About the Book
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Author:
- Mary Weber
Cover Story: FWOOSH
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Oh, Hulls
Trigger Warning: Cutting
Bonus Factors: Sassy Best Friend, Good Burger
Anti-Bonus Factor: Bridge-ish Book
Relationship Status: Holding On
Spoiler Alert: Danger, Will Robinson! Siren’s Fury is the second book in the Storm Siren trilogy. If you have not read the first book—Storm Siren—turn away now. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. If you have read the first book, however, feel free to continue below. I will refrain from major spoilers in my review, but there might be hints at plot points and details about the story.
Content Warning: As she did in Storm Siren, Nym turns to cutting in Siren’s Fury to ease her feelings of not being in control. Thankfully, she only does so once, and immediately realizes that it’s not necessary or at all helpful.
Side note: This self-harm is brought up in the Reader’s Guide at the back of the book, along with information on where to turn if the reader or anyone they know is experiencing these issues. I think it’s awesome and so important that this information was included.
Cover Story: FWOOSH
Pretty sure a huge wind just came up and surprised the girl on this cover. Or maybe she’s turning into smoke? Either way, if I was her, I think I’d look more concerned.
The Deal:
Nym has been through a lot in her 17 years. Because of what she is—an Elemental, with powers that allow her to control the weather—she should have been killed at birth. (The kingdom in which she lives doesn’t take kindly to her sort.) Instead, she was sold into slavery, again and again … and again. It wasn’t until she was bought by the Lady Adora, who had a unique interest in people like Nym, that she began to find out who she truly was.
But then war broke out, and Nym found herself in the middle of it all. Her powers became useful rather than a curse. The man that had trained her became more than just a teacher. And then the deadliest threat to her world took everything away.
Now, Nym has to figure out what to do with herself and the dangerous knowledge that not everything is as it seems—before it’s too late.
BFF Charm: Yay
In my review of Storm Siren, I chose a Heck Yes! BFF charm for Nym. Although I still feel strongly that she and I would be good friends, the decisions she makes in Siren’s Fury had me giving her a bit of side-eye. Although I can, to some extent, understand why she makes the choices she makes—she is pressed for time and can see no other options—she still had me feeling a little bit Roger Murtaugh about the situation. Hence the slight downgrade.
Nym’s best friend in the book, Rasha, who tries to get her to see reason and gets frustrated when Nym does what she wants, regardless, was basically an avatar for me while I was reading. I feel you, Rasha.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
One of my favorite things about Storm Siren was the great enemistry between Nym and Eogan, and the realistic way their relationship evolved. Sadly, something happens at the end of Storm Siren that leads directly into the lack of swoon in Siren’s Fury. It’s understandable, and makes complete sense in the confines of the story, BUT I DON’T HAVE TO LIKE IT.
Talky Talk: Oh, Hulls
The great world-building Mary Weber included in Storm Siren takes a bit of a backseat to political intrigue/plotting and character development in Siren’s Fury, but sometimes it’s good to learn more about the people involved in the story rather than the countries in which they live. (Mary’s descriptions of technology and cities remain quite imaginative and descriptive, however.) Delving deep into the characters and their personalities is a bit jarring at first, if you haven’t just read Storm Siren—Nym’s got a serious mouth on her, but the curses in this world are quite different from our own and can therefore be a bit hard to get used to—but as the story goes on, the unusual terms and ideas become integrated into the story as a whole.
Bonus Factor: Sassy Best Friend
So Lord Myles isn’t a best friend to Nym in any true sense of the term, but he does become a companion to her during Siren’s Fury. And man, is he ever sassy. His lisp also makes me picture him as Lord Hiss, which just adds to my amusement with the character.
Bonus Factor: Good Burger
The fact that there are two characters in Siren’s Fury named Kel and Kenan—who are connected in a way I won’t reveal here #becausespoilers—made me laugh. I don’t know if Mary did it on purpose, but from what I know about her and her sense of humor, I’m thinking that she might have.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Bridge-ish Book
Much like Nym struggles with the changes in her life and circumstances in Siren’s Fury, the book itself wanders a bit to start. It isn’t until near the end that the book really picks up and the action kicks into gear. It’s not exactly a bridge book—shizz does go down, and plot points are resolved rather than just being strung along from the first book to the eventual third, thankfully—but I would have liked a little more action to go along with the introspection.
Relationship Status: Holding On
Although our second date wasn’t quite as thrilling (or as frustrating, in a good way?) as our first date, Book, I still enjoyed your company quite a bit. We all have off days, and I like you enough to give you the benefit of the doubt. Besides, even though I wasn’t quite as engaged as I was previously, you were still entertaining and amusing. And, your ending was SO MUCH EASIER to take than the one that happened when we first met.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/the author. I received neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Siren’s Fury is available now.
