The saga of the sisters has come to an end. If you have followed the series you know the continuing storyline about the Circle of Five, the sisters raised by nuns, and Brody. Everything concludes beautifully with answers to all the questions. How Sparks ties the bits and pieces together was magical. The children, along with Captain Nevis, brought plenty of humor. It’s a whimsical series with heart and imagination with a bit of romance and a few giggles. I was given an early copy through Netgalley and wrote this review voluntarily.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks

The 5th and final book in the Embraced series. Sweeping Fantasy romance. You definitely want to read the other books first to avoid spoilers.

Maeve is the youngest of the girls raised on the Isle of Mist. Her four adopted sisters are all Queens of their respective lands (which we found out in each of the prior 4 books) and married to their predicted loves. Maeve is feeling a bit at loose ends. With her sisters busy with children and duties, Maeve just wants to find Brody. He’s been missing for months. She is worried and a bit lonely. Could he be in trouble or is he avoiding her because of his curse?

Loved this fantasy series and a bit sad to see it end. This was a fantastic wrap up with a bonus secondary romance and most of the characters from the prior stories making cameos. A few happy tears at the end. So good.

Maeve is the youngest unmarried sister of five Embraced women on the Isle of Moon.  All of them grew up in a convent as sisters but are not blood related as we find out Maeve's parentage in this book. 

All of her sister's had Embraced gifts and were married to Kings on different islands.  [I have not read the other books and didn't feel lost due to this, which is great. But I also want to hear the other couples love stories now so will have to add them to my TBR]

She starts her story being worried about a shifter named Brody who is always there during the full moon when she shifts with her Embraced gift as a Selkie but he's been missing for 2 months.  He's been away on a secret mission for King Leo.  When she finds him you feel their chemistry immediately.  He is cursed to animal form but for 2 hours a day when he can be in his human form.  So his adoration for Maeve is expressed in surly annoyance to try to get her to avoid him but she is too drawn to him. But he also can't hide his adoration of her and she knows it. 

She forces her way into trouble, gets abducted, finds her parents, finds an Embraced Army, makes a lot of new friends, finds some new powers and might get some other types of actions (wink wink).

I liked the two romances in this book.  Both male characters didn't think they were good enough for the females.  It was rather sweet and the ladies had to shake them a little to make them see reason.  I would say that Maeve and Brody weren't necessarily a slow burn but I don't know what they may have been doing in other books lol.

I recommend for those who like fantasy adventure, intrigue and romance.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is the book in the series that I have been anxiously awaiting. Finally having Brody and Maeve’s book in my hands was amazing. I was excited to see where the book would take us and what Maeve’s back story would be. It was always interesting to see where each of the girls came from. Maeve’s back story did not disappoint. I am glad that she was able to grow into a strong and capable heroine.
I have always enjoyed the interaction between Brody and Maeve. It was wonderful to see Brody finally get out of his own way and be with Maeve. The book was well paced and provided entertaining dialogue. There were plenty of mysteries to be solved and the search for the “Embraced Army” drove the book forward. It was wonderful to be introduced to several knew characters with interesting powers.
I felt like the story had come full circle and was extremely satisfied when I reached the end of this book. This was a very sweet paranormal romance with a wonderful central couple. Though there is a bonus romance that was equally entertaining in the book! I would highly recommend this book to people who enjoy books by Lynsay Sands, Juliette Cross and Janet Chapman.

4.5 stars
This is the final story of the Embraced series. I would strongly recommend reading the first four before this one.

This was a beautiful story about a cursed shifter and an orphan. It was written well and flowed easily. There are moments you laugh, get sad, and you get to see the growth of these characters.

In this story you learn so many answers to secrets people have kept. As the story unfolds you get to see how the characters adapt and learn.

There are new characters and some from the past. I'm glad to have read this book. Mauve and Brody get their HEA and so do others.......

Maeve is feeling quite left out with all of her friends mated to Kings and with children (or babies coming soon), but her time is coming and she just may win her hearts desire - if she can just find the missing dogshifter Brody.

I really enjoyed this wrap up of the original Embraced "sisters". This story really stacks up events with Maeve and Brody both playing important parts in bringing everything together for the final battle. And since the parts they play don't always mean that they get a lot of screen time together, we get a very nice little secondary romance as a bonus. And since it is a wrap up we get cameos and one especially touching moment with stars of previous stories.

Arc Via NetGalley courtesy of the publisher, release date 8/25/2020.

Since this is the last book in one of my favorite series ever, I hesitated to start reading it. I just did not want the series to end. Each book has been a gem in its self. A reader could read this book of any of them as a stand-alone, but you would be denying yourself hours of delightful reading.
All of the five Isle of the Moon sisters are married and settled. All except for Maeve. Maeve is at loose ends, alone, not knowing where or to whom she belongs. She knows she wants to belong to Brody. Cursed by the Sea Witch, he can only be in his human shape for two hours a day, needing to be an animal shifter the rest of the time. Brody also wants Maeve, but feels she deserves better than a two hour a day human. The two have secrets a plenty, from each other and from the others. Searching for the Sea Witch's embraced army may bring them together, but will their secrets push them apart? Will they ever be able to confess their feelings go each other? Will Brody's need for revenge and a way to break the curse move them further apart? Maeve and Brody were two of my favorite characters from the previous books so I was happy to see them get their own story. However, I am so sad to see this series end. Maybe, Kerrelyn Sparks would consider more Embraced books, possibly set twenty years in the future. In her magnificent imagination, I am sure she has some interesting stories and black-hearted villains rattling around in there.

When two months go by without word from the shape-shifter spy, Brody, no one seems perturbed—except for Maeve, the youngest of the five embraced sisters who always had a special bond with him. Maeve goes in search of him, unaware that this course of action will lead Brody and her into a world of peril and painful secrets.

Side-note – Although this appears to be book 2 in a new series, it’s actually a continuation of the series before it called, Embraced. But all the books in these two series can also be read as stand-alones as the author’s segue is easy to follow.

I have to say upfront, I loved the plot-line of this story. So many secrets and conflicts had me turning the page and unwilling to stop reading. Kerrelyn Sparks crafted a compelling story with dashes of humor that made it a boatload of fun to read. I only read one book in this series but the author’s segue was easy to follow and her writing style a pleasure to read.

The main characters each had complicated back-stories and secrets hiding in their pasts, waiting to blow in their faces. The romance was in equal parts sizzling & funny. The side-characters were hilarious, making me laugh out loud numerous times from their witty comments.

After I finished How To Love Your Elf, I thought for sure Kerrelyn Sparks couldn’t possibly top it but I was wrong. The Siren And The Deep Blue Sea was a delightful read with side-characters that left me grinning and satisfactory resolutions to all the stories in the Embraced and Embraced by Magic series.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is the fifth Embraced by Magic by Kerrelyn Sparks. It is currently scheduled for release on August 25 2020. I highly recommend reading this series in order. There is a lot of world, character, and plot building in the previous books that is needed to fully appreciate the characters and story line.

Raised on the magic-seeped Isle of Moon, Maeve is used to unusual powers—and the way they fuel the politics of her world. But when she discovers an ability to shape-shift at will, she knows who she wants to share it with first. Brody, the enigmatic, infuriating shifter-spy has always made time for Maeve. But it’s been almost two months since she’s seen him. And though no one else believes Brody is in danger, Maeve is more than ready to rescue him herself. The rumors Brody’s investigating are terrifying: a secret army of magic-users, in the service of the cruel Circle of Five. But when he uncovers the identity of one of the Five, the mission becomes personal. Cursed as a boy by the Sea Witch, Brody can spend only two hours a day in his human form, a restriction that limits his future and muzzles his heart. Plus Maeve teases him for being such a pretty doggy instead of appreciating his manly charms. To win his freedom, he must take on a terrible disguise. And when Maeve finds out, she’ll unleash a tempest like no other.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is just what I was hoping for with this book. It offers a continuation of the larger story line about the Circle of Five, the Embraced, and the world finding peace. There were several twists and turns that kept me guessing. I liked getting to see Maeve find her footing and place, and Brody finally admitting his feelings for her. Facing up to their own powers, and figuring out how to be together despite their challenges was very well done. I also liked that their story was not the only love story in the book. Like the previous books there are plenty of side stories happening that add to the whole rather than making the story to busy or divided (which sometimes happens). Honestly I have been waiting on Maeve and Brody's story since the start of the series and the book did not disappoint.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is a solid conclusion to the series, and I was glads to see Maeve and Brody find their happy ending.

-- Read this review, and others, on my blog at www.hookedbythatbook.com --

This is book five in the series The Embraced. I didn’t read the other books before this one, and I found that it didn’t matter that much, but I’m guessing there is a lot that I have missed out on in this world. And Maeve’s sisters do seem very interesting, so I might go back and read the first four books after all.

The plot is interesting and fast-paced. There is a lot going on with Maeve trying to find the Isle of Secrets, and then discovering who her parents really are. The powers everyone have access to are interesting and varied, and I think they are applied well in the story. I especially liked Elinor’s power. And even though things developed a bit fast between Nevis and Elinor, I really enjoyed their flirting. I was disappointed in Cahira and her Embraced army, for all the fear that she instilled in everybody.

I wasn’t very taken with the writing style, and it seemed a bit stilted at times, but that did not stop me from enjoying the book. I really couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the final book in The Embraced series and it ties up nicely the overall story arc throughout the books. We also get to visit our favourites one last time in this final book.

However, the main characters had enough on page time that I didn’t feel that they were cheated and I really loved their interactions.

Overall, this was lovely end to a magical series and I can’t wait to see what’s next for this author!

This was a fantastic way to wrap up what has been a wonderfully written series. In this finale, we even wrapped up ends that I didn't even know were loose! I don't want to give anything away because there were lots of surprises but let's just say Maeve isn't the only one that gets her happy ending! All in all, a great series with terrific world-building, interesting characters, and plenty of action and romance. What more can you really ask for in a paranormal romance?

An amazing conclusion to the series. If you are looking for a fantasy on the lighter side this is it. I personally think Sparks wrote very convincing characters in the sisters. Best example being Maeve she is very young and it really showed, almost to an annoying level. Overall great series and very much worth the read.

This review is not going to be long. I am not a huge fan of a review rehashing the entire plot and spoiling it for everyone.

I love this series from Kerrelyn Sparks. I love how she puts action, suspense, and love into her books. I would totally recommend this series to anyone that loves a great read!

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was entertaining and I enjoyed it. The writing was beautifully done. I think I now need to go back and read the other books in the series since there were things I was a bit lost on. I think my rating would be much higher if I had read the first books in the series.

This book wraps up the series....a series that has been holding readers hostage since the first book was released. Kerrelyn Sparks has spent many hours building worlds and populating them with characters that are realistic to their stories. She has skillfully layered each character as we watched the stories grow and mature to bring us to this, an unveiling of sorts that we've been waiting on. Four queens later....
Maeve, a selkie, has learned the skill of shape shifting at will. Her excitement at this new ability is tempered by the suspicion that something has happened to her friend Brody. The transformation of two formerly minor characters into the kind of heroes who must save their world is done so well, you'll wonder why you hadn't noticed them before. This ending is so good, it almost keeps you from being sad that it's over.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. Maeve hasn't seen Brody for two months, and decides to go look for him. The story was fast-paced and hard to put down. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

5 - "The pen is mightier than the sword…" Stars!

The Embraced / Embraced by Magic series is how I discovered Kerrelyn Sparks and having read and loved all five books I know that this is an author I’ll be looking to read more from in the future. All books have been heavy on story, world-building and character development and each one was an absolute pleasure to read.

"Finally. After all these years, we will have justice…"

You need to have read the previous four books from the series to understand everything that is going on in this one, Brody and Maeve have featured in all previous books as secondary characters that-said, because the books have all offered such depth and vivid story lines you know them almost as well as the characters each book was actually focusing on, although the author kept back some really great surprises for The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea. This story is the climax, the culmination of all the sub plots that have been playing out, the Aerthlan world has slowly started to embrace peace as each kingdom gains a new King & Queen and the enemies vanquished.

But the Chameleon is still at large and not all of the enemies are known as yet.

They’d come a long way from being orphans at the convent on the Isle of Moon…

I’m not going to delve into the plot, it would risk giving spoilers and I think one of the things that has made this series so enjoyable for me was the discovery of each twist and turn as I was reading it and not because I’d found out beforehand. The humour, heart, heat and everything you expect from this author and this series are still very much included, and if like me you have had a soft spot for Brody since the beginning, you are going to love his and Maeve’s book.

"We can't always control what fate has in store for us..."

I was pleasantly surprised when I started this book and how into it I got.
I made the mistake of requesting it and not realizing it was part of a series I haven’t read but honestly that didn’t even matter.
The author does a great job of telling the story to where it’s not even necessary to read the other books and I am sure if you did read the other books it’s not redundant. I’m definitely going to read the other books in this series now.
Great writing, so glad I got this one.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea is the latest book in the Embraced by Magic series by Kerrilyn Sparks. The author has a way of building her worlds that you enjoy visiting it and exploring it in each new book in the series. This book focuses on Maeve and Brody and their adventures and romance. Maeve is the youngest of five sisters with unusual powers and often feels left out....she will never be a queen like her sisters. Maeve starts out on her journey to find Brody who has been missing for a couple months now and Brody is on a mission trying to find the Embraced Army and the witch who cursed him. The romance that blossoms between the two is lovely and true but will it be enough when the secrets between them are brought to the light?

I enjoy the wold and the magic of these books. The author really knows how to bring her writing to life. Also, the support and love of the sisters towards each other is strong and beautiful. I did, however, feel that this story felt a little rushed. The romance between the two characters, though nice, didn’t have much feeling to it for me the way the other books in the series did.

this book was a fun read and a good way to conclude the series and I would definitely recommend this book/series to others but it more than likely will not have a prominent place on my own book shelves.