Book Review: Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

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…

– goodreads.com

5 STARS

This is a quick witted, sexy and addictive book that will leave you begging for its sequel – Anna Banks is not afraid of a cliff hanger ending. This book had me laughing in my dentist’s waiting room, I do not laugh in dentists’ waiting rooms under normal circumstances (I sit there wringing my hands, anxious and nauseous). So I will not hesitate to recommend this title to my friends.

I really enjoyed the ‘Syrena’ mythology Anna Banks created and I’m excited to see more of her underwater world in future books (especially the caves). When Emma’s friend Chloe died at the start of the novel I worried that I’d been reading about grief, not mermaids, but while Anna Banks makes us miss Chloe her death doesn’t sour the story or the romance. In fact this doesn’t come across as a serious or depressing read at all.

Despite her Syrena heritage Emma’s character is surprisingly human all the way around and I really liked her – she’s courageous and kind. Her mom is a total riot! I could imagine being just like her as a parent one day, garbage eggs anybody? This book had quite a few interesting side characters including Galen’s sister and her mate (it took me a little while to warm up to Rayna, but I got there), and Galen’s assistant Rachel with her fabulous four inch heels and mob know-how.

The romance part of the storyline was great: there was sizzling chemistry between Emma and Galen (literally) and Anna Banks writes great lines for them. There’s nothing boring about Emma and Galen’s relationship and all their small miscommunications just ratcheted up the tension between them and the suspense. I really liked that this story alternated between Emma and Galen’s point of view.

I would recommend this for people who like Meg Cabot, mermaid books and super hot (yet clean!) YA romance.