I wish it made sense. [The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea by Kerrelyn Sparks]

Perfect for fans of Christine Feehan’s Carpathian series and  G.A. Aiken’s The Blacksmith Queen, New York Times bestselling author Kerrelyn Sparks combines humor, action, and love in the electrifying new book in her thrilling fantasy series.
 
Four sisters have become queens, rulers of all that Aerthlan’s two moons embrace. The last sister will forge her own path . . .
 
Signs and Seals
 
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 was my first introduction not only to Kerrelyn Sparks, but to her Embraced by Magic Series. A magical world where enchanted children and magical beings are the norm, where the looming threat of a secret cabal and their evil machinations are the biggest issue. Surely this cabal must be nefarious, every moment fraught with danger, and a terrible enemy to defeat? No. Not at all. Apparently when you are a founding member of what I guess was the most powerful and evil terrorist organization of a respective world, you're also insipidly naïve.   

--SPOILERS AHEAD--

Maeve, our stubborn, know-it-all protagonist, thinks only of her would-be lover, Brady. Hijinks ensue and secrets are shared and the majority of the story involves the two of them trying to defeat her evil mother Cahira, who is also the villainous Sea Witch and founding member of the cabal. Maeve comes around pretty quick to being generally okay with the plot to murder her mother. We also get that whole dynamic of the one-sided story and the repentance in death thing when it comes Maeve's parents, but moving on. SOMEHOW! Somehow, despite being so evil, previously plotting and scheming so fantastically, Cahira takes no precautions and trusts with no doubt that everything is it seems to be. Never does Cahira, believing her lover to be dying, ever intercept his imposter or try to approach him in an amorous way. Having read only this book I really can't say that she was this evil antagonist. She wanted lands she thought were hers back and she tried to bribe political allies. She also was proactive with defense when outsiders approached her island. An island that was hiding a bunch of children who would have been prosecuted otherwise? Was she so different from any other monarch?

Weak villain plotline aside, this mostly felt like a bit of smut loosely wrapped in fantasy. Why would the villain undo the curse because you asked her with the threat of death otherwise? There was a lot here that didn't make sense and I wish it did. The hero is only as good as their villain. Cahira was self-centered, but was she smart? Did she train her army? Did she attend her daughter? Did she attend who she thought was her dying lover? Did she attend her nation? What was she doing when plot points were happening? Not existing because the story called for it. The amorous scenes were probably the best points, but they weren't enough to save this for me. The story wasn't horrendous and some things I smiled at, but I can't see myself ever recommending it or just not being annoyed with it. 1.5 stars (2 for rating purposes) from me.

The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea was published August 2020.