Series Recap: The Syrena Legacy by Anna Banks

Reading Order: (sort by date)

Of Poseidon (Book 1, Published on May 22, 2012)
Of Triton (Book 2, Published on May 28, 2013)
Of Neptune (Book 3, Published on May 13, 2014)

Click on the titles to check out my reviews.

***

Synopsis Recap:

Emma thinks she's just a normal Florida teen girl... until she meets Galen, the prince of Triton. Turns out she's not that normal at all... she's a Half-Breed herself, and she possess powers that are really rare. She's thrown into wars that she doesn't even know existed or she doesn't know how she's involved. Those were ignited a long time ago. And Emma is determined to stop them, even if she doesn't need to. Even if she doesn't actually have a right to.

Thoughts Recap:

My views are very different towards the three books.

Of Poseidon is actually my favorite book of the trilogy. It seems like the whole idea is very original and the wits Emma possesses are very real and funny even if they're not always artfully hilarious. The whole thing seems so cute to me. And while sometimes there are tension between characters (not the real battle-tension), they're still humorous and it makes me giggle. It's kind of hard not to like Of Poseidon.

Of Triton is okay, I guess. There are a lot of times where Of Triton is better than the first book. Like the fact that there are actual risks and their lives are really at stake (for once). Emma gets pretty badass in this book too, which is one of my favorite things in the book. However the humor part falls short and that's a little disappointing because I really look forward to that part. Generally, though, I still like this book.

As for Of Neptune... I kinda wish this series is a duology (aka no Of Neptune whatsoever). It's like everything falls short in this book. And I mean EVERYTHING. Not just humor, not just cuteness, not just edginess of fighting for their lives, even the romance between Galen and Emma (which, while it's not my favorite thing in the series, is still awesome nonetheless). I'm pretty disappointed. And the ending is so rushed that I feel like everything is just "what the hell is going on exactly?". Pretty bipolar, huh?

Due to the extreme bipolarity of my views (that sounds like I'm suffering from schizophrenia or something), no overview this time. Yeah.

Overall Rating: 6.5/10
Do I recommend this series?: How about I only recommend the first two books only?

Of Triton: Review

Synopsis:

In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

***

Aww, did I love this one! It's so fast paced that I read it in 3 hours straight! The book had me instantly soaked in the time I flip on the very first page. And there are so many plot twists that my jaw was hanging open constantly while reading it. Almost every chapter has a WTF?! (of course in a good way) moment and I love how different between the end of Of Triton and Of Poseidon are because the focus of the story has changed completely but strangely without leaving too many details of the past events behind (did I mention there are a lot of recaps to make sure you will not be confused?). It's a good thing to read for relaxation after preparing for annual exam for hours (well, despite it's excitement). It ends really well too. And to my surprise, the ending leaves nearly nothing behind and makes us wonder what will happen in the third installment (Of Neptune). It's quite an unusual way to end a second installment because normally the ending will be like a prologue of a series of exciting events in the third book. But strangely it isn't. I like how the book ends because it's really new to me.

There are three flaws about the story. They are extremely minor comparing to the awesomeness of the book, though, so no worries. I have a slight problem with all the characters except Emma. Emma is stronger and a true heroine in this book. In some ways she's also snarkier. And she definitely has an edge that only a brave girl would have. She's literally my favorite character in Of Triton. Of all the characters, I have the most problem with Emma's mom (that doesn't mean I like her the least). (Slight Spoiler ahead!) I mean, come on. Is Emma so very completely unbelievable (literally) that you can't trust her that Grom is actually alive despite you can't sense her?! That leaves me rolling my eyes at her for about... several minutes I guess? And I know every Syrena has a feisty and slightly extreme temper. But not only she and Grom are disgustingly sweet (yeah, disgustingly being the keyword) after their reunion, but return to her status as a long-lost runaway Poseidon princess with utter self-indulgence? I can't like her as much as in Of Poseidon anymore. (End of Slight Spoiler)

The second flaw is actually not a problem to me. But it might be a slight problem for some of the readers. It's fast-paced, yes. And I love it. (Slight Spoiler ahead!) But sometimes, when I think about the story, the whole Jagen-wanting-to-overthrow-the-kingdoms thing happens so fast and ends so fast that it's like nothing serious has happened at all. I think more twists can be put into this overthrowing drama because there are so many to write in this topic. I know it will sound more like a dystopian novel than ever (you know, overthrowing a kingdom and all), but what I really think is that more misunderstanding between the Royals and the Commons can be put in the story so it will be more exciting and well... not so shallow for some people. (End of Spoiler). But I think the book is good enough.

The third flaw is what I like least. And that's the lack of humor. Okay, I can totally admit that there are times where I burst out laughing when reading some of the scenes. But overall humor is totally lacking. Excitement is guaranteed. But it's like the humor in the first book cannot be passed over to this installment and that's quite a disappointment. I hope Of Neptune will do better because I really miss the humor and snarkiness.

Overall, it's really good and you should read this book and Of Poseidon as well because you will love the Syrena world Anna Banks created.

Rating: 8.5/10

(Now on the looooooong wait for Of Neptune...)

Gonna Read: May 2013

May 2013 is not a month for books. Mainly because APRIL (And October!) is the month(s) for books. Another reason is... I've got an annual exam at school to prepare and this can get really intense so I don't really have time for so much books...

Anyway. I really wanna read these books:

1. Icons (Icons #1) by Margaret Stohl

 Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts -- in order to save the future.


Expected Publication: May 7, 2013

Book Trailer: 

2. Obsession by Jennifer L. Armentrout

He’s arrogant, domineering, and—To. Die. For…

Hunter is a ruthless killer. The Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe him too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job, that is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: Protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into a walking glow stick. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.


Expected Publication: May 17, 2013

(Hope that more steamy cover will be on the way)

3. The Runaway Queen (The Bane Chronicles Part 2) by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson

Magnus Bane has a royal role in the French Revolution—if the angry mobs don’t spoil his spells. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

While in France, immortal warlock Magnus Bane finds himself attempting to rescue the royal family from the horrors of the French Revolution—after being roped into this mess by a most attractive count. Naturally, the daring escape calls for invisible air balloons…

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles, The Runaway Queen, is written by Maureen Johnson and Cassandra Clare.


Expected Publication: May 21, 2013

4. Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2) by Anna Banks

In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?


Expected Publication: May 28, 2013 







(Warning: Don't expected many May new releases reviews. There might be some more other reviews that are April releases or other books. But generally, there won't be as much review as in April or... January.) 

Name Reveal: Partials #3 and Of Poseidon #3

Ahh, more names! This time is for the third book of Partials Sequence and Of Poseidon series (trilogies?)

Partials #3 is called:

Ruins

I love the name. Partials, Fragments, RUINS. I wonder how ruined things are in the third book since that Kira is... you know, something someone unique (huge spoiler, so I won't reveal who she really is)

The release day is currently unknown (WHAT?!)

Of Poseidon #3 is called:

Of Neptune

Uhh... okay, I totally know that Poseidon's Roman equivalent is Neptune. But I have no idea why. I mean, Neptune and Poseidon are the same person/god/whoever he is, right? What's the point? And I think there are more... aquatic Greek gods other than Poseidon and Triton.

(By the way, in case you haven't known it yet, Triton's Roman equivalent is still Triton.)

Of Neptune will be released in 2014 by Feiwel and Friends.

Of Poseidon: Review

I'm reading another series now! It's Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.

Summary:

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen — literally, ouch! — both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom . . .

Told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.

***

My feelings are complicated about this book.

How complicated? Well let's see. My only not-so-complicated feeling is to Emma. I like her. Like really, really like her. She's so funny. Her jokes are pure yet vey striking. I can't imagine anyone who has this kind of ability (except maybe Kat and Alex?). And surprisingly, she can handle the whole Syrena mess quite calmly. I mean, don't you realize that all the girls with superpowers are always struggling between the new world and her old world, and that they are either emotional or can't accept this fact until something really bad happened? But she is handling it. She doesn't bitch out to much or anything. I appreciate her for that.

Galen is the part where things get complicated. Now I really like this dude. But at first I can't keep my eyes from rolling skywards whenever I read his point of view. I mean... I don't what I mean. But he seems so obsessive even at first. I think things are going too fast on Galen. And you know what? I actually think that he's obsessive and quite possessive/jealous and stalkerish. I find this quite annoying, seriously. At some point I think Emma is too good for Galen. Well I really like this guy now but I doubt I can read his perspective without rolling my eyes now.

So what's good about this book is the humor. I mean, the fun in it isn't cruel. Not even a bit. But I can't stop my grin from breaking out my face. I'm constantly amused by the book. Maybe that's one of the reason why I can't keep my eyes from not rolling skywards. 

Another thing is the character. Maybe you'll ask, "Hey, they are not perfect." And yeah, they are not perfect. But that's why I appreciate the author. She just write the real personality of the character. She doesn't even try to make the character perfect. Not even to Galen. Real things are good. There's no need for everything to be perfect.

But the bad thing is quite bad, actually. I mean, there's no real battle or anything. I don't think there will be one until Of Triton. But seriously, I'm expecting some sort of kick-ass scenes in the book. And then there is NONE. Which is quite disappointing. I have a thing for some little violence. And it's surprising (as well as annoying) finding out there is no such scenes.

This book is about Syrena, which is quite unique because we all think that Syrena (or mermaids, whatever) is something from Disney fairytale. And there's few books about this kind of creature. But damn, there is Of Poseidon, and Syrena is not what we think they are. Lately I've encountered so many new things. This is definitely one of them.

I'm reading Legacy Lost now. I think I will read Of Triton because of the humor and my expectation for some great battle.


Rating: 7.5/10

Cover and Summary Reveal: Of Triton

I'm reading Of Poseidon right now. I'm now sure that I will read Of Triton. I will post the review of Of Poseidon within these two days.

Here's the cover:

Doesn't it looks awesome? Although I prefer Of Poseidon's cover more.

I find the summary in Amazon:

Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states all Half-Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen’s points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.

***

Hope that the summary is true, or I will kick Amazon's ass.

Of Triton will be released on May 28th, 2013