Sea of Evil and Desire was a wonderous fantasy read seeped in folklore and I absolutely loved it. The author does such a great job intertwining folklore such as selfish, mermaids and more into this story. The world building is phenomenal and the author describes imagery of both the underwater world and everything else in such detail I felt like I was part of the story. Morgana is such a well rounded and lovable main character and I enjoyed Finn and his broodiness as well. I loved that this took place in Scotland and that there was so much folklore that could be pulled from the setting. The idea of the Drowned and Davy Jones locker was awesome! Readers that enjoy books seeping with mystery, folklore and underwater settings will love this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Julia Strelou for sending me an ARC of this.

This was definitely very unique as a plot, but also a little all over the place. I felt myself having to constantly start and stop while reading this book. I wanted to really get into this, but just couldn’t. I kept reading to see if it would get better, but it was still a bit confusing for me. I liked the idea of breaking down all the mystical care of the sea, but maybe it was too much.

This was something different and adventurous. It's a dark Romantasy in a world of lore, myth and sea creatures. Morgana thinks she's human until her dreams turn dark, she sees impossible things and the ocean lures her away. Finn, the mysterious new stranger is also full of secrets, but is drawn to Morgana.
It's an intriguing story with magical worldbuilding and lots of mystery that ends on a cliffhanger.

Thank you to Netgalley and J. Strelou for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the concept of this book as it's not my usual type of read.
I found the story interesting and liked the small town trope. I found the plot intriguing and liked how it unravelled slowly.
I think if you are a fan of aquatic mythology, this is a great read, but I've found it not to be a favourite of mine. I would definitely recommend for readers who are fans of Mer-people, sirens, selkies, and underwater kingdoms full of mystery.
I would have liked the romance to run a bit deeper but enjoyed it none the less.
I liked the duel POV and the characters.
Thank you again

i never knew how much i needed an underwater world Mer fantasy romance. this was so fun and easy to fly through. the dual pov was everything. it kinda lost me a bit in the middle but that’s a me problem. enjoyed how atmospheric this book was— it felt as if i was right there experiencing everything firsthand. i love going through everything with Morgana as she discovers who she is and the prophecy that lies behind. thank you to the author for the early copy!

ARC Review | Original, Enchanting, Compelling
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A stellar debut that feels like the work of a seasoned, consacrated author.

From the very first page, I was swept into a world with just the right amount of vivid and immersive detail, without falling into the “too descriptive” trap. The writing, the dialogue, the atmosphere — everything felt polished, confident, intentional. Something you rarely find, especially all at once, in the work of a new author. There wasn’t a single moment where it felt like she stumbled or was unsure of her story or words.

A haunting seaside town steeped in myth and legend

Set in an eerie old port, the book drips with marine, poetic vibes — foggy docks, forgotten folklore, and whispered town legends. The world-building is phenomenal: rich, foreboding, and full of Celtic myths and mythical creatures that added a whole new layer of depth to the story. I learned so many new things and had an absolute blast doing it.

Atmospheric, mysterious, and impossible to put down

This story is packed with intrigue from start to finish. Secrets, twists, and quiet mysteries kept me turning the pages, always needing to know more. The melancholic, almost nostalgic tone made the whole experience feel like stepping into a modern fairytale.

Compelling characters & flawless dialogue

The characters felt real and relatable, their dialogue effortlessly natural (a rare thing for a first novel). Their relationships, the subtle tension, and the emotional undercurrents had me completely hooked. And yes — it had me on the edge of my seat more than once.

Tropes & elements that stole my heart

– Marine folklore & Celtic myths
– Small-town secrets & whispered legends
– Slow-burn intrigue & unresolved tension
– Mythical creatures
– Beautifully crafted angst and atmosphere

Final thoughts

This was one of the most unique reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. I’m not usually drawn to books with heavy world-building, but surprisingly, in this one, it didn’t bother me at all. The combination of stellar writing, immersive plot intrigue, and compelling mystery makes this debut hard to top.

Five well-deserved stars from me. If the quality of her first book is any sign — this is an author to definitely keep an eye on.

Sea of Evil and Desire 🌊✨

This book was incredible—a gripping, atmospheric read that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time, trying to untangle all the twists and figure out the true nature of our main characters.

We follow Morganna, our FMC, as she moves to the hauntingly beautiful coastal town of Ruadán’s Port in Scotland after her grandmother’s passing, to care for her grieving grandfather. But the town holds secrets—deep, ancient ones that begin to unravel as Morganna arrives.

Enter Finn, the mysteriously gorgeous man who radiates danger and allure. Morganna is drawn to him in ways she can't explain, despite every instinct telling her to stay away. And then there’s the song—an eerie, irresistible melody Morganna can hear, calling her toward the sea.

As the story unfolds, secrets rise from both land and water, and not everything—or everyone—is what they seem. The book ends on a cliffhanger that answers just enough to keep you hooked while leaving so many more questions to be explored.

I’m so ready to dive deeper into this world and uncover the rest of Morganna and Finn’s story in the next installment. If you love coastal folklore, mysterious romances, and underwater treasures that leave you breathless, this is one to add to your TBR immediately.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a copy to read and review!

This book was stunningly gorgeous! Beautiful and prose and beautiful chapter art as well. It’s a dark mermaid fantasy romance and it hit the spot for me, as I’ve been craving a good sea romance. Morgana was such a fun and relatable character to follow and I really loved her. And FINN! Sigh. I’m in love. I loved all of the town history and lore surrounding it all.
Read if you like:
Small town
Slow burn romance
Dark romance fantasy
Twists and tension
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Relatable "this could happen to me" FMC
Dark and mysterious MMC
Who did this to you?
Morally grey characters
Fate and prophecy

Review: Sea of Evil and Desire by Julia Strelou
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Sea of Evil and Desire is a lyrical, emotionally charged tale of fated mates, set in a kingdom teetering on the edge of ruin. Without giving away spoilers, the male lead gives off strong Kai Azer energy—he’s a man bound by blood to a mad king, burdened by duty and tainted by violence. Emotions are a weakness he cannot afford… until he’s sent to investigate a curious human girl. A girl who might be the key to a prophecy that could reduce his burning kingdom to sand.
Only, his powers don’t work on her. But she works on him. Irrevocably. Her presence unsettles him, her allure anchors him. And when he realizes who she truly is, he would burn the world he’s sworn to protect just to keep her safe.
This fantasy novel weaves sensuality, ancient secrets, found family, rebirth, and prophecy into a rich, romantic narrative. The emotional stakes are intense, the conflict devastating, and the ache between the two leads—palpable. It’s a story of lovers fated by the gods not to save the sea, but to end it. The catch? Finn and Morgana love each other as deeply as they love the sea.
In a war of love versus duty, which will survive? When destiny calls for destruction, can love still be salvation—or is it simply the gods’ most poetic form of revenge?
Julia Strelou writes like a poet. The prose is beautiful and immersive, full of lyrical sentences that beg to be underlined. My only critique would be that the worldbuilding occasionally felt overwritten, especially in the setting descriptions. But for a fantasy realm as layered as this one, it may have been necessary to ease into the depth.
The book ends on a cliffhanger—sort of.
Will I read the next one?
Absolutely.
Thank you to the author for the ARC copy.

Find full review, edits of the book and highlighted quotes on my bookstagram @booktaletalks
The post link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJRvTZdT9HM/?igsh=M29jdDVlZHR5dGN3

“Love destroys us,” "But I realize now it destroys us in the most devastatingly beautiful way, and I would destroy myself a thousand times for you."

Sea Of Evil And Desire is an easy to follow undersea, romantasy. This book is great for anyone looking to find something simple yet magical to add to their summer TBR. If you are someone who prefers your books heavier on the fantasy and world building then this book probably isn’t for you.

I adored everything about this book.

Usually when the weather starts to change to warmer temperatures I find myself swapping out my more complex fantasy reads for easier, shorter stories that don’t require a lot of brain power. However this one, this is a summer vibe. The world building and Celtic lore was easy to follow but still interesting and created such an enchanting atmosphere to be immersed into. The urban elements also helped to make me feel connect to the story as well. I liked how the story was split between the Irish (or was it Scottish? 🤔 not really sure) landscape and the magical, undersea world. K Strelou has a fun and creative imagination. The little details that she put into the undersea world, like the anglerfish used as lanterns around the sunken ship made the story all the more immersive. This would make such a fun beach vacation book. Between the shoreline, the marine life, the small coastal sleepy town it takes place in and the magical undersea world, this story left me with all the ocean feels.

Morgana, the FMC is quirky, a little awkward at times but so likable and her inner monologue was pretty entertaining. Finn, the broody MMC was a pretty fun character as well. I loved their interaction with one another. They were definitely giving Eric and Ariel vibes but the 8 year old, diehard Little Mermaid fanatic in me ate up every moment of it.

For this being Strelou’s debut novel I have a feeling we can expect great things to come from her in future books. I enjoyed her writing style. She gives a perfect ration between dialogue and inner monologue. Something about the way she writes her characters makes them so relatable and not what you would typically see in a fantasy romance. The pacing was consistent and kept me turning the pages. Highly recommend it.

Oh my Finn! This book was incredible!

This story held me down right from the start and I didn’t want to come up for air. I finished this book in no time. I loved it. The underworld world was depicted so wonderfully I felt like I was immersed in the story. My first mermaid, sea life adventure which felt new and unique. 11/10 recommend getting into this book.

This book was checking so many boxes for me!
✨DUAL POV
✨ DARK AND MYSTERIOUS MMC
✨ SLOW BURN
✨ MYTHS & LEGENDS
✨ SCOTLAND SETTING
✨ DARK ROMANTASY
✨ UNIQUE LORE & MAGIC SYSTEM
✨ POLITICAL INTRIGUE

Once I finally figured out how to get this ARC onto my Kindle (yes, I had a mini meltdown over it), I devoured it. I could NOT put it down. This book pulled me under like a riptide and never let go! I’m so glad it’s going to be released on Kindle Unlimited because I need my book club to read this with me ASAP. This book is staying in my head rent free until book two drops.

Finn and Morganna’s chemistry is electric—a delicious slow-burn romance full of secrets, tension, and undeniable passion. From the very first page, the story hooks you with nonstop twists, eerie suspense, and an immersive underwater world that blends mermaids, magic, selkies, and myth. The plot feels fresh and totally unique, with a romantic thread that’s both swoony and emotionally charged. It gave me summer vibes, goosebumps, and a new obsession all at once. I have a strong feeling this is going to be the next big BookTok sensation— yes, it’s just that good.

Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the advanced e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, I had to DNF this one at 30%. While the premise initially pulled me in, the execution just didn’t quite land for me.

The main character read much younger than expected—more like a teen than a typical YA protagonist—and I struggled to connect with her voice. There were also multiple plot threads competing for attention, which left the story feeling a bit unfocused.

I appreciated the attempt to weave in folklore elements, but it didn’t feel fully developed. The mix of modern references (like Netflix and chilling) clashed with the mythological themes, making the tone feel inconsistent. Overall, this book just wasn’t for me, but I think readers who enjoy urban fantasy with a contemporary twist may find more to love here.

Sea of Evil & Desire🧜🏻‍♀️
4 ⭐️
2.5🌶️
Release Date: May 6th📚
This new release brings a new spin on the usual romantasy with a world of Mer, Selkies, and the Drowned!
Our FMC Morgana has lived a sheltered life with her mother. We start out finding out that she has a very unique ability to sense emotions. When her grandmother passes away, she volunteers to go stay with her grandfather in a seaside town in Scotland. Morgana ends up having a connection to this small seaside town’s history.We meet our broody MMC, Finn. We have a slow burn with lots of tension!
The storyline is twisty without the predictability. I loved the world building and the characters were very likable! It’s ends with a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 2!
✨Dual POV
✨Mer, Selkie, the Drowned
✨Prophecy
✨Small Town
✨Slowburn
✨Dark Romantasy
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions and reviews are my own!

4.5⭐️
2.5🌶️

‘Love is the reason for everything.
But it can also be our ruin.’

Wow. I could not put this down. I am so glad I was granted an eARC copy of this book. Thank you NetGalley.

I need book 2 now. I was not ready to leave this world behind AND I need to know what’s going to happen!

Dual POV
Small Scottish town
Mystery
Prophecy
Mer, Selkies, the Drowned
Slow burn
Dark Romantasy
Dark mysterious MMC

I wanted a mermaid/ocean fantasy and this book delivered!

Let me start by mentioning the beautiful map and glossary…..I was hooked before the story had begun. Then knowing it was set in a small Scottish town on an island and I was sold (I love anything Scottish). Also add the fact it is steeped in Scottish and Celtic mythology of the ocean….totally enraptured.

The writing was poetic and emotional. The plot and storyline was twisty without being far-fetched or predictable. The tension between our MMC and FMC was boiling, and had me yearning for them to be together. The FMC and MMC were likeable and the FMC relatable. The world building was magical and the reader discovered along with the FMC being shown through her eyes.

It ends on a plot twist that had me frustrated and wanting book 2 now!

*ARC review* Release date: May 6th
4/5 ⭐️

Sea of Evil and Desire by J. Střelou is an under the sea, mythological fantasy with a slow burn romance. The story takes you from Scotland to the deep sea discovering a world of Mer, Selkies, the Drowned, and many more. Overall, I enjoyed this book. The plot and world building was something new to me so it was a breath of fresh air. While I enjoyed the romance, I would love to see their relationship go deeper. The book leaves you on a cliffhanger- I can’t wait to see what happens next. Recommend: yes

Pros:
- Likable characters
- Dual POV
- Scene description

Cons:
- Slow start
- Inconsistent pacing
- Quick spice scenes

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book

I really love the idea and concept of this book. There are not many books that have undersea mythology. We have the Drowned, Mer’s, Selkies and whilst Sirens were mentioned a couple of times, we didn’t get any insight into what they really brought to the kingdom but hoping this will be explored in book 2.

It was a quick and easy read and I liked the world building very much. I think it really set the scene visually. I found the underwater descriptions captivating.

I did, however, struggle to connect with the characters. I feel like I only got to know Morgana & Finn on a superficial level. I really wanted to get to know them on a much deeper level.
But I did really like Edward. We got to glimpse into his past and how it affected him in the present day and the emotions from him made me feel something and I need that in a character.

As an emotional reader, I rate books based on how they make me feel. Whilst I enjoyed the lore & world building, it was the connection with the characters that fell a little short for me.

I would love to thank Julia again sending me a hardback version of the book. It’s something I’ll cherish for a long time.

Sea of Evil and Desire pulls you in with its atmospheric setting and tantalizing promise of a love story entangled in ancient lore. J. Strelou paints a vivid picture of Ruadán’s Port, a Scottish town steeped in superstition and secrets, immediately creating a sense of mystery that lingers throughout the book.

Morgana, with her unique ability to sense emotions, is an intriguing protagonist, and her connection to the town's hidden history feels organic. The introduction of Finn, the brooding and enigmatic love interest, adds to the allure. The "slow-burn romance layered with tension, secrets, and undeniable passion," as described by other readers, definitely holds true. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold and the chemistry between them was palpable.

The narrative effectively weaves together elements of Scottish folklore, Mer mythology, and a prophecy that hints at a larger conflict brewing beneath the surface. The world-building is strong, particularly in establishing the history and animosity between the Mer and the Drowned.

However, at times the pacing felt a little uneven. There were moments where I wished the story delved deeper into certain aspects of the mythology or explored Morgana's powers more fully. The plot, while engaging, occasionally felt like it was hinting at more than it delivered, leaving me wanting a bit more substance.

Overall, Sea of Evil and Desire is a captivating read for fans of paranormal romance with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and lore. While it has a few minor pacing issues, the compelling characters, intriguing world-building, and undeniable chemistry between the protagonists make it a worthwhile escape. I'm definitely interested in seeing where the story goes next!

I really loved the premise of this story. I thought the overall storyline was really compelling overall but didn’t feel it was exacted well.

Although this is not a very long book, it still felt like it was longer than it needed to be. The pace was quite slow and I found my mind wondering while I was reading.

The characters seem very immature for it being an adult book although I can appreciate that the FMC is 20 and let’s be real 20 is an extension of teenage years for many.

I think overall this book just wasn’t for me.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an advance copy of Sea of Evil and Desire.

Let me start by saying I really wanted to love this book. The premise held a lot of promise—set in Scotland, steeped in rich sea mythology with selkies and mer lore, Sea of Evil and Desire had the makings of a magical, atmospheric romantasy. But while the concept was captivating, the execution fell flat for me in a few key areas.

The saving grace of this book is absolutely the lore. The sea mythology—particularly the selkie elements and the Scottish coastal setting—was rich and compelling. I found myself far more invested in the worldbuilding than in the romance, which didn’t quite land for me.

The romantic plot felt rushed and lacked emotional depth. The connection between the characters formed too quickly, with little buildup or believable development. The FMC often read younger than her age, and some of her thoughts and actions came across as naive or inconsistent. At times, the spicy scenes felt more like boxes being checked than natural progressions of the relationship.

While the story didn’t fully work for me, I think readers who enjoy atmospheric settings and sea lore might still find something to love here.