The Siren Depths (Books of the Raksura, #3)

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The Siren Depths (Books of the Raksura #3)

by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author)

4.36 of 5 stars 4.36 · rating details · 357 ratings · 61 reviews

All his life, Moon roamed the Three Worlds, a solitary wanderer forced to hide his true nature--until he was reunited with his own kind, the Raksura, and found a new life as consort to Jade, sister queen of the Indigo Cloud court.

But now a rival court has laid claim to Moon, and Jade may or may not be willing to fight for him. Beset by doubts, Moon must travel in the compa...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published December 4th 2012 by Night Shade Books (first published December 1st 2012)

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The Siren Depths (Books of the Raksura, #3)
by Martha Wells (Goodreads Author)

Release date: Jan 01, 2013

The third book in the Books of the Raksura series, sequel to The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea.

All his life, Moon roamed the Three Worlds, a solitar…more

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Community Reviews

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Feb 26, 2013 Charty rated it 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed getting a chance to spend time in the world of the Raksura again. This third book nicely wraps up Moon's journey, from solitary Raksura who reluctantly joins the court of Indigo Cloud, to truly being a part of that family, and his being able to do that is encapsulated in his journey to court of Onyx Night where he learns surprising things about his origins and family, while confronting the dark plans of the Fell.

Not to give too much away, but while Moon is still plagued with...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Nick Fagerlund rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book three of Martha Wells’ TOTALLY EXCELLENT Raksura books. Just as good as the previous two! Recommended wholeheartedly.

So something occurred to me as I was reading this one: the Fell are crypto-vampires. Wells did a thorough enough job at deviating from the template that it took me a long time to figure it out: they don’t suck blood, they eat meat; they’re not undead, they’re living creatures with their own ecology. They don’t transform some victims into copies of themselves, although, well,...more Book three of Martha Wells’ TOTALLY EXCELLENT Raksura books. Just as good as the previous two! Recommended wholeheartedly.

So something occurred to me as I was reading this one: the Fell are crypto-vampires. Wells did a thorough enough job at deviating from the template that it took me a long time to figure it out: they don’t suck blood, they eat meat; they’re not undead, they’re living creatures with their own ecology. They don’t transform some victims into copies of themselves, although, well, they sort of try; it’s complicated. Etc. But they do show up looking beautiful and reveal their true nature later. They can influence people’s minds and hypnotize them. Their victims invite them in. And more to the heart of it, they’re intelligent and organized predators, who resemble their victims in a way that very few monsters do, and who can manipulate and toy with their prey’s emotions in a way that more strictly monstrous predators neither can do nor feel driven to.

And by divorcing vampiric nature from its home genre, Wells gets to… well wait, she actually gets two things. First is that the Fell have their gloves off — they aren’t rare, they don’t have any vestigial folkloric weaknesses, and they destroy and eat whole civilizations because they feel like it. The second is that she can get straight to the interesting vampire problems. To wit: are they people? And if so, does it even matter? And if it doesn’t matter, what does that say about being a person?

Because they don’t seem capable of remorse or compassion. They can’t be reasoned with; they’ll stop at nothing to kill and eat you, and will say anything that might get them what they want. They’re intelligent, though. And they seem to have genuine emotions and interior lives, sometimes, but they also know how to imitate emotions to manipulate their prey, so who can really tell if they actually feel anything? And yet. They seem so like us, sometimes; surely there’s something in there, right? And meantime, while we’ve been equivocating about this, they’ve eaten your family, and are smiling and telling you they didn’t mean it. They’re a whole species of Carcer from Night Watch.

And it’s even trickier in these books, because there’s already a certain confusion regarding who’s people; there are dozens if not hundreds of intelligent species on this planet, and plenty of them have no way of communicating with each other, and it probably gets hard to tell warfare from predation sometimes.

Anyway, those questions have been sticking with me, as have some lingering thoughts about the relationship between Arbora and Aeriat. But as always with Wells, the real show is her excellent character writing, and wow I had a great time with it. Moon in particular has benefited a lot from the series lasting for a few books. In the first, when you were still getting used to the bizarre world situation, he was spending a lot of his time functioning as reader surrogate. In the last two books, now that the rules are established and he can move around a lot more fluently, it’s become more apparent how badly psychologically damaged he really is (which in turn has shed a lot of light on how he was acting in the first book). And in spite of all that, he’s really likable! He’s brave and altruistic and a hard worker, and if he acts like a complete dumbass sometimes, well, it’s nothing a decade of therapy wouldn’t fix.

Jade spends a lot of time absent from this book, but she’s very much present by contrast with the queens from the other court, who make it obvious how lucky Moon got with her. (Malachite is awesome as hell, but JESUS.)(less)

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Jan 29, 2013 Clinton rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: annoying, could-of-been-better, over-emotional-character-s

I guess ima have to be "that" guy again and not like a book everyone else likes. I honestly cant see why anyone would like or love this book. What redeeming qualities does it have? What does it do right? If you can answer Nothing, to both of those questions, congrats your just like me.

Everything I have to say in this review can be reflected on the series as a whole.

The main character, whatever his name was, has to be one of the most infuriating characters Ive ever had the displeasure of readin...more I guess ima have to be "that" guy again and not like a book everyone else likes. I honestly cant see why anyone would like or love this book. What redeeming qualities does it have? What does it do right? If you can answer Nothing, to both of those questions, congrats your just like me.

Everything I have to say in this review can be reflected on the series as a whole.

The main character, whatever his name was, has to be one of the most infuriating characters Ive ever had the displeasure of reading about. As a matter of fact there is only one character who can rival my hate for this character. There is only one character that has annoyed me on higher levels than "main character" has managed to pull off, even in his finest hour. That character is Rose from the Vampire Academy series. If you know who im talking about than you should know what I mean.
(I just checked, main characters name was Moon, no wonder i forgot.)

I mean Moon, he complains about everything. He yells, bitches and just goes off on damn near everybody. Even when people are trying to help him or be nice to him or save his life, he bitches. I couldn't understand it and it annoyed me to no end. Moon is one of the main reasons why i couldnt get into this series.

The other is the fact that these books are 65% annoying fluff descriptions.

"Do you want to come with me to the jungle" Dragon Girl says.

At that moment Dragon Boy felt the wind breeze through the halls. This wasnt an ordinary breeze, no this breeze was cold. This breeze was so cool that DB had to look up, and when he did, he saw the sun. This sun was bright, just like a sun is. But this sun wasnt just any type of bright, it was really bright. The sun was so bright that DB had to look down and when he did, he saw the dirt. Oh this wasnt regular everyday dirt, it was light brown with a hint of lavender. The coarse texture of the dirt was so smooth when he ran his fingers through it that he knew it was indeed dirt.

"Yes ill come" Dragon Boy says.

Thats the type of bull you have to deal with throughout each book except that its actually 50X worst in the books. Simple conversations that should take up like 4 lines end up taking 15 pages to get through.Without those two problems these could of been some excellent books, they had alot of potential.

So no I dont like these books, I wanted to kill myself while reading them to put it nicely.

(less)

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Jan 06, 2013 Sonia Lal rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

The Siren Depths is the third in the series and I think it’s probably my favorite in the whole series. It might be confusing without reading the previous books.

The word is gorgeously described and very, very imaginative, just like in the first book. And it just keeps getting better. I love it.
I love the characters, too. The main character, Moon, finds the family that abandoned him when he was born. Apparently he’s the spitting image of his father. ;)

Moon was born a consort in a winged, matriar...more The Siren Depths is the third in the series and I think it’s probably my favorite in the whole series. It might be confusing without reading the previous books.

The word is gorgeously described and very, very imaginative, just like in the first book. And it just keeps getting better. I love it.
I love the characters, too. The main character, Moon, finds the family that abandoned him when he was born. Apparently he’s the spitting image of his father. ;)

Moon was born a consort in a winged, matriarchal race. Consorts are the only males that can breed with a Queen. There are rules to govern the behavior of Consort. But Moon, having grown up in the wild, never learned any of the rules. Indeed, he never knew the name of his race until half way into the first book.

Because of the rules governing the life of a consort, Moon is forced to go back to his family. The relationship rules are kind of complex, IMO. But explained because Moon is an outsider. (I think trying to explain the rules to the reader if the main character were not an outsider would very, very difficult.)

Because of the life Moon had (he has been wandering the world ever since he was a child, always hiding, always ready to move on) trust is difficult for Moon. Very, very difficult. There is lots of action, lots of drama, but Moon’s insecurity about his place always pops up. He even says something like that to his new-found mother: if the Fell treated me well and told me I belonged with them, I would have.

The Fell are the enemy, and very, very different from his own people. Any physical similarities are misleading. It highlights how Moon felt in the first book and though he has learned to trust a little, he still has a long way to go.

The one thing that is clear to me at the end of this book is that Moon will never, ever be like a normal consort of his people. He can pretend for a few hours maybe, but in the end, he will always do something no other consort would ever do.

His Queen accepts that, which is just as well.

I don’t know which is my favorite scene in this book. There are so many good ones, I just don’t know. Nothing stands out for me right now.
Definitely worth reading, but after the first two in the series. I am pretty sure I will re-read this again. I will figure out then which scene I like best.
(less)

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Jan 03, 2013 Melissa Proffitt rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, fantasy, action-adventure

I enjoyed the previous volumes in this trilogy, The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea, but this one really blew me away. In the first two books, protagonist Moon's mysterious past underlies the plot, but takes a back seat to the survival of the court he's become a part of. Now, with Indigo Cloud having found a new home and needing to restore it, Moon's past suddenly becomes very important: his home colony has finally found him, and even though he's mated to Jade, sister Queen of Indigo Cloud, they...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Muccamukk rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Perfect finish to my favourite fantasy trilogy in years. It brought together all the relationship threads, solved all the remaining mysteries and managed to introduce some great new characters to boot.

I really loved all the characters in the new court, especially the queen, who was completely badass. I really appreciate how this series deals with culture clash and social isolation. It never feels contrived, even though the characters are shape shifting dragons, and the miscommunication never fee...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Seregil of Rhiminee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Originally published at Risingshadow.

Finding originality and true talent in today's overcrowded fantasy market is difficult, but fortunately there are still authors like Martha Wells who write quality fantasy for adults. The Books of the Raksura series can be seen as a proof of her writing talents, because it continues to get better and more complex with each new book. Each time I've read a book by Martha Wells, there's been one question on my mind: How does she manage to write so original and a...more

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Dec 04, 2012 Stephen rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Siren Depths is the third book in Martha Wells’ Books of the Raksura series. The novel brings an interesting story and compelling characters together for a fitting end to the trilogy. But is it the end?

One thing I liked about the story was how it tells a tale on two fronts. One one hand there’s the immediate story of what Moon is doing and where he’s being forced to go. On the other hand, The Siren Depths ties in with the previous novels to finally reveal Moon’s full backstory. Readers final...more The Siren Depths is the third book in Martha Wells’ Books of the Raksura series. The novel brings an interesting story and compelling characters together for a fitting end to the trilogy. But is it the end?

One thing I liked about the story was how it tells a tale on two fronts. One one hand there’s the immediate story of what Moon is doing and where he’s being forced to go. On the other hand, The Siren Depths ties in with the previous novels to finally reveal Moon’s full backstory. Readers finally get to find out what happened to him as a kid, how he was separated from his court, the identity of his parents, and more. By the end, all of the loose ends are tied up which gives the book a feeling of completeness. However, the future is kept wide open and there are plenty of major stories that could be explored in future novels.

On its own, The Siren Depths is an enjoyable book. It’s certainly not something you would want to dive into without reading the other two books first. A lot of world building and character building is accomplished before hand. While you probably could jump straight into this book and enjoy it, you would be missing out on a lot. Regardless, this book fits in perfectly with the series. As part of the greater whole, it continues the fun, but it also ties things together nicely, answers lingering questions, and pushes the characters in intriguing directions.

Like the previous stories, there is a good mix of various story elements. It explores new, strange places and creatures. There’s a new villain who turns out to be the driving force behind the Fell and their desire to crossbreed with the Raksura. There’s a new groundling city discovered on the side of a cliff, built into a gigantic statue. It has harbors for flying boats and its citizens are armed with projectile weaponry. There’s also a mysterious underwater city full of secrets that’s explored. There’s a lot of court intrigue as Moon ventures to a new Raksuran court on the edge of the Reaches. Meanwhile the story of Moon and Jade’s relationship continues into new territory. The only thing that’s not really explored yet is the raising of the Sky Copper royal clutch.

If you’re thinking about investing in the series, it’s worthwhile. The second and third books are on par with the first. It’s also a good way for Star Wars readers to see what Martha Wells’ storytelling is like. She does a good job of balancing between characters and plot. The dialog and character development is excellent. She’s very imaginative and comes up with some really strange races, creatures, and places. Action is spread throughout the novel with various trigger points and mission points, but it’s never drawn out to the point of being tiresome. There also isn’t any graphic sex, and while there is violence, she doesn’t dwell on it. All in all, it’s a great mix for good storytelling that makes for addictive reading.(less)

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Nov 14, 2012 Yune rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was going to give this four stars, since it's not a perfect book, but given that I pre-ordered it, dropped everything to read it as soon as it arrived, finished it the same evening, then sat quietly with the book in my hands musing over how much I love this series... It deserved the upgrade.

I think one of the (several) amazing things about this series is how it doesn't flag. Everything that I thought marvelous about the first two volumes -- the vivid depiction of the non-human Raksuran culture...more I was going to give this four stars, since it's not a perfect book, but given that I pre-ordered it, dropped everything to read it as soon as it arrived, finished it the same evening, then sat quietly with the book in my hands musing over how much I love this series... It deserved the upgrade.

I think one of the (several) amazing things about this series is how it doesn't flag. Everything that I thought marvelous about the first two volumes -- the vivid depiction of the non-human Raksuran culture (heck, several such cultures), the deft mix of aerial battle action and court politics and navigating personal relationships, distinct characters who act according to cogent reasons -- all of that is still here and strong. (And yes, the much-beloved disemboweling claws make another appearance.)

I suspect that much of the magic lies in how relatable the characters are despite their foreign outlook. I cheered when the powerful elder Stone showed up at a critical moment, storming angry; laughed when the reluctant warrior Chime volunteered to accompany others on a dangerous mission ("Let's all go together. Then when--if we die, it'll be less...lonely"); felt my heart catch when orphaned fledglings tried to bargain their rescuer into staying with them.

And, of course, there's Moon, the main character, who finally gets to confront his past from a destroyed court and what it means for the tenuous yet cherished ties to his adopted home. This could have easily been a tedious conflict with many other characters, under many other authors' hands, but here I completely understood Moon's lack of confidence in finding -- and holding on to -- a place where he belongs, and ached for him through his struggles.

And don't forget the Fell, the predator race that descends upon entire cities to ravage them, yet shares a heritage with the Raksura. I was pleased to see this explored more deeply here, complete with a scholar who questioned exactly why the Fell's behavior suddenly started changing. Along with all the emotional and martial turmoil, people do think about things.

It's just such a well-grounded, well-rounded fantasy read -- perhaps not a lofty work, but just thoroughly entertaining while being too solid to be counted as inconsequential fluff. If you enjoyed the first two, you won't be disappointed by this one. But do go read those first.

I (not-so-)secretly hope there will be more, but honestly? Even if these are the only three books, count me a very happy reader.(less)

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Jul 09, 2012 N.K. Jemisin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I got to read an early draft of this, so take my comments with salt since I don't know what the final's like. But that's OK, because I loved it and I can't see how any final edits could have diminished that! In this episode of Days of Our Draconic Lives, Moon's more or less settled into life at Indigo Cloud, although he's anxious because he and Jade haven't managed to make a clutch yet despite lots of enthusiastic attempts. But before Stone can slap him in the head and tell him to chillax, gasp!...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Kira Yeversky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone how much I love Martha Wells' writing. Seriously, folks, it is so good, go read some. Check out the end of this review for recommendations.

The plot moves fast and (as in the other two Raksura books) we get to see more of this elaborate world and its occupants. I also find myself identifying strongly with Moon, the main character. This is an accomplishment, since Moon is a male shape-shifting creature whose shifted form has claws, scales, spin...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Yarrow rated it 5 of 5 stars

Martha Wells is amazing. The 3rd book in the Raksura series fully delivers on the promise of the first two. It's poignant enough to make you cry, thoughtful and thought-provoking, funny, fast-moving and action packed as always. I am delighted by Moon's personal growth and the deepening of his relationship with his culture & society. And Jade! also: i continue to absolutely adore the inverted gender dynamics of Raksuran society. i love it that Moon spends some time worrying if he's pretty eno...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Starts out on a surprisingly bitter note. Moon, seasoned protagonist on his third book, desperately wants to be accepted by the colony he's been part of for three books. But due to a series of coincidences he quite reasonably suspects that everyone hates him.

I was reading this on the train, and someone walked up and said, "Oh, hi! I remember you, you were my TA eight years ago!" and -- well, it took some serious mental gearshifting to get back to "like people enough to talk to them" mode.

I'm not...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Lara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-in-2012

I was eagerly anticipating the release of this book and was not disappointed. Moon is still insecure in his position with his new Raksura court when he is sent away to another court that claims he is theirs. So, we learn about Moon's past and heritage, which has been a mystery. We also engage again with the Fell, and have the joy of the company of people from the Golden Isles again. Many mysteries are solved, and Moon and Jade come closer to trusting and believing in each other. Their relationsh...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Sasha rated it 5 of 5 stars

The third, but hopefully not the last, of Martha Wells Raksura books.

The Raksura books are extremely original second world fantasy novels with active alien flora and fauna(I love a world where the only way you can sometimes tell what creatures are sentient and what ones aren't is by having the characters ask).

I can't tell you the number of times trilogies have disappointed me. The first book is usually great, the second book is fine and the third book muffs the ending so badly you wonder what...more

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Dec 02, 2012 J.M. Klees rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's always a treat to get to read a new Martha Wells. I've really come to love all the members of Indigo Cloud and getting to learn about Moon's past and seeing more of court life in general was great. I have to say that this entry drew me in less than the previous stories; it feels like a transition book, more setting the stage than a grand adventure. I hope that a fourth book will be released and that we get to see Moon and Jade move on to the next stage of their lives. I also am looking forw...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Bigal-sa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: baen, kindle

I certainly cannot fault this author's ability to tell a very fine tale. However, it does get rather difficult to keep track of all the characters. She did bring together the loose ends from the earlier books in a way which was in keeping with her fantasy world. The ending was good enough to make it the end of the series, but open enough to allow for further books.

I don't think the editing was quite as tight as in the earlier books. For instance, the US slang of putting 'already' at the end of...more

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Feb 18, 2013 Dragana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: from-netgalley, fantasy, shifters, tower-teams-read-2013, male-lead, waiting-on-wednesday

The Books of the Raksura follow adventures of a male shifter Moon in a imaginary world of Three Realms. After events in The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea, Moon finally settled down as a consort to a Jade, sister queen of Indigo Cloud court. They have successfully fled from their enemies, The Fell, and reclaimed and repaired their old home. But rest is still not in the cards for Moon, because in The Siren Depths Martha Wells will finally tackle the biggest mystery - what really happened to Moon...more

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Mar 31, 2013 heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, reviewed, fantasy, wiscon

This book wraps up Wells' extremely strong fantasy trilogy, and it upholds the standards of the previous books. I wasn't certain where the tension would come from, but at long last, the family Moon has always wished for shows up in his life again. But of course, nothing is ever that uncomplicated. He's a settled young adult now, and being sent back into the role of a young prince is not his idea of a good time.

I want to give Moon the BIGGEST hug. His scars from a lifetime of not-belonging and m...more This book wraps up Wells' extremely strong fantasy trilogy, and it upholds the standards of the previous books. I wasn't certain where the tension would come from, but at long last, the family Moon has always wished for shows up in his life again. But of course, nothing is ever that uncomplicated. He's a settled young adult now, and being sent back into the role of a young prince is not his idea of a good time.

I want to give Moon the BIGGEST hug. His scars from a lifetime of not-belonging and moving all the time are so obvious and relevant to the story.
"Moon wanted to believe that so much it made his whole body hurt. But everything in his life up to this point said that this was the end, that he would never see her or any of the others again. Trying to struggle out from under the weight of the past was like drowning. After a strangled moment, he managed to choke out, “I’ll be waiting.”"

Poor woogums! Of course he can't believe that anyone could persistently want him in their lives, no matter what he wants. I would really recommend this book to military brats, mish kids, and those of the rest of us who had a routine for how to walk into a new school and try not to make the same mistakes as last time.

So in addition to Moon's emotional drama, there's also a really ripping story that winds up explaining exactly what the Fell have been up to, and why Moon was lost, and all sorts of other things you've been wondering through the first two books of the series. This was one of those books that I kept sneaking peaks at during the workday.

Read if: You have enjoyed the previous two books. You like reading sympathetic portrayals of complicated emotions. You want to encourage new and interesting fantasy books being written.

Skip if: You are contents to keep reading sword and sorceror books until the end of time.

Also read:
Well's excellent magical alt-historyish book, The Death of the Necromancer which is only recently out in Kindle.
Wen Spencer's awesome take on the lost-prince theme, A Brother's Price (less)

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Jan 17, 2013 Kagama-the Literaturevixen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, unique-world, strange-but-good-read

3.5

This is the book where we finally find out where Moon came from and the how and why of the never.How I have been waiting >_o

The book opens as Moon is starting to settle into his role as a consort and with the customs of the Raksura.He is still a bit concerned about him and Jade not being able to concieve a child yet. But otherwise things are good,the raksura court is thriving and the Fell are keeping away.

Then some visitors from another court arrives with a message that Moons birthcourt ha...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Joel Neff rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 17, 2013 TheBookSmugglers rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-awesomeness, fantasy, favorites

Original review posted on The Book Smugglers

Oh, what a pleasure it is to return to the Three Worlds and the Raksura! Such a rich world, such an incredibly fun and adventurous story, such a bunch of well-rounded characters!

In this third (and final?) book in the Books of the Raksura series, we continue to follow the long-term tribulations of the folks from Indigo Cloud court as well as the protagonist Moon’s internal struggles.

Indigo Cloud court is still settling down in their new home when news a...more Original review posted on The Book Smugglers

Oh, what a pleasure it is to return to the Three Worlds and the Raksura! Such a rich world, such an incredibly fun and adventurous story, such a bunch of well-rounded characters!

In this third (and final?) book in the Books of the Raksura series, we continue to follow the long-term tribulations of the folks from Indigo Cloud court as well as the protagonist Moon’s internal struggles.

Indigo Cloud court is still settling down in their new home when news arrive from far away: a rival court has laid claim on Moon and want him back. Moon is not happy about it, he has finally found a home with Indigo Cloud and even though he and its Queen Jade haven’t had a clutch yet (is there anything wrong with him, he wonders), things are looking up. Plus, this other court didn’t want him before, so why bother now. To his surprise, Indigo Cloud tells him to go and they explain that according to the Raksura way of life he must follow the order, that they have no choice and despite reassurances from Jade that she WILL get him back, Moon believes it is the end of the road for him and Indigo Cloud. In the meantime, there is danger in the horizon, as the Fell make their come-back with a vengeance.

This is the book where all threads present in the series so far come to an end. It is here that past and present meet in order to pave the way to the future. Both the Indigo Cloud court and Moon have to face their ghosts so that they can carry on.

For the Indigo Cloud court and even the Raksura themselves, it is time they understand more about their connection to the dreaded Fell and the things they have in common – as unthinkable as this might be. There are surprising revelations here that add an element of learning to the proceedings even as the characters are fighting for their lives in the crudest yet most exciting sequences of the novel.

For Moon, it is coming to grips with his childhood and how his perception of his own history might not be entirely true as well as coming to the understanding about how his life from before is affecting how he responds emotionally to his life now. If there was learning for the Raksura, there is all the more so for Moon. His arc finally reaches the point where he KNOWS everything: who he is, what happened to his family and why; and how this knowledge must be taken onboard to help him decide the person he wants to be.

This is the type of Fantasy series I absolutely love – and highly recommend as a worthwhile series to read and fall in love with. There is a wonderful balance between the personal and the collective, for example, with Moon having to understand the laws the Raksura live by and sometimes even question them; between different peoples and cultures; between character and plot (both drive the story forward). The world-building is unquestionably well-established and thought-through, the Raksura a wholly different species without being completely alien.

It also features a matriarchal society of completely badass women, a different type of Consort that doesn’t mind being protected AND saved by his Queen but who wishes he can be more proactive, friendship bonds, reasoned and negotiated romance, as well as moments of pain and loss mingled with beauty and inspiration.

The Siren Depths closes the series really well – but with scope for more awesome adventures with Moon, Jade, Stone and co. I am hoping for more! (less)

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Jan 28, 2013 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Third book in the series and it didn't disappoint. I have a fondness for the Raksura, and Ms Wells certainly packed a punch with this one, rounding off the trology nicely and yet leaving it open for more if she is so inclined - which I hope.

When I first started reading this, as a comparison to the Ile Rien stories, I wondered if it was YA. The story had a simplicity to it, as did the characters in places. At the same time, this totally suited those characters and *this* story.

As usual the world...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Saphirablue rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, favorites, friendship, hurt-comfort, in-english, wings, read-in-2012

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 19, 2012 Doug rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

Even though I haven't read the first two in this series, I really enjoyed reading this book and will definitely read the first two when I get a chance. Other than Moon's obsession with protecting some town that didn't want help, the characters were all interesting and fun to read about. It would have been nice to have read the other books before this one but I didn't feel lost while reading it. The four appendixes at the end were a nice inclusion, although they're short I like little bonuses lik...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

The worst thing about this book is that there probably isn't going to be any more written in this universe or about these characters. I loved it, obviously, and it was the most emotional and heart-wrenching installment of the series. The world building continues to be incredible, and the story lines are wrapped up nicely at the end. I couldn't wish for a more entertaining and engrossing series.

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Feb 27, 2013 Deborah Mcnemar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keeper, to-be-re-read-often

I fell into this series on a whim, an inexpensive buy for my new e-book. Moon, a shapeshifter with no idea of what he is exactly or where he came from, is (re)discovered by his people and he has to learn to exist among them. He has no manners, no trust and no clue just what lies ahead of him or how important he really is. I fell in love with the quarrelsome, untrusting Moon and his need to be loved.

The world building is solid with the varying inhabitants and terrain. The characters are rich and...more

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Mar 02, 2013 Christina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, library

This was a fun book and I enjoyed it more than the previous Raksura book (although the first was my favorite). The parts inside the Raksura colony were the most enjoyable to me (the social structure Martha Wells created for them is so interesting). The "big reveal" at the end was a bit disappointing (anti-climactic for sure), but I enjoyed the book overall and if Martha Wells writes more Raksura novels, I would certainly read them.

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Dec 06, 2012 Heather Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Cloud Roads, The Serpent Sea and finally the Siren Depths are the three books in this series. An adventure story of Moon, the solitary wanderer who finds his people, after being separated for many years. He faces enemies, finds love and his place in the world and finds out what it means to no longer be alone.

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Mar 06, 2013 Rachelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

A fantasy novel about finding your family and being accepted for who you are. The world-building is strong, detailed, and intriguing. The story mixes action and emotional growth with great character development and relationship building. Moon is independent but insecure, and does what he thinks is right.

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About Martha Wells

Martha Wells is the author of fourteen SF/F novels, including Wheel of the Infinite, City of Bones, The Element of Fire, and the Nebula-nominated The Death of the Necromancer. She has a fantasy trilogy: The Wizard Hunters, The Ships of Air, and The Gate of Gods, currently out in paperback. Her most recent fantasy novels are The Cloud Roads (March 2011), The Serpent Sea (January 2012), and The Sire...more

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Books by Martha Wells

The Cloud Roads (Books of the Raksura, #1)

The Serpent Sea (Books of the Raksura #2)

The Wizard Hunters (The Fall of Ile-Rien, #1)

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The Siren Depths (Books of the Raksura #3)

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