Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Title: Of Poseidon

Author: Anna Banks

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publishing Date: May 22^nd 2012

Length: 336 pages

Keywords: YA, fiction, romance, underwater, Syrena

Source: Netgalley

Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to 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 . . .

Summary by Goodreads  

In the past few months I discovered that I enjoy all underwater world related YA books pretty much. OF POSEIDON is no exception.

It surprised me in the respect that it quickly became my favourite book in said category. I was hooked, no pun intended, from the first scene on. Such a smashing start and entertaining first meeting wants to be acknowledged!

It’s the start of a great story when Emma runs into a boy at the beach. That’s Galen. Colliding one moment, two fates are inseparably welded together. Galen is temperamental, funny, witty and snarky, just like Emma. I’m sure that you’ll like these two together. They’re pretty entertaining with all their bickering, fighting and making out..ehm up.

The love story between them is infuriating and engaging at the same time. They were like ebb and flow, contrary, yet attracted by each other. I wanted so badly for them to find a way to be together.

The story is narrated by Emma in 1^st person point of view, alternating with chapters told from a 3^rd person point of view, that mostly circles around Galen.

I was glad that Anna Banks gave us an insight into his way of thinking, because it is a bit different from Emma’s as a human. He is not used to spend so much time on land, is not familiar with human affairs and terms.

In OF POSEIDON we not only meet Galen and Emma, who doesn’t know about her fate yet, but Galen’s sister Rayna and her “boyfriend” Toraf who also play a bigger role in the story. You just have to like their way of showing their feelings for each other.

Galen, Rayna, Toraf. Don’t just their names sound like totally awesome, exotic underwater names? Wait till you read more about the special Syrena underwater folk. All Syrena have the ability to grow a fin in water and spend time on land nevertheless. We’ll learn more about the history of Syrena, their customs and characters. Another clue to that book is that the Syrena history mixes existent human history with the myth of Greek Gods Triton and Poseidon. Just perfect!

1) of a first meeting with impression

2) of an educational Syrena history lesson

3) of an irresistible Syrena prince

4) we’d love to have a chat with Goliath

5) we love the Syrena’s temperament and passion

5/5 ***** OF POSEIDON – A pearl of a 2012 debut! Hot Syrena temperaments, passion and a fascinating dive into this new underwater world!

The story isn’t action-packed now that I think about it, but it never got boring for a second. I could have read on for the whole night. Anna Banks created an underwater world which I can’t already wait to dive deeper into in its sequel.

* LEGACY LOST is Grom and Nalia’s short story.

* Watch the OF POSEIDON book trailer. 

* Want to meet Anna Banks? You can find her event schedule here. 

* Visit www.byannabanks.blogspot.de for further information about Anna Banks and her books.

* Thanks toMacmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving me a chance to review OF POSEIDON!