Warning: possible spoilers (though I will attempt to avoid them, though read at own risk!)
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Number of books: 3
Number of shorts stories: 6
Note: I have not read all the additional stories, so I shall be reviewing the main three books in the series, with some mention of them at times where I feel it needs to be mentioned.
Book one: Of Poseidon
Blurb:
Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom…
Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.
Book two: Of Trident
Blurb:
Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half-Breeds should be put to death.
As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?
Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen’s points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.
Book three: Of Neptune
Blurb:
Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.
Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love but their ocean kingdoms.
In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.
Characters:
Emma:
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Main character
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Pale skin
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Blonde hair
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Purple eyes
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was voted the sweetest out of all of them, in class, but won’t hesitate to throw you through a glass door if you irritate her.
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Galen’s Mate
Galen:
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Emmas Mate
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Prince of Trident
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Syrena
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Black hair and Purple eyes
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a strong protective streak
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Pretty sure he is wanted by any readers, straight or not 😛
Toraf:
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Rayna’s mate
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Galen’s best friend
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Syrena
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Black hair and Purple eyes
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the guy next door type, I imagine with the floppy hair and infectious smile
Rayna:
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Galen’s twins sister
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Princess of Triton
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Torafs mate
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Syrena
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Black hair
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Purple eyes
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Love to paint her nails.
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Very aggressive, childish but entertaining none the less
Rachel:
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red hair
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Kickass woman with all the deets
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Seems like a second mother to the syrena
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Human
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Her never ending need to help the kids, even Emma even though at times I felt she may dislike her, did not make sense to me but she is still a lovable character
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I think everyone needs a Rachel in their life – then our lives will be SO much easier!
Dr. Milligan:
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human
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blue eyes
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blond hair
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the helper/knowledgeable character who I kept shipping with Rachel 😛
Nalia:
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Emmas Mom
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Free-spirited but kind of psycho in my opinion
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Black hair
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Blue eyes
Grom:
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Galen and Rayna’s older brother
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King of Tritons
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Syrena
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Black hair
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Purple eyes
Reed:
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Blonde hair
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Blue eyes
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Don’t really have a proper opinion on him – neither like nor dislike him – but I would love to see more of him
Fav characters:
It has to be Galen’s twin sister, Rayna! I just love the way things she says, even though I did find her annoying at the beginning. I think my most favorite of her lines was
“Did you hear what I said, Princess Cheater-Cheater-Whale-Dung-Eater? Show my brother your pathetic Gift.”
I just found it hilarious at the time, and as a response to the situation. Her childishness is refreshing, especially when the scene is supposed to be serious.P
Best book of the series:
I adored book two ‘of triton‘
Why? Because kind of predictable and kind of not. Plus, I adore the way Emma and Galen’s relationship works. Their playfulness is adorable and the scenes in the book were something that definitely entertained me
What I loved about the book:
- Emma and Galen’s relationship. It was just adorable! They are both never too serious when together, even in serious situation. Like when she faint and they joke around, even though he is worried for her.
They do the same in book two during a trial, it’s almost like they give each other a bit of normalcy, allowing them to ground themselves when tension is high. I think my most favorite line occurred when such a scene occurs, is at the end of book two, when they are getting ready to fight and Emma just has to comment on Galen’s fin, telling him it’s Sexy, right before he strikes his part of the attack. -
Rayna’s character. As I said before, I did find her slightly annoying, and she does do some insensitive acts, but she is stubborn-hearted and can be right if you listen to her. But because of the ways she come across, and the manner she uses, it’s logical why people don’t listen to her 😛
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The characteristics of the female characters. I like that the girls in this tale are not completely ‘feminine‘ or ‘ruthless‘, there almost a mix of both. Take Rayna for example. She’s really interested in doing her nails, but she definitely isn’t afraid to punch someone.
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One other thing I do also love about Rayna is that at the end of the series, she finally learns how to do a decent mani-pedi! That there, my readers is great character development 😛
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The way the book started: ‘I smacked into him as if shoved from behind’ – very different and unexpected.
Things I have loved to see better/differently:
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The way Rayna and Toraf relationship is presented. But I feel I cannot speak much on this one, as I have yet to read the short story that looks into their relationship, but if taking just on the main books, I feel there was a lack of reality to their relationship, especially with the way it changed from hate to love with one moment, in one night.
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I really do wish there was a piece from which I can read more from the perspective of Emmas mother, Nalia, as her character is both confusing and seems slightly delusional
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I wish there was an additional book based on Reed and the journey to possible peace that was hinted at, at the end of the book series – it would be interesting to read.
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I would have loved to have seen more scenes with Dr. Milligan. He was an interesting character I would love to have read about.
Overall?
I haven’t read many books about mermaids, but this one did not disappoint.
This is defiantly a book I would recommend. As a debut series, it is a good one. Though there are many moments where I felt things could have been worded differently and such, I think that was majorly because I am currently in the process of editing my own book and so I read everything with an editing eye.
I would love to get my hands on the author’s more recent novels. I know she had recently released a book called Nemesis and I absolutely adore the cover of it. Though unfortunately, the library close to me has stopped ordering new books, so I need to find another way to get my hands on it.
Also, as I final note, I loved the Q and A at the back of the books. Here’s a little extract I feel you should read:
Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do to get back on track?
I call this writer’s constipation, and reading is the laxative. Read and read and read until you can’t bare to read anyone else’s words until all you long to do is make your own words.
What should people know about you?
That sometimes during our relationship, no matter how brief it may be, I will try to scare you
what do you like best about yourself?
Not to brag, but I’m pretty good ar eating beef jerky
I also handle stress well, I don’t throw up until after the stressful situations
do you have any strange or funny habits? Did you when you were a kid?
When I was a kid, I never watched tv shows. I would only stop what I was doing to watch the commercials
now that I’m older, I don’t do anything strange expect for everything:P
There was also a question if I remember clearly (I had thought I had noted it down but it seems I had not so I am power phrasing it now) about what she wishes for her audience to receive from the book, and her answer was them to laugh out loud.
And I have to say, Ms. Banks, you succeeded
This book series was a joy to read so I thank you, Ms. Banks, for writing it.
Youtube
I also read this book as part of my Youtube series ‘A readers view‘
Make to check out speed art here:
Make sure to check out the free coloring pages here
Also check out my Youtube tale, where I go into detail of the behind the scenes works of each product, where I go into detail on what going on, the formation of the art, and any comments on the art from my own perspective, where it can be improved and such
As for now, I guess that’s all. This storyteller is out! Until the next review!
Entwine 