Title: The Hunted
Series: 9INE Realms
Author: Bethany-Kris
Release: January 6, 2020
Genre: Dark Fairy Tale Retelling
Blurb
Let the hunt begin …
After witnessing the murder of his mother by a mermaid, Prince Eryx Bloodhurst of Atlas makes a deal to sedate his need for vengeance: they’ll catch the mermaid who did the deed, but he’ll pay for it with his crown.
Arelle, third princess of the Blu Sea, has never known the true cruelty of the forbidden lands firsthand, but she will soon. The halfling prince with murder in his eyes and the sea’s songs in his blood will make sure of that.
He should kill her.
Perhaps, keeping her might be worse.
Two kingdoms are falling. One king is losing it all and another threatens to ruin everything. The rules of the land and sea are changing. Secrets of the past are spilling.
And all because of a prince and his little mermaid—whether they live or die—nothing in the realm will ever be the same.
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In The Hunted, Bethany-Kris opens a new world—the 9INE REALMS—for readers with a dark fairy tale retelling, and pulls inspiration from the cult classic favorite and the Hans Christian Andersen original to redefine what it means to be The Little Mermaid.
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Excerpt
“You’re irrational.”
Not at all.
“I’d give anything to have that mermaid.”
To kill her.
“I don’t think you would,” his advisor replied.
Eryx met the man’s gaze in what remained of the shattered mirror. “Name your price.”
Because he knew …
If there was ever anyone in this realm who could see something like this done—capturing that mermaid—it would be Mattue. His reach went farther than the king could possibly know, but Eryx did. And he didn’t mind making a deal for his soul with Mattue to get what he wanted, either.
“You know what it would cost you,” the man replied quietly. “Your father expects you to take your banishment with dignity and come back to royal life ready to marry and behave. He’s not going to accept anything else from you, Eryx, and if you cause him more issues, but especially where it might concern the people—”
Right.
He would be dead.
“My crown. That’s what it would mean.”
“—but I wouldn’t mind taking it in your place.”
Eryx didn’t drop the man’s stare. “You are next in the succession, seeing as how I’ve not produced an heir with a woman yet.”
Mattue smiled.
It seemed far too pleased.
“It appears I am.” Mattue shrugged. “I could find someone to catch your little mermaid … if that’s the deal you want to make, Eryx.”
Was it?
He didn’t even need to ask the question of himself, really.
“It is.”
In the mirror, he met his own stare. Mattue faded away in the background of the jagged reflection.
Let the hunt begin.
My Thoughts <3
Talk about a dark fairy tale retelling! This Little Mermaid homage is going to make your jaw drop and utterly captivate you! You know going into this that it is going to be dark, but man oh man is it and I LOVED IT! I don’t want to say too much about the plot, but just know that the blurb totally breaks it down well for you and you will be sucked right in to the story. There were not any lulls or times where it moved too fast, I was just soaking it all in.
I love how the author sets this up for more to come in the series because I am hooked and cannot wait for more! I give it 4.5 outta 5 stars and looking forward to the rest of the series!
PS: Thank you to Bethany-Kris and Enticing Journey Book Promotions for allowing me an advanced copy of the book to read and review honestly!
Follow The Author
Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, two cats, and three dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cats, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.
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