Review: Of Triton by Anna Banks

Title: Of Triton

Author: Anna Banks
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publishing Date: May 28, 2013

Pages/Format: 256, ARC

In this sequel to Of Poseidon, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

Initial Reaction of Book in One Word: Hmmm

So here's the deal. When I read Of Poseidon, the predecessor to Of Triton, I liked it. But over time, I liked it more. I was hoping that's what would happen with Of Triton. I read the book back in February, wrote notes, and am just now writing the review. Why? Because I wasn't sure--and I'm still not sure--what to say about the book. It's not that it wasn't a good book; it just didn't do a whole lot for me.

It's hard to talk about what I didn't like in the book, because most of it wasn't even negative--it just didn't work for me. Personally, I would've liked a longer book. It just felt too short; however, if it was longer, I'd want more added to it, for the whole story seemed to center more around Grom (Galen's older brother) and Nalia (Emma's mom) than Emma and Galen. One of my favorite things about Of Poseidon were the moments between Emma and Galen; the way they act and flirt together, along with how funny they are, was extremely entertaining. But I felt like like that was completely missing here. Of Poseidon was more about Galen and Emma finding each other while Of Triton is more about what happens in the water--what will happen with the Syrena now that the thought-dead Nalia has been discovered. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't the same and not what I had expected.

Along with the shortness of the novel, everything just felt quick. I think everything happened within, like, a week maybe? That wasn't really a problem, but it just added to the quickness. For instance, somethings happened too fast for my tastes. Something would happen, and then too soon it would be over. I wanted more. There was also some repeat words and phrases, like "I do not like that, I hate that, I hate it, I don't know how I feel about that" that kind of bothered me. I just didn't get much from this book and felt sort of disconnected throughout, and that stinks because I was SO looking forward to it and the wave didn't reach the shore.

That being said, let's get on a more positive note. There was stuff I did like in Of Triton. First off, there was one thing in Of Poseidon that drove me crazy: Emma always blushing. But in this book, that was not a problem at all, so THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Anna Banks! I also liked how there were shockers in this book, things that I just did NOT see coming. (I'm looking at you for one of them, Toraf.) Plus, there was still parts of the comical side from the first book in this book. I was laughing and physically reacting to scenes, covering my face and practically rolling around on the floor. I LOVE it when a book does that to me.

Minus some stupid people (aka people that probably aren't meant to be liked), I really, really liked the characters. Even though there's not as much of them as I would like, they were still, for the most part, their fun selves. Emma's still snarky, and Galen still seems impermeable to her snark. (Those two are just so great together.) And I still love Toraf and Rayna. I don't care as much about the other characters in the book--wannabe thrown rulers, Grom, Nalia, etc., though the latter two did get on my nerves sometimes, but like characters are supposed to--I just really like those main four. Their personalities and actions and conversations are just so entertaining, and I love that.

The writing isn't a problem. It's not perfect, but it's totally readable. It's still fun and airy, and Anna Banks really stays true to her character's voices. (Great voice in these books.) I'm still a little unsure of the POVs/tenses, since Galen and Emma have different ones. Sometimes I notice it, sometimes I don't, but it's really not a big deal.

I know it seems like I may be ripping this book apart, but that's not what I'm trying to do. Let it be known that I really liked Of Poseidon and Anna Banks is great. (Do you follow her on Twitter? I can see where her characters get their humor from.) Of Triton just didn't work for me. However, I've seen a lot of other people really like it. And just because I didn't love it doesn't mean you won't. It's kind of like an in-between novel, seeing what's happening with everyone else and the Syrena. And the ending is promising for the third book Of Neptune and what might happen there. (Oh yeah--I just remembered something that happened in the book and why that's the title of Book Three. Interesting...!) I'm still looking forward to Of Neptune and I still like the series; this just happened to be a little sophomore slump for me. When you read this book, let me know what you think--I want to know!

Did I like it? Ehhhh.

Did I love it? No...
Would I reread it? Maybe?

Would I purchase it? Yes--I want to own the series.
Would I recommend it? Yes--I really liked the first book, and it makes sense to continue the series.