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Gideon Sable #3
What Song the Sirens Sang: Gideon Sable, Book 3
The tables are turned on legendary master thief Gideon Sable when a priceless magical artifact is stolen from him, in this fast-paced supernatural heist thriller.
You can find everything you've ever dreamed of in the strange, old magical shop known as Old Harry's Place. The problem is, not all dreams are kind.
Gideon Sable—legendary master thief, conman and well-dressed rogue—and his partner in crime Annie Anybody don't want to be shopkeepers, but when the enigmatic Harry decides to retire, he blackmails the pair into taking the store on.
Before the grand reopening can happen, however, a menacing stranger arrives—with a rare and deadly item for them to appraise. A small piece of rock, with an unnerving aura, which 'Smith' claims contains the last echoes of the legendary sirens' song. Before they can find out more, however, Smith vanishes . . . leaving only the stone.
Some valuables are more trouble than they're worth. But before Gideon and Annie can work out if they've been set up, the stone is stolen from its impregnable hiding place. How? And why? Gideon only knows one thing for no one steals from him and gets away with it . . .
What Song the Sirens Sang is the third supernatural heist thriller featuring master conman Gideon Sable from British SFF veteran and New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green, following The Best Thing You Can Steal and A Matter of Death and Life.
You can find everything you've ever dreamed of in the strange, old magical shop known as Old Harry's Place. The problem is, not all dreams are kind.
Gideon Sable—legendary master thief, conman and well-dressed rogue—and his partner in crime Annie Anybody don't want to be shopkeepers, but when the enigmatic Harry decides to retire, he blackmails the pair into taking the store on.
Before the grand reopening can happen, however, a menacing stranger arrives—with a rare and deadly item for them to appraise. A small piece of rock, with an unnerving aura, which 'Smith' claims contains the last echoes of the legendary sirens' song. Before they can find out more, however, Smith vanishes . . . leaving only the stone.
Some valuables are more trouble than they're worth. But before Gideon and Annie can work out if they've been set up, the stone is stolen from its impregnable hiding place. How? And why? Gideon only knows one thing for no one steals from him and gets away with it . . .
What Song the Sirens Sang is the third supernatural heist thriller featuring master conman Gideon Sable from British SFF veteran and New York Times bestselling author Simon R. Green, following The Best Thing You Can Steal and A Matter of Death and Life.
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First published October 4, 2022
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About the author
Simon R. Green
312 books3,208 followersSimon Richard Green is a British science fiction and fantasy-author. He holds a degree in Modern English and American Literature from the University of Leicester. His first publication was in 1979.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
His Deathstalker series is partly a parody of the usual space-opera of the 1950s, told with sovereign disregard of the rules of probability, while being at the same time extremely bloodthirsty.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 24, 2023
Every book in this series is so good i'm really loving it.
Wonderful character great plot twist loved it definitely getting every book in this series.
Happy Reading 📙📙📕📗📒📓📗📕📙📖📚📓📘📗📔📗📓📚📙📕📙📚📓📒📘📗📖
Wonderful character great plot twist loved it definitely getting every book in this series.
Happy Reading 📙📙📕📗📒📓📗📕📙📖📚📓📘📗📔📗📓📚📙📕📙📚📓📒📘📗📖
September 13, 2022
Way back in 1994 I was a reviewer for a Dutch SF and Fantasy magazine. I was part of a team; every six weeks we gathered to talk about the next issue. The nicest part of those gatherings was going through the pile of books for review publishers sent us. One day I ended up with a book with a horrible cover and a horrible blurb. That book was Deathstalker by Simon R Green.
I ended up buying the whole series and reading them at least twice and I've read a number of other books by this author too.
And I just love it!
It's space opera, it's funny, it is sometimes absolutely ridiculous and it's full of plot twists that I wouldn't like to read in a thriller. But here it works. Sometimes it's as if he sits down and starts writing, going along with what his mind comes up with.
In What Song the Sirens Sang we meet Gideon Sable again and also a lot of characters from the previous books in this series. Green introduces some new characters en weaves an intricate story around a rock, a mirror and a damsel in distress... Readers who have read other books in this series or any other series by Green will see a repetition in plot, characters and setting, but who cares? Once you start reading you will be immersed in the strange, strange worlds of Simon Green. His books are wildly entertaining and What Song the Sirens Sang is no exception.
Thanks to NetGally for this review copy.
I ended up buying the whole series and reading them at least twice and I've read a number of other books by this author too.
And I just love it!
It's space opera, it's funny, it is sometimes absolutely ridiculous and it's full of plot twists that I wouldn't like to read in a thriller. But here it works. Sometimes it's as if he sits down and starts writing, going along with what his mind comes up with.
In What Song the Sirens Sang we meet Gideon Sable again and also a lot of characters from the previous books in this series. Green introduces some new characters en weaves an intricate story around a rock, a mirror and a damsel in distress... Readers who have read other books in this series or any other series by Green will see a repetition in plot, characters and setting, but who cares? Once you start reading you will be immersed in the strange, strange worlds of Simon Green. His books are wildly entertaining and What Song the Sirens Sang is no exception.
Thanks to NetGally for this review copy.
November 12, 2022
What Song the Sirens Sang is the third book in Simon R. Green’s Gideon Sable series. Gideon is a con man and thief who uses his intelligence and magical connections to succeed. He is usually on the side of “right” but questions of right and wrong are very personal in his alternative world. In this episode, which takes place not long after the last, Gideon and Annie Anybody are home and setting up shop in Old Harry’s Place, now to be their shop of treasures. On their first evening, after working on setting up the stock (how they obtained the stock is another story), a man drops into their shop with an item he believes they will want, a rock from the island of the Sirens of ancient tales. This small stone was believed to hold within it the song of those women who enticed sailors to sail their ships too close and crash, drowning. This relic is left in the shop.
But …. this is the start of a large, and confusing caper, with Gideon pulling a crew together again and calling in favors from various fantastical beings he knows. This time it’s not only for financial gain. This time one of his crew is in danger.
While I enjoyed this episode of this series, I do think it may be at risk of repeating itself too much in some of the plot devices. Gideon Sable doesn’t seem, to me, to have the potential complexity of Green’s Ishmael Jones. I rate this book 3.5* rounded to 3 for these reasons.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
But …. this is the start of a large, and confusing caper, with Gideon pulling a crew together again and calling in favors from various fantastical beings he knows. This time it’s not only for financial gain. This time one of his crew is in danger.
While I enjoyed this episode of this series, I do think it may be at risk of repeating itself too much in some of the plot devices. Gideon Sable doesn’t seem, to me, to have the potential complexity of Green’s Ishmael Jones. I rate this book 3.5* rounded to 3 for these reasons.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
October 1, 2022
Simon R. Green has been one of my favorite authors ever since I read his Nightside series. When that series ended, I found his Ismael Jones stories and now Gideon Sable to be excellent successors.
Gideon Sable is a sneak thief and con artist. But not your run-of-the-mill sticky fingered second story man.....let's just say that Gideon steals things that aren't really classified as steal-able. He steals supernatural items. Things that shouldn't exist. Collectibles that are magical and dangerous. But not by himself. His friend, Annie Anybody, helps him out. A criminal duo of the most interesting kind -- a man who can steal anything and a woman who can be anybody.
If anybody can pull off a supernatural heist series, it's Simon R. Green. He's in his best element in this series. And I love every single new story that comes about about Gideon and Annie. This time Gideon is the victim. He's tasked with appraising a very dangerous magical item, but before he gets the job done the item is stolen from him. Pissed is not a strong enough term for how angry Gideon is when he discovers the theft. He's livid -- and looking for the person that dared to steal from him.
Great story! Simon R. Green never lets me down! I'm definitely going to keep reading this series as long as the stories keep coming out! Ishmael Jones, too! Any reader who enjoys urban fantasy with supernatural/paranormal tones will love both these series!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Gideon Sable is a sneak thief and con artist. But not your run-of-the-mill sticky fingered second story man.....let's just say that Gideon steals things that aren't really classified as steal-able. He steals supernatural items. Things that shouldn't exist. Collectibles that are magical and dangerous. But not by himself. His friend, Annie Anybody, helps him out. A criminal duo of the most interesting kind -- a man who can steal anything and a woman who can be anybody.
If anybody can pull off a supernatural heist series, it's Simon R. Green. He's in his best element in this series. And I love every single new story that comes about about Gideon and Annie. This time Gideon is the victim. He's tasked with appraising a very dangerous magical item, but before he gets the job done the item is stolen from him. Pissed is not a strong enough term for how angry Gideon is when he discovers the theft. He's livid -- and looking for the person that dared to steal from him.
Great story! Simon R. Green never lets me down! I'm definitely going to keep reading this series as long as the stories keep coming out! Ishmael Jones, too! Any reader who enjoys urban fantasy with supernatural/paranormal tones will love both these series!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Severn House. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
November 14, 2023
Stars: 3 out of 5
I think I am getting a bit disappointed with this series. It's like the author follows exactly the same blueprint for every book in it. There is a big heist to be accomplished and a big bad horrible person to be robbed (because our protagonists are good guys and only rob those who had it coming). So Gideon puts his crew together, makes a plan, and they merrily waltz into danger and impossible odds... and everything turns out just fine in the end.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It's still a fun ride. The books are action-packed and not awfully long, so they make for a fast read and don't overstay their welcome. Problem is, there isn't much substance there either.
My biggest problem is that we are on book three of the series, but we've had zero character development from Gideon or Annie Anybody for that matter. We've seen other members of their crew change and evolve (and fall again, as is the case of the Damned in this book), but the protagonist and his girlfriend? Nada.
We still have no clue who the protagonist was before he stole the name and fame of Gideon Sable. We still don't know Annie's backstory and what made her feel like she needs to be anyone other than herself. Heck, we didn't even learn much more about their relationship prior to the protagonist becoming Gideon. And when they happen to ask each other a question about those times, they just gloss it over, deflect, or say "I don't want to talk about it." Well, it's all good and jolly, but as a reader, I can't connect to a character that doesn't evolve, or who never shows me what makes him or her tick.
But there is still a lot of fun to be had with this world. It's fantastical and slightly horrifying. I loved the Low Road where the souls of the Dead travel to their next destination. It wasn't at all what I pictured it to be. The author also has a knack of introducing awesome new side characters. It's a pity that most of the time they outshine the protagonist at every turn.
As it stands, I might give this series one more try and pick up the next book, but if we don't get any character development for Gideon or Annie, I might throw the gauntlet.
I think I am getting a bit disappointed with this series. It's like the author follows exactly the same blueprint for every book in it. There is a big heist to be accomplished and a big bad horrible person to be robbed (because our protagonists are good guys and only rob those who had it coming). So Gideon puts his crew together, makes a plan, and they merrily waltz into danger and impossible odds... and everything turns out just fine in the end.
Oh, don't get me wrong. It's still a fun ride. The books are action-packed and not awfully long, so they make for a fast read and don't overstay their welcome. Problem is, there isn't much substance there either.
My biggest problem is that we are on book three of the series, but we've had zero character development from Gideon or Annie Anybody for that matter. We've seen other members of their crew change and evolve (and fall again, as is the case of the Damned in this book), but the protagonist and his girlfriend? Nada.
We still have no clue who the protagonist was before he stole the name and fame of Gideon Sable. We still don't know Annie's backstory and what made her feel like she needs to be anyone other than herself. Heck, we didn't even learn much more about their relationship prior to the protagonist becoming Gideon. And when they happen to ask each other a question about those times, they just gloss it over, deflect, or say "I don't want to talk about it." Well, it's all good and jolly, but as a reader, I can't connect to a character that doesn't evolve, or who never shows me what makes him or her tick.
But there is still a lot of fun to be had with this world. It's fantastical and slightly horrifying. I loved the Low Road where the souls of the Dead travel to their next destination. It wasn't at all what I pictured it to be. The author also has a knack of introducing awesome new side characters. It's a pity that most of the time they outshine the protagonist at every turn.
As it stands, I might give this series one more try and pick up the next book, but if we don't get any character development for Gideon or Annie, I might throw the gauntlet.
August 2, 2022
This is somewhat outside of my genre range, but the thing is I was so charmed by book one in this series, I continue expecting the author to repeat the trick. So far, he hasn’t. And sure, it’s smart – draw the readers in and then milk the formula out for the entire series. Many writers are doing it, Green is just one of them. But it does leave a lot to be desired.
Maybe it’s impossible to recreate the whimsy and cleverness of the original, since the characters are already established. Maybe it’s simply too much work to be that god every single time. Either way, this book, the third Gideon Sable adventure, was perfectly fine, and possibly even a step up from its predecessor, but a far cry from the original.
This time around Gideon Sable is trying to do the happily-in-the-relationship thing, the magic-store-owner-thing, but, of course, something comes up. Something as unignorable as a stone purported to contain the famed song of the sirens. And of course, a thing like that has many greedy eyes on it, so Gideon gets involved with yet another job that’ll test his skills and his bag of tricks.
So yeah, time to get the gang back together and do their thing. And sure enough it’s fun enough and a quick read. And every so often there’s a glimpse of that original cleverness and charm too. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Maybe it’s impossible to recreate the whimsy and cleverness of the original, since the characters are already established. Maybe it’s simply too much work to be that god every single time. Either way, this book, the third Gideon Sable adventure, was perfectly fine, and possibly even a step up from its predecessor, but a far cry from the original.
This time around Gideon Sable is trying to do the happily-in-the-relationship thing, the magic-store-owner-thing, but, of course, something comes up. Something as unignorable as a stone purported to contain the famed song of the sirens. And of course, a thing like that has many greedy eyes on it, so Gideon gets involved with yet another job that’ll test his skills and his bag of tricks.
So yeah, time to get the gang back together and do their thing. And sure enough it’s fun enough and a quick read. And every so often there’s a glimpse of that original cleverness and charm too. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
July 24, 2025
a little better than the previous part but omg these books are goofy
October 20, 2022
What Song the Sirens Sang (Gideon Sable 3) by Simon R. Green
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
I am a fan of Green's Night Side series. I understood that halfway through the series, the stories became formulaic and hostage to fan service. However, I was a fan and wanted to see Razor Eddie and Shotgun Suzie come onstage and be put through their paces. Green is creative and clever with his naming and deft construction of fairly two-dimensional characters.
Green's subsequent series seems to be an effort to strike the Dark Side magic. This is the first book in the Gideon Sable series that I've read, but the main character - a man who calls himself Gideon Sable - is a kind of John Smith character. He's not a detective; he's a thief. He doesn't have the gift of finding things, but he has a compass that points unerringly to what he needs. He resolves problems by invoking friends, having a plan, and pulling information out of his arse.
Nonetheless, the Sable world inhabits some offshoot of the Night Side in Green's metaverse. Not canonically, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Sable wander into the Night Side in some future book. The characters would fit into the Night Side quite easily. We have Annie Anybody, who switches personalities, Switch-it-Suzie, who can will something to be replaced with something else, and Lex the Damned, who killed an angel and a demon and fashioned perfect armor from their halos.
The story is pedestrian. Green's writing style involves a lot of exposition and information dumps. He will spend a lot of time building up how awful or powerful some person is, we will meet the person, he will either be much nicer than we imagine or Sable will call in a friend or invoke a favor to neutralize the person, and we will move on to the next obstacle.
This is all good fun but it doesn't have a high calory content. It is enjoyable for a few hours of diversion, which is not a bad thing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
I am a fan of Green's Night Side series. I understood that halfway through the series, the stories became formulaic and hostage to fan service. However, I was a fan and wanted to see Razor Eddie and Shotgun Suzie come onstage and be put through their paces. Green is creative and clever with his naming and deft construction of fairly two-dimensional characters.
Green's subsequent series seems to be an effort to strike the Dark Side magic. This is the first book in the Gideon Sable series that I've read, but the main character - a man who calls himself Gideon Sable - is a kind of John Smith character. He's not a detective; he's a thief. He doesn't have the gift of finding things, but he has a compass that points unerringly to what he needs. He resolves problems by invoking friends, having a plan, and pulling information out of his arse.
Nonetheless, the Sable world inhabits some offshoot of the Night Side in Green's metaverse. Not canonically, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Sable wander into the Night Side in some future book. The characters would fit into the Night Side quite easily. We have Annie Anybody, who switches personalities, Switch-it-Suzie, who can will something to be replaced with something else, and Lex the Damned, who killed an angel and a demon and fashioned perfect armor from their halos.
The story is pedestrian. Green's writing style involves a lot of exposition and information dumps. He will spend a lot of time building up how awful or powerful some person is, we will meet the person, he will either be much nicer than we imagine or Sable will call in a friend or invoke a favor to neutralize the person, and we will move on to the next obstacle.
This is all good fun but it doesn't have a high calory content. It is enjoyable for a few hours of diversion, which is not a bad thing.
October 3, 2022
This series is highly entertaining and I usually read them in max two settings as I can't stop reading. This is not my favorite instalment but it's a lot of fun.
Gideon, Annie, The Damned are back working to together and some new and fascinating characters are added to the mix.
I like how the author developed strong and fleshed out female characters but also some comic ones likes Yogi the bear and Sidney the mirror.
There's a lot of world building and there's not a moment of bore.
Fast paced and action packed, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Gideon, Annie, The Damned are back working to together and some new and fascinating characters are added to the mix.
I like how the author developed strong and fleshed out female characters but also some comic ones likes Yogi the bear and Sidney the mirror.
There's a lot of world building and there's not a moment of bore.
Fast paced and action packed, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 4, 2024
Третата книга за майстора крадец Гидиън Сейбъл приближава нивото на Саймън Р. Грийн от добрите му години – напрегната и на моменти брутална книга, написана с шеметен размах на въображението. Малко повече драматизъм накрая щеше да я направи перфектна, но и така е супер.
По-подробно ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/what-song-the-...
По-подробно ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/what-song-the-...
July 24, 2022
Read via NetGalley.
If you have read other Simon R Green books, you pretty much already know what you're getting here. Fast paced, amusing banter, exaggerated characters usually with some tragedy in their background. This one's basically a heist, so there's finding the right people and convincing them to come along, and then there's the breaking in and then there's the twists and surprises because of course things aren't exactly what they seem. There are no surprises in terms of what the book is like - so if that's your bag, read it!
If you don't already know Green... this is the third in the Gideon Sable series. I've read the first but not the second; things happened in the second that are referenced here, but it's explained well enough that I didn't feel like I was missing out on too much. I think you could probably come in cold and you'd be basically fine. Sable is a master thief; his girlfriend is Annie Anybody: she can adopt personas on a whim, and she is also a thief. Basically all of their friends are involved in crime in some way; in the case of Lex, it's murder on a massive scale (violence and lots of random death are treated fairly lightly here, it must be said). This time Sable himself has been robbed, and someone they know has been kidnapped, so... heist time it is. It's a romp; it has occasional clever moments, but basically this is candy. Fun while reading, absolutely, but not something I'm likely to re-read.
If you have read other Simon R Green books, you pretty much already know what you're getting here. Fast paced, amusing banter, exaggerated characters usually with some tragedy in their background. This one's basically a heist, so there's finding the right people and convincing them to come along, and then there's the breaking in and then there's the twists and surprises because of course things aren't exactly what they seem. There are no surprises in terms of what the book is like - so if that's your bag, read it!
If you don't already know Green... this is the third in the Gideon Sable series. I've read the first but not the second; things happened in the second that are referenced here, but it's explained well enough that I didn't feel like I was missing out on too much. I think you could probably come in cold and you'd be basically fine. Sable is a master thief; his girlfriend is Annie Anybody: she can adopt personas on a whim, and she is also a thief. Basically all of their friends are involved in crime in some way; in the case of Lex, it's murder on a massive scale (violence and lots of random death are treated fairly lightly here, it must be said). This time Sable himself has been robbed, and someone they know has been kidnapped, so... heist time it is. It's a romp; it has occasional clever moments, but basically this is candy. Fun while reading, absolutely, but not something I'm likely to re-read.
June 3, 2024
Gideon is up to his heists again. Another great and quick read!
XYH 2024- book with 200 or less pages.
XYH 2024- book with 200 or less pages.
July 21, 2022
So the thing is- I like Simon R Green books. I know they can be formulaic but it's a formula he absolutely *owns* at this point so I'm okay with that. This one is no exception. Is it the best entry in the Gideon Sable catalog? Maybe not but it is a solid entry. I like Gideon Sable and his "crew" and this time around Gideon will be adding to the group but.... is he also being betrayed? Well, obviously but the real question is: by who (this time)?
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to access this title in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to access this title in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2024
Simon R. Green’s supernatural mysteries and adventures are always a delight, and What Song the Sirens Sang proves a worthy addition to the adventures of legendary master thief Gideon Sable. Actually, Gideon Sable isn’t a person, it’s an office that has been taken over (AKA stolen) by a nameless and infinitely resourceful narrator.
“The original Gideon Sable was a legendary master thief, who specialized in stealing the kind of things that others couldn’t. Like a ghost’s clothes, a photo of the true love you never found and jewels from the crown of the man who would be king.”
At the end of the last episode, Gideon and his partner-in-crime sweetheart, chameleon Annie Anybody, have defeated the most evil man in the world with the help of their team, have acquired (i.e., gotten coerced into taking on) the truly bizarre magical shop known as Old Harry's Place, and have set about replenishing its contents in the forlorn hope that once everything is up and running, they’ll get to enjoy lives of their own. One of the articles of merchandise that arrives on their doorstop is a small stone from the cavern of the sirens (as in “the” sirens from The Odyssey). The last song of the sirens, said to drive whoever hears it to insanity, still resonates in the stone, making it as unique and valuable as it is deadly. All that remains is for someone to figure out how to unlock the song.
Before Gideon and Annie can properly secure the stone, it goes missing and they’re off to gather up another team and track it down. Their team begins with their old ally, The Damned, a man who killed two angels (one from Above, one from Below) and fashioned their halos into armor. Now he joins Gideon and Annie in search of his kidnapped wife, switch artist par excellence, who is now in the clutches of the stone collector, a shadowy figure named Coldheart. They’re joined by a lady werewolf with an unerring tracker sense and an unexpected crush on The Damned.
As in earlier Gideon Sable supernatural heist thrillers, nothing is as it seems and nobody can be entirely trusted (except Annie, who isn’t Nobody, she’s Anybody). The prose is delicious, the characters terrifying but lovable, and the “long con” disguised as a plot has so many twists and turns, it’s auditioning for a Los Angeles highway.
Prepare to be vastly entertained, but beware: the series is addictive.
“The original Gideon Sable was a legendary master thief, who specialized in stealing the kind of things that others couldn’t. Like a ghost’s clothes, a photo of the true love you never found and jewels from the crown of the man who would be king.”
At the end of the last episode, Gideon and his partner-in-crime sweetheart, chameleon Annie Anybody, have defeated the most evil man in the world with the help of their team, have acquired (i.e., gotten coerced into taking on) the truly bizarre magical shop known as Old Harry's Place, and have set about replenishing its contents in the forlorn hope that once everything is up and running, they’ll get to enjoy lives of their own. One of the articles of merchandise that arrives on their doorstop is a small stone from the cavern of the sirens (as in “the” sirens from The Odyssey). The last song of the sirens, said to drive whoever hears it to insanity, still resonates in the stone, making it as unique and valuable as it is deadly. All that remains is for someone to figure out how to unlock the song.
Before Gideon and Annie can properly secure the stone, it goes missing and they’re off to gather up another team and track it down. Their team begins with their old ally, The Damned, a man who killed two angels (one from Above, one from Below) and fashioned their halos into armor. Now he joins Gideon and Annie in search of his kidnapped wife, switch artist par excellence, who is now in the clutches of the stone collector, a shadowy figure named Coldheart. They’re joined by a lady werewolf with an unerring tracker sense and an unexpected crush on The Damned.
As in earlier Gideon Sable supernatural heist thrillers, nothing is as it seems and nobody can be entirely trusted (except Annie, who isn’t Nobody, she’s Anybody). The prose is delicious, the characters terrifying but lovable, and the “long con” disguised as a plot has so many twists and turns, it’s auditioning for a Los Angeles highway.
Prepare to be vastly entertained, but beware: the series is addictive.
November 15, 2022
This paranormal heist adventure can be read as a standalone, as Green ensures his readers aren’t left floundering – but in order to be fully invested in the characters, I’d advise that you read the two previous before diving into this one. I’m a solid fan of this author, because despite writing a rather dark world full of bloodshed and violence, there is always a humorous quirkiness to the tone that ensures that said darkness never becomes overwhelming or too bleak. And given that a great deal of SFF is on the darker side, I’ve found Green’s lighter touch immensely attractive over the years.
His tendency to humour doesn’t prevent Green from delivering yet another twisty, action-packed adventure where our plucky protagonists are flung (literally, courtesy of a magical mirror) into a highly dangerous situation. I am very fond of Gideon and Annie Anybody, so once more found the pages turning more or less by themselves as they find themselves confronted by a satisfyingly obnoxious antagonist, who has the capability to do them real harm. The denouement brings the adventure to a pleasing close – although I’m not sure that ‘happily ever after’ is on the cards for everyone in Gideon’s team. There is a new addition to the gang who I think is going to wreak havoc to their rather fragile dynamic – and I’m waiting for the next book in this entertaining series to see if I’m right! Highly recommended for fans of paranormal heist adventures that don’t take themselves so seriously that you give up the will to live halfway through. While I obtained an arc of What Song the Sirens Sang from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
His tendency to humour doesn’t prevent Green from delivering yet another twisty, action-packed adventure where our plucky protagonists are flung (literally, courtesy of a magical mirror) into a highly dangerous situation. I am very fond of Gideon and Annie Anybody, so once more found the pages turning more or less by themselves as they find themselves confronted by a satisfyingly obnoxious antagonist, who has the capability to do them real harm. The denouement brings the adventure to a pleasing close – although I’m not sure that ‘happily ever after’ is on the cards for everyone in Gideon’s team. There is a new addition to the gang who I think is going to wreak havoc to their rather fragile dynamic – and I’m waiting for the next book in this entertaining series to see if I’m right! Highly recommended for fans of paranormal heist adventures that don’t take themselves so seriously that you give up the will to live halfway through. While I obtained an arc of What Song the Sirens Sang from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
December 26, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
What Song the Sirens Sang is the newest high octane adventure in the Gideon Sable series by Simon R. Green. Released 4th Oct 2022 by Severn House, it's 223 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
There are genres and, frankly, formulae, which enthusiastic readers grab and devour no matter what. On the other hand, it's comforting to know precisely what you've signed up for before opening the covers. For fans of the series, this is a worthy addition. For readers who are previously unfamiliar with the series, the mysteries, adventures, and resolutions are mostly self-contained in each volume. They're all delightful and the author is competent and prolific.
Gideon and his crew are on the trail of a stolen artifact, reputed to contain the Siren's Song which wrought so much trouble for Odysseus and the boys in his band. Adventures ensue. There's a lot of snarky humor, action, and more action.
Four stars. For the few fans of Butcher, Hearne, Kadrey, et. al. who don't already have this series on their radar, go get it.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
What Song the Sirens Sang is the newest high octane adventure in the Gideon Sable series by Simon R. Green. Released 4th Oct 2022 by Severn House, it's 223 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
There are genres and, frankly, formulae, which enthusiastic readers grab and devour no matter what. On the other hand, it's comforting to know precisely what you've signed up for before opening the covers. For fans of the series, this is a worthy addition. For readers who are previously unfamiliar with the series, the mysteries, adventures, and resolutions are mostly self-contained in each volume. They're all delightful and the author is competent and prolific.
Gideon and his crew are on the trail of a stolen artifact, reputed to contain the Siren's Song which wrought so much trouble for Odysseus and the boys in his band. Adventures ensue. There's a lot of snarky humor, action, and more action.
Four stars. For the few fans of Butcher, Hearne, Kadrey, et. al. who don't already have this series on their radar, go get it.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 19, 2022
Book three of the Gideon stable series
paws from my reading buddy, Perry the pug: three
keywords: magical items, magical realism, heists, thieves, contemporary, action, violence
in short: A action packed, sort of James bond style heist with old faces and new. A never slowing story full of twists.
Full review:
The song the sirens sang by Simon R Green is the third book in the Gideon Stable series and it is an enjoyable action packed heist that not only there to save one of the team but to take back the. precious stone that was stolen from Gideon only hours after they had open their new shop of unusual things.
Like a matter of life and death, the song the sirens sang follows a very simile plot line. Gathering a crew, gathering information and pulling off a dangerous heist, despite this familiar idea this is still a fun read with plenty of action, character development and new characters introduced to further following book plots in this series
Although I enjoyed this quick paced read I did struggle with the new character Polly, as the story progressed she seemed to de-evolve and become less real and I'm not sure given the character’s age that its the right move and response, it's an odd situation Simon has chose to put her in and have her very easily agree to, I feel this would have been better if the group involved had agreed to a poly relationship instead as this is definitely the vibe I was getting from both of them all the way through the book and its going to feel really weird to me when they reappear in other books.
Despite this problem there wasn’t really much wrong with this supernatural adventure apart from maybe just not feeling as real as the previous two and the story not leaning as much into the siren’s legend as I expected. This book is full of action, twists that even I couldn’t guess and plenty of hints to more future heists that could be in the making, if you want a quick read with a sprinkling of supernatural happenings I’d recommend this book but just don’t expect to be blown away.
Although this didn’t shake the ground I stand on I’m still looking forward to the next book, not of this world, and will buying it as soon as it hits the shelves.
paws from my reading buddy, Perry the pug: three
keywords: magical items, magical realism, heists, thieves, contemporary, action, violence
in short: A action packed, sort of James bond style heist with old faces and new. A never slowing story full of twists.
Full review:
The song the sirens sang by Simon R Green is the third book in the Gideon Stable series and it is an enjoyable action packed heist that not only there to save one of the team but to take back the. precious stone that was stolen from Gideon only hours after they had open their new shop of unusual things.
Like a matter of life and death, the song the sirens sang follows a very simile plot line. Gathering a crew, gathering information and pulling off a dangerous heist, despite this familiar idea this is still a fun read with plenty of action, character development and new characters introduced to further following book plots in this series
Although I enjoyed this quick paced read I did struggle with the new character Polly, as the story progressed she seemed to de-evolve and become less real and I'm not sure given the character’s age that its the right move and response, it's an odd situation Simon has chose to put her in and have her very easily agree to, I feel this would have been better if the group involved had agreed to a poly relationship instead as this is definitely the vibe I was getting from both of them all the way through the book and its going to feel really weird to me when they reappear in other books.
Despite this problem there wasn’t really much wrong with this supernatural adventure apart from maybe just not feeling as real as the previous two and the story not leaning as much into the siren’s legend as I expected. This book is full of action, twists that even I couldn’t guess and plenty of hints to more future heists that could be in the making, if you want a quick read with a sprinkling of supernatural happenings I’d recommend this book but just don’t expect to be blown away.
Although this didn’t shake the ground I stand on I’m still looking forward to the next book, not of this world, and will buying it as soon as it hits the shelves.
July 17, 2022
This series, now that I've read three of them, reveals that each book is written to the same formula.
There's a heist, which is fine; that's what I came for. But it's a bit linear.
The thief who has stolen the identity of master thief Gideon Sable is less clever and certainly less charming than he thinks he is.
People who seem like they're antagonists turn out not to be, and this is a bit of a let-down.
Rich, fashionable people are just the absolute worst and deserve a horrible death.
A number of people (who deserve it) receive a horrible, gory death that's thoroughly described, which is a trademark of the author's books in general.
Overall, it's not a formula that I love tremendously, and although it's well executed, it didn't appeal to me enough to get onto my Best of the Year (as the first book did) or even to get four stars without a Best of the Year spot (as the second book did). Nor will I be following the series any further. I was looking for more than it delivered.
There's a heist, which is fine; that's what I came for. But it's a bit linear.
The thief who has stolen the identity of master thief Gideon Sable is less clever and certainly less charming than he thinks he is.
People who seem like they're antagonists turn out not to be, and this is a bit of a let-down.
Rich, fashionable people are just the absolute worst and deserve a horrible death.
A number of people (who deserve it) receive a horrible, gory death that's thoroughly described, which is a trademark of the author's books in general.
Overall, it's not a formula that I love tremendously, and although it's well executed, it didn't appeal to me enough to get onto my Best of the Year (as the first book did) or even to get four stars without a Best of the Year spot (as the second book did). Nor will I be following the series any further. I was looking for more than it delivered.
September 16, 2022
Master thief and unscrupulous rogue Gideon Sable is back with his partner in crime Annie Anybody (who can dress up to be anybody she wants to be). They’ve been left Old Harry’s magical shop and are in the process of organising (stealing) stock for it when a magical stone, securely locked in an impregnable box is stolen from them. Meanwhile, one of Gideon’s crew, Switch It Sally, has disappeared while on her honeymoon in Paris and Gideon assembles a team to go and retrieve her and the stone.
This third book in the Gideon Sable series is starting to feel a bit formulaic – first find something Gideon needs to steal, second assemble a crew with a range of unique magical powers and third conquer major hurdles with clever solutions (and Lex Talon, the Dammed) to retrieve the object. Nevertheless, it is still a wildly fun ride exuding humour, snappy dialog and imagination, but I think a new twist of the formula might be required if the series is to continue to be popular. 3.5★
With thanks to Severn House via Netgalley for a copy to read
This third book in the Gideon Sable series is starting to feel a bit formulaic – first find something Gideon needs to steal, second assemble a crew with a range of unique magical powers and third conquer major hurdles with clever solutions (and Lex Talon, the Dammed) to retrieve the object. Nevertheless, it is still a wildly fun ride exuding humour, snappy dialog and imagination, but I think a new twist of the formula might be required if the series is to continue to be popular. 3.5★
With thanks to Severn House via Netgalley for a copy to read
October 2, 2022
What Song the Sirens Sang is the third Gideon Sable supernatural heist novel. Although it could be enjoyed on its own, I recommend reading all of the books in order. Gideon’s world is filled with magic, madcap characters, mythological monsters, and mystical devices, and the story is told in his breezy style. If you can suspend disbelief and accept the fantastical as commonplace, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable ride, filled with laugh out loud moments.
The story offers plenty of mystery and suspense and some fun surprises, but the best part is watching all of these quirky characters interacting with each other and causing chaos. I hope someone is planning to turn these books into movies.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series for fans of humorous urban fantasy and supernatural heists. Note that the book contains occasional swearing and lots of violence.
Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley, which I volunteered to review.
The story offers plenty of mystery and suspense and some fun surprises, but the best part is watching all of these quirky characters interacting with each other and causing chaos. I hope someone is planning to turn these books into movies.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series for fans of humorous urban fantasy and supernatural heists. Note that the book contains occasional swearing and lots of violence.
Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley, which I volunteered to review.
October 25, 2022
Another adventure for Gideon Sable and his crew, the third in the series and unfortunately quite similar to the other two.
Gideon and his girlfriend Annie Anybody now own Old Harry’s Place, and the opening of the book involves them robbing another shop in order to stock their place, a bit of revenge is a bonus. Just like in the other books, we get a small taste, then comes the main caper - a small rock, which supposedly contains the last echoes of the legendary sirens' song, is left in the shop and then quickly stolen. They quickly determine that Switch-it-Suzie has to be the thief (a bit too easily I think) and have to go and get it back. Her husband Lex Talon (aka The Dammed), joins in the hunt for his wife. They're out to find a mysterious collector who has the stone hidden in a labyrinth under Seattle.
An amusing quick read, although the plot is rather repetitive if you read the other books in the series. Just enjoy it and don't ask too many questions.
Gideon and his girlfriend Annie Anybody now own Old Harry’s Place, and the opening of the book involves them robbing another shop in order to stock their place, a bit of revenge is a bonus. Just like in the other books, we get a small taste, then comes the main caper - a small rock, which supposedly contains the last echoes of the legendary sirens' song, is left in the shop and then quickly stolen. They quickly determine that Switch-it-Suzie has to be the thief (a bit too easily I think) and have to go and get it back. Her husband Lex Talon (aka The Dammed), joins in the hunt for his wife. They're out to find a mysterious collector who has the stone hidden in a labyrinth under Seattle.
An amusing quick read, although the plot is rather repetitive if you read the other books in the series. Just enjoy it and don't ask too many questions.
July 27, 2022
I was provided a copy of this title from NetGalley without realizing it was a series. I read the first two books to be able to give a proper review of this one.
It’s overall still a good story and it’s very short, so it’s not a huge time investment if you don’t even up loving it. Compared to the first one, the female characters were written better. The first book had only two female characters of note compared to the unending list of male characters.
I must say I preferred the first two over this third. This one felt much more abstract and pieced together whereas the first two felt like there was a planned solution that we slowly became privy to at the appropriate times. The solutions in this book were much more Hail Mary luck than the cunning and wiliness you see in the others.
And the story just isn’t the same without The Wild Card.
It’s overall still a good story and it’s very short, so it’s not a huge time investment if you don’t even up loving it. Compared to the first one, the female characters were written better. The first book had only two female characters of note compared to the unending list of male characters.
I must say I preferred the first two over this third. This one felt much more abstract and pieced together whereas the first two felt like there was a planned solution that we slowly became privy to at the appropriate times. The solutions in this book were much more Hail Mary luck than the cunning and wiliness you see in the others.
And the story just isn’t the same without The Wild Card.
August 29, 2024
Jaj hát ezen is nagyon jól szórakoztam!
Abszolút hozzánőttem a Squadhoz és bár továbbra se értem, hogy Selly mi a fenét keres a Damned mellett, de legalább itt kevésbé volt idegesitő. Főleg mert nem szerepelt annyit. Meg igazából csak plotkellék volt, de úgy igazából és tetszett, amit kihoztak belőle.
Jó volt a setup, a kivitelezés és a lezárás is, abszolút kitünően szórakoztam! Bár a csapatdinamika jobban működik, mint az egyének közti kémia, és néha idegesitöen sokszor ismételték meg ugyanazt, de összességében a humor és a szépen felépitett sztori vitte magával. Polly meg kitűnő vérfarkas, remélem viszontlátjuk még őket!
Abszolút folytatni fogom a sorozatot.
Az egyetlen őszinte bánatom, hogy ez sima hangoskönyv volt és nem hangjáték, mint az első kettő
Abszolút hozzánőttem a Squadhoz és bár továbbra se értem, hogy Selly mi a fenét keres a Damned mellett, de legalább itt kevésbé volt idegesitő. Főleg mert nem szerepelt annyit. Meg igazából csak plotkellék volt, de úgy igazából és tetszett, amit kihoztak belőle.
Jó volt a setup, a kivitelezés és a lezárás is, abszolút kitünően szórakoztam! Bár a csapatdinamika jobban működik, mint az egyének közti kémia, és néha idegesitöen sokszor ismételték meg ugyanazt, de összességében a humor és a szépen felépitett sztori vitte magával. Polly meg kitűnő vérfarkas, remélem viszontlátjuk még őket!
Abszolút folytatni fogom a sorozatot.
Az egyetlen őszinte bánatom, hogy ez sima hangoskönyv volt és nem hangjáték, mint az első kettő
December 5, 2025
This hopped along at a fair pace, not giving me time to get bored.. which was good, because this is definitely pulp. Moreso than Green's previous entries? I don't know - i think i enjoyed them more.
But the majority of this felt veery like Harry Harrison - quick dialogue and action, a lot of fun, but not in-depth with character or story.
The plot was an interesting set of mysteries, growing steadily through the first 3/4 of the book, and then suddenly all resolved in a massive info-dump. Not satisfying at all. Show, don't tell, Mr Green! If the mysteries unfolded in a similar way to them being set up, this would have been great. I like the pulp-nature of the stories, but a continual tome would make these better.
But the majority of this felt veery like Harry Harrison - quick dialogue and action, a lot of fun, but not in-depth with character or story.
The plot was an interesting set of mysteries, growing steadily through the first 3/4 of the book, and then suddenly all resolved in a massive info-dump. Not satisfying at all. Show, don't tell, Mr Green! If the mysteries unfolded in a similar way to them being set up, this would have been great. I like the pulp-nature of the stories, but a continual tome would make these better.
August 16, 2022
We’re at the third book in this series, and I am unsure what to say about it. The thing about this author is you always know what you’re getting when you read a book in one of his series: they are all pretty much similar, mostly in a good way. This has Annie and Gideon on the hunt for a member of their team who has been kidnapped. Of course, nothing is quite what it seems, and they encounter many twists and turns in their quest to hunt her down. While this book isn’t “new” in any way, it is full of snappy and quick dialogue, interesting adventures, and the journey is fun even if all the books are similar. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
February 3, 2023
This was my first Gideon Sable. and I may look for one more.
Green is an experienced writer, and it shows in consistency of tone, balanced use of hunour, good pace, etc. I don't think this was meant to be a masterpiece, just a fun read, and it is that.
We have the usual overload of capabilities on both sides, unstoppable swords and unbreachable shields etc. but Green uses them well in various scenes, and each device only does what he said it would, no tricks.
Sable's time pen and compass seem to give him a bit of an advantage, but we don't want the hero of a series killed off so I guess it's OK. And this is soft magic, needing no fuel and used at no cost to the user.
Green is an experienced writer, and it shows in consistency of tone, balanced use of hunour, good pace, etc. I don't think this was meant to be a masterpiece, just a fun read, and it is that.
We have the usual overload of capabilities on both sides, unstoppable swords and unbreachable shields etc. but Green uses them well in various scenes, and each device only does what he said it would, no tricks.
Sable's time pen and compass seem to give him a bit of an advantage, but we don't want the hero of a series killed off so I guess it's OK. And this is soft magic, needing no fuel and used at no cost to the user.
September 23, 2022
By now, there really isn't much new in the Simon R Green books for me. The differences between the worlds of the Nightside, Ishmael jones, and Gideon Sable are negligible at best. And yet I somehow still find myself eagerly requesting and reading each new one as it is released. I enjoy the formula, but it does feel formulaic. Still, the cast of characters is always expanding, with clever and original names and bizarre quirks, and I do enjoy the elaborate setups, betrayals, and heists!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
January 29, 2024
2.5 Stars
Don’t get me wrong this was still a fun ride, but I can’t help but feel disappointed and dissatisfied as I finished.
This book SET UP to be a very interesting exploration into the new lives of Gideon and Annie, but quickly devolved into a “damsel in distress with a surprise twist” plot.
Just felt let down by a lack of characters backdropped by a bland plot that was easily predictable.
He’s lucky these books are still like crack to me. I’ll chalk this one up to growing pains as he figures out what the macro plot will be… if there will be one that is.
Don’t get me wrong this was still a fun ride, but I can’t help but feel disappointed and dissatisfied as I finished.
This book SET UP to be a very interesting exploration into the new lives of Gideon and Annie, but quickly devolved into a “damsel in distress with a surprise twist” plot.
Just felt let down by a lack of characters backdropped by a bland plot that was easily predictable.
He’s lucky these books are still like crack to me. I’ll chalk this one up to growing pains as he figures out what the macro plot will be… if there will be one that is.
June 7, 2024
Okay I just couldn’t let this go, and I don’t want to be “that guy,” but….
The song of the siren itself, according to legend, is not the real danger. It just drew sailors in to smash themselves on the rocks. Odysseus didn’t go crazy for the rest of his life, he just wanted to join the sirens, hence why they tied him to the mast. Everyone can hear the song provided there’s no killer fish ladies waiting. I mean presumably.
Would’ve been really cool if that happened. Like oh wow, played the stone and a fish lady is here. Nope.
The song of the siren itself, according to legend, is not the real danger. It just drew sailors in to smash themselves on the rocks. Odysseus didn’t go crazy for the rest of his life, he just wanted to join the sirens, hence why they tied him to the mast. Everyone can hear the song provided there’s no killer fish ladies waiting. I mean presumably.
Would’ve been really cool if that happened. Like oh wow, played the stone and a fish lady is here. Nope.
October 5, 2022
“What Song the Sirens Sang” is another installment of this highly entertaining franchise from Simon R. Green. If you’ve read other books by the author, you’ll know what’s in store. Is it formulaic? Yes. Is it an entertaining read? Also yes. What we have here is another heist with Gideon Sable and the crew. High speed. Highly entertaining. And overall, worth a Saturday afternoon with a cuppa. If I have one complaint,
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