Showing posts with label Anna Banks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anna Banks. Show all posts

2/22/13

BookHounds Review OF TRITON by ANNA BANKS


Book Description

May 28, 2013


Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm. Syrena law states all Half-Breeds should be put to death.


As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance in the Syrena world turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?


Once again, Anna Banks infuses Emma and Galen’s points of view with humor, intrigue, and waves of romance.



About the Author

Anna Banks’s first novel, Of Poseidon, was a Macmillan Fierce Reads title. She lives in Crestview, on the Florida Panhandle, with her husband and their daughter.

SOURCE:  AROUND THE WORLD ARC TOURS

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT

****spoilers if you haven't read the Of Poseidon****

Emma has learned that her mother is actually Nalia, the long lost Poseidon Princess that Galen's brother, Grom, was slated to mate with when there was an explosion and both thought the other was dead.  After some maneuvering on both Galen and Emma's part, the pair are brought together, but not after a harrowing chase and Rebecca's ability to track anything and everyone pinpoints the pair as they try to escape.  Galen has lied to Emma, although not intentionally, and she doesn't trust him, but doesn't know what else to do, so she accepts what has happened and still is in love with him.  Rayna, is there just to drive you batty and I think I would miss her if she weren't present.

Of course, there is the required lovers' spat and as the pair fight, they can't seem to keep their hands off each other.  It is nice to finally get some insight into how Emma came to be and we get to learn more about the history of Nalia/Natalie.  The romance between her and Grom is really wonderful.  As Emma suspects and Rayna noisily points out, Paca, doesn't have the gift of Poseidon but is an impostor and this all comes to a head in a climatic scene that is truly delicious.

I really enjoyed this one as much as the first, but again, I was left wondering what would happen to the all of the couples again.  Will Grom and Nalia be truly reunited?  Will Galen and Emma finally get together and mate?  Will Rayna ever stop picking on Toraf and admit she is madly in love with him?  You do find out bits and pieces, but there isn't a happily ever after yet.  Parents:  there is a LOT of kissing, not much more than that and overall this is a pretty clean romance geared towards teens.  Now, I need the next installment to clear up all these hanging threads.


5/24/12

BOOK REVIEW Of Poseidon by Anna Banks @byannabanks @mackidsbooks


Book Description

May 22, 2012
Galen, a Syrena prince, searches land for a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. It’s while Emma is on vacation at the beach that she meets Galen. Although their connection is immediate and powerful, Galen's not fully convinced that Emma's the one he's been looking for. That is, until a deadly encounter with a shark proves  that Emma and her Gift may be the only thing that can save his kingdom. He needs her help--no matter what the risk.


About the Author
Anna Banks grew up in a small town called Niceville (yes, really). She now lives in Crestview, Florida, with her husband and their daughter. This is her debut novel.

SOURCE:  PUBLISHER
MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
Emma is a klutz, pure and simple, so when she goes goes on vacation to Florida with her BFF, Chloe, she runs smack into the cutest guy she has ever seen.  Chloe is unfortunately attacked by a shark and Emma orders the shark away it listens!  She doesn't quite get this at first especially since Chloe dies of her wounds.  Galen, the cute dude, is searching for her but doesn't realize Emma is the one he is looking for until the incident.  He turns out to be Syrena (merman) and it turns out Emma is a decedent of Poseidon which gives her the ability to communicate with fish.  Which puts them on a crash course towards intimacy or at least Galen must convince her that she is special.  The story is told in alternating view points between Galen and Emma which is quite insightful.  
There are also wonderful secondary characters like Rayna, Galen's twin sister and her boyfriend, Toraf.  Rayna is a total you-know-what, while Toraf is a giant sweetie with the ability to track anything under the sea. Ok, stop singing the annoying Disney song right now!  And just like in a Disney film, the mothers are nonexistent.  Rayna speaks her mind and doesn't keep anything a secret which is something Galen is way too good at.  He must convince Emma that she is stronger than she thinks and her destiny is something that must be fulfilled.  Of course,  they fall for each other and it looks like they will never get together but like in any good fairy tale there are obstacles that each must overcome.  I have to say the chemistry between the two is extremely well done! 
Overall, I really enjoyed this sweet read.  This is only one of three mermaid tales that I have really enjoyed.  You can check out MaryJanice Davidson's adult one about Fred or Tera Lynn Childs' fantastic YA series about Lily.  There is a lot of heavy petting and a mention or two of alcohol but nothing really serious.  Um, launguage, yes, Emma does have a mouth at times but only at appropriate times.  I guess this is one for more mature teens.  I can't wait for the next one to arrive sometime in the future!  

 Details

  • Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  • Hardcover: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (May 22, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1250003326
  • ISBN-13: 978-1250003324