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Siren's Storm #1
Siren's Storm
Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident.
Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people.
Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?
Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people.
Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published July 12, 2011
14 people are currently reading
2852 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Papademetriou
92 books429 followersBestselling author Lisa Papademetriou is the author of the 'Confectionately Yours' series, 'Middle School: Big, Fat Liar' and 'Homeroom Diaries' (both with James Patterson), and many other novels for middle grade and young adult readers. Her books have appeared on the Bank Street Best Books of the Year list, the NYPL Books for the Teen Age, and the Texas Lone Star Reading List, among others. A former editor, Lisa has worked for Scholastic, HarperCollins, and DisneyPress, and holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. HarperCollins will publish her next novel, 'A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic', in October 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 8, 2020
“She swore vengeance on all men with dark hearts.”
― Lisa Papademetriou, Siren's Storm
The Siren's Storm.
This writer can write!
First off..This book is absolutely beautiful. The way it is written..incandescent maybe the right word. It is all about Will. And Gretchen. And Asia. And the sea.
I started getting into books about Sirens after reading the masterpiece "The Wicked Deep". I keep looking for another "Wicked Deep". I was so lost in that book I want to find another book about the sirens that has that eerie and wildly beautiful feel.
So this is a book I loved for the writing and the atmosphere. I would not rate it as high as "Wicked Deep" nor did I love it as much. I did read it in one siting though.
Will's had much tragedy in his life. His brother Tim was lost at sea. Will was with him. Will was found unconscious in the sand..with no memory of what happened.
Now a year past, Will is still trying to deal with the past tragedy. It doesn't help that his best friend Gretchen is sleep walking. They live in a tiny beach community, on the sea, and Gretchen can not seem to stop walking in her sleep, usually finding herself a bit to close to the cliffs where the sea roars below.
And who is Asia? She is the new girl in town but moves as if made of liquid. She is ethereal..as if from another century. And she knows things about people or can sense them. An air of mystery is all about her and Will cannot stop thinking about her and he doesn't understand why.
And there is other stuff....like one of the local boys who slowly appears to be going mad..he hears things..can't you hear it too he asks. Hear what, people ask him? But nobody can make sense of what he says..
This was a beguiling, eerie and completely luscious book that I gobbled up in one sitting. I will say no more about the plot..well do I have to? If you like books about Sirens or Sailors or folklore or the sea..or all of the above..you will like this.
I hate to say anything negative but the reason why 4 stars and not 5..
Slow to start..but just give it time..still, the first 20 percent of the book did move quite slowly.
One scene toward the end of animal violence..and it was completely unexpected. This was not a violent book AT ALL except toward the end and I wish it had stayed non violent.
The end let me down in a number of ways. I'd still recommend the book. But..without giving spoilers..it completely loses its quiet eeriness and devolves into cliches. I really got turned off at the end..did not expect the tone to change that much, so much that I would take off a point.
I'd still recommend though as for 90 percent of the book, I was swept away. A strong 4 stars for a lyrical and sweeping story.
― Lisa Papademetriou, Siren's Storm
The Siren's Storm.
This writer can write!
First off..This book is absolutely beautiful. The way it is written..incandescent maybe the right word. It is all about Will. And Gretchen. And Asia. And the sea.
I started getting into books about Sirens after reading the masterpiece "The Wicked Deep". I keep looking for another "Wicked Deep". I was so lost in that book I want to find another book about the sirens that has that eerie and wildly beautiful feel.
So this is a book I loved for the writing and the atmosphere. I would not rate it as high as "Wicked Deep" nor did I love it as much. I did read it in one siting though.
Will's had much tragedy in his life. His brother Tim was lost at sea. Will was with him. Will was found unconscious in the sand..with no memory of what happened.
Now a year past, Will is still trying to deal with the past tragedy. It doesn't help that his best friend Gretchen is sleep walking. They live in a tiny beach community, on the sea, and Gretchen can not seem to stop walking in her sleep, usually finding herself a bit to close to the cliffs where the sea roars below.
And who is Asia? She is the new girl in town but moves as if made of liquid. She is ethereal..as if from another century. And she knows things about people or can sense them. An air of mystery is all about her and Will cannot stop thinking about her and he doesn't understand why.
And there is other stuff....like one of the local boys who slowly appears to be going mad..he hears things..can't you hear it too he asks. Hear what, people ask him? But nobody can make sense of what he says..
This was a beguiling, eerie and completely luscious book that I gobbled up in one sitting. I will say no more about the plot..well do I have to? If you like books about Sirens or Sailors or folklore or the sea..or all of the above..you will like this.
I hate to say anything negative but the reason why 4 stars and not 5..
Slow to start..but just give it time..still, the first 20 percent of the book did move quite slowly.
One scene toward the end of animal violence..and it was completely unexpected. This was not a violent book AT ALL except toward the end and I wish it had stayed non violent.
The end let me down in a number of ways. I'd still recommend the book. But..without giving spoilers..it completely loses its quiet eeriness and devolves into cliches. I really got turned off at the end..did not expect the tone to change that much, so much that I would take off a point.
I'd still recommend though as for 90 percent of the book, I was swept away. A strong 4 stars for a lyrical and sweeping story.
Want to read
July 14, 2011Oh, this seems creepy....and oh, so good!
jul 12th
jul 12th
July 31, 2013
Well, this was a perfect beach read. However, it was not what I was expecting.... Seriously, I was expecting a lot more Siren's and a lot less human love story. That being said, the love story is very well done. It is a friendship blossoming and it's painful and beautiful to watch/read about.
Will is a nice guy living in a beach town. Will has just recently lost his brother. They went out one night and he was the only one who made it back. He can't remember anything. He has so many unanswered questions. His grief did not define his character, but at times it would just about bring me to tears. When he talked about his brother and how he longed for him, I understood it all to well. This is the first book I have read that has a plot somewhat devoted to loosing a sibling and actually centering in on that loss, not the loss from the parents' perspective. I hate to say this, but as the sibling I think people sometimes forget you are hurting too. You just lost a part of yourself.
Gretchen just happens to be the nice neighboor girl, who comes back every summer. She lives with her rock-n-roller Dad and her Mom is pretty much out of the picture except for her occasional letter. Gretchen has a problem with DEEP sleepwalking. It's pretty bad. At times, she forgets where she has been. She starts to worry that maybe she is to blame for bad things happening around town. She also is in love with Will, but is too afraid/doesn't want to mess up their friendship/doesn't want to push him after the loss of his brother.
Asia is new to town, working at a diner with Gretchen. She is gorgeous. People do whatever she says. She can't tell a lie. Yet, Will notes something about her is cold. She definitely has a story to tell. And, somehow Will and Gretchen get wrapped up in it.
I enjoyed this. I gobbled it up in one day at the beach. Not exactly what I was hoping for as far as Sirens go, but this was a perfect summer book. And, the love story in this one (I have to say it again) was so well done. I can't wait for the next book, as this love story really is just taking off. This book just felt good for the heart. I know I'm not making sense. it's getting late.
Back to vacation.
You should read this the next time you get to beach bum it!
Will is a nice guy living in a beach town. Will has just recently lost his brother. They went out one night and he was the only one who made it back. He can't remember anything. He has so many unanswered questions. His grief did not define his character, but at times it would just about bring me to tears. When he talked about his brother and how he longed for him, I understood it all to well. This is the first book I have read that has a plot somewhat devoted to loosing a sibling and actually centering in on that loss, not the loss from the parents' perspective. I hate to say this, but as the sibling I think people sometimes forget you are hurting too. You just lost a part of yourself.
Gretchen just happens to be the nice neighboor girl, who comes back every summer. She lives with her rock-n-roller Dad and her Mom is pretty much out of the picture except for her occasional letter. Gretchen has a problem with DEEP sleepwalking. It's pretty bad. At times, she forgets where she has been. She starts to worry that maybe she is to blame for bad things happening around town. She also is in love with Will, but is too afraid/doesn't want to mess up their friendship/doesn't want to push him after the loss of his brother.
Asia is new to town, working at a diner with Gretchen. She is gorgeous. People do whatever she says. She can't tell a lie. Yet, Will notes something about her is cold. She definitely has a story to tell. And, somehow Will and Gretchen get wrapped up in it.
I enjoyed this. I gobbled it up in one day at the beach. Not exactly what I was hoping for as far as Sirens go, but this was a perfect summer book. And, the love story in this one (I have to say it again) was so well done. I can't wait for the next book, as this love story really is just taking off. This book just felt good for the heart. I know I'm not making sense. it's getting late.
Back to vacation.
You should read this the next time you get to beach bum it!
July 28, 2011
A year ago Will went sailing with his brother, but only he made it back. Now a year later, Will still has no memory of the events of that night, only the scars remain. His best friend Gretchen seems troubled too, her sleepwalking is getting worse, and she seems to be keeping something from him. When a new girl arrives in town, Asia, who is something of a mystery, Will begins to suspect that there is more to her than meets the eye.
Siren’s Storm was a difficult novel for me to get into at first. The beginning is a tad bit slow, but the pace quickens somewhat as the novel progresses. The mystery is intriguing and this book isn’t your common place supernatural story—there is definitely some mythology, and thought put into creating a believable novel.
The setting is exquisitely detailed. You feel like you know this little beach side town and that you have lived there. While some of the characters are a bit stereotypical, you run into those that really shine, and are people you want to know. Will and Gretchen were both believable and well developed characters.
As I stated earlier in the review, the beginning was a tad bit slow and the pacing increases as the novel nears the end. The problem is that the ending feels a tad rushed, and perhaps not as well developed or explained as the rest of the novel. I ended with questions at the end, that still needed answers. This perhaps opens the door for a sequel, but leaves the reader feeling a little frustrated.
Overall this is an exciting mystery and an incredibly original novel. I especially loved the sea captain’s journal and the history combined with the mythology. I hope there is a sequel because I really want to see explanations for some of the events in the ending. A nice summer read, with a tad bit of darkness on the side. Enjoyable.
Cautions for sensitive readers: Language, sexual references, and alcohol.
May 28, 2011
Review can be found at Mrs. Boswell's Book Bag.
The premise of this novel was quite intriguing. Prior to reading this, I had never read anything dealing with the mythological siren. While Siren's Storm was a good read, I felt like it was missing something.
At times it seemed at though I was reading the same scene again and again throughout the book. I understand Gretchen sleepwalks and ends up closer and closer to the water's edge, but I didn't feel any big difference between these scenes. Then it seemed as though Will kept chasing Asia around the entire book without really receiving any answers... until the very end of the book.
The ending had a very large info dump. It was a little overwhelming. While the information wasn't useless, I felt it could have played a bigger part or made the story a little better if it had been pieced into the story from the beginning.
Will wasn't as outstanding a character as Gretchen and Asia were. I was perplexed by Gretchen's sleepwalking and finding herself close and closer to the water. I wanted to know what exactly was pulling her in. Asia was a very mystifying character. She wasn't at all how I expected her to be.
Asia's story and background was very intriguing but I was mostly interested in Gretchen's story. Unfortunately, not much is explained on that front. I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel to this book but, the way Ms. Papademetriou left the story, I feel like there could be a continuation. I would be very interested in reading more about Gretchen and her interaction with the sirens.
Overall, a good and interesting read. I recommend Siren's Storm to fans of mythological creatures and stories.
The premise of this novel was quite intriguing. Prior to reading this, I had never read anything dealing with the mythological siren. While Siren's Storm was a good read, I felt like it was missing something.
At times it seemed at though I was reading the same scene again and again throughout the book. I understand Gretchen sleepwalks and ends up closer and closer to the water's edge, but I didn't feel any big difference between these scenes. Then it seemed as though Will kept chasing Asia around the entire book without really receiving any answers... until the very end of the book.
The ending had a very large info dump. It was a little overwhelming. While the information wasn't useless, I felt it could have played a bigger part or made the story a little better if it had been pieced into the story from the beginning.
Will wasn't as outstanding a character as Gretchen and Asia were. I was perplexed by Gretchen's sleepwalking and finding herself close and closer to the water. I wanted to know what exactly was pulling her in. Asia was a very mystifying character. She wasn't at all how I expected her to be.
Asia's story and background was very intriguing but I was mostly interested in Gretchen's story. Unfortunately, not much is explained on that front. I'm not sure if there is going to be a sequel to this book but, the way Ms. Papademetriou left the story, I feel like there could be a continuation. I would be very interested in reading more about Gretchen and her interaction with the sirens.
Overall, a good and interesting read. I recommend Siren's Storm to fans of mythological creatures and stories.
December 23, 2021
Dieses Buch war ein Zufallsfund, aufmerksam geworden bin ich durch das Cover.
Der Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen und auch die Mystik in der Story, allerdings muss ich sagen so richtig fesseln konnte mich das Buch erst ab der zweiten Hälfte.
Das Buch gibt einen Kapitelaufbau her und die Charaktere sind gut gezeichnet. Außerdem gibt es Perspektivwechsel.
Zusammenfassend bekommt das Buch 4 von 5 Sterne, da ich erst richtig ab der zweiten Hälfte des Buches gefesselt war.
Der Schreibstil hat mir gut gefallen und auch die Mystik in der Story, allerdings muss ich sagen so richtig fesseln konnte mich das Buch erst ab der zweiten Hälfte.
Das Buch gibt einen Kapitelaufbau her und die Charaktere sind gut gezeichnet. Außerdem gibt es Perspektivwechsel.
Zusammenfassend bekommt das Buch 4 von 5 Sterne, da ich erst richtig ab der zweiten Hälfte des Buches gefesselt war.
Want to read
October 12, 2011Sirens = obviously I'm interested. But I must say, the cover model's finger is uncomfortably close to her nostril. :/
Also, why is this yet another American author to be published in Australia first?
Also, why is this yet another American author to be published in Australia first?
July 23, 2011
FIRST DRAFT...KIND OF HAHA XD
3.5/5
Wow, how my feelings towards this book shifted after a slightly slow start.
That is all. XDD
Okay I promise I'll catch up on my reviews . . . in the morning.
For now, here's the laydown:
+ Every chapter began with a newspaper article or quote that had some relevance to the plot, especially when looked at in retrospect.
+ A DARK summer read! Hehe!
+ After the book hit the 80-100 page mark I was hooked and from around page 170-end I devoured in one sitting. I'm so glad that there is a sequel because I want more!!!
+ An eerily beautiful cover, simple yet it says a lot . . . especially after I read the book in its entirety.
+ From Authors Notes, Papademetriou states that the town of Walfang, as well as the name of the siren gang in the book (not written here, not that it's particularly spoilery) are fictitious. I like that she has reasoning behind the choices she made towards the naming. :)
+ A cute romance, as well as a clear romantic storyline that underlies the bigger story arc in the book. I'm so sure that things will happen in the sequel! :D
+ Not sure if this was just my state of mind or the writing, but I was able to really SEE what was happening. Maybe I'm just becoming a more sensory/effective reader.
~ Written in third person. Did what it had to - allowed multiple perspective pov.
~ I want a real book trailer for this book!!! *hint hint*
~ I hope to see more of Gretchen's life. Saying that, none of the "main-ish" characters were dull or boring or cardboard cutouts or cliches. As far as I could tell. If there was any disconnect, it was just because of the third person perspective.
- The slow beginning, as said before. I don't think this was a case of poor writing or anything, maybe just because Papademetriou assumes a really unique writing style that took a bit of getting used to. After all, for the first few days I read this I could only get through a chapter before putting it down again.
- The cover flips up! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQR2su... Haha. I'm not sure, this is my first Random House AU book, do all of them do this?
I love doing those lists!
x Cass
3.5/5
Wow, how my feelings towards this book shifted after a slightly slow start.
That is all. XDD
Okay I promise I'll catch up on my reviews . . . in the morning.
For now, here's the laydown:
+ Every chapter began with a newspaper article or quote that had some relevance to the plot, especially when looked at in retrospect.
+ A DARK summer read! Hehe!
+ After the book hit the 80-100 page mark I was hooked and from around page 170-end I devoured in one sitting. I'm so glad that there is a sequel because I want more!!!
+ An eerily beautiful cover, simple yet it says a lot . . . especially after I read the book in its entirety.
+ From Authors Notes, Papademetriou states that the town of Walfang, as well as the name of the siren gang in the book (not written here, not that it's particularly spoilery) are fictitious. I like that she has reasoning behind the choices she made towards the naming. :)
+ A cute romance, as well as a clear romantic storyline that underlies the bigger story arc in the book. I'm so sure that things will happen in the sequel! :D
+ Not sure if this was just my state of mind or the writing, but I was able to really SEE what was happening. Maybe I'm just becoming a more sensory/effective reader.
~ Written in third person. Did what it had to - allowed multiple perspective pov.
~ I want a real book trailer for this book!!! *hint hint*
~ I hope to see more of Gretchen's life. Saying that, none of the "main-ish" characters were dull or boring or cardboard cutouts or cliches. As far as I could tell. If there was any disconnect, it was just because of the third person perspective.
- The slow beginning, as said before. I don't think this was a case of poor writing or anything, maybe just because Papademetriou assumes a really unique writing style that took a bit of getting used to. After all, for the first few days I read this I could only get through a chapter before putting it down again.
- The cover flips up! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQR2su... Haha. I'm not sure, this is my first Random House AU book, do all of them do this?
I love doing those lists!
x Cass
July 21, 2011
Why I read this: I love mermaid/siren tales, especially those that are a bit darker in nature and this one looked to be so.
Plot: The author does a fantastic job of melding mythology into a modern day setting. The story had a nice balance of intrigue, relationships, and fantasy elements. This story is darker and less focused on romance, which was a great relief as romance in paranormal YA can sometimes be stifling and ruin a good underlying plot. Instead it focused on friendship, on loss, on the darkness that can consume a person. And I of course loved all the mythology that played into the story and created a truly unique novel.
Characters: The characters in this book are blended well into the story. They have stand out features, but the plot takes precedence and there's this urgency that pushed them into action. I really loved the characters because of their flaws. There's Gretchen, who is the girl next door to Will who is self-conscious, doesn't always make the best decisions, but tries her best. Then there is Will, who is still suffering the loss of his brother and is marked with a scar that reminds him daily of that night.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well, Asia, the strange girl who Will cannot get out of his mind, Kirk - a supposedly crazy teenage boy who acts like he is on drugs and spouts nonsense about angels and voices. And Angus, the town gossip, who is always there trying to get the scoop.
Relatability: I think those who enjoy stories based in mythology but set in modern times will enjoy this one. And anyone who needs a break from YA Para-romance but still wants a good paranormal novel.
Cover Commentary: Haunting. Not quite the way I picture Asia though.
Plot: The author does a fantastic job of melding mythology into a modern day setting. The story had a nice balance of intrigue, relationships, and fantasy elements. This story is darker and less focused on romance, which was a great relief as romance in paranormal YA can sometimes be stifling and ruin a good underlying plot. Instead it focused on friendship, on loss, on the darkness that can consume a person. And I of course loved all the mythology that played into the story and created a truly unique novel.
Characters: The characters in this book are blended well into the story. They have stand out features, but the plot takes precedence and there's this urgency that pushed them into action. I really loved the characters because of their flaws. There's Gretchen, who is the girl next door to Will who is self-conscious, doesn't always make the best decisions, but tries her best. Then there is Will, who is still suffering the loss of his brother and is marked with a scar that reminds him daily of that night.
I enjoyed the supporting characters as well, Asia, the strange girl who Will cannot get out of his mind, Kirk - a supposedly crazy teenage boy who acts like he is on drugs and spouts nonsense about angels and voices. And Angus, the town gossip, who is always there trying to get the scoop.
Relatability: I think those who enjoy stories based in mythology but set in modern times will enjoy this one. And anyone who needs a break from YA Para-romance but still wants a good paranormal novel.
Cover Commentary: Haunting. Not quite the way I picture Asia though.
July 18, 2011
I'm loving all the mythology stories coming out...
And SIREN"S STORM is a fresh take. We mostly get Will's perspective. He's got this weird family life where it's confusing whether his mom is mean or just so overly protective she comes off that way. Will's a bit of a tortured soul ever since he and his brother went sailing last year and Will's the only one who made it back.
No brother. No body. And no memory of what happened.
It's summer again and Will's good friend Gretchen is back.
They have a lovely relationship. It stays on the friend side but there's a romance budding underneath the surface and I like the way it's playing out so I'm hoping for a sequel.
A great take on mythology...
I don't want to give any spoilers but I thought it was fresh and interesting. Especially Asia's back story. And I liked the way Lisa Papademetriou kept me guessing about Asia's character. Okay, we know we've got sirens going on here, yet the answers to who Asia is were still surprising in many ways.
Likeable characters...
Especially Gretchen. I thought she was going to go stupid when it came to a boy situation but she ended up playing it smart. Her story is intriguing and we get a big reveal on her but I'm dying for more about what life has in store.
Good summer fun...
Lisa Papademetriou layers the stories beautifully into a cohesive plot that I found unique and entertaining. Good for all ages and a bit of a slow start but once into it, SIREN'S STORM is a fast, fun summer read with a good balance of character development, steady pacing, surprises, and suspense!
We get lots of answers but many just open up more questions so sign me up for the sequel!
And SIREN"S STORM is a fresh take. We mostly get Will's perspective. He's got this weird family life where it's confusing whether his mom is mean or just so overly protective she comes off that way. Will's a bit of a tortured soul ever since he and his brother went sailing last year and Will's the only one who made it back.
No brother. No body. And no memory of what happened.
It's summer again and Will's good friend Gretchen is back.
They have a lovely relationship. It stays on the friend side but there's a romance budding underneath the surface and I like the way it's playing out so I'm hoping for a sequel.
A great take on mythology...
I don't want to give any spoilers but I thought it was fresh and interesting. Especially Asia's back story. And I liked the way Lisa Papademetriou kept me guessing about Asia's character. Okay, we know we've got sirens going on here, yet the answers to who Asia is were still surprising in many ways.
Likeable characters...
Especially Gretchen. I thought she was going to go stupid when it came to a boy situation but she ended up playing it smart. Her story is intriguing and we get a big reveal on her but I'm dying for more about what life has in store.
Good summer fun...
Lisa Papademetriou layers the stories beautifully into a cohesive plot that I found unique and entertaining. Good for all ages and a bit of a slow start but once into it, SIREN'S STORM is a fast, fun summer read with a good balance of character development, steady pacing, surprises, and suspense!
We get lots of answers but many just open up more questions so sign me up for the sequel!
August 6, 2016
What an interesting story! I had a lot of fun reading this, the way the world was written felt very real! I could close my eyes and easily imagine myself there. And the characters? Goodness, they all felt like real people! The character development is actually my most favorite part of the story! They were really interesting to read about, and I wanted to learn more about them!
The plot's also well written, and spooky! the events leading up to the plot were a little slow moving though, (a quick warning those who like their stories fast paced!~) The story began to interest me (plot wise) on chapter seven, page 103. The plot itself started to unravel on page 143. And finally on pages 210 and 211, we get the answers on what the plot is about, mermaids! YAY! Even though on page 53, the answer was already very clear - Asia is a mermaid. (I needn't to give a spoiler there.) The story itself has 260 happy pages. It was a teeeeeeeeeny bit frustrating to read almost 160 pages when you already know who Asia is and everyone else doesn't, but I think that's ONLY because the characters are like, "Who is Asia??" "What is she?" and I'm screaming at the book like, "I KNOW! I KNOW! I KNOW!" hoping they'll hear me! ...But I guess I keep forgetting that I am talking to fictional characters, and they aren't as real as I think they are!!!
Like I said, Siren's storm is a REALLY great book with very realistic feeling characters! If you like nice character development, this book surely has it. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series - I can't wait to see what'll happen after that freaky ending!
The plot's also well written, and spooky! the events leading up to the plot were a little slow moving though, (a quick warning those who like their stories fast paced!~) The story began to interest me (plot wise) on chapter seven, page 103. The plot itself started to unravel on page 143. And finally on pages 210 and 211, we get the answers on what the plot is about, mermaids! YAY! Even though on page 53, the answer was already very clear - Asia is a mermaid. (I needn't to give a spoiler there.) The story itself has 260 happy pages. It was a teeeeeeeeeny bit frustrating to read almost 160 pages when you already know who Asia is and everyone else doesn't, but I think that's ONLY because the characters are like, "Who is Asia??" "What is she?" and I'm screaming at the book like, "I KNOW! I KNOW! I KNOW!" hoping they'll hear me! ...But I guess I keep forgetting that I am talking to fictional characters, and they aren't as real as I think they are!!!
Like I said, Siren's storm is a REALLY great book with very realistic feeling characters! If you like nice character development, this book surely has it. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series - I can't wait to see what'll happen after that freaky ending!
October 15, 2011
It has been a year since Will’s brother, Tom drowned. Will and Tom were out boating when Tom went overboard and Will was washed up on shore. Will and his uncle are tying down the boat with the upcoming hurricane, when Will sees a mysterious girl with green cat like eyes and black hair. Later, Will sees the girl again. Her name is Asia. Will and his friend, Gretchen start to hang out to Asia. Though, Asia has a secret.
I thought, it sounded different from what was currently out in the book world, with vampires, werewolves, angels and fairies. It turned out it was a nice change but I was bummed by this book. The story line dragged and was slow going. I read until about the hundredth page and than I just flash forward to the last ten pages. This is really where I needed to be anyways. The last third of the book had the most excitement. This is where the battle was and all the surprises were revealed. Will was one of the main characters but he was more of a wimp. Whenever the situation would start to get too much, Will would spilt so that he could avoid confrontation. Gretchen was alright. I had a feeling there was something up with why Gretchen kept sleep walking and always towards the ocean but didn’t know the true reason until the end. Than there was Asia. No surprise there that she was the siren. I did like that she was not as seductive as most sirens are seeing as this is a young adult novel. Overall, was not that impressed.
I thought, it sounded different from what was currently out in the book world, with vampires, werewolves, angels and fairies. It turned out it was a nice change but I was bummed by this book. The story line dragged and was slow going. I read until about the hundredth page and than I just flash forward to the last ten pages. This is really where I needed to be anyways. The last third of the book had the most excitement. This is where the battle was and all the surprises were revealed. Will was one of the main characters but he was more of a wimp. Whenever the situation would start to get too much, Will would spilt so that he could avoid confrontation. Gretchen was alright. I had a feeling there was something up with why Gretchen kept sleep walking and always towards the ocean but didn’t know the true reason until the end. Than there was Asia. No surprise there that she was the siren. I did like that she was not as seductive as most sirens are seeing as this is a young adult novel. Overall, was not that impressed.
January 16, 2016
Just to clarify, Asia is the siren. No spoiler there. The book seems a bit creepy at the beginnings, but it’s not as mysterious as I hoped it would be. Not like Tricia Rayburn’s Siren. The characters didn’t stand out to me, but the dialog was pretty good. Will’s friend Angus was the funny, gossipy reporter dude. He was probably the most interesting character. Funny name too. As with most siren novels, the setting is a seaside town. I liked how will depicted the whole summer residents vs. residents thing, but it could’ve used some characters that were temporary summer people.
What I really enjoyed about this books was how it connected to Greek mythology. In high school, I had to read some of the Odyssey, so the whole Calypso thing was familiar to me (and also cuz the Percy Jackson series). I’m hoping that the next book will include more mythology. I really want to know what’s up with Gretchen! What is she?
Cover Art Review: I love the photo on this cover! The model’s hair strands look so awesome. The picture is perfectly focus on the mouth area, and the rest is softened and blurred. The eye is so green! I wish the title was a bit bigger, but I love the font. The back cover has a beach dune ocean scene on it. I also like the seashell designs on the side.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
What I really enjoyed about this books was how it connected to Greek mythology. In high school, I had to read some of the Odyssey, so the whole Calypso thing was familiar to me (and also cuz the Percy Jackson series). I’m hoping that the next book will include more mythology. I really want to know what’s up with Gretchen! What is she?
Cover Art Review: I love the photo on this cover! The model’s hair strands look so awesome. The picture is perfectly focus on the mouth area, and the rest is softened and blurred. The eye is so green! I wish the title was a bit bigger, but I love the font. The back cover has a beach dune ocean scene on it. I also like the seashell designs on the side.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
April 16, 2014
This is a good first novel in a set. I assume there will be more in the series since interesting information was revealed by the end of the book and some of the questions were not fully answered. The author fleshed out the main characters and provided a comprehensive back-story on the Siren creature. Asia is an extremely likeable non-human. Will, one of the protagonists, is a clueless and rather immature boy who I hope to see growth in the relationship arena. Gretchen is a free-spirited funny girl who requires more revelation regarding her origins. Turns out, she is adopted and that seems to be a key to her quirkiness.
Love the cover. This is who I saw whenever Asia made an appearance. I do hope she is not gone, GONE. Her story could definitely continue with the new revelations at the end of the book. Loved the new story line using Sirens as the paranormal creatures. Although I still yearn to finish certain fallen angel series, I'm so finished with vampires and quite satisfied with my favorite werewolves in Minnesota.
I don't feel like the story is complete although the book can stand alone if the reader really wants it to. Me? I'd like to see more of what comes next.
Love the cover. This is who I saw whenever Asia made an appearance. I do hope she is not gone, GONE. Her story could definitely continue with the new revelations at the end of the book. Loved the new story line using Sirens as the paranormal creatures. Although I still yearn to finish certain fallen angel series, I'm so finished with vampires and quite satisfied with my favorite werewolves in Minnesota.
I don't feel like the story is complete although the book can stand alone if the reader really wants it to. Me? I'd like to see more of what comes next.
July 20, 2011
Reviewed by Rex at RexRobotReviews.com
Siren's Storm totally intrigued me because it deals with sirens- a mythological creature I haven't had the pleasure of being introduced to yet while reading. This definitely is a fun read, but the characters fell flat for me. I couldn't quite connect with them.
Though I wasn't able to relate to the characters much, I did continue to read because of Gretchen and Asia. Gretchen sleepwalks and I couldn't put the book down before I figured out why she was sleepwalking. And Asia? Everything about Asia is a total mystery. I just wish that we had more time with bits and pieces of information about each of the characters throughout the story instead of a ton at the conclusion... I am more interested in Asia's past than anything else! I am fascinated with the history of her and her sisters.
This novel definitely has an intriguing premise and I would love to read another novel in hopes of seeing the characters evolve. And I hope the sirens are more the forefront of the story too! Recommend this to those that love their sirens. :)
Siren's Storm totally intrigued me because it deals with sirens- a mythological creature I haven't had the pleasure of being introduced to yet while reading. This definitely is a fun read, but the characters fell flat for me. I couldn't quite connect with them.
Though I wasn't able to relate to the characters much, I did continue to read because of Gretchen and Asia. Gretchen sleepwalks and I couldn't put the book down before I figured out why she was sleepwalking. And Asia? Everything about Asia is a total mystery. I just wish that we had more time with bits and pieces of information about each of the characters throughout the story instead of a ton at the conclusion... I am more interested in Asia's past than anything else! I am fascinated with the history of her and her sisters.
This novel definitely has an intriguing premise and I would love to read another novel in hopes of seeing the characters evolve. And I hope the sirens are more the forefront of the story too! Recommend this to those that love their sirens. :)
October 24, 2011
A young man struggling with the loss of his brother. Seeing people and things that are not there, messing with his mind. All taking place on an island that is known for it's ability to attract tourists to come spend the summer and their money. Dealing with this pain has driven him to the brink of madness, a twister churning inside his soul, and a storm that blows his thoughts all over the place and cannot be calmed.
I had trouble in the beginning of this book, reading it was a little hard and then as I turned the pages and got more towards the middle of the book, it became better. A little slow in the first 10 chapters but as I got further in the book, the true excitment of the story unraveled itself.
I had trouble in the beginning of this book, reading it was a little hard and then as I turned the pages and got more towards the middle of the book, it became better. A little slow in the first 10 chapters but as I got further in the book, the true excitment of the story unraveled itself.
October 14, 2018
Die Geschichte die hier erzählt wurde, war nicht so ganz das was ich erwartet habe. Ich mag Meerjungfrauen bzw. Sirenen sehr gerne und habe gehofft etwas mehr über diese zu lesen. Die erste Hälfte des Buches war jedoch ziemlich langweilig und es ist nichts aufregendes passiert. Die Charaktere blieben zudem auch relativ blass. Der einzige Charakter der für mich interessant war ist Asia, da sie diese mysteriöse Aura ausstrahlt. Die zweite Hälfte des Buches wurde allmählich interessanter. Insbesondere Logbuch Einträge und Erzählungen waren sehr spannend und gingen eher in die Richtung die ich erwartet habe. Das Ende war jedoch total langweilig und ich habs auch ehrlich gesagt gar nicht richtig verstanden. Ich war auch ein bisschen ernüchtert, als ich erfahren habe, dass die Geschichte aus zwei Teilen besteht. Vermutlich werde ich den zweiten auch nicht mehr lesen, kann mir kaum vorstellen, dass mir dieser besser gefallen würde. Insgesamt kam man ganz gut durch das Buch, der Schreibstil war recht flüssig, wenn auch nichts besonderes. Ich bin jedenfalls froh, dass das Buch endlich von meinem SuB runter ist. Da lag es nämlich gute drei Jahre ;)
June 22, 2021
While this story of sirens and seawitches does put a slightly new spin on a section of Homer’s The Odyssey, it stumbles heavily in certain parts of the narrative. Will proves a rather somber, turgid character. When he’s not working or saving the somnambulist Gretchen, he’s walking around in a dazed state due to the unearthly Asia.
We deduce early that Asia isn’t what she seems but it takes Will a considerable while to reach that conclusion. Then he’s simply given the tale of what she is by Asia herself…a long expositional passage almost worthy of Lovecraft. Gretchen’s nature is simple; then simply baffling, until she morphs without explanation into a deus ex machina which left me utterly puzzled at the convenient timelines and idiocy of it.
A novel that leaves you asking “What just happened?” and “Why did that happen?” is not a particularly good story. It might make for philosophical debate but this YA story can’t handle that kind of textual weight.
We deduce early that Asia isn’t what she seems but it takes Will a considerable while to reach that conclusion. Then he’s simply given the tale of what she is by Asia herself…a long expositional passage almost worthy of Lovecraft. Gretchen’s nature is simple; then simply baffling, until she morphs without explanation into a deus ex machina which left me utterly puzzled at the convenient timelines and idiocy of it.
A novel that leaves you asking “What just happened?” and “Why did that happen?” is not a particularly good story. It might make for philosophical debate but this YA story can’t handle that kind of textual weight.
July 11, 2018
I like realistic fantasy stories (must be how I was raised on Star Wars and its used, "lived-in" universe), where you know it could never happen, but somehow it still seems like it's plausible. The dialogue is the way people would speak (at one point, some inner narration mentioned that the words weren't deep or special but that they worked in that moment) and the actions are the way people would do things (anger without dwelling on it so long, frustration or joy without blowing it out of proportion). The reader cares about the honest characters, and most of the shallow ones get their karma, I suppose.
March 12, 2019
The first book was really good, almost amazing, but i really thought that the second one... meh... it wasn’t what i expected and wanted. The end was pretty bad and if you read and liked the first one, you shouldn’t read the other one because you will me sourly disappointed (especially if you didn’t ship Gretchen and Tim in the first place)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2021
This is one of the most boring books I’ve ever read. The plot was weak and the characters felt so 2D and bland that I kept forgetting who was who. The writing style is clunky, awkward and very difficult to enjoy. The last two chapters were the best, but still not very interesting.
Welp, I’m glad that’s over 🥱
Welp, I’m glad that’s over 🥱
September 27, 2022
Ganz okay schätze ich?
Es war insgesamt sehr mittelmäßig:
- die Charaktere waren nichts besonderes, aber trotzdem sympathisch
- Spannung ist erst gegen Mitte/Ende aufgekommen und richtig fesseln konnte mich die Handlung erst ganz zum Schluss
Fazit: kann man Lesen, aber man verpasst auch nichts wenn nicht 😅
Es war insgesamt sehr mittelmäßig:
- die Charaktere waren nichts besonderes, aber trotzdem sympathisch
- Spannung ist erst gegen Mitte/Ende aufgekommen und richtig fesseln konnte mich die Handlung erst ganz zum Schluss
Fazit: kann man Lesen, aber man verpasst auch nichts wenn nicht 😅
October 2, 2019
A interesting read , a storm a family who resides on the island , a son who has this recorder he found in his missing brothers boat. A green eyed girl who is mysterious and his brother who dissappeared
Read
October 13, 2024DNF
dropped
December 23, 2025dnf 56%
im bored its boring. I maybe could've read this better maybe when i was 13 but noooo
im bored its boring. I maybe could've read this better maybe when i was 13 but noooo
December 7, 2011
Kurzbeschreibung:
Ein neuer Sommer beginnt in Shelter Bay. Das Küstenstädtchen füllt sich mit Touristen und Leben, doch Will kann den Trubel nicht genießen. Noch immer belastet ihn der schreckliche Tod seines Bruders Tim, der vor einem Jahr im Meer ertrunken ist. Eines Tages jedoch taucht ein wunderschönes Mädchen namens Asia Marin in der Stadt auf, das Will auf der Stelle verzaubert. Wills beste Freundin Zoe traut der Fremden nicht. Doch Will ist fasziniert von Asia und möchte mehr über sie erfahren. Dabei stößt er auf den uralten Mythos von den Sirenen, die Seemänner in den Tod locken. Als wieder jemand ertrinkt, wächst ein schrecklicher Verdacht in Will. Und dennoch fühlt er sich von Asia magisch angezogen...
Zur Autorin:
Lisa Papademetriou hat bereits mehrere Jugendbücher veröffentlicht. Sie lebt mit Mann, Tochter und Hund in Massachusetts und arbeitet derzeit an der Fortsetzung von Sirenenfluch.
Rezension:
Will lebt mit seinen Eltern im beschaulichen Shelter Bay, das im Sommer allerdings zu einer Touristenhochburg wird. Als ein schwerer Sturm Verwüstungen anrichtet, sind die Einwohner damit beschäftigt, alles für die kommende Saison wieder auf Vordermann zu bringen. Auch Zoe, Wills beste Freundin, ist wieder zurück in Shelter Bay, wo sie mit ihrem Vater seit kleinauf jeden Sommer verbringt.
Eines Tages trifft Will auf die geheimnisvolle und bildhübsche Asia, die wie Zoe in einem ortsansässigen Diner arbeitet und es ist bald um ihn geschehen. Will möchte unbedingt mehr über das Mädchen erfahren und kommt nach und nach Asias unglaublichem Geheimnis auf die Spur...
Eigentlich bin ich ein Fan von ungewöhnlichen Fantasy-Elementen und da kam Lisa Papademetrious Buch gerade richtig, handelt es doch von den geheimnisvollen Sirenen, jenen sagenumwobenen weiblichen Meeresbewohnern, die schon Odysseus den Kopf verdrehten. Doch leider konnte mich "Sirenenfluch" nicht begeistern.
Die Handlung plätschert, ausgenommen von einigen eingestreuten mysteriösen Ereignissen, nur so vor sich her und ich fühlte mich schnell gelangweilt. Die Charaktere sind allesamt zu glatt, ohne irgendwelche Ecken und Kanten und handeln durchweg im ihnen gegebenen Rahmen. Bei Will fehlte mir z.B. näheres Hinterfragen mancher Umstände, er nimmt alles so hin, wie es ihm präsentiert wird.
Als hingegen gelungen empfand ich die Kapitelanfänge. Diese werden wechselnd eingeleitet durch Zeitungsartikel aus der örtlichen Shelter Bay Gazette oder verschiedenen Volksweisen über die Sirenen. Auch die über mehrere Seiten abgedruckten historischen Logbuch-Einträge eines Kapitäns waren interessant zu lesen.
Im Großen und Ganzen kann ich "Sirenenfluch" dennoch aus meiner Sicht leider nicht empfehlen. Das Grundthema macht zwar neugierig, doch bleibt die Spannung auf der Strecke, teilweise wirkt der Roman langatmig und die Charaktere konnten mich auch nicht überzeugen. Bei der Fortsetzung, an der die Autorin momentan schreibt und die bereits den englischen Titel "Fury's Fire" trägt und im Sommer 2012 erscheinen soll, werde ich daher definitiv passen.
Zur Gestaltung des Buchs: Das Cover zeigt im Hintergrund ein unscharfes halbes Mädchengesicht, im Vordergrund mehrere Blüten, wovon eine in Spotlackoptik deutlich hervorgehoben wurde. Diese Blüte ziert auch in schwarz-weiß die jeweiligen Kapitelanfänge.
Fazit: Interessantes Grundthema, mit dem die Geschichte aber leider nicht mithalten kann. Es fehlt die nötige Portion Spannung und die Charaktere bleiben hinter den Erwartungen zurück. Sehr schade um die Sirenen!
Ein neuer Sommer beginnt in Shelter Bay. Das Küstenstädtchen füllt sich mit Touristen und Leben, doch Will kann den Trubel nicht genießen. Noch immer belastet ihn der schreckliche Tod seines Bruders Tim, der vor einem Jahr im Meer ertrunken ist. Eines Tages jedoch taucht ein wunderschönes Mädchen namens Asia Marin in der Stadt auf, das Will auf der Stelle verzaubert. Wills beste Freundin Zoe traut der Fremden nicht. Doch Will ist fasziniert von Asia und möchte mehr über sie erfahren. Dabei stößt er auf den uralten Mythos von den Sirenen, die Seemänner in den Tod locken. Als wieder jemand ertrinkt, wächst ein schrecklicher Verdacht in Will. Und dennoch fühlt er sich von Asia magisch angezogen...
Zur Autorin:
Lisa Papademetriou hat bereits mehrere Jugendbücher veröffentlicht. Sie lebt mit Mann, Tochter und Hund in Massachusetts und arbeitet derzeit an der Fortsetzung von Sirenenfluch.
Rezension:
Will lebt mit seinen Eltern im beschaulichen Shelter Bay, das im Sommer allerdings zu einer Touristenhochburg wird. Als ein schwerer Sturm Verwüstungen anrichtet, sind die Einwohner damit beschäftigt, alles für die kommende Saison wieder auf Vordermann zu bringen. Auch Zoe, Wills beste Freundin, ist wieder zurück in Shelter Bay, wo sie mit ihrem Vater seit kleinauf jeden Sommer verbringt.
Eines Tages trifft Will auf die geheimnisvolle und bildhübsche Asia, die wie Zoe in einem ortsansässigen Diner arbeitet und es ist bald um ihn geschehen. Will möchte unbedingt mehr über das Mädchen erfahren und kommt nach und nach Asias unglaublichem Geheimnis auf die Spur...
Eigentlich bin ich ein Fan von ungewöhnlichen Fantasy-Elementen und da kam Lisa Papademetrious Buch gerade richtig, handelt es doch von den geheimnisvollen Sirenen, jenen sagenumwobenen weiblichen Meeresbewohnern, die schon Odysseus den Kopf verdrehten. Doch leider konnte mich "Sirenenfluch" nicht begeistern.
Die Handlung plätschert, ausgenommen von einigen eingestreuten mysteriösen Ereignissen, nur so vor sich her und ich fühlte mich schnell gelangweilt. Die Charaktere sind allesamt zu glatt, ohne irgendwelche Ecken und Kanten und handeln durchweg im ihnen gegebenen Rahmen. Bei Will fehlte mir z.B. näheres Hinterfragen mancher Umstände, er nimmt alles so hin, wie es ihm präsentiert wird.
Als hingegen gelungen empfand ich die Kapitelanfänge. Diese werden wechselnd eingeleitet durch Zeitungsartikel aus der örtlichen Shelter Bay Gazette oder verschiedenen Volksweisen über die Sirenen. Auch die über mehrere Seiten abgedruckten historischen Logbuch-Einträge eines Kapitäns waren interessant zu lesen.
Im Großen und Ganzen kann ich "Sirenenfluch" dennoch aus meiner Sicht leider nicht empfehlen. Das Grundthema macht zwar neugierig, doch bleibt die Spannung auf der Strecke, teilweise wirkt der Roman langatmig und die Charaktere konnten mich auch nicht überzeugen. Bei der Fortsetzung, an der die Autorin momentan schreibt und die bereits den englischen Titel "Fury's Fire" trägt und im Sommer 2012 erscheinen soll, werde ich daher definitiv passen.
Zur Gestaltung des Buchs: Das Cover zeigt im Hintergrund ein unscharfes halbes Mädchengesicht, im Vordergrund mehrere Blüten, wovon eine in Spotlackoptik deutlich hervorgehoben wurde. Diese Blüte ziert auch in schwarz-weiß die jeweiligen Kapitelanfänge.
Fazit: Interessantes Grundthema, mit dem die Geschichte aber leider nicht mithalten kann. Es fehlt die nötige Portion Spannung und die Charaktere bleiben hinter den Erwartungen zurück. Sehr schade um die Sirenen!
August 20, 2011
Inhalt
Es ist der Sommer nach Tims Tod und immer noch sind Will und Zoe durch den Verlust belastet. Immer wieder müssen sie daran denken, wie Tim starb und dass sie es nicht verhindern konnten. Auch in diesem Sommer werden sie keine Ruhe finden können, denn seltsame Dinge geschehen in Shelter Bay und dann ist da noch Asia, die das mysteriöseste von Allem zu sein scheint.
MeinungIch wollte schon immer mal ein buch über Meerjungfrauen, oder eben auch Sirenen genannt, lesen. Da bot sich „Sirenenfluch“ eben perfekt dafür an. Das Buch war zwar komplett anders als ich erwarten hatte, es war aber trotzdem schön zu lesen.
Lisa Papademetrious schreibt schön und doch schon etwas poetisch und das Buch ließ sich auch schön flüssig lesen. Sie beschreibt Landschaften, Gefühle und Charaktere sehr ausführlich, aber auch nicht zu ausführlich. Ich konnte mir schnell ein bild von dem bezaubernden Örtchen Shelter Bay machen. Das Buch wird abwechselnd aus Wills und Zoes Sicht erzählt und die Kapitel werden eintweder mit einem alten Volkslied oder einem Bericht der örtlichen zeitung, der Shelter-Bay Gazette, eingeleitet.
Da die Autorin alle Charaktere sehr gut beschrieben hat, konnte ich mir jeden von ihnen gut und bildlich vorstellen. Aber nicht nur Aussehen, auch das Verhalten und bei Zoe und Will, die Gedanken und Gefühle, wurden einem nähergebracht. Schnell wuchsen mir so einige Charaktere ans Herz, besonders Will, Zoe und Wills bester Freund Angus, welcher bei der Gazette arbeitet.
In „Sirenenfluch“ passiert leider nicht sonderlich viel an Handlung, überhaupt würde ich behaupten, dasa in der ersten Hälfte des Buches eigentlich gar nichts geschieht das Spannung aufbauen würde. Die erste Heälfte des Buches besschäftigt sich vielmehr damit uns den Ort und die Charaktere näher zu bringen. Es dreht sich auch stark um Tims Tod, der Will und Zoe einfach nicht zur Ruhe kommen lässt, der Tod von Tim ist in „Sirenenfluch“ überhaupt ein großes Thema. Klar ist es schon wichtig darüber zu reden, meiner Meinung nach hätte man das ganze aber auch etwas kürzen können und sich dafür mehr mit anderen Sachen beschäftigen können. Trotz der Tatsache, das die erste Hälfte des Buches wirklich etwas zäh war, wollte ich trotzdem immer weiterlesen. Da „Sirenenfluch“ auch nur etws über 300 Seiten hat, war es eigentlich auch nicht weiter schlimm.
In der zweiten Hälfte des Buches wird es dann schon interessanter, aber so richtige Spannung baute sich bei mir erst in den letzten Kapiteln auf. Dort angekommen konnte ich das Buch dann auch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen und ja es ging dann auch ziemlich schnell, dass das Ende kam. Dieses klärt zwar einiges, aber trotzdem bleiben einige Dinge offen, die dann hoffentlich in der Fortsetzung geklärt werden.
Cover
Ich finde es wunderschön! Besonders die Blume, die sich von dem anderem auch etwas abhebt und sofort ins Auge springt. Auch die Schrift hebt sich etwas ab.
Mein Fazit
„Sirenenfluch“ hat mir zwar ziemlich gut gefallen und widmet sich mit den Sirenen, einem Thema welches in der Jugendfantasy noch nicht all zu oft vorkommt und dennoch es hätte um einiges besser sein können. Im Buch passiert leider nicht besonders viel und überhaupt die erste Hälfte liest sich eher sehr mau, in den letzten Kapiteln punktet das Buch dafür mit umso mehr Spannung. Auch die Charktere und der Schreibstil punkten, dennoch bin ich mir noch nicht sicher ob ich die Fortsetzung lesen werde, das wird sich dann zeigen.
Es ist der Sommer nach Tims Tod und immer noch sind Will und Zoe durch den Verlust belastet. Immer wieder müssen sie daran denken, wie Tim starb und dass sie es nicht verhindern konnten. Auch in diesem Sommer werden sie keine Ruhe finden können, denn seltsame Dinge geschehen in Shelter Bay und dann ist da noch Asia, die das mysteriöseste von Allem zu sein scheint.
MeinungIch wollte schon immer mal ein buch über Meerjungfrauen, oder eben auch Sirenen genannt, lesen. Da bot sich „Sirenenfluch“ eben perfekt dafür an. Das Buch war zwar komplett anders als ich erwarten hatte, es war aber trotzdem schön zu lesen.
Lisa Papademetrious schreibt schön und doch schon etwas poetisch und das Buch ließ sich auch schön flüssig lesen. Sie beschreibt Landschaften, Gefühle und Charaktere sehr ausführlich, aber auch nicht zu ausführlich. Ich konnte mir schnell ein bild von dem bezaubernden Örtchen Shelter Bay machen. Das Buch wird abwechselnd aus Wills und Zoes Sicht erzählt und die Kapitel werden eintweder mit einem alten Volkslied oder einem Bericht der örtlichen zeitung, der Shelter-Bay Gazette, eingeleitet.
Da die Autorin alle Charaktere sehr gut beschrieben hat, konnte ich mir jeden von ihnen gut und bildlich vorstellen. Aber nicht nur Aussehen, auch das Verhalten und bei Zoe und Will, die Gedanken und Gefühle, wurden einem nähergebracht. Schnell wuchsen mir so einige Charaktere ans Herz, besonders Will, Zoe und Wills bester Freund Angus, welcher bei der Gazette arbeitet.
In „Sirenenfluch“ passiert leider nicht sonderlich viel an Handlung, überhaupt würde ich behaupten, dasa in der ersten Hälfte des Buches eigentlich gar nichts geschieht das Spannung aufbauen würde. Die erste Heälfte des Buches besschäftigt sich vielmehr damit uns den Ort und die Charaktere näher zu bringen. Es dreht sich auch stark um Tims Tod, der Will und Zoe einfach nicht zur Ruhe kommen lässt, der Tod von Tim ist in „Sirenenfluch“ überhaupt ein großes Thema. Klar ist es schon wichtig darüber zu reden, meiner Meinung nach hätte man das ganze aber auch etwas kürzen können und sich dafür mehr mit anderen Sachen beschäftigen können. Trotz der Tatsache, das die erste Hälfte des Buches wirklich etwas zäh war, wollte ich trotzdem immer weiterlesen. Da „Sirenenfluch“ auch nur etws über 300 Seiten hat, war es eigentlich auch nicht weiter schlimm.
In der zweiten Hälfte des Buches wird es dann schon interessanter, aber so richtige Spannung baute sich bei mir erst in den letzten Kapiteln auf. Dort angekommen konnte ich das Buch dann auch nicht mehr aus der Hand legen und ja es ging dann auch ziemlich schnell, dass das Ende kam. Dieses klärt zwar einiges, aber trotzdem bleiben einige Dinge offen, die dann hoffentlich in der Fortsetzung geklärt werden.
Cover
Ich finde es wunderschön! Besonders die Blume, die sich von dem anderem auch etwas abhebt und sofort ins Auge springt. Auch die Schrift hebt sich etwas ab.
Mein Fazit
„Sirenenfluch“ hat mir zwar ziemlich gut gefallen und widmet sich mit den Sirenen, einem Thema welches in der Jugendfantasy noch nicht all zu oft vorkommt und dennoch es hätte um einiges besser sein können. Im Buch passiert leider nicht besonders viel und überhaupt die erste Hälfte liest sich eher sehr mau, in den letzten Kapiteln punktet das Buch dafür mit umso mehr Spannung. Auch die Charktere und der Schreibstil punkten, dennoch bin ich mir noch nicht sicher ob ich die Fortsetzung lesen werde, das wird sich dann zeigen.
August 3, 2011
Review originally posted at http://supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com...
MY THOUGHTS
This paranormal adventure is one of those stories where we read the first several pages and immediately know we're entering the characters' world in the eye of a powerful storm. Events that changed their lives forever have clearly occurred a while before our arrival into the eerily calm aftermath, but we can feel the winds of change gearing up for another brutal lashing. Siren's Storm creeps along, showing us little by little how Will and Gretchen are coping with the loss of a brother and friend while also strategically creating chain links that begin to fit together and connect events of past and present. Once we follow the chain chapter after chapter we are rewarded with an interesting tie in between the sirens currently plaguing Will's home and those in Homer's epic Odyssey, the unique twist sparking our curiosity as we wait to see how Ms. Papademetriou will merge her mythology with that of the one we know so well.
Will and Gretchen are both perfectly likeable characters, the one-sided romantic current flowing between them wonderfully understated and at times painful to read as Gretchen cannot find her way around the barrier the word "friend" creates between her and the boy she's loved forever. Their general likeability however never grows into anything more, and we read on interested in them but not necessarily fascinated by their interactions nor overly frantic about learning everything we can about each of them. While some characters leap of the page with the strength of their personalities–the sight of their names in ink enough to call forth a detailed profile of them in our minds and cause a corresponding tug on their distinct connection to our hearts–Will and Gretchen remain simply words that never breach the paper separating us to burst into life before our eyes. The potential for an evolving relationship from friends to something more is intriguing though, and might just be the impetus that allows them to grow to be those characters we can see and hear clear as day in future books.
Additionally, sometimes the pacing feels just a touch off as several short scenes are included that don't seem altogether intrinsic to the furthering of the plot. We read close to twenty pages of an old captain's log that relates an encounter with the sirens, and though it's interesting to connect that isolated event with the current happenings, it could have perhaps been done in a more succinct manner in order to leave that extra page time available to answer a few of the rapid-fire questions launched in our direction at the end. For most of the story we're focused on Asia and her unusual abilities, but then suddenly in the last few pages we have the introduction of our true villain as well as the appearance of some inexplicable talents on Gretchen's part. These new revelations add complexity, but they arise quickly and seemingly out of nowhere, leaving us a bit disconcerted since we saw so little evidence of their arrival in the beginning or middle of the tale.
Overall though, the story has great promise moving forward into the next installment, we can only hope we are given some clarity on certain elements to provide us something solid to latch onto to ride out the brewing tempest.
Rating: 3/5
MY THOUGHTS
This paranormal adventure is one of those stories where we read the first several pages and immediately know we're entering the characters' world in the eye of a powerful storm. Events that changed their lives forever have clearly occurred a while before our arrival into the eerily calm aftermath, but we can feel the winds of change gearing up for another brutal lashing. Siren's Storm creeps along, showing us little by little how Will and Gretchen are coping with the loss of a brother and friend while also strategically creating chain links that begin to fit together and connect events of past and present. Once we follow the chain chapter after chapter we are rewarded with an interesting tie in between the sirens currently plaguing Will's home and those in Homer's epic Odyssey, the unique twist sparking our curiosity as we wait to see how Ms. Papademetriou will merge her mythology with that of the one we know so well.
Will and Gretchen are both perfectly likeable characters, the one-sided romantic current flowing between them wonderfully understated and at times painful to read as Gretchen cannot find her way around the barrier the word "friend" creates between her and the boy she's loved forever. Their general likeability however never grows into anything more, and we read on interested in them but not necessarily fascinated by their interactions nor overly frantic about learning everything we can about each of them. While some characters leap of the page with the strength of their personalities–the sight of their names in ink enough to call forth a detailed profile of them in our minds and cause a corresponding tug on their distinct connection to our hearts–Will and Gretchen remain simply words that never breach the paper separating us to burst into life before our eyes. The potential for an evolving relationship from friends to something more is intriguing though, and might just be the impetus that allows them to grow to be those characters we can see and hear clear as day in future books.
Additionally, sometimes the pacing feels just a touch off as several short scenes are included that don't seem altogether intrinsic to the furthering of the plot. We read close to twenty pages of an old captain's log that relates an encounter with the sirens, and though it's interesting to connect that isolated event with the current happenings, it could have perhaps been done in a more succinct manner in order to leave that extra page time available to answer a few of the rapid-fire questions launched in our direction at the end. For most of the story we're focused on Asia and her unusual abilities, but then suddenly in the last few pages we have the introduction of our true villain as well as the appearance of some inexplicable talents on Gretchen's part. These new revelations add complexity, but they arise quickly and seemingly out of nowhere, leaving us a bit disconcerted since we saw so little evidence of their arrival in the beginning or middle of the tale.
Overall though, the story has great promise moving forward into the next installment, we can only hope we are given some clarity on certain elements to provide us something solid to latch onto to ride out the brewing tempest.
Rating: 3/5
June 30, 2016
Siren's, murder, and small towns, OH MY! I've read book about 'mermaids' before and one of them was more of a comedy but this one felt like I was reading an indie film script. The ambiance of the book felt very dark and moody even though the characters were in this beautiful small beach/farming town that is very popular with New York City tourists and wealthy people called Walfang.
Main Character Will just recently lost his older brother to some unknown causes and has been craving answers. The body was never found, but he was presumed to have died at sea. But he still tries to go about life and normally as possible with managing his family farm with his parents. When his friend from the city comes back into town for the summer, Gretchen is still feeling guilty about her secret feelings for Will who just sees her as a very close friend, who was also the friend of Will's older. Throughout the summer Gretchen is pledged with a severe case of sleep walking and Will saves her multiple times but also notices another mysterious girl helping him named Asia.
Will is drawn to Asia and wonders who this girl that lives in Walfang but people know nothing about and if she could give him any answers about his recently passed older brother.
To be perfectly honest, I almost stopped reading this book. ALMOST. I really liked Will as a character, he was layered enough and was the most interesting next to Asia. But I felt as though the book tried to shift over to Gretchen and I started losing interest because of her feelings for Will. It felt a little cliche, because I was more interested in Will and his interested in Asia. It was romantic per say, but I feel like this story could be carried by the substance alone instead of adding unwanted sexual tension from Gretchen to Will.
I liked how some of what happened wasn't fully explained until a little towards the end, but still by the end of the book there were still some unanswered questions. I feel as though Asia and another character Kirk Worstler were the most complex characters. Kirk was considered the 'Local Loon' because he was always ranting and raving about hearing voices and that something was coming. Of course everyone thought he was on drugs and he was sent to rehab several times. Although so of his story was hinted, it's still not a complete picture. As for Asia, her background was revealed and it was very interesting as to how the author approached it. Instead of making her a fin transforming mermaid, she just had special abilities that helped and hindered her.
All in all, I supposed I'm reading the sequel, hopefully it's better and rich with the rest of the story for Kirk, Will, and Asia. I honestly could care less about Gretchen.
Main Character Will just recently lost his older brother to some unknown causes and has been craving answers. The body was never found, but he was presumed to have died at sea. But he still tries to go about life and normally as possible with managing his family farm with his parents. When his friend from the city comes back into town for the summer, Gretchen is still feeling guilty about her secret feelings for Will who just sees her as a very close friend, who was also the friend of Will's older. Throughout the summer Gretchen is pledged with a severe case of sleep walking and Will saves her multiple times but also notices another mysterious girl helping him named Asia.
Will is drawn to Asia and wonders who this girl that lives in Walfang but people know nothing about and if she could give him any answers about his recently passed older brother.
To be perfectly honest, I almost stopped reading this book. ALMOST. I really liked Will as a character, he was layered enough and was the most interesting next to Asia. But I felt as though the book tried to shift over to Gretchen and I started losing interest because of her feelings for Will. It felt a little cliche, because I was more interested in Will and his interested in Asia. It was romantic per say, but I feel like this story could be carried by the substance alone instead of adding unwanted sexual tension from Gretchen to Will.
I liked how some of what happened wasn't fully explained until a little towards the end, but still by the end of the book there were still some unanswered questions. I feel as though Asia and another character Kirk Worstler were the most complex characters. Kirk was considered the 'Local Loon' because he was always ranting and raving about hearing voices and that something was coming. Of course everyone thought he was on drugs and he was sent to rehab several times. Although so of his story was hinted, it's still not a complete picture. As for Asia, her background was revealed and it was very interesting as to how the author approached it. Instead of making her a fin transforming mermaid, she just had special abilities that helped and hindered her.
All in all, I supposed I'm reading the sequel, hopefully it's better and rich with the rest of the story for Kirk, Will, and Asia. I honestly could care less about Gretchen.
September 27, 2014
This is the most ridiculous, pointless book I have ever read in my entire life. (Ok not really, Pride and Prejudice is wayyyy worse on the horrible book scale, but this one's pretty bad.
The book starts off with the point of view of Will driving, and a girl with green eyes jumps on his car. Will focuses and talks about the green eyes for a while. Why? Are there no girls with green eyes in that town at all? Green eyes aren't that unusual, I mean my eyes are green. And he wasn't even talking about them like they were special or anything, he just thought they were weird. What's so weird about green eyes? Well after that incident, Will goes to the dock where his family's boat is and is trying to help his uncle take it out because of a hurricane coming. The uncle walks back to his cat to get something and the "strange green eyed girl" appears again out of nowhere. She starts walking into the water and Will tries to stop her with no luck. The uncle comes back and Will is screaming at the girl who is now completely underwater and the uncle thinks he's crazy. He probably is. I mean what kind of girl is that that just jumps on driving cars and walks into water (possibly suicide?) I don't know. Then the chapter randomly without warning or anything, just a paragraph break, switches to the point if view of some girl name Gretchen. This confused me. Who the crap is Gretchen?! So it talks about her sleepwalking and she just got woken up and she's outside drenched in her yard. She hears a voice in her head telling he to go "deeper,deeper". Is she crazy too? Was she the girl with green eyes that walked into the water? That's what I thought but Will didn't know green-eyed girl and apparently he knows Gretchen. This confused me a lot too. It suddenly cuts to both of them together and it seems like they are flirting a little so, are they dating? Or are they just friends? I don't even know! So they talk, talk, blah blah blah, Gretchen "flips her wild blonde hair" blah blah. Suddenly Will is at his house talking do his dad who they call, Archer, Mr. Archer, Will's dad, and whatever his first name is it started with a B. PICK A NAME! PEOPLE GET CONFUSED! This is the same problem as in Pride and Prejudice, you can't call one character a gazillion different names! Then Will goes on and on about his father's job and how he works on a farm and owns a farm stand but nooooo he's DEFINITELY not a farmer
The book starts off with the point of view of Will driving, and a girl with green eyes jumps on his car. Will focuses and talks about the green eyes for a while. Why? Are there no girls with green eyes in that town at all? Green eyes aren't that unusual, I mean my eyes are green. And he wasn't even talking about them like they were special or anything, he just thought they were weird. What's so weird about green eyes? Well after that incident, Will goes to the dock where his family's boat is and is trying to help his uncle take it out because of a hurricane coming. The uncle walks back to his cat to get something and the "strange green eyed girl" appears again out of nowhere. She starts walking into the water and Will tries to stop her with no luck. The uncle comes back and Will is screaming at the girl who is now completely underwater and the uncle thinks he's crazy. He probably is. I mean what kind of girl is that that just jumps on driving cars and walks into water (possibly suicide?) I don't know. Then the chapter randomly without warning or anything, just a paragraph break, switches to the point if view of some girl name Gretchen. This confused me. Who the crap is Gretchen?! So it talks about her sleepwalking and she just got woken up and she's outside drenched in her yard. She hears a voice in her head telling he to go "deeper,deeper". Is she crazy too? Was she the girl with green eyes that walked into the water? That's what I thought but Will didn't know green-eyed girl and apparently he knows Gretchen. This confused me a lot too. It suddenly cuts to both of them together and it seems like they are flirting a little so, are they dating? Or are they just friends? I don't even know! So they talk, talk, blah blah blah, Gretchen "flips her wild blonde hair" blah blah. Suddenly Will is at his house talking do his dad who they call, Archer, Mr. Archer, Will's dad, and whatever his first name is it started with a B. PICK A NAME! PEOPLE GET CONFUSED! This is the same problem as in Pride and Prejudice, you can't call one character a gazillion different names! Then Will goes on and on about his father's job and how he works on a farm and owns a farm stand but nooooo he's DEFINITELY not a farmer
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