The Siren... Ballgowns. Ballgowns everywhere

The Siren
Standalone
Written by Kiera Cass
Fantasy, Romance, Mermaids
Published January 25th 2016
400 Pages
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia
Add to Goodreads
★★
Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. Though a single word from Kahlen can kill, she can’t resist spending her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will be able to speak and laugh and live freely among them again.

Kahlen is resigned to finishing her sentence in solitude... Until she meets Akinli. Handsome, caring, and kind, Akinli is everything Kahlen ever dreamed of.

Falling in love with a human breaks the Ocean’s rules. But for the first time in a lifetime of following the rules, Kahlen is determined to follow her heart.
Release the gowns.


The name Kiera Cass is synonymous with young adult, instant love, cliche storylines and of course ballgowns. Her Selection series covers are absolutely stunning and considering the predicament her protagonist America finds herself in, are well suited to the storyline and a great representation. Her novels are perfect for early teen readers who love a fairytale romance. The Siren on the other hand managed to weave underwater ballgowns into the storyline and although I enjoyed it sporadically despite my rating, it really wasn't for me.

The storyline follows our protagonist Kahlen, pronounced Kaylynn according to Kiera Cass' Tumblr page. Kahlen was once a wealthy society girl, traveling the open seas with her parents when tragedy strikes. While those around her have perished, Kahlen is offered a lifeline. To join the sisterhood of singing Sirens or join her parents on the ocean floor. She wants to live and tentatively accepts the deal.

Fast forward eighty years and Kahlen is now a Siren, immortal and only twenty years from completing her role until another takes her place. Along with her sisters in Elizabeth, Miaka and the soon to be departed Aisling, Kahlen serves the Ocean in an emotional contract which sees her sing to to feed her thirst for human life. The Ocean is portrayed as an energy who owns the life of each Siren until her time of servitude is over. She's possessive and continues to brainwash her possessions that they are her property. Although ruling with with a firm and controlling hand, She is passive aggressive and uses the motion of Her waves to caress her Sirens to soothe them in their time of need.


The Ocean has now become a third party in the strangest love triangle I've come across.

Akinli is a quiet and intelligent college student, meeting Kahlen in the student library in which he works. Apart from a name that sounds more like a cocktail, he's actually the only likable character The Siren has to offer. Like her sisters, Kahlen is mute. She communicates using sign language for the fear of her musical voice luring others to  their death. Of course Akinli finds this endearing and cake baking ensues.


Good times kids. Good times.

Alas, their relationship can never be and Kahlen leaves behind a heartbroken Akinli to devote herself to the Ocean once more. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder and it isn't long until Kahlen wants to return, confiding in her sisters about the absence of love of her life that is slowly destroying her spirit. If she returns to Miami, the Ocean will surely destroy the sea fairing Akinli as punishment, ensuring She has Kahlen's devotion.

That's quite the dilemma Kahlen.

What did surprise me is that The Siren isn't a new release, but a polished version of an earlier release. It had potential, but I feel the finer details of the storyline is what let The Siren down. The mythology behind the Sirens felt flimsy. Mythical beings that were said to have lured men to their deaths, their willpower stripped away and leaving girls who lacked both personality and distinguishing traits. The romance soon became the focal point of the storyline and rather than world building or introducing much needed mythology while the young loves were separated, what I found was little more than teen angst and pining away for a boy she has only just met.

The final Verdict

The overall storyline had a wonderful premise, a mythical and immortal being, a forbidden romance and obstacles to overcome. But the lack of world building, little to no character development felt as though it could have been mistaken for satire. For all it's faults and there were many many faults, I still couldn't put it down.

Kelly likes ballgowns and she cannot lie. Actually, that's not entirely true. I'm a bit skeptical of underwater ballgowns made of ocean trash. That's some Oscar the Grouch shit right there.


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36 comments

  1. Aw, shame you didn't like this one much, Kelly! I absolutely loved THE SELECTION series... so I figure that most likely, I'll like this one too. I found too that in THE SELECTION books, they were just so, so easy to read--the sort of books you devour in one sitting.

    Great review!

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    1. I did love book one, but the other two not as much and stopped reading the series after that because it was pretty much wrapped up. That's the one great aspect with her writing, it's easy to read and you can easily finish in one sitting.

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  2. Underwater ballgowns? Wow,I have seen (or read) it all. The Selection series is definitely a guilty pleasure for me. I hate that I like it but I do. It was just so addictive and dramatic that it pulled me in like a daytime soap opera. I think you're right, Kiera Cass tends to write for the beginning YA audience. I'm sorry this was a dud.

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    1. It was for me too Taylor, but I think when it came to The Siren, the novelty wore off with me. Which is a shame because the bones of the storyline were awesome, it was the finer details and story building which let it down for me. I'd love to see what you think of it though.

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  3. I'm sorry to see that you didn't like this one. :/ I loved the Selection so I'm hoping to get this one soon to give it a try. I'll try going in with lower expectations.
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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    1. This isn't dystopian, but paranormal mythology romance sort of. It's a blended genre read. It's still engaging, but I think it's one of those books that is purely for young, young adult readers and not so much adults. I'd love to see what you think of it Krystianna.

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  4. This was a hilarious post! XD I'm loving all the GIFs by the way. WHY DO ALL HER BOOKS HAVE PEOPLE IN GODDAMN PRETTY DRESSES?! Life's not fair.

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    1. The underwater dress really took the cake though Mawa, it was made from ocean particles which I'm assuming involves trash. They all had the trash dresses. They'd enter the water only to have their clothes fall away and the particles of the ocean form a ballgown while they swam. I mean, really?

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  5. Uggghhh. Lol. Definitely staying away from this one. Lots of overdone, overused tropes, to be honest.

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    1. I think those are pretty much her defining trait Joy. If I was 13 or 14, I would have loved this book. It's just more suited to young teen readers and not adults reading young adult.

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  6. Haha love your description of Cass' trademarks in YA, it's true! And the only appealing thing from that list is ballgowns, but even I know there comes a point where one good ballgown isn't enough to save the day ;p

    Kahlen, what?? LOL I don't know what it is with some YA stories having main character's names I can't even begin to even know how to pronounce. I'm so bad with names to begin with names like this isn't helping me. Oh well, I suppose these characters shall forever be blank spaces in my mind. Kahlen is offered a lifeline from her tragedy at sea? WHY DIDN'T LEO IN TITANIC GET THIS OPTION. He'd make a great siren I'm sure. Lol can you tell I'm still emotion about Jack Dawson's unfortunate death at sea?

    HAHAHAH. I'm kinda dying because your description of the ocean truly does sound like your typical YA love interest. And your love triangle comment omg. Kelly, your humor slays me okay #slayandflay and of course there's some insta-love I see. And of course right when that comes into play you can say goodbye to anything else. World building? Nahhh. Mythology? Nope. Character development?? PSHHH WHO NEEDS THAT WHEN YOU GOT TRUE LURRRRVEEEE [;

    Haha <33 Lovely review Kelly, love your snark.

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    1. Jack Dawson! Oh how I cried Larissa and cried and cried. But the Ocean could have been so much more, but it was basically a third party in the love triangle. I'm all for new concepts in young adult, but it just didn't work sadly.

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  7. "The Ocean has now become a third party in the strangest love triangle I've come across."

    *snort* That's funny. I haven't read any of her books. There was a time I wanted to read her other series, but I just can't bring myself to do it. Same with this.

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    1. They're not for everyone Christy, I think much more suited to the younger audience. I've given her a go and this is pretty much it for me now.

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  8. Oh man, that gif. It's so pretty. *strokes* And goodness me, that is SUCH a fantastic premise -- I mean, the Ocean as a love triangle? -- but I don't think I'll check out this one yet -- or if I do read something of Cass's, it'll be The Selection series since that sounds equally intriguing. *nods*

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    1. I'd definitely go with the Selection Alyssa, the first three books were pretty good but sadly this one missed the mark with me entirely. I still couldn't stop reading though.

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  9. Omg ahhahahahha. So this is technically a love triangle, with the Ocean, HAHA. That is pretty darn hilarious. I have never read anything by Kiera Cass, and I don't think I will. I had never heard of The Siren until when it was polished up to be republished again. No wonder it didn't do such a good job the first time!

    Awesome review Kelly :) I will pass on this

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    1. The premise could have really been awesome, but the mythology was barely touched on and it's main focus was the romance. Less angst and more Siren power and this would have been a much better read.

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  10. But the real question is: Did she get to wear the ballgown when she went to meet Martini? Because otherwise, the cover is LIES. And she was like "bye mom and dad, joining an underwater evil beauty pageant/slumber party"? This confuses me. But also, I see why you'd keep reading because... I almost want to? Mostly to own the cover, why lie? I just want to know why Martini accepted any of this... and why the character name Kay-lynn is spelled like a girl from Cycle 4 of America's Next Top Model... (who, by the by, should have won, and was ROBBED, I tell you.)

    LOVE this review. You have made me chuckle :D

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    1. I dare say I'm pretty sure she wasn't. She was wearing her civilian clothing, which the Sirens change into after their dresses melt away after being back on land. Her parents couldn't contest her decision, as they were currently drowning but still. Ahh, Top Model. That makes much more sense now.

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  11. I read the first book in her Selection series and liked it okay, but never picked up the rest of the books. I can't say I'm interested either. I reckon, they would really bother me if I read them again now.
    This one doesn't sound any different from that series either! >.< All the stereotypes, the lack of world building, the triangle would drive me insane. Also, what is up with these names?
    Oh well, sorry this book wasn't all that, Kelly, made haha I'm glad you read it because this review is gold!! :D

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    1. Thanks Nick. I took one for the team.

      It had so much promise but let me down so dramatically sadly. I did enjoy the first few in The Selection series too, even though that was supposed to be a revolution type dystopian that morphed into The Bachelor. It was fun. The Siren just felt underdeveloped to be honest.

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  12. I really want to read this!!!

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    1. If you're a fan of her Selection series Mya, you'll probably really enjoy this one. Thanks for visiting and happy reading.

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  13. Pity you couldn't enjoy it more! I think Kiera Cass is awesome at making her books unputdownable - but for me, they're usually unmemorable, and I tend to forget what happened after a couple of days!
    Hope you find a book you enjoy more soon! :)

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    1. Thanks Geraldine, I feel the same actually. I think I've come to the conclusion that they're just too young for me.

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  14. I'm just going to give this book a pass to be honest as much as I do love Korea Cass, I think I've gotten over the love triangle/mushy kind of books. At first I thought it was another Selection Book because all her covers look the same!
    Naomi@The Perks Of Being A Bookworm

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    1. I think the publisher have gone with the ballgown theme as it does feature in the book, which I think might have been a later addition and because they're as recognisable as her work is too. A great marketing strategy.

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  15. LOL i loved your parting words Kelly, so hilarious! I have heard so many reviews of Kiera Cass's books I definitely don't feel the need to rush to them. Siren sounds like an interesting premise, but it sounds unremarkable. Lovely review!

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    1. Sadly it was for me Jeann. It had the promise of one of the better mermaid type siren reads, but just let me down overall with so many typical young adult tropes.

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  16. I was really excited about this book because I loved the Selection Series! and i started to read your review and was like yes! she liked it! until i saw your final verdict! so sad! i might still give this a shot but we'll see! thanks for the honest review!
    I LOL'ed big time: "Release the ball gowns!" Love it!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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    1. I enjoyed it in places Emily, but for the most part it wasn't for me. I did enjoy her Selection series though. Definitely give it a try, it might really surprise you.

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  17. Great honest review! Sad this didn't worked out for you. Kiera Cass has this writing style that makes you want to read more.. I did enjoy the Selection series but I'm skeptical to pick this one up. Good thing I did trust my instincts not to pick it. ;) Damn all the Ball gowns! :P (they're pretty though)

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  18. Yikes, I had so much to say but then that Up gif made me lose all my thoughts because THE TEARS T_T. I'm still not over it! The premise of this book does sound kind of interesting and I'm getting some Little Mermaid vibes from it. It's a shame that it didn't work for you. I'm not a big fan of Kiera Cass's Selection series (though I continue to buy the books because the bad drama is addictive AF) so I don't think I'll be picking up The Siren. I don't think I could handle the frustration and the weird love triangle with the Ocean..........
    Jenna @ Happy Indulgence

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  19. It's funny, I here her books are a cheesefest...yet people are still hooked on them. Despite the cheese. I love the covers of her books and I wanted to read her Selection books...but I just can't take the name America seriously.

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  20. I haven’t heard this book was released again. I actually read it several years ago, like in 2013? I remember that the first part was really boring; things only began to pick up for me when the romance started. And yes beautiful covers with beautiful gowns, unfortunately it’s not enough.

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