Of Poseidon (The Syrena Legacy, #1) in so you like YA?!

Jun 17, 2013 Veronica rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, light-read, meh, fantasy, mur-maids, high-school

Doesn't this ~~merman?~~ guy look like he's doing an underwater dougie dance?

Anyway, it was really hard for me to imagine these characters as being Syrena aka merpeople aka sirena-is-the-spanish-word-for-mermaid. Apart from that it was an OK book.

Some parts were worthy of eyerolls, others of laughter, and others of girlie breath sighing. I don't really know where to take this review. I generally write a whole lot if I really love/hate the book, so I'm assuming this falls in between.

I guess we can s ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 25, 2014 Tamara rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, paranormal, fell-in-love-with-the-characters, mythology, suprised-me, 2014-reads

Crap, I hope that (the ending) doesnt mean they cant be together. My OTP belongs together!!!

My first mermaid novel wow (The Little Mermaid doesnt count, right?). I freaking loved it!!! Review to come shortly ;) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2011 Nikki rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-m-a-cover-whore, own, mythology, arc

What's funny, is the fact that I was not expecting to get this, nor was I expecting it to be the way it turned out to be. But in a gooooooodddd way. It was my first true Summer read, and it certainly fulfilled its purpose by sweeping me off to Florida to play in the water with the fish, Emma, and certainly Galen (hehehe). I found myself out by the pool reading this, imagining that I was in the sun and in the sand with the characters. Banks was able to create a whole new world in the "normal one What's funny, is the fact that I was not expecting to get this, nor was I expecting it to be the way it turned out to be. But in a gooooooodddd way. It was my first true Summer read, and it certainly fulfilled its purpose by sweeping me off to Florida to play in the water with the fish, Emma, and certainly Galen (hehehe). I found myself out by the pool reading this, imagining that I was in the sun and in the sand with the characters. Banks was able to create a whole new world in the "normal one" of Florida.
Another thing I liked were the characters. Emma is HILARIOUS. Her humor kept me engaged in her for the entire book. And on top of that, she was a strong person, not one of those "OMG my boyfriend's so hot so I'm going to do everything he says" spineless wimp people. And I loved Galen. Because he is so genuinely in love with Emma, but he can't explain his feelings, and he is harboring this secret for too long. I also enjoyed Toraf and amazingly Rayna too. She has some of the spicy attitude that I posess, so I know exactly what she was going through.
The number one thing I loved about the book though, was the mythology. This is a very refreshing take on the Siren myths. I was able to learn something about them as well as enjoy the story. I really liked how it wasn't bogged down with the legend the whole time. It was kind of spread out and made me keep reading to the rest of the story to find out the whole thing.
I also loved Banks' writing. She kept the water theme going by including all things fish, in their arguments, as well as what they eat and all. It really feels that she thought of everything. Including the title in the book. (IDK about you, but I <3 when an author can do that...) And she certainly can draw you into a scene. In the very beginning, that shark scene.... One word: Intense. I was literally on the edge of my seat and my heart was pounding. I knew I had to keep reading to see where it would lead to after that. Buttttt, the one thing about her writing that I didn't enjoy.... was that HUGE cliffhanger at the end! (Ok so I did enjoy it, but Banks you DID play with my emotions smh) Like really WTF was that. I desperately need the next book in the series! ...more

Like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Sharrice rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, own

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. While I was excited about reading it I don’t really read too many mermaid stories. Anna Banks really surprised me with Of Poseidon and I actually fell in love with this story about a chapter into the book. Emma and Galen’s story was truly one to behold and I really enjoyed reading about them. Plus it was dual pov between the two of them and you know I love a good dual pov.

Galen and Emma meet on a beach for the first time and while they both f I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. While I was excited about reading it I don’t really read too many mermaid stories. Anna Banks really surprised me with Of Poseidon and I actually fell in love with this story about a chapter into the book. Emma and Galen’s story was truly one to behold and I really enjoyed reading about them. Plus it was dual pov between the two of them and you know I love a good dual pov.

Galen and Emma meet on a beach for the first time and while they both feel an instant connection something goes terribly wrong. Now Emma is starting high school without her best friend and just when she thinks things can’t get worse, Emma sees Galen again. Now he’s revealing to her that not everything is as it appears. Emma can communicate with fish and can stay under water for long periods of time. She doesn’t want to believe it though. That is until Galen shows her his fin. Galen knows that Emma an abomination half-breed has the gift of Poseidon. She could save the kingdoms by reuniting them again and he wants nothing more than to be with her.

So Galen and Emma have an instant attraction and even when they start really liking each other it takes a while for their relationship to pick up, mostly because they argue all the time like Daemon and Katy from Obsidian. It’s honestly pretty funny since I enjoy witty banter.

Emma just lost her best friend to a shark and starting high school is hard for her without her. She doesn’t think there is anything special about her. Her mom and she aren’t the best of friends and her dad died. Starting high school alone is tough. After meeting Galen and learning all the secrets about herself that she never knew she begins looking for clues as to who and what she is. Emma takes most things in stride and is a tough cookie. She doesn’t let anyone walk all over her or anything and I liked that.

Galen is of course gorgeous in every way and high school girls frighten him which is hilarious. I enjoyed reading his angst over high school and Emma like a human. Galen is definitely an interesting character. He is the Prince over the Triton family and he is almost compelled to follow the rules and have everyone fall in line with them, which of course Emma never does. Emma and he are constantly butting heads because Galen has always followed the rules but being with Emma would break them. It’s a constant back and forth and one of the reasons why their romantic relationship takes so long to form.

Honestly, I fell in love with this story. I loved Emma and Galen’s characters and just everything about this story was pretty funny. I loved the jealousy Galen felt around Emma when she was hanging out with other guys of when he stalked her on her date which was hilarious. I loved Goliath who is a giant whale and adorable. I especially loved the cliffhanger at the end since while I kind of saw it coming I wasn’t sure so Emma’s parents identity is kept secret until the end which is awesome. Plus mythology was thrown in and Ann Banks certainly did a fine job of creating such a great and compelling story.

Teaser:
“Emma, we don't have to kiss. She already knows I want to sleep with you."
He cringes as soon as he says it. He doesn't have to look up to know the sizzling sound in the kitchen is from Rachel spitting her pineapple juice into the hot skillet.
"What I mean is, I already told her I want to sleep with you. I mean, I told her i wanted to sleep with you because she already thinks I do. Want to, I mean-" If a Syrena could drown, this is what it would feel like.”

Swoon:
"His mouth covers mine, cutting me off. This kiss isn't gentle like the first one. It's definitely not sweet. It's rough, demanding, searching. And disorienting. There's not a part of me that isn't melting against Galen, not a part that isn't combusting with his fevered touch.
I accidentally moan into his lips. He takes it for his cue to life me off my feet, to pull me up to his height for more leverage. I take his groan for my cue to kiss him harder." ...more

Like · see review