You have been introduced to The Accidental Siren, already. And now you must absolutely go read it! I had heard this book was amazing. But how many times do you hear that, only to be disappointed when the book falls from your lofty expectations? I do have high expectations out of books. I am often wary of new writers, especially the younger ones. This book deserves its praise and this young author should be commended for a job well done. It also gets bonus points from me for taking place in Michigan, with some elements of Ohio thrown in, as I am originally from that area. Stories that take place here always feel like home.
You can follow the linky at the bottom to also get some other people's opinions. Read more about the story, listen to me ramble a few more thoughts, and then check out all of the amazing giveaways he has for you! The Rafflecopter to enter is below.
The Accidental Siren
Mara Lynn is the most beautiful girl in the world. James Parker is the ordinary boy who discovers her power.
The year is 1994. James, a pudgy twelve-year-old, responds to an ad for a used camcorder at a mysterious suburban home. Before he can knock on the door, he notices boys–a dozen at least–frozen amongst the trees behind the house. Their faces are blank. One boy presses “record” on a walkman and holds it above his head… and then James hears it, the voice of a little girl. Sweet; high like a songbird without the shrill. It was a church song. It came from inside the house.
James doesn’t know it yet, but the girl he’s about to meet is a modern-day siren.
The Accidental Siren depicts the joys and consequences of young love as Mara and James meet, shoot a movie, fend off bullies, and explore the potential of infinite beauty.
**My thoughts**
This book is haunting. James has enough of his own struggles, being overweight and nerdy in those crucial middle school years (which was called junior high back in those days). And then he comes across Mara. Her story is absolutely horrible. Bits and pieces of her past are slowly revealed throughout the book. You find yourself drawn to her, much like everyone else in this book, being captured by her siren's song. But is that a good thing or a bad thing? Remember, the Sirens in mythology sang their beautiful song to lure boats to the rocks and their demise.
You do hit a point where you realize her true siren identity. And then you become conflicted. Is she doing this on purpose? Should you now dislike her for what she has done? Or is it completely accidental and she doesn't mean for those things to happen? And what about all of the good that she has done?
It's a twist on the tale of boy meets girl, boy seeks girl, boy gets girl. It's also a twist on the usual tale of girl with troubled past gets saved and saves those around her. This is one that I will probably read again. I look forward to reading more by this talented author.
Follow Jake Vander Ark
Official Site and Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
BUY THE ACCIDENTAL SIREN:
Paperback -
Amazon / Lulu /Barnes & Noble
eBook
Kindle /iBookstore /Nook /EPUB from Lulu / Smashwords (Free until October 16th)
About Jake VanderArk
“What I really want to do is direct.”
Yeah, I was that kid.
I spent my high-school career as the ghost of the art room, passionately constructing a portfolio that would provide the first step toward a creative occupation. Luckily, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago didn’t consider GPA when selecting applicants, so I was immediately accepted into one of the most prestigious art programs in the country.
Unfortunately, the only thing I learned in art school was how much I hated art.
But I found myself! And that’s important, right?
I graduated with a BFA in 2006 and moved to Los Angeles to harness my dream of becoming the next Ingmar Bergman (thanks a lot, art school).
In LA, I began writing screenplays as a means to direct. I found a job reading screenplays for the same reason. I read a lot of crap. I wrote a lot of crap. But little did I know… I was learning.
In the three-year process of creating short films and pursuing funding for features, I learned that directing came naturally to me, but producing did not.
I wasn’t able to get a project off the ground. When my father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, I moved back to my hometown of Grand Haven, Michigan with nothing to show but three screenplays.
One day, while working as a stage manager for a national dance competition, I had an epiphany that only a repressed, depressed, living-with-his-parents artist could have: what if I wrote books? Unlike screenplays, a book is finished when it’s finished. When the final draft is complete, a book becomes a marketable product. If I work my butt off, maybe I could actually make money doing what I love!
I’m not a millionaire yet… but I did write four novels in three years and I’m proud of the accomplishment.
Currently, I’m engaged to my soul-mate, self-publishing all four books, and developing a sequel to The Accidental Siren.
Dreams, here I come.
The Accidental Siren is FREE until October 16th on Smashwords HERE Download and Leave a review on Amazon for EXTRA points
*The Accidental Siren* is one of four books in the “Blank Canvas Series.” They’re all very different books, but all related thematically. The other books are *Lighthouse Nights*, *The Brandywine Prophet*, and *The Day I Wore Purple*. The first three are all available on Smashwords and Amazon.
Tour starts September 25 The author is having a contest -
2* custom designed v-neck t-shirts from Bare Tree Apparel ( http://www.thebaretree.com/)2* pairs of Mara Lynn's purple earrings from jewelry designer Allison Perkins
2* signed and numbered paperbacks of The Accidental Siren 1 Skype date with the author. One-on-one video, audio, or text chat with Jake 4 paperbacks of The Accidental Siren
All above winners will also receive an mp3 CD with music that inspired all four of Jake VanderArk's books, as well as the music he listens to as he writes. 2 ebooks of Lighthouse Nights ( http://jakevanderark.com/novels/lighthouse-nights/) 2 ebooks of The Brandywine Prophet ( http://jakevanderark.com/novels/the-brandywine-prophet/)
Fill the form out below to enter for a chance to win
Follow the Tour
I just want to say that I love your review! I feel like a lot of people that read this book don't really grasp the concept of what it is about and that makes me sad. =/
ReplyDeleteThis book is wonderful in it's own right, and I can't wait for him to publish the sequel. I can almost guarantee that it will be just as fabulous as the first. : )
I am still so conflicted about Mara. I want to be understanding and look at all the good things that she had done, but at the same time, you have to think about all the other stuff that she did. lol I don't think I will ever be on one side or the other. I think it's the gonna always be the fence for me. >.<
Whit is another one that I just can't snuggle up with now. I am sure you know why. lol
Oh and before I get too long winded, I should suggest that you go read Lighthouse Nights. That is an incredibly dark book (I actually did a review on that one too), but I think it is his best work so far. I recommend that everyone go take a peek at it. : )
Thanks again for a great review!! New Follower Here!
Melissa @Spews of My Views
I have his other books on my TBR list, which is never-ending! lol Thanks for the suggestion and the follow!
DeleteThanks for the amazing review, Andi! I'm so glad you liked the book... and I'm glad you noticed they talk about junior high! It switched to middle school the year before I transitioned... but I still remember people calling it that, lol.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks again for the kind words!
I'm a few years older than you. I graduated from high school the year after this story takes place! I teach, but still have a hard time talking about middle school!
DeleteYou are very welcome. I have your other books on my TBR list, which is never-ending. I hope to get to them sooner rather than later!