The Siren By Kiera Cass

Book Type: YA Novel
Author: Kiera Cass
Pages: 327

Summary(goodreads.com):
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.

My Review:
A lifelong curse, a cute blond boy, and a girl who only wants love... after a mer-friend told me about this book, I wanted to check it out! Sadly, this book did not meet my expectations.

What I Loved:
The beginning of this book is fantastic! The story starts right away and we see how Kahlen became a siren.  I also loved the siren sisterhood. These girls stick together no matter what and help each other overcome horrible past memories. I also loved how Cass was creative with the ocean. The actual Ocean is a character in this book. Part Goddess, part mother, and part keeper of souls, the character fluctuates in moods in behaviors just like the sea.

What I Didn't Like:
By halfway through the book nothing was  happening! I kept waiting for the story to progress but a majority of it was Kahlen complaining about her circumstances. While the other siren sisters did what they could to enjoy their lives, Kahlen chose to sleep all day and languish in her misery!

Kahlen doesn't have a life. The second half of the book was her complaining about her siren life or pining for Akinli.

The concept of love is shallow.
The first time Kahlen meets Akinli and then goes on ONE date, she believes she is in love with him all of a sudden. Perhaps she is infatuated, or maybe flattered with his looks, but love takes time to develop and blossom and does not happen appear after one date. 

This book was unfortunately very boring and depressing. I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

Lies Beneath Series by Anne Greenwood Brown

Book Type: Novel
Author: Anne Greenwood Brown
Pages: Book 1) 303

Summary of first book (goodreads.com):
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love - just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.
One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.

My Review:
What do you get when you put jealous, vengeful mermaids, a forbidden romance, and a gorgeous killer merman? An awesome mermaid book! :)

What I loved about this book was the originality of a killer merman. Here on this blog, I've presented sirens and evil mermaids with powers, but I don't recall reading about a male siren. Calder has classic siren powers, such as the ability to will his victims into doing things and has the allure and charm of a typical siren. 
I also loved the main female character, Lily. I can really relate to her, especially her love of poetry and her Gothic style. She isn't the typical girl to fall head over fins for a pretty face, and this romance takes its time, making it beautiful and genuine. The book is also amazingly descriptive, and you will feel as if your swimming with Calder in the cold waters of Lake Superior. 

Although most of the main action in the plot is prolonged, it's needed. It reminds the reader that these killer mermaids are hunting their prey slowly and precisely. 

This first book was amazing! I'm hoping to get book two for you guys soon!
I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

(3) Waters Of Change by Amy Astorga

Book Type: YA (Young Adult novel)
Author: Amy Astorga
Pages: 172

Summary(goodreads.com):
“Life at the surface isn’t a decision that can be made. It’s something you have to be chosen to receive. What mermaids lack that humans possess, isn't legs. It’s a soul.” 
Gwendolyn Hart stands on the cusp of change. With high school’s graduation nearly approaching, and an unexpected proposal from her devoted boyfriend Ryan, she’s certain her life is about to take an exciting turn. But when her best friend Emma is suddenly reported missing, all plans for the future come to a screeching halt. Tensions quickly rise as her walls are taken down, and in the midst of grief and introspection, there appears a young man who offers an escape from it all. 
His name is Marcus, and his eyes are as comforting as they are unnerving. Gwendolyn is captivated by the mysterious stranger, who slips into her life and sweeps her off her feet. But there are things about Marcus that she can’t explain. And there are reasons he’s appeared that go beyond fate. The more she discovers the truth behind the man, the more she discovers he isn't a man at all. 
Gwendolyn’s relationship is shrouded by dark secrets that will test the very core of her morale. A decision between love and conviction can be difficult. And what decision she makes will determine the ultimate fate of her soul.

My Review:
***I would like to first announce that I was given this book by Amy Astorga herself in exchange for a fair and honest review. I plan on reviewing this honestly, fairly and most of all, respectfully.***

When I first read the summary for this book, I admit I was a bit nervous. What exactly is Marcus? Is he some sort of male siren? A Merman? As soon as I read the prologue, I was instantly intrigued. I wanted to know what the deal was with this jerk Marcus and why Gwen is so head over heels for him! The book instantly sucked me in like a strong current and I could not put this book down!

What I liked the most about this book was the characters. They are believable because they are flawed, even the supernatural ones! I really related to Gwen, especially when she had to deal with a jealous best friend, and also insecurities with herself and her relationship. I also felt that many of the characters were described and acted like high school teenagers, which shows good characterization skills.

I also loved that this book had very intense thriller/ mystery moments and themes.  There were moments where I would be talking out loud to Gwen and saying, 
"WHAT? Do you not see what is happening here, Gwen?" 
or "I'm going to kill that kid!"
 and "Oh God. Oh God no. This isn't happening!"
 I got soooo into this book that I gasped out loud, and even laughed nervously as if I was watching a horror movie!

What struck me most of all was the ending. It was totally unexpected and a bit sad. I didnt like how it ended so abruptly, but overall, this book was excellent!
I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaids: The Myths, Legends and Lore by Skye Alexander

Book Type: Short Story Collection/ Information about mermaids/ Cultural diversity/ Mythology
Author: Skye Alexander
Pages: 224

Summary(goodreads.com):
The allure and mystery of mermaids has taken hold of our psyche for ages. From the Irish merrows who come on land to search for human husbands to the fake Fiji Mermaid made popular by P.T Barnum, these sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition in the world.

Inside this captivating collection, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout, you'll discover the myths surrounding these enigmatic beings, explore the common symbols associated with them, and learn tales of merfolk from around the world. Dive into "Mermaids" and get swept away!


My Review:
When I first picked up this book, I was a bit worried that I would become bored, especially since traditional tales was never my cup of sea salt. However, my thoughts quickly changed and I fell flukes over fins for this book! 
What I loved most about this book is how thorough it was; it really covered every aspect of the mermaid legend, and even what mermaids mean in pyschology! Cool! Ive never really thought of why mermaids have such sex appeal until I read this. Sure, they flaunt their beautiful bodies, but they are dangerous and elusive, which Alexander also explores in depth. 

Traveling The World: Different Legends From Around The Globe:

Alexander also explains that in different parts of the world, mermaids can mean good fortune or an ill omen, and this was really interesting to compare and contrast different meanings in other cultures and countries. Some of the countries you will visit are Mesopotamia (The Middle East), Great Britian, Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Africa, India, Australia and North America. I truly loved the diversity of this collection, and loved exploring what different parts of the world think about mermaids. I had never heard of some of the legends mentioned in this book, so it was refreshing to see some new mers! 

I also loved that throughout the book, Alexander has little passages about mermaid sightings. Did you know Christopher Colombus and Henry Hudson saw mermaids? Maybe it was a selkie, like me! :)

More Than Just Mers:

Here are some of the creatures besides mermaids mentioned in this book:
- Ondines     -Sirens     -Mermen     -Water Gods and Godesses     -Selkies
- Nixes 
The legend of Matthew Trewella is even in this book, which is the base of the Ingo Series!
But there is so much more! 

The Negative:
The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that if you are not interested in traditional stories or old tales and fables, even classic literature, this book might not be the choice for you. At times, the book can be a bit boring since many of the stories are similar with slight differences in plot.

This book was an awesome find for my mermaid library! I love how rich and diverse it was, and it's a great resource for those who want to learn more about different water creatures and diverse cultures. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard(8)

Book Type: Novel
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Pages: 260

Summary(amazon.com):
Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

My Review:
When I first picked up Ripple from the library, I wasn't sure what it was about, only that it was listed in many mermaid book lists on goodreads, so I said why not? It is actually about a siren, a distant cousin to the mermaid, a creature with no tail but sings to unwary people with a cursed song. I knew I was going to like it as soon as I finished the first chapter. It was full of mysteries and unanswered questions that made me want to know more! At times, this book can be a bit depressing, but Hubbard crafted the storyline in such a way that the moments were beautiful and didn't drag out. What I also liked about the book is that the siren element is written throughout the plot, and the untamed, cursed element of Lexi doesn't go unnoticed. I think readers will enjoy the ending the best though! It was really shocking. I really think this is an awesome book to read for the summer if you are doing a literary challenge. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

A Treasury Of Mermaids: Mermaid Tales From Around The World by Shirley Climo

Book type: mermaid stories from around the world/ Children's literature
Author: Shirley Climo
Pages: 80

Summary(goodreads.com):
Lavishly designed and illustrated, this beautiful book is the definitive collection of mermaid lore. A catch of international mermaids, from a Japanese ningyo and a Swiss nix to an Irish merrow and an Alaskan nuquot swim through the pages of this elegant volume. Full color.

My Review:
This book was definitely a treasure as the title suggests. Even though this book is intended for children to read, I found myself enjoying this book very much.  I have heard of the different types of stories and mermaids from around the world, from the merrows of Ireland to the ningyo of Japan. However, I have never read any of the stories mentioned in this book, and I found them all interesting and beautifully adapted and rewritten. This children's book is great for someone who is interested in folklore from around the world, or for someone who just loves mermaids, like me! The only thing I must say I was surprised about was the lack of images in this book. At the beginning of each story, there is one colored image and a few black and white pictures throughout each story, but I feel that for a children's book to really come alive, there should be some beautiful artwork, such as the cover. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie