The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea: An Exciting and Action-Packed Fantasy Romance

Kerrelyn Sparks

Aug 2020 · Embraced by Magic Book 2 · Kensington Books

About this ebook

Perfect for fans of Christine Feehan’s Carpathian series and  G.A. Aiken’s The Blacksmith Queen, New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks combines humor, action, and love in the electrifying new book in her thrilling fantasy series.
 
Four sisters have become queens, rulers of all that Aerthlan’s two moons embrace. The last sister will forge her own path . . .
 
Signs and Seals
 
Raised on the magic-seeped Isle of Moon, Maeve is used to unusual powers—and the way they fuel the politics of her world. But when she discovers an ability to shape-shift at will, she knows who she wants to share it with first. Brody, the enigmatic, infuriating shifter-spy has always made time for Maeve. But it’s been almost two months since she’s seen him. And though no one else believes Brody is in danger, Maeve is more than ready to rescue him herself.
 
The rumors Brody’s investigating are terrifying: a secret army of magic-users, in the service of the cruel Circle of Five. But when he uncovers the identity of one of the Five, the mission becomes personal. Cursed as a boy by the Sea Witch, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his human form, a restriction that limits his future and muzzles his heart. Plus Maeve teases him for being such a pretty doggy instead of appreciating his manly charms. To win his freedom, he must take on a terrible disguise. And when Maeve finds out, she’ll unleash a tempest like no other . . .
 

Ratings and reviews

What a wonderful conclusion to the series! I’ve been waiting for Brody’s story since book 1 and it was everything I had hoped for! This was filled with action and adventure as Maeve and Brody work together to bring the Circle of Five to an end. There were so many twists as secrets are revealed, things I never saw coming. Add in the addition of a new trick for Brody and I couldn’t stop reading. While this was certainly laced with drama, it still had the romance that I’ve come to expect as well as the angst that kept me wondering how this couple would find their happy ever after. Nothing is predictable here which made the ending all the more enjoyable. This was a pretty fast read that included all the characters from the previous books and the continuation of solving who the true villain was, therefore I would recommend you read this series in order. With a hero and heroine that were perfect for each other and chemistry that was felt throughout the story, I fell even more in love with Maeve and Brody.

For years I've been intending to read some Kerrelyn Sparks. She was part of the big surge of vamp novels that followed The Vampire Chronicles and she was incredibly popular at the time. At some point down the line, I picked up one or two books from her 'Love at Stake' series, but they just ended up on the shelves and I never got around to reading them. So, when the opportunity to read a new title from her that also happened to deal with the whole siren theme I love so much, I signed right up. 'The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea' centers around a girl named Maeve who was raised on the Isle of Moon. Having grown up an orphan, raised in a convent with four sisters sharing her circumstances, all but she have gone on to marry men who become kings of the four great lands. As the only one who hasn't ascended to the role of queen somewhere and the only one still single, she feels like an outcast amongst them. Though she's discovered an ability to shape-shift at will, there's only one person she wants to share it with right away. Enter Brody.. the elusive, mysterious, often infuriating shifter who spies throughout the kingdoms for the four royal families. Cursed as a child by the Sea Witch and barely escaping the same fate that killed his father and brother, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his own form, which leaves him feeling destined to live out his future alone. Essentially, as he begins to investigate rumors of impending threats to the kingdoms, what he finds is shocking and turns the situation into a very personal endeavor for him. At best, this book is incredibly average. It's filled.. front to back.. with the gamut of cliched tropes. Nearly every major character we come across is paired up with someone so they all have perfect little arrangements. Each major magical ability the enemies bear, someone on Maeve and Brody's side also has. If they can't match it, they either have the perfect counter to it, or someone develops one of the two. The flaws and disruptions in their plans are so perfectly placed, that with amazing luck and all those special abilities, everything pretty much goes off without a hitch anyway. The dialogue is incredibly boring and uninspired. In fact, there are patterns to certain types of scenes the author seems to love and utilizes with more than one group of people. For example, she loves to toss two people together with mild conflicts who like each other, make their circumstances kind of tense, have them flirt in the midst of whatever is happening, and then have someone nearby them comment about the fact they're flirting while these things are happening around them. If you read this book, you'll see what I mean. The world-building is actually minimal with most of it written like a text based map, mountainous region, misty island, you get the picture. Probably the only place Sparks really put any descriptive detail was the Sea Witch's home. And just in case that isn't enough to make us groan, the smut is really awkward. Fine, Maeve's a virgin. Sure, everyone loves that cliche. Add to that, she's nearly astonished by the existence of her own body parts and how they work, as if she's never had a clue they were there or what they might do. The bedroom conversation? Nearly as awkward. If it weren't for the fact Brody can be amusing in those moments, I don't know if I could have even gotten through them. I really wouldn't suggest wasting your time on this novel. I mean, if you're trapped in an elevator for a few hours and it's the only thing in your hand, I don't know.. maybe use it to bang on the door and scream for help. (More reviews like this at Betwixt The Sheets.) (I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)

OMG! What an amazing story! A perfect ending to a great series. I could not put this book down. I loved everything about The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea. I have waited for Maeve and Brody's story since Book 1. I knew they were going to be the last couple to find their happy ending and the wait was so worth it. The mystery, the secrets that are finally revealed, the action and adventure, the emotion, the love and romance. This story had it all. There was also a tear jerking moment too. Ahhh! Such a wonderful story! Now I'm a little sad that this series has come to an end but after reading this story I just want to go back and reread this whole series from the beginning again. I absolutely loved every single story in this Embraced Series. I seriously wish someone would option this series and turn it into a movie. I would love to see these stories come to life on the big screen. Until that happens I will happily relive all these stories in my mind as I read them again and again. *I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

About the author

Kerrelyn Sparks is best known (so far) for the Love at Stake series, which has hit as high as number 5 on the New York Times bestseller list and 22 on USA Today. Kerrelyn lives with her family in the Greater Houston area of Texas. You can visit with her on Goodreads or her Facebook page, where she does a monthly contest. On Twitter, she posts as @KerrelynSparks.