I bought E.A.M. Trofimenkoff’s book from Chapters, but that’s not where I heard about it. Remember that glorious moment in the early spring when Threads was all about Canadian authors and Canadian books? That’s where I found E.A.M. Trofimenkoff. The graphics and cover of the book are stunning, and I was definitely intrigued by the premise.
Sybine, a Robin Hood-like thief, is running for her life, and a pirate ship taking on crew seems like the perfect getaway. Meanwhile, Elora is hell-bent on getting revenge against the pirate captain Drakkon Stormson. When Sybine and Elora end up as bunkmates, things start to come together. Both women become their true selves, and help each other navigate the world of pirates, magic, and the sea. They are stronger together than apart, and that’s a surprise to everyone except the King of the Sea. Fate sometimes needs a push.
“A Kiss of the Siren’s Song is an action-packed Sapphic fantasy romance about keeping your enemies close, and your secrets closer.”
From Trofimenkoff’s back cover.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the fantasy world that Trofimenkoff creates. The sea is a mysterious place, so add in magic, demons, ancient rites, and the gods, and suddenly things get complicated for the characters. I liked the idea that sirens aren’t your typical evil females luring men to their deaths. The sirens in this world have unique abilities that are misunderstood and feared by humans, hence the lore and culture that humans create about them. I also enjoyed the magical sparks that flew between Sybine and Elora. When they eventually figure out that they can trust each other and be together (shouldn’t be a spoiler because it’s a fantasy romance!), I couldn’t help but cheer a little.
One aspect of the book that impressed me, and that was unexpected, was the artwork throughout the book. I thought it was so fun, and the idea of the kraken wasn’t forgotten because its presence was on every section and chapter opening.
As an editor, I appreciated the careful planning of this book. The thoughtfulness of the characters’ backstories, and the details in the worldbuilding, allowed the reader to pick up on the hints and clues along the way and enjoy how the characters fought through some extraordinary situations. The revision process to add in and refine the plot and structure is hard work, and I can imagine that a lot of time and effort went in to revising this story to make it such a delightful book for readers.
One recommendation I would have as an editor is to be aware of repetition. The book ends strongly in comparison to the beginning. In the beginning, ideas are repeated, including intentions, motivations, and backstory. Although it’s great for the reader to have a solid understanding of where the characters are, I thought that E.A.M. Trofimenkoff’s writing was strong enough to take out those repetitions (and shorten and tighten up the first section of the book). But, as some of my friends in my book club have told me, repetition at the beginning of a story helps them pick up where they left off.
Here are some of my favourite lines from A Kiss of the Siren’s Song:
- “We all have our own part to play, whether for the will of good or evil, if they even exist in such a dichotomy. You are who you have always been: yourself.”
- “Love is not transactional. You can’t buy it. You can’t trade it. You definitely can’t own it. Love is a gift.”
- “I was everything and nothing. Connected to all, yet bound to none. My heart burned in my chest. I was just as much a part of the sea, I realized, as she was a part of me.”
If you love pirates, fantasy, krakens, and true love, this is the book for you!
