As a child, Disney's "The Little Mermaid" was my favourite film. And yes, I still know all the words to the songs and sneakily sing along when my 8-year old stepdaughter is watching it (at my insistence). I’m sure I’m not the only one.
This book is nothing like that film. It is no fairy tale. What it is, is a dark, brutal and starkly honest version of a similar story. Perhaps this is why I loved it so much, but I think it goes beyond that as the book was very well written and the characters were so well developed I could picture them clearly.
The plot follows the stories of Elian and Lira. Elian is a prince of the Kingdom of Midas. However, he is happier being the Captain of his ship than living the boring life of a royal. He is also famed as a siren killer. Lira is a siren, and daughter of the Sea Queen. Every year, on her birthday, she takes the heart of a prince, and has earner a fearsome reputation as the ruthless Prince’s Bane. They are each aware of the legend surrounding the other, and the story tells of what happens when the two collide.
The book is divided into chapters told from the points of view of Elian and Lira. Both characters are very well written, and they each have their own deep history and emotional baggage. Honestly, I could not decide whose side I was on because I liked both characters so much. I think this was the author’s intention as it helps to build the tension throughout the book. I could never take sides with either one of them - somehow I wanted them both to win. Sadly this seemed impossible and so I was constantly on edge and biting my nails to see who would come out of the other side of this epic battle of wills and worlds.
The plot and world created by the author was very well written. It was easy to imagine the different kingdoms, people and situations encountered within the pages of the book.
I was completely taken in by this book and its two main characters, Elian and Lira. So much so that I finished most of it in one day - I just did not want to put it down. I honestly can’t think of a single criticism. I even loved the cover.
I would highly recommend this to fantasy fans and anyone who feels a little disillusioned with the classic love story, but is still a little princess at heart.
This book is nothing like that film. It is no fairy tale. What it is, is a dark, brutal and starkly honest version of a similar story. Perhaps this is why I loved it so much, but I think it goes beyond that as the book was very well written and the characters were so well developed I could picture them clearly.
The plot follows the stories of Elian and Lira. Elian is a prince of the Kingdom of Midas. However, he is happier being the Captain of his ship than living the boring life of a royal. He is also famed as a siren killer. Lira is a siren, and daughter of the Sea Queen. Every year, on her birthday, she takes the heart of a prince, and has earner a fearsome reputation as the ruthless Prince’s Bane. They are each aware of the legend surrounding the other, and the story tells of what happens when the two collide.
The book is divided into chapters told from the points of view of Elian and Lira. Both characters are very well written, and they each have their own deep history and emotional baggage. Honestly, I could not decide whose side I was on because I liked both characters so much. I think this was the author’s intention as it helps to build the tension throughout the book. I could never take sides with either one of them - somehow I wanted them both to win. Sadly this seemed impossible and so I was constantly on edge and biting my nails to see who would come out of the other side of this epic battle of wills and worlds.
The plot and world created by the author was very well written. It was easy to imagine the different kingdoms, people and situations encountered within the pages of the book.
I was completely taken in by this book and its two main characters, Elian and Lira. So much so that I finished most of it in one day - I just did not want to put it down. I honestly can’t think of a single criticism. I even loved the cover.
I would highly recommend this to fantasy fans and anyone who feels a little disillusioned with the classic love story, but is still a little princess at heart.