Silencing the Siren – Denise L. Barela

Silencing the Siren is another fairy tale retelling, like this one that I reviewed before. This one is the retelling of The Little Mermaid. The main characters, Andrew and Annabel, are the most unlikely couple. Andrew is the son of wealthy parents, Annabel is the star of a freakshow as a mermaid. A mermaid in a wheelchair.

Denise L. Barela, the author, has done a wonderful job with this story. As soon as I realised Annabel’s job, I knew which fairy tale it was going to be, but so much better. The freakshow people are wonderful and kind, sharing the gospel with Andrew. Throughout the book, you can see Andrew changing and learning to rely on God more and more.

Silencing the Siren starts off and for a few chapters, I thought it was going to be a short, straightforward story. Until the man in the dark clothes showed up, or rather, didn’t show… Is Andrew being followed? Silencing the Siren brings in the suspense and strain slowly and carefully. Until Andrew’s fiancée, chosen by his snobby parents, starts to help him. Surely that’s a kind thing to do?

Silencing the Siren was lovely to listen to as I was given the audiobook to review, and I simply had to put the speed up, as I needed to know what happened to Andrew after he is told that Annabel died. Andrew won’t stop loving her, and his new fiancée isn’t going to fill Annabel’s place. Andrew decided to hire a private detective to get some answers about Annabel, and the last few chapters had me gripped!

Denise used suspense well, and I loved the different characters. Some change in a lovely way, like the standoffish Rogers, the butler, and others show their true colours… I enjoyed the change in Andrew and everyone just has to love Annabel. She is such a lovely example of a vibrant Christian as well, which made the story even richer.

The narrator, Christa DelSorbo, makes the book come to life with wonderful voices. I especially enjoyed the shrieky voice of Andrew’s horrid fiancée…

I was given a review copy of the audiobook via Celebrate Lit but was under no pressure or obligation to write a favourable review.

As it’s a Celebrate Lit Tour (and this is nearly the last stop on the tour!) there is a giveaway, US only.