Secret of the Sirens is a fantasy novel by British writer Julia Golding.[1] It is the first book of the Companions Quartet. The other three books in the quartet are The Gorgon's Gaze, Mines of the Minotaur, and The Chimera's Curse.[2]
Author | Julia Golding |
---|---|
Cover artist | David Wyatt |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Series | Companions Quartet |
Genre | Fantasy |
Publisher | Oxford University Press |
Publication date | 2006 |
Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
Pages | 401 pp (first edition, paperback) |
ISBN | 0-19-275460-2 |
OCLC | 68260678 |
Followed by | The Gorgon's Gaze |
The novel takes place in the southern regions of Great Britain in the fictional seaside town of Hescombe. Connie Lionheart is 11 years old, and her parents have left her with her Aunt Evelyn. Connie is able to communicate with animals and sense their actual being. She discovers that creatures considered to be mythical actually exist, and there is a secret society which protects them from humans called Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures. Connie realizes that her aunt is a member of the society. The society is under threat by Kullervo, a powerful evil force, who is gathering an army of creatures that want to reclaim their place on earth and exist. These creature want to eradicate humans and create a new world for themselves. Connie is a companion to mythical creatures, and she and her friends in the society, including Col Clamworthy, protect them, fight Kullervo, and prevent ocean pollution by an oil company.[3]
Secret of the Sirens was on the "Children's Choices for 2008" list by the International Reading Association and Children's Book Council.[4] Kirkus Reviews describes it as "easily accessible...for readers who enjoy mythical creatures."[1] Publishers Weekly calls the book an "entertaining read."[5] It has been criticized for "shallow" characters and "trite dialogue."[6]