In the Kraken's Grasp: A Scorching in Sin City Novella

by Coral Alejandra Moore

Sin City is about to get wet and wild.

Soraya hates Las Vegas for a lot of reasons, but mostly because it’s too dry. She's only in town for one more night and is determined to have some fun. When she meets two witches at a dive bar, they awaken her predatory instincts and she longs to pull them both into the deep to have her way with them. But there’s just not enough water in this place.

What is supposed to be one night of pleasure turns into something more when one of her intended prey turns out to be a witch who can summon water from deep underground. Soraya unleashes her true nature and expects them to flee, but the water witch is bold and unafraid in her element.

Confronted with a temptation unlike any other she’s ever known, Soraya craves everything she’s never allowed herself to want. This witch will be her undoing.

In the Kraken’s Grasp is a story in the Scorching in Sin City world which follows the intimate lives of the paranormal denizens of Las Vegas. If you enjoy spicy, fast burns, sassy heroines finding their power, and monsters you love to crush on, this book is for you.

Genres: Adult

56 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Coral Alejandra Moore writes fantasy & paranormal romance overflowing with found family, queer characters, and heroines discovering their power. All of her books are kissing books.

If you ever want to start a conversation with her, the best way is asking a biological question about dragons or werewolves. She believes that love always wins and the best characters are the ones with trauma to overcome.

She lives with the love of her life in a forested glen filled with butterflies and birdsong where most days she pretends to be a princess.

Find her online at: coralmoore.com

Reviews

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read

[Jessica Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s it about?

Soraya finds herself in Vegas, and as a kraken, she’s not thrilled about it. But she has an idea to take the edge off, and it involves two witches she meets in a bar. The three go out into the desert for a good time together. And Soraya is particularly drawn to one of the witches… who just happens to be a water witch. Kraken celebrations ensue. smirk

My thoughts:
Is there a better time to read a monster smash novella than spooky season? I think not.

This one is cute, sapphic, and, um creatively spicy, which I appreciated. There’s a lot of story in a short span of writing, and it’s the perfect lead-in to the rest of the author’s series.

If you want a quick monster romance read with good writing and even better spicy times, In the Kraken’s Grasp is the one for you!

[Sarah Poulton-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super spicy FF novella set amid the world of Sin City (with a few little glimpses of familiar characters and situations- told from another POV in the Sin City trilogy). This is Kracken, Soraya's story. She is drawn to two witches and disappears into the desert with them for a night of fun. Kai is a water witch and a tempting match for Soraya. Their chemistry burns up the pages and Soraya's fun dominance over her playmate is fun and steamy.

I loved how this novella fitted within the wider Sin City world. I was just disappointed to not have more of Soraya and Kai. They were an enjoyable and spicy read.

[Jennifer Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the world of Sin City, this novella focuses on a Kraken, Soraya, and a water witch, Kai. There is a third, Greta, for a moment but the real connection is between Soraya and Kai. This was a super fun and short sapphic novella that can be read as a standalone. If you've read the series set in the same world, you will recognize some characters and obviously the setting. I'd definitely encourage any reader to pick up the series if you like this novella. It's the perfect teaser and gives you a great taste of what to expect.

Thank you to Luna Blooms LLC and the author for the opportunity to read and review In the Kraken's Grasp with my honest thoughts and opinions prior to publication.

[Nikki B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Kraken's Grasp is a very short, very spicy novella.
Soraya takes a trip to Vegas and meets two witches. They awaken something within her and she can't help her attraction for them. Soraya doesn't like Vegas because it's so dry, but lucky for her, one of the witches is a water with and can summon water from underground. With water summoned, Soraya is able to unleash her true form, expecting the witches to flee. But they don't. And it turns into a very wild ride. A spicy wild ride.
The story is short and enjoyable. If your're looking for something with more spice than plot, this is a good one.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella set in the world of the Scorching in Sin City - a short, hot, lusty portrayal of the start between two strong female characters, Soraya and Kai. One is a kraken and the other is a witch; their meeting takes place in Las Vegas before the start of Hers to Rule. Would be a good introduction to the series to get a feel for the authors style and level of spice.

Thank you to the author, Coral Alejandra Moore, for providing this book for review consideration.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh, yes. I enjoyed this steamy sapphic novella. I liked Soraya when I met her in the Sin City series. She is a strong FMC. So, it only makes sense that she gets two equally strong women to have fun with.

Kai and Greta are great. I liked that they already shared a relationship. It made things better when they shared Soraya. Seeing Soraya in her true form was sexy.

If you are a fan of the sin city series, you will really like this novella. It is a steamy, quickie read.

[Amanda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soraya and Kai

This is a short novella in the Scorching Sin City universe. It is a standalone but if you haven’t read the main series this ends on a cliffhanger. If you have read it, this just fills in a side story and let me tell you it really stuffs it full IYKYK. Tentacles abound in this story between a Kraken and a water witch. I loved it because tentacles are my favorite monster appendage. This is mostly spice with a little plot and a quick read so dive in immediately.

[SI Vann · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Kraken’s Grasp is another hot and spicy Sin City story that I devoured in one sitting with little breaks to cool down. Very much looking forward to more stories about the paranormal residents of Las Vegas and about Kai and Soraya to see if they will become a family of unusual lineage. Thank you, Coral Alejandra Moore for the advance reader copy. The opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Andi Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short from this author and I always enjoy any kraken tales. This was a great filler. Soraya was an enticing character and loved her one night in Las Vegas. If you are a fan of this author, this is definitely worth adding to your collection. :)
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mirra Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Spicy Novella

In 'In the Kraken's Grasp,' Soraya visits Vegas, meets two witches, and discovers her attraction to them. She doesn't like Vegas's dryness, but a water witch summons underground water, allowing Soraya to reveal her true form. Instead of fleeing, the witches stay, leading to a wild, spicy adventure. It's a short, enjoyable read suited for those seeking more spice than plot.

[Sammi O · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick and spicy read. It follows soraya on her one night out on the town. Her one night off of work, she goes out to a bar and finds some lovely company. they are characters we have met before. It is super quick, super spicy, and all around a great addition to the scorching in sin city world

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

This is a short and spicy sapphic novella that can be read as a standalone (which i read it as). For a novella, I felt it was a bit rushed. However, the spice was spicing and the characters intriguing - the world building is unique and makes me want to read the main series!

[Alex ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick, steamy sapphic read! Its a nice insight to behind the scenes of the other books. Definitely more spice than plot, but it works! It is always so interesting to see how differently authors write about krakens.

[Elyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love returning to the Sin City world Coral has created! This novella is a quick read and gives you all the feels. I enjoyed the characters and would love more of their stories in future books! If you love monster romance and spice, this one is for you!

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick Sapphic read. With the main characters being a kraken and a water witch. For a short story it had a good amount of world building that can add to the rest of the series otherwise can be read as a standalone. I would recommend this fun and steamy short story.

[Carien · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was short and entertaining.

[Marie-Lyne (Gonewithflynn) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun sapphic short story. Super quick, instant attraction, and it gets spicing! I found it kinda funny that the other witch says she's going to watch, and then we don't hear about her ever again. 🤔 But otherwise an enjoyable read and I'm intrigued now how these characters fit into the rest of the Scorching in Sin City series, as I've only read book 1 so far. Guess I'm going to have to read and find out!

Thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read that fits beautifully into the series. An ff romance/erotica.
Absolutely drew me in from the beginning and was over before I knew it. 90/10 on the spice to plot but works perfectly with everything we know about this series. Absolutely loving these little glimpses of side characters.

[Megan Aello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read was SO delicious! It IMMEDIATELY pulled me in and kept pulling me in the entire read. The story line is intriguing, the writing style is simple and elegant and the attention to detail is *chef’s kiss*. Excited to jump in to the rest of the series!