What happens when the studious Prince of Autumn falls for the wild Prince of Summer?

Prince of the Arena is a prequel novella that takes place many years before the events of Bonded by Thorns. It is best enjoyed after reading Bonded by Thorns.

Farron, the Prince of Autumn, wants nothing less than to be tangled up with Dayton, the Prince of Summer. Dayton is reckless, wild, and probably hasn’t opened a book once in his life. Meanwhile, Farron likes to think everything through—including how to survive the next few weeks while his family is staying in the Summer Realm.

But Dayton has set his sights on Farron, and despite his better judgment, Farron finds himself drawn into the storm that is the Summer Prince. The deeper he falls, the more Dayton pulls away, and Farron can’t hold onto him any more than the sand can hold onto the tide.

Amid the dangerous landscape of gladiator battles, political intrigue, and the scorching heat of a Summer sky, Farron and Dayton are set on a path that will lead to true love or eternal heartbreak.

A love story years in the making before a certain Rose blooms in the hearts of two men destined to save the Enchanted Vale… or destroy it.

PRINCE OF THE ARENA is a sweet-and-spicy prequel novella featuring MM content. It is best enjoyed after reading BONDED BY THORNS, the first book in the BEASTS OF THE BRIAR series, a steamy adult Beauty and the Beast retelling set in a fantasy fae realm, where the beautiful bookworm doesn’t have to choose between four fae princes.

Published
June 20, 2025
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
Beasts of the Briar

The series

Full series details →

In the untamed wilderness of Beasts of the Briar, magic and danger intertwine in a dark and atmospheric world where nothing is as it seems. The series draws readers into a mystical land ruled by ancient forces, where forgotten creatures stir beneath the shadows and the land itself holds untold secrets. With a rich tapestry of lore, enchantments, and perilous quests, this series explores the delicate balance between power, freedom, and the consequences of uncovering long-buried truths.

Read full series description

At the heart of this gripping tale is a fierce heroine, caught between the unraveling mysteries of her world and her own struggle to survive. As she ventures deeper into the Briar, a place where the line between the living and the supernatural blurs, she discovers that the true monsters might not be the beasts lurking in the forest—but the ones within herself. The tension between survival and transformation pulses throughout the series, making each decision she faces weigh heavily on her journey.

The world-building in Beasts of the Briar is immersive, with forests that breathe, rivers that whisper, and skies that carry the echoes of forgotten gods. Elizabeth Helen creates a universe that feels ancient and alive, where every corner holds danger and beauty in equal measure. With dark magic and treacherous alliances lurking around every turn, the story becomes a quest not only for the truth but for the very soul of its protagonist.

Themes of sacrifice, identity, and the pull of destiny weave throughout the series, making it a compelling exploration of what it means to fight for one's place in a world that feels both wildly alive and terrifyingly indifferent. The characters are complex, layered, and ever-evolving, with bonds forged in the fires of conflict and personal revelation.

Beasts of the Briar is a spellbinding blend of high fantasy, mystery, and dark adventure, where the stakes are high, and every choice could mean the difference between salvation and destruction. With its atmospheric storytelling and complex characters, this series invites readers into a world where nothing is as simple as it seems—and where every step into the unknown brings new revelations and dangers.

Risingshadow

Anticipation distribution

How anonymous reader anticipation is distributed across the 1–10 scale.

108
91
84
70
60
51
40
30
20
10
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed