What do you think?
Rate this book
Siren
I’m one of the most alluring creatures in the world.
Dangerous.
Beautiful.
Powerful.
A siren.
One of seven princesses of Lacuna.
But I wanted more than that, so much more than the trinkets I stowed in my caverns. I wanted my own piece of the world.
And I got it.
However with that wish came a price, and that price came with secrets.
Two of which should never have been able to set foot on where I reside.
The fate of my heart belongs to Lacuna, but whose heart belongs to me?
Dangerous.
Beautiful.
Powerful.
A siren.
One of seven princesses of Lacuna.
But I wanted more than that, so much more than the trinkets I stowed in my caverns. I wanted my own piece of the world.
And I got it.
However with that wish came a price, and that price came with secrets.
Two of which should never have been able to set foot on where I reside.
The fate of my heart belongs to Lacuna, but whose heart belongs to me?
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 7, 2020
88 people are currently reading
1588 people want to read
About the author
Hazel Grace
27 books535 followersHazel Grace is an avid music lover, an undefined human being, and hardcore Oakland Raiders fan from the mitten state of Michigan.
Always surprising her readers with weird Michigan sayings (they have their own cuss words) and writing "what the f*ck" storylines.
When she's not writing, she's on Spotify finding new bands, working on her Camaro or watching shows with her kids with annoying songs attached to them.
Check up on Hazel on the following platforms:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel...
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dlYOgn
Always surprising her readers with weird Michigan sayings (they have their own cuss words) and writing "what the f*ck" storylines.
When she's not writing, she's on Spotify finding new bands, working on her Camaro or watching shows with her kids with annoying songs attached to them.
Check up on Hazel on the following platforms:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hazelgraceauthor
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hazelgraceauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hazel...
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dlYOgn
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
December 4, 2020
Book: Siren
Author: Hazel Grace
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3 Stars!
Age: Davina - ?, Degan - 30, Tobias - ? (Not mentioned)
Spoilers Ahead.
The first 60% would have been 2 stars, but the last bit got a bit better. I swear I nearly stacked this because this has some of my least favorite tropes. A love triangle and scenes with BOTH OM and OW. While it was a reason to dislike this, it was not THE reason.
Siren by Hazel Grace was a complicated book for me. I loved some aspects of it and I hated some others. Let's start with the good ones. This is an intriguing and unique version of 'the Little Mermaid' universe. The world-building was complex and on-point and the characters were multi-dimensional and real. Since this book is a part of Sinister Fairy Tales, I expected this to be a bit more dark. It was a little mild in that area apart from some neck-snapping. One thing that I loved was how Davina was stronger than the male leads. For once, it was the female character who was more powerful and superior. I loved her strength, valor and fierce nature. However, she was the only lead I loved. None of the other characters, nor Dagen or Tobias or any of her six sisters did it for me.
Let's hit the letdowns;
1. Davina: I loved her then I didn't. She was a strong character but she sort off ruined it for me the moment she had sex with I-can't-even-remember-his-name in a weird torture/interrogation/seduction? technique. And then she killed what's-his-name (who was completely innocent, btw). I don't want to read about our main protagonist having sex with someone other than her love interests. It's just icky. FYI, her torture techniques suck. I think she should read a manual. Here's that scene, if someone's interested.
2. The writing: I soon made my peace with the above scene. I was even fine with the love triangle. But then the writing. It was so stilted and weird to read. God, this book badly needs an editor. And then I came across this gem of a quote;
Cocks? Cocks?? Like plural? How many does he have? Jesus. Maybe it's just the eBook. But the writing felt stilted to me throughout the plot. There were more like “Seems like all the decision-making has been taken away and talked about amongst themselves.” and “Freezing in place, I listen to the house start to creak and clatter with the belongings of the castle.” Does this make sense? I know English is not my native language but still, that felt weird. The writing was a big no for me. And Tobias and Dagen? I was more or less impervious to them.
3. Plot holes: In chapter 11, during Dagen and Tobias's altercation, Dagen mentions rumors about Tobias raping women and Davina asks him, “What's raping women?” Now mind you, she reads so many books, she has a library on her island and is it still possible she doesn't know what's rape? Maybe it is, but I don't believe she is that naïve when she obviously has had sexual partners before and participates in that scene with what's-his-name. But in chapter 29, when Dagen has her captured underneath him, she insinuated that he will rape her. So unless I missed something she went from not knowing what rape is to accusing Dagen of wanting to rape her. Which doesn't make sense unless some scenes were deleted.
4. The end part: The last thing that irritated me was how both Tobias and Dagen were killed off in a sacrifice, and how Davina went through 10% of the book in various stages of grief, like “my best friend is dead, my love is dead and how will I live? what will I do now?”
While in my mind, I was going “Please don't resurrect them now. Don't resurrect them. What's the point then. Oh. Oh Shit. You did it. Tobias is alive again. Huh. But Dagen's still dead. Maybe he will remain dead. Please remain dead. Don't come alive again. Don't come alive. Oh. Shit. Really? Really?? Was that really necessary? Of course. Of course he's alive again.”
Safe to say this wasn't a favorite. But hey, don't knock it off till you try it.
Author: Hazel Grace
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Rating: 3 Stars!
Age: Davina - ?, Degan - 30, Tobias - ? (Not mentioned)
Spoilers Ahead.
“I love you,” he decrees. “I love you more than anything in this universe. More than myself, more than life, more than any circumstances or outcome. You are my world, Blood. I will never forget you, even in eternal sleep, you’ll always be my dream.”
The first 60% would have been 2 stars, but the last bit got a bit better. I swear I nearly stacked this because this has some of my least favorite tropes. A love triangle and scenes with BOTH OM and OW. While it was a reason to dislike this, it was not THE reason.
Siren by Hazel Grace was a complicated book for me. I loved some aspects of it and I hated some others. Let's start with the good ones. This is an intriguing and unique version of 'the Little Mermaid' universe. The world-building was complex and on-point and the characters were multi-dimensional and real. Since this book is a part of Sinister Fairy Tales, I expected this to be a bit more dark. It was a little mild in that area apart from some neck-snapping. One thing that I loved was how Davina was stronger than the male leads. For once, it was the female character who was more powerful and superior. I loved her strength, valor and fierce nature. However, she was the only lead I loved. None of the other characters, nor Dagen or Tobias or any of her six sisters did it for me.
Let's hit the letdowns;
1. Davina: I loved her then I didn't. She was a strong character but she sort off ruined it for me the moment she had sex with I-can't-even-remember-his-name in a weird torture/interrogation/seduction? technique. And then she killed what's-his-name (who was completely innocent, btw). I don't want to read about our main protagonist having sex with someone other than her love interests. It's just icky. FYI, her torture techniques suck. I think she should read a manual. Here's that scene, if someone's interested.
2. The writing: I soon made my peace with the above scene. I was even fine with the love triangle. But then the writing. It was so stilted and weird to read. God, this book badly needs an editor. And then I came across this gem of a quote;
“Good,” she sighs when my cocks spreads her opening. “Because you’d be everyone’s fool if you fell in love with me.”
Cocks? Cocks?? Like plural? How many does he have? Jesus. Maybe it's just the eBook. But the writing felt stilted to me throughout the plot. There were more like “Seems like all the decision-making has been taken away and talked about amongst themselves.” and “Freezing in place, I listen to the house start to creak and clatter with the belongings of the castle.” Does this make sense? I know English is not my native language but still, that felt weird. The writing was a big no for me. And Tobias and Dagen? I was more or less impervious to them.
3. Plot holes: In chapter 11, during Dagen and Tobias's altercation, Dagen mentions rumors about Tobias raping women and Davina asks him, “What's raping women?” Now mind you, she reads so many books, she has a library on her island and is it still possible she doesn't know what's rape? Maybe it is, but I don't believe she is that naïve when she obviously has had sexual partners before and participates in that scene with what's-his-name. But in chapter 29, when Dagen has her captured underneath him, she insinuated that he will rape her. So unless I missed something she went from not knowing what rape is to accusing Dagen of wanting to rape her. Which doesn't make sense unless some scenes were deleted.
4. The end part: The last thing that irritated me was how both Tobias and Dagen were killed off in a sacrifice, and how Davina went through 10% of the book in various stages of grief, like “my best friend is dead, my love is dead and how will I live? what will I do now?”
While in my mind, I was going “Please don't resurrect them now. Don't resurrect them. What's the point then. Oh. Oh Shit. You did it. Tobias is alive again. Huh. But Dagen's still dead. Maybe he will remain dead. Please remain dead. Don't come alive again. Don't come alive. Oh. Shit. Really? Really?? Was that really necessary? Of course. Of course he's alive again.”
Safe to say this wasn't a favorite. But hey, don't knock it off till you try it.
March 19, 2020
Another fantastic book in the Sinister Fairytale Collection!
Little Mermaid is not so little and innocent as we know her and I LOVED it.
Genre: dark fantasy/ retelling
Point of View: multiple POVS
H (Hero) rating: 5*****,I loved Dagen aka Viking .He is strong, confident , sexy AF, broody,funny, passionate, gentle and loving.His flirting cracked me up and I just loved it.
h(heroine) rating:5***** Davina is a type of heroine I want to have in the books I read. She is logical, soft when needs to be but strong when the time requests it,loyal to her family, adventurous and curious and I just loved her strength.
Instalove:No, not at all and all for the better
Overall Pace of Story :The first part seemed a bit slow but it didn't advert me from the story.
Sadness level:Medium, no tissues needed for me but I got really sad at one point...
Push/Pull: Yes, they take a while until "action" happens
Heat level:I would say 3.5 ... it was hot but could have been hotter
Descriptive sex:Yes
OW (other woman)/OM ( other man) drama: H betrothed woman appearance and Davina's best friend Tobias .
Sex scene with OW or OM :
Separation: for a very short period of time
Triggers: torture( very light),mind tricks
Ending:HEA for the couple
Overall I loved this retelling, it had some twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated but some that I did.I think this will make a wonderful series and I would gladly read it because the author created a wonderful new world with Vikings and Hunters and Sirens. The rest of the sisters would deserve their own stories so I really hope the author goes on with this.
“Hell seems to be a lot more my speed,” I allege, circling her clit with my thumb again. “Sometimes I think I was born from it.”
“Maybe that’s why we feel this. Because men say we’re the devil.”
Little Mermaid is not so little and innocent as we know her and I LOVED it.
Genre: dark fantasy/ retelling
Point of View: multiple POVS
H (Hero) rating: 5*****,I loved Dagen aka Viking .He is strong, confident , sexy AF, broody,funny, passionate, gentle and loving.His flirting cracked me up and I just loved it.
h(heroine) rating:5***** Davina is a type of heroine I want to have in the books I read. She is logical, soft when needs to be but strong when the time requests it,loyal to her family, adventurous and curious and I just loved her strength.
Instalove:No, not at all and all for the better
Overall Pace of Story :The first part seemed a bit slow but it didn't advert me from the story.
Sadness level:Medium, no tissues needed for me but I got really sad at one point...
Push/Pull: Yes, they take a while until "action" happens
Heat level:I would say 3.5 ... it was hot but could have been hotter
Descriptive sex:Yes
OW (other woman)/OM ( other man) drama: H betrothed woman appearance and Davina's best friend Tobias .
Sex scene with OW or OM :
Separation: for a very short period of time
Triggers: torture( very light),mind tricks
Ending:HEA for the couple
Overall I loved this retelling, it had some twists and turns that I hadn't anticipated but some that I did.I think this will make a wonderful series and I would gladly read it because the author created a wonderful new world with Vikings and Hunters and Sirens. The rest of the sisters would deserve their own stories so I really hope the author goes on with this.
“Hell seems to be a lot more my speed,” I allege, circling her clit with my thumb again. “Sometimes I think I was born from it.”
“Maybe that’s why we feel this. Because men say we’re the devil.”
January 6, 2020
Siren is the first book I've read from Hazel Grace and she's made me a fan on her first try! It was dark and delicious, entrancing, captivating, and utterly spellbinding!
In the South Seas, mermaids are real. They lure unsuspecting travellers who venture too far or hunters who seek to kill them for fortune, with their looks and their songs... with their magic. They can be vicious and cruel, especially when it comes to protecting themselves and those they love. Dagen learns this the hard way when his search for a trinket to bring hope and prosperity to his people lands him in the laps of not just any mermaids, but the princesses of the sea. He's stumbled upon an island that no one but the sirens should be able to see and the seven princesses will use whatever means necessary to find out his true intentions. Can love blossom in the midst of torture and death? You better believe it can!
I was told that this is the author's first attempt at a fantasy romance and I think she did an incredible job with it. From the world building, the intricacies of the plot, the many hidden gems I discovered, the intensely developed characters, and the descriptive colors of the people and their surroundings, it was easy to fall in love with Grace's writing. I highlighted so many great lines and then realized I couldn't share them because they contained spoilers and I don't intend to ruin this for anyone. Siren is a raw, gritty, addictive, mystical read with surprisingly tender moments. These characters were amazing and I hope to see them again.
Find the full review HERE
In the South Seas, mermaids are real. They lure unsuspecting travellers who venture too far or hunters who seek to kill them for fortune, with their looks and their songs... with their magic. They can be vicious and cruel, especially when it comes to protecting themselves and those they love. Dagen learns this the hard way when his search for a trinket to bring hope and prosperity to his people lands him in the laps of not just any mermaids, but the princesses of the sea. He's stumbled upon an island that no one but the sirens should be able to see and the seven princesses will use whatever means necessary to find out his true intentions. Can love blossom in the midst of torture and death? You better believe it can!
I was told that this is the author's first attempt at a fantasy romance and I think she did an incredible job with it. From the world building, the intricacies of the plot, the many hidden gems I discovered, the intensely developed characters, and the descriptive colors of the people and their surroundings, it was easy to fall in love with Grace's writing. I highlighted so many great lines and then realized I couldn't share them because they contained spoilers and I don't intend to ruin this for anyone. Siren is a raw, gritty, addictive, mystical read with surprisingly tender moments. These characters were amazing and I hope to see them again.
Find the full review HERE
January 7, 2020
Siren is part of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection but is a standalone. This is a new author for me and I'm not big on the fantasy genre's but was pleasantly surprised by this.
Raw and full of angst this fairytale will certain entertain, it's intense and gritty but sometimes pretty. A tale told so often but never quite like this, you will still find yourself flipping through the pages anticipating what's to come next.
Hazel Grace has me curious now to search through her other works, I may have just found a hidden gem.
Raw and full of angst this fairytale will certain entertain, it's intense and gritty but sometimes pretty. A tale told so often but never quite like this, you will still find yourself flipping through the pages anticipating what's to come next.
Hazel Grace has me curious now to search through her other works, I may have just found a hidden gem.
April 21, 2020
English / Português
4,5 stars
I'm not gonna lie, but I was a bit scared of reading this book. There is a long time I don't dive in a new series of fairy tales or fantasy books, and I honestly don't know exactly what made me choose this one. I think this dark scenario of the little mermaid just put my curiosity on alert. And I just closed the book right now and decided to write about it because I don't want to miss this I'm feeling right now. I finished this book feeling so so so happy that this story excelled my expectations. It was just SOOOO GOOD.
I started reading trying to get to know that world and just took me a few pages to be hocked to it. SIREN has a dark vibe and an intense story that kept me glued to those pages that I literally just drop it when I hitted "the end".
SIREN is a new, dark and intense story that follow the 7 sisters, granddaughters of Poseidon. Each sister is different from one another and our redhair in this book is named Davina and she was a captivating character, totally badass! I also loved the boys Dagen and Tobias.
SIREN is part of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection, and although is a retelling of the little mermaid (and I loved the movie) I felt that I didn't know what would happen or how far would the author go. And let me tell you, halfway through it I tought it could get more darker than I was expecting but everything happened for a reason and it got me tense and way more curious.
Hazel is a new author to me and the genre is not my usual choice. So both was an amazing surprise and I can't wait to read more books from her. I totally recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this book.
--------
English / Português
4,5 estrelas
Não vou mentir, mas estava com um pouco de medo de ler este livro. Há muito tempo que não mergulho em uma nova série de contos de fadas ou livros de fantasia, e sinceramente não sei exatamente o que me fez escolher esse. Acho que esse cenário sombrio da pequena sereia deixou em alerta minha curiosidade. Acabei de fechar o livro agora e decidi escrever sobre isso, porque não quero perder isso que estou sentindo agora. Terminei este livro me sentindo tão feliz que essa história superou minhas expectativas. E foi MUUUUITO BOM.
Comecei a ler tentando conhecer esse mundo e levei apenas algumas páginas para ficar interessada. SIREN tem uma vibe sombria e uma história intensa que me manteve colada às páginas que eu literalmente só larguei quando cheguei na palavra "fim".
SIREN é uma história nova, sombria e intensa que segue as 7 irmãs, netas de Poseidon. Cada irmã é diferente uma da outra e nossa ruiva neste livro se chama Davina. Ela era uma personagem cativante, totalmente durona! Também amei os meninos Dagen e Tobias.
SIREN faz parte da Sinister Fairy Tale Collection e, embora seja uma releitura da pequena sereia (e eu amei o filme), senti que não sabia o que aconteceria ou até onde a autora iria. E deixa eu contar uma coisa; na metade, pensei que poderia ficar mais sombrio do que eu esperava, mas tudo aconteceu por um motivo e isso me deixou muito tensa e muito mais curiosa.
Hazel é uma nova autora para mim e esse gênero não é minha escolha usual. Então, ambas foram uma surpresa incrível e mal posso esperar para ler mais livros dela. Recomendo muito!
*Recebi um ARC desse livro.
----------------------
* Pick a Book
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / BookBub
pb.responde@gmail.com
4,5 stars
I'm not gonna lie, but I was a bit scared of reading this book. There is a long time I don't dive in a new series of fairy tales or fantasy books, and I honestly don't know exactly what made me choose this one. I think this dark scenario of the little mermaid just put my curiosity on alert. And I just closed the book right now and decided to write about it because I don't want to miss this I'm feeling right now. I finished this book feeling so so so happy that this story excelled my expectations. It was just SOOOO GOOD.
I started reading trying to get to know that world and just took me a few pages to be hocked to it. SIREN has a dark vibe and an intense story that kept me glued to those pages that I literally just drop it when I hitted "the end".
SIREN is a new, dark and intense story that follow the 7 sisters, granddaughters of Poseidon. Each sister is different from one another and our redhair in this book is named Davina and she was a captivating character, totally badass! I also loved the boys Dagen and Tobias.
SIREN is part of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection, and although is a retelling of the little mermaid (and I loved the movie) I felt that I didn't know what would happen or how far would the author go. And let me tell you, halfway through it I tought it could get more darker than I was expecting but everything happened for a reason and it got me tense and way more curious.
Hazel is a new author to me and the genre is not my usual choice. So both was an amazing surprise and I can't wait to read more books from her. I totally recommend it.
*I received an ARC of this book.
--------
English / Português
4,5 estrelas
Não vou mentir, mas estava com um pouco de medo de ler este livro. Há muito tempo que não mergulho em uma nova série de contos de fadas ou livros de fantasia, e sinceramente não sei exatamente o que me fez escolher esse. Acho que esse cenário sombrio da pequena sereia deixou em alerta minha curiosidade. Acabei de fechar o livro agora e decidi escrever sobre isso, porque não quero perder isso que estou sentindo agora. Terminei este livro me sentindo tão feliz que essa história superou minhas expectativas. E foi MUUUUITO BOM.
Comecei a ler tentando conhecer esse mundo e levei apenas algumas páginas para ficar interessada. SIREN tem uma vibe sombria e uma história intensa que me manteve colada às páginas que eu literalmente só larguei quando cheguei na palavra "fim".
SIREN é uma história nova, sombria e intensa que segue as 7 irmãs, netas de Poseidon. Cada irmã é diferente uma da outra e nossa ruiva neste livro se chama Davina. Ela era uma personagem cativante, totalmente durona! Também amei os meninos Dagen e Tobias.
SIREN faz parte da Sinister Fairy Tale Collection e, embora seja uma releitura da pequena sereia (e eu amei o filme), senti que não sabia o que aconteceria ou até onde a autora iria. E deixa eu contar uma coisa; na metade, pensei que poderia ficar mais sombrio do que eu esperava, mas tudo aconteceu por um motivo e isso me deixou muito tensa e muito mais curiosa.
Hazel é uma nova autora para mim e esse gênero não é minha escolha usual. Então, ambas foram uma surpresa incrível e mal posso esperar para ler mais livros dela. Recomendo muito!
*Recebi um ARC desse livro.
----------------------
* Pick a Book
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / BookBub
pb.responde@gmail.com
February 23, 2021
Little Mermaid Retelling- Alright!
“I’m not spoken for. No one will own me.”
CHARACTERS
Davina red hair green eyes, Mermaid princess, the leader
Dagen long brown hair blue eyes, The Viking
Tobias dark brown eyes sandy brown hair The Pirate
-A powerful Siren as the heroine, a Viking lover, and Pirate second love interest? Wuhuu!-
Well, but unfortunately, this is not a love triangle, I am happy about the main love interest, I would've rooted for him if there were a triangle, but I can't help it; I love triangles and I wanted one in here, yet there wasn't.
I love Tobias and Dagen differently and entirely with every inch of my whole mind, soul, and heart. I’m not capable nor would I ever pick one over the other.
FOOTNOTES
*I love the MCs (Tobias included, as half MC)
*The twist wasn't the most surprising, but not easily solved either; I actually questioned a lot about what's to come.
*Davina was the most powerful (or she was called); I wish I had seen more of her action.
*Davina was the cold and unattainable one in the relationship; I like cold hs! She was true to her character and I loved her!
*There are some particular killings that I didn't enjoy, but this is a PNR read, so not unexpected.
*I don't really mind insta-lust/love, but I mean, they initially hated each other; how can they turn 180 around. I wanted to see more relationship developments. At least, I don't know a mention of 1 year passed, 1 month passed (even that) or something, lol.
*The sisters also seems interesting; I don't mind having following books about them, it might be fun!
OVERALL
*Sexy, fun, and enjoyable read. And a tiny bit sad too. Not the best, not the worst!
*I liked this book, but I have a complaint, the book started slow and good, but at some point, It speeded up so much, I mean the speed of the parts should've been different. Because the part I sought more time and details was the ending, and It was super rushed out! But I liked how everything played out.
“I love when I’m so deep inside you that I don’t know where I end and you begin.” She chuckles, her lips climbing up to my ear. “What else, Viking?” “I love you, Blood. That’s all there is to know.”
“I’m not spoken for. No one will own me.”
CHARACTERS
Davina red hair green eyes, Mermaid princess, the leader
Dagen long brown hair blue eyes, The Viking
Tobias dark brown eyes sandy brown hair The Pirate
-A powerful Siren as the heroine, a Viking lover, and Pirate second love interest? Wuhuu!-
Well, but unfortunately, this is not a love triangle, I am happy about the main love interest, I would've rooted for him if there were a triangle, but I can't help it; I love triangles and I wanted one in here, yet there wasn't.
I love Tobias and Dagen differently and entirely with every inch of my whole mind, soul, and heart. I’m not capable nor would I ever pick one over the other.
FOOTNOTES
*I love the MCs (Tobias included, as half MC)
*The twist wasn't the most surprising, but not easily solved either; I actually questioned a lot about what's to come.
*Davina was the most powerful (or she was called); I wish I had seen more of her action.
*Davina was the cold and unattainable one in the relationship; I like cold hs! She was true to her character and I loved her!
*There are some particular killings that I didn't enjoy, but this is a PNR read, so not unexpected.
*I don't really mind insta-lust/love, but I mean, they initially hated each other; how can they turn 180 around. I wanted to see more relationship developments. At least, I don't know a mention of 1 year passed, 1 month passed (even that) or something, lol.
*The sisters also seems interesting; I don't mind having following books about them, it might be fun!
OVERALL
*Sexy, fun, and enjoyable read. And a tiny bit sad too. Not the best, not the worst!
*I liked this book, but I have a complaint, the book started slow and good, but at some point, It speeded up so much, I mean the speed of the parts should've been different. Because the part I sought more time and details was the ending, and It was super rushed out! But I liked how everything played out.
“I love when I’m so deep inside you that I don’t know where I end and you begin.” She chuckles, her lips climbing up to my ear. “What else, Viking?” “I love you, Blood. That’s all there is to know.”
January 6, 2020
5 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
A FANTASTIC retelling/reimagining of Little Mermaid! A story that I absolutely LOVE, as a child and now as an adult in a new twisted dark way. I was ready to throw my Kindle at one point; at another, I was sure this couldn't be a romance, but in the end, I got my HEA!! Things may not have gone the way that I wanted them to go, but this story was absolutely GRIPPING, beautiful, sexy, fun, twisted, and a home run for Hazel Graze!
Video review available in Week 2 Jan 5 – 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
A FANTASTIC retelling/reimagining of Little Mermaid! A story that I absolutely LOVE, as a child and now as an adult in a new twisted dark way. I was ready to throw my Kindle at one point; at another, I was sure this couldn't be a romance, but in the end, I got my HEA!! Things may not have gone the way that I wanted them to go, but this story was absolutely GRIPPING, beautiful, sexy, fun, twisted, and a home run for Hazel Graze!
Video review available in Week 2 Jan 5 – 11 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
gave-up-on
December 1, 2020DNF 20%
Maybe I'm giving up too early but this book is just not working for me. It's nothing really wrong with it. I actually found the beginning to be very interesting and intriguing. But honestly, I'm pretty bored now and it doesn't seem likely that anything exciting is about to happen in the near future. Also, it's not helping that I'm just not feeling anyone of the three MCs.
So after some consideration (with the help of 924 books glaring at me from my tbr) I decided to DNF it. Life's too short and that shit...
Maybe I'm giving up too early but this book is just not working for me. It's nothing really wrong with it. I actually found the beginning to be very interesting and intriguing. But honestly, I'm pretty bored now and it doesn't seem likely that anything exciting is about to happen in the near future. Also, it's not helping that I'm just not feeling anyone of the three MCs.
So after some consideration (with the help of 924 books glaring at me from my tbr) I decided to DNF it. Life's too short and that shit...
April 4, 2020
A very slow, shaky start but with an amazing ending that made it all worth while.
The last 30% or so of this book was 5 stars all the way. Sadly the first 40% dragged sooooooooo much that, despite this being an arc read, if I hadn't agreed to lead a Book of the Month discussion on it I would have DNF'd it. I am SO VERY GLAD that I stuck with the book because the second half was absolutely amazing. This was where we got ALL the steamy action, this is where the plot picked up pace, this is where all the twists turns and shocks occurred (one which was quite foreshadowed but another really was a surprise). I even ugly cried, shedding real tears as the author repeatedly ripped my heart apart.
A couple of short paragraphs would easily sum up the first 8 - 10 chapters. Nothing happens and it felt like wading through molasses. I can't remember the last time a book dragged so much for me - probably because I'm quite ruthless and delete them from my kindle. I'd suggest the author seriously look for either some new beta readers or a new editor because they seriously let her down by not recognising the terrible pacing and lack of direction at the beginning of this book. You know, the time when you have to be hooking the reader in. I'm not sure if the intention was to character build or develop the connection between the MC's but it didn't quite work. Instead we had far too many internalised monologues/musings rather than actual conversations or action.
**ETA - after some further cogitation I would have much preferred to see flashbacks of Tobias and Davina together as they grew to care for each other. This element was far to told rather than shown.**
I'm aware this may seem petty but the word 'allude', in it's various forms, was also not only overused (30 appearances) but repeatedly, incorrectly used as a way to describe speech. There were also another couple of inaccurate word uses, but I did read an arc so they may have been corrected.
eg "We have to go," Isolde alludes suddenly.
"Then I won't," he alludes.
"That mean's get out ." "I will," he alludes slowly.
The book is written first person and from 3 alternating point of views, there is a sort-of, almost love triangle but not really. The main pov is the heroine, Davina's, with chapters also from both Dagan's and Tobias' view points too. On reflection I do still feel this is a book I would recommend, albeit with warnings over needing to persevere at first. I quite like that the author left the possibility of a follow up book for a separate couple, as long as it didn't have the same slow start I'd be up for reading it!
The last 30% or so of this book was 5 stars all the way. Sadly the first 40% dragged sooooooooo much that, despite this being an arc read, if I hadn't agreed to lead a Book of the Month discussion on it I would have DNF'd it. I am SO VERY GLAD that I stuck with the book because the second half was absolutely amazing. This was where we got ALL the steamy action, this is where the plot picked up pace, this is where all the twists turns and shocks occurred (one which was quite foreshadowed but another really was a surprise). I even ugly cried, shedding real tears as the author repeatedly ripped my heart apart.
A couple of short paragraphs would easily sum up the first 8 - 10 chapters. Nothing happens and it felt like wading through molasses. I can't remember the last time a book dragged so much for me - probably because I'm quite ruthless and delete them from my kindle. I'd suggest the author seriously look for either some new beta readers or a new editor because they seriously let her down by not recognising the terrible pacing and lack of direction at the beginning of this book. You know, the time when you have to be hooking the reader in. I'm not sure if the intention was to character build or develop the connection between the MC's but it didn't quite work. Instead we had far too many internalised monologues/musings rather than actual conversations or action.
**ETA - after some further cogitation I would have much preferred to see flashbacks of Tobias and Davina together as they grew to care for each other. This element was far to told rather than shown.**
I'm aware this may seem petty but the word 'allude', in it's various forms, was also not only overused (30 appearances) but repeatedly, incorrectly used as a way to describe speech. There were also another couple of inaccurate word uses, but I did read an arc so they may have been corrected.
eg "We have to go," Isolde alludes suddenly.
"Then I won't," he alludes.
"That mean's get out ." "I will," he alludes slowly.
The book is written first person and from 3 alternating point of views, there is a sort-of, almost love triangle but not really. The main pov is the heroine, Davina's, with chapters also from both Dagan's and Tobias' view points too. On reflection I do still feel this is a book I would recommend, albeit with warnings over needing to persevere at first. I quite like that the author left the possibility of a follow up book for a separate couple, as long as it didn't have the same slow start I'd be up for reading it!
February 19, 2021
5 stars!!
beautiful and magical romance with a touch of darkness to it. after Googling a little, i realised that it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid. Can't remember the original Little Mermaid's plot clearly but one thing for sure is that I LOVE THIS VERSION. It's well written with loads of surprises and secrets. The plot is mind blowing with just the right amount of darkness in this fantasy romance!
Siren is a story about Davina, a beautiful Siren; and Dagen, a hot Viking who oozes sex appeal. Dagen has his reasons to enter the mysterious island of Lacuna but is later captured by Davina and her sisters for trespassing. Naturally, the sisters are determined to find out his motive especially Davina, who is intrigued by Dagen's loyalty.
When his true motives are revealed, Davina swears to take revenge for it. Her anger combining with their sexual tension makes their connection a more intense one; eventually turning into something sinister.. 🔥
“I want you for eternity,” I reply, moving my face so that he has to peer down at me. “Because you know you can’t die without me.”
Highly addictive, 5 stars!! I would totally recommend reading it at one go 😂
beautiful and magical romance with a touch of darkness to it. after Googling a little, i realised that it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid. Can't remember the original Little Mermaid's plot clearly but one thing for sure is that I LOVE THIS VERSION. It's well written with loads of surprises and secrets. The plot is mind blowing with just the right amount of darkness in this fantasy romance!
Siren is a story about Davina, a beautiful Siren; and Dagen, a hot Viking who oozes sex appeal. Dagen has his reasons to enter the mysterious island of Lacuna but is later captured by Davina and her sisters for trespassing. Naturally, the sisters are determined to find out his motive especially Davina, who is intrigued by Dagen's loyalty.
When his true motives are revealed, Davina swears to take revenge for it. Her anger combining with their sexual tension makes their connection a more intense one; eventually turning into something sinister.. 🔥
“I want you for eternity,” I reply, moving my face so that he has to peer down at me. “Because you know you can’t die without me.”
Highly addictive, 5 stars!! I would totally recommend reading it at one go 😂
November 11, 2020
3,5 stars
soooo... I liked it but didn't love it as I hoped!!
I think my main issue is with pacing, it makes it hard to be more involved with the story...
this book has one of the things I dislike in books but I didn't mind it much.. there is also a twist I didn't see coming which was amazing and I do like the unique take on little mermaid..
I think if you are looking for a darker retelling you might give this a chance...
soooo... I liked it but didn't love it as I hoped!!
I think my main issue is with pacing, it makes it hard to be more involved with the story...
this book has one of the things I dislike in books but I didn't mind it much.. there is also a twist I didn't see coming which was amazing and I do like the unique take on little mermaid..
I think if you are looking for a darker retelling you might give this a chance...
January 20, 2020
This was an okay read for me. This book was part of a series of standalone dark fairy tale reads and this one was a take on
"The Little Mermaid"
. This was my first time reading this author. This book was long and drawn out and although I thought about quitting but I didn't. Davina is a siren daughter of Titan. This book turned into a love triangle between Darvina and her best friend Tobias and Dagen who is a hot sexy viking. I felt that this book could have been a lot shorter. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling.
February 26, 2020
Well that was disappointing...........
Siren by Hazel Grace tells the story of.....? Honestly I'm not even sure what the point of this book was. And honestly that was really disappointing for a number of reasons.
1st because the beginning was really intriguing! Sirens, capture, a human doing the unthinkable and saving the day!
2nd because SIRENS! Who also have powers! How cool is that!
3rd. Well I mean who doesn't love a good little mermaid with a twist story.
Instead what we get is a really good prologue and then the story just meanders for a really long time. I guess the main reason I lost interest is because for whatever the reason I just wasn't invested in the romance. This usually never happens to me but honestly I really wanted it to be between Tobias (who was not the intended male lead) and Davina our female lead. Instead we get the romance between Dagon? and Davina. Which for whatever reason I was just not that invested in. I also was really bummed that for a book called Siren Davina and her sisters never really did much siren type things.
All in all I found this book pretty boring but what got 3 stars was the fact that for once the female characters were actually stronger than the male lead! I loved that so that what the 3 stars is for.
Siren by Hazel Grace tells the story of.....? Honestly I'm not even sure what the point of this book was. And honestly that was really disappointing for a number of reasons.
1st because the beginning was really intriguing! Sirens, capture, a human doing the unthinkable and saving the day!
2nd because SIRENS! Who also have powers! How cool is that!
3rd. Well I mean who doesn't love a good little mermaid with a twist story.
Instead what we get is a really good prologue and then the story just meanders for a really long time. I guess the main reason I lost interest is because for whatever the reason I just wasn't invested in the romance. This usually never happens to me but honestly I really wanted it to be between Tobias (who was not the intended male lead) and Davina our female lead. Instead we get the romance between Dagon? and Davina. Which for whatever reason I was just not that invested in. I also was really bummed that for a book called Siren Davina and her sisters never really did much siren type things.
All in all I found this book pretty boring but what got 3 stars was the fact that for once the female characters were actually stronger than the male lead! I loved that so that what the 3 stars is for.
February 4, 2020
Well, I want to have nothing but good things to say about this book. I am new to Hazel Grace, but have been following the Sinister Fairy Tales Collection from book 1. This is a different take on this fairy tale for sure. While over all I enjoyed the story I struggled reading it. I just couldn't get into it as much as other books.
I did enjoy the unique characters. They were each well written. The over all writing was also very good. For me it was just a little slow moving.
I did enjoy the unique characters. They were each well written. The over all writing was also very good. For me it was just a little slow moving.
January 7, 2020
The Sinister Fairy Tale Collection is a collection of fairy tale retellings with a dark and sinister spin. Out of the ten books in this collection, there are three that have my attention the most and Siren is at the top of that list.
About Siren:
Three years ago, Davina made a deal with the sea witch to protect her people with an island invisible to those who don't carry the gift. In doing so, she rightfully handed over the one thing she cherished most of all. Her voice. Davina may be the youngest siren of the seven and she may not have a voice, but appearances are often at times deceiving.
Now the barriers have been broken and not only one man but two men walk the beaches of Lacuna. One man is the trusted best friend of Davina while the other man is an intruding viking. One man wants her heart and the other man is willing to steal it right from her.
While the sisters are ready to due away with the outsiders, Davina holds them close. For they are the key to finding out the truth of it all. But when hearts start to get mixed up in all the chaos. Davina, Tobias, and Dagen are all about to learn what playing with fire truly means.
My Thoughts:
Usually when I hear of an author retelling this iconic fairy tale, I tend to roll my eyes and move it right along. But something in my heart and in my head wouldn't let me pass up a retelling of The Little Mermaid. As a kid, I loved this fairy tale. At times I often dreamed of being a mermaid. In fact, my parents used to call me a water baby because I practically lived in the water, whether it be a bathtub, a swimming pool, or a lake/pond/ocean, I would be in it. I thought the more time I spent in the water the more my mermaid powers would develop... oh to be five years old again. Being a fan of a classic fairy tale has it's downsides when experiencing a fairy tale retelling. As a reader I'm either going to love what the author did to the fairy tale, or I'm going to completely despise what I just read. There is rarely any room for an in between moment. With that being said, Siren was a fantastic read! Hazel Grace had the ability to take a fairy tale which I loved as a child and made me love it even more as an adult.
Hazel Grace is a new to me author, so going into this novel I had no clue what to expect. At times I was completely stunned by the twists and overwhelmed by the turns. I found myself even tearing up towards the end. I really started to love and get attached to these characters. Hazel Grace definitely knows her way around writing an intense and dark romance. I loved the suspense and the romance. I loved the forbidden vibes and the fact that this novel is so damn unpredictable.
Davina is a force to be reckoned with! I loved her fire throughout this whole novel. I loved her insane independence and her willingness to protect her people at all costs. I also loved the endless banter between her and her sisters. But what I loved most was the darkness Davina and her sisters brought to the table!
Overall, Siren was the perfect read to start out 2020! I am STUNNED to say I loved this book so damn much. I can't believe I already have a favorite of 2020! I was expecting to go into this book and rate it a four star by the end but Hazel Grace came and did the damn thing!!! I loved every piece of Davina's story! There is a remarkable sense of power flowing through the pages of this one!!
________________
Find me here:
The Staircase Reader
June 20, 2020
“You’re going to be the death of me,” he utters between kisses. “And I can’t think of a better way to die.”
After discovering this collection of dark retellings of classic fairytales through The Cold Queen, I knew the next one I would get lost in would be Siren. I didn’t know this author but I did know my love & fascination with all things mermaids (I mean the entire front of my thigh is covered with a large Ariel tattoo lol), made this feel like something made for someone like me. I let it simmer on my Kindle for 2ish weeks waiting on the perfect time, and when that time came I was anxious to get lost in a new adult (& hopefully deliciously dark) version of one of my all time fav Disney classics. If only the first half had been as good as the second half or that it didn’t feel so unintentionally like a love triangle that resulted in me being unable to believe in the couple being sold as in love....
.....there were so many devour-worthy elements, but those elements weren’t enough to save it from its 2 star rating......
Book Facts:
Told in: Multi-POV from Davina, Dagen, & Tobias, with a prologue set in the past.
About: This is part of the Sinister Fairytales Collection, a multi-author collection of stand-alone dark retellings of classic fairytales. Siren is the adult version of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid, with some of the same loosely based characters BUT with a totally different spin of the story we know. It’s an enemies to lovers, slow building, angsty, & steamy romance.
Triggers: Some graphic violence/torture.
Ends in: HEA for couple with extended epilogue.
The Main Players:
Davina: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Davina is a siren, the daughter of King Triton and granddaughter of Poseidon, the youngest of seven sisters but the one with the most power. She has sacrificed a lot to keep her sisters safe and allow them the safe haven on the island of Lacuna, she’s also the most rebellious of them as well. Her best friend is a human, Tobias, who brings her trinkets and treasures from his voyages at sea to add to her collection. When Dagen trespasses on their island, she finds herself both intrigued and attracted to him in ways she hasn’t felt before. She is curious, patient, trusting, & independent, but she can be vengeful and hot-tempered when pushed. I was fascinated by Davina but I didn’t have any sort of connection with her.
Dagen: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dagen is a feared Viking warrior, the son of a great leader and next in line for his “kingdom”, on a mission to the mysterious island of Lacuna that results in him being captured by the seven siren sisters. He is instantly drawn in by the allure and beauty of the sirens, but something about Davina makes her the one he can’t seem to get out of his mind. His mission to escape off the island and get back to his people is soon clouded by his desire to stay with Davina. He is a typical Viking male....strong, dominant, loyal, and brawny. But he is no match for the sisters. I really liked Dagen, he was my favorite of the MCs BUT I also failed to connect with him.
Tobias: ⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Tobias is an orphan who has grown up on the sea, resulting in him being called the Prince of the Black Sea, who has made it his life mission to protect Davina & her sisters at any cost and search for his brother he believes is still alive. He is Davina’s best friend after fate brought them together as children and the only human that is allowed on Lacuna. He loves Davina and always has, hoping that one day they can be together. He is protective, loyal, determined, and sometimes clingy. I felt like I connected to Tobias more BUT his desperation and inability to stop being so desperate kind of ruined it for me.
What I liked:
World/Character Building: She does a really great job at building up both the world this story resides in and the characters who play their roles within it. Describing how each sister looks is amazing bc as mermaids, there are so many different versions my mind could have latched onto. We get to see their strengths and their weaknesses as well. I love the elements it takes from the classic fairytale but also how different she makes it. Even the differences are things that wouldn’t be things you would ever think up on your own.
Twist Execution: It was pretty evident what a big piece of the “twist” would be early on (I’m talking by Chapter 2-3 territory) but even so, the way she executes the twist and everything that happens afterwards was one of my favorite things of the entire book. There are so many layers within the one “truth” there is no way you won’t be surprised by something.
The Second Half: In all the ways the first half failed pretty miserably, the second half more than made up for it with how entertaining and intense it was. It’s as if any entirely different author wrote it. I loved pretty much every aspect of the second half.
What I didn’t:
The Pace (first half): This book DRAGS.....
....god it drags. I honestly can’t think of a book that I’ve finished that I was this miserable with the pace for as long as I was with this one. The plot was literally stuck in one place with nothing new really coming into the picture just different actions with the same results. It resulted in a lot of fluff, a ton of repetition, and a miserable amount of boring reading. What it lacked was anything related to the romance aspect of a romance book......I’m talking no physical/steam interaction or deeper emotional connection, just intrigue from a distance. I still can’t believe I made it through.
The Whole (“not a”) Love Triangle: This isn’t advertised as a love triangle and by the definition of some I guess it isn’t. But I consider a love triangle to be when there is a single heroine that is the love interest of two different male “lead” characters and never tells one in a clear way she isn’t interested romantically. She loves them both but aside from a physical relationship with Dagen, there was never a point it was made clear the other was more friendship. Her saying things like this.....
“I was afraid if you would’ve kissed me that you would own a piece of me that I’d never get back,” she continues then she sniffles and breaks into a sob. “But you did that anyway. I may have not shown it, but you were that person for me.....”
.....its no wonder Tobias couldn’t seem to get the hint bc there wasn’t one.
It just resulted in some terrible issues for me.
Believability of Love: This is a direct result of the above. I couldn’t believe in HER love towards Dagen, at least not the kind of love that leads to a true HEA. No time was spent actually developing it in the first half, and then the whole triangle issue. You cannot love another man (no matter how much he means to you or what he’s done for you) as much as you love the man you want to marry and spend the rest of your life with.....
I love Tobias and Dagen differently and entirely with every inch of my whole mind, soul, and heart. I’m not capable nor would I ever pick one over the other.
......there was no point in this book I felt she loved Dagen, instead it felt she had a sexual attraction to him and called it love. This may be the most unbelievable love I’ve read about, at the very least it’s part of the worst 3.
The Verdict:
If the first half had been like the last this would be an easy absolutely....however that isn’t what happened and it’s really hard to get through for even the most determined reader. That paired with how ridiculously unbelievable the whole “love story” is, I’m not sure that the positives I had can make this one I’m confident in recommending. This is going to have to sadly be a no for me, BUT if you want to completely ignore me and dive in anyways just hold out for the brighter days of the last 50%.....you are going to need it to get you there.
“What else, Viking?” “I love you, Blood. That’s all there is to know.”
After discovering this collection of dark retellings of classic fairytales through The Cold Queen, I knew the next one I would get lost in would be Siren. I didn’t know this author but I did know my love & fascination with all things mermaids (I mean the entire front of my thigh is covered with a large Ariel tattoo lol), made this feel like something made for someone like me. I let it simmer on my Kindle for 2ish weeks waiting on the perfect time, and when that time came I was anxious to get lost in a new adult (& hopefully deliciously dark) version of one of my all time fav Disney classics. If only the first half had been as good as the second half or that it didn’t feel so unintentionally like a love triangle that resulted in me being unable to believe in the couple being sold as in love....
.....there were so many devour-worthy elements, but those elements weren’t enough to save it from its 2 star rating......
Book Facts:
Told in: Multi-POV from Davina, Dagen, & Tobias, with a prologue set in the past.
About: This is part of the Sinister Fairytales Collection, a multi-author collection of stand-alone dark retellings of classic fairytales. Siren is the adult version of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid, with some of the same loosely based characters BUT with a totally different spin of the story we know. It’s an enemies to lovers, slow building, angsty, & steamy romance.
Triggers: Some graphic violence/torture.
Ends in: HEA for couple with extended epilogue.
The Main Players:
Davina: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Davina is a siren, the daughter of King Triton and granddaughter of Poseidon, the youngest of seven sisters but the one with the most power. She has sacrificed a lot to keep her sisters safe and allow them the safe haven on the island of Lacuna, she’s also the most rebellious of them as well. Her best friend is a human, Tobias, who brings her trinkets and treasures from his voyages at sea to add to her collection. When Dagen trespasses on their island, she finds herself both intrigued and attracted to him in ways she hasn’t felt before. She is curious, patient, trusting, & independent, but she can be vengeful and hot-tempered when pushed. I was fascinated by Davina but I didn’t have any sort of connection with her.
Dagen: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dagen is a feared Viking warrior, the son of a great leader and next in line for his “kingdom”, on a mission to the mysterious island of Lacuna that results in him being captured by the seven siren sisters. He is instantly drawn in by the allure and beauty of the sirens, but something about Davina makes her the one he can’t seem to get out of his mind. His mission to escape off the island and get back to his people is soon clouded by his desire to stay with Davina. He is a typical Viking male....strong, dominant, loyal, and brawny. But he is no match for the sisters. I really liked Dagen, he was my favorite of the MCs BUT I also failed to connect with him.
Tobias: ⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Tobias is an orphan who has grown up on the sea, resulting in him being called the Prince of the Black Sea, who has made it his life mission to protect Davina & her sisters at any cost and search for his brother he believes is still alive. He is Davina’s best friend after fate brought them together as children and the only human that is allowed on Lacuna. He loves Davina and always has, hoping that one day they can be together. He is protective, loyal, determined, and sometimes clingy. I felt like I connected to Tobias more BUT his desperation and inability to stop being so desperate kind of ruined it for me.
What I liked:
World/Character Building: She does a really great job at building up both the world this story resides in and the characters who play their roles within it. Describing how each sister looks is amazing bc as mermaids, there are so many different versions my mind could have latched onto. We get to see their strengths and their weaknesses as well. I love the elements it takes from the classic fairytale but also how different she makes it. Even the differences are things that wouldn’t be things you would ever think up on your own.
Twist Execution: It was pretty evident what a big piece of the “twist” would be early on (I’m talking by Chapter 2-3 territory) but even so, the way she executes the twist and everything that happens afterwards was one of my favorite things of the entire book. There are so many layers within the one “truth” there is no way you won’t be surprised by something.
The Second Half: In all the ways the first half failed pretty miserably, the second half more than made up for it with how entertaining and intense it was. It’s as if any entirely different author wrote it. I loved pretty much every aspect of the second half.
What I didn’t:
The Pace (first half): This book DRAGS.....
....god it drags. I honestly can’t think of a book that I’ve finished that I was this miserable with the pace for as long as I was with this one. The plot was literally stuck in one place with nothing new really coming into the picture just different actions with the same results. It resulted in a lot of fluff, a ton of repetition, and a miserable amount of boring reading. What it lacked was anything related to the romance aspect of a romance book......I’m talking no physical/steam interaction or deeper emotional connection, just intrigue from a distance. I still can’t believe I made it through.
The Whole (“not a”) Love Triangle: This isn’t advertised as a love triangle and by the definition of some I guess it isn’t. But I consider a love triangle to be when there is a single heroine that is the love interest of two different male “lead” characters and never tells one in a clear way she isn’t interested romantically. She loves them both but aside from a physical relationship with Dagen, there was never a point it was made clear the other was more friendship. Her saying things like this.....
“I was afraid if you would’ve kissed me that you would own a piece of me that I’d never get back,” she continues then she sniffles and breaks into a sob. “But you did that anyway. I may have not shown it, but you were that person for me.....”
.....its no wonder Tobias couldn’t seem to get the hint bc there wasn’t one.
It just resulted in some terrible issues for me.
Believability of Love: This is a direct result of the above. I couldn’t believe in HER love towards Dagen, at least not the kind of love that leads to a true HEA. No time was spent actually developing it in the first half, and then the whole triangle issue. You cannot love another man (no matter how much he means to you or what he’s done for you) as much as you love the man you want to marry and spend the rest of your life with.....
I love Tobias and Dagen differently and entirely with every inch of my whole mind, soul, and heart. I’m not capable nor would I ever pick one over the other.
......there was no point in this book I felt she loved Dagen, instead it felt she had a sexual attraction to him and called it love. This may be the most unbelievable love I’ve read about, at the very least it’s part of the worst 3.
The Verdict:
If the first half had been like the last this would be an easy absolutely....however that isn’t what happened and it’s really hard to get through for even the most determined reader. That paired with how ridiculously unbelievable the whole “love story” is, I’m not sure that the positives I had can make this one I’m confident in recommending. This is going to have to sadly be a no for me, BUT if you want to completely ignore me and dive in anyways just hold out for the brighter days of the last 50%.....you are going to need it to get you there.
“What else, Viking?” “I love you, Blood. That’s all there is to know.”
January 6, 2020
Siren is no Disney remake. This one is dark and more bloody. After being stuck on an island with only one human and her sisters as company, Davina finds a Viking. This is no ordinary Viking. Dagen is mean, blood thirsty, and ruthless. Except he can't help but crush on Davina. Dark secrets, lies, and torture, Siren has it all.
I enjoyed Davina and Dagen. Tobias was a little annoying to me. Davina is pretty badass. She's tough and not afraid to do what she must to get the answers she needs. Dagen is a true Viking, he's loyal and ruthless. Neither expected the attraction nor the bond. When secrets are revealed their newfound love is tested.
Now while I enjoyed some of Siren. I did think it was a bit too long winded at times. I found myself skimming some pages. Some parts held my interest while other parts did not. Overall, it was enjoyable.
I enjoyed Davina and Dagen. Tobias was a little annoying to me. Davina is pretty badass. She's tough and not afraid to do what she must to get the answers she needs. Dagen is a true Viking, he's loyal and ruthless. Neither expected the attraction nor the bond. When secrets are revealed their newfound love is tested.
Now while I enjoyed some of Siren. I did think it was a bit too long winded at times. I found myself skimming some pages. Some parts held my interest while other parts did not. Overall, it was enjoyable.
July 27, 2020
You ever read a book, and are just so completely consumed, that you just cant let it go?
Siren is that book for me!!!! I cant let it go. I will not let it go!!!
Grace writes such an amazing adventure with Siren. My expectations were shattered. My heart was decimated. I smiled. I laughed. I cried. I shouted. I begged for more.
I'm still begging for more. That's how much this story means to me. It is by far my favorite of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection.
The twists she came up with for this retelling are superb. The details are spectacular. The world is AH-MAZING!!! The characters are so perfect.
Grace has outshined all her other books.
This is a book that's highly addicting.
Siren is that book for me!!!! I cant let it go. I will not let it go!!!
Grace writes such an amazing adventure with Siren. My expectations were shattered. My heart was decimated. I smiled. I laughed. I cried. I shouted. I begged for more.
I'm still begging for more. That's how much this story means to me. It is by far my favorite of the Sinister Fairy Tale Collection.
The twists she came up with for this retelling are superb. The details are spectacular. The world is AH-MAZING!!! The characters are so perfect.
Grace has outshined all her other books.
This is a book that's highly addicting.
January 11, 2020
3.5 stars
Slow paced and a lot of pushing and pulling without getting to the point.
It felt like the author just wanted to fill the pages with the same words over and over.
It’s an overall good tale but I feel it could have been told with less words. I wasn’t wholly captivated by the story.
Slow paced and a lot of pushing and pulling without getting to the point.
It felt like the author just wanted to fill the pages with the same words over and over.
It’s an overall good tale but I feel it could have been told with less words. I wasn’t wholly captivated by the story.
January 8, 2020
When Dagen happens upon an island, he learns he shouldn't be there, shouldn't even be able to see this island. And its inhabitants make it known he's an invasive, unwanted being. But out of all the lovely mermaid sisters who come to taunt him, there's one who instantly stands out - Davina, the redhead siren who will soon come to hold his heart in her sly little hands.
If you're looking for a sweet but modern take on The Little Mermaid, move on, because Siren isn't sweet. Nope. It's a bit twisted and dark, and Davina and her sisters aren't sweet and innocent like Ariel. They're literally sirens, the 7 princess daughters of King Triton. Davina and Dagen (and Tobias') story is certainly an inventive retelling of The Little Mermaid. I really liked it and have found in Hazel a great new author!
ARC via Enticing Journey Book Promotions for an honest review.
Review & Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
August 8, 2020
What a fantastic addition to the Sinister Fairytales!
This was the retelling of The Little Mermaid but you can throw all that you remember out the window because this is a wildly different tale. It was imaginative, the world that Ms. Grace create was unique and was really well planned out. Davina is our Ariel, a mermaid, and a siren. She is on the perfect island for Sirens but it came with a price. No one but a Siren is allowed to enter and she can never leave. But there is an exception to the no one being allowed to enter and that would be her best friend Tobias and then later the Viking, Dagen.
There is not really an explanation for why they can enter through the veil that protects the island but Davina and her sisters are bound to find out. The sisters are all fierce and have different powers that make them dangerous. They were all well fleshed out and added to the dynamic of the story. The mystery of why the two men can enter the island is the basis for this story and getting to the why's even took me by surprise.
Davina and Dagen make for high octane chemistry. They do try to kill each other a few times, they lie and fight but they also have this draw that can't be denied. I really enjoyed all the pieces of this story, the characters, the setting, and the twists. It was dark and delicious, it was a little bit long but can be transformed into a series if the author wishes. There are number of other sisters who need to find their people.
January 3, 2020
***4 ‘Blood’ Stars***
This is definitely NOT the animated princess of the sea who wanted more, but this is definitely more and it was all kinds of crazy fun, with a good dose of dark thrown into the mix and a small hope that we will visit this world again.
Our ‘little mermaid’ is all kinds of fierce. She will do anything to protect those she loves, even if it goes against the grain. And then there is her ‘prince’ he may just be a little more blood thirsty ~ in certain ways ~ but he is charming, sneaky and when his heart is exposed, is even more lethal. As for their journey to their HEA...I really enjoyed watching as they danced around and towards each other. What started as...fascination soon bloomed into so much more, even when things went sideways ~ or at least more sideways than things already were between them. But the chemistry between them was intense from the start and I loved how everything turned out for them.
Siren is my first read by the author and I really enjoyed it. The writing was engaging and the first person POV’s were done well, there were some parts that did drag for me, but overall the pacing was good. The twists and turns were all well done, some I definitely didn’t see coming, and I liked how it all worked out. As for the supporting cast of characters, all were well crafted and have me wanting to revisit this world and get to know them all whole lot better!
~ Copy provided by EJBP & voluntarily reviewed ~
This is definitely NOT the animated princess of the sea who wanted more, but this is definitely more and it was all kinds of crazy fun, with a good dose of dark thrown into the mix and a small hope that we will visit this world again.
Our ‘little mermaid’ is all kinds of fierce. She will do anything to protect those she loves, even if it goes against the grain. And then there is her ‘prince’ he may just be a little more blood thirsty ~ in certain ways ~ but he is charming, sneaky and when his heart is exposed, is even more lethal. As for their journey to their HEA...I really enjoyed watching as they danced around and towards each other. What started as...fascination soon bloomed into so much more, even when things went sideways ~ or at least more sideways than things already were between them. But the chemistry between them was intense from the start and I loved how everything turned out for them.
Siren is my first read by the author and I really enjoyed it. The writing was engaging and the first person POV’s were done well, there were some parts that did drag for me, but overall the pacing was good. The twists and turns were all well done, some I definitely didn’t see coming, and I liked how it all worked out. As for the supporting cast of characters, all were well crafted and have me wanting to revisit this world and get to know them all whole lot better!
~ Copy provided by EJBP & voluntarily reviewed ~
January 5, 2020
Well, I don't think this fairytale will ever be the same again... I've mentioned I am not a fairytale child, well I never really was but, of course, I knew them this tale... The Little Mermaid. I went into this not knowing what to expect.. This is my first book by this author, and I can tell you now that it won't be my last. Well, Hazel Grace threw me into what would have to one of the best retellings in this series so far and I know I keep saying that, but with each book I read the more shocked and in awe I become. The characters and the character build-up was phenomenal.
A few things remained similar to the actual fairytale. Davina who was inspired by Ariel, the main character has her sisters, and they were all unique in their own way and all brought something important to the story.
This story toyed with my emotions a little too and I was not expecting that, and I may or may not have teared up throughout the retelling. It also had me on the edge of my seat, completely fixated on how the Siren had two men more or less spellbound and completely enchanted.
This read was one story that I won't be forgetting any time soon and I will be going back and re-reading. I hoping that there is more to the story... I'm willing to beg for more!
5 Stars
A few things remained similar to the actual fairytale. Davina who was inspired by Ariel, the main character has her sisters, and they were all unique in their own way and all brought something important to the story.
This story toyed with my emotions a little too and I was not expecting that, and I may or may not have teared up throughout the retelling. It also had me on the edge of my seat, completely fixated on how the Siren had two men more or less spellbound and completely enchanted.
This read was one story that I won't be forgetting any time soon and I will be going back and re-reading. I hoping that there is more to the story... I'm willing to beg for more!
5 Stars
January 2, 2020
"You might want to keep your distance, Blood,"...'It's not a smart idea for you to get too close to me."
Siren is a fantastic, enchanting and dark re-telling of The Little Mermaid. Take everything you know about Ariel and chuck it out the window. Davina, she is the star of this book, along with her sisters, Dagen, and Tobias. I am addicted and want more!!!
There were so many incredible moments in this book. The relationship and banter between Davina and the other Princesses of Lacuna is so funny and a completely sister thing to do. The other characters are written so well, they pop off the screen and it’s easy to visualize what is happening as you read it.
Hazel Grace continues to surprise me with her books. She makes me long for more and I don’t know how she does it, but she does. She has made me laugh, cry, flat out swoon, and had complete emotional annihilation. Yet, I still come back for more.
Pick up Siren and continue with the rest of the ‘Sinister Fairytale Collections’ series. You won’t be disappointed!!
Siren is a fantastic, enchanting and dark re-telling of The Little Mermaid. Take everything you know about Ariel and chuck it out the window. Davina, she is the star of this book, along with her sisters, Dagen, and Tobias. I am addicted and want more!!!
There were so many incredible moments in this book. The relationship and banter between Davina and the other Princesses of Lacuna is so funny and a completely sister thing to do. The other characters are written so well, they pop off the screen and it’s easy to visualize what is happening as you read it.
Hazel Grace continues to surprise me with her books. She makes me long for more and I don’t know how she does it, but she does. She has made me laugh, cry, flat out swoon, and had complete emotional annihilation. Yet, I still come back for more.
Pick up Siren and continue with the rest of the ‘Sinister Fairytale Collections’ series. You won’t be disappointed!!
November 30, 2020
This book is part of the Sinister Fairytales Collection and it's a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid.
But before you think it's a very often told story, the author wrote it a little bit different, adding pirates, Vikings, witches and a beautiful love triangle story to the mix.
I love this amazing book 😍❤
I laughed, screamed and cried 😭 reading this fascinating book.
The story is dark, but with enough humor to take the edge off.
I love the sirens and their devilish characters. Yes, they are 7 siren sisters in that book and everyone of them has different powers.
They are hilarious and... deadly,
you just have to love them 😈
This book is gripping, suspenseful, sexy and definitely a page-turner.
I was constant wondering what happens next.
I love retellings and this one was definitely one of the best.
A lot of people writes about the slow beginning, but I loved the slow fascinating and exciting introduction to this exciting world 🤷🏻♀️
And when you've read over the 30% mark, the events overturn so fast, that you're unable to take a break.
But before you think it's a very often told story, the author wrote it a little bit different, adding pirates, Vikings, witches and a beautiful love triangle story to the mix.
I love this amazing book 😍❤
I laughed, screamed and cried 😭 reading this fascinating book.
The story is dark, but with enough humor to take the edge off.
I love the sirens and their devilish characters. Yes, they are 7 siren sisters in that book and everyone of them has different powers.
They are hilarious and... deadly,
you just have to love them 😈
This book is gripping, suspenseful, sexy and definitely a page-turner.
I was constant wondering what happens next.
I love retellings and this one was definitely one of the best.
A lot of people writes about the slow beginning, but I loved the slow fascinating and exciting introduction to this exciting world 🤷🏻♀️
And when you've read over the 30% mark, the events overturn so fast, that you're unable to take a break.
January 9, 2020
So , if you hadn’t figure it out on your own yet, Siren is part of the Dark Fairy Retelling's, and it is based off of The Little Mermaid! So, that along made me want to read Hazel's work.
This book was addicting and it certainly grabbed my attention.
Davina, our main female character, wanted to protect her family, and decided to go to the sea witch to garner some help in keeping those she loves, out of harms way. The sea witch decides she wanted to cut a deal. &What the sea witch wanted from her in return, was her voice.
Davina decides to go through with it, and in turn her kingdom will be protected.
But, Davina was not a character who wanted to follow the rules to 100%, and she yearned to know what was out there...on land.
Will she choose Tobias or Dagen? Well...you will have to read the book to find that one out!
All in all, this was a great retelling! So, if you grew up as a fan of The Little Mermaid, I think that this story will be a really get selection for you to read!
This book was addicting and it certainly grabbed my attention.
Davina, our main female character, wanted to protect her family, and decided to go to the sea witch to garner some help in keeping those she loves, out of harms way. The sea witch decides she wanted to cut a deal. &What the sea witch wanted from her in return, was her voice.
Davina decides to go through with it, and in turn her kingdom will be protected.
But, Davina was not a character who wanted to follow the rules to 100%, and she yearned to know what was out there...on land.
Will she choose Tobias or Dagen? Well...you will have to read the book to find that one out!
All in all, this was a great retelling! So, if you grew up as a fan of The Little Mermaid, I think that this story will be a really get selection for you to read!
January 5, 2020
This is a retelling of The Little Mermaid. Now take everything you know about that and throw it out the window. I tried to enjoy this story, but it fell short for me, I hate it when I feel that way about a book. I couldn't get behind the storyline and the main characters... I guess I was expecting something a little darker.
There were things I did like. I liked how Davina communicated, and how loyal she was to her family. She proves time and time again she will do anything for them. Dagen's character was tall dark, and loved his sex dark and gritty. Her sisters helped the story flow, and they definitely keep Dagen on his toes. Let's not forget her best friend Tobias and the mystery that surround him and Dagen...........
There were things I did like. I liked how Davina communicated, and how loyal she was to her family. She proves time and time again she will do anything for them. Dagen's character was tall dark, and loved his sex dark and gritty. Her sisters helped the story flow, and they definitely keep Dagen on his toes. Let's not forget her best friend Tobias and the mystery that surround him and Dagen...........
January 7, 2020
Siren, the latest novel in the Sinister Fairytales Collection is a dark retelling of The Little Mermaid, however the author has taken it in an entirely different direction including pirates and viking into the story. The first half of the book I felt was a bit slow however the second half was excellent and I'm so glad I stuck with it. This second half was fast paced, action-packed and steamy with twists and turns you won't see coming. With an intriguing cast of characters, and a unique storyline this novel was a great addition to this collection and I would recommend it to all lovers of dark fairytale retellings.
January 7, 2020
This book does not leave you wanting more because it's a brilliant take on the little mermaid. It is dark, twisted a bloody. I couldn't help but be captivated and quickly turning the page to see what would happen between Davina and Dagen next. Hazel has created a brilliant story within this island setting. A great addition to this collection.
**reviewed by Codie**
**reviewed by Codie**
Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews