Let the hunt begin … After witnessing the murder of his mother by a mermaid, Prince Eryx Bloodhurst of Atlas makes a deal to sedate his need for vengeance: they’ll catch the mermaid who did the deed, but he’ll pay for it with his crown.Arelle, third princess of the Blu Sea, has never known the true cruelty of the forbidden lands firsthand, but she will soon. The halfling prince with murder in his … soon. The halfling prince with murder in his eyes and the sea’s songs in his blood will make sure of that.
He should kill her.
Perhaps, keeping her might be worse.
Two kingdoms are falling. One king is losing it all and another threatens to ruin everything. The rules of the land and sea are changing. Secrets of the past are spilling.
And all because of a prince and his little mermaid—whether they live or die—nothing in the realm will ever be the same.
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In The Hunted, Bethany-Kris opens a new world—the 9INE REALMS—for readers with a dark fairy tale retelling, and pulls inspiration from the cult classic favorite and the Hans Christian Andersen original to redefine what it means to be The Little Mermaid.
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This completely different from what we’re use to from Kris. I unsure about how I feel on this version of Little Mermaids. Interesting is a good word the story. Not something I would pick for myself to read, but Kris is one of favorite authors.
This book is a dark version based loosely on The Little Mermaid.
The Hunted was the first book I have read by Bethany-Kris and I will say that I did enjoy it.
This book kept me engaged with wanting to know what was going to happen between Eryx and Arelle. The draw between these characters was not immediate which I enjoyed. However, when they became “one” the book took a turn for the hotness. The twists in this book kept me wanting more.
I can’t wait for what comes next.
4.25 stars
My favorite tale of the Little Mermaid, is being retold as an adult fairy tale with dark undertones. It took a bit to get into the story but I was glad that I stayed the path. Arielle and her sisters wind up in a place they never should have been. Prince Eryx is looking to kill Arielle for something that he thinks she did when in reality she did not do it. What follows is a deep and haunting read that will sit with those who decide to delve into the depths of this book. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
5 STARS
WOW…I shouldn’t be surprised that I’ve fallen in love with another of Bethany-Kris’ worlds!
I loved her rendition of the classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid. It’s definitely not a hearts and flowers kind of story, but still an utterly addicting read. Arelle and Eryx are an odd couple considering one is hunting the other, yet the chemistry they share is intense.
I am eagerly awaiting more from the 9INE REALMS. The Hunted by Bethany-Kris is an EPIC read that will absolutely join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
If there was ever a retelling that rivaled the imagery that you get from the originals… The Hunted by Bethany-Kris is it. I’m honestly not even convinced that this wasn’t the true story all along… that is the feelings that Mrs. Kris pulled from me. The story just seems to fit better like this than any other way. This is all coming from a woman who grew up pretending to be the Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid. How many of you 80s girls came up out of the water flinging your hair back, Ariel style? Hmm?!?! I know I did. Ariel was my favorite, ever, and still is. Mrs. Kris really built an entire world for us and it was so creative and so unique.
Anyways, I truly hope that Bethany-Kris continues with this type of story. This mythological with a bit of a dark romance was one of the best stories I have read of this genre. I’ve been thinking of this story since I finished. It’s one of those stories that will have you thinking and daydreaming. Arelle and Eryx have a connection that neither want nor neither can ignore no matter how hard they try. Both Arelle and Eryx have a strong love for their family and both have disappointed their family and are undergoing punishment. Eryx is driven by an obsession to find Arelle but he has less than kind goals outlined. Nothing ever goes as we plan, does it? I’m not going into the storyline at all… it isn’t fair to all the ones that haven’t read it yet. It’s truly fitting that I read it over the Christmas break as it was a complete gift to me.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
“Everything is forbidden, but only if others know you did it.”
Ok so this was enjoyable. I’ve only ever read mafia romances from Bethany-Kris, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this fantasy retelling, but it was good. It’s essentially a dark little mermaid retelling that is sexy, brutal, and intriguing. There are some aspects that make it feel like a mafia read, but in royalty and power terms. There are also aspects that make it just feel like a smutty shifter romance. But all of those aspects blended together make it a great read.
***spoiler-ish part***
This story honestly finishes with a satisfying end, but there are loose ends left, and I’m not sure if the author will sew them up with a follow up of some sort, but I can 100% see where she would be able to. That being said, if there’s more to come, I’m here to read it!
In The Hunted, Bethany-Kris opens up a new world, The Nine Realms, and it is fantastic! This book is so different from what I am used to reading from this author in so many ways and yet it is exactly what I expect from her~ an addictive story that I did not want to put down until I had read the very last page!
The story is fantastic! The characters are multifaceted. There is family drama on both Arelle’s & Eryx’s sides of the story. The connection between these two is so strong you can feel it as you read it. The character building that was going on through out this story makes me incredibly anxious to see where Bethany-Kris leads this world to next. You could call this a retelling of the classic, The Little Mermaid, but that would not be doing this book justice! It is so much more.
This was so much more than I expected and I didn’t even have that many expectations. The world built here leaves us with more to come. Arelle and Eryx captivated me. The story had me with my mouth wide open at times, frustrated at others, and just feeling downright dirty at many. This is not the fairtytale we grew up with but so much more. I don’t know what it says about me, but I prefer this one.
The Little Mermaid – DARK! What a phenomenal way to spend a cold Sunday, or any day, really! Ms. Kris has built a vivid world beneath and above the sea! The depth of the characters drew me in. I am now thoroughly invested in both Eryx and Arelle. Their story is edgy, sad, and beautiful! A fantastic, dark fantasy distraction! This reader can’t wait for More! Oh what fun it would be to swim the sea, but not in this realm, right?
I will never think of Arelle the same.
I think I preferred this version to the original.
Loving. Giving. Understanding.
Willing to sacrifice for those she cares about.
Be honest the original one was a bit greedy and never satisfied … kept wanting to add to her hoard no matter the cost.
The best of intentions our sweet mermaid had.
Eryx is much more than the spoilt prince he portrays to the world. He has a softer side – or he did until that tragic night that took the one thing he cared above all else – now he feels nothing except the need to avenge – to give back upon her tenfold the pain that she so callously laid at his feet.
He knows things are not right in his kingdom he also knows he is unable to change anything. It matters not for him though – once he gets his revenge it can all burn.
Poe is a selfish, self-absorbed brat – sorry kiddo but you reap what you sew. Though I am curious to see how things turn out for you. Did you learn anything? Will you get your HEA?
I wouldn’t really label this dark per se.
It does deal with kidnapping, slavery and some pretty cruel actions all in the name of feeding one’s desires and dishing out a dose of revenge.
The story line has all kinds of twists and surprises.
Enough suspense to keep me on edge for most of the story line.
The characters are easy to connect with – Instantly loved or loathed them.
The end takes a moment to process I did not see that coming – Some important subplots were left floating in the debris –
I am wondering if that was the author’s intention or is there a next in series?
Because I have all kinds of questions
What an interesting and heartbreaking twist to the typical story of the Little Mermaid. This book drew me in and had me hooked with all of the twist and turns that happened in this story. My heart broke for the life the mermaids were forced to live with the humans hunting them and then finding out what happens to them once they are caught was even worse.
With the belief that the mermaid he saw is responsible for his mother’s death, Prince Eryx makes it his mission to catch her and make her pay. However, things aren’t the way that they seem and even though Arelle knows she needs to stay away to be safe, she is drawn to the surface trying to safe her sister.
Things really get intense when Arelle is faced with saving the prince versus letting him drown. Even though she knows the hate that he has for her, she still can’t seem to stop herself from helping him when he is in need.
Get ready to be taken on a roller coaster of emotions from start to finish! This book will have you feeling all of your feels and then some. By Alisa
A fantastic fantasy romance read. And my very first book by this author. And no better way to start because I was glued in from the very beginning. It’s a fairytale retelling based around the story of The Little Mermaid. But let me tell you this is no sweet Disney story. It’s dark, tragic, erotic, and mouthwateringly seductive. This author has created a world that I want to know more of. I’m really hoping that this book sprouts into a series of books. It’s just so freaking good and you just need to read it, because I’m definitely not giving any of this amazing story away.
First experience with this particular author and got to say The Hunted was bloody fantastic from start to finish.
I read this in one sitting and it managed to enthral me so completely, I was captivated from the second I started this.
Genre-wise this is a fantasy fairy-tale retelling loosely based on the little mermaid but with a much edgier vibe, this is definitely not the Disney version.
Set in a fantasy world where Mermaids are real this is the story of Eryx and Arelle both royalty in their own right.
The world-building here was fantastic crafting an experience that captured my imagination.
I also adored how we left this with so much scope for future progression in this world and I for one would definitely love to read more from it.
This was also incredibly well written with such a descriptive narrative I felt like I was right there alongside the characters themselves.
I liked both Eryx and Arelle equally they were both such incredibly complex individuals and I felt for both their individual pains.
I also thought they had such explosive chemistry when they finally came together.
So this gets a massive thumbs up from my camp I highly recommend this one it really was a great read.
My only issue now is I want to read more about these Mermaids.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of The Hunted.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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Take what you know and love as a little girl watching the little mermaid and twist it for the adult version of you. EVERYTHING about this story is a dark fairytale. From the moment you start to the last word, you are gripped and transported to the world of mermaids and land walkers.
Eryx is a half mermaid half human prince, to the king of Atlas that likes to take the hunted mermaids and enslave them to breed with them. Arelle is a princess mermaid of the Blue Sea, daughter to the usurper of the throne. When Eryx mother, who is an enslaved mermaid, dies at the hands of another mermaid her makes it his life to find and kill the red haired mermaid engraved into his mind. But with a twist of fate and a sharing of blood the two become bonded and this starts the journey of letting go past feelings and understanding what now is. But the king and his uncle, his adviser, have other plans.
Bethany Kris did an amazing job on this retelling of the little mermaid. I dont think I could enjoy any other retelling after this extraordinary piece of art.
I recieved an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Bethany-Kris is a new author for me so I was extra excited to read this book and boy oh boy am I impressed! This book was brilliant. I absolutely love retellings of popular fairytales and since The Little Mermaid is a favorite of mine, I enjoyed this one even more. It was so good I didn’t ever want the story to end. I’ll definitely be checking out more of her books now.
This story is definitely not something I would normally choose to read. But in true Bethany-Kris fashion she delivered us a new world with her version of The Little Mermaid and it was phenomenal. The story is unique as she gives us Arelle and Eryx, a mermaid and a prince, who fall for one another despite them being the hunter and the prey. These two unlikely pair have great chemistry. The tumultuous tides of the storm is as rocky as the development of their relationship but they navigate through it and forge a connection so deep that in the end it makes things worth it. I’m looking forward to the next books in what is to be a fantastic series.
Based on the cover and synopsis, I’m pretty sure, my fellow romance book loving friends, you have already figured out this storyline centers around a dark, enemies to lovers, retake on a mermaid type tale. Once again, I have to hand it to the author for surprising me with several twists/turns I didn’t expect that cleverly introduced then tied together multiple characters, their complicated pasts, destined futures, and a long list of transgressions and emotions. Go figure how she can make a mythical world seem so dang real my heart broke and was outraged at the unforgivable depravity/cruelty towards how a race of beings were treated. So much so I couldn’t help but resent every single character who accepted that mindset as normalcy, aided and abetted it, or even turned a blind eye to that atrocity. Eryx, the hero, that includes you, buddy. Yeah, you weren’t the cause, didn’t like it, but certainly wasn’t making an effort to set anyone free. There is even death here, too, folks. As usual, she also served up several off the charts, very graphic, naughty/dirty talking, smex scenes, as well.
As an avid romantic at heart, I unashamedly read for romance. I can take as little or as much steam thrown my way. Meaning, what floats my boat is the emotional connection. All I really ask for is a true genuine bond between a likable main couple and class not to be thrown overboard to make room for crudeness. Some of the smex scenes were treading on the latter side and questionable consent on both sides considering the unusual circumstances of how they became an unlikely, even unwilling couple at first.
Eryx was an angry, anti-hero throughout much of this book. If a certain something had not happened, I daresay he would have gladly fed this lovely mermaid to the fishes without knowing the truth and been done with her. That sinking feeling was a killjoy I must admit. Fortunately, you do begin to sense his anger lust was being replaced with a desire to be with her.
I, oh, so wanted more of Mav, a brief side character, like see him get his own HEA. That merman had it going on, folks. Handsome and ready to knock knoggins, run to the rescue no matter the consequences. He was like an underworld mafia don who ruled the land and the sea. His very presence commanded attention, so he was quite the catch.
This was just one stand-alone of a series written by various authors. I’m not sure how deep I’ll dive into the rest of these literary waters since I might find myself over my head in too deep of dark water. Just know I enjoyed this one and continue to look forward to what this author has in line for us next.
Title: The Hunted, Author: Bethany-Kris, Series: The Sinister Fairy Tales Collection – The 9ine Realms, Pages: 299, stand-alone, 18+ adult read only, very graphic smex scenes, virgin mermaid heroine, conflicted/complicated past hero, disturbing, unforgivable, deplorable abuse of women slaves.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)