A Wraith Beneath the Tides

By: Emilia Jae

Narrated by: Amanda Dolan

Raised in secret by the sea's most feared pirate, Esmyra Blackwood knows nothing of her past or the origins of her mysterious powers.

In the mortal kingdom, Draevyn Rowe is the second-born son of the tyrant king, and the only known fire-wielder of their realm.

Esmyra and Draevyn's journeys collide when she kidnaps him to force a trade with the king for her captain's life. But when her barter is refused, she is instead tasked with unearthing a kingdom lost a thousand years prior. Together, the two are forced to navigate a labyrinth of lies and secrets in search of the sunken kingdom.

The tides are shifting, and with scheming gods and ancient rivalries at play, alliances will be forged and shattered. The two must decide who to trust, and how far they're willing to go for the ones they love.

Esmyra will face a choice: Does their world deserve salvation . . . or will she be its reckoning?

Contains mature themes.

©2025 Emilia Jae at Em's Bookish Realm Press, LLC

Great!

Spoiler Alert! Don’t read before! Ugh I feel so bad cause she think she betrayed him! Then the thing about her father ugh and I hate her sister! When you truly hate a character the author did a great job writing!

Well defined characters

Very spicy chapter at towards the end of the book. It was not your typical enemies to lovers trope, which was actually very nice.

Absolutely loved this book!

This book just locked me into my pirate romantasy era for good. pirates, sirens, elemental magic, secrets, betrayal, tension that just keeps building… I was hooked immediately and it did not let go.

Esmyra?? obsessed. she is powerful, morally grey, a little chaotic, and honestly terrifying in the best way. she makes questionable choices and I support her every time. And Draevyn… the broody, fire wielding prince with actual depth?? yeah, I folded.

The dynamic between them is EVERYTHING. enemies to reluctant allies with so much mistrust, tension, and banter that had me smiling one second and stressed the next. the yearning?? top tier. the slow burn??? it builds and builds and when it hits… it HITS.

And the crew?? I loved them. both Esmyra’s and Draevyn’s crews added so much to the story. I laughed, I got angry, and I was fully on the edge of my seat the entire time.

The world felt so vivid and layered, with just enough mystery that I was constantly trying to piece things together. every time I thought I understood what was happening… nope.

And that ending?? excuse me??? I just sat there like… now what am I supposed to do with my life.

I listened to the ARC audiobook from Tantor Media and Tantor Audio through NetGalley while reading along on my Kindle, and it made the whole experience even more immersive. I felt like I was right there with them, completely lost at sea and unable to stop.

I need book two immediately because I am not okay. if you love pirates, angst, tension, yearning, and emotional damage… this one is it 🖤🏴‍☠️

Pirate, Sirens, and Gods

The audio is great on this one. If you are looking for a pirate fantasy that feels dark with lots of twist and turns this is it!

Pirate x Siren Romantasy

My very first pirate, siren romantasy and it did not disappoint! It was such a different yet easy read!

We meet Esmyra, who is such a badass siren, and Draevyn, who is a mortal fire-wielder!! They had the slowest of burns 🥵 Between the secrets, a lost kingdom, betrayals, it literally kept me on my toes 🙈

The way it ended, I am scared for what is to come….especially for Draevyn!