Official Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa Sands is afraid of everything—the dark, heights, the ocean—but her fearless older sister, Justine, has always been there to coach her through every challenge. That is, until Justine goes cliff-diving one night near the family’s vacation house in Maine, and her lifeless body washes up on shore the next day.

Though her parents hope that they’ll be able to find closure back in Boston, Vanessa can’t help feeling that her sister’s death wasn’t an accident. After discovering that Justine was keeping a lot of secrets, Vanessa returns to Winter Harbor, hoping that Justine’s boyfriend might know more. But Caleb has been missing since Justine’s death.

Soon, it’s not just Vanessa who’s afraid. All of Winter Harbor is abuzz with anxiety when another body washes ashore, and panic sets in when the small town becomes host to a string of fatal, water-related accidents in which all the victims are found, horrifically, grinning from ear to ear.

Vanessa turns to Caleb’s brother, Simon, for help, and begins to find herself drawn to him. As the pair tries to understand the sudden rash of creepy drownings, Vanessa uncovers a secret that threatens her new romance—and will change her life forever.

Review:

I have always been a fan of paranormal YA books. Thanks to R.L Stine’s Fear Street Saga that is. But there are certain paranormal narratives I tend to avoid. For example – faeries, anything with wings, shapeshifters, and most certainly mermaids.

Vampires? Sure. Ghosts? Def. Witches? Why not?

So, for me to like a narrative with any of the I-Shall-Avoid creatures, the narrative must really be good. And for that to happen the author has to nail the characterization. Because when all is said and done, a paranormal narrative is nothing more than creepy, self-indulgent, dreamy lit if it can’t connect the readers with the characters.

To be honest, despite the obvious title, I had no idea Siren was a paranormal book until I got really into it. I thought it was merely the story of a girl who lost her sister in a tragic accident, and struggled to find some sense of normalcy. At the heart of the story, that’s what this narrative is about.

It’s the best part of the story. Nessa is a likable character who you find yourself rooting for. You want her to overcome her fears, and in one twilight-esque cliff scene, you cheer when she does. The supporting characters are really well done too. Caleb and Paige really come alive, and you desperately want to read more about each of them as soon as the book is done. They don’t seem contrived at all. And that’s saying something because each character is put in some out there situations.

Simon, the mc’s love interest, is your typical male lead. I didn’t dislike him, but I didn’t find him utterly compelling either. I have a feeling he will show what he’s made of in the second book. Yes, there will be more. Siren is the first in a three book series, and when you read the last page you will be dying for more.

Pacing-wise the story lulls here and there, but is very satisfying in its thrilling conclusion. I am in the midst of writing a blog entry on the YA trend of sequels and series ( and how sometimes a book should not have a sequel…or a 4th or 5th book. Sometimes the story just needs to end). I can’t wait for the second book in the Siren series to come out.

Will this book change your life? No. But it’s a darn fun read, and fans of paranormal YA should really enjoy it. Perfect book for laying out at the beach….just make sure your boyfriend has his IPOD.