Wednesday 29 April 2009

Secret of the Sirens by Julia Golding


Pages - 401

Publisher - Oxford University Press - Published 2006

Book 1 in the The Companions Quartet.

Challenges - Once Upon A Time and 100+.

This story is a children's novel and follows the gripping tale of Connie upon the discovery that she is a universal companion.

What's that I hear you ask?

A universal companion is a person who can communicate telepathically and work with any mythical creature.

For most of Connie's life, she has had a strange effect on animals of all kinds. She had to be removed from quite a few schools because she caused so much commotion with the school pets. So in desperation, Connie's parents send Connie to live with her eccentric aunt who Connie really isn't sure about.

Whilst staying at her aunt's, Connie becomes aware of strange events occurring involving her aunt and her weird friends out at the rocks. She eventually discovers that her aunt is part of an ancient secret society who protect legendary mythical creatures. Each member is assigned to a mythical creature and can only communicate with that breed. Connie is found to be able to communicate with all mythical creatures, making her a legend in her own lifetime and also putting her in grave danger.

Kullervo, a very dangerous mythical creature is set to ruin the world and bring it back under the control of mythical creatures. He has turned the Sirens first, who are part women, part bird and known to lure sailors to their death by using an enchanting song. They are responsible for recent deaths in the area of workers at the new oil refinery in town. The Sirens are intent on causing as much damage as possible to the oil refinery and the society and their mythical companions need to stop them. Connie is thrown into a dangerous, gripping ride to save the town, the people, the Sirens and herself.

This book really gripped me from the beginning. The descriptions within are vivid and detailed, you could actually picture yourself in the scenes. Connie is a strong and interesting character and you are rooting for her from the very beginning. The mixture of fantasy with reality is of equal balance, so you could actually believe the story to be true. There is a little touch of the Dr Dolittle lifestyle going on, but she can talk to the animals, even if they are mythical ones at that.f

I would definitely recommend it and I am looking forward to reading the second book in the series of four.

This was Julia Golding's second book and she has gone on to write three more in the series and quite a few other books too. Her first book The Diamond of Drury Lane won both the Waterstones Children's Book of the Year and the Nestles Children's Book Prize in 2006. There is a website connected to the quartet of Companion books where children can take a test to see if they could be a companion, you will find it here.

I for one will definitely be searching out some other books by Julia Golding.

Have you read any books by Julia Golding?

8 comments:

  1. Sounds like a cute book :)
    have never heard of her

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  2. Hi!
    Haven't read any of these books. But it really sounds great. I'll have to check and see if my library has them. Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!

    Sherrie

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  3. I havent heard of this author but this does sound interesting. great review.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  4. Well cool! I want to be a univeral companion! Okay, off to see if my library has this book and the rest of the series :)

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  5. Oooh.. I've never heard of this series. It sounds like it'd be a lot of fun :) I also really like children's books with a strong female lead.

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  6. Thanks for introducing this author, Viv. I haven't read her books but that'll soon be rectified.

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  7. No-I haven't ever read this author. But I'll be looking her up. Nice review!

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