Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

publisher: Feiwel & Friends

release date: May 22nd, 2012

hardcover, 336 pages

intended audience: Young adult

series: Of Poseidon , book 1

rating:



source: from publisher for honest review

description: Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.

Review: The thing that grabbed me right from the beginning in this book was the humor. Any book that makes me laugh out loud several times in the first chapter gets major points from me. The plot was great, and the Syrena lore was a bit confusing at times, although usually interesting---but what really makes this book is the characters. Galen, Toraf, Rayna, & Emma---all great characters with a boat-load of fun personality between them. They seemed very realistically "balanced" if that make sense. Not all good, not all bad. Especially Emma. We get to know her best out of all of them since every other chapter is told in her perspective. She has a great biting wit, a heavy sarcasm, and a good dose of spunk and sweetness. But there were a couple of times when her emotions seem to fly off the handle for reasons I couldn't see, where her actions were a little irrational---I mean, I'm all for a girl thinking for herself and not letting a guy tell her what to do, but doing something you know is dangerous just because he told you not to? That kind of thing grates of my nerves. Still, her flaws just added to her overall charm and realism. She wasn't perfect, none of them were; it just made them all that much more relatable.

I thought the way it was alternatively told in first-person from Emma's POV, and third person in every other chapter made the flow a little odd at times. It did give the reader a wider view of the story from the perspective of the other characters, though.

All in all, a great story and one that I zipped right through, thoroughly entertained the whole time. As for the nice little twist ending, I admit I saw it coming, but it was definitely a fun ride getting there! I can't wait to see where this story and these great characters find themselves next!

Visit Anna Banks' website: www.byannabanks.blogspot.com

Purchase Of Poseidon at: Amazon • BN.com • BookDepository • Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Of Poseidon
by Anna Banks

hitting shelves May 22nd, 2012 from Feiwel & Friends

description:
Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

My thoughts: Mermaids, awesome cover, and girl who can talk to...fish? Well, what the heck are the fish saying, I want to know! This one definitely has me intrigued, but more than anything I am completely smitten with that gorgeous cover. Definitely on my wishlist.