SIREN'S CALL is the first book I've read from Jayne Castle (and her pen names), but I can easily see from this one story why she is so popular. The plot is well-crafted, guiding the reader effortlessly from point to point. The mixture of futuristic gadgetry, paranormal powers, mystery, and heated romance blend oddly well together. Though only a fraction of the story takes place on Rainshadow Island, the setting is clearly unique and distinctive, leaving expected hints of other relevant story lines and characters from earlier in the series. I especially adore the moments with Ella's 'dust bunny', a small sidekick full of personality and charm.

Though the plot is strong, I ultimately found the two protagonists, Ella and Rafe, to be a bit flat. They both have nice interactions and both get witty moments of dialogue, but their character development feels predictable. This caused me to have trouble connecting with them, though I definitely enjoyed reading about their adventures.

Overall, I imagine fans of the previous books won't be disappointed. As a first-time reader, SIREN'S CALL stands out for the dynamic plot and the surprisingly mesh-able variety of genre elements. Though I did struggle to connect with the characters, I leave this novel excited to try another of Jayne Castle's to see what other stories and characters are in store.

Book Summary