Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber

August 21, 2014 4 stars, Book Review, Giveaway 23 ★★★★

Review: Storm Siren by Mary WeberStorm Siren by Mary Weber
on August 19, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 320
Format: Paperback
Source: Blog Tour, Publisher
Goodreads

*This book was provided by the Blog Tour, Publisher for review. No compensation was provided and all opinions are strictly my own.

“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”

In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse—and the girl—can be controlled.

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth — meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her fifteenth sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war, or be killed.

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the handsome trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for?

Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

four-stars

Storm Siren is a solid read. Mary Weber has added all of the elements of a good fantasy novel and woven them together seamlessly. This YA fantasy has a touch of love, a touch of adventure and a touch of magic. As the first in a new set, I would guess a trilogy, this is a very enjoyable read. Nym is a slave on the island kingdom of Faelan. More importantly, she is an elemental.  Even more importantly, she is the most powerful elemental known to date. The problem is that due to an old treaty with an evil wizard enemy, all elementals must be killed. A slave since childhood, Nym is moving on to her 15th owner, Adora a powerful an insane noblewoman who is secretly training elementals to fight against the Bron armies who are about to overrun the kingdom. Nym is introduced to the upper class world and she grapples with the question on whether they are worth saving at all. Their depravities are showcased, and the sad lot of the slaves and peasantry is one of the main story threads throughout the story.

Friendships and love interests abound in this story and if they are quick to form, it is understandably forgivable given the dangerous lot of slaves in the dangerously unstable kingdom of Faelon. Nym is attracted to her trainer, Eogan, and has to hide her growing feelings in order to protect herself from the jealous Adora who also has her sights set on the handsome man. Nym begins trusting and building friendships with Colin and his sister Breck, a fellow elemental and  both slaves. The story is classic, train quickly to defeat an implacable enemy a la Eragon. The twists and turn keep the story interesting and moving. The massive cliffhanger at the end ensures my purchase of book number 2 (may it be released quickly!). There is enough depth to appease adult readers and enough tension and drama to keep the younger crowd interested. Watching Nym learning to trust herself and others was a beautiful journey, and I hope that she becomes the abolitionist crusader she is poised to be.

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Maggie

Maggie

When not taking care of my two children, husband and mini doxy, rushing here and there on the go, I can always be found reading. Fantasy of course being my favorite genre, but not the only I'll read. Oh yes, and I throw bad books.
Maggie

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23 Responses to “Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber”

  4. Lisa (@TenaciousReader)

    I’ve seen so many reviews for this one lately! I like cliffhangers. They keep me thinking about the story while I wait for the next. Though if its a major cliffhanger, I may feel a bit anxious to get it. But, I figure that’s good, it means the books sucked me in.
    Lisa (@TenaciousReader) recently posted…Tough Traveling – ShapeshiftingMy Profile

  5. Kirsty-Marie

    I’ve read a few reviews of this one already, and heard a ton of good things, so glad it’s continuing. Kind of reminds me a little of The Winners Curse (with the selling slaves part) mixed with something else. And…I don’t mind cliffhangers, though depending on each one, they’re sometimes annoying.
    Kirsty-Marie recently posted…7 Deadly Sins TagMy Profile

  11. Danya @ Fine Print

    I’m intrigued by this one. In a lot of ways it sounds like a traditional sword and shield fantasy, with some extra coolness added in for fun. There’s something so beautifully trope-y about slaves who train to become warriors and fight evil. I’m in!

  13. Sarah C.

    Initially, I didn’t think this looked interesting, but after reading reviews, I am changing my mind. I think exploring social class and slavery through the lens of a fantasy world will be quite intriguing. Thanks for the review!
    Sarah C. recently posted…Review: ShiverMy Profile