The Siren

Book review by Andrea Beach, Common Sense Media
The Siren Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 12+

A light, enjoyable read for romantic-fantasy fans.

Kiera Cass Fantasy 2016
Rate book

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 17 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate book

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Siren is a romantic fantasy from Kiera Cass (the Selection series), in which the narrator, Kahlen, becomes one of the sirens of myth who lure ships at sea to their doom. There's little of concern, with only one kiss; rare, mild profanity ("ass" and "damn"); a few shipwrecks and drownings described briefly without gore; and an emphasis on eerie atmosphere.

Community Reviews

iwolfv18
iwolfv18 Adult
June 12, 2019
age 13+

It was good.

After reading all the books of The Selection series, I was able to pick up this book right away and I really enjoyed it. I don't give it a full 5 stars, more like a 4.5 stars. It kept my attention and it was good. I just enjoy books that are in first person and I go understand a little more about what a Siren is and what they do and how they live and such. For some reason, I didn't like the ending as much as would have, but yeah, I understand why it had to be like that. I wished there was a second book, but sadly, there wasn't.
rebma97
rebma97 Adult
March 18, 2016
age 11+

3.5/4 stars

I really enjoyed this! It wasn't a deep read or anything, but it was very entertaining, engaging, and a fun, light read. Achilles' character was pretty flat in terms of personality (and fit that stereotypical perfect love interest trope), but he was undeniably sweet, and his romance with Kahlen was cute, if not deep. I loved the dynamic between Kahlen and her sisters. Violence: The sirens, like in the myths, are seductive creatures who lure people to their deaths by sea. Once the girls like Kahlen are rescued by the Ocean, they are forced to live several years of serving it by drowning people. One character, Padma, was abused by her father who attempted to drown her; she later gets revenge by drowning him, although it is implied and not described in detail. None of the violence is. Sex: Just some romance between Kahlen and Akinli and a few other characters. Language: A few mild "damns" and other swearwords here and there, but nothing excessive.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Kahlen's cruise ship goes down, Kahlen's will to live brings her before the beautiful sirens who caused the ship to sink. They offer her a new chance at life in exchange for 100 years serving the Ocean as a siren. Kahlen accepts the bargain. Now 80 years have passed, and Kahlen finds the Ocean's demands more and more difficult each time she helps bring a ship down. Although forbidden to speak to humans, she meets college student Akinli and the two fall in love. Kahlen hides her forbidden love for a while, but eventually the truth comes out. How can she fulfill her duty to the Ocean when her heart belongs to a human?

Is It Any Good?

Romance fans will enjoy this light fantasy from Kiera Cass, a veteran of the genre. It’s an imaginative, insider’s look at a siren’s life. Tweens and teens will enjoy rooting for Kahlen to find a way to be with her beloved Akinli, and they'll easily relate to her as she rebels against the Ocean's strict demands.

Cass's prose has a nice, rhythmic quality, although her ear for dialogue is not as finely tuned and many exchanges are stilted and contrived. For romance fans only.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about combining romance with fantasy. Why are books that combine the two so popular?

  • If you were offered a chance to start life over but had to pay for it with 100 years of service, would you? Why do you think Kahlen accepted the bargain?

  • All Kahlen wants from life is to fall in love and get married. If she does, what do you think the rest of her life will be like?

Book Details

  • Author: Kiera Cass
  • Genre: Fantasy
  • Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Friendship
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: HarperTeen
  • Publication date: January 26, 2016
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 18
  • Number of pages: 336
  • Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
  • Last updated: July 13, 2017

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon magic wand on orange background
    Magic and Fantasy
    See all
  • Cartoon hands high fiving
    Friendship
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate