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Cover of A Wraith Beneath the Tides

A Wraith Beneath the Tides

by Emilia Jae

🌶️🌶️mild·Beyond the Tides #1
4.1 on Goodreads (2,030)

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Ending

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Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

A cinematic pirate romantasy with a morally gray FMC who actually feels dangerous, not just labeled that way. The worldbuilding blends sea mythology with elemental magic, and the slow-burn tension between captor and captive prince builds relentlessly toward a cliffhanger that demands the sequel.

Synopsis

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN MEETS ATLANTIS THE LOST EMPIRE. --> 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?

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A Wraith Beneath the Tides is a pirate romantasy debut that leans into cinematic action over emotional depth. Esmyra Blackwood is a siren-shifter pirate who kidnaps a fire-wielding prince, and the enemies-to-reluctant-allies dynamic carries the slow burn. The spice runs mild with late-book payoff. Ends on a cliffhanger—this is book one of the Beyond the Tides series and not a standalone.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.07 ★ (2k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

584 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).

Dual POV

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 audiobook yet

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.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
mermaid romanceenemies to loverskidnapped by the heroadventure romanceforbidden loveforced proximityforced alliance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

adventurousmysteriousdramaticdangerousepicatmospheric

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

cinematicdramaticimmersiveedgy

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

medium

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

moderate

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.'

pirate seaspage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

pirate/captainmorally gray FMCferal/unhingedsirenvillain protagonist

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

brooding princemorally gray MMCreluctant hero

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.

enemies to loversreluctant allies to lovershe falls firstbanterpush and pullmorally gray x morally gray

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

slow burn with late spicetension / anticipation focuspassionate / intense

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

tensionanticipationeye contact intensityplayful banterlonging glances

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

magic-infused intimacy
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This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (6)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencegraphic violencegun violencegoredeathkidnapping
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World & Setting

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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.

high fantasy

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.

ship / at seacoastal / island / beach

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

mermaids/sirenselementals

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

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.

addictive readferal brain activated

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

summer

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

beach tripvacationlazy Sundaysummer evening

Beyond the Tides

A Wraith Beneath the Tides

#1 A Wraith Beneath the Tides

A Flame Among the Seas

#2 A Flame Among the Seas

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Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.584
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2025
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.07 ★ (2k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Beyond the Tides #1
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