of Bones and Teeth, so I was so happy to be back in this world. The tension between Father Aragon and Larimar was so good. The push and pull, the longing, and the eventual crash of two monsters. Once I got pulled in, I could barely put it down. This isn’t for everyone. It was brutal at times, as is the world. These were two complex characters who can’t be held to the same standards as humans.
But it was a fantastic read.
But it was a fantastic read.
June 18, 2024
Rating4.5 ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐ 💫
Spice Level 3/5🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Blasphemous Priest who bites!
Unhinged murderous power couple
Captivtiy
🩸 Play
Primal AF
He's obsessed w/ her
Dark Fantasy
Enemies to lover
Lots of angry s3x
Father Aragorn—more like Daddy Aragorn if you ask me OH EM GEE. If you're looking for a hot, broody priest who is trying to battle his inner demon, PLUS a vampire btw, FATHER ARAGORN will corrupt you in the most sinful and sweetest way possible!*swoons*
If you haven't read "A Ship of Bones and Teeth," you totally need to, so you get the context from the first book and the characters from that book make a cameo here. This story is dark AF: a mermaid looking for her sister and a vampire who needs, you know, blood. Enter Larimar, the most gorgeous and fierce creature he's obsessed with—not just because he wants to own her, but because his bloodlust is insane.
Larimar is literally trying to seduce and destroy the priest! She bit his hand off and, well, something else too. They're perfect for each other because their monstrous sides are taking over. They crave each other, even with the slow burn, because the priest is trying to resist the siren's charm. SPOILER: THAT'S NOT HAPPENING!
I enjoyed the book, though it is super centered around a couple and no real big baddie. It's more of a story of acceptance, sinning, giving in desire, love, and how these two murderous creatures need to also share their vulnerable side.
You will not be disappointed with the spice, tho. As I said, it has a slow build to it; the payoff was way worth it! And we do get a HEA! If you want a lot of angry s3x and feral for each other, will go to the ends of the earth to find you, then this could be your next read :)
July 10, 2024
❝
love is a strange creature…it doesn’t follow logic or reason. it just exists, and we can either make friends with it or become its enemy, but it doesn’t stop what it is.
❞
___________
The biggest flop of the year.
I’m in utter shock because A Ship of Bones and Teeth was quite literally so good. And this book was the exact opposite
First off, there was no plot. Someone said this book had an amazing plot and I just want to know how much they were paid to say that because there was NO plot for it to be amazing. Zero plot.
The first 200 pages (50%) was smut. Nothing but the two characters lusting over each other and smut.
The second half (the last ~150 pages/part 2) of the book also had no plot. Anything that did happen barely lasted long enough for me to be able to process what was happening.
The pacing was so off. Literally so many different time jumps and nothing happening.
Also the ending was extremely rushed and abrupt.
The characters and their romance was also so boring. You had a h0rny syren and a h0rny vampyre priest who mistook lust for love.
They had no personality besides being h0rny and weirdly obsessed each other. They had no chemistry whatsoever so ever.
I knew going into this book that it wasn’t going to be perfect, but I expected better than this. It’s crazy how different this was compared the first book. Absolutely wild.
The only parts I enjoyed was seeing the characters from the previous book. Everything else was not enjoyable.
A Ship of Bones and Teeth was such a unique little mermaid retelling and maybe the author should do more of those because this was a hot mess.
Heavy sigh.
___________
The biggest flop of the year.
I’m in utter shock because A Ship of Bones and Teeth was quite literally so good. And this book was the exact opposite
First off, there was no plot. Someone said this book had an amazing plot and I just want to know how much they were paid to say that because there was NO plot for it to be amazing. Zero plot.
The first 200 pages (50%) was smut. Nothing but the two characters lusting over each other and smut.
The second half (the last ~150 pages/part 2) of the book also had no plot. Anything that did happen barely lasted long enough for me to be able to process what was happening.
The pacing was so off. Literally so many different time jumps and nothing happening.
Also the ending was extremely rushed and abrupt.
The characters and their romance was also so boring. You had a h0rny syren and a h0rny vampyre priest who mistook lust for love.
They had no personality besides being h0rny and weirdly obsessed each other. They had no chemistry whatsoever so ever.
I knew going into this book that it wasn’t going to be perfect, but I expected better than this. It’s crazy how different this was compared the first book. Absolutely wild.
The only parts I enjoyed was seeing the characters from the previous book. Everything else was not enjoyable.
A Ship of Bones and Teeth was such a unique little mermaid retelling and maybe the author should do more of those because this was a hot mess.
Heavy sigh.
July 19, 2024
so stupid, god bless
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