Book Review: Siren by Tricia Rayburn

Title: Siren
Author: Tricia Rayburn
Series: Siren #1
Pages: 377
Date of UK Publication: 20th January 2011
Source: Bought
Synopsis from Goodreads: Vacationing in Winter Harbor, Maine, is a tradition for Vanessa and Justine Sands, and that means spending time with the Carmichael boys. This summer, Vanessa is determined to channel some of her older sister’s boldness, get over her fear of the ocean, and maybe turn her friendship with Simon Carmichael into something much more.
But when Justine goes cliff-diving after a big family argument, and her body washes ashore the next day, Vanessa is sure that it was more than an accident. She is more certain of this, when she discovers that her sister was keeping some big secrets and Caleb Carmichael’s gone missing. Suddenly, the entire oceanfront town is abuzz when a series of grim, water-related accidents occur, with the male victims washed ashore grinning from ear to ear.

Vanessa and Simon team up to figure out if these creepy deaths have anything to do with Justine and Caleb. But will what Vanessa discovers mean the end of her summer romance, or even life as she knows it?


My Thoughts:
I enjoyed Siren. Not as much as I expected to, but I did enjoy it, even though I read it slowly.

The beginning was slow. You would think that once Justine dies, the story would be fast paced and full of suspense, but for me, I found it slow, and to be honest, I didn't care too much that Justine died, not because I'm horrible, but because I didn't feel as if she was real, as if she could be a real person who had jumped off a cliff. But, once I was about a third of the way through, when things started happening, and the pace picked up a bit, I was glued.

The YA genre is definitely no stranger to mythical creatures, vampires, werewolves, and faeries are all extremely popular, but sirens aren't as popular. At all. I don't think I have ever read a book about sirens, so this was my first. And I would definitely read another.

The idea of a siren fascinates me. They're like evil mermaids. How cool is that? Anyway, I thought the whole mythology behind them capturing a male's attention and then killing them was written very well in Siren. Having never read anything or even really heard anything about them, after reading Siren I know what they are and what they do.

Vanessa was a good main character and narrator, although a little annoying at times, especially when she kept moaning about how she has never been and will never be as outgoing or daring as Justine. But I forgive her, after all, who doesn't have a good moan about things from time to time? Also, Vanessa's relationship with Simon is awkward and sweet, and I could see it coming, and I couldn't wait for them to finally get together. They're so cute ;P

Siren is a very good debut novel. I'm only going to give it 4 feet though, purely because the beginning was slow, and also, because at times after the plot had picked up speed, it could be a little rushed, and confusing. Apart from those two things though, I was very impressed, and I will definitely be picking up the next book when it is released.


My Rating:

I give it 4 Feet!

Challenges:
2011 Debut Author Challenge #5
2011 Paranormal YA Reading Challenge #10
2011 100+ Reading Challenge #13