nina_nouwens's review
5.0
Niccoli did it again. Song of Lorelei was a beautiful way to wrap up all of my questions from Book one. Killian is back and hotter than ever, Lorelei is stronger and more incredible than ever, and (most) of the citizens of Haven Cove make my heart so so warm. I will be returning to re-read this duology every summer by the shore, enjoying the fog and the rolling mist and the churning water!
scriptrix's review
5.0
This series is so good! My favorite part about it is that the characters react to situations in a reasonable adult way, and their relationship (at least between the two MCs) is so respectful and healthy. Refreshing and well written. The contemporary fantasy worldbuilding is also extremely believable. Overall, just *chef's kiss* HIGHLY recommend if you're a mermaid fan who likes 'em with a little bite.
rstegema's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Gore
galian84's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A sexy, romantic, and satisfying continuation to Lorelei and Killian’s story. This picks up about a year or so after the first book ended, and Killian and Lorelei are now engaged. Killian is still working on his boat, the Dawn Chaser, and Lorelei is working at the Haven Cove Marine Research Center with Lila Branson, studying the siren Nireed for a cure to their people-eating hunger.
Much of the cast, we met in the first book already, except for the addition of some minor characters such as Nireed’s siren friends, and Lila and Lorelei’s coworkers from their place of employment.
I still love Killian and Lorelei’s relationship, and how respectful and accepting he is of her. I love that happy ending, and I really enjoyed reading more about siren physiology and mythology, and seeing their home for the first time. And I liked the sirens’ growth as As always, I also enjoyed the small town vibe of their coastal Maine town.
What I didn’t love - the pacing seemed off. There were multiple times when I thought the story was going to end, and then we had a bunch of “and then” moments that didn’t seem like they tied well into the main plot. At that point I wasn’t sure where the story was going. We also get some random chapters from the other sirens, which threw me off a bit I felt could have just as easily been told from Lorelei’s perspective. The scene with the and even what they looked like. The human characters seemed static in growth compared to the sirens. And finally, I’m not a fan of girl-on-girl hostility (Carrie and Lorelei) in 2023…we get enough of that in the media already.
This is told mostly from Lorelei’s perspective in third person, with Killian’s POV interspersed, and then a single chapter toward the climax from three of the other sirens.
Overall, I enjoyed this read.
Much of the cast, we met in the first book already, except for the addition of some minor characters such as Nireed’s siren friends, and Lila and Lorelei’s coworkers from their place of employment.
I still love Killian and Lorelei’s relationship, and how respectful and accepting he is of her. I love that happy ending, and I really enjoyed reading more about siren physiology and mythology, and seeing their home for the first time. And I liked the sirens’ growth as
Spoiler
they got their cure and became more accepting of humansWhat I didn’t love - the pacing seemed off. There were multiple times when I thought the story was going to end, and then we had a bunch of “and then” moments that didn’t seem like they tied well into the main plot. At that point I wasn’t sure where the story was going. We also get some random chapters from the other sirens, which threw me off a bit I felt could have just as easily been told from Lorelei’s perspective. The scene with the
Spoiler
mermen was brushed over and I wish I could see more of them, how they reacted to a cureThis is told mostly from Lorelei’s perspective in third person, with Killian’s POV interspersed, and then a single chapter toward the climax from three of the other sirens.
Overall, I enjoyed this read.
toastymay's review
got distracted. the plot didn't hook me and I feel bad about it. I will return to the book one day......
heabooknerd's review
3.0
SONG OF LORELEI continues Lorelei and Killian's story and I enjoyed seeing how the world has been handling the existence of the mermaids as well as the ongoing research into helping the mermaids overcome their sickness for human flesh. I also loved seeing how settled Lorelei and Killian were together and Killian is just *chefs kiss* the perfect partner for Lorelei. He worships the ground she walks on, boosts her confidence, and is completely comfortable with her siren half. They made a really great couple.
This book, along with book 1, felt more like it was Lorelei's journey and not Lorelei and Killian's journey. I liked that their relationship was solid so I don't say this because I wanted angst between them, but there was absolutely no character development for Killian. He almost felt like a secondary character in his own book because everything that happens in this book is focused on Lorelei's struggles and obstacles. Additionally, the structure of the overall story felt off; rather than events building up to a big climax, there were lots of ups and downs and every time I thought the story would end something new would come up. Because of this I felt like there wasn't a full resolution at the end because I was waiting for something else to happen.
With all that being said, I do believe other readers would enjoy this duet, especially if they like cozy small towns in Maine, deadly mermaids, devoted couples, and eco-horror.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Content Warning: on page depression and grief
This book, along with book 1, felt more like it was Lorelei's journey and not Lorelei and Killian's journey. I liked that their relationship was solid so I don't say this because I wanted angst between them, but there was absolutely no character development for Killian. He almost felt like a secondary character in his own book because everything that happens in this book is focused on Lorelei's struggles and obstacles. Additionally, the structure of the overall story felt off; rather than events building up to a big climax, there were lots of ups and downs and every time I thought the story would end something new would come up. Because of this I felt like there wasn't a full resolution at the end because I was waiting for something else to happen.
With all that being said, I do believe other readers would enjoy this duet, especially if they like cozy small towns in Maine, deadly mermaids, devoted couples, and eco-horror.
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Content Warning: on page depression and grief
itsabookthing2021's review
4.0
Song of Lorelei was a great sequel. Desirée M Niccoli has a beautiful way of describing the world she's created and the characters feel like they've grown a lot in this novel.
The relationship between Lorelei and Killian is just perfect, their chemistry is still as strong as ever.
Everything about this novel created a wonderful sequel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The relationship between Lorelei and Killian is just perfect, their chemistry is still as strong as ever.
Everything about this novel created a wonderful sequel.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
booksandsalt's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
colleendelaney's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
OH MY GOD.
I loved Called to the Deep so much I wasn't sure Song of Lorelei would stand up to it but it did! I even cried happy tears at the perfect last line.
A wonderful conclusion to the love story of Lorelei and Killian - no plot line left undone, everything ended perfectly. Desirée Niccoli crafted a beautiful world, romance, and species :)
I loved Called to the Deep so much I wasn't sure Song of Lorelei would stand up to it but it did! I even cried happy tears at the perfect last line.
A wonderful conclusion to the love story of Lorelei and Killian - no plot line left undone, everything ended perfectly. Desirée Niccoli crafted a beautiful world, romance, and species :)
cakt1991's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Song of Lorelei is a solid follow up to Called to the Deep, building both on Killian and Lorelei’s love story and the world Desirée Niccoli has created, blending a seaside town setting with mermaid lore. The book takes a somewhat different approach, and while I still enjoyed it, whether you like this one or the previous one (or both) is really down to personal preference.
There’s a greater sense of reality, even amid all the intense otherworldly things going on, and while I admit to preferring the more magical aspects of book one, I like what that means for the characters. Lorelei in particular goes through a lot, dealing with some very human issues, a perfect contrast of her arc in the prior book of coming to terms with the more inhuman side of herself.
And while I wasn’t sure about following her and Killian again, as they were left in a good place in the last book, they still have issues to work through together, which made this book feel necessary and their love feel earned.
And there still is more fantastical stuff, particularly through the introduction of new characters like Nireed. The world expanded and the external stakes were raised in a way that also made this book feel worth reading.
This is a solid conclusion to a wonderful, original duology, and I’d recommend it if you enjoy urban fantasy or mermaid romance.