The story was over 2 different time periods with 2 sets of girls. They both are experiencing some of the same things and have to find out why they are connected. There is also a mystery to solve and lots of gothic type descriptions. Enjoyed the story and the magic of the ocean theme.

Emilia Hart has done it again! From the very first page I was hooked! She has a way of writing a story so your in the world with the characters.

Lucy get in some trouble at College and goes to get help from her big sister Jess. When she arrives at Jess house and she's not there, she goes on a mission to try and find out what happened to her sister. Mary and Eliza, sisters that were forced in a ship to another country, find out things about themselves they always knew were there but never understood.

This story follows two timelines that are easy to keep up with but flow beautifully together. Emilia has a way with words and descriptions that emerse you into the lives of these characters and make you keep turning the pages.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

At first i was really into The Sirens, but about halfway through it just felt like variations on a theme from Weyward, with Weyward being significantly better. The twists were easy to see coming, and unlike Weyward, I thought the story was really unbalanced in the perspectives. I had thought this was going to be a 3.5 star review, but I’ve written myself into a straight up 3.

As a person who loved Weyward, I was so excited for this book to come out! I love stuff about sirens, and this is such a good concept. Something about the characters just fell very flat for me, and I wish I had more to grab onto here. I didn’t have any major issues, I just wished for more.

This is my first Emilia Hart read. Honestly, I wished I would have enjoyed this book more based on all the hype surrounding her reads. The Sirens had a very slow repetitive plot. I wished the plot thickened throughout the book and not all at the end. I wished readers could have experienced more of the siren life at sea prior to the book ending.

This is a beautifully written novel with such a great atmospheric setting and intriguing premise. The author’s poetic prose and vivid descriptions create a haunting mood that lingers long after finishing the book. I particularly appreciated the depth given to the central themes of love, loss, and memory, which felt heartfelt and authentic.
That said, the pacing at times felt uneven, and some plot threads seemed underdeveloped or rushed. While the characters were compelling, I struggled to fully connect with a few of them, which made parts of the story less emotionally impactful for me. Additionally, the ending left me with mixed feelings, as it felt somewhat ambiguous and open-ended.

I loved Emilia Hart's first book, and this one met every expectation I had. It is moody, features strong women, has mystery, magical realism, historical fiction and the bond of sisters and family as its main theme. What's not to love!

I love the writing style that Ms. Hart has as she weaves multiple story lines together. At times - I wasn't completely sure how they were going to end up tying together but she does. I loved hearing the multiple voices who told the story. I am not usually a fan of the multiple timelines and voices, but this one worked.

It is really a dark story for the most part but somehow as I cried my way through parts of the book - I was ok with it.

Really beautifully told story and the author's recognition of the history of the area she is writing about made it even more significant.


Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing the advance copy with me.

Atmospheric… mysterious… tense.

Loved the writing! I think this would be right up your alley if you enjoyed Ava Reid’s ‘A Study in Drowning.’ Not too much of an overlap, but some similar themes and also what I would describe as an ‘aquatic fantasy.’

4.25 stars

At the end of the day, I did really enjoyed the Sirens. The love Lucy has for Jessica is tender and moving—it’s one of the emotional anchors of the story. I also found the flashback scenes of Mary and Eliza to be beautifully done; they added depth and history that made the present-day story feel richer. Jessica’s diary entries were another highlight. They gave insight into her younger self and helped me understand her character in a more personal way when she barely appears on page in the present timeline. And the writing? It’s poetic in a way that doesn’t feel forced—just naturally lyrical and lovely to read.

One part that didn’t sit right with me was the storyline around Lucy’s schooling. Her suspension felt unresolved, and it was frustrating that someone who hurt her seemed to get off scot-free. It’s mentioned, very briefly and sporadically throughout the book and Lucy seems to not care enough about her future. This felt more important to not be acknowledged more.

Overall, though, it’s a heartfelt and beautifully written book with characters I cared about. Just wish that one thread had been tied up better.

I wanted to like this book so much. I have heard so much about Emilia Hart books, so many people loved Weyward, and when I saw she did a dual timeline novel with siren/mermaid mythology, I got so hyped. And then… I tried to read it. Both audiobook and ebook. And I could not get through it. I couldn’t make myself care about either character in either timeline. They were detached and flat and I felt like the sense of atmospheric mystery and tragedy was overinflated to try to catch readers’ attention but I just didn’t care what happened to any of them. 2⭐ unfortunately

*Thank you again to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

A Deep Dive into the Haunting Tides of "The Sirens" by Emilia Hart

Prepare to be swept away into the haunting depths of Emilia Hart's The Sirens. This isn't just a novel; it's a meticulously woven tapestry of historical fiction, contemporary mystery, and spellbinding magical realism, all anchored by the enduring power of sisterhood and the ancient, often dangerous, call of the sea.

Hart masterfully employs dual timelines to unravel a profound and dangerous family secret. In 2019, we are thrust into the unsettling reality of Lucy, who awakens in a cold sweat, her hands around her ex-lover's throat. Horrified and desperate for answers regarding the vivid, unsettling dreams that preceded the incident, she flees to her sister Jess's house on the rugged New South Wales coast. But Jess is missing, leaving Lucy to contend with not only her own escalating nightmares but also strange local whispers: tales of numerous missing men stretching back decades, a baby abandoned in a sea-swept cave, and chilling whispers of women's voices carried on the waves. As her dreams intensify, they feel less like fiction and more like a terrifying premonition.

Meanwhile, transporting us back to the stark realities of the 1800s, we encounter Mary and Eliza, two sisters brutally torn from their loving Irish home and forced onto a convict ship bound for the distant shores of Australia. As the isolation of the journey increases and they leave behind everything familiar, they begin to notice inexplicable and alarming changes within their own bodies – changes that hint at something ancient and powerful stirring beneath their skin.

The genius of The Sirens lies in how these seemingly disparate narratives slowly, inexorably converge. Hart ensures that the family secrets aren't just historical footnotes but living, breathing forces that ripple through generations, shaping destinies and haunting the present. The reader is drawn into a compelling mystery, piecing together clues across centuries to understand the true nature of the family's legacy.

At its core, this novel is a fascinating exploration of mermaids presented not as whimsical fantasy creatures but with a nuanced blend of the literal and the metaphorical. The magical realism is subtle yet pervasive, suggesting an inherited connection to the elemental power of the ocean, a wildness within women that can be both beautiful and terrifying. This approach makes the narrative incredibly thought-provoking, inviting contemplation on themes of female power, rage, survival, and the often-feared aspects of womanhood throughout history.

Sisterhood is another powerful current running through both timelines. The bonds between Lucy and Jess and Mary and Eliza are depicted with raw honesty – portraying loyalty, fear, and shared destiny in the face of extraordinary circumstances. These relationships are the anchors in a world full of unknowns.

The mysteries of the sea are not just a backdrop but an active character in the story. The vast, untamed ocean mirrors the hidden depths of the human psyche and the secrets it holds. Its unpredictable nature adds to the pervasive sense of unease and wonder, creating an atmosphere that is both beautiful and menacing.

Emilia Hart's prose is as evocative as the Australian coastline she describes – at once lush, atmospheric, and utterly absorbing. Her historical fiction elements are meticulously researched, offering a stark glimpse into the harsh realities of convict life and the unforgiving landscape while still allowing the speculative elements to breathe.

The Sirens is more than a mystery; it's an immersive, thought-provoking journey that blends genres seamlessly. It will appeal to readers who appreciate atmospheric historical fiction with a speculative twist, those who enjoy deep dives into family sagas, and anyone eager for a narrative that challenges conventional ideas of power and femininity. Highly recommended for those seeking a book that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Format:

~ 🎧 Audio: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik

~ 📱 Ebook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall rating: 3.8

The Sirens

⌚ Historical fiction
✨ Magical realism
🎨 Painting
🌊 Ocean
🧜🏼‍♀️ Mermaid

~ First line: She breathes in time with the sea.

~ Favorite line(s): She ached for a glimpse of the coast, a blue slice of sea, even though they had to be miles and miles away, still. It was as if someone had cast an invisible wire across the land, had caught her between the ribs and pulled.
The sea was in her veins, calling loud as a song.

✴️ World building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It took a while to get into the story, but the magic at the end was interesting.

✴️ Writing style/ flow: ⭐⭐⭐
The flow was slow-moving and hard for me to stay engaged at times.

✴️ Character development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was drawn to the characters.

✴️ Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story is intriguing and original.

✴️ Enjoyment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story picked up at about 60% and had a good ending.

*** Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the advanced copy. I'm grateful for the opportunity to review. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars. I unexpectedly loved Weyward so I was really looking forward to this book. I didn't love it nearly as much but I still enjoyed this story. It was a very slow build and I was almost wanting more from the past POVs. The epilogue lost me a bit or else it would have been a solid 4.

Emilia Hart does it again! This title cover was calling me from the start, no pun intended. Having read her debut, Weyward, because of this book, I went in familiar with her writing style.

I truly enjoy reading strong women overcoming adversity and this book delivered. I have difficulties reading multiple timelines and POVs but Emilia writes in a way that did not lose me. The twists and turns that happened in the modern day timeline added mystery to the story.

I love a dual timeline book where it is initially very unclear how the timelines connect and Hart did this masterfully. This was my first book by her and will not be my last.

Loved this book! I appreciated the thoughtful consideration to family and truth. As a big fan of Weyward, I was definitely looking forward to this boon and it did not disappoint!

The Sirens was immersive and haunting and lovely. After reading Emilia Hart's first book, Weyward, I knew she had a way with a multi-timeline, magical realism, woman-centered story. The Sirens was an even better match for me, with its themes around the sea, sisterhood and justice. Loved it.

Review: The Sirens
Author: Emilia Hart
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4 stars)

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a beautifully atmospheric and quietly unsettling novel that blends myth, memory, and mystery in an entirely compelling way. From the windswept coastlines to the whispers of ancient power, the story pulls readers into a world where the past and present collide — and nothing is ever quite what it seems.

Hart’s writing is lyrical and evocative, with a pace that simmers slowly but builds to a satisfying emotional depth. The siren mythology is woven in subtly and intelligently, making this feel less like a fantasy and more like a haunting meditation on womanhood, grief, and generational trauma.

As a parent and avid reader, I appreciated the emotional nuance and the strong character development. This isn’t a fast-paced thriller, but rather a thoughtful and immersive story perfect for readers who enjoy books that are both intimate and mythic in scope.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I want this book to become a movie NOW!!!

Ugh this story pulled me in from the second I started it. I loved the way it was written, love the main character, and the story was just so solid. I cried a bunch at the end.

Never really read a movie about mermaids in my adult years, but loved the fantasy aspect.

3.5 stars. This is a dual timeline novel that takes place on the modern Australian coast and on an Irish penal transport ship. The modern timeline adds in some recent history with the discovery of an old journal to add a little more time jumping to the mix. I enjoyed both timelines, but the magical elements that eventually infuse both never felt fully developed/realized like they did in Weyward. I enjoyed it for the mystery/backstory plot, but it didn't grip me.