The Siren - Book Review

The Siren
by Kiera Cass

What is it about:
A girl with a secret. The boy of her dreams. An ocean between them.

Throughout the ages, the Ocean has occasionally rescued young women from drowning. To repay their debt, these young women must serve for 100 years as Sirens, remaining young and beautiful and using their deadly voices to lure strangers into watery graves. To keep their true nature secret, Sirens must never speak to humans, and must be careful never to stay in the same place for too long. But once her century of service is over, each Siren gets a chance to start over - a chance to live the mortal life that was almost stolen from her.

Kahlen became a Siren after her family died in a terrible shipwreck, decades ago. And though a single word from her can kill, she can't resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again. Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude...until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. And though she can't talk to him, they soon forge a connection neither of them can deny...and Kahlen doesn't want to.

Falling in love with a human breaks all of the Ocean's rules, and if the Ocean discovers Kahlen's feelings, she'll be forced to leave Akinli for good. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed the original Selection Trilogy, so I was curious about this standalone story by Cass.

And this is a pleasant read.

The instalove between Kahlen and Akinli is totally unbelievable, but for the sake of the story I went along with it.

It's not so much their relationship that was the most interesting. it was the relationship between Kahlen, the Ocean, and the other sirens I liked the best. The way each of the sirens copes with what she is and has to do, is what kept me reading to find out more.

To me this is more a story about friendship, devotion, growing up and making your own choices in life, than it is about love. The instalove between Kahlen and Akinli is more a catalyst to set Kahlen on her way to adulthood, to loosen her ties with the Ocean, who is the parent in this parable, than that it's the focus of this story.

All in all this is an enjoyable story and I'll put it on my keeper shelves next to Cass' other books. Next read: The Crown. Yes, I caved and bought it, just because I'm curious if it will turn out as I suspect it will.

Why should you read it:
It's an enjoyable Paranormal YA read.