WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU KNEW ABOUT YOURSELF WAS A LIE?
Melusine Doré is as practiced at guarding a secret as she is at wielding a weapon. Yet her past refuses to stay buried. Her worst fears are realized when Melusine and her companion, Levi, get called to hunt a beast in her birthplace of Malheur. The second she sets foot on her native soil, nothing proceeds as she planned: a beautiful tinker sets her sights on Levi, a gentle monster kills for sport, and an admission of love becomes a betrayal. Melusine comes face to face with the lies of her family’s past—and a truth that could destroy her.
Adventure number two in the Clockwork Siren series, Submerged takes us from the muddy trenches of steampunk Chicago to the sticky swamps of Louisiana to the slippery side of love.
Katie grew up in Racine, Wisconsin where she acquired an irreversible nasal twang and an addiction for books with a slightly dark edge. She now lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband, two daughters, and a very fuzzy cat. She has been an avid reader of YA fiction for years. While she has a penchant for the paranormal, she devours a range of books -- along with popcorn and black licorice. She consumes all three in large quantities. Luckily, the books don't stay on her hips.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so once I heard about the sequel it didn't take me long to grab my copy. Submerged is a great sequel, although it doesn't quite live up the awesomeness that was the first book. It continues the story of Mel and Levi and a new adventure. They have to kill a creature in the swamps where Melusine grew up which means facing her past.
The story was interesting, we find some answers about Melusine her past and we learn more about the characters. The pace was done well and there are more new monsters to find, but it just lacked something that the first book did have. It was still a great book, don't get me wrong and definitely worth the read, but I enjoyed it less than the first book. The book did keep my attention and flowed well and the plot was interesting. I liked the tidbits we learned of Melusine her past and her family and it all made more sense in this book as we learn the pieces we still missed after the first book.
One of the things that bothered me a bit was Melusine her jealousy and the added drama, yeah I understand why that played a part and Levi was being charming and nice to the other female, but it just got a bit too much focus. It felt like there were quite some scenes around that and while I know it had a purpose, I still wasn't a fan of it. There is a bit of competition and animosity between the two females and I didn't quite like it.
Melusine and Levi are still their awesome fighting selves, taking down monsters, but also being considerate about which monsters they killed. They aren't heartless killer and only kill when they have to. I did feel their connection and romance a bit less in this book, which was a shame. Probably in part due to the whole jealousy issue that plays a role in this book. Some jumping to conclusions and that leaving less space for them to just be together.
This book definitely adds some interesting pieces of world building, some about the monsters they encounter n this book and some about Melusine her past and it added something to the series in those terms. We also get a new setting in this book namely the swamp instead of muddy Chicago. While I liked seeing a different setting I thought the Chicago history and setting was more interesting. In this book there is less focus on the setting.
To summarize: Submerged was a great sequel, although not as good as the first book. It continues the plot and we learn new things, mainly about Melusine and her past. However there was some more focus on another female and Melusine being jealous and it just didn't quite do it for me. I did understand why the author put that part in the story, but I just didn't like that part. I also felt the romance less as there is less focus on the romance and having them spent time together in this book. The world building adds some interesting pieces, but wasn't as exciting as in the first book when we just got introduced to this world.
Melusine Doré is back and she’s badder than ever. Slaying monsters is sweeter this time around because Levi is by her side with a little less bickering and wrangling. While Mel (yeah we’re tight like that) has had her “happily ever after” in book 1 (Immersed), it seems to be short-lived when doubts cripple their relationship. The fear of the curse returning hangs heavily over Mel’s head and it’s causing a rift. Add a seductive vixen into the mix and you get a volatile love triangle of some sort.
But enough about the shaky relationship.
Submerged is much more than that.
This is Mel’s unravelling. There’s this part of her that’s come undone because there’s this nagging fear that seems to be magnified the closer she gets to the truth about herself.
I am completely in awe of how the character is presented – a strong female on the outside, but on the verge of falling apart on the inside.
“What if everything you knew about yourself was a lie?” says the blurb.
In this 2nd volume we travel to Louisiana where Mel and Levi are called to hunt a mer-creature attacking people in the swamp. Mel is forced to return home and confront the demons of the past when it becomes apparent that her witch mother may be behind the creature. Ans if that wasn't bad enough the sexy land lady of the boarding house has set her cap to Levi and being such a ladies man, can he resist?
While I didn't think this was as good as book 1 there's still plenty to enjoy. I like the emotionally charged back stories of our two protagonists and the story was such that it did a nice job of exploring this.
Same criticisms of Immersed: Would have liked more from Levi's POV, more mermaid action and more fleshed out love scenes. I would also like to have seen a bit more steampunk/tech - which we lose once the witch plot finally kicks in.
Otherwise a big thumbs up from me - glorious cover backed up by a wonderful world with strong characters and interesting mermaid lore/creatures.
While I still enjoyed it, I thought the execution of the ending could have been done better. I did enjoy that her and Fortune acknowledged each other in the end and that there were no hard feelings.
Men so dense is irritating. How can he not tell that Mel is getting upset day by day? And the way he fell for that girls naivety who wouldn't get upset.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like women vs. women stories, so this was difficult for me. Sad, too, because the subplot about Mel's family was actually pretty good. Getting there was the hard part. Luckily another quick read!
In this installment of the Clockwork Siren Series, Melusine and Levi are off to Louisiana, Melusine's home town after a Swamp creature. Where she faces her haunting past and finds out the truth about her curse. But first she has to try to put a stop to the rumors of her being a sea monster. And she makes it happen in a very vivid way for Victorian Chicago. The stunt she pulls is classic "I am woman, hear me roar! "When is Sir Edwin going to learn, and except that she doesn't love him. He is really getting good at being a nuisance, and this time his barbs pluck at doubt Melusine is already feeling. Levi excepts this assignment thinking they could use the time to take some heat off of Melusine, and maybe a nice ride on his father's Airship. But they get more than they bargain for when his father is also aboard the ship and they are traveling uncharted airspace. It might be the golden opportunity he needs to prove to his dad that his work as a monster hunter is valuable. In Louisiana things are absolutely way more than they seem! With Levi's attentions elsewhere Melusine faces her home alone and things get worse when she discovers she knows one of the missing victims and the victim is a witch she has seen with her mother. Investigating the victim brings more clues to the swamp creature. When Melusine confronts Levi and questions his love for her, can he convince her she is wrong and why is she turning siren again. I have no idea how this author crams so much story into all the monster chasing drama. But she gets the job done, Great read! The series gets better with every book.
This is Book 2 of the Clockwork Siren Series and I recommend that you read the first one. It's awesome. Levi has broken the curse that has plagued Melusine since her mother placed it on her after Melusine killed her father. They have now teamed up to hunt together and are in love. Melusine and Levi have taken on the job of finding out what's killing people in a swamp in Louisiana. They are headed to Melusine's hometown and she's not thrilled. She never wanted to go back to that place. Once there, they stay with a local tinker. A beautiful woman who goes after what she wants and she's set her eyes on Levi. Melusine takes off to check out her family home, to realize that no one's there and it hasn't been lived in for a long time. She has no idea what happened to either her mother or her sisters. Setting her sights on finding out what beast is living in the swamp and getting rid of it is the best plan for Melusine. Only when she confronts the beast, she is shocked to the core to discover who it is. I would definitely recommend this book and this series. It is awesome. Just as good as the first book. It leaves you wanting more, and luckily there is another book in the series to feed your need. Definitely 5 stars for me.
This is Book 2 of the Clockwork Siren Series and I recommend that you read the first one. It's awesome. Levi has broken the curse that has plagued Melusine since her mother placed it on her after Melusine killed her father. They have now teamed up to hunt together and are in love. Melusine and Levi have taken on the job of finding out what's killing people in a swamp in Louisiana. They are headed to Melusine's hometown and she's not thrilled. She never wanted to go back to that place. Once there, they stay with a local tinker. A beautiful woman who goes after what she wants and she's set her eyes on Levi. Melusine takes off to check out her family home, to realize that no one's there and it hasn't been lived in for a long time. She has no idea what happened to either her mother or her sisters. Setting her sights on finding out what beast is living in the swamp and getting rid of it is the best plan for Melusine. Only when she confronts the beast, she is shocked to the core to discover who it is. I would definitely recommend this book and this series. It is awesome. Just as good as the first book. It leaves you wanting more, and luckily there is another book in the series to feed your need. Definitely 5 stars for me.
Submerged is the latest adventure of Melusine Dore and Levi Cannon. We open to Melusine making headlines as a previous enemy (from book one of the Clockwork Siren Series) tries to stir Chicago against her. Levi Cannon is as dashingly cocky as ever. They hunt together and apart, but still find themselves romantically involved. A new threat emerges. One that calls Melusine back to Louisiana. However she avoids it, in order to move forward, there must be a reckoning. Back in Louisiana, Melusine discovers that she is not the only one vying for the handsome Levi. An old curse comes back to haunt her.
Katie Hayoz has a lovely style of writing. It's smooth and varied, but easy to follow. Her characters are complex and believable, and I love how we learn secrets from Melusine's past. Light sensual encounters and light cursing. A recommended read.
I received a copy of Submerged in exchange for an honest review.
The classy girl power theme in this trilogy is reigning on too strong. Melusine is my inner soul spirit! She's such a bad-ass and proves that women don't always need men. We need not saving, thank you very much. :) I admire this character so much, I wished she's real.
I commend Mel's conviction and self-control whenever Levi would flirt and try to seduce her. I wish Levi could've been more persistent though. I love how vivid the author described everything, it made me feel as if I am there with them. It didn't even seem like reading to me anymore, it's as if I am watching Melusine and Levi banter and fight off monsters together.
The supporting characters were okay, I guess. I mean, I always knew I would hate Edwin few pages later from Immersed. I also liked how the transitions and twists in this novel seemed very natural.
Reviewed on behalf of 2 Girls Who Love Books Blog Immersed brought you to the streets of Chicago. Submerged brings you to the depths of Louisiana. While fighting monsters both Levi and Melusine are fighting for love. Melusine has a curse on her. If she can't keep her man's love then her curse will return. She returns to LA to face her fears along with monsters. Will she be able to handle to lies and secrets that she will face upon returning home? She certainly faces more than she expects.
4 Stars!!! Katie does it again with a very well written book! Strong characters with an excellent storyline!!!
The sequel starts off with a bang. Love how all the characters be they are human or something else entirely. Mel has to being able to move on from the past. So when she returns to comfort those demons, will she grew stronger in strength? Levi is loveable guy that you can feel the connection that he has with Mel. Highly recommend the series if you are looking for a wonderful adventure to escape to. Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
I seriously love these characters. <3 The story has an entirely different feel than the first, yet is still as addictive. Can't wait to see what book 3 has in store!
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.