Secret of the Sirens
Encyclopedia
Secret of the Sirens is a fantasy novel written by Julia Golding
. It is the first book of the Companions Quartet. The rest of the quartet includes The Gorgon's Gaze
, Mines of the Minotaur, and The Chimera's Curse
.
Julia Golding
Julia Golding is a British novelist.Julia Golding grew up on the edge of Epping Forest. She originally read English at the University of Cambridge. She then joined the Foreign Office and worked in Poland...
. It is the first book of the Companions Quartet. The rest of the quartet includes The Gorgon's Gaze
The Gorgon's Gaze
The Gorgon's Gaze is a fantasy novel written by Julia Golding. It is the second book of the Companions Quartet, and it continues the story from the previous book, Secret of the Sirens...
, Mines of the Minotaur, and The Chimera's Curse
The Chimera's Curse
The Chimera's Curse is a children's fantasy novel by Julia Golding, first published in 2007. It is the fourth and final book of the Companions Quartet...
.
Plot summary
'The Secret of the Sirens takes place in the southern regions of a fictional Great Britain in the seaside town of Hescombe. Here we meet (presumed) 11-year-old Connie Lionheart, who is left in care by her parents to her Aunt, Evelyn. The story is about how Connie discovers that she has a special power, to communicate with animals. Not conversationally, but able to get to know who they really are, and sense their actual being. She feels comfortable, and has a sense of belonging with them. But the story is also about mythical creatures, as she discovers that her aunt is part of a hidden society that protects them from discovery. Now the society is in danger. Kullervo, a powerful and evil force, is gathering an army of creatures who want to reclaim their place on earth, and not be hampered by humans. They want to eradicate humans and create a new world they can live in. Connie discovers that she has an amazing power, and she, together with her friends and the Society for the Protection of Mythical Creatures, have to try to save the creatures from the threat of exposure.Characters
- Connie Lionheart:- 11 year old girl, recently moved to Hescombe, Society member, Universal Companion. She can talk to animals and all magical creatures. Has mismatched (different coloured) eyes and black hair.
- Colin (Col) Clamworthy:- 11 year old boy, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Two-Fours, Companion to the PegasusPegasusPegasus is one of the best known fantastical as well as mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine horse, usually white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of Chrysaor, born at a single birthing...
species, specifically Skylark. He has mismatched eyes like Connie. He owns a horse named Mags. Col can also talk to horses and ponies (not just the pegasi).- Skylark:- A young pegasi. Society member in the company of the Two-Fours. Companion to Col.
- Evelyn Lionheart:- Connie's Aunt, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Two-Fours, Companion to the BansheeBansheeThe banshee , from the Irish bean sí is a feminine spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld....
species. - Lavinia Clamworthy:- Col's Grandmother, resident of Hescombe, Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the Water Sprite species, specifically Issoon.
- Aneena Nuruddin:- Connie's best friend, resident of Hescombe, school gossip.
- Jane Benedict:- Connie's best friend, resident of Hescombe, a rather smart peacemaker.
- Mack Clamworthy:- Col's father, traveler, Society member, Companion to the KrakenKrakenKraken are legendary sea monsters of giant proportions said to have dwelt off the coasts of Norway and Iceland.In modern German, Krake means octopus but can also refer to the legendary Kraken...
species. - Dr Brock:- Society member, member of the Sea Snakes, Companion to the DragonDragonA dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
species, specifically Argot. - Jessica Moss:- Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the SelkieSelkieSelkies are mythological creatures that are found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore....
species, specifically Arran. - Ivor Coddrington:- Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the Weather Giant species, specifically Hoo. He is also the Assessor for the Society, and, at first, denies Connie admittance into the Society.
- Shirley Masterson:- Society member, member of the Elementals, Companion to the Weather Giant species, trains with Hoo.
Society Trustees
- Kinga Potowska:- Companion to the DragonDragonA dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
species. Companion of Morjik. Representative of the Company of Reptiles and Sea Creatures. - Morjik:- Companion of Kinga Potowska. An older dragon.
- Eagle-Child:- Companion to the Storm Bird species. Companion of Storm-Bird. Representative of the Company of Winged Beasts.
- Storm-Bird:- Companion of Eagle-Child. A Storm Bird.
- Kira Okona:- Companion to the UnicornUnicornThe unicorn is a legendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard...
species. Companion of Windfoal. Representative of the Company of Two and Four-legged Beasts. - Windfoal:- Comapanion of Kira Okona. A unicornUnicornThe unicorn is a legendary animal from European folklore that resembles a white horse with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead, and sometimes a goat's beard...
. - Frederick Cony:- Companion to the Rock Dwarf species. Companion of Gard. Representative of the Company of Four Elements.
- Gard:- Companion of Frederick Cony. A Rock Dwarf.