Mermaids, danger, and slow-burn tension? Yes, please. Morgana’s thrown into a world full of secrets and power plays, and I was hooked. Finn’s still a mystery, but the pull is real. The vibe is dark, magical, and just the right kind of eerie. Solid start with a lot of promise.

Thank you to NetGalley and J. Strelou for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. J. Strelou, thank you also for the beautiful paperback and merch — it was genuinely appreciated!

I'm still gathering my thoughts on <b>Sea of Evil & Desire</b>. Initially, I found it a bit difficult to get into — I was confused about what was happening and why the FMC was dealing with such a somber event instead of her mother. But as the story slowly (but surely) unraveled, things began to make sense.

The pacing was slow, but I actually appreciated that. It didn’t immediately throw us into a "guess the lore" kind of chaos. And when the lore <i>did</i> start to come together, it was done so well — the epilogue left me absolutely gobsmacked. I did <b>not</b> see that coming!

The characters were intriguing and gave me definite ACOTAR vibes — in a good way. I want to know more about them: Pisceon, the Grandfather, and especially the underwater world characters — the mermaids, princes and princesses, kings and queens, the sirens, the kingdoms of Krumus and Oceanos. I’m really hoping for spin-offs that dive into all their stories.

Finn (our merman MMC) and Morgana (possibly a Selkie?) had great chemistry and tension. The spice fizzled a bit, but I have a strong feeling Book Two is going to deliver some seriously pent-up angst — and I am absolutely here for it.

<b>Overall, I enjoyed the story, the lore, and the pacing. I'm giving it 3.5 stars.</b>

Thank you to Netgalley and J. Strelou for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 2.5/5

This book just wasn't for me. This was my first fantasy that included mermen and mermaids and I am wondering if maybe I'm just not that taken by the concept. I did enjoy the setting and the mythology element, and I felt like the plot had potential with these elements. I felt that the world-building was strong and the writing was descriptive and painted a clear picture in my mind, but the other things that didn't work for me really took away from the things that worked well.

Unfortunately, I did not believe the romance, it just didn't click for me, it felt a bit too instantaneous and forced. I liked both our FMC and MMC individually, and there were definitely moments (especially Finn's one-liners) that had me grinning like a fool and kicking my legs in excitement and anticipation between them, but overall it just didn't resonate with me. Even with the one-liners, I felt they often came at moments where it got intensely romantic/serious without a build up. As someone who absolutely eats up tension between love interests, this just didn't appeal to me.

Without giving spoilers, our FMC is a type of shifter that I just couldn't get past in terms of icky-ness, and the descriptions tended to continue to repeat these a bit too much for me. I am a vibes reader and can definitely overlook elements of a book that don't work/resonate with me if the vibes are on point, but the continual description of the shifting meant I was continually reminded.

Taking the above into account I will say, the writing was both beautifully crafted and compelling. The author’s style is definitely captivating, just the style of romance wasn't fleshed out and developed enough for me.

Love destroys us in the most devastatingly beautiful way...and I would destroy myself a thousand times for you.

Wow! I love this book! I've never read a mermaid fantasy book before and this was perfect! The underwater world building was so well done that I felt like I was there! I love the Scottish folklore and Greek mythology! So fun! This did end on a cliffhanger :( I'm so excited and can't wait to read the second book!

Thank you to NetGalley and J. Strelou for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This book was overall good, but i was really hoping for that good meirmen yerning and sexy meir energy.

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

This book had all the right ingredients for a compelling romantasy—an atmospheric Scottish setting, rich sea mythology, and the allure of selkies and mer lore. The premise was enchanting, and the coastal backdrop added a haunting, folkloric charm that immediately pulled me in.

The strongest aspect of the book was, without a doubt, the world building. The Scottish lore was immersive and beautifully woven into the setting, creating a vivid and intriguing sense of place. I found myself captivated by the mythological elements, which brought a unique depth to the story.

However, the romance didn’t quite land for me. The emotional connection between the characters felt rushed and underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully invest in their journey. The main character’s voice occasionally felt inconsistent, and some of her choices didn’t align with the depth the story seemed to be aiming for. Additionally, the romantic and spicy scenes lacked the buildup and chemistry needed to feel truly earned.

Thank you to J. Střelou and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 1 star, DNF @20%.
Genre(s): new adult fantasy romance.

Overall impression: I was mistakenly under the impression that this was an adult dark fantasy romance novel with folklore elements. Instead, the characters spoke, thought and acted more like teenagers than adults and I found the plot to be extremely unbelievable and disjointed. There were so many awkward scenes that I just had to put the book down and couldn't push myself to finish it. It felt more like a coming-of-age story than anything else, which is a trope I no longer enjoy reading or relate to.

This mythic urban fantasy grips you a tide fierce, relentless, and achingly beautiful. With world-building steeped in saltwater, Celtic lore,and secrets that whisper beneath the waves. Ruadán's Port is more than a backdrop, it's a haunting, living force tied to gods, curses, and the kind of grief that lingers like mist.

Morgana, our heroine, forged from trauma and storm. Her journey a reckoning of unraveling grief, tearing down emotional walls, and charging headfirst into fate. And the MMC? That unreadable, sea bound stranger? Pure, magnetic torment.

Tension thrums through every page emotional, magical, romantic. Villains you love to hate. Prophecies that burn. Spicy scenes laced with water magic that boil rather than soothe. And at the core, a love story woven into destiny, one that dares you to feel everything.

As for the ending... let's just say you will be left with some questions that will have you counting the minutes down until you can have them answered in book 2 of The Deep Saga.

Please note my Amazon review has been posted, but is still pending.

An additional promo post will be added to my Instagram in about a month.

4.5 ⭐
This was a great dark romantasy read! With a compelling story and beautiful poetry weaved within it! I was captivated by the alluring and dangerous world and the revelation of an ominous prophecy. Not to mention the broody and mysterious Finn and the steamy tension between him and Morgana. Their story was so addicting I was ferociously reading to see what would happen. The intricate lore of the gods and origins of the curse were hauntingly enchanting. I felt like a sleuth trying to piece together Morgana's mysterious heritage as the story was unfolding.
I absolutely can not wait to see what unfolds next in their addicting story!!
Thanks so much, NetGalley and the author, for the eARC!

Thank you to net galley and Julia Strelou for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had wonderful world building. I found the setting interesting and unique. I think the storyline had a lot of potential. I enjoyed the underwater world, the lore, and the mythological characters. I liked the Scottish sea side village setting. I also thought the descriptions of the setting were well done.

The pacing was a little off for me. The first few scenes seemed a little rushed but other parts felt slow. Some of the dialogue felt stilted to me and not always natural. I wished the there was some more character development of the main characters.

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.