Title: Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2)
Author: Anna Banks
Release Date: May 28, 2013 (hardcover)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 256
Source: Copy provided by publisher

Overall: 3.5 Stars

Summary:

In this sequel to Of Poseidon, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known? 

My Thoughts:  
When I read Of Poseidon last year, I fell into the category of readers who didn't understand why it was such a popular book. Aside from its gorgeous cover, I found Anna Banks's debut novel likeable enough, but a far cry from amazing that others were praising it to be. Despite the faults I found though, the cliffhanger ending hooked me enough to continue the series... and I'm very glad I did! Emma is just as stubborn and impulsive as she was in book one, countering Galen's efforts to keep her sheltered and safe.

Addictive and fast-paced, I read Of Triton in only three hours. Now that the necessary background information about Emma's heritage and the Syrena had been revealed, it cleared a path to dive back into action right away. Picking up almost immediately after the events in Of Poseidon, political complications have arisen with the revelation that Emma's mother is the long-lost Princess Nalia, and Emma's own status as a half-breed places her in danger. The authority of the Royals is in question, and Emma's gift of Poseidon may be the only way to help King Grom and King Antonis secure their rule.

While I did think Of Triton had a stronger plot, the short length of the novel prevented me from becoming emotionally attached to the characters. Road blocks appear and are overcome too quickly to allow the character and storyline development I would've liked to have seen occur. There was definitely drama in the novel that could have been more drawn out instead of being so tidily dealt with or brushed aside. Anna Banks has a simple style to her writing that cuts right to the point, but it doesn't necessarily linger on details.

Of Triton will surely break some waves this summer! If you loved Of Poseidon, then I have no doubts you'll be loving the sequel too. I'm curious to see how Anna Banks will conclude the trilogy when Of Neptune is released next year!   

Thanks so much to Raincoast Books for providing this review copy!