Of Poseidon
Of Triton
Of Neptune
Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Over the past week I have had my nose in the last two books of the Syrena Legacy series. I read book #1, Of Poseidon, back in December of 2012 and after quite some time I decided to join Emma once again in her beautiful world of both land and sea that was created by Anna Banks. I have some mixed feelings regarding these books, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed my time following a story of love, and of an entire people seeking harmony and safety.
To summarize the entire series without spoiling everything for those who have yet to read the books, these novels tell the story of an American teenager named Emma who is trying to find a sense of identity after realizing that those who she holds closest to her heart may not be telling her the whole truth about her place in the world. Emma takes part in her own love story throughout her journey, and it's definitely an exciting one that she needs to fight for to keep. She also finds herself in the middle of great change in the world, and learns that being confident in her own skin is the very thing that can keep everything from falling apart. Man, it's hard to summarize the plot of the entire series without giving anything away!
In both Of Triton and Of Neptune we are introduced to a slew of new characters, some that we have anticipated meeting and some that we never expected. We receive just as much background information on the world of the Syrena and how the kingdoms have been functioning as we get plot turns and twists that reveal the future fates of the characters we love dearly. Our list of characters that we are invested in the future of quickly grows, and makes turning the page to a new chapter even more exciting.
As a fan of mythology and fantasy (although Banks categorizes the series under Science Fiction), I love reading about a world of mer-people, but if you're not into things of that sort, then I definitely would not recommend this book. It's a great read regardless, but the mythology is central to the whole plot and you'll just get bothered by the intricate details we are given about Syrena life. Furthermore, if you are not a fan of YA literature, then you really wouldn't be able to get through this book. YA Fiction is my genre of choice, but even I had a hard time dealing with some of the "younger" and more dramatic word choices. It felt a bit like the author was trying too hard to give Emma a youthful voice during her narration, and I did have a few "really...?" moments in reaction to some of the things Emma said or thought. But if you're invested enough in the story line, like I immediately was, it's definitely still readable.
Both books are a quick read, in my opinion, and the story moves at a perfect pace so that you can put it down if you need to.....but you can also fly right through the entire book in a sitting or two if you so choose. I am sad to say goodbye to some characters I definitely wish I could read more about, but I was certainly satisfied with the ending. I've finished another trilogy recently, and with both that series and this one, I have felt that if the author truly wanted to, they could come back and add on to the story because true fans will definitely want to hear about where these characters ended up a decade or so down the line. But, I guess we will just have to wait and see about that!
My bottom line is: I would recommend the Syrena Legacy Series to any YA Fiction, Fantasy, or Mythology lover. I'm sure you will learn to love Emma, Galen, and all of the other characters (even Rayna) just as I have. If you have any specific questions or a question about an aspect I didn't cover, feel free to ask! If you've been wondering about this book or searching for a new book, I hope this helped!
Sincerely,
Spenser Lee & Simply Lovely Lit
