*** In the sense of “fantasy-like” rather than “very good” ** Philoctetes, for those of you who are mythology-savvy. And when they have sex, it is vague- how do a man and a fish copulate? *By “love”, this book really means to have sex with. If you actually want to read it, you can get it on Amazon or through Swaptree. It gets roughly a 2.5 out of 5, because I’m a stickler for endings- they are the part which sticks with you the most, after all. Occasionally, I feel like I’m drowning in mythology, and I’ve got a pretty solid grip on it. I like happy endings, or at least the sort where it’s clear that they will eventually be happy. I feel like this story would have sat better with me if the ending had been different.

I dislike the point of view- first person present- and do not feel that it helps the story, third person limited would have been more comfortable to read. However, I am frustrated by the volume of mythology- it seems overwhelming at times- and how it sometimes seems forced. The setting is also pretty good- the Mediterranean is a great backdrop for a fantastic*** tale. The story overlaps with The Illiad, a story which I love. She spends her time in the sea, dreaming about a different future.Įventually, Sirena must make an important decision, one which will change both of their lives forever. He spends his time on land, exploring the deserted island, missing humanity. The two are “married”, and live in a strange sort of harmony. Of course, we can all see where this is going she takes care of him, keeps him alive, and eventually gains her immortality through him. She finds herself sharing an island with a man** who has been abandoned by his comrades. (Gee, ya think?) She ventures out on her own- which is strange, because mermaids are social creatures – since none of the others seem to care that they are murderers. While the other mermaids thoughtlessly lure men to their deaths, Sirena sees the inherent flaws they kill many men, they are hated, and they are costing lives for the sake of their own.Īfter an especially brutal scene where men beat a mermaid to death- and bash in her head and ribcage- and scream at the “whores” before they die, Sirena realizes that something might be wrong about this situation. Sirena is one of these mermaids, doomed to the death of a mortal unless she can “love”* a man.

$4.99Īs Greece gathers their troops to go to war with Troy, the mermaids of the Mediterranean Sea sing their siren-songs to attract men.

Sirena by donna jo napoli