BookHounds ya: BOOK REVIEW Sirenz: Back In Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo, Natalie Zaman @Natalie

Sunday, June 10, 2012

BOOK REVIEW Sirenz: Back In Fashion by Charlotte Bennardo, Natalie Zaman @Natalie_Zaman @charbennardo

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 2012 | Series: Sirenz

It’s Hell on heels—again!
When Shar tries on a ring from Hades, it activates an obscure contractual clause that puts Shar and former-frenemy-now-friend Meg in Hades’ service once more. Shar is whisked away to the Underworld to prepare a ball for Hades, while Meg is sent to retrieve the errant soul of spoiled rich girl Paulina Swanson and send her to the abyss. Just when it appears the girls will be doomed to serve Hades for eternity, Shar meets two possibly helpful demi-gods who also happen to be gorgeous. Can the girls finally ditch the Lord of the Dead once and for all?

ABOUT CHARLOTTE
I'm living one dream; my book, Sirenz, co-authored with best gal pal Natalie Zaman, debuts from Flux in June. I'd like to be able to chase my other dreams where ever they take me, but that's dependent upon money, time, political unrest, contractual agreements, book revisions, if cat will let me, and if I have to make dinner.
ABOUT NATALIE
Natalie Zaman is the co-author of Sirenz and its sequel, Sirenz Back In Fashion, published by Flux. Her other projects are a concoction of steampunk, romance and Victorian paranormal fantasy, not necessarily in that order. Or all together. Natalie lives in central New Jersey with her family and several fine looking chickens.

SOURCE: AUTHORS

MY THOUGHTS
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT

So, the Meg and Shar are back to being just roomies when Shar finds a little Tiffany's box in her purse. The ring is from Hades and Meg convinces Shar she should at least try on the 5 carat stone before she dumps it since she knows Shar will regret it later. Yeah, that wasn't such a good idea. The ring reactivates the contract between them and Hades and even though they though they went through the contract with a fine tooth comb, they missed the really small print on this one. So Meg is stuck on Earth searching for another human soul for Hades while Shar is in the Underworld planning a fete for his wife, Persephone. And if you remember your mythology, you know Persephone is a really unhappy camper when she has to return to Hades every six months.

So you know that when Cerebus pops his three heads up in this new installment was heart was won. Shar takes this beast and pretty much turns him into a "good goggie" since she is stuck in the Underworld with not much to entertain her. Caz is the only guy that really talks to Shar here and without Meg (her new BFF) she is lost but know she has to pull it together to get through the contract and back into freedom. Meg has it no better and find she worked better with Shar. Meg is still trying to connect with Jeremy. The view of the Underworld that is related here is something that really rings true: hell is what you make it.

I really think I enjoyed this one even more than the first. The bickering between the two girls as they learn to work separately, yet together, and the friendship that develops because of it really came across as endearing and funny. The dialogue is just sparkling -- and no, not in that certain vampiric way. I think this one could stand alone but it might be best to read Sirenz first to get the full background. The ending does leave a nice opening for another installment that includes Kronos -- so maybe some time travel is in the girls' future? This series should be a good start to get girls hooked on Chick Lit as well. Again, this one is pretty clean except for some questionable moments of Hades only allowing Shar bathing suits and skimpy outfits to wear in the Underworld. I really wanted to rename it Underwearworld. I think adults who favor MaryJanice Davidson's Queen Betsy series would adore this one.