Siren Sisters

by Dana Langer

A soon-to-be siren finds herself responsible for the lives of her sisters--and the fisherman they curse--in this haunting debut novel.

Lolly Salt has three beautiful sisters. When they're not in school or running their small town's diner, they're secretly luring ships to their doom from the cliffs of Starbridge Cove, Maine. With alluring voices that twelve-year-old Lolly has yet to grow into, the Salt sisters do the work mandated by the Sea Witch, a glamorously frightening figure determined to keep the girls under her control. With their mother dead after a mysterious car accident, and their father drowning in grief, the sisters carry on with their lives and duties until a local sea captain gets suspicious about the shipwrecks.

On the day before her birthday, Lolly watches in helpless horror as her sisters are lured themselves by curse-reversing fishermen--and suddenly it's up to her and her best friend Jason to rescue the sirens of Starbridge Cove.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mermaids, Fiction, Young Adult, Mythology, Family

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 2017

About the author

DANA LANGER is a New York based high school teacher and the author of SIREN SISTERS (S&S/Aladdin, 2017). She holds a BA in creative writing and an MA in teaching from Brandeis University where she received the Dafna Zamarripa-Gesundheit Fiction Prize.

Reviews

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lolly Salt and her sisters are the cursed sirens of Starbridge Cove Maine. Most nights they walk to the cliffs along the ocean, beckoned by the Sea Witch, and sing to the ships in the dark. Their voices lure trawlers and cargo ships to their doom. Lolly only has to watch, but soon she'll turn thirteen and her transformation into a siren will be complete. Time is running out if she's going to break the curse and free her sisters from the Sea Witch's enslavement.

My sisters are already sirens, and it's going to happen to me too, tomorrow, when the sun rises on my thirteenth birthday. I don't want it to happen, but I can't find a way to stop it.

Siren Sisters has several shining features: a compelling introduction, in which three young girls are digging in a graveyard in the middle of the night; an honest interpretation of the darker aspects of sirens, despite being a middle grade novel; and gratifying descriptions of the sirens and the crashing ships:

We reach the ocean, and they splash right in with all of their clothes still on. Waves lap at their legs and then their waists, their nightgowns billow around them like jellyfish.

But in case you don't already know, a shipwreck is a terrible thing to see. There's a tremendous crash, the sound of metal scraping against rock, and then an awful groaning as the entire ship tilts and breaks apart. Cables snap, and cargo containers slide from the deck and fall into the ocean like cannonballs. The crew can't do anything but abandon their vessel and await rescue.

But for all its strengths, the book has some disappointing weaknesses. To begin with, the length of chapters vary considerably. Chapter one, for example, is twenty-two pages long, whereas Chapter Two is seventy-one pages long. Why the chapters weren't divided into more reasonable page counts is a mystery.

The largest point of contention has to do with Lolly and her sisters all having names that start with the letter L. This problem is compounded by Lula, Lara, and Lily having blurred personalities; none of them are distinctive enough in character to be easily differentiated (with the exception of Lara, who occasionally acts motherly toward Lolly).

The Sea Witch is yet another underdeveloped character. She is only briefly described once, and even though she's a sea witch she doesn't like to be in the water. No explanation for her adverse attitude toward water is given. Though she controls the sirens, an explanation for her power is late in coming; and even then, her role is still baffling.

Finally, the ending is of an indeterminate nature that's left open to interpretation. This will likely appeal to some readers but annoy others.

Siren Sisters is an obscure tale of four sisters with an underlying message about learning to accept loss and letting go of the past in order to move forward in life.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did I read Siren Sisters?

How could I resist a beautiful cover depicting middle grade girls luring fishermen to their deaths?!

The Strengths

This was a great read. Lolly wants to be normal (like any 12 year old wants to be), but she's turning into a siren. I remember what it was like to be 12. Siren Sisters resonated with me despite how far I am from being a siren (or a 12 year old).

It's wonderful to read about strong, loving, capable, supportive sisters. These are characters you want to spend time with.

The Weaknesses

Some of the things I really enjoyed in the beginning never reconnected or played out in the rest of the story. I really thought the parents and their singing careers (hello, siren daughters) and their odd behavior would tie in more than just explaining the obligatory dead/absentee parents. It felt like there was a lot of foreshadowing to things that never came to pass, too.

Would I recommend Siren Sisters to others?

Yes. If you are a fan of middle grade fantasy and this sounds like something you might enjoy, definitely give it a read.

3.5 stars

[Elle (ellexamines on TT & Substack) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe she wants you to use it. Maybe she's tired of the shipwrecks as we are. Maybe she just wanted somebody to hear her story and understand. Maybe she just wanted somebody to listen.

Ignore my rating - this was just not a "me" book. I think you might like this if you tend to enjoy middle grade.

Siren Sisters is a good middle-grade novel with a creative plot and some clever character work. The two main characters, Lorelie and Jason, both read fairly real. It's got the perfect amount of optimism, but with some conflict beneath the surface.

Really, the only thing about this that genuinely bothered me was the Emma side plot. Her character seemed very jammed-in, and altogether didn't prove anything. She was a stereotypical mean girl mean to cause meaningless conflict. Jason and Lorelie's personal struggles caused plenty of conflict without needing to add a mean girl character.

VERDICT: Recommended just for preteens.

[Molly Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this supernatural story of sisterhood. The youngest of four girls, Lolly dreads the day she turns thirteen: when she’ll become a siren, just like her older sisters. She’ll have to sing and lure ships to crash in the waters of their hometown, Starbridge Cove, Maine. Turning thirteen seems like the least of her problems though, when her best friend Jason’s violent stepdad lets slip his plan to catch the sirens he’s sure are destroying his business. Lolly’s sisters are captured, and Lolly and Jason must face fantastical challenges and perils, including their friendship troubles, to save them. In the end, this story enforces that family and those you love are what matter most, and those who have been wronged deserve forgiveness and compassion. I'm handing this directly to my tween sister, and recommending it to all middle grade readers I know.

Lolly’s a refreshing, original main character: a sarcastic, nervous, hilarious rebel. I loved hearing her thoughts, and laughed out loud through the whole book. I also love her complex relationships with her older sisters, who take care of Lolly since her mother passed away, and her father checked out.

Another aspect of this book that I found fascinating was the idea of heritage and legacy. Lolly has a strong sense of where she comes from – her mother was Native American, and her town stereotypes her because of that. Lolly’s school rival, her teacher, Jason’s stepdad, the Sea Witch – they all have a sense of who they’re descended from, and it drives their ideas of who they are (sometimes mistakenly). Langer handles these histories deftly, and her background as a teacher shines through.

There are many ways to take on myths, but I think Langer’s is one of the best: with frankness, a likable hero, and with interweaving magic, still leaving the myth’s mystery intact. Her writing is clear when it should be, and creates delicate fog at the best moments. I can’t wait to read her next book.

[S.F. Henson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous writing, original story, and truly awesome main character. I loved everything about this book! Lolly is a smart and fierce character who is hard not to fall in love with. But the things that really set this book apart are the impeccable writing, the bits of mythology Langer expertly weaves through the story (just enough to be familiar without being overpowering), and the thoughtfulness with which Langer treats certain subjects in the story (no spoilers!). It would be a mistake not to pick this book up!

[Amanda Searcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to be friends with Lolly and her sisters. This book was so fun. The writing grabs you right from the very start. I didn't want it to end. I could spend a lot of time with these characters and the rugged Maine coastline. Lolly is such a beautifully developed character who is dealing with school, friendships, grief...and turning into a siren. The twists and turns of the story are very clever and you will be routing for Lolly the whole time.

[Kati Bartkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siren Sisters is a wonderful MG fantasy with likable and relatable characters. The writing is absolutely gorgeous from its spot on MG voice, to settings so vivid it made me miss my old East Coast home.

Siren Sisters follows Lolly Salt, a girl who has had to sacrifice dreams after a tragic accident, and is only days away from becoming a siren, like her older sisters. Lolly's love for her sisters is deep and real feeling, as is her budding romance with her best friend.

Besides the beautiful settings, great characters, and wonderful writing, Dana Langer's Siren Sisters is quick-paced, and as alluring as a siren's song. ;)

[Kitkat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the ending wasn't really an ending. Also I didn't fall in love with the characters. Also I felt like the sisters could have been more developed. I don't know I thought it was okay.

[Erica George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a well-written book. Langer combines mythology, adventure, and beautiful prose to create a story that stuck with me for quite some time. Lolly, on the verge of joining her sisters and becoming a siren, must find a way to save them from the hands of her best friend's father. The characterization was realistic and well-developed, and it was the perfect middle grade adventure to add to my collection. I recommended it to the media specialist at my school, and she will be adding it to the library.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of four sisters who are under a curse to be sirens in their small coastal Maine town. Lolly Salt, the youngest, is a few days away from turning twelve, the age where she turns into a siren herself. The day before her birthday, she watches her three older sisters get lured into a trap and then put asleep by a local sea captain.

Lolly is an intriguing character who is torn between fighting her destiny and standing by her sisters. An action-packed debut filled with so much heart.

[Wendy MacKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. The book pulls you in from he very first page and doesn't let go until the end. The story of a Lolly, a soon-to-be siren like her sisters thanks to a spell cast by the Sea Witch, this book is part myth, part thriller, part friendship tale, with two unforgettable characters willing to risk everything to save their town and themselves. Langer waves a beautiful tale that had me turning every page to see what would happen next. A must-read!

[Scott Fillner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the sirens upon the rocky shores, this book called to me and I couldn't resist. I really enjoyed the characters and the adventure and action of this book. I found myself numerous times getting lost into the life of the main character. I really liked her age and her challenges. I thought Dana did an amazing job of displaying that conflict through works and phrases I can't wait for MG/ early YA readers to get their scales, I mean toes.

[Corabel Shofner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh me oh my, Siren Sisters (by Dana Langer). I might just become a Siren myself, but there's that little problem of sinking ships and the even bigger obstacle, like Lolly "I can't sing like they can. Not yet, anyway. I try to join them, but every time I open my mouth, instead of that beautiful strawberry sound, it's like the croaking of a frog. The musical equivalent of a lump of mashed potatoes."
Beautiful book of loss and sisters and love.

[Alexandra Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

SIREN SISTERS is a unique, compelling middle grade fantasy with gorgeous writing and incredible atmosphere. Lolly is such a great character with a truly authentic voice. The story is fast-paced and fun, with bits of mythology and magic woven throughout. I love the family relationships, too; they're honest and well-drawn. Highly recommend for fans of middle grade fantasy!

[Jen Petro-Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So enjoyable. A great mix of mythology, growing pains, family relationships, and friendship.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Soon they will abandon all hope and accept their fate as protectors of the sea, for their souls are not their own."

This novel is about the Salt sisters who make an agreement with the Sea Witch to become sirens. We follow the youngest of the sisters, Lorelai (or Lolly), in the weeks before her 13th birthday when she too will become a full siren. She doesn't want to become a siren and doesn't understand why her sisters went to the Sea Witch to make the agreement in the first place. Then she learns of a plot against her sisters and she and her best friend Jason have to find a way to save them.

This story really resonated with me in many ways.
First of all, it incorporated all kinds of siren folklore (not too much because it is middle-grade). These sirens were more like the sirens of norse mythology, the havfrue (guardians of the sea).
Secondly, the author employed a bunch of symbolism throughout, and being a person that sees symbolism in every-day life, that helped me connect so much more to the story.
Thirdly, we have some very defined characters. Lolly is our narrator, and she sounds like your typical preteen girl without being overly obvious and/or obnoxious. She's very matter-of-fact and likes to make lists. Her best friend Jason is a younger less extreme version of Adrian Monk. He's incredibly organized, doesn't like his food touching, and he gets squeamish and seasick quite easily.
Most importantly, this story is about family, grief, forgiveness, and sacrifice. Lolly's sisters sacrifice for her and Lolly sacrifices for them.

And the ending is brilliant. It's uncertain, the kind where if the author wrote five more pages, you would know what happened for sure; you're left to wonder. In the next five pages, this ending could've been really happy or very very tragic. The poignancy is in the uncertainty.

I borrowed this from the library, but I'm definitely considering buying my own copy so I can mark it all up.

I will leave you with this thought that I had while reading. Seeing the effect of sirens on travelers, that the travelers couldn't help but listen to them, I wondered: if we had that kind of power, what would we do with it? Would we be able to use it for good, or would we become monsters?

[Eilonwy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lolly Salt is anxious. Her thirteenth birthday is coming up fast, and on that day, she will become a full-fledged Siren, just like her three older sisters. Her hair will change color, she’ll get scales on her feet and ankles, and she’ll have to stay up all night luring boats to their doom. Her sisters don’t seem to mind. But Lolly doesn’t feel any enthusiasm for this fate. She wants to go to school and do normal things with her best friend Jason. But how can she change a destiny that’s already in motion?

I really enjoyed this book! Lolly has a distinct, believable voice that grabbed me from the get-go. Her struggle between this crazy lifestyle that she’s living with her sisters and the humdrum routine of going to school every day, being picked on, getting detention for fighting with the girl who picks on her, etc., felt absolutely true-to-life. The seaside tourist town where Lolly’s family runs a restaurant felt very much like a real place, too.

I thought the mythical elements were really well tied into the contemporary elements of the story, and mythology from several cultures is cleverly and seamlessly woven together. People do realize that there’s a problem with too many ships going down in the area, and the possibility of sirens being the cause is brought up and chillingly pursued. Lolly’s research on sirens leads her to some fascinating local history/lore which is less in the past than people would like to think.

I also really liked the sisterhood, family, and friendship themes in this book. Lolly and her sisters would do anything for each other. They’re a team not just because of their shared Siren calling, but also because they’re used to working together in the restaurant. Recently, they’ve had to depend on one another even more because their mother died, and in his grief, their father has drawn away from them and is spending more time on the road with his band than he is at home. (There’s a strong but not overwhelming stream of sadness running through this book.) Lolly’s friendship with Jason was one of my favorite parts of the story, and Jason makes a declaration of friendship which is hands-down one of the most heartwarming lines I’ve read anywhere (aw, Jason, I think giant squid are really interesting, too!).

This was a really fast read, and definitely recommended!

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three sisters have a secret life on a coastal town in Maine as sirens who lure sailors and ships to their death and destruction. This not a willful deed but the result of a promise made in desperation to the Sea Witch. Their younger sister, Lolly, anxiously watches awaiting her 13th birthday when she too will become a siren, trying to find a way to break the curse. This is an exciting story.

[Alison Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok. cute. middle grade for sure.

[Riley R]

all that build up for THAT??

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. Started out great, lyrical and a bit spooky, like a Grimm fairy tale, but the ending was perplexing— the story just fizzled out. It would have made more sense if this was the beginning of a series, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

[EJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cool concept but definitely a first novel. Felt extremely rushed in places with not as much padding as the premise and setting called for.

[Alise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was okay. It had an odd ending.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was really bad because it just ended well ended. The beginning and middle was amazing!

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a couple chapters for me to really get into this, but I am so glad I stuck with it. This turned out to be a fantastic story. I love how it dug into the history of the small town its set in, uncovering various threads of the cultures, people, injuries, grudges, and wrong-doing (both past and present) that had taken place there. It's not a long book, but its scope is hundreds of years worth of town history, as well as the mythology, magic, burdens, and guilt the townspeople brought with them from places of origin all over the globe. I am curious whether the early drafts of this book were enormously long. They easily could have been, but the book is in fact pretty fast-paced and action-packed.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I loved the writing and the story was unique and fun to read. I do wish there had been more character development (especially with the Sea Witch and the 3 "L" named sisters who I could barely tell apart). I also wish the chapters had been divided into smaller chunks. And I was somewhat annoyed that we never really learned if the parents knew if their daughters were sirens. It also bothered me that Lolly killed her best friend's stepdad and neither seemed terribly upset over it. Granted, he was chasing her and maybe she didn't have any control over her siren song but it seemed like she did have some control and wasn't really concerned when he died. But would I recommend this book? Yup. I enjoyed it and while I wish some things had been fleshed out more, this was a great book with good messages of overcoming loss, friendship, sacrifice and growing up. I'll be on the lookout for Dana Langer's next book!

[K.L. Hallam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, I was captured by this spellbinding tale of sisters, their secrets, and how they sacrifice for love. Magical and real to life characters like Lorelei, who's about to turn thirteen. She'll suffer the same fate as her sisters unless she can break the curse and stop the Sea Witch for controlling their lives. One of my favorite 2017 middle-grade debuts!

[Ryan Juno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I kind of wish the sisters had been described more. Also, I wish the father and mother had been described a bit more. Jason's mother is just helpless and it was sad to hear.

SPOILER ALERT

Wish we could have known what truly happens to Lolly in the end. Love how all the sisters names begin with a "L". The father at the end, the last scene between him and Lolly--heartbreaking.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story, it didn't drag. I gave it 3 1/2 stars because the ending frustrated me.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but it got a little...weird at the end.