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When the Wicked Sing
by S.L. DeBois
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
You'll be swept away by a gripping tale of survival and forbidden love that leaves you desperate for the next book.
Synopsis
Addictive and enchanting, When the Wicked Sing is a sirens-vs-fae, enemies-to-lovers romantasy full of spellbinding adventure, dangerous desire, and ruthless twists that will leave you breathless. FROM THE DARKNESS, THEY WILL RISE. Banished from the fae realm and hunted to the edge of extinction by their ruthless enemies, the last surviving sirens have been forced into hiding beneath the waves of the Leruna Sea. As heir to the siren throne, Mariana has spent her life watching her people suffer, their fragile sense of safety slowly unraveling under the shadow of growing darkness in the underwater city of Salus. When her sister, Astra, vanishes during a peace mission to the fae kingdom, Mariana faces a brutal obey her queen and do nothing or risk everything to bring Astra home. To save her sister and the future of all sirens, Mariana must recover a powerful amulet capable of restoring their forsaken homeland, Sirenia, before it falls into the hands of the fae king. Her plan takes a turn when she is captured by Dax, a mysterious fae warrior with secrets as deep as the sea. Mariana is sworn to hate him, but as he drags her to the heart of enemy territory, a dangerous desire grows between them, blurring the line between duty and temptation. As Mariana and Dax are drawn deeper into a perilous web of fae politics, long-buried truths, and heartbreaking betrayal, they uncover dark forces threatening not only her people but the entire realm. In a world where loyalty is fragile, love is dangerous, and truth is deceptive, Mariana must stop the wicked forces rising in the shadows before they can sing their final, deadly song. When the Wicked Sing dives into an epic fantasy world where sirens are threatened with extinction against their ruthless enemies, the fae. Perfect for fans of the dark siren lore and sharp wit in To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo, the fae politics and dangerous romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, and the high-stakes alliances of The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen. It is book one in the Leruna Sea Series and ends on a cliff-hanger. This book explores themes of death, grief, and trauma. While these elements are integral to the story, they may be emotionally challenging for some readers. Please proceed with care and prioritize your well-being.
At a Glance
4.24 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
4.24 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
487 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2025
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Romantasy
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/F
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
First Person
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
No
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Standard
Narrator Count
Single
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.
Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.
fast
Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.
heavy
Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.
medium
VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'
Characters
FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?
MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.
Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.
Spice Details 🌶️
Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.
Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.
Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.
World & Setting
World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.
Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.
Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.
Reading Context
Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.
Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.
autumnWhen & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.
Similar Books
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