Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Early Review: Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Storm Siren
by Mary Weber
Read: June 8 - 10, 2014
Published: August 19, 2014 by Thomas Nelson / HarperCollins
Source: BEA read #3
Category: Fantasy, Elementals, YA
Find: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 


“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.
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From the first page I was hooked on Storm Siren, and I loved it all the way until the end when I reached one of the worst cliffhangers ever. At the center of this book is one broken but powerful girl. But as I became caught up in Nym's personal journey and emotions, I found many more surprises and a lot greater action than I ever anticipated. At times the heart-aching tale of one girl, and at others a heart pounding rush filled with shocking revelations, political schemes and awe inspiring abilities, Storm Siren drew me in entirely. 

It all begins at a slave auction where Nymia is being sold for the fifteenth time in 11 years. Nym doesn't last long at any one place, because whenever she gets angry or upset, she destroys something - or someone. Her current slave owner tells her to cover her long white hair because it is a dead giveaway about what she is: an Elemental Storm Siren who can control the weather. Though, usually it just controls her. 

Because of all of the destruction Nym has caused, she considers her ability to be a curse. Proving her point, we get to see Nym in action right at the beginning of the book. When she gets angry at a leering slave buyer, a violent lighting storm immediately develops that puts an innocent child in danger. After this, I was both in awe of Nym and also could understand her inner brokenness about a power she never asked to have. It was a thrilling start. 

This is really a book about a girl learning to love and accept who she is. Finding redemption and her own inner strength. Nym is feisty and bold at times, but she also possesses a tremendous amount of self-loathing and doubt about her curse. Nym believes she is a terrible person because of what she's done, even though the destruction she's caused has also saved her life many times. Nym memorializes the people she's hurt in the past by carving reminders on her body. It's a painful but visceral way for her to never forget. I love Nym's personal journey through this book, and I felt her emotions right along with her. 

When the story begins, Nym feels utterly alone in the world. She's had no guidance or training, and since her parents' death, she has been passed around from one household to another. But throughout the course of the book, Nym meets several characters who become important to her. Two of my favorite of Nym's relationships are with Colin and Eogan. One is firmly in the friend category and the other definitely crosses the line into something else. There is no love triangle at all, so don't worry! But Nym has many fantastic scenes with both of these boys. Colin seems less serious and more young and cocky in the beginning, though also lovable. But I enjoyed the conversations that he and Nym share near the end of this book. Colin is one of the characters and moments that made the biggest impact on me in this story. 

Nym's relationship with Eogan starts off with much more volatility. There were times I wanted to scream at him along with her, but I love how he pushes Nym out of her comfort zone. He challenges her to accept who she is and to believe that her ability truly is a gift that she can control and use. Eogan and Nym are a great counter and challenge to each other, and I was always looking forward to how they would would next set each other off. Eogan has that mysterious vibe going, a trait that sometimes seems overused. But I like how it was handled in this book. His character actually makes sense once you understand him better. 

The only thing I wished for in this book was more information about the world and political situations, as well as the major players involved. We learn that it consists of 5 nations each featuring people with certain gifts. Not everyone has them, but they seem to originate in the people group. We meet or hear about individuals from each country, but I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight at times. There were a lot of intriguing secondaries that I wanted to know more about, including their objectives and motives - The King, Princess Rosamund are two examples. Hopefully, we'll get more in book two. 

The end killed me. Seriously one of the worst cliffhangers I've encountered. I'm holding out hope that author Mary Weber will continue to surprise us and things aren't exactly what they seem. In any case, she's made me completely desperate for the next installment in the series, and in awe of her ability to draw me into her characters' lives. 

Love Triangle Factor: None
Cliffhanger Scale: HIGH

**Don't miss my interview with author Mary Weber, where we talk about Nym's character, the awesome guys in this book, her inspiration for Adora's costume parties and whether future books will have a love triangle.** 

18 comments:

  1. Two boys and no love triangle??!! This make she happy.

    Storm Siren doesn't sound like a book I would normally pick up but it sounds really good and action packed so I might.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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  2. Nym's personal journey was undoubtedly my favorite part of this book. I loved her growth and I loved watching her become more confident in her powers.
    But yes, gosh! That cliffhanger was the absolute worst. I hope Mary continues to surprise us as well. She's such a lovely author! :)
    Lovely review, Lauren!

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  3. I love this cover. Gorgeous. But heh. Probably not a book for me :\ But omg. It makes me so happy that you loved it :D Amazing review Lauren. <3 But ACK! Awful cliffhanger? Dies. I don't like those, lol. Fingers crossed it will all work out in book two :) Thank you for sharing. <3

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  4. Upon reading that first paragraph, my reaction was "Oh, son of a b*tch." I think I loathe terrible cliffies almost as much as you hate triangles. While this book will stay on my wishlist, I'm also waiting. Boo cliffies.

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  5. Can I just say THANK YOU? I just found your blog and it's like all my wishes became real. I absolutely, deeply HATE love triangles. And every time I am interested in a book, I am so afraid to jump into a book in which there is a love triangle. And then... I just discover your blog. And I just say THANK YOU again. That is ALL I need. I am going to come here very often I think. Thank you so much for creating this blog. Thank you for the joy I feel now I know I can come here, see your reviews and feeling better, knowing if there is a love triangle or not in a book. Thank you.

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  6. Agreed. THAT ENDING KILLED ME, even though I saw it coming. The first one hasn't even come out and I'm already DYING for the next one. Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! I have to stop reading these books with cliffhanger endings unless the next book is out. I just can't take it anymore. Maybe I should change my blog to something related to banning cliffhangers, but then I guess I couldn't read many series. ~Pam

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  7. Even with that cliffhanger ending that will surely do me in (yes I read spoilers, ha), I'm gonna read this as soon as I get it! Love that there's a great boy-girl platonic relationship, and the romance will hopefully be something I'll enjoy. I will be sure to let you know what I think right away. :D Lovely review, L!

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  8. EEEK. A hate cliffhangers and I am wondering if I should wait for the next book because I am in no mood to have my heart torn out (is it that kind of cliffhanger??).

    I read Nick's review for this one a couple days ago and I was already convinced to add this book to my TBR but you've made me even more excited, Lauren. It's not FAIR that it ends with a cliffhanger! I'll be forced to wait for the sequel :/

    I am glad you enjoyed this though!

    Lovely review, Lauren!! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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  9. I'm so glad we got a chance to discuss this one, Lauren, as it's such a complex tale. I definitely didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as you did because the ending ruined quite a bit for me but I'm hoping that the sequel will certainly redeem this series in my eyes. Incredibly thoughtful review!(:

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  10. Ooh, I really want to read this one now, but I fear the cliffhanger. Great review!

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  11. SLAVE AUCTION! I should SO not be excited at the mention of that, but I am because of The Winner's Curse. BUT THAT CLIFFHANGER. Oh my gosh, those terrify me to no end. But they intrigue me. You've been saying how I need to read it and I REALLY want to even MORE now that I see ALL your thoughts on it. I'll be ready. It's on the TIPPY TOP of my fall TBR

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  12. Oh, man. This sounds really awesome, and the kind of book I'd want to read. Nym sounds like a really complex character - broken and confused with a lot of internal struggle - that it would be interesting to see how she'll accept herself and overcome this daunting situation. And I just adore her power! the weather! Although I wonder - if she is this powerful, how come she didn't use it to free herself? Alas, I'm sure I'll get the answer in the book :)

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  13. I have to say, just looking at that cover I'd never pick up this book. Your review makes me reconsider, although, the cliffhanger doesn't sound appealing. Especially when you say it's the one of the worst you've encountered! Bummer, Lauren! I think I'd be glad to have that power if I was being sold off as a slave. It would make people think twice before abusing me. Lovely review! I think I'll wait until more books are released. :)

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  14. I heard about this book through one of the ARC sites that I belong to, but unfortunately wasn't able to get it. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the book, and I look forward to reading it myself!

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  15. I love this cover and was curious to know what the book was like. I'm not a big fan of cliffhangers but you talk about how much the book drew you into the story and into the emotions of the characters. Hopefully this is just the 1st in a series? Thanks for your great comments :)

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  16. I'm one of those people that often judges a book by its cover so it was enough to lure me in the intriguing summary sealed the deal and this stunning review is an added bonus! The fact that there's two guys but no love triangle really helps even if there is a huge cliff hanger I can't wait to read it!

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  17. Two guys and a girl and NO LOVE TRIANGLE?!?! Sign me up. It's so refreshing to have a book where a guy can be just a friend and not morph into something else. Already my interest is high. Great review!

    Emily/Ems

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