Secret of the Sirens By Julia Golding - Starting November 5th 2018

[Sierra]

When eleven-year-old Connie is sent to live with her eccentric aunt by the sea, she’s not expecting anything great—not to make friends with Col, the coolest guy in town, and certainly not to discover that mythical creatures still exist, that an ancient society has protected them for centuries, and that a dark and treacherous force is lurking in their midst. Most of all, she doesn’t expect to learn that she has the rarest of talents, greater even than her secret ability to communicate with animals. With Col’s help, she could achieve unimaginable power—and face the terrifying choices that come with it.

In the tradition of Eragon, A Wrinkle in Time, and The Golden Compass, the first book in the Companions Quartet is a boldly original adventure that will ignite the imaginations and emotions of fantasy readers everywhere.

[Abi]

I started it today. I forgot how much I liked it! I'm on page 115 and (view spoiler)[I forgot how icky Coddrington is. Bleh! I like Connie, of course, although Col is a bit annoying right now. Honestly, her friend (the one whose older sister is named Rupa; I think Connie's friend's name is Anousha or something similar to that - I'll have to look) is irritating, too. Perhaps I'll like her more later. I don't really remember. (hide spoiler)] Anyway, a good start to the book. I think I may end up reading the whole series.

[Abi]

On page 195 (55%) now and (view spoiler)[Col is being stupid. I'm excited for Connie to get training soon! Kullervo sounds intimidating. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

On page 225 (63%) and (view spoiler)[Col and Shirley have had a training fight sort of thing. Col and Connie are still in their silly fight. I mean, I get why, but Col needs to man up (for y'know, an eleven year old) and tell her he's sorry. Sigh. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Just finished it - I had put it down for ages. Final thoughts: (view spoiler)[I don't like it anywhere near as much as I used to. Probably because I think I first read it when I was ten or near that age. It isn't bad, exactly, but I found it hard to connect with Connie. I was also frustrated with Col for most of the book, and I didn't think the magic aspects were as exciting as I did several years ago. It's been maybe seven or eight years since I first read it, and I think this is my third or fourth time reading it. I just feel like, being much older than I was, it doesn't work for me now. It's not bad, but it is more suited to middle grade readers. I suppose I thought it would retain its charm, as Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, among other series, have done for me. 3 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

I am not going to continue with the series.