February’s giveaway theme is Fantasy with just a touch of Romance! Because who doesn’t enjoy at least the possibility of a happily ever after thrown into the midst of a world filled with battles and peril? Our first book is Storm Siren by Mary Weber. Ever since this book came out, I’ve run into it so many times online and stumbled across so many glowing reviews that I just knew I had to read it, but it wasn’t until last week that I actually had a chance to pick it up. Read on for my thoughts, but first, a bit about the book.
STORM SIREN
“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”
In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth—meaning, she shouldn’t even exist. Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.
Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons. But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for? Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Mary Weber is a ridiculously uncoordinated girl plotting to take over make-believe worlds through books, handstands, and imaginary throwing knives. In her spare time, she feeds unicorns, sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children, and ogles her husband who looks strikingly like Wolverine. They live in California, which is perfect for stalking L.A. bands, Joss Whedon, and the ocean.
Find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her Blog.
{photo courtesy of Sarah Kathleen Photography}
MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
Once I picked up Storm Siren, I had a hard time setting it back down. Set in a world of magical abilities, horrifying foes, friends and frenemies, (and with just a touch of a steampunkish feel slipping through now and again), Storm Siren is a fascinating, enjoyable, and altogether intriguing YA read. Not to imply that the story is all fun and games. The story progresses at a rapid pace, pausing only to explain the histories of the nations involved as needed. No fantasy adventure would be complete without a fair share of battles and training and desperate escapes, and Storm Siren is no exception. By the end of the book, the death toll is fairly high, but rather than feeling gratuitous, it only serves to highlight the dangers of the war facing Nym’s people and all that is truly at stake.
Nym makes for a sympathetic main character. Although she has lived as a slave in some form or another for most of her life, she is anything but a victim. And Colin is just too much fun. He’s sweet, a little goofy, and slightly adorable, but that doesn’t stop him from being quite formidable in battle. (Slight Spoiler Alert: Can I just say that, despite all the readers who’ve been swooning over Eogan, I personally liked Colin so much better! I never really got Nym and Eogan’s “connection,” or saw anything between them other than that she thought he was really, really, really handsome … and we’re supposed to believe that he thinks the same about her … so it’s got to be love, right? Not exactly a firm basis for a relationship, if you ask me.)
As for Adora, well, let’s just say it’s been a long time since I have so thoroughly disliked and despised a character. From the first time I met her, I couldn’t help hoping she would get her comeuppance and that it would be a doozy! Note: partly because of Adora, and partly because of Nym and Eogan, I’d suggest reserving this book for older readers, ages 14+ or so.
I was not overly fond of the hissing speech pattern given to one of the slightly more dubious characters in the story. It seemed like too much of a desperate attempt to make this character seem stereotypically evil, but that’s just my two cents. Long story short, I did enjoy reading Storm Siren, and I’m sure I will pick up the next book, Siren’s Fury, when it releases!
Note: Due to the vast difficulties and expenses involved in finding a carrier pigeon large enough to make a transatlantic flight with a book bound to its leg, this particular giveaway is open only to the US.
Allison Ruvidich says
I have been dying to read this book! I must say, if I could manipulate the elements, I would fly Kaladin-style. No question. ; D
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Agreed! Kaladin's powers are just too cool. :)
Sarah says
Storm Siren is on my list of books I really want to read; it looks really awesome.
If I could have an elemental power . . . my first inclination is to go for water/ice because a lot of characters I like have that and I think it would (literally) be a pretty cool power to have. Second choice is fire because, well, FIRE. I mean, I'm not a pyromaniac, but fireballs are pretty effective against most people.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Yes, fire is just one of those super cool ones! That would probably be my first choice … though, I guess it's harder to use as a weapon if you don't want to completely destroy your opponents …
Caryl Kane says
I can't wait to read STORM SIREN! My elemental power of choice is a WHIRLWIND. It's great for cleaning out atmospheres….
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Ooh, that's a good one! Generally overlooked too, but it could be super handy! :)
ghost ryter says
I've been hearing a lot about this book. It looks incredibly interesting, and I can't wait to read it!
ghost ryter says
Whoops, almost forgot! I think I'd probably want to control water…it's everywhere, in almost everything, yo u know….
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Water powers are pretty cool! Switching books, but that's part of the reason why I always thought Percy Jackson had some of the coolest powers. :)
Ekaterina says
Wow! That is an amazing cover!
Ekaterina says
I think I would want to control wind. I love the feeling of wind hitting my face. It makes me feel so strong and vulnerable, which is true, but sounds extremely silly. :)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
It doesn't sound silly at all! I'm the same way! Whenever there's a storm rolling in, I love standing out on the porch in the middle of all the wind.
I traveled to Scotland a while back and took a boat trip out to Staffa Island, and there was an arctic wind blowing down from the north that day, so it was really cold, and the spray was shooting up over the side so most of the folks ducked inside the little cabin area.
But I loved the feel of that wind, and the shock of the spray, and the tang of the salt on the air. There was no way I was going inside!
I did get a little bit wet. But it was so totally worth it! :)
Katie Grace says
Oh, I've been wanting to read this book so badly!
I'm so horrible at decisions… (You probably know that by now with all my waffling when it comes to comments) I'd have to decide between water and wind. I tend to stay above water more than in it, so I think I'm going to say wind.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
I keep changing my mind with each new comment I read. At first I was set on fire … then water … then wind … oh, fine, just give me all of them! :)
Katie Grace says
All would be pretty fantastic. I have yet to read a book that has a character with all those abilities.
Riley says
I think my powers would be water based, because I love the ocean so much.
Gillian Bronte Adams says
The ocean! *sigh* No, I promise, I will not get started on my sailing dreams. We could be here all day.
Ryebrynn says
Fire. Definitely fire. :)
This book is epic. 'Nuff said.
-Ryebrynn
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Have you gotten to read it already?
Ella says
Thanks for doing a review/giveaway.
I have heard so many good things about this book.
I think I would like to have ice powers similar to Elsa's from Frozen:)
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Elsa's ice powers were pretty cool, I have to admit. Though I may have heard all the Frozen songs enough times to last me a lifetime! ;)
Ella says
:)
LadySaotome says
I already have a copy so I'm not entering (though I am sharing the giveaway on facebook) but I felt the exact same way about the Colin/Eogan/Nym connection. I even mentioned it in my own review. I felt like we were told Eogan/Nym were a thing but I just never felt it. And Colin was a doll!! But you forgot to mention the ending!
Gillian Bronte Adams says
Thanks for sharing the giveaway! I did skip mentioning the ending, because, to be honest, I saw it coming. I'd seen so many people complaining about the cliffhanger that I saw the pieces leading up to it, and it wasn't that much of a surprise to me. Didn't want to spoil it for anyone else though … ;)
Sparks of Ember says
I did, too, though it never occurred to me until now that maybe I was looking for those pieces because of the warnings… Hmm.
Though really, it didn't bother me because it felt like an epilogue rather than a cliff-hanger – like those teaser scenes in the credits of a movie where they hint at more for the sequel.
Maddie Jay says
Fire! I want fire power! I don't care what kind, so long as I can blast unruly peasants!
Sierra Faith says
Probably Lightening! I would love to have lightening power! I have heard such good things about Storm Siren!
Rachael Liankatawa says
I want to read this book! I keep hearing so much about it. If I could control the elements I'd go for wind…no more hot and stuffy days for me!
Annika S. says
This book sounds amazing. Even if I don't win the giveaway (lol, which I probably won't) I'm going to go find it in a bookstore just because of this post.
If I had an elemental power, I guess I'd want the power to drain and give energy. I read that one in a book called Elemental, and it was really useful. Though I'd want to be able to use it at a distance and not just by touch. :)
Shantelle H. says
Oh, I am really excited to read Storm Siren!! Such a lovely cover, :)
Hmmm… elemental powers? I've never really thought about it. I guess I would appreciate the ability to control wind, so I could read outside without my hair flying in my face/book pages flipping/getting a chill… haha, :D :)
Susan says
Definitely fire or water.
Elizabeth says
If I could do elements, I would want air or water power.
dythia99 says
I would want to be a hybrid – I would want all elemental powers, but not be able to master any of them.
Emily Kopf says
I read Storm Siren, and it is amazing! I would love to have a paperback copy of it.
For elemental abilities, there are a couple things I would choose. I really, really want to be able to fly, so probably wind. I would also like to be able to breathe under water, and since water is often tied to healing, I hope that ability comes with it. But these talents do not seem so tied to the elements, not like controlling the wind or water would be. Either way it would be cool.
Emma Jayne says
I would want the element of fire!
Rawls E. says
I'm caught between lightning (because it's powerful and beautiful) and wind/air manipulation (so that I could fly). To fly has been my desire ever since I was a toddler :) So maybe I should choose wind/air.
Deanne says
The cover is amazing. I have been really wanting to read this.
Oh I would definately say water. It's so unbelievably powerful !
Elizabeth says
Georgeous cover! Although… I personally prefer your book covers, Gillian :)
Merenwen Inglorion says
THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! :D
And the cover is gorgeous!
"If you had a power tied to the elements, what would you want your power to be?"
Hmm…probably…water control. Katara just makes it look so cool! :D That, and it would be awesome to be able to breathe underwater or explore the ocean without all that expensive equipment.
Melody Jackson says
If I could have a power tied to the elements… it would probably be the ability to control weather/create storms and such. I haven't read this book but I really want to! I've heard a lot of great things about it. :)
Melody Jackson says
If I could have a power tied to the elements… it would probably be the ability to control weather/create storms and such. I haven't read this book but I really want to! I've heard a lot of great things about it. :)