Of Poseidon
Author: Anna Banks
Series: The Syrena Legacy #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Summary:
Galen, the prince of the Syrena, is sent to dry land to find a girl he’s heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen – literally, “ouch!” – both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma’s gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom…
Told from both Emma and Galen’s points of view, here is a fish-out-of-water story that sparkles with intrigue, humor, and waves of romance.
First Sentence: I smack into him as if shoved from behind.
I received an ARC of Of Poseidon through ARCycling. Thank you ARCycling! (:
My Review:
I’ve been thinking about this for three days, but I still don’t know what rating to give to Of Poseidon. There were a few things about Of Poseidon that I liked, but there were also a few things about Of Poseidon that I didn’t like. In the end, I decided to give Of Poseidon a 3 star rating – it was just an okay book.
The first thing I have to say is that I absolutely love Emma’s voice. She was hilarious to read about and very easy to connect with because of that; she had a natural teenage voice. Emma is dramatic without being too annoying or too mouthy. She had a cute voice that will automatically grab your attention and make you read on.
Maybe he’s waiting for me to find my balance. Maybe he’s waiting for me to gather my pride. I hope he’s got all day. (ARC 1)
Of Poseidon also shockingly made me laugh several times…out loud. I am usually really hard to impress and you’ll have a really hard time making me laugh if I wasn’t nervous. However, the humor in Of Poseidon had me laughing, or at least giggling loudly, constantly. The main reason why I laughed and giggled so much was because of Emma’s voice – she had such dramatic and funny moments that caught me off guard that caused me to laugh like crazy.
“Actually, this is a good time to point out that I’m a royal,” he says, pointing to the small tattoo of a fork on his stomach, just above the border where his abs turn into fish. “And since you’re obviously Syrena, you do have to obey me.”
“I’m what?” I say, trying to figure out how an eating utensil could possibly validate his claim of seniority. (ARC 115)
However, the number one thing that annoyed me in Of Poseidon about Emma was the words Emma used, such as “ohmysweetgoodness” and “fan-flipping-tastic.” Seriously, who says that? Nobody. I hope. I mean, I say “oh my goodness” sometimes, but to say “ohmysweetgoodness?” No thanks. Luckily, “ohmysweetgoodness” and “fan-flipping-tastic” didn’t ruin the flow of Of Poseidon that much.
“There’s a million dark little corners in Baytowne for you two to snuggle-”
“Ohmysweetgoodness, Chloe, stop!” I giggle and shiver at the same time and accidentally imagine walking around The Village in Baytowne Wharf with Galen. (ARC 16)
Another thing that annoyed me while reading Of Poseidon is while Emma’s point of view is written in the first person point of view, Galen’s point of view is written from the third person point view, present tense. I don’t care if Emma and Galen’s chapters is written from different point of views, but reading Galen’s point of view was so awkward. While I was reading chapters told from his point of view, I was stumbling over several sentences because his chapter is told from the present tense in the ARC. Present tense doesn’t really flow in the book and it made Galen’s chapters so awkward to read about.
I also have a major issue with the sexism in Of Poseidon dealing with the Syrenas. The overall gist I got from the book was that girls are weak, and therefore can’t make their own decisions. That’s why the males get to order them around and the girls must obey, no matter what, because it’s good for them. Yeah, no thanks.
“You’re telling me your brother forced her to marry Toraf?” Speaking while her jaw is clenched makes her words difficult to understand.
“Well, it’s not like she was there-”
“What? She wasn’t at her own wedding?” (ARC 128)
Of Poseidon leaves off with a huge cliffhanger that makes me want to hurt someone…until I realize that I had an ARC of Of Triton. Thank goodness. It is seriously a mean cliffhanger. Thank goodness I’ve never read Of Poseidon the minute it came out. I would have hurt somebody for the sequel.
Overall, do I think that Of Poseidon is a worthwhile read? Sure, especially if you love humor and romance. However, if you’re the type of person who hates sexism, I suggest you avoid this book like the plague.
I know, that cliffhanger left me dying. Why would the author write such a mean ending. And I wasn’t so lucky, I had to wait a year for the next book. :(
I agree with you, there are some really great things about this book, but also some really annoying things about it. Emma was a great and funny character, but like you, I also got annoyed with the words she used. It grated on my nerves.
And the main reason I gave this one a low rating was, because I couldn’t feel the romance. The relationship between Emma and Galen felt so flat. And since it’s basically a love story I got a little annoyed with that.
Great review :D
Kimberly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (43)
Hehe I’m so lucky I waited for Of Triton to be released before I read Of Poseidon. It’s because I heard that there was this MASSIVE cliffhanger though.
And ohmysweetgoodness, you got annoyed at Emma too? Like ohmysweetgoodness, how?! (LOL, I got so annoyed just typing that sentence.)
I didn’t really care about the romance. Like you said, the romance was flat and it was a bit of an insta-love, but I wasn’t focusing on that, I was focusing on Galen’s awkward point of view.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Of Poseidon – Anna Banks
Glad you were able to read this one. I wasn’t able to finish it, and I definitely agree with your thoughts about the “ohmysweetgoodness” bit. I thought both main characters were really annoying and I just couldn’t bring myself to read any more.
Christie @ The Shadower’s Shelf
Christie recently posted…Cinder + Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Other people weren’t able to finish it either. I wanted to kind of give up mid-way through because it got pretty slow and dull, but I didn’t want to because I got the ARC from ARCycling.
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Of Poseidon – Anna Banks
Great review! Of Poseidon was already on my TBR list, guess I have to start it soon now:) haha, ohmysweetgoodness, never heard anybody say that!
evelinesbooks.blogspot.nl
Eveline @ Eveline’s Books recently posted…Shadow and Bone (The Grisha #1) – Leigh Bardugo [Review]
Ohmysweetgoodness, you’ve never heard of anyone saying ohmysweetgoodness? How can that be?! ;P
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Of Poseidon – Anna Banks
Hello!!! Great review :) I’ve read this book and I loved it! It’s so funny and cute. I love the characters ( Emma and Galen are hilarious ) and the mystery that surrounds the story ( kind of lol ). I have not read the second book yet, but I intend to read it as soon as possible.
Hi Kassi! :D!
Thank you!
Yeah, I understand what you mean about the “mystery” that surrounds the story. The ending – that certainly was a mystery.
How could you not grab the next book after that cliffhanger?! I need your self-control. :D
Kelly recently posted…ARC Book Review: Of Poseidon – Anna Banks
Cliffhanger so agreed! I’m hoping that the Syrena culture gets fixed later in in the trilogy since the whole marriage laws thing was very frustrating to read about. I feel like the physical strength of Rayna and Emma was good to see though.
Anya recently posted…3 Stars: Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare Audiobook
Yeah, that marriage law better get fixed! I felt so sorry for Rayna. :l
I agree, the physical strength of females were good to see, except when they use it to break glass windows. :P
Kelly recently posted…Top Ten Beach Reads
I have wanted to read this for a while, and I just got the free audiobook copy during the first week of the SYNC summer audiobook freebies each week, but since I have never done an audiobook before and I don’t know if I’ll like it, I may try a different book first. Great review though!
I tried the audiobook of Of Poseidon, but the narrator’s voice was AWFUL. It lacks feeling and emotions, so I grabbed my ARC of it instead.
I hope you enjoy listening to the audiobook!
Kelly recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday [30]
I, too, was greatly surprised by the humor found within this story. I loved how much it made me laugh, and I adored Emma’s character. But I also disliked the sexism and the way Galen’s chapters were written – basically I agree with everything you said, lol. I settled on a four star rating for this, mostly because I enjoyed it more than an average book and it was the first novel featuring mermaids to keep my attention. I don’t know why, but all the ones I’ve tried before have just been alright to me. Excellent review!
Rebecca recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday
I wanted to give Of Poseidon a higher rating – I was juggling between 2.5, 3, or 3.5 – but the sexism and how Galen’s point of view was written was a little too much to ignore. I’m glad you already with the points I made though!
Why do angel and mermaid books have that curse? D:
There should be an angel or mermaid version of Twilight. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Let’s Speculate: Do You Always Get Your Signed Book Personalized?
See, I don’t know if this book’s for me or not. I’ve read so many positives reviews, but so many people have said that fans of Twilight will like it… and I’m not a fan of Twilight. So. you can see my dilemma.
It seems like a book I’d like though.
Basma @ My Bookish Thoughts
Fans of Twilight will like it? o__O
I’m definitely NOT a fan of Twilight and I enjoyed reading Of Poseidon. Of Poseidon is not like Twilight in any way.
I recommend you give the book a try. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Debut-a-Thon: Goals + Updates
I really loved this book, probably because I love mermaid based books. ;) I loved the humor of the book and the cliff hanger killed me in the end!
The humor is definitely a high point in Of Poseidon and oh gosh, the cliffhanger. It was just cruel.
Kelly recently posted…Debut-a-Thon: Goals + Updates
I hate how your reviews makes me want to read the books when I have no time. But your reviews are sooo good <3 thank god the day I found your blog!
I didn't have too much interest in this series, but after reading your review, I will def add Of Poseidon in my to-read list. I'll be back when I finish it to leave a better comment.
A lot of hugs from Argentina <3
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Ladies and gentlemen, James…
Aww, I’m glad you like my reviews and my blog that much Valeria! :D<3
I can't wait to see/hear your thoughts on Of Poseidon!
Kelly recently posted…Summer Lovin’ Readathon: Day 1 – Class Orientation + Teaser Tidbits
Omg! I love this book! I read it months ago and it was so good! I have of triton but I want to reread of Poseidon before reading it! I love your review!
Ha ha, enjoy your re-read! (:
And I’m glad you love my review. ;D
Kelly recently posted…Summer Giveaway Hop 2013
great review!!! when im reading i dont usually pick up on first person third person point of view.. i do sometimes but most of the time i dont.. I thought that this book was pretty good, though!!
Thanks! (:
Ha ha, Anna Banks has skills to make you ignore what you hate to read huh? ;D
Kelly recently posted…Stacking the Shelves [52]
I have this book but have yet to read it. It’s my next book on my list to read. I’m like you regarding laughing and it’s hard to get me to laugh especially in books. I’m glad that I also have the next book in series because you mention that the ending is a cliffhanger.
Don’t worry Dorena, Emma will definitely make you laugh in this one. She just SO hilarious. ;D
And ha ha, you’re definitely well prepared to read Of Poseidon then!
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By It’s Signature: Smoke – Ellen Hopkins
This book sounds interesting! I like the story. Hopefully I’ll be able to read this some day
JenAlice recently posted…Pre-Thoughts on The Murder Complex
If you ever want to read a book that’s fun and that will make you laugh, you’ll definitely like this one Jenalice! (:
Kelly recently posted…Judge A Book By It’s Signature: Smoke – Ellen Hopkins
It also made me uncomfortable to read about how they sexualized the females in the Syrena. Being a feminist and all.
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