Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Naiads of Juile #2

A Sea of Wrath and Scoria

Rate this book
I never cared about men.

Until he lit a fire in me. Leaving me to burn with every step as we journey a treacherous coastline.

A land teeming with enemies.

War looms on the horizon. With every mile we draw closer to safety, we plunge ourselves deeper into danger.

Pirates shadow us from the sea. A prison guard tracks us on land. The Rivean army waits ahead.

And the man walking beside me stirs my siren blood. Every lingering touch, every unspoken word tightens his fiery hold over me.

Kye was never part of my plan, and his simmering-gold eyes prove as perilous as my vows.

But vows and blood exist as two sides of the same coin. And though my vow holds me prisoner, it's my siren blood that refuses to let me walk free.

Return to the world of sirens in this breath-taking follow-up to A Sea of Song and Sirens from fantasy romance author Whit Stanfield.

530 pages, Hardcover

Published December 5, 2024

123 people are currently reading
1127 people want to read

About the author

Whit Stanfield

7 books205 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
329 (45%)
4 stars
236 (32%)
3 stars
113 (15%)
2 stars
45 (6%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
Profile Image for Ti .
107 reviews20 followers
November 20, 2024
I’m so sorry but DNF at 45%. This was… not good. I’m so upset because it was such a HIGHLY anticipated read for me. Almost to the halfway mark and they have done absolutely nothing but travel on foot through woods, and there are no other character pov’s so there was no change in scenery. In a way the characters feel so unfamiliar from the first book. Especially Maren, the FMC, I barely recognized her in this book.

I do not know if I’ll come back to this book and finish it. I guess I’ll see about that. Overall, the writing was very awkward and clunky, it was so hard for me to envision scenes in the book and that is a huge flaw to me because when I read I want there to be a movie in my head. I want to be able to picture everything. This book did not achieve that.
Profile Image for AroundtheBookBend.
376 reviews7 followers
February 21, 2025
I’m numb. Completely and utterly numb. Devastated by that ending. I don’t even know if I have the words to properly portray the emotional damage I just experienced.

This was an amazing, beyond amazing, read. Maren and Kye have just captured my heart and soul. Their growth both apart and together has been just beautiful. Kye is really that man. He is extremely high in my favorite mmc list and will never ever leave it. His need to keep Maren safe, his little smirks, the heat in his eyes when he looks at Maren… ahhh!!! Maren is such a beautiful character. Full of rage and love as well. Watching her grow has been such a treat and I can’t wait to see how much she’ll grow in the story to come. Their chemistry is just scorching.

The world building is so good and I’m so happy we got to see more of it. Sirens are such interesting creatures, and I love the way they’re portrayed here.

So many twists have come about, some shocking me to my core.

THAT ENDING!!!! How could you do that to us. I felt that something was going to happen in my bones, but not that!! How am I supposed to wait until the next one comes out.

I received an advanced copy and this is my voluntary review
Profile Image for maria.
89 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2024
rating this so low is really bumming me out because i really enjoyed the first book! i thought i had found my new favorite romantasy series but… the second book really suffers from all the errors a sequel normally makes. the plot after the first twenty chapters seems to be repeating itself and dragging on with no real point? and then when the “reveals” come later on, they don’t even make sense? it’s like the author just threw together whatever could work and smushed it all in. by the last ten chapters, i honestly did not care for kye or maren, which honestly sucks because i loved them so much in the first book.

idk, it’s just a repetitive plot with stupid nonsense reveals and characters that seem to be regressing in growth instead of progressing if that makes sense (and the corniest most tiktok romance sentences i’ve ever seen put on page ew). i’ll probably not pick up the third book when it comes out.

i’m bummed.
Profile Image for Angela.
322 reviews12 followers
January 19, 2025
“ If you ever seduce a man to save me, at least do me the favor of ensuring I can kill him afterwards”



I loved this second installment as it was full of revelations and twists, ones I didn’t see coming and it was also action-packed, never letting our heroes the time to breathe!

Maren and Kye may have escaped the pirates but they are still searching for them.
Trying to get back to Calder, they navigate through the wilds and face many trials while getting closer to each other.
Maren is trying to break the hold Thaan has over her, she uncovers some truths about his past and hers as well.

The bond between Kye and Maren was so endearing and cute! The way they are protective and possessive of each other! I couldn’t get enough of them and was devastated at the ending! How am I supposed to wait for book 3 ? I need it right now!!! 😭💔
Profile Image for SJBookDiary.
116 reviews6 followers
March 23, 2025
4.5 ⭐ 2🌶️

Oh my days, that ending!! The first half of this story was not as good as the previous book, but it really picked up in the second half - it was worth it!!

Tropes/themes:
🌊 Sirens
🌊 War
🌊 Touch her/him and die
🌊 Plot twists
Profile Image for Bethany Louise.
71 reviews43 followers
January 18, 2025
A Sea of Wrath and Scoria is the spectacular second instalment in Whit Stanfield’s romantasy series, The Naiads of Juile.

After falling in love with book one, my expectations were sky-high, and let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed! The incredible worldbuilding from book one pulls you straight back into this lush, unforgettable world.

The story is divided into three distinct parts, each with its own tone and focus, which kept things fresh and engaging. But that last part? It had me REELING. I need book three like yesterday!

I absolutely LOVED having Kye’s POV. His sarcastic, cheeky, and fiercely protective personality leaps off the page, and I honestly can’t express how much I adore him 😭

Maren remains one of my favourite FMCs, she’s vulnerable yet simultaneously so fierce and watching her become so powerful was incredible. Also the chemistry between Maren and Kye was UNREAL!

Whit’s prose is possibly even more beautiful in this book than it was in the first which is no small feat! She has such a gorgeous writing style that is beautifully descriptive without dipping into “fluffy” territory. I think I would genuinely read her shopping list at this point 😂

This series has my whole heart, and I can’t wait to see where Whit takes it next. It’s only her debut year, and she’s already a powerhouse to watch. Bring on book three 👀
Profile Image for Kez Marie.
1,046 reviews67 followers
December 2, 2024
After devouring A sea of song and sirens I have been counting down the hours to be able to read this sequel, and I am stunned.
There is so much character development for Maren and Kye, and I loved every delicious minute they spent together. I love their determination and resilience, Kye's protectiveness, and Maren's growing power.
We got to see the true Kye in this one and it explored his vulnerabilities and guarded secrets that made for an emotional and heart wrenching read.
The worldbuilding was picturesque navigating you through snowy mountains, forests, cities, and underwater.
The action doesn't let up either as they evade pirates, city guards, underwater monsters, and brutal attacks.
There are so many reasons to read this book, including the adorable and swoony worthy microtropes - he buys her a horse, he braids her hair, she breaks him out of prison, and all the stolen glances at each other.
But I am also devastated, those final chapters hurt my heart, it was tragic but powerful and I need book 3 to make everything okay again.
In summary read this book!


"We'd escaped one fucking enemy only to land ourselves in the house of another"

"If you ever seduce another man to save me, at least do me the favour of ensuring I can kill him afterward"

"They branded you a witch. Show them this witch has teeth and claws. And fucking fire"

"If you have to choose between me or running, just run"

"There's nothing in the three continents I've ever been more certain of. You're mine"
Profile Image for Sabrina Binou ;).
217 reviews
November 19, 2024
I don’t think I’ll ever tire of Maren’s story! Every time I dive into this series, I find myself dreaming about what it would be like to live as a mermaid 🧜‍♀️.

This book was everything I hoped for and more, answering all the lingering questions from A Sea of Song and Siren. And that plot twist? Whit, you got me good—I didn’t see it coming at all!

The ending? Absolutely devastating in the best way—pure emotional damage. I’m so relieved there’s a book 3 because I NEED to know what happens next.

If you loved the first book, A Sea of Wrath and Scoria will blow you away!
Profile Image for Molly.
104 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2024
The writing was hard to follow at times and the first half of the book was very slow, but it definitely picked up in the second half. I was slightly disappointed after such an amazing debut with the first book, but there was enough intrigue with the plot twist at the end to make me want to continue with the series.

Profile Image for Kayleigh.
28 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2024
“𝒴𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝓌𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝐼𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝒹𝓊𝒸𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝑒, 𝒶𝓉 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝒹𝑜 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝓋𝑜𝓇 𝑜𝒻 𝑒𝓃𝓈𝓊𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝒾𝓂 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓌𝒶𝓇𝒹.”

A Sea of Wrath and Scoria picks up exactly where A Sea of Song and Sirens ended and I cannot express enough how grateful I am that we were thrown right back into it! The cliffhanger at the end of the first book made this my most anticipated read of the year and it did not disappoint!

Without saying too much as I wouldn’t want to spoil book 1 for anyone, ASOWAS finds Maren and Kye having to work together to cross enemy territory and evade multiple threats from far too many sides. There’s pirates, prisons, enemy nations, and Thaan is very much still a problem.

Whit’s prose in this book continues to be absolutely stunning, maybe even more so than the first book. Somehow everything is described in such vivid detail without losing my attention or complicating the narrative. It’s one of the easiest fantasy books I’ve ever read, despite having so many things happening and multiple characters with different agendas.

Maren and Kye are my favourite ship of the year. The characters themselves are incredible, but together! The banter between them feels so genuine and natural, and it had me giggling throughout. They are the embodiment of the “Touch them and die” trope and considering Maren literally has a blood oath that blocks her from speaking about certain things, there is not a single drop of miscommunication in this book! They just vibe! They get each other!

The pacing was excellent and the plot drops, and twists, and realisations were executed to perfection! I screeched at one point when something clicked into place! The amount of times I highlighted “You’re my wife.” is a little unhinged. I think this book rewired my entire brain and that ending fractured my soul.

I’m just so glad this series exists and I need the novella and book 3 yesterday!

Thank you so much to Whit Stanfield for the gifted copy and for allowing me to be on her ARC team ♥️✨
Profile Image for Angelic.
345 reviews
December 7, 2024
Omg, Whit, we need to have words because omg. 😭😭😭

First and foremost, after the long wait for this book??? So worth it but my goodness… I knew the emotional turmoil was coming but man was I not prepared for it. The way Whit writes and captures everything perfectly?? Chef’s kiss, I can always count on her creating a scene and battle so perfectly that it feels as if I’m watching a movie. There were so many times I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what came next.

That being said, I absolutely loved seeing Maren’s and Kye’s journey in this book. Both together and individually, getting Kye’s POV and perspective on the first book made me love him even more.

I’m seriously in awe with this damn series and the plot twist. How do we unfold even more layers to Maren’s fate and world?? My goodness when is she going to be able to breatheeee 😂😂. I was so proud of her and how she fully embraced who she is. She’s a badass b if anyone needed clarification. 🤭 Thank you Whit, my expectations were high for this book and you definitely surpassed them with this masterpiece. This is me politely screaming at you wtf 😭😂, I’m both pissed and in awe with this ending. Idk how to feel about it but also I need time to process. Now I need the next book asap please. 😭🥹

Sincerely,
One of your tortured readers. Thank you. 😭
Profile Image for Lara.
129 reviews12 followers
December 21, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

I love that we get to learn a little more of the lore in this second book! We were able to get some questions answered with of course more questions asked, BUT I enjoyed seeing Maren grow, understand and claim who she is and what she is capable of. 😍 & obvi we love a solid girl gang!

There were times when it was harder to follow, and although I appreciate the style of unraveling certain parts later in the story, it just didn’t flow as smoothly or keep me as engaged as the first book. I think a quick recap in the beginning would have been helpful, because I initially had a hard time grasping the story and even the characters. It almost felt a little chaotic, because there were just so many things happening but at the same time not seeming to go anywhere? Definitely more slower paced for a good first half. I also felt as if I was drowning in metaphors and not sure what was actually going on hahah - like is it really happening or? 😵‍💫

Overall, even though this took me a minute to get through, I enjoyed the book- especially the last 40%. I did NOT expect that big plot twist! As with the first book, this has a crazy cliffhanger, so I’m excited to see how the story continues!

Many thanks to Whit for the advanced copy for the opportunity to read and review!
Profile Image for Isabelle Reaves.
28 reviews10 followers
November 16, 2024
Whit, Whit, Whit, Whit, Whit, Whit, Whit..... I 👏 am 👏 not 👏 okay 👏

That beautiful piece of writing you created? Yeah it hurt me 🥹 It was so well written and the banter was *chef's kiss* and you made me fall even more in love with these MMCs and then you just *whoosh* took my heart with you when you wrote that last chapter.

That being said... I loved every second of it. The feminine rage was so embedded in the storyline, I was scared for anyone to even breath wrong in Kye's direction. The plot twists were well-placed and with the right amount of "I saw that coming but I didn't see it coming like THAT."

This book answered a lot of questions and theories from book 1 (A Sea of Song and Sirens), while also leaving you on the edge of your seat, dying to see how Maren can turn this around.

Thank you for allowing me to continue to be a part of your ARC Team and fall for these characters and their journey before official release. I can't wait for book 3 and for others to find your books and experience the same joy, sadness, rage, and "that's my wife" swoon-worthy attitude that I've gotten to enjoy.
Profile Image for fatedhearts_lorilee.
172 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2025
Ahhhhhh WHIT. I loved this. But you also made me very stressed many times. There were so many moments that I needed to stop and message my booksta bestie (who recommended this book) to be like wtf just happened???

So many things happening in this one and definitely some things I didn’t see coming.

I loved that we got to see more of Kye throughout this one with his pov. More Kye always.

There were times that I was livid with Maren — she did a couple of things that made me extremely frustrated. Like girl, why!!! These are BAD decisions that you’re making (at times a lack of thought). But alas I still like her so she just better keep it together in the future 😂

Thaan is the absolute worst and I hate him SO MUCH. If you’ve read this book then you know.

This story and the characters had me completely invested the whole way through! I’m so excited to see where Whit takes us next!
Profile Image for Maggie.
37 reviews
December 1, 2024
PITCH: A darker Moana meets Atlantis

This book picks up right where Book 1 left us. I didn’t know it was possible to love our tortured soul, Kye, more; but this book ensures you’re swooning by the end. Stanfield takes more time to develop emotional tension between characters and in situations, which leads to darker themes than in ASOSAS. A river scene haunts me to this day. Again, she proves she is the captain of the ship on this story ride, taking you through more twists and turns than a river rapids excursion.
Profile Image for Leena Wilkinson.
119 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2024
3.5⭐️ I was a bit disappointed with this book in all honesty…

the first 2/3 felt very underwhelming. each chapter felt repetitive - not much happened - and I could feel myself getting bored with the story. it did pick up in the last 1/3 however where the plot developed and certain twists came to light and we started to spot certain things but overall it wasn’t as good as I hoped considering I was SO excited to read it.

the only bonus for this book is we had dual POV so getting to read about Kye falling for Maren and seeing his perspective on events was heartwarming 🥰

my love for the first book will carry me to read the next instalment but I do hope it picks back up again
Profile Image for Ashley Sterin.
57 reviews1 follower
August 19, 2025
The easiest 5 stars ever. Dare I say I loved the sequel more than the first book???

The emotions that were dredged from my soul throughout the journey that was this book is astonishing.

The writing is just 🧑‍🍳💋, very beautifully written, I highlighted so many amazing quotes on my kindle.

One thing happens, and then it’s so hard to put down!!!

I am aghast that I can’t find out what happens next with Maren & Kye right now!! But also thrilled to start the prequel to ASOSAS🫶🏻

Please do yourselves a favor a read this series!!!!🩵🩵🩵
Profile Image for Drey Blackbeak .
200 reviews11 followers
December 9, 2024
What THE FUCK was that??????????????????????

No sé si he entendido lo que ha pasado y lo que tiene que pasar en el siguiente libro??????? Pero?????????????????????????

Mira que en el primer libro lo decía y ya sabía que iba a pasar PERO QUÉ COJONES HERMANO

4.5 para mí, es muy bueno, me ha dejado loca, pero la narración a veces es rara y no puedo entender la escena. Además, la primera parte es una repetición constante de lo mismo.

Quería darle cinco estrellas, pero es que hay algunas cosas que me lo impiden (lo que he dicho antes). Aún así, leedlo por favor
Profile Image for Bethsbooksau.
133 reviews13 followers
December 5, 2024
4.5 stars rounded UP

This book took off running right where book 1 finished and im here for it.

I got to learn more about Maren and Kye on a personal level in this book and I thought the duel POV was *chefs kiss* 👌

At some points, I thought the travelling was going to become cumbersome BUT all the important pieces and little sneaky bits of useful information for further on in the book happened along the way.

It was super fast-paced and had loads of twists and action. This book also upped on the spice from book 1 for those who were waiting for that! 🫶

I plotted and schemed as I read like normal, trying to put things together and guess what's happening. But WTF WHIT?!?!? My lil heart can't handle the trauma at the end of this 😭

I need book 3 ASAP!!!
Profile Image for Rebecca Froese.
2 reviews
January 20, 2025
Excellent read--keeps you on the edge of your seat! I loved it and I need the next one! 😭😭😭
Profile Image for Melanie Jakusz.
295 reviews9 followers
May 8, 2025
I don’t think I took a breath that entire book because SHIT. KEPT. HAPPENING.

-That ending? Criminal.
-Thaan? Must be stopped. Excited for that take down.
-Kye’s mortal lifespan? Need that problem remedied PRONTO.
Profile Image for Rachael.
184 reviews3 followers
December 6, 2024
I dove head first into this story and barely came up for air until I read the very last sentence! The vivid imagery, the detailed descriptions, and the whiplash inducing plot twists had me nearly spraining my fingers to scroll through the pages. I just had to know what was going to happen next!

This novel is a sequel to A Sea of Song and Sirens. I didn't think I could love Maren and Kye's story any more than I already did, but I was wrong! A Sea of Wrath and Scoria has beautiful dialogue, intense interactions, insane twists and turns, long held and shocking secrets, and an epic, swoon worthy love story. The "touch him/her and die" trope applied to both main characters, which was refreshing. I loved how Maren and Kye could both hold their own just fine but were stronger together. Reading how their connection grew brought tears to my eyes more than once.

I don't want to give anything away or spoil the stories for those who have yet to read the first book, but I will say this: The Niads of Juile series is romantasy at it's very best! Do yourself a favor and jump in! You won't regret it! Whit Stanfield is a wonderfully talented author. I love her writing style and creativity.
Profile Image for Taylor.
89 reviews7 followers
December 5, 2024
Wow! Like Whit promised, this book is a majority of Maren and Kye and I absolutely loveee it!! Look, the book was definitely stressful but it is so good! Maren and Kye’s journey picks up right where we left them in ASOSAS, evading pirates! We follow their journey to get back to Calder while trying not to get caught by Pirates or the Rivean Guards. Throughout their travels and story, we get so many questions from book 1 answered! Thank goodness! Now don’t get me wrong, we definitely have more questions we need answered but that will have to wait until we get the next one.
I just have to say, I love how we get multiple Kye pov chapters. It was nice to know what they both were thinking. I love Kye!
That.Ending.Just.Wow! I know we have to wait for book 3 but I am stoked for it because oh my gosh, I need to know what happens next!
Profile Image for Melissa Lynn.
214 reviews5 followers
December 18, 2024
Shocked, but DNF at 59%. It started dragging for me pretty early on and then I just dreaded reading it. I was so looking forward to this book; the first one was one of my favorite reads of 2024! But chapters started to feel redundant and like they weren't going anywhere. We're traveling in enemy territory, being chased for most of it. Marens character seemed to change a lot too, and not in a good way. She's suddently an expert on weather, water on land, and healing others internally. It felt like a bit much, too all powerful to be relatable anymore. Her extreme dislike towards wooden walls after her time on the pirate ship felt a little weird, considering how angry she claims to be all the time. I get she had some trauma but this felt like a bit much considering everything else she's survived so far. And then she's so pig headed about taking the mountain pass, even knowing the risks. And when she nearly loses Kai on it, then it suddenly dawns on her that she shouldn't have insisted on it. She's annoying.

Kai's 100% obsession with her was also a little too intense and weird. It made him a lot less interesting to me.
I was looking forward to the point where her true identity might be revealed to Kai but then I just didn't care to keep going enough to see it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Millie.
64 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2025
I was so excited to read this book. I’m a huge fan of Whit but when it came time to read this book I was going through some pretty rough weeks and my mental health was hanging on a thread. I couldn’t concentrate or give the attention it deserved. I feel like my review will not be as fair as it should be.

I will update my review after I re-read now with a more clear mind.
Profile Image for Malin.
152 reviews9 followers
December 5, 2024
I absolutely adored the first book in this series. Book 2 did not disappoint!! As soon as I finished the book, I had to take a moment to gather my thoughts, I felt speechless.

The story picked up from where the first book ended and what an adventurous journey Kye and Maren went on in this book. Their relationship grew so strong, the love became more obvious and the connection between them so very deep. To read about how protective they are towards one another and the importance of each other’s wellbeing was truly heartwarming.

I LOVED that we got even more knowledge regards to the people, the history, the magic and the world. Which also led to being able to put more puzzle pieces together.

My pulse has gone through a high rollercoaster throughout this book, it was so so enjoyable (and torturous, haha) and I can’t wait for the next book. I’m so deep in this world and don’t want to leave it!!

Thank you so so much for sharing an arc with me Whit Stanfield, I’m beyond grateful!!



🧜🏼‍♀️ “There’s nothing in the three continents I’ve ever been more certain of. You’re mine.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “Life ceased to exist; nothing was real. Nothing but Kye and me and a million stars, our shared breaths the only music in the world.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “You loved me?” A thousand miles away, he murmured into the dark. “Yes. Every day. Since I woke up to those big, dark eyes staring at me on the beach while the sunlight caved in around you.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “I was content to wait and found myself roaming the island instead. Found you. You were like this exotic bird trapped in a cage.“

🧜🏼‍♀️ “I used to listen to your lungs through the walls at night. I liked the way they sounded. The way the sound of your breath soothed me.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “You want to spend your life waving your middle finger at the King? I’ll wave mine at your side. You’re not bound to your fate, Kye. But we gave our vows. You’re bound to me. And I won’t let you undermine your own worth. Not when you are what I love most.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “I want you,” he whispered. “But I want all of you. The parts you wear like a badge of honor and the parts you hide from the world. The parts you think I should be afraid of. The beautiful and the ugly. The calm and the fire. I want the darkest and brightest of you, your fears and your dreams. I am a selfish man, Leihani. I don’t think I could settle for just half of you. I want it all.”

🧜🏼‍♀️ “The sea never had a thing to fear until the day you were born. You’re vast and deep and filled with every promise of darkness. You could drown oceans.”
Profile Image for Cocobeans.
142 reviews6 followers
December 7, 2024
✨ LITERAL Fμ¢KING MASTERPIECE ✨

📖🌊A Sea of Wrath and Scoria 🌊
🧜🏻‍♀️Whit Stanfield
📚The Naiads of Juile #2

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟♾️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

A Sea of Wrath and Scoria is the second book in the most incredible Siren Romantasy series that exists in this world !!

TROPES
🐚 Romantasy
🦀 Enemies-to-lovers
🐚 Slow burn
🦀 Banter
🐚 One horse / One bed
🦀 Touch Her and ☠️, Touch HIM and 🔥
🐚 Sirens/ Mermaids
🦀 Plot twists and Whiplashs !!
🐚 Found Family
🦀 Morally Grey MCs
🐚 Feminine Rage


OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG !!! Or as Kye would say FU¢KFU¢KFU¢KFU¢KFU¢KKKK !!!!!

I still have goosebumps and palpitations writing this review as I finished this book , or rather the book finished me !!

Whit you did it again , and I just need to ask you first , were you a mermaid in your previous life ???
Because the way you describe the sea the way you put the words, I swear it feels like you have lived it.
Your descriptions, your world building, the way you make us feel that we are LIVING the story ... It's just beautiful and mesmerizing!!!


And the character development of both the Main Characters , OMG breathtaking!!!!

I love Maren and Kye separately and together! The way they grew into their roles , into their love and their romance and banter , UTTER PERFECTION!!!

And Kye is absolutely my latest Book BF , and I am definitely gonna be dreaming about him tonight, and a lot many nights to come 😏

And ofcourse the mind boggling plot twists and turns and emotional rollercoasters and the promised Whiplashs, so freaking magnificent!!!!


I mean I devoured every single page of the book and it was not enough!!

So get ready to laugh and cry and fall in love, be shocked, fall in love some more , be beguiled, swoon and then swoon some more , then cry some more, to be awestricken and be left wanting MOREEEE!!!


Thank you Whit Stanfield for this Phenomenal ARC and please pleaseeeeee give us moreee of your breath-taking words 🫶🏻😍
Profile Image for Grace.
16 reviews6 followers
December 6, 2024
“𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐬… 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦.”

😰🫣🤭😪😮‍💨🥹🫨😖😭😱😳…my emotional journey through this book!!

O. M. G.!!!!! ASOWAS picks up right where book 1, ASOSAS, left off, & we immediately get so much Maren & Kye content that I adored. The character growth we see in their journey for the first half of the book was so satisfying! So many questions were answered. Lingering mysteries were explained. THE TENSION WAS HAWT 🥵🤭❤️‍🔥

Maren is even more lovable in this continuing story as we get more insight to her vulnerabilities. She struggles with trauma and PTSD (trigger warnings included in the beginning of the book 🩷) & she still fights tooth & nail for her autonomy & to remain in her power. Honestly, her anger is what makes me feel so connected to her. That feminine rage is divine.

Kye is complex & protective, & my favorite thing about him in this book is that we get to see his pure fascination with & admiration for Maren. We get to see his walls coming down after having put up such firm defenses to protect his mind & emotions in book 1. Girlies, I was kickin’ my feet & giggling 🤭 & I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of him saying “MY WIFE.” 🥵 Gahhh.. the micro-tropes in this book 🥹🫶🏼 he braids her hairrrr omg 😭💕

The plot kept me on my toes the entire book, & there are TWISTS. My emotions were chaos. Without saying too much… HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR BOOK 3, WHIT?!?! 😭 I think I will need a full 5-10 business days to process & reflect. Probably will need to go back and reread all my highlights & annotations to heal 🥲

But seriously this series just keeps getting even more intense, intriguing & addictive. I absolutely love Whit’s writing & am soooo ready to continue the story in book 3!!! 💖

In this book:
❤️‍🔥Forced proximity
🧜🏼‍♀️Touch him/her & ☠️
🔥Dual POV
❤️‍🔥Slow-burn
🧜🏼‍♀️Sirens
🌶️Spice (open door / 1.5-2 chili peppers)
Profile Image for KMart Vet.
1,367 reviews68 followers
December 3, 2024
Building on the strong foundation of the first book - which I adored - Maren’s journey of self-discovery continues to shine. Her character arc feels raw and genuine as she grapples with her trauma, the mysteries of her siren blood and past, and her growing bond with Kye. Their deepening relationship is full of vulnerability, passion, and mutual respect. We also got to know the REAL Kye and it was rewarding to get his perspective about the previous events.

The first half of the book excels with its sense of peril and adventure, as the pair navigate a way back to Kye's kingdom while pursued by enemies on all fronts. The pacing is tight, and the stakes feel urgent with every step they take. The focus on Maren and Kye’s bond made the story feel intimate, even amidst the chaos. While the absence of some beloved side characters was noticeable, their absence felt necessary for Maren and Kye’s relationship to grow organically.

However, once they reached Kye’s kingdom, I thought that the pacing shifted pretty quickly. The narrative loses a bit of its rhythm and major events unfold too quickly, almost undercutting the gravity of those moments. It’s a minor complaint in an otherwise compelling sequel, but it left me wishing for a bit more time to fully absorb the impact of these developments. And then there’s that ending—heart-wrenching and shocking.

This is a worthy sequel that keeps you invested in its characters, its world, and its romance. While not without some pacing flaws (for me), it’s a fun ride!

Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Hannah.
86 reviews
February 17, 2025
⛔️ Warning: Spoilers ahead from Book 1, A Sea of Song and Sirens👀

Picking up where Book 1 left off, Kye and Maren are on the run—dodging bounty hunter pirates, trekking through enemy territory, and, in Maren’s case, dealing with some fresh PTSD. (Turns out being locked up and nearly assaulted on a ship really does wonders for your claustrophobia.)

Meanwhile, Kye is desperate to get them home, but he’s also struggling with his feelings for Maren—while knowing she’s still keeping Secrets™️ from him. (Spoiler: she totally is. But in her defense, people will literally die if she tells him.)

This book is an action-packed, emotional rollercoaster with:

✔️ Multiple kidnappings (because why stop at one?)
✔️ A snarky, black-cat-energy horse
✔️ New friends, new enemies, and lots of danger
✔️ Secrets finally revealed (about damn time)

It’s a wild ride.

My Thoughts: 4 Stars, a Few Notes

I loved A Sea of Song and Sirens, but this action-packed sequel was even better. I devoured its 500+ pages in under 48 hours—it’s SO good.

Now, some might say the first half feels repetitive (Kye and Maren spend a lot of time on the road), but I thought it added depth. With no palace drama or manipulation, they actually get to know each other, and their relationship turns into something that feels real.

Also, Kye? Elite MMC. Big “get your hands off my wife” energy, but also a top-tier hype man for Maren. Protective, supportive, and excellent banter—the holy trinity.

Now, my one complaint: The ending felt a little random. The story takes a sharp left into meddlesome gods territory, and while I don’t mind that trope, the transition felt rushed. Also, we have to wait for the next installment 😩.

Book 3 (out this summer) is a prequel novella about Serena (who I love, so I’ll allow it), but the next actual Maren & Kye book? TBD.

That said, I highly recommend this series. The worldbuilding? Engrossing. The characters? Fantastic. The new secondary cast also gives off some strong found family vibes, which I am always here for.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️🌶️

Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.