Debut author Anna Banks combines adventure, romance and an ocean backdrop in her first book, Of Poseidon.
When Emma literally runs into Galen, they both sense something different ("My pulse feels like electricity," Emma thinks), but neither is exactly sure why. Emma doesn't know that Galen is the prince of Syrena, an underwater world, and Galen is wondering if Emma is of Poseidon--someone who can communicate with fish. A terrible shark attack on Emma's best friend results in more Poseidon-like behavior, which Emma isn't even aware she has. Galen, however, is determined to find out if she's the one he has been looking for. Emma grows suspicious when Galen shows up at her high school, on the opposite side of the country from the beach where they met. After several encounters and with Galen there to help, Emma discovers there may be more to her than she ever knew.
Told in alternating chapters, Of Poseidon allows readers to follow along with both Galen and Emma as their relationship progresses and secrets come to light. Readers will quickly see why the narrative switch is invaluable once Galen's chapters start to explain the Syrena world and how it could be connected to Emma. Emma's chapters, told through her first-person narration, brim with humor: "I'm betting Cinderella didn't feel this foolish, but then again, Cinderella wasn't as clumsy as an intoxicated walrus." Combining mystery, romance and an undersea world, Anna Banks creates a solid opening to a series, leaving just enough unanswered questions to keep readers clamoring for more. --Shanyn Day, blogger at Chick Loves Lit