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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
I’ll be honest: I was a bit skeptical going into this one. I absolutely loved Tamar and the OG main characters from the first two books, so switching to a new setting with completely new leads felt… unsettling. I wasn’t ready to leave behind what I’d grown attached to.
And at first? The new main character didn’t win me over. She’s super ambitious and laser-focused, which isn’t really my vibe. But the world-building? Wow. The new setting is so detailed and vibrant—it completely sucked me in. The culture, the environment, the people—it all adds a new layer to the Mages of the Wheel universe and makes the overarching story even richer.
What really turned it around for me, though, were the characters. They’re incredibly layered, but it takes a while to understand them because they carry a lot of emotional baggage. It’s not all laid out for you right away, and that’s what makes them feel so real. The more I got to know them, the more I started rooting for them, flaws and all. Honestly, the complexity of their lives, their struggles, and their motivations is what makes this book so special.
Another standout element is how the characters deal with their trauma and build relationships. Their interactions—full of tension, misunderstandings, and moments of genuine connection—are the emotional core of the story. The theme of found family is handled beautifully here, and it really hit me in the feels.
And the ending? Perfect. It ties up the new characters’ arcs in a satisfying way, but also brings back the familiar faces from the earlier books. That moment felt like coming home after a long trip—a nostalgic, heartwarming reunion that seamlessly connects the old and new.
All in all, Sirene and Scion won me over in a big way. It took me a bit to get there, but by the end, I was fully invested in the new setting and cast. The expanded world-building, the depth of the characters, and the way it all ties back to the larger story make this book a fantastic addition to the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
And at first? The new main character didn’t win me over. She’s super ambitious and laser-focused, which isn’t really my vibe. But the world-building? Wow. The new setting is so detailed and vibrant—it completely sucked me in. The culture, the environment, the people—it all adds a new layer to the Mages of the Wheel universe and makes the overarching story even richer.
What really turned it around for me, though, were the characters. They’re incredibly layered, but it takes a while to understand them because they carry a lot of emotional baggage. It’s not all laid out for you right away, and that’s what makes them feel so real. The more I got to know them, the more I started rooting for them, flaws and all. Honestly, the complexity of their lives, their struggles, and their motivations is what makes this book so special.
Another standout element is how the characters deal with their trauma and build relationships. Their interactions—full of tension, misunderstandings, and moments of genuine connection—are the emotional core of the story. The theme of found family is handled beautifully here, and it really hit me in the feels.
And the ending? Perfect. It ties up the new characters’ arcs in a satisfying way, but also brings back the familiar faces from the earlier books. That moment felt like coming home after a long trip—a nostalgic, heartwarming reunion that seamlessly connects the old and new.
All in all, Sirene and Scion won me over in a big way. It took me a bit to get there, but by the end, I was fully invested in the new setting and cast. The expanded world-building, the depth of the characters, and the way it all ties back to the larger story make this book a fantastic addition to the series. I can’t wait to see what’s next!
adventurous
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
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yeah, a strong 3rd book in the series. Amara and Cassian’s relationship with one another in the professional sense was just as compelling as their romantic relationship. Navigating the dangers of this new landscape was so enticing, and I loved learning about the Suloi, almost wish they had their own book. I honestly didn’t like Amara at first and was nervous going into it, because she seemed so driven by political position, but once you really started to understand her motivations it was all quite forgivable. Quite a strong foundation family vibe too, more so than the other books which was beautiful to see. I still think the first book was the absolute knockout, but this is a VERY close second. I’m honestly a little sad I won’t see more of their story in the next book as we focus on Ihsan’s story, but I’ll hold these characters in my heart.
Merged review:
Yeah, a strong 3rd book in the series. Amara and Cassian’s relationship with one another in the professional sense was just as compelling as their romantic relationship. Navigating the dangers of this new landscape was so enticing, and I loved learning about the Suloi, almost wish they had their own book. I honestly didn’t like Amara at first and was nervous going into it, because she seemed so driven by political position, but once you really started to understand her motivations it was all quite forgivable. Quite a strong foundation family vibe too, more so than the other books which was beautiful to see. I still think the first book was the absolute knockout, but this is a VERY close second. I’m honestly a little sad I won’t see more of their story in the next book as we focus on Ihsan’s story, but I’ll hold these characters in my heart.
Merged review:
Yeah, a strong 3rd book in the series. Amara and Cassian’s relationship with one another in the professional sense was just as compelling as their romantic relationship. Navigating the dangers of this new landscape was so enticing, and I loved learning about the Suloi, almost wish they had their own book. I honestly didn’t like Amara at first and was nervous going into it, because she seemed so driven by political position, but once you really started to understand her motivations it was all quite forgivable. Quite a strong foundation family vibe too, more so than the other books which was beautiful to see. I still think the first book was the absolute knockout, but this is a VERY close second. I’m honestly a little sad I won’t see more of their story in the next book as we focus on Ihsan’s story, but I’ll hold these characters in my heart.
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
To be honest, I skimmed this.
I could not bring myself to buy into these POVs, which felt contrived and juvenile compared to others in the series.
I could not bring myself to buy into these POVs, which felt contrived and juvenile compared to others in the series.