***Disclaimer: This ARC was received at YALLFest. All opinions are my own.***
“The sound of my knife slitting across a throat feels much too loud in the darkness.” -Tricia Levenseller, Daughter of the Siren Queen
Daughter of the Siren Queen Review
By: Stephanie
Daughter of the Siren Queen is the highly anticipated sequel to Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller and continues with the adventures of Alosa and her crew of badass pirates (now including the gorgeous Riden). After the events of Daughter of the Pirate King, Alosa is on the hunt for the final piece of the map that leads to the sirens’ famous treasure trove. However, the life of a pirate is never easy; loyalties are tested, lives are lost, and priorities are set straight. With that being said, be prepared to buckle up (with a bottle of rum for the full pirate/Jack Sparrow affect) for this enthralling story.
When I found out that Daughter of the Siren Queen was going to be handed out at YallFest, I immediately made snagging that ARC my top priority. As you can imagine, when I successfully had my hands on a copy (after standing in line for an hour), I jumped for joy while cradling the precious cargo in my arms. I then proceeded to obsessively check that the ARC was indeed still in my bag for the remainder of the day. As soon as I had a chance, I started devouring it instantly and eagerly.
Overall, Daughter of the Siren Queen was phenomenal. I never knew how much fun it was to dive into a world of pirates (outside of Pirates of the Caribbean of course). I now want to pick up sword fighting and the art of thievery, but I digress. This sequel was a great conclusion to Daughter of the Pirate King. It provided an intriguing look on the life of a pirate, just like the first book, that I didn’t want to end. The casual banter between the crew was not only sarcastic but also endearing at the same time. This pirate crew is just like a large (slightly dysfunctional at times) family. These conversations help lighten the overall dreary atmosphere of the crew’s lives and situations. I won’t go into details of said situations, to avoid spoiling anyone, but what I will go into are my two favorite characters.
Alosa (nicknamed the female Jack Sparrow by author Anna Banks) is the female heroine I never knew I needed in my life. She is a character that I admire for not only her quick wit but also her strength. She is constantly faced with tough decisions and difficult situations that would cause weaker characters to crack under pressure. However, she always finds the strength and courage to make the tough call. Without giving away any spoilers, there is one scene in Daughter of the Siren Queen where Alosa and her pirate crew break into an off-limits office and discover a secret that causes Alosa to question everything she knows. As a result, Alosa struggles with the knowledge and consequences of discovering that secret but is still able to keep her and her crew moving forward despite the impossible circumstances.
Another trait of Alosa’s that I find very endearing is her compassion. Her compassion is highly evident through her interactions with her crew. She genuinely cares for everyone on her ship and wants for each and every one of them to succeed (even if it is in slaying and stealing). She is not type of captain that leads her crew through fear and pain (like other pirate captains we know in this world); she leads her crew through compassion, sincerity, and passion.
However, her interactions with the littlest pirate, Roslyn (Wallov’s daughter), are the cutest scenes of the entire book (next on the list are the Alosa and Riden scenes, more on that later). Alosa, in my opinion, is like the cool Aunt to Roslyn; she ensures that Roslyn learns how to write while also expecting her to be the best ship lookout possible. In reality, if there was a spinoff series with just Roslyn and Alosa interacting, I would be all for it.
Another highlight of Daughter of the Siren Queen is Riden. I could not make this review without mentioning the swoon worthy Riden. Riden has the ability to be tough but sensitive at the same time, which makes for the perfect fictional boy. He also has issues with his past which only adds to the allure. However, his honesty is what makes him amazing in my opinion. He is not afraid to speak up for what he believes in. He is also not afraid to speak back to Alosa, which contradicts the proper etiquette when speaking to the captain. In addition, like Alosa, he cares deeply for those he loves, which makes his scenes with Alosa quite amazing. In all honesty, their chemistry was beautiful. The push and pull of their relationship was so rewarding to read because that type of romance is what I enjoy reading the most. If they keep pushing each other away but end up coming back to one another over and over, it proves that they are not only special to one another but (dare I say it) meant to be. Essentially, that is Riden and Alosa throughout this series. I won’t go into specifics of their (many) scenes; you need to read and enjoy it for yourself. However, I will say this; they have multiple scenes where their tension (sexual and romantic) is through the roof.
Another romance (which needs to be mentioned) that I found myself shipping throughout the book was Sorinda and Kearan. Their minor romance was hinted at in the first book, but in the sequel, it becomes more evident. Both characters grow individually and as crew partners throughout the novel. I really wish we got more from them in this sequel because those two characters alone are interesting and worthy of their own novels (hint hint pretty please….).
I will end my rambling session here before I inadvertently spoil the book through my constant ravings. If you get anything from my blabbering, let it be that this book is an amazing sequel. If you enjoyed the first book, you will definitely want to continue visiting this world with Daughter of the Siren Queen.
Raven C. Eckman 