Dual Review: Siren Song by Stephanie Draven

Filed in 3 Stars , Dual Review , Stephanie Draven , The Latin Lover , The Smutty Lover Posted on May 16, 2011 @ 8:00 am 0 comments
Format Read: ebook copy provided by the author
Release Date: 1 January 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Nocturne Bites
Formats Available: Ebook, Kindle
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Author’s website, Kindle store

Blurb:

When Chloe Karras sings, she knows that no one can resist her sensual allure—except for the sexy naval officer seemingly immune to her voice. But Captain Alex Shore is just the man she wants to take home after her performance—until he tells her what she thought were imagined powers are real…and dangerous.
Alexandros knows firsthand how seductive sirens are, as well as their potential to destroy. Yet the former sea soldier feels a powerful attraction to the beautiful rock singer that goes beyond her spell. Can he banish Chloe from the town he’s vowed to protect—or will he be drawn into the siren’s bed?
Our thoughts:
Stella: What I really liked about this novella was how much the author used Greek mythology to set the story and characters. I’ve always loved it and seeing those legendary creatures set in a contemporary romance felt fresh and interesting. What I didn’t really like or rather what surprised me was the dark parts of Chloe’s rape, I wasn’t expecting anything so horrible in a paranormal romance…
Has: I loved the greek mythos too and that took me by surprise but I thought it was fitting especially since my initial reaction to Chloe was not that favourable. But discovering that made me think of her character in a different way.
Stella: I agree, I think that was the turning point for me. I didn’t care much for her when she was described as a rock singer with pink hair, who enjoyed feeling her power and control over every men in the room. I didn’t think she would be a heroine I could like, but then she gained depth and I liked how with Alex we got to see a more vulnerable side of her
Has: I agree! Chloe’s initial impressions on me was dislike and I felt that she was going to be a very self centred character. However the revelation of her past added depth and I loved how authors can change perceptions of a character like that. For a short story it did pack of a bit of punch.
Stella: Exactly! She seemed to me such an egotist especially the way she kept herself away from her band and friends (which of course now knowing more about her past I can see was more of another part of her vulnerability and loneliness than conceit), and I confess that I think we both started with the preconception that she would be another wild, self-centered musician with a huge ego. I agree, there were quite some twists and turns I couldn’t have predicted and seeing how short this novella was, it is quite a feat! 🙂
Has: Definitely! I think her characterisation was a highlight in the book and even though she appeared to be this tough, egotistical singer deep down was a very vulnerable woman. I also loved how she turned the tables with the hero, who was this alpha domineering male and had the same misconceptions as us about her character.
Stella: Agree! that was my favourite part of the book! How she could surprise and leave confused a several hundred year old world-seen triton! 😀
Has: I actually felt his character was way too rigid and judgemental. Even though it became very obvious to us the readers that she had no part in the murders/disappearances. I did get frustrated at him at the end because I felt for a being who was experienced in dealing with Sirens he missed a big clue about the real culprit. But I can understand why he was blindsided due to his feelings but that transition from discovering she was innocent after targetting her was a bit too jarring for me. Although I have to admit I am not a huge fan of his character – I don’t think he was well developed for me.
Stella: Interesting, that wasn’t such a problem for me. Don’t misunderstand me, I agree that in my opinion too his character was much less developed than Chloe’s and I felt him to be more of a supporting character, but I could see why a several hundred (or even maybe thousand?) year old man could be so weary of everything and with all his experience of evil and man-hater sirens he could be less than a fair judge and more like a blindsided executioner. I felt he condemned Chloe not as much for the crime he thought she committed but for being a siren and thus being prone to murder and doing evil deeds sooner or later, that is punishing her for all the bad things he has witnessed sirens in his life commit.
Has: Exactly! It may be due to the short nature of the book but I am not a fan of this type of alpha male and his apology to the heroine and change of opinion didn’t really work for me.
Stella: Well I could understand it. He was more like a grumpy weathered man ;-p
Were you satisfied with the conclusion of the mystery?
Has: Another aspect of the novella that I really really wished was expanded upon was the real culprit’s fate or punishment. There was all this build-up and then it felt like an after-thought. I was pretty disappointed on how that played out although I think it was hard because the story should have been longer to do it justice.
Stella: I agree. I always give novellas a chance but always come to the same conclusion that they would have been so much better if they had been longer and the author would have had more time and space to expand and develop more some ideas.
The revelation of the real culprit was rather sudden as well as the reason for doing it, but I can see how it makes sense. But again, would have loved to read this a bit longer and somewhat more detailed.
Has: It is very hard to deal with difficult subjects and themes in a novellas. I think overall the main plot and romance worked but those issues were niggles for me. I agree about the revelation about the true culprit although I had a suspicion they were involved somehow but the first half of the novella was a great buildup in suspense and characterization but the second half was a bit of a let down.
Stella: Again, I blame the format and the space restrictions. However Siren Song was my very first Stephanie Draven story, but most certainly not the last. I really enjoyed her writing and can’t wait to check out more of her works.
Has: The premise was great and I loved how she incorporated Greek mythology with in-depth characterization. I agree the story length was a bit of a let-down but I think that’s a good sign of wanting more. I also feel the same about picking up another Stephanie Draven story!
My final mark is 3 bookies!
Stella: I also give it 3 bookies!

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
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About Stella


Stella is a proud bookaholic and a self-taught multilinguist in training. Besides reading, her other great passions are travelling and baking. When she is not globetrotting she lives in sunny Budapest, where she loves to spend her free time preparing (and feasting on) delicious cookies or devouring equally yummy books. Her favourite genres are urban fantasy and romance and she couldn't live without her daily dose of sunshine. Besides being the Latin Lover on BLI Stella also blogs about books and a bookish life on Ex Libris.

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