Mooncursed

The Drowned King Series, Book 1

By: Holly Renee

Narrated by: Anthony Palmini, Samantha Brentmoor

A cursed sea king, a stolen bride, and a fate meant for another.

They say madness dwells in the ocean's depths… and in the eyes of the Drowned King. Cursed to take a human bride and break her mind the moment she sees his face, the Drowned King spends his life in torment, watching. Waiting.

Lou was never meant to be chosen. Branded from birth as a saltwitch, she has always been seen as the cursed shadow of her moonblessed twin. Now, veiled and bound in marriage to a man she must never see, she's thrust into a life of ancient gods and unraveling fate…and unspeakable desire.

Yet even as fear becomes tangled with a perilous longing for the Drowned King's heated touch, the truth of her choosing looms over her like a siren's song. It rages louder with every breath she takes as whispers travel through the kingdoms: rumblings of war, of ancient goddesses awakening, of a queen with saltwater on her lips who will change everything.

There is no stopping fate, for though she was never meant to be chosen, the moon has already summoned the tide.

From bestselling author Holly Renee comes an emotionally compelling romantasy drenched in salt and magic.

Narrated in duet style.

©2026 Holly Renee (P)2026 Podium Audio

Beautiful new fantasy

This was so good! Amazing narrators and such a beautiful story. Holly Renee has been one of favorite authors this year. my only complaint was that it wasn't longer and we have to wait for book 2 to come out!

Nothing short of a shock collar could get me to stop listening!

I laid down to sleep expecting to wind down with a few chapters, the next thing I knew the sun was up and the story was sadly over!

I have never had a book grab hold of me so fast, sink its claws in and refuse to let go. It was as if Aysu herself wrote it, pulling me under to hear the tale.

The duet narration was perfection! Samantha Brentmoor and Anthony Palmini never disappoint. They brought the story to life so vividly it felt like you were witnessing it first hand.

The only thing that bothered me was how many times Louisa"s name was said. If you turned it into a drinking game you would be out in 2 chapters lol and of course the HUGE cliffhanger but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be pre ordering as soon as its available.

Wonderful Narrators to bring this story alive!

I loved this story.

However- it does end in a cliffhanger! I can’t wait for number 2!

It’s a lot of plot in the beginning- but the fated mates of this story is well worth the slow burn!

Samantha Brentmoor + Anthony Palmini = an automatic YES! 🌙

I already loved reading the eARC of Mooncursed, but adding Samantha Brentmoor and Anthony Palmini’s narration made immersing myself in this story even better! These two are an automatic yes for me, and listening alongside reading added so much to the experience.

Rune’s struggle between the fate of another human bride and protecting his kingdom had me invested. And Lou? After a lifetime of mistreatment, rejection, and being kept apart from her twin sister, I wanted this girl to finally have someone in her corner. Rune claiming and protecting her absolutely scratched that itch. 🖤

Following Lou as she discovers who she is and how she connects to the curse and Aysu kept me hooked. Curses, impossible choices, a heroine I wanted to fight for, and a narrator pairing I couldn’t resist? An enthusiastic four stars!

Finished this in one day!

Finished this audiobook in one day! Okay so the book isn’t very thick so it’s no surprise that I finished it quickly but honestly I couldn’t stop listening because I was so entranced by Holly writing and where the story was going! And a HUGE MENTION and Shoutout to Anthony Palmini and Samantha Brentmoor because the narration just felt so whimsical yet mysterious because of their performances!

We have a cursed sea king who has to take a wife and the woman he chooses just might be the answer to save his city or end it all…