Review: Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

The capable, confident, and occasionally ruthless heroine of Daughter of the Pirate King is back in this action-packed YA sequel that promises rousing high seas adventures and the perfect dash of magic.

Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he’s under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father’s justice.

When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first . . . after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

At this point in my blogging career I don’t need to tell you that I’m basically certified trash for pirates. I’m going to blame Johnny Depp for that obsession, but there’s just something about sexy swashbucklers and adventure on the high seas that calls to me. [Or, maybe it’s the haunting call of the siren’s song?].

Adding a sword brandishing female Jack Sparrow to the mix, an epic crew of cutthroat ladies with an ancient map to the siren’s treasure and you’ve got the makings of a rum-soaked feminist adventure of epic proportions. Major Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. *Cue He’s A Pirate*

Daughter of the Pirate King introduced us to Princess Alosa; a cunning, ruthless captain set to inherit the Pirate King’s throne. But all wasn’t smooth sailings and a bottle of rum. Alosa had been given a mission – she was to stage a skirmish and be taken prisoner on the Nightfarer, a rival pirate ship, leaving her in the perfect position to steal a hidden piece to an ancient map.

Basically, we, along with Alosa, were ship-bound, with the plot’s rising action confined to the decks of the Nightfarer. The narrative was banter-y, comedic and light in tone with a good helping of sword fights and some steamy times with the sexy first mate.

That was so not the case with Daughter of the Siren Queen.

Naturally, as is the way of best laid schemes, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. With Alosa’s true heritage revealed, the board was set for a reunion with the Siren Queen herself in this blockbuster conclusion.

The banter, romance and general pirate tomfoolery is pushed to the back burner as a high stakes, cutthroat race to the Isla de Canta takes the helm.

And, let me tell you – Tricia Levenseller isn’t messing around.

With the treasure ripe for plundering, character’s are brutally killed off, game changing secrets as revealed, ravenous cannibals abound and the stalks have never been higher as the comedic narrative takes a deliciously darker turn. Daughter of the Siren Queen just feels so much wider in scope. The fantasy world is expanded, taking us on a sweeping, high impact adventure that could rival that of Captain Jack Sparrow’s quest for the Fountain of Youth.

The first thing you need to know about Daughter of the Siren Queen is just how far it deviates from Daughter of the Pirate king in terms of bloodletting and violence. The mood of the book is seriously dark and gritty, then there’s the amazing tension that presses on the characters, encompassing the entire plot. This book gave me anxiety. I’m talking bouncing-up-and-down-on-the-edge-of-your-seat anxiety. I mean, one doesn’t simply cross the Pirate King without severe consequences so you can only imagine the world of trouble facing Alosa and the Ava-lee’s crew.

And trouble indeed! With the Pirate King hot on their heels, Alosa’s only hope to reach the Isla de Canta first and retrieve the siren’s mythical treasure. Easier said than done. Especially when there’s a band of pirates out for your blood. All I’m saying is be prepared for lots of gore, death and non-stop action because the tense atmosphere doesn’t let up. It’s horrific, I was left gaping but low key living for the pirate-y escapades.

And there’s sirens! Bloodthirsty, feminist, man-slaying sirens! #enoughsaid.

Basically, if you’re still here and you haven’t yet read this thrilling duology then what are you even doing with your life? If you live for pirates, sirens, female empowerment and a whole ton of badassery than Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen are right up your alley. Dark, gritty with a splash of steamy tension and high seas shenanigans, this duology is perfect for fan’s of Sarah Tolcser’s Song of the Current or Pirates of the Caribbean.

#hoistthecolors.

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