Daughter of the Siren Queen (Daughter of the Pirate King, 2) Hardcover – July 25, 2023

An unforgettable, swashbuckling, high seas adventure! With sword fights, a race to find the hidden treasure, sirens, a shocking secret, romance, and a crew of misfit pirates I've come to love, this sequel was one heck of wild ride. I love the pirate adventure Levensellar has taken me on with her duology. She's introduced me to characters I've come to love, and who's stories I'm not sure I'm ready to be over with just yet.Daughter of The Pirate King was one of my all time favorite reads last year. I have anxiously awaited getting my hands on this book, though I didn't want the first book to end. This sequel did not disappoint. It had all the action I had hoped it would. I don't know what it is about the fighting and battle that takes place on the open sea, but there's something about it that adds an element to the danger, and makes me cheer on Alosa that much more. This girl is a force to be reckoned with. Literally.This story really is a character journey for Alosa. She's learned a great deal, not only about herself, but she's been lied to and betrayed her who life. What she discovers definitely makes her question a lot of things about herself. Thankfully Alosa is one touch Captain, with a loyal crew of pirates, and Riden to keep her grounded. This story digs deeper into the dangerous side of Alosa's siren nature.Alosa isn't afraid of much, aside from admiring her feelings for Riden, and losing her crew to the imposing doom her hell bent father has promised unleash on them, her siren side is something she has to learn to control. If she doesn't, it will cost her more than she cares to admit. I love the love that Alosa has for her crew. She will do anything for any of them, regardless of what it will cost her. I admired her wanting to learn to control her siren side. It not only shows the effort it takes on her part, but I loved that it also shows the trust Riden, and Alosa have in each other. You'll get why I said that when you read the book.Speaking of Riden and Alosa, my word I wanted to lock these two up and force them to admit their feelings for each other. I love their stolen moments together, the crew calling Alosa out in her attempt to check Riden out when she thinks no one else is looking, and Riden forcing Alosa to say what she's scared to admit. Not to mention the kissy scenes, their chemistry and the way these two can ruffle each other's feathers. It's downright hilarious at times. I also liked that they always have each other's backs, especially when tensions are high.The only thing that I had an issue with in this book, was how Alosa treated Riden for the first portion of the story. Part of me understood her need to reestablish who she is, and her role in what's happening, but the other part of me was extremely annoyed with her, and her fear in admitting her feelings for him. Had Riden been a lesser man, he would have walked away. I am so glad he didn't. Having said that, I also get that was transpired between these two previous to this story, was part a battle of wits, and part falling for each other. Thankfully Alosa realizes what's right in front of her, and finally admits what she's so scared to do admit.Aside from Alosa and Riden, I love the misfit crew Alosa has. There's something about their tough and heartbreaking backgrounds, and their differences I admired. Regardless of what they've all been through, together they are a family. They'd do anything for each other. That definitely makes it all the more harder to say goodbye to a few of them when Alosa's ship comes under attack. Neither she nor her father's crew walk away unscathed. I'm hoping we'll get to see some of their side stories in the future. I absolutely loved being on this pirate adventure with them. What an awesome sequel and a perfect ending to this duology!

This was quite a solid little duology. Daughter of the Siren Queen is just as good as Daughter of the Pirate King... and better! Readers are treated to more in depth examinations of Alosa & Rilen. I fell in love with Riden instantly in the first book for some reason, but I liked that Alosa DIDN'T (no insta-love here!), actually went out of her way to make excuses for what she was feeling, anything other than dreaded LOVE. It was fun, too, hearing more from the Pirate King, who, despite being a titular character in book 1, only appeared briefly at the end of that book. Much like with the crew of Alosa's "kidnappers," Tricia Levenseller put some time into creating a truly loveable batch of supporting characters. This book really shines during the time spent on the open sea, in Alosa's own boat, & there is quite a bit of that here. It wasn't long before I became quite attached to the members of her quirky little crew (also nice to see a bit of growth from the fellows who defected at the end of the last book & joined her crew)! Roslyn has to be my favorite; I had so much fun picturing a bossy little 6 year old pirate trying to run everything, waving her dagger around & while peppering the pages with bits of her witty childish wisdom. Though I quite enjoyed DotPk, I can't help but feel after reading this book (in one sitting, I might add!) that it was always just the set up for this one. DotSQ was an even more enjoyable pirate-y & adventure-filled romp than it's predecessor. I really don't have any complaints, although I suppose if you really come down to it there are a few places I wish the author had maybe gone just a little bit deeper, some events that are more or less glossed over that seemed a bit rushed that I think would have benefitted from some deeper explanation or back story. But honestly, I didnt miss the intricate layers of plot, nor was a put off by the lack of a twist somewhere in there (half the time when there is a twist I end up guessing it before finishing the book, anyway). Bottom line, this was a light, quick & easy read (like I said above: one sitting!), with a plotline deep enough to engross the reader but not so thick as to require said reader to apply her thinking (which is really nice sometimes, TBH). It is the kind of book that would be perfect for a vacation day or a afternoon at the beach, a peppy little pirate tale that avid YA readers will lap up whether or not they are pirate fans ... though if they're not when they get started, I'd be willing to bet all my gold doubloons that they will be by the end! Enjoy!!