Light of Lorelei by Jen Minkman--A Review

SYNOPSIS:

There is no light without shadow,
no truth without sacrifice,
and no way to keep us all from harm.

Aska wants more out of life than being a temple girl in the St. Brandan Convent of Brandaris. Her life-long service to the Baeles-Weards is the only reason she wasn’t killed immediately after birth – she is atoning for the sins of her parents. Her Anglian mother and Skylger father were never supposed to love each other and have children, and Aska is reminded of her low status and illegitimacy by her fellow temple girls every day.

But then she meets Tjalling, a young, mysterious, and charming Skylger fisherman who doesn’t seem to care that he is not supposed to befriend her. Soon after they meet, the island falls prey to the largest Siren attack in the history of Skylge and Aska is beginning to doubt the wisdom of the priests. If the Light in the Tower really keeps the people from harm, why are the Shriekers taking more and more lives each day?

Adding to her inner turmoil is a secret meeting with Royce and Enna, who want to recruit her into their resistance movement, an unexpected confession from her best friend Melinda, and Aska’s realization that she likes Tjalling a bit too much for her own good.

Soon, she is going down a road there is no turning back from, forcing her to make choices that shake the foundations of her world.
For Aska, there is only one true choice – to bring the truth to light.


FROM MY MIND'S EYE:

Although this was a shorter read than I usually enjoy, Light of Lorelei was a captivating and charming paranormal fantasy read.   It was the second in Jen Minkman's  Tales of Skylge series.

I soon became enthralled with the character of Aska as she was reminiscent of a cross between Cinderella and Joan of Arc.  She had an innate sense of right and wrong and the disparaging differences between the classes that dwellt on their island.   Not only did she want the truth about her birthright, she wanted the truth about the humans and the sirens and why there was such hostility between the two.

Previously in Sound of Sirens we saw a relationship between Skylge and Anglian develop between Royce and Enna and in Light of Lorelei, the bonds of friendship stretch even further between Aska and Tjalling who has secrets of his own to protect.   But the four bond together to find and release the truth at great risk to themselves.

I am anxious for the next book in the series to see what erupts on this island so separated from the mainland.   And I applaud Jen Minkman for her thoughtful creativity and skillful journey through the class systems of society.

I rated Light of Lorelei a 4 wink read.

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.  I received a copy of this book from the author or their representative in exchange for an honest review.