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Summary: In the same vein as her previous works -- and just as good!
Review: For those of you who think this book is just based on myth: Actually, Sirena is based on the Greek play "Philoctetes" by Sophocles *and* the ancient Greek siren myths. Ms. Napoli again takes an ancient story (two of them, this time) and expounds on the basic premises so that the characters become people with motivation, beliefs, and feelings. The prose is fluid, like the water that Sirena is at home in, and the story, although slow at parts, is beautiful. I'm 16, so it only took me a few hours to read, but I came away feeling changed. Not all stories have an ending that is wrapped up neatly, and this is one of them, but that merely adds to the style.BTW, I had the good fortune to meet Ms. Napoli just about a week ago. She is a great person, both to talk and to listen to. We got to hear about the makings of Beast -- what a privilege!
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Summary: Would you like to be a mermaid?
Review: If you enjoy reading fantasy that is so real you can see, hear, and even smell it, then this book is for you. It is about a mermaid that longs for the love of a mortal man. She finds him one day, deserted on an island,only to learn his destiny is somewhere else. Come along with Sirena as she goes on her long journey. She must face love, loss, and joy. This book is my favorite book yet.The title, Sirena, suits the book well. The book goes into great detail, it feels as though you are living right there with her. I hope to read it again, maybe even a sequel.
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Summary: The Interesting Myth
Review: I believed that Sirena was a very well written book that was very interesting, I do not usually enjoy myths, but Sirena was very enjoyable. I had never read another Donna Jo Napoli book, and this one was very good, I recommnd this book to anyone who is up for a good read. This book is about a Siren mermaid who had had a spell put on her by Rhodope, Mother Dora's (the head Mermaid) daughter, which said that Sirena would be mortal unless a man fell in love with her. She had the power to sing beautifully though and by singing, she could win the love of a man and become immmortal. But, the man she sang too, in addition to falling in love with her, would die sooner or later, which happened to be the consciquence of singing to him. So, Sirena was forced to make a decision, sing, or not.
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Summary: I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Review: This book is one of the best i have ever read! The story of Sirena, one of the 50 Sirens, is impossible to put down! Sirena is the only Siren with a conciense, who sees that if she sings to ships, the men she calls will die. She decides to live out her days on Lemnos, the Island of the Rising Sun. When she gets there, some thing happens. I an't tell, but get this book! You won't be able to put it down!
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Summary: A stellar fantasy novel
Review: I read SIRENA for the 1999 World Fantasy Award, and while the book did not make the ballot, it was on my short, short list for best novel. It's breathtakingly written; you will never notice you're reading something marketed for young adults, and neither will they. This is a fine book that should delight any fantasy reader with the slightest ear for lovely language.
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Summary: The stuff of myths
Review: Donna Jo Napoli performs a tremendous service for those of us who hunger to have myths and fairy tales fleshed out and made human. In SIRENA, she takes what little we know about mermaids and sirens and creates the character of Sirena, a young mermaid on the brink of womanhood, who struggles with who she is. As a consequence, this book held resonances for me of my own teenaged years. The language is lovely. The adult relationship is handled with subtlety and sensitivity. I thought that there were plenty of characters in this book--the two castaways are a world unto themselves, and it is the outside world of humans that intrudes here. Napoli does us a favor by keeping them out of this narrative. I highly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys exploring mythology, as well as anyone looking for a good book to read about a love relationship.
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Summary: how could she?
Review: okay, so i loved the cover. that's the reason i took it out of the library, but i was in for a surprise. i very much disliked the horificly boring storyline, i know donna jo napoli could have done better. she's usually such a good aurther. i do recomend the book 'zel', so find that and take a look at it.
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Summary: A++++++++!
Review: I have read Ms. Napoli's books before and I happen to just fallin love with them! She has taken fairy tales (and myths in this case)and re-written them in a way that makes you think. I love the way she wrote this book; she wrote it so that you saw in the siren's point of view. If you have ever heard the myth, then you tend to think that they sing purposely to destroy people; but in this book she shows that Sirena doesn't want to sing, she just wants to be loved. This is a great book and deserves to be read more than once.
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Summary: Seriena
Review: Donna Jo Napoli's book Seriena is wonderfull and fancifull book! This book is about a young mermaid and the adventures she takes with all her sisters and Seriena trying to suduce a young mortal to find true love. Donna Jo's writing paints a perfect picture in your imagination. If you like great books and fantasy this is one of the best books you can find out there. so try this book out, it's worth it!
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Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: I started reading Ms. Napoli's books, when I first became interested in Fantasy. I love the way she retells famous stories. Although 'Zel' continues to be my favorite book of hers, Sirena is just as well-written. I did find the ending to be a bit dissapointing, however. I felt that it built you up with beautifully written chapters, and let's you down with a mediocre ending. This story kept you thinking about it for a long while afterward. The descriptive words she uses paints a picture in your mind. Like I said, this is a wonderfully written book.
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