Wednesday 25 January 2017

The Siren by: Kiera Cass

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Published: January 28, 2016 by: HarperCollins
Pages: 400
Rating: 4/5 stars



All through time, the Ocean has carefully selected young girls from drowning for one price: they are hers for 100 years. The girls are known as Sirens, mermaid-like creatures who use their deadly singing voices to lure travellers to their death. Kahlen became a siren years ago, and together with her sisters, they live amongst the ordinary world, dreaming of the day that they will be free from the Ocean's control. But then Kahlen meets Akinli, a caring young man who wants nothing more then to be with her, and to hear her voice. But falling in love is forbidden in Kahlen's world, and if the Ocean were to find out, it would doom her and her love forever.

I have this habit of being shamelessly addicted to Kiera Cass books. Everything she writes is so cliche and so fluffy, and yet so addicting! She once again left me captivated for every single page in this book, although I will say again: she needs to get more diverse characters.

I think the concept of the sirens was so incredibly cool. Who doesn't love a good mythical story about ocean creatures? The atmosphere was mystical and dreamy, and I can just imagine reading this on the beach. This was the perfect summer book and so incredibly romantic.

I did like the characters, especially Akinli. I felt as if he was a very strong love interest, and not quite as cliche as some of Cass' previous male protagonists. I loved the chemistry between him and Kahlen, I didn't feel like it was forced at all.

Now to the issue I'm seeing time and time again in her books. Her characters lack diversity. Not even just with skin colour, although that obviously is an issue too, but even in the way that they act. Kahlen was just your typical teenage girl who's kind of introverted and loved by everyone and goes against the norm. She was a very flat character for me, because she's just so typical of so many contemporary protagonists I've read about before. I need something new.

So overall, the concept was what sold this book for me. It was so creative and felt like a cool mythology story. However I am still longing for a contemporary romance with some more original characters, and the day that comes, I will personally thank the author myself.

Have you read The Siren? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

12 comments:

  1. That cover model's really gonna f**k up that dress if she walks into the sea in it.

    (Look at me with my intelligent commentary... lol!)

    (OK... there might've been some coffee involved!)

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  2. I was a bit unsure about this, because while I do stand by that the first Selection novels are fantastic, the two additions were just meh, but now that I've read your review I WANT THIS BADLY. Love what you said about the atmosphere - I NEED something summery right now, because winter is killing me - and the love interest.
    Here's to hoping Cass's next book will be more diverse!

    Wonderful review, Em! :)

    Veronika @ The Regal Critiques

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    1. Thanks Veronika! I definitely think that this book alone just blew away the last two selection books. Idk what those even were. Winter is killing me right now too and this book just put me in the summery mood!

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  3. Love your review! And I totally agree about Cass's books; cliche, fluffy, but so fun and relaxing :) But yes, she definitely needs diversity in her writing. The lack of it is actually shocking.

    P.S. I LOVE THAT COVER!!! HER BOOKS ALWAYS HAVE AMAZING COVERS!!

    Amy @ A Magical World Of Words

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    1. THEY DO! She's great at writing fluff, but if she could just do that with some diverse characters, that'd be great.

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  4. The concept of this story is attempting to seduce me right now, and I'm doing my best to resist because I know how frustrated I get with flat, stereotypical characters....... the concept of this is still pretty darn cool, and that cover isn't helping my case right now, ugh haha.
    Great review, might give this a go when I'm in the mood for something fluffy (if that ever happens ha)...
    -Sam .x

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    1. I feel the exact same way with all of Cass' books! She writes the most addicting reads ever, but they're so cliche!! Great to get out of a reading slump though :)

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  5. I was umming and ahhing over this after how disappointing the last two Selection books were, but I think I might give it a go now :) I do like her writing, even if her characters aren't always the best, and if this is a bit of fun then why shouldn't I give it a chance?

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    1. I think you should definitely give it a chance! It's an amazing pick-me-up, and sometimes you really just need something sweet and fluffy!

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  6. So glad you liked this! Like everyone else, I've been worried about this die to the last two Selection books so I'm really glad you like it. I'll definitely have to pick it up sometime.

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    1. I think it was great for something different and I was just really happy that Eadlyn had no part in it lol!

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