Storm Siren

The Storm Siren Trilogy, Book 1

By: Mary Weber

Narrated by: Christine Stevens

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

The award-winning novel that started it all.

“A riveting tale from start to finish. Between the simmering romance, the rich and inventive fantasy world, and one seriously jaw-dropping finale, readers will clamor for the next book - and I'll be at the front of the line!” (Marissa Meyer, New York Times best-selling author of The Lunar Chronicles)

In a world at war, a slave girl’s lethal curse could become one kingdom’s weapon of salvation. If the curse - and the girl - can be controlled.

“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”

As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, 17-year-old Nym isn’t merely devoid of rights, her Elemental kind are only born male and always killed at birth - meaning, she shouldn’t even exist.

Standing on the auction block beneath smoke-drenched mountains, Nym faces her 15th sell. But when her hood is removed and her storm-summoning killing curse revealed, Nym is snatched up by a court advisor and given a choice: be trained as the weapon Faelen needs to win the war or be killed.

Choosing the former, Nym is unleashed into a world of politics, bizarre parties, and rumors of an evil more sinister than she’s being prepared to fight . . . not to mention the trainer whose dark secrets lie behind a mysterious ability to calm every lightning strike she summons.

But what if she doesn’t want to be the weapon they’ve all been waiting for? Set in a beautifully eclectic world of suspicion, super abilities, and monsters, Storm Siren is a story of power. And whoever controls that power will win.

“Intense and intriguing. Fans of high stakes fantasy won't be able to put it down.” (CJ Redwine, author of the Ravenspire series)

“Mary Weber has created a fascinating, twisted world. Storm Siren sucked me in from page one - I couldn’t stop reading! This is a definite must-read, the kind of book that kept me up late into the night turning the pages!” (Lindsay Cummings, author of The Androma Saga)

“A riveting read! Mary Weber's rich world and heartbreaking heroine had me from page one. You're going to fall in love with this love story.” (Josephine Angelini, internationally best-selling author of the Starcrossed trilogy)

“Elegant prose and intricate world-building twist into a breathless cyclone of a story that will constantly keep you guessing. More please!” (Shannon Messenger, author of the Sky Fall series)

©2014 Thomas Nelson (P)2014 Thomas Nelson

Critic reviews

"There are few things more exciting to discover than a debut novel packed with powerful storytelling and beautiful language. Storm Siren is one of those rarities. I'll read anything Mary Weber writes. More, please!" (Jay Asher, New York Times best-selling author of Thirteen Reasons Why)

" Storm Siren is a riveting tale from start to finish. Between the simmering romance, the rich and inventive fantasy world, and one seriously jaw-dropping finale, readers will clamor for the next book - and I'll be at the front of the line!" (Marissa Meyer, New York Times best-selling author of the Lunar Chronicles)

Not my usual genre

I love Sci-Fi movies. I don’t usually listen to the books. This one sounded more “being read” than I am used to listening. It didn’t have different tones for different characters. I like how the book ended and so I have to buy book two so I can know. I own book 3 through Audible Daily Deal & quit listening when I realized it had 2 previous books. I am OCD about things like that. Bottom line I can’t wait to download Two to listen.

It's not that the reader was bad, just the editing

There were a few parts during the reading when the audio repeats a sentence or two. It was a bit annoying and definitely makes the audiobook feel unpolished and unprofessional.

Good book, BAD narrator

This was a good book, but the author was horrible. Her monotonous recitation of the story was like listening to someone read the phone book. And, like most of the other reviewers, it was annoying that she didn't even try to differentiate vocal intonations with different characters. All the men sounded like women and all of the women sounded like they were 80.

Decent story; horrible reader

I struggled with this reader. Gave up on the audio book and read it instead. Once I made the switch, the story wasn't that bad.

great read

not a fan of the cliff ending
otherwise amazing, it makes you really feel every emotion

Loved the story! !! !

I have added this to my favorite books list. I love the story and I think the narrator did a good job.

Ouch!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not really. It has a great story but I can't bring myself to read the second.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Extremely disappointed.

Do you think Storm Siren needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. It's so hard to imagine life after this book for her. Just thinking about it all is just so depressing.

Any additional comments?

The main character is a spoiled brat that throws temper tantrums and hissy fits. The other characters make the book worth reading. So.... Not really interested in book two.

Read Storm Siren,a clean book with a new slant

Where does Storm Siren rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

First, I would like to congratulation Mary Weber for writing great fantasy with clean language. I loved the characters and it was a great study on writing skills. I would rate this book high middle-class, but the rich characters rate a 10.

What other book might you compare Storm Siren to and why?

Thus far, this book stands alone in my mind.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Christine Stevens?

I would rather put it this way - reading dramatics would be helpful for Ms. Stevens, and there should be a short silence before and after each chapter break.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It would be too much of a good thing all at once. I enjoyed studying the characters and plot, and I, a writing tutor, enjoyed Weber's style very much.

Any additional comments?

I think the reason I couldn't rate the book higher was because of the POV, first person, which was too limiting. There are only so many ways to say a young lady suffers from emotional instability and only so many ways to describe love pitter-patters.> The last remark of the book had a huge punch, unfortunately dampened by encroaching audio credits that totally ruined it, but I would recommend this book to all fantasy lovers.

Great story the reader needs some coaching.

The reader seems like she was rushed. If you can get past the performance this story has a lot to offer.

Not a fan of the narrator.

It's a great story but the narrators performance isn't great. Sounds a little robotic which makes following which character is talking rather difficult.