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The Otherworldlies #2

The Siren's Cry

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Not just an
Otherworldly...
an Unusual. Fern is not like other girls. She has strange and vivid visions and has the ability to teleport—anywhere, anytime. Fern is an Otherworldly, a special kind of vampire that lives in the human world. What's more, Fern is one of the Unusual Eleven, a group of Otherworldlies all born on the same day with extraordinary powers, prophesied to change the fate of Otherworldlies and humans alike. On a school trip to Washington, DC, Fern has a dramatic vision that reveals another Unusual in grave danger. Now it's up to Fern to put together the pieces of where he is and why he's been taken. Can Fern solve the puzzle and free the boy in time to defeat the darkness that threatens? In this gripping and fast-paced tale, the world of vampires has never been more compelling.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Jennifer Anne Kogler

4 books124 followers
Jennifer Anne Kogler lives in California, where she was born and raised. She graduated with a degree in English literature from Princeton University in 2003. Her first novel, RUBY TUESDAY began as her senior thesis in college. Her most recent novel, THE OTHERWORLDLIES, is a 2011 Truman Award Nominee. Jennie has two books coming out in 2011: a sequel to The Otherworldlies, THE SIREN’S CRY (due in June), and THE DEATCH CATCHERS (due in August).

Jennie has appeared in front of a wide range of audiences. She delivered a graduation speech with her twin brother Jeremy (which she assumes provided a convenient bathroom break for the audience before Jerry Seinfeld took the podium), and has spoken at schools across the country, as well as at the Library of Congress.

She currently attends Stanford Law School and has worked as a an intern for the Late Show with David Letterman, a clumsy waitress after graduating college, and a legal intern for the U.S. Department of Justice. Jennie is a longtime fan of the L.A. Dodgers, which as it turns out, was a great thing to be in the 1980s and not so much since then. She remains hopeful.

http://www.jenniferannekogler.com/abo...

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5 stars
69 (31%)
4 stars
74 (33%)
3 stars
58 (26%)
2 stars
14 (6%)
1 star
6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Mizuki.
3,167 reviews1,328 followers
Want to read
May 2, 2014
Do Not Finish, although I skipped the later parts of the book and read the ending, but the ending has nothing too outstandingly redeeming about it so my patience simply ran out.

What a pity, the author's ideas about vampires are interesting, but the characters and the plots aren't exercised well (not at all!), and the girl-on-girl-hating is insufferable.
Profile Image for Lily Newman.
29 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2018
I loved the book it was very exciting and breath taking. In the story a girl named Fern has a vision or calling of a boy named Miles trapped in a dark room in a large crate with metal bars. Miles tells Fern that he had been kidnapped and that Fern is the only one that can save him. He gives her a picture of a house and tells her to get out and teleport there to find answers. She embarks on a adventure determined to save Miles from the evil hands that he is in. But it get's more dangerous as she goes on.
459 reviews
October 9, 2020
Really enjoyed this series..looking forward to the next one
122 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2012
Rating: 2/5

Unbeknownst to me, there is actually a book prior to this one and The Siren’s Cry is the second novel of the series. It’s no one’s fault but my own… that I didn’t check to see if it had any others before it and I relied on the book to tell if it had one before it or not because usually there’s a page that lists other books by the author or lists previous books in the series. With that all said, this book could hold its own weight as a single book. The prologue gave enough details to the prior book and the events that took place in this book was central in of themselves. I admit I may be slightly harsh in my rating but I can’t bring myself to make up any excuse for raising the points.

I’ll start with the good. The story/plot was good. It was interesting enough, but the whole school field trip thing and setting just didn’t sit with me. Part of it was I didn’t feel like I was there in those places. Kogler gives enough details to paint a vague picture but that’s it. I tried not to take this book seriously… as in similar to being lifelike or possible of being lifelike vampires and all, but still some things were so cheesy I couldn’t do it. Now, if the whole thing reeked of cheese I could handle it cause it would be consistant but it wasn’t.

The characters. They were interesting. Not quite round though… nor flat either. Somewhere in-between and I think this is what irritated me the most. I wanted to venture in further, wanted to see them more but the characters were kept at a distance. Throughout the entire time I felt like I was spying on them through a fortune teller crystal or something. I can see and hear what they were doing but I couldn’t feel much of anything. Those instances when Fern was worried about her friends or Miles or Mr. Lin I didn’t empathize or sympathize with her at all. I was told she was worried and it moved on. Because of this the bad guys didn't feel bad too… just kind of cliched. They were bad because Fern had to have a “rival” and an obstacle. The only person I thought was well done was Candace. So that said, Kogler could do better cause the proof is litter throughout the book. It’s just not completely there.

This next subject is more a thought rather than a rating of the book. Fern is a seventh grader, which would make me think this book is for the tween crowd (9-13 year olds), and with that in mind I could see the reasons why Kogler wrote the way she did, but in my mind it also not an excuse (which I doubt Kogler was using), I just think it strange that many places are categorizing this book as young adult when it’s not.

Overall, this book was clearly not in my tastes. I can see others enjoying it more. The writing was okay. It wasn’t bad or sub par, just the writing style didn’t add any character or life to the story. There’s a story here and it was told, easy as that.

Verdict: Not for me. I won’t read the first book though I may read a later book just to see where the story goes and to see if there’s any improvements.

Check out my book review blog at ravenousbiblioworm.wordpress.com
Profile Image for Cherrylea.
174 reviews42 followers
March 9, 2011
Again, Jennifer Anne Kogler is a really great writer. I find that she has something many authors forget about - storytelling skills. It isn't enough to have a great plot line or some really juicy romances with sensual scenes - you have to be able to put it across well, which is what she can do.
This book is the sequel to Otherworldlies, in which Fern finds that she is a vampire, and is also one of the very special ones. In this book, Fern gets visions of another one of her kind, who is in grave danger. Fern and her gang must uncover the diabolical plan of a nefarious evil doer and rescue the other Unusual before it's too late.
What I love about Jennifer's writing is that she's very good with her characters. Not only have I grown to love them and their relationships with other characters, but she builds such a vivid picture for us. Her descriptions are in depth and beautiful - there's always something to relate to. She also introduces different aspects at different times - throughout the book I keep building my picture! Another thing she does well is her use of point of view. Fern is our main character, so naturally we have the most from her. Still, Jennifer adds insight from all the other characters whenever it can enhance our understanding and enjoyment (because they are quite funny sometimes). What I would like is more of such insight on Preston and what he thinks of Fern, and vice versa (I'm a sucker for romance). That said, a little more on the rest of the gang would work, too. So far,in my head, the pairings are Sam and Lindsey and Candace and Miles (and Fern and Preston of course).
On the topic of characters, I felt that Haryle Laffar was an inadequate bad guy. He was so... typical. The way he looked to the way her spoke and even his plan- I knew it all before it happened. The fact that he was Fern's father didn't help - it's been done, a lot! Still, I was pleased enough with the climax and resolution of the problem - Fern dispatched of him just the way she should have (in a good way this time). I just hope that the next antagonist is more... interesting.
Nonetheless, this was a better book, especially from her first one. Anyone with a taste for mysteries will probably enjoy this book, and lovers of the paranormal theme (specifically vampires). There's also a lot of general mythology in this book - last one Greek, this one Mayan, for those interested. Don't expect it to be bloodcurdling horror or really serious stuff- it's more on the younger side of young adult. Nothing less pleasing, though. I'm waiting on more progress for the story - who will be the next Unusual? What's going to be the problem this time? Come on Jennifer - we're eagerly awaiting the third!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
1,528 reviews98 followers
February 2, 2018
Original review:https://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/2...

I remember really enjoying the first book which is why I decided to pick up the second and I was pleased with the overall book. I completely forgot that Fern was only in middle school – for some reason, I had pegged her in her later teens but oh well.

Overall, this book was entertaining and a very light read. It’s slotted under as young adult but honestly, I would consider this one to be more MG because of the language and writing style. It seems catered more for a much younger crowd.

That being said, I still enjoyed it – the book only took me a few short hours to finish and honestly, it seems as if there should be a lot more books in this series since it’s about the Unusual and there are apparently 11 of them. It indicates at the end that Fern and Miles were about to embark on this mission to find the rest of them but apparently not LOL since this book was written back in 2011 and I don’t see any indication of another book anytime soon.

The characters were okay. I thought that Fern showed a mix of emotions and responses that seem at odds with her age. There were times when she really acted as she was 11/12 years of age and then there were other times when she acted much older so it seemed disproportional. As for the other characters, maybe because I am much older now since I read the first book, but I found a lot of them to be really immature and a little silly at times. Granted, these ARE very young kids so that is a huge factor in this. However, I still wish that they were portrayed a little better.

I did enjoy the overall plot though. I found the whole situation with Fern and her father and the whole elixir aspect to be quite entertaining and it did keep me relatively engaged. The plot twist at the end was a good one though, it did seem a little to me that the author put that in there just so Fern can win at the end of the day.

All in all, this was a decent book. Definitely catered to a much younger crowd.
Profile Image for Savannah (Books With Bite).
1,399 reviews184 followers
August 16, 2011
I found myself really into the book as soon as I started it. I adored the Otherworldly and the way it is written. I have never come across a book like this before. Fast pace, gripping, and very engaging, I am in love with this author, Ms. Kolger. The book is not at all what I was expecting. Instead it exploded in front of my face leaving me blindsided!




I loved the characters in this book. They were all unique and so fresh! I can't begin to tell you how much I really liked this book. I love that Ms. Kogler really open up to readers to something new. I had no idea that this is the sequel but after reading this one I must pick up the first. And even though I have not read the first book, Ms. Kogler made it easy for the reader to fall right in. I had no trouble picking up the book and falling right into it.




The plot line of the book had loads of funky visions, bad guys, etc. I loved that Fern not only dealt with her growing powers but also dealt with regular high school drama as well. It showed the characters flaws but also made her much more approachable. There is loads of secrets being unveiled that it keep you giddy. I loved it when Fern snuck out to do her own plan. She knew what she needed to do and just did it.




Fresh and gripping, The Siren's Cry is a book I really enjoyed. I loved the aspect of the Otherworldlies and things are slowly coming together as well as falling apart. More people are let in on the secrets and more secrets were made. I am now hooked on to this series, in which I must go out to the store and buy the first book!


Profile Image for Pamela Kramer.
422 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2012
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'The Siren's Cry' is the sequel to 'The Otherworldlies' by Jennifer Anne Kogler, and the story carries on with a fascinating main character and an interesting take on vampires.

Fern is an Otherworldly, a human-like creature with special abilities including drinking blood -- which she doesn't do. More importantly, she is one of 11 teenagers born on the same day with special powers.

The first book goes into detail about Fern's powers and how she learns about her adoption and her biological mother. The first book really should be read before this book to understand Fern and where this story begins. It becomes important to know that one of Fern's special powers is her ability to teleport anywhere in the world.

In this story, Fern and her schoolmates travel to Washington, D.C. for a school visit. This is convenient because Fern has begun dreaming about a boy (another special Otherworldly) who is trapped in a cage at the National Zoo in D.C. by a diabolical Otherworldly who wants immortality.

Continue reading on Examiner.com 'The Siren's Cry' by Jennifer Anne Kogler is the sequel to 'The Otherworldlies' - Chicago Young Adult Fiction | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-f...


Read the whole review at: http://www.examiner.com/young-adult-f...
Profile Image for Haley.
708 reviews7 followers
January 16, 2016
Fern is on her way to Washington D.C. as a class trip when she has a vision of a boy trapped in a cage. She suspects he might be another of the Unusual 11, like her. Ferns get stuck rooming with her enemies Lee and Blythe, as well as the 10-year-old genius, Candace. This makes it more difficult for her to teleport to the boy and help him. What is the secret plot the man holding the boy has for both Fern and the boy Mile Zapo?
The book was pretty fun. It’s just that it didn’t seem like a YA book because Fern is 12 or 13, so maybe it like a middle-grade book. They are middle schoolers. I did like the new character, Candace the genius. She was always spurting random facts about stuff. I actually learned a lot of random stuff reading this book. Kogler is very creative. I read the first book and though her vampire idea was interesting.
I recommend that if you read this book, read the first book first: The Otherworldlies. If you like The Percy Jackson series, and different vampires, you will love

Art Review: Looks extremely similar to the first book. The girl’s head is just repositioned and her eyes facing a different direction.

~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
Profile Image for Kathy.
593 reviews40 followers
April 17, 2012
I read the first book The Otherworldlies to see if it would be good for my kids to read and I got hooked. Siren's Cry was a good sequel the characters are great and it was a fast read. I was glad to see that Fern has a potential boyfriend in this one and also her 2 nemesis' Blythe and Lee were put in there place by some of the other students taking a stand against the bullying. So yeah it was a good sequel and hopefully there will be another book.
Profile Image for Rasma.
74 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2014
I couldn't remember much from the first book because it was so long ago, but was able to keep track of it okay. At times I felt like I was reading a snail's thought process. It was just okay, not terrible. I am not going to look for the next book in the series I think it is too young for me anymore. I would recommend this book for middle-schoolers maybe they will understand it better, I had to read the end to force myself to read the whole book.
1 review
March 19, 2012
this book is one of my most favorite book. it is about a girl who has different powers which is a part of unusual 11. she can see the other 10 in her dreams and in one she found out that one of them was captured and she had to save him. so at the end she saved him and found one the unusual 11 besides her self.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda Shelley-Masters.
436 reviews21 followers
December 19, 2012
I actually liked this book better then the first it was more action packed and Fern seemed to face more challenges. The bad guys were creepier and the dangers worse. I really liked Candice and her unusualness....lol...I like unusual people...lol...and the food fight epic! this book was totally awesome! and I couldn't put it down I was up till 1:00 just so I could finish it!
Profile Image for Soumya.
325 reviews29 followers
September 13, 2013
This book is the sequel to The Otherworldlies. If you have not read that book,read it first. But for those of you who have, this is a great sequel, with just as much impact (and maybe more) as the first book. The characters are amazing, full of definition and distinctive traits. The plot is thick but clear. This story is edgy, captivating, and a must-read.
16 reviews
July 27, 2013
Loved it once again. Gotta love the different take on Vamps with the Otherworldly spin and all the different sh.. they can do as apposed to the regular vamp stories. Hope it gets even deeper into the lives of Otherworldlies as it continues
Profile Image for drama_mama73.
86 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2013
This series is a great read for preteens and up. It is refreshingly innocent. Yet it has lots of suspense and action. Fern is a well developed character that the reader can connect with. Candace is annoyingly fun. I look forward to the next book in this series. (This is the 2nd book)
22 reviews4 followers
November 3, 2015
The book,"The Siren's Cry" is an amazing one, I love how well the relationships between the characters are defined.I also enjoyed all the plot twists, which kept me reading. I recommend his book to people who like thriller, paranormal, and mystery.
Profile Image for blondie ♡.
77 reviews13 followers
Want to read
February 9, 2011
I can't wait to read this one. And how yummy is that cover? :)
Profile Image for Erika .
223 reviews
August 17, 2011
I really couldn't get into this as much as the first one. It started off very sloppy and just blah. Pretty much that is how it ended too.

~Erika
Profile Image for Sharrice.
1,192 reviews64 followers
October 30, 2011
Honestly can't decide if this books was better than the first....still pondering.
Profile Image for Bethe.
6,431 reviews61 followers
December 8, 2015
poohed out about halfway through this one, read enough to order it for school, a sixth grader today was excited to see it.
108 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2012
Good Book! Loved reading about sights I know in D.C. This character and author has a great series. Good for middle and high school. Clean Read.
Profile Image for Vienna.
28 reviews
June 5, 2012


This book is about just as entertaining as the first book. You should definetly read if you like vampires and stuff, along with super powers.
5 reviews12 followers
April 23, 2014
Wondering.... Is there going to be a third book?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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