Book Review: The Afterlife by Ksenia Anske

Publisher: Self-Published

Publication Date: August 5, 2013

Series: Siren Suicides #3

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal and Urban Fantasy

Acquired From: Personal Collection

SYNOPSIS

Ailen Bright is more lost than ever. Her father has betrayed her yet again, but keeps her longing for his love alive with some almost-heartfelt confessions, though few and far between. She and Hunter can never be together without fighting the urge to strangle each other with their bare hands. And to top it off, two-faced Canosa won't leave her alone. Her resolve to do the right thing is wavering as she tries to protect the ones she loves, simultaneously searching for a reason to keep on living, and the final chapter of Siren Suicides comes to a tumultuous close, bringing death, life, and love.

REVIEW

It may have taken me a while to get to this one, but I can't tell you how much I loved the final installment of the Siren Suicides. Once again, Ksenia Anske has done a fantastic job dealing with life, death, and the problems of adolescence. It was a brilliant novel that I can easily give a 4 out of 5 stars to. 

One of my favorite things about this novel was how Ailen had such a hard time dealing with her own feelings and uncertainty. She was incredibly real and had struggles that were almost too big for her to handle. She was simultaneously fragile and viscous. I loved reading about her struggles and her personality. 

The one thing I didn't like about this novel was the ending. It was a little bit too "soap opera" dream sequence for me. But regardless of the ending, the rest of the novel was brilliant and wonderful. I loved it, and will definitely read it again. 

 

Book Review: My Sisters in Death by Ksenia Ankse

Publisher: Self-published

Publication Date: August 5, 2013

Series: Siren Suicides #2

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Acquired From: Personal Collection

SYNOPSIS

In the second installment of the Siren Suicides trilogy, Ailen Bright finds herself in a sticky situation. Her new supernatural abilities haven't solved anything--in fact, they've royally messed up her life. She can't be with the one person she loves (though her self-control is wavering by the second), her old, well-dressed dog of a father hasn't learned any new tricks, and her supposed siren sister doesn't seem to have her best interests at heart.

A pawn in the game between her father and the Siren of Canosa, Ailen is constantly searching for her next move. Through all the hardships, however, Ailen's self-doubt begins to dissipate as she comes to accept her new identity.

REVIEW

I actually tore through this book much faster than I did the first one. And as much as I enjoyed the first book, I absolutely adored My Sisters in Death. It was a wonderful ride that is definitely going to be one of those that I come back to over and over. That's why I give My Sisters in Death an easy 5 out of 5 stars.

In the second book of the Siren Suicides trilogy, you get to see Ailen really come into her own and become a Siren in the realest sense of the word. She comes into her powers and learns to embrace the new creature that she's become, even when it means embracing the darkest sides of her new personality. Anske writes the turmoil of a teenager trying to accept herself and stand up to an abusive father in the most clear and endearing way, even though it is tinted with the paranormal throughout.

I would suggest this book to anyone who loves paranormal stories with a little bit of love, a lot of angst, and a whole lot of ass-kicking.