Bennardo, C., & Zaman, N. (2011). Sirenz. Woodbury, MN: Flux.

275 pages.

Appetizer: Seventeen-year-old roommates Shar and Meg do not get along. It's just not working out. One night, after a failed attempt to try to develop a friendship, a fight over a beautiful pair of red high heels and a very attractive boy results in the guy dying in a subway accident. To make matters worse, the nearby witnesses think Char and Meg pushed him.

In steps the god of the Underworld, Hades. He makes Char and Meg an offer they can't refuse (at least, not without suffering through a long prison sentence). The two girls are tasked to become sirens, like the monsters from Greek mythology. They have a short period of time to lure a person who has made a deal with Hades to one of several underworld portals throughout New York City.

While the task seems simple enough, they realize too late that the more they use their new bewitching powers, the more bird-like their appearances become. And if they fail, Shar and Meg will become Hades's dog walkers...for all of eternity.

The story alternates between Shar and Meg's perspectives. At first I was amused by their differing characterizations. But, as I kept reading, it seemed that any differences between the two were only at the surface level, and I couldn't really distinguish between their voices except for the fact that one was more fond of the color pink than the other.

I also initially liked the way aspects of mythology were alluded to early on in the text (a hot guy was referred to as a god, etc.) and the way Persephone was portrayed.

But the more I read, the more aspects of the story began to engage me less and less and leeeeeeesssssssssss. At times, the way action was described in the story was a little too brief for my taste. Stuff would happen, and I would be like, wait, what? The way gender and feminine beauty are treated are also just begging to be analyzed. (But in terms of Sirenz being a bubble gum, light, New York City is the center of the universe, fashionista, chick lit, it's nothing out of the ordinary.) The focus on superficiality did start to grate on me as I kept reading. It's statements like, "War it would be. And may the better-looking, better-dressed, nicer girl--namely, me--win" (p. 65) that make me right "ugh" in the book's margins. And what about the smarter girl? I'm personally all for the smarter girl winning. (Although, at no point in the story did Meg or Shar strike me as being particularly smart. Call me a workaholic, but after making a deal with the god Hades that could cost my soul, I'd spend my next morning trying to plan how to complete my half of the bargain instead of going shopping. But that's just me....)

Also, despite the fact that Meg and Shar are seniors in high school, they may as well be twenty-somethings. In fact, I wish they would have been...because then I probably wouldn't have bothered to read it.

Overall, I liked the premise of this story. But the characterizations and lack of intelligence in the plot and protagonists left me wishing the book was 100 pages shorter.

Dinner Conversation:

"God, you're wearing those clunky things again? How stupid, wearing five-inch wedge heels on cracked and frozen New York City sidewalks. What if you break an ankle?
"Great shoes," I said, faking a beauty queen smile at Meg" (p. 1).

"It was an accident!" whispered Shar.
"My dear Sharisse and Margaret, this poor soul is dead. You both had a hand in killing him. Do you think that will matter to his family and friends? To the courts?"
"How do you know our names?" My voice, steady until now, trembled slightly. I glanced over at Shar, who stared back, looking as pale as I felt.
"What should we do?" she whimpered." (p. 20).

"But let's get back on topic. You killed an innocent man." He grinned sardonically. "And if I heard you correctly, you both said that you would do anything to make this situation go away. I'm here to oblige you. I've never seen such natural talent!"
"Talent for what?" I asked.
"Think about what happened. You met that young man tonight, and you made quite an impression. He was going to take both of you to a music venue, yes? You saw what you wanted and wasted no time in engaging him. And then Sharisse"--he turned a lascivious grin on Shar--"not to be outdone, moved in, and all she had to do was smile. How could he stay away from either of you? He was completely enchanted. You lured him to his doom, and he happily followed!" (pp. 23-24).

"Our agreement requires you tow to lure Mr. Romanov to one of the many portals to my realm. To help you achieve this task, your natural talents will be enhanced." He looked from me to Meg and back again before continuing.
"As Margaret has so accurately described, the Sirens called to the sailors, who couldn't resist them. A word or a look drew their victims to them." He licked his full lips and gazed at me. "One look from you, Sharisse, is already captivating. From this moment forward, no mortal will be able to look away when you engage him. And you," he continued, turning to Meg, "so glib, Margaret. They'll hear you, and they'll obey."
"That's it?" I asked.
"I doubt it," Meg replied. (pp. 30-31).

Tasty Rating: !! ( )

Originally posted at www.RJDoesBooks.com
NOTE: I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review! In no way does this affect my review. Are we good, FTC? ;]

When an unfortunate incident occurs, "frenemies" Shar and Meg are forced to make a deal with HADES and become his minions, or "Sirens" until their debt is paid. The goal? Lure someone, who's contract has run its course, to the underworld and then they can go back to their normal lives. Sounds simple enough, right? Especially since they have been given abilities to help lure this person like prey to an angler fish's light. WRONG! In true HADES fashion, things go awry as the girls find out that their "abilities" come with side effects. To top it off, they have limited time to complete this task...dun, dun, dunnnnnnnnnnnnn.... *dramatic pause* ...or else...

SIRENZ, was, by far, a funny, light read that is perfect to pass time with. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to those who are intrigued by the synopsis already. Both of the authors did a phenomenal job at creating characters that, while may not be relatable to everyone, are still very likeable to read about. This book is one that has SO MANY possibilities if adapted into a Film OR TV Show and I hope it gets that recognition and attention soon! (I can totally see this fitting in on the CW or ABC Family!) And as for HADES, well...who says he CAN'T be sexy...lol. I cannot WAIT to read the sequel SIRENZ: Back in Fashion! and I thank the authors for allowing me to review this book! ( )

Shar & Meg couldn't be more different. Shar is all about designer brands while Meg is more vintage. Shar is pretty and hip while Meg is more Goth. The two of them are roommates and bicker frequently, but Shar is bound and determined to at least exist on peaceful terms with Meg. They're stuck together for the duration of their time at school, and Shar isn't about to let a little bickering get between her and her dream school.

Over Christmas break, Shar invites Meg to attend a blowout sale at midnight. She's looking forward to finding lots of designer things at steep discounts. What better way to bond with your fashion-challenged roomie? When the two girls meet a hot guy at a pizza joint, they both begin to drool and the claws start to come out. Later, when the two of them end up bickering over a pair of Vivienne Westwood red patent leather heels, it seems the friendship is just as bad off as it was when the night began. It all comes to a head when the two bickering girls end up accidentally pushing the guy into the path of a speeding subway train. Uh oh.

This is where the smoking hot Hades comes in. He has a job for them. All they have to do is sign his contract to become Sirens, luring an unsuspecting recluse to the Underworld by the end of winter break. Hades has had a problem getting the guy himself. What Shar & Meg don't realize when they sign the contract is that the designer Hades has asked them to bring in is deaf and blind. How is Shar supposed to use her power of enchanting men with just a look and Meg her beautiful voice to lure him away?

Sirenz is light and fun, offering plenty of laughs along the way. It somewhat reminded me of Spoiled mixed with some Greek mythology. The writing is quick and witty and each of the character's voices is distinct, though seem somewhat familiar. The story isn't overly deep and it wasn't one that I couldn't bear to put down, but I did enjoy it and found myself chuckling throughout. I definitely enjoyed the second half of the book. This is when I felt the pace really picked up. Anyone who is a fan of fashion, mythology and spoiled school girls will get a kick out of this one.

(Review based on a finished copy courtesy of the authors in exchange for an honest review) ( )

I was really excited to read a book that wasn't your typical young adult read. I really liked the idea of mixing mythology with the modern day world, but when it was put into a story it was just okay to me. I really liked Meg and Shar and how even thought they hated each other, they were pushed together when Hades blackmailed them into becoming his sirens. Their fight over Jeremy was cute, but the story was kind of slow. There were moments when I was like, when is something interesting going to happen? It was a bit predictable and Shar's character was sometimes annoying, but the book as a whole was just okay. I wouldn't say that you had to read it right this second, but if you have nothing else to read, then you might like this. It's a short, light read that's fun and full of mythological gods/goddesses. ( )