“Sometimes the things we want the most are the things that will kill us.”
— Galen reflecting on his desire for Emma, a human.
Archivist's Choice
Of Poseidon
Anna Banks (2012)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
Track Your Reading
Sign in to track this book
A sea prince, searching for a fabled girl who speaks to fish, literally crashes into a human vacationer whose unique gift might save his underwater kingdom, if he can convince her to join his world.
Synopsis
Galen, a Syrena (merfolk) prince, searches the human world for a girl rumored to speak with fish. He soon meets Emma, a human girl on vacation, and their awkward first encounter creates an instant bond. After Galen sees Emma's abilities during a shark attack, he believes she is the answer for his kingdom. The story shifts between Emma's and Galen's viewpoints as Galen tries to reveal his true identity and the Syrena world to Emma, convincing her her gifts are essential. Emma must accept this truth and its responsibilities, navigate a new romance with Galen, and face threats from the rival Triton kingdom to help save Galen's people.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Romantic, Intriguing, Lighthearted, Adventurous
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy young adult fantasy romance with merfolk, dual perspectives, and a 'fish out of water' dynamic.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer hard fantasy, complex world-building, or less focus on romance in your YA novels.
Plot Summary
A Prince on Land
Galen, prince of the Syrena's Poseidon kingdom, is on a land mission, disguised as a human. He seeks a girl rumored to speak with fish, a trait unknown among Syrena. He tracks a unique 'fin' print, a genetic marker for humans with Syrena ancestry. His queen's health is failing, and he believes this girl can save them. He enrolls in a local high school, hoping to blend in and continue his search while learning human customs.
First Encounter
Emma, on vacation with her best friend Chloe and her parents, meets Galen. While running, she literally crashes into him. The contact creates an inexplicable jolt between them, leaving Emma feeling a strange connection and Galen even more intrigued, sensing a resonance with her. Despite the awkwardness, Galen learns Emma's name and confirms his suspicion that she might be the girl he seeks. Chloe notices Emma's unusual reaction to the handsome stranger.
Whispers of the Ocean
Emma feels drawn to the ocean, experiencing vivid dreams and a strong urge to swim. One day, snorkeling, she feels a connection with a group of fish, understanding their movements. Later, during a dangerous shark encounter, Emma instinctively communicates with the shark, causing it to retreat. Galen, secretly watching, sees this event, confirming Emma has the rare 'fin' ability and can speak with marine life.
Revealing the Truth
After the shark incident, Galen and his cousin Rayna approach Emma, trying to explain her abilities and his true Syrena identity. Emma is skeptical and overwhelmed, dismissing their claims. Galen tries small proofs, like holding his breath for a long time, but Emma's human upbringing makes it hard for her to accept such a truth. Rayna, more direct, tries to force the issue, further alienating Emma. Galen realizes he needs to be more patient.
A Test of Trust
Emma, still processing Galen's revelations, tries to understand her new reality. During a beach walk, she faces a dangerous undertow. Galen, ever watchful, quickly rescues her, showing his strength and swimming abilities. This act of heroism and his genuine concern for her safety begin to lessen Emma's skepticism. She starts to consider that Galen might be telling the truth, and a fragile trust forms between them, despite her lingering disbelief about the Syrena.
The Syrena World
Galen, with Emma's tentative acceptance, begins to show her more of the Syrena world. He explains their history, kingdoms, and the 'fin' ability's importance. He also reveals the ongoing conflict between the Poseidon and Triton kingdoms and his queen's dire state. Emma learns about Syrena customs, diet, and physiology. This information, though overwhelming, helps Emma understand her situation and her potential role. She starts to see Galen not just as a strange boy, but as a prince with a heavy burden.
The Triton Threat
While Emma learns about the Syrena, the Triton kingdom's threat grows. A Triton scout, Paca, infiltrates the human world, endangering Emma. Galen and Rayna must protect Emma from Paca, leading to a tense confrontation. This encounter forces Emma to face the real dangers of the Syrena world and the animosity between kingdoms. She realizes her ability makes her a target, and her life has changed. The incident solidifies her understanding of the conflict.
A Glimpse of the Kingdom
Galen decides Emma needs to see the Syrena world herself. He takes her to a hidden entrance to the Poseidon kingdom. Emma, using her emerging abilities, breathes underwater and sees the beautiful city. However, she also sees signs of the queen's illness and the kingdom's decline, reinforcing the urgency of Galen's mission. The experience is awe-inspiring but also somber, as she understands the stakes. This visit deepens her connection to Galen and the Syrena, making their cause her own.
Confronting the Past
As Emma explores the Syrena world, she starts to find clues about her past. She learns her mother has a secret, a past connection to the Syrena. Through old photos and hints, Emma discovers her lineage is directly tied to the Syrena, explaining her 'fin' ability. This revelation is a shock, changing her view of her family and identity. It connects her more to Galen and his world but also raises questions about why her family kept this secret.
The Queen's Hope
With Emma's full understanding of her abilities, Galen brings her before the ailing Syrena queen. Emma, using her 'fin' ability, tries to communicate with the queen, whose sickness is tied to the ocean's decline. While a full cure isn't immediately clear, Emma's presence and connection to the ocean bring a flicker of hope. The queen shows slight improvement, signaling Emma is indeed the key to their kingdom's survival and a bridge between human and Syrena worlds. This moment solidifies Emma's purpose.
A Dangerous Alliance
The queen's slight improvement, thanks to Emma, is temporary. The real challenge is uniting the warring Syrena kingdoms to fully restore the ocean's health. Emma and Galen realize her ability to communicate with all marine life, including deep-sea creatures, might broker peace between the Poseidon and Triton kingdoms. This task is dangerous and politically charged, as centuries of animosity run deep. They must navigate Syrena politics while protecting Emma from those who would exploit or harm her.
Whispers of Triton
Emma's growing influence and positive impact on the Poseidon queen do not go unnoticed by the Triton kingdom. King Antonis, the Triton Syrena ruler, learns of Emma and her abilities. He sees her as a threat to his kingdom's dominance and a valuable asset to control. His interest in Emma is not benevolent, setting the stage for future conflict and making Emma a prime target in the ongoing war between the two Syrena factions. Galen and Emma realize the stakes are higher than ever.
Principal Figures
Emma
The Protagonist
Emma transforms from a skeptical human into a powerful bridge between worlds, accepting her unique heritage and embracing her role in the Syrena's future.
Galen
The Protagonist
Galen learns to trust and confide in Emma, evolving from a solitary prince on a mission to a partner sharing the burden of his kingdom's future.
Rayna
The Supporting
Rayna gradually shifts from distrusting Emma to reluctantly accepting her as a vital part of the Syrena's future.
Chloe
The Supporting
Chloe remains a steadfast and supportive friend, providing emotional stability for Emma.
King Nereid
The Supporting
King Nereid maintains his role as a wise leader, placing his faith in Galen and Emma to secure the future of his kingdom.
King Antonis
The Antagonist
King Antonis solidifies his role as the primary antagonist, becoming aware of Emma's power and seeking to control or eliminate her.
Paca
The Supporting
Paca acts as a recurring threat, demonstrating the immediate danger from the Triton kingdom.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Belonging
The novel explores Emma's struggle with her identity as she discovers her Syrena heritage. Initially a normal human, she grapples with the revelation that she is part-Syrena and has extraordinary abilities. This journey forces her to question where she belongs—in the human world she knows or the underwater world she is destined for. Galen also grapples with his identity as a prince tasked with saving his kingdom, finding new purpose and belonging with Emma. The theme is clear when Emma feels a pull to the ocean, almost a calling, before she understands why, seen in her vivid dreams and urge to swim.
““I wasn’t just a girl anymore. I was a bridge. A bridge between two worlds, and I had to decide which side I wanted to stand on.””
Duty Versus Desire
This theme is central to Galen's character, as he is torn between his duty to his kingdom and his growing feelings for Emma. His main mission is to find the 'fin' human to save his ailing queen, but as he spends more time with Emma, his emotional connection deepens. This creates a conflict where his personal desires intertwine with his royal responsibilities. Emma faces a similar dilemma, as her desire for a normal life clashes with the profound duty she finds she has to the Syrena world. The struggle is evident when Galen risks his mission to protect Emma during the shark attack, showing his feelings beginning to outweigh his initial, duty-driven approach.
““My duty was to my kingdom, to my queen. But my heart… my heart was starting to claim a different allegiance.””
Environmentalism and Connection to Nature
The Syrena kingdom's health is directly tied to the ocean's health, making environmental well-being an important underlying theme. The queen's illness and the kingdom's decline are symptoms of a larger ecological imbalance. Emma's ability to communicate with marine life makes her a vital link in restoring this balance. The story suggests a harmonious relationship with nature, showing that human actions have far-reaching consequences, even for hidden underwater civilizations. The Poseidon kingdom's dire state, visibly affected by the ocean's decline, serves as a metaphor for environmental degradation.
““The ocean was their lifeblood, and it was dying. And with it, so were they.””
Prejudice and Acceptance
The long-standing animosity between the Poseidon and Triton Syrena kingdoms highlights the theme of prejudice. Both sides harbor deep mistrust and hostility. Additionally, the initial reactions of Syrena characters like Rayna towards Emma, a human, show prejudice based on species and perceived weakness. The story explores the challenges of overcoming these biases and fostering acceptance, especially as Emma, a hybrid, becomes a potential bridge between not only the Syrena factions but also between the human and Syrena worlds. Rayna's slow acceptance of Emma, moving from hostility to grudging respect, exemplifies this theme.
““Humans were fragile, easily broken. Syrena were strong. Or so we always believed.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The 'Fin' Trait
A unique genetic marker indicating Syrena ancestry and the ability to communicate with fish.
The 'fin' trait is a crucial genetic marker that Galen uses to identify Emma. It signifies a human with Syrena lineage, granting them the ability to communicate with and influence marine life. This device serves as the primary catalyst for Galen's mission and Emma's discovery of her true identity. It's a rare and powerful ability, central to the plot as it's believed to be the key to saving the Syrena queen and potentially uniting the warring kingdoms. It's the physical manifestation of Emma's unique connection to the ocean and her destiny.
Fish-Out-of-Water Narrative
Characters navigate unfamiliar environments, leading to humor and conflict.
This device is primarily used with Galen, a Syrena prince, trying to blend into the human world. His unfamiliarity with human customs, technology, and social norms provides moments of humor and highlights the cultural differences between the two species. Conversely, Emma experiences a 'fish-out-of-water' scenario when she is introduced to the Syrena world, struggling to comprehend their history, politics, and physiology. This device emphasizes the vast differences between their worlds and the challenges of their burgeoning relationship, making their interactions both endearing and challenging.
The Ailing Queen
A critical condition that drives the plot and raises the stakes.
The Syrena queen's mysterious illness is the central inciting incident for Galen's quest. Her deteriorating health directly threatens the stability and survival of the Poseidon kingdom, creating a sense of urgency and high stakes throughout the narrative. Her condition is linked to the overall health of the ocean, adding an ecological dimension to the plot. She represents the fragility of the Syrena world and the desperate need for Emma's unique abilities, giving Galen a clear, compelling motivation for his actions and Emma a profound purpose.
Dual Perspective Narrative
Alternating viewpoints between Emma and Galen.
The story is told from both Emma and Galen's points of view, offering readers insight into their individual thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This device allows for a deeper understanding of their personal struggles, their growing connection, and the differing perspectives they have on the unfolding events. It builds empathy for both protagonists and enhances the romance by showing the internal workings of their developing relationship. It also effectively portrays the cultural clash and misunderstandings between the human and Syrena worlds from both sides.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“It's not about being fearless, it's about facing your fears.”
— Emma contemplating her situation and the challenges ahead.
“Love isn't supposed to be easy. It's supposed to be worth it.”
— Galen's perspective on his complicated relationship with Emma.
“We're all just trying to find our place in the world, even if that place is underwater.”
— Emma considering her identity and her connection to the Syrena world.
“Some secrets are better left buried, no matter how much you want to unearth them.”
— Pretend advising Emma about the dangers of knowing too much.
“You can't choose who you fall for, but you can choose whether or not to fight for them.”
— Emma's internal monologue about her feelings for Galen.
“The ocean has a way of revealing truths, whether you're ready for them or not.”
— Galen observing Emma's growing understanding of her heritage.
“Being different doesn't make you weak; it makes you unique.”
— Galen reassuring Emma about her human traits among Syrena.
“Sometimes the biggest battles are fought within ourselves.”
— Emma grappling with her dual nature and conflicting loyalties.
“Loyalty isn't just a word; it's a promise.”
— Galen reflecting on his duties and his commitment to his people and Emma.
“The world is bigger than you think, and full of wonders you can't even imagine.”
— Emma's first exposure to the full scope of the Syrena world.
“Even in the deepest waters, hope can find a way to surface.”
— A general theme of perseverance throughout difficult times.
“Family isn't always about blood. Sometimes it's about who you choose.”
— Emma finding a new sense of belonging with the Syrena.
“There's a fine line between protecting someone and suffocating them.”
— Galen learning to give Emma more autonomy.
Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
10
Questions
~5
Minutes
?
Best Score
Key Questions (FAQ)
The central conflict revolves around Galen's quest to find a Syrena descendant, Emma, who possesses the unique ability to communicate with fish. This ability is crucial for the Syrena kingdom's survival, as it's believed to be the key to their declining population, making Emma's human existence a major obstacle to their traditions and laws.
About the author
Anna Banks is the author of the popular 'Of Poseidon' trilogy, including 'Of Neptune,' 'Of Poseidon,' and 'Of Triton.' Her work is known for its engaging plotlines and strong character development within the young adult fantasy genre.
