Storm Siren by Mary Weber

Book synopsis

“I raise my chin as the buyers stare. Yes. Look. You don’t want me. Because, eventually, accidentally, I will destroy you.”
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. As a slave in the war-weary kingdom of Faelen, seventeen-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 fifteenth 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 handsome 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. Storm Siren

 

My opinion

3/5 stars.

This book is another type of "the chosen one sees its talent as a curse" story. The story has great elements of magic, interesting world, and good characters. It has a lot of religious/spirituality elements. Nym wants to use the "kill them with kindness" approach for everything which becomes unrealistic after a certain point. I understand it. I know her gift is dangerous and she has a lot of blood on her hands. But... She is naïve. A war is a war. There are casualties. In my opinion, Nym needs more backbone. You are a badass girl with a badass gift. Live up to it!
The magic system in this world was amazing. Although, we do not get a lot of foundation for it. Why are abilities and magical powers different in different geographical regions? I was listening to the audiobook and I got a little confused when some "magic origin" info was discussed.
Romance... Hmmm. It was ok. I kind of got annoying listening to Nym telling me how gorgeous Eogan is. I mean really. I get it. Girrrl! I know he is drop-dead-gorgeous. ^_^ Move on. Ha-ha-ha!
Eogan as a character was good. I liked him. Although, I was not able to see the sparks or the "umf" (What up New Girl reference? ^_^' ) It was choppy. Apparently there is a love triangle, I was not able to see it. For me, Nym looked attracted only to one guy.
The side characters were great along with the villains.
The battle scenes towards the end were epic. The end was great. What a twist!!!
This story had a lot of potential. It needed to be longer and have everything sorted out better.
I liked the beginning of this new trilogy. I am going to continue it.
if this series sounds promising for you, go for it!

This is my sole opinion.

Genre: YA, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance
Language: mild
Sexual content: mild
Violence: heavy (war, death, slavery)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild