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Where Sirens Roam
Fear lies in the depths.
Daruhm just wants to be left alone, away from the broken world he inhabits.
However, as one of the last remaining scribes of his kind, he is tasked with joining the Iron Dragon for a voyage across the Great Sea, giving an account of their findings, alongside an ancient race that are now seen as mere slaves. But the waters are not what they seem. None who yet traverse them ever return. Vast storms and territory not known on any map await them, and an old myth come to life.
The Sirens will sing once again.
Daruhm just wants to be left alone, away from the broken world he inhabits.
However, as one of the last remaining scribes of his kind, he is tasked with joining the Iron Dragon for a voyage across the Great Sea, giving an account of their findings, alongside an ancient race that are now seen as mere slaves. But the waters are not what they seem. None who yet traverse them ever return. Vast storms and territory not known on any map await them, and an old myth come to life.
The Sirens will sing once again.
140 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 25, 2024
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 4, 2024
“Now she understood. The old war hadn’t ended with the elves and dragons. It had merely passed to the next generation.”
Thank you @cameronmichaelsauthor for the eARC. I always enjoy indie fantasy prequel novellas and this was no exception. I had such a good time with it that I immediately ordered a physical copy for my shelf.
We follow two main characters and I found both of them to be very intriguing. One was a master scribe with a hidden past. I don’t remember reading a fantasy book with a scribe as the main POV at least in recent years, so that was fascinating. And the other is an elf-dragon descendant who is being held captive. I was amazed at her devastating displays of power throughout the book. Both of their character arcs were done so well that I cannot pick one over the other as my decisive favorite. And also, I have to mention that the characters the readers are supposed to hate, I absolutely hated.
Even though this is a novella, the world built here seems to be very rich in lore. With each reveal (particularly the ending one) I wanted to know more about the history and how the current political scenario came to be. There appears to be a whole nother age with dragons and elves in prominence and mentions of a “battle of fate” that I hope gets expanded upon later. The magic system also was very good. It is elemental based and we get to see only 1 type of it explored in this novella but the way it was used is ingenious. The sirens are also properly spooky. I got chills when they attacked the ship.
The writing was also excellent. I flew through the book in a day. It was a fast-paced story and yet it also did a great job of introducing the characters, setting up the world and introducing challenges and character motivations for future events in the world in addition to having a complete and satisfying plot of its own. I really liked where the story ends and am very interested to start Book 1(The Faded Dragon.) With indie fantasy book series, there’s always this discussion – prequel novella first or should it be read after Book 1. I went into this book without having read Book 1 and I think this is a great entry point to the world
Thank you @cameronmichaelsauthor for the eARC. I always enjoy indie fantasy prequel novellas and this was no exception. I had such a good time with it that I immediately ordered a physical copy for my shelf.
We follow two main characters and I found both of them to be very intriguing. One was a master scribe with a hidden past. I don’t remember reading a fantasy book with a scribe as the main POV at least in recent years, so that was fascinating. And the other is an elf-dragon descendant who is being held captive. I was amazed at her devastating displays of power throughout the book. Both of their character arcs were done so well that I cannot pick one over the other as my decisive favorite. And also, I have to mention that the characters the readers are supposed to hate, I absolutely hated.
Even though this is a novella, the world built here seems to be very rich in lore. With each reveal (particularly the ending one) I wanted to know more about the history and how the current political scenario came to be. There appears to be a whole nother age with dragons and elves in prominence and mentions of a “battle of fate” that I hope gets expanded upon later. The magic system also was very good. It is elemental based and we get to see only 1 type of it explored in this novella but the way it was used is ingenious. The sirens are also properly spooky. I got chills when they attacked the ship.
The writing was also excellent. I flew through the book in a day. It was a fast-paced story and yet it also did a great job of introducing the characters, setting up the world and introducing challenges and character motivations for future events in the world in addition to having a complete and satisfying plot of its own. I really liked where the story ends and am very interested to start Book 1(The Faded Dragon.) With indie fantasy book series, there’s always this discussion – prequel novella first or should it be read after Book 1. I went into this book without having read Book 1 and I think this is a great entry point to the world
October 1, 2024
A fantastic novella, introducing a world of intensity and deep cultural divisions from the start, Michaels has crafted the perfect entry point to his Twin Worlds Saga on a dark adventure of sea monsters and hidden truths. There were numerous horror elements that were effectively built, and the character work was excellent; it was quite a whirlwind at the beginning, but settled into a rhythm quickly. Overall, it was a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an indie novella!
October 31, 2024
This review was originally posted on SFFINSIDERS.COM
“This is about more than yourself, this is about expanding your reach, discovering things not yet seen by human eyes”
A brand new novella in the Twin World’s Saga, Where Sirens Roam follows Daruhm, a scribe and scholar, and Aydra, a Takahrn slave.
Daruhm might study the sea and the legendary sirens, but he certainly doesn’t play the part of pirate well. His sea legs are wobbly but his determination is held under a blazing fire, and he wants to find the sirens as badly as the Iron Dragon’s captain, Xerohnis. A reluctant hero he may be, Daruhm defies the odds and breaks some chains while he’s there.
Aydra is being held captive against her will on the Iron Dragon, one of three Takahrn beig used for their magical abilities. She bides her time, using her water weilding to help move the ship, but what she senses in the water might be what they came on this suicide mission to find. She’s headstrong and just as determined as Daruhm in her own quest to not only escape, but save her friend.
Characters: 8/10
I love a good seafaring adventure story, and Where Sirens Roam did not disappoint. Vivid descriptions of the boat, and even that queasy feeling of sea-sickness kept me enveloped in the world-building. Cameron does a great job of describing the overall atmosphere on the wide, dark sea, and *full disclosure* you can read this as a standalone from the first full-length novel of the Twin Worlds Saga, The Faded Dragon, but it helps to understand the depth of the magic system if you’ve read it.
Atmosphere: 13/14
Writing Style: 15/18
“You will join Captain Xerohnis and his crew aboard the Iron Dragon.”
Can you imagine, being a scribe and never having left land, and then hearing those words? My stomach would DROP. But Darhum kept his composure, and found himself sailing the sea before he could really process it all. But this is a discovery of a lifetime: Sirens.
On the other hand, Aydra is just trying to stay alive long enough to escape and save her friend. She is consistently abused by the first mate, Ivis, a scumlord if there ever was one. But she sense things only Daruhm has ever witness, and no one believed him when it happened. The two make a formidable pair.
I would say this story is pretty equally character and plot driven, being a shorter novella the pace flows well, and it’s easy to get invested in both.
Plot: 9/10
Intrigue:11/14
Logic: 13/14
Overall, this novella is well worth the read for those who have either already read The Faded Dragon or not. If you like unique magics, dragons, sirens, pirate adventures, and a hearty sea shanty: this one is for you. DEFINITELY RECOMMEND.
Excitement: 9/10
CAWPILE Score: 78/90
October 30, 2024
Where Sirens Roam by Cameron Michaels is novella set in The Twin Worlds Saga that packs a punch! For an epic fantasy setting, it was easy to get into the world and understand the people, relationships, magic, and tension. That can be particularly difficult to do and absolutely means I'll be reading the first book in the series!
This duel POV novella follows a scribe who is haunted by his past and a prisoner who is forced to use her magic. They set out on a perilous journey in a stormy ocean with mythical sirens lurking. If legend is to be believed, no one will be returning from this mission.
5/5 stars, I enjoyed this world, the writing, and the characters! This is something you could read in one sitting and is a great place to start with discovering The Twin Realms Saga!
This duel POV novella follows a scribe who is haunted by his past and a prisoner who is forced to use her magic. They set out on a perilous journey in a stormy ocean with mythical sirens lurking. If legend is to be believed, no one will be returning from this mission.
5/5 stars, I enjoyed this world, the writing, and the characters! This is something you could read in one sitting and is a great place to start with discovering The Twin Realms Saga!
September 28, 2024
I’ve come to the conclusion that if a book has sirens in it, I should not expect a happy ending. And I love that. This was like reading an actual legend. I also enjoyed the writing style! I had a great time on this adventure! It definitely made me want to read the whole series!
December 19, 2024
Where Sirens Roam by Cameron Michaels is a novella set in the Twin Worlds Saga and let's just say, I finished this in a single sit down (which is a pretty big deal for me, even tho it was only 131 pages lol shh).
I had zero expectations going into this novella, and after finishing it, I am super excited to start the first book in the series, The Faded Dragon.
Michaels' writing style was easy to follow and flowed nicely. I easily became attached to the two main POVs rather quickly. He also does a really good job painting this world with a lush history and how that history has affected everyone in the world. I found myself wanting to read more about the history and how things became to be.
If you like anything by Ryan Cahill, I believe Where Sirens Roam is definitely for you.
I had zero expectations going into this novella, and after finishing it, I am super excited to start the first book in the series, The Faded Dragon.
Michaels' writing style was easy to follow and flowed nicely. I easily became attached to the two main POVs rather quickly. He also does a really good job painting this world with a lush history and how that history has affected everyone in the world. I found myself wanting to read more about the history and how things became to be.
If you like anything by Ryan Cahill, I believe Where Sirens Roam is definitely for you.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews