The Beacon and the Brine (Monstrous Cravings Book 2)

“Ursuline had been my savior—from the sea, from my cage. They’d set me free in every way, but with them… I wanted to be captured.” Katherine McIntyre brings us another beautiful world-building tale of found family, romance, and adventure in her Monstrous Cravings series with The Beacon and the Brine. This book is a standalone but does feature some characters from The Thorn and the Spire. The Beacon and the Brine is a reimagining of The Little Mermaid but turns the original on its tail by focusing on the male lead Erlich, who becomes betrothed to mermaid Arielle. In this tale the Triton family of mermaids are actually not very pleasant creatures. In fact no one in Peregrine City even knows they are mermaids. Monsters tend to be looked down on and are almost treated like second class citizens. So the Tritons pretend they are human as they gain a foothold in the business sector of the city. In their desire to make connections and improve their standing they agree to an arranged marriage between their daughter Arielle and the successful Durand family’s son Erlich. Erlich is sweet and artistic. He tried to become a successful part of his family’s business but corporate life is not for him. He’d rather be swimming in the sea or painting. His family is mean and frustrated with him so they agree to an arranged marriage with the Triton family’s daughter. Erlich feels like he has no choice and agrees to go along with it. Ursuline is the smart and sexy Triton family lawyer who also…

The Beacon and the Brine is the second book in the Monstrous Cravings series by Katherine McIntyre. While there are side characters from the other book in the series, this is a stand-alone novel and does not require prior reading. Although, considering this is an imaginative and romantic retelling of The Little Mermaid, familiarity with that tale might be beneficial. McIntyre has created a world where monsters and humans share space but like in the real world those with money hold the power and those who are different are discriminated against. Elrich is a human who comes from a rich and powerful family but he is a constant disappointment and failure to his parents. He dreams of escaping his parents’ control and living a life of his own. His dreams are cut short when he is told he is to wed heiress Arielle Triton. Neither Arielle or Elrich want this wedding and Elrich is learning the Triton family are not what they seem. Elrich finds an ally and companionship with Ursuline the lawyer who is held in contract to the Triton family. Ursuline and Elrich need to work together to escape the Triton family and find a life together. This is such a creative take on a well-known fairy tale. I loved the twists involved in the story and the development of Ursuline and Elrich’s relationship. Elrich is such a sweet, pure soul; you can understand why Ursuline was powerless to resist him. I am definitely going to read all of the books in this series.

What an amazing follow-up to a series that I'm seriously excited about. This was slightly a little mermaid retelling, but as Kat is the first to admit, it quickly goes in it's own direction and I think it was so much better for it. It's angsty and it has some really dark underpinnings as the world is built and we get to see what life is like for "monsters". But also, the romance is sweet and the spice is off the charts. I'm a girl who loves yearning more than like anything so I was completely FED by Kat here. And the next one? I am all the way sat for it!

As with each book I read from this author, this story is perfectly woven. Filled with (omg) feels and emotions that are intense. A connection that if you didn’t believe in soulmates, you do now. I love the world building that keeps expanding for each story in the Monstrous Cravings series. I’m starting to feel like if I could visit Peregrine City then I could find my way to Haven Diner ;) and that would be amazing. Elrich is an artist. His light shines in all he does. Naturally his parents and the society they keep tries all they can to squash that light. Ursuline is contracted to the Triton family. They are stoic and cold except their warmth and steadiness blazes through when interacting with Elrich. The chemistry between these two is sizzling. I love fairytale retellings and this story is one of the good ones. I was captivated from the beginning. Recommend!!

The Beacon and the Brine - Ursuline & Sunshine ‘I opened my mouth, awestruck at what a gift they’d given me. No words sufficed, though, so instead I leaned forward and pressed my lips to theirs. They kissed me back at once, and I savored the intensity of the emotions crashing through me, as powerful as the tide. Ursuline had been my savior—from the sea, from my cage. They’d set me free in every way, but with them…I wanted to be captured.’ Elrich, trapped in a family who lies, who treats others as lower, and who despises monsters, finds himself engaged to the daughter of an even more important family of deceivers. Ursaline, monster lawyer for his finance’s family, becomes Elrich’s beacon of hope, as they support him through the tumultuous tragedies that befall him, while becoming a secret part of his heart. Katherine McIntyre’s fanciful retelling of the Little Mermaid combines lush landscapes, high speed adventures, torrential storms, and the beautiful sea, as monster and human find love. Bonus, beautiful and heartfelt art renderings that show deep abiding romance!