The Siren Song

I need to learn that just because I love some of an author's works doesn't mean that I'll love all of them. As fantasy adventure epics for tweens go, this series is pretty good. Nice themes about revenge vs justice, and nice that the bravest kid just happens to be female (not, note, the typical 'spunky heroine' of most recent MG), and great that the complexities of the Greek Gods theology isn't dumbed down. However, even though this is much better than the Percy Jackson series, the subject matter is of no interest to me, and Ursu did not weave her subtle magic in this series. The second is even skippable, tbh. But there's some cool world-building in the first, and some nifty bits in the third, so if you are in fact interested in the show more genre, I do recommend them.

(This review duplicated for second and third books.) show less

Ursu, A. (2008). The Siren Song. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Reader.

430 pages.

Appetizer: It's been several months since Charlotte and her cousin Zee traveled to the underworld to prevent a revolt against Hades and Charlotte is still grounded for having been out all night. Her cousin Zee's parents are being overprotective as well. And Charlotte feels certain that she can get through anything as long as her cousin is by her side, but when Zee starts behaving strangely, Charlotte isn't so sure anymore. So, when her parents plan for the family to go on a cruise (fun!) to see famed historical sites along the East Coast (less fun), Charlotte thinks it may be her only chance at a break. She doesn't even suspect that she is venturing show more into a trap set by Philonecron, who blames her for his failure to take over the Underworld.

The Siren Song lives up to the fun narrative voice set up by the first book in this trilogy, The Shadow Thieves. As I was reading, I felt Charlotte's frustration with how overbearing her parents were being and I loved Zee's continued struggle to find a place that he belongs (although, Philonecron's fascination with him did become a little too creepy this time around. As the reader, I wasn't really picking up the supposed would-be-father-wants-you-as-a-son vibe that the story was trying to establish. For me, it was more of a creepy-demon-guy-is-way-too-in-love-with-a-teenage-boy-ICK vibe.) I also felt like the story could have been trimmed a little. (Charlotte spent too much time running around her cruise ship for my liking and I was left with the too-strong desire to want to go on a cruise (if only I had the time/money...I suppose I would be willing to settle for a tanned man servant bringing me drinks and making whooshing sounds to represent the sound of the sea waves.)

As with the first novel, most of the story is told from Charlotte's perspective, with an introduction to give Zee's account. With this novel, I didn't really feel as though including Zee's perspective added much (except for maybe trying to attract those elusive male readers).

I did like that Poseidon was a featured Greek god in The Siren Song. It was particularly interesting, since Ursu's approach to creating him was so different from Rick Riordan's in his Percy Jackson series.

I really love the world Ursu has created and the fact that Charlotte, an ordinary girl, must repeatedly best the Greek gods. With most of the gods disinterest in helping mortals and Charlotte and Zee's acknowledgement that the system has to change, I am very curious to see what happens in the final novel of this trilogy, The Immortal Fire.

Dinner Conversation:

"Once, not so long ago, inside an ordinary middle school in an ordinary city in an ordinary state in the middle of an ordinary country, a small redheaded eighth grader was doing something very ordinary indeed. Charlotte Mielswetzski (Say it with me: Meals. Wet. Ski. Got it? If not, say it again: Meals. Wet. Ski.) was in the school office calling her mother. And lest you think she was calling her mother for some interesting reason, let me assure you she most certainly was not. For Charlotte could be found in that same office calling her mother every day after school." (p. 3).

"An American History cruise!" said Mrs. Mielswetzski. "Up the East Coast! Normally, a girl who is grounded doesn't get to go on cruises, but given the educational nature of this one, we thought we'd make an exception."
"Anyway," said Mr. Mielswetzski, "it will give us a lot of time together. As a family."
Her parents exchanged a happy look.
"Oh," Charlotte said. "Um, look I've got to go to my room now." (pp. 16-17)

"It was silly, of course. Ridiculous. Normal boys aren't afraid of shopping malls. Normal boys go out with their friends and have fun and talk about sports and gils and music and video games and don't worry about whether a half-demon/half-god freak is stalking them. But normal boys just don't have Zee's fabulous luck." (p. 96)

"She was stranded in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on a cruise ship full of people in singer-induced comas. For the last month of her life, she had been feeling increasingly more alone in the world. Well, now she was truly all alone. show less

This was a cute follow-up to the first in the series, and I enjoyed returning to Charlotte and Zee. I like the way Ursu brings the myths to life, and I'll definitely be picking up book 3!

Book 2 of the Cronus Chronicles - Ever since Charlotte Mielswetzski and her cousin, Zee, saved the world, Charlotte has been ultra mega grounded and Zee is as if he might fall to pieces and is smothered by his parents. Of course, no one knows Charlotte and Zee are heroes. It's not like they can simply announce that Greek myths are real or proclaim they have returned from the Underworld, where they rescued all of mankind from Philonecron, a deranged demigod with delusions of grandeur. But things aren't quite as ordinary as they seem. For Philonecron is the grandson of Poseidon, and you don't mess with the progeny of the second most powerful god in the universe. And Philonecron himself isn't so happy about having all of his delicious show more plans thwarted by mortal children. He wants revenge, and with his grandfather to help him, he is going to get what he wants. For Charlotte and Zee, their not-so-ordinary lives are about to be disrupted once again. This time it's not the world they must save -- it's themselves from a spectacular adventure on the high seas. This book starts off a bit slow, but comes together and is enthralling half way through to the end. Can't wait to read book 3, ' The Immortal Fire.' show less

Charlotte is such a great character. Ms. Ursu did a great job making her flawed and lovable. This is the second novel in the Cronus Chronicles, and it's absolutely charming and delightful. I really loved the gentlemanly squid introduced in this novel. I could read a whole book about him.

Charlotte Mielswetski and her cousin Zee may have saved the world from Philonecron once, but the grandson of Poseidon hasn't given up yet. This time his nefarious plot to take over the underworld, and given time maybe the whole Greek pantheon, includes a siren, shape-changing immortal, and lots of adventure on the high seas.

Charlotte's a tough heroine. Given that their last world-saving night out got Charlotte grounded indefinitely and therapy sessions with a talkative shrink, and Zee lots (of the wrong kind) of parental attention, it will be interesting to see what the fallout from this little excursion is!

Second in Anne Ursu's Cronus Chronicles. Fun and a quick read. My 12-year-old daughter couldn't put it down. We are now on our way to the library to pick up the 3rd book. I enjoyed continuing Charlotte and Zee's adventures with the Greek gods, too.