Audio Book Review: Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3 by Anna Banks

The final book in this trilogy adds some new interest and resolves okay in spite of some weak elements. 
Of Neptune: Syrena Legacy, Book 3
Author: Anna Banks
Narrator: Rebecca Gibel

Series: The Syrena Legacy, book 3
Runtime: 9.6 Hours
Recording: Unabridged
Release date: 5.13.2014
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Genre: Fiction/Childrens [I would not class this as Childrens]
ISBN-13: 978-1-4829-8785-0

Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0

Summary:
Emma and Galen’s kingdom—and their love—is threatened by long-lost Syrena in the brilliant conclusion to Anna Banks’ bestselling trilogy.
Emma, 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 and the land-dwelling, freshwater Syrena. 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.
© 2014 by Anna Banks

Review:
Galen is insistent on taking Emma away for some down time after the excitement and loses in book two, Of Triton. Galen is still reeling from the death of his best human friend and assistant, Rachel. Galen’s older brother, Grom, the King of Triton, is against Galen and Emma taking time off especially in the human world. But the Poseidon king, Emma’s grandfather, has directed Emma to take Galen to a particular ‘vacation’ spot in Tennessee.

Emma is delighted to discover that Neptune is a community of land dwelling Syrenas and Half-Breeds. Galen isn’t happy about the discovery because Half-Breeds, other than Emma, are not accepted by the ocean Syrena. Also, a local, charming young man, Reed, has an immediate attraction to Emma.

Unfortunately, Neptune isn’t completely the peaceful place it appears. Some of the inhabitants are intent on forcing the sea tribes of Syrena to accept the land tribes and Half-Breeds.  There is also a deceiving human who is setting traps with the goal to capture and expose the mer-people. Galen and Emma are surprised to find themselves as hostage targets by two different interests. First they need rescue and then they have to deal with human exposure and the problems that Neptune represents to the ocean world.

I enjoyed the underlying plot for the most part although some of the hostage attacks seemed rather “set up”. What really bothered me though was the hormonal attraction between Galen and Emma and the lame, unnecessary attempt at a  love triangle. Okay, I guess it’s to be expected in a YA story, but after the nice restraint in the first two books I find that a bit annoying. Suddenly the strong relationship and respect between Emma and Galen is spoiled with teenage lust, doubt and jealousy. Fortunately their passion and petty issues are way-laid by the activities in Neptune and ultimately the story ends well. Beyond the issues noted, I do recommend the full series as entertaining.

Audio Notes: Initially I was distracted by what sounded to me as "whining" narration. I didn’t remember having that trouble with book one and my audio notes in the review for Of Poseidon indicate that I wasn’t so effected. It took a few hours into this audio before the story took precedence over the narration. Rebecca Gibel’s voice is suitable for the YA characters so it was as much a content issue as voice issue I think that was distracting for me. I suggest that a reader listen to the audio sample and decide if they are comfortable.

I received this download from Blackstone Audio through Audiobook Jukebox for an honest review.