Book Review: The Siren
Book: The Siren
Author: Kiera Cass
Genre: Fiction/YA/Romance/ Fantasy
Summary: Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can't resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again. Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude. . . until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can't talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny. . . and Kahlen doesn't want to. Falling in love with a human breaks all the Ocean's rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen's feelings, she'll be forced to leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart. -Harper Teen, 2016
I almost feel as if I must be a little gentle in reviewing this, as it is Cass's first novel. To be honest, it reads like a first novel. Time passes rather quickly and the romance is not as well developed and paced as many would like, but it's a good start. I can see how Cass improved on her work and allowed time to move a little more slowly in her subsequent novels.
While the protagonist and her beau have a very cute relationship, I only wish that their relationship had the time to breathe and grow naturally.
There is no real antagonist, as the one that had been set up for that role has an eleventh hour transition. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but the set up is a little rushed and it seems like Cass is trying to finish the story as soon as she can.
The relationship Kahlen has with her other "sisters" is the most developed and has the most dimension, though I can understand that, for some, it's still not quite enough to call their relationship fully fleshed out.
It has bits and pieces that are reminiscent of The Little Mermaid, but it's not a Little Mermaid re-telling. Cass's idea is good; it's only the execution that could have used a little more work. I feel as if there are some questions that are never answered, but, in the long run, I suppose they don't really matter.
Like I said, it's a good start, but her subsequent works are better.
I give The Siren a B+.
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