Genre

Fantasy, Mystery

Audience

Adult, & Mature Teen

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2023

Themes

Temptation, desire, virtue, consecrated life, True Love, kidnapping, trafficking, exploitation, fish out of water, enemies-to-lovers, Dragons

 

Reviewed by

Corinna Turner

Private Investigator Vern is the only dragon on either side of the inter-dimensional gap that links the Mundane and Faerie worlds. Until he wakes up one morning to find he has been turned into a human. As though that isn’t enough for an immortal, sexless being to deal with, he’s also head-turningly, smolderingly attractive! But reversing the curse will have to wait. The cousin of his PI partner Sister Grace has disappeared after taking a job with a Mundane cosmetics company, and they both suspect foul play. Can Vern solve the mystery, rescue the damsel in distress, and regain his true form—all while dodging every attractive woman in the Mundane?

Vern the dragon has frequently been a fish out water since being forced to move from Faerie to the Mundane, but in this story Fabian takes it to extremes! Although the deeper exploration that I was anticipating of “sexless being becomes male” got somewhat bypassed by other elements of the plot, Vern’s struggles with unfamiliar human emotions, hormones, sensations, sense of taste—even how to keep his balance without wings and a tail—provide ample opportunity for comedy: “Bacon’s much easier when I can breathe fire on it.”  

While I appreciated “HuVern’s” antics and mishaps as he attempts to infiltrate the suspicious cosmetics company as a male model, I did find myself missing “VernDrake” at times. I suspect for many established fans of the Vern books, Siren Spell will be either their stand out favorite or their least favorite in the series. But, either way, it’s a Vern book, which means hilarious good fun. And, as usual, faith is interwoven with plot and humor in a charming but unobtrusive way.

A significant—and more serious—plot strand in Siren Spell deals with a consecrated religious feeling sexual temptation for a member of the opposite sex. Nothing inappropriate occurs and it is a realistic portrayal—religious are human too. In fact, through this plotline, Siren Spell does an excellent job of highlighting the keen interest the devil takes in the temptation—and fall—of the consecrated. However, readers who would find this element not to their taste would be advised to skip this Vern outing.

The influence of the devil on even the actions and decision-making of devout persons is also highlighted, briefly but effectively.

It should also be noted that the Lord’s Name is taken in vain a couple of times, usually by secular characters, and there is one reference to lesbian behavior coupled with a gentle intimation that it is wrong. At one point a priest also says, “Kissing a pretty woman isn’t, of itself, a sin,” a line about which some parents might wish to have a more detailed conversation with their teens.

Although most of the Vern books are equally accessible to religious and secular readers, to enjoy Siren Spell, secular readers will need to be comfortable reading about a traditional view of sexual morality. The majority of Protestant readers should find this an engaging read, although readers with a serious aversion to Catholicism may not enjoy the positive portrayal of priests, religious, and all things Catholic. Catholic readers are likely to particularly enjoy this book because of the aforementioned, as long as they are comfortable reading about magic as a natural God-given ability.

Fabian has produced another hilarious and engaging—if more than usually challenging—Vern tale.

The Divided Kingdom by Allison Ramirez

What sinister secrets hide behind the walls of the Island of Mirror?

Greater Treasures by Karina Fabian

Will Vern sacrifice the fate of two worlds for the life of his best friend?

Somewhither by John C. Wright An Unwhithering Realm

What if the Multi-verse were not a theory to disprove God? What if he created it, and all humanity must unite to fight the powers of Babel?

A Printer’s Choice by W.L. Patenaude

The first nation in space has sworn off religion, but now they need the help of Fr. McCellan to solve a murder and save them from religious terrorists.

Roland West Loner by Theresa Linden

When his evil brothers lock Roland up in a dungeon he finds a locked box hiding a mysterious treasure.

Idol Speculations by Karina Fabian

Can a dragon take on a monster ten times his size?

Nightside The Long Sun by Gene Wolfe

A groundbreaking classic that conveys the practical need for ritual and a Priesthood to a secular world.

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson

Discover the far deeper, more salvific tale that Disney turned into romantic fluff.

Good to the Last Drop by Declan Finn

Marco thought his problems were over when he took on the vampire council, until he gets bit by a werewolf. Will this ruin things with his vampire girlfriend?

Feel-Good Books For Pandemic Summer

Book Therapy to chase the blues away

Defend the Tabernacle by Deacon Patrick Augustin Jones

Catherine and Bernard get whisked away to do battle on the Soulscape, where the true nature of things is revealed.

Calling All Booklovers! – Editor Positions Open

Do you love reading books and getting other people to read them? Join our team and make your mark on today’s Catholic literary revival.

Rosaline’s Curse by Katherine Campbell

If Sleeping Beauty woke in 2017 and Prince Un-Charming was still after her… Sometimes it takes 800 years to find true love.

Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon By Corinna Turner 

A human-sheep hybrid’s friendships with a friendly vampire and a very angsty house-wolf are tested in this story that explores nature versus nurture. 

The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell

This is NOT another DaVinci Code, but it is so cleverly disguised as one it makes the perfect gift for your anti-Catholic friends and family.

Deus Vult By Declan Finn

Detective Nolan returns home for a well-deserved vacation only to find himself fighting hordes of gunmen, Lovecraftian monsters, and a demon straight from the pit.

The City and The Dungeon by Matthew P. Schmidt

Who knew fighting monsters in a D&D dungeon could convince him that not everything can be attributed to a chance roll of the dice?

Books to Pray With, March: For the New Martyrs

Every month in 2024 Pope Francis has a monthly prayer intention. Every month we will release a book list that will draw your heart and soul deeper into prayer on these topics.

The Fire of Eden (The Harwood Mysteries Book 3) by Antony Barone Kolenc

The mystery of a stolen treasure might hold the key to Xan’s discernment about whether God is calling him to the priesthood or to Lucy.

The Silence of Bones by June Hur

A young slave girl in ancient Korea investigates a murder & meets real life Korean Catholic saints