OF NEPTUNE by Anna Banks

Rating: B
Synopsis:
Emma, who is half human and half Syrena, and her Syrena love, Galen, need time together. Alone. Away from the kingdoms of Poseidon and Triton. Emma’s grandfather, the Poseidon king, suggests the two visit a small town called Neptune.

Neptune is home to both Syrena and Half-Breeds alike. But Emma and Galen didn’t sign up to be peacemakers between the ocean-living Syrena and the land-dwelling, freshwater counterparts. They didn’t bargain for meeting a charming Half-Breed named Reed, who can barely disguise his feelings for Emma. And they especially didn’t expect to find themselves in the middle of a power struggle that threatens not only their love, but their ocean kingdoms.

In this stunning conclusion to her bestselling Syrena Legacy, Anna Banks thrills fans with more action and romance than ever.

My thoughts on the book:
Of Neptune is an excellent conclusion to this trilogy. Banks does not disappoint with this thrilling conclusion. Told from alternating viewpoints, Emma's first person and Galen's third person accounts of the story add depth to the already complex world that Banks has created. Additionally, the setting for the book, Neptune, Tennessee, is almost a character of its own. While the story drags in a few places, for the most part, this novel is action-packed and full of suspense and romance. The Epilogue adds a beautiful end to Emma and Galen's story. This is one book and trilogy that mermaid fans cannot miss. 

Emma really shows how much she's grown in this story. She's still not quite as strong as she could be (in my opinion), but she's certainly strong enough to search for the life she wants. She sticks to her beliefs and refuses to compromise them for anyone. I really respect that about her. She's also loyal, though she does have moments of weakness, and intelligent. Emma approaches many of the problems in this book with logic, though her emotions still run amok while she does so. This contrast makes her feel like a real, live human girl. Galen is a bit more two dimensional, but he still seems as real as any mermaid can. He is a bit more focused on Emma than she is on him, though he just seems like the type to go overboard with anything he does. He wants to protect the ones he loves, and while his temper gets the best of him sometimes, he tries to do what's best. I really love that Banks created flawed, but still likable characters. Reed is no exception. I feel like we don't get to know Reed as much as we could have, considering his part in the book. What we do learn about him is commendable, though. He is a good character, and he offers (and represents) an entirely new set of options for Emma. Antonis really surprises me in this novel, and I found that by the end of the book, I really loved the old mermaid. 

This plot is a bit darker than the previous two novels, and Galen's part in particular is a bit rough to read sometimes. There are plenty of bad guys in this book, and every time you think the characters have gotten rid of one, another one appears. Also, it's hard to tell who is working with whom, which leads to a feeling of suspense and mystery throughout the course of the novel. Romance takes a back seat to the action this time around, and I enjoyed that. Also, Banks does a fantastic job of showing that while Emma and Galen feel like the world revolves around them, often times (as many couples in love do), their actions and decisions have big implications for the entire Syrena world. The balance between Syrena law and the evolution of their society and Emma and Galen's romance is nicely done. Furthermore, the world-building and setting descriptions for Neptune are perfect. 

Overall, I'd recommend this book and trilogy to anyone who loves mermaids. Banks offers a unique view on the mermaid myths, with the two different branches of the Syrena family tree, and the characters are realistic and complex. This trilogy definitely stands out among all of the mermaid tales out there. 

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