This is the first time I’ve read a book from this author & it was honestly pretty good. This story was an origin story for a certain villain (no spoiler) & certain gods & sea creatures from the Atlantic & Pacific Ocean. It follows more than one persons story & point of view but focuses more on Anela & Triton as they are both thrust together to unite although they are both from different worlds & upbringing. They are both trying to get back to their normal lives as they were before Triton was banished from from his home from his dad & washed ashore where Anela lives. From the very first day he arrived, he brought nothing but trouble & danger which Anela wants no part of but has no say unfortunately because her younger sister Malia is infatuated with him. I really enjoyed this author and her writing style and will definitely check out more from her. This book definitely ended well as a standalone but I could also see she has enough material here to make it a series if she chooses. I gave it 4 stars because there was a lot of s3xual assault & r#pe in this story, more then I thought was necessary but other then that I thought it was so well written and different from anything else I read. Loved the elements of mythology and Little Mermaid intertwined in the story also. Truly grateful for this complimentary copy of this book & all opinions are my own.

"Curse of the Nautilus" by Ralynn Kimie is a captivating tale that plunges readers into a world of high seas adventure, mystery, and magic. Kimie's masterful storytelling weaves together elements of folklore, mythology, and swashbuckling action, creating a richly textured narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Set aboard the legendary submarine, the Nautilus, the story follows a diverse cast of characters as they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind an ancient curse. Kimie's vivid descriptions and dynamic prose bring the fantastical world to life, immersing readers in a realm where anything is possible. The characters are compelling and multifaceted, each with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. "Curse of the Nautilus" is a thrilling read that will appeal to fans of adventure fiction and maritime lore alike, offering a thrilling voyage into the unknown that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

As the tagline reads, "Villains are not born. They're made." The sea witch WAS PUSHED to her anger, her loathing, her sadness.

With beautiful tie-ins to Hawaiian mythology, Curse of the Nautilus gives you reason to empathize and understand her pain and motive. At the heart of this story is a forced connection between natural enemies and a long history of violence. This story sucked me in and held my attention from start to finish. It is NOT for the faint of heart, but I loved getting to know the characters and their messy decisions. So many traumatic events transpire in and out of their control and the effects change them all.

I read both the closed-door and open-door versions and would 100% recommend either one, but please note that BOTH are very much geared towards a mature audience. (Check the trigger warnings.)

I love exploring books outside of my own culture. This Hawaiian mythology-inspired fairy tale is great for teens and young adults. :)

Thank you NetGally and Ralynn Kimie for allowing me an ARC of this version and the original version.

I believe this should still require the trigger warnings. Even though it does not directly say in detail what is happening, it’s alluded to. Unfortunately, I won’t be letting my daughter read this book. I was hopeful maybe it was going to remove the alluding all together to make it appropriate for teens. Would still say it’s an 18+ book.

I really love this cover! This book was a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. Ralynn's storytelling is nothing short of brilliant, seamlessly weaving together mythology and modern elements to create a gripping and tragic villain origin story. The transformation of the characters, particularly the prince and FMC, is captivating to watch unfold. The chemistry between Anela and Triton is electric, drawing the reader into their relationship. The development of both characters as they strive to break free from their siblings' shadows is both relatable and heart-wrenching. Anela's transformation is especially poignant, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh take on a classic tale!

This book was so beautiful and captivating and atmospheric and mesmerizing and I ATE UP the setting and the Hawaiian mythology. It was amazing and I highly recommend going in blind and letting yourself be immersed into the story.

I wanted to read both book versions and each book tells a interesting story and really didn't feel it changed anything. I enjoyed the Hawaiian mythology used in this. This was the PG-13 version and enjoyed how well everything worked as a story. I enjoyed the way Ralynn Kimie wrote this and left me wanting more.

Omg I loved this book so much!!! So well written, so mesmerizing, this book is something else. Read it guys.

I originally had the pleasure of beta reading this book and wanted to read the closed door version the second time around. I love that Ralynn Kimie decided to release a closed door version of this book as well as the open door because it opens the story up to more readers! I usually don't enjoy books that are too heavy on the smut, and while the open door isn't overly descriptive, this one was definitely better suited for me. I think people will really fall in love with this story and Anela's struggles and hardships as she tries to do what's right. It's such a beautifully woven tale about how one person's growth can be another's spiral. I love that this was written in dual POV between Anela and Triton, with a few third POV for us to keep up with other important characters that play vital parts in this book. I hope it reaches a broad audience! It's such a great book and I hope Ralynn Kimie decides to write more villain origin books in the future!

This book looks so interesting! I live everything that has has a TLM or underwater life vibe and it's almost like a prequel of both Triton and Ursula. I absolutely cannot wait to share more thoughts on this and bring this one to readers. I also like that it was altered to keep things clean