Early Review - Fury's Fire (Siren's Storm #2) by Lisa Papademetriou

Title: Fury's Fire

Author: Lisa Papdemterio

Series: 2nd (Siren's Storm)

Pages: 243

Published: July 10th 2012 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780375868627

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: At the end of Siren's Storm, the Sirens were defeated, and now the town of Walfang is once again a peaceful beach community.  Or is it? Gretchen and Will are still haunted by the memories of the night the Sirens were destroyed—Gretchen because she can't remember what happened and Will because he doesn't know how to tell Gretchen what he saw. He doesn't even understand what he saw, but he does know now that Gretchen is more than what she seems, more than a human girl. And at the same time, he is more in love with her than ever.  Gretchen knows there's something wrong, too. She feels like an alien in her own body, but she doesn't know why. And she feels a presence stalking her at every turn. Have the Sirens returned to Walfang? Or has some other force come to claim her? 

I Give This ...

I wasn't sure I was going to read this.  I've been trying to make it a goal to not seek out every sequel to books I've read.  Especially those that I felt were just average.  But, this one I just had a hard time saying no too.

I think the biggest thing the drew me back to the story was that I don't think Getchen fully knew who she was.  And if she doesn't know who she is, how can she possibly understand what she is capable of.   She had too many holes in what happened towards the end of book one.  Will may have witnessed it all, but he seems to hesitant to believe what he really saw.  And how can he tell Gretchen what he think really happened?  

I understand when characters go through some changed when major events happen.  But, for some reason Will and Gretchen feel off in this book.   Gretchen seems to blame Will for every little thing that happens.  Will tiptoes around her afraid of what she might do or say.  Plus, he hides things from her.  It's never better to let someone learn the truth in some other fashion.

I did like the story behind who Gretchen really is.  There's a lot of mythology woven into it.  Sadly, the last battle seems week and the story took to long to get there.  

 

Review: Siren's Storm by Lisa Papademetriou

Title: Siren's Storm

Author: Lisa Papademetriou

Series: Maybe series?

Pages: 288

Published: July 12, 2011 by Knopf Books

ISBN: 9780375842450

Source: Publisher for Tour

Description: Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident.  Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people.  Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to wonder: Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?

I Give This ...

 

This is one of those books that I really wish I could give it a higher rating.  I really liked parts of it.  But, there's always that one things that hold it back.  And really, for me a 3 isn't a bad rating.  It's just that I think there are better books out there.

I felt like I didn't really connect with Will.  At times, I felt like his character was all over the place.  Granted with the tragedy in his past, I kind of understand.  Especially when you factor in the idea that he has no idea what happened.  He also has a lot on his plate dealing with his best friend, Gretchen.  Her sleepwalking habits often left me agitated.  Her obsession with Asia also felt forced.  She just sort of shows up in town and he can't help but wonder about her.  I also wanted to him to wake up and see what his obsession was doing to Gretchen.

 I really did enjoy the mermaid/siren folklore in this story.  It includes the story of Calypso, and her obsession with Odysseus.  When he left her, she was overcome with need for revenge.  It was an interesting twist to the story.  I enjoyed Asia's connections with Calypso and what she's required to do. 

For some reason, I found the overall story extremely slow moving.  It felt like there was hardly any action to drive the story forward.  It wasn't until Asia tells Will the complete story of who and what she is that the story felt like it was going anywhere.  And then it was over.  It left me with some unanswered questions and the thought that there will be a sequel. 

Lisa Papademetriou's Teenage Garage Sale

For those who are unfamiliar with this post, it's a list of things we’d find if an author were to have a garage sale of items from their teenage years.  Today we have Lisa Papademtriou, author of Siren's Storm!

Welcome to my disorganized yard sale of incredibly desirable possessions! Honestly, I wish I still had most of these things. Especially the Howdy Doody lamp.


Boombox (Suitable for listening to Cyndi Lauper, The Breakfast Club (the band, not the movie soundtrack) and 10,000 Maniacs) $5

 
Bowler hat (Found in vintage store, excellent for all sorts of costumes and general hat-wearing) $10

Ratty old coat that looked like it came from grandma’s closet (Purchased in New York City, this hideous, lightweight coat was perfect for Houston winters) $8

Lamp in the shape of Howdy Doody that glowed eerie Satanic red when lit up (A gift from my best friend, I have no idea why she thought I would like it, but I did) $15

Battered old trunk spray-painted purple and many other colors (Lisa Papademetriou original artwork) $7

Shark jaws (Perfect for attaching to wall and intriguing friends) $2

Feather boa, long black gloves and Morphing black formal dress (Accessories and simple dress suitable for numerous Houston formal dances. For the girl who can’t afford a different dress for every occasion and has only a few sewing skills, this single outfit can take you to four parties!) $15/ set

Some Like It Hot poster (Reproduction poster of the most hilarious movie of all time.) $4

Lisa Papademetriou has worked in an editorial capacity at Scholastic, HarperCollins, and Disney Press. She has written or adapted over thirty books for young readers, including Sixth-Grade Glommers, Norks, and Me; The Wizard, the Witch, and Two Girls from Jersey; How to Be a Girly Girl in Just Ten Days, and the New York Times bestselling Disney Fairies novel, Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon.

Lisa lives in Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and dog, playing guitar, dancing around the house to 80's music, and eating at the vegetarian cafe (even though she isn't vegetarian).