Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A incredibly captivating novel about sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by mystery of the sea. I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I loved how the multiple timelines were woven together so perfectly! A must read!!!

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A wonderful blend of history, mystery, and sisterhood. The characters and sea magic drew me in completely. A stunning, unforgettable read!

"She had asked Lucy to make a choice. But sometimes, there is no choice. There is only love."

3.5 stars ✨ The Sirens is historical fiction that is haunted by eerie fantasy elements. The different timelines were expertly woven together in a way that each timeline was interesting on its own and built up suspense until the final page. Truly, I found this unputdownable.

My favorite part of The Sirens was the depiction of sisterhood. Lucy and Jess have a fraught connection. At the beginning, they are not even regularly speaking to one another. The only reason Lucy even has Jess's address is because of a post card that she sent on Lucy's birthday—not even a phone call or text message. This demonstrates the space that they have between each other by being both physically and emotionally distant. Yet, their love for each other was undeniable. Mary and Eliza's dynamic was the diametric opposite. They are connected and in tune with one another. Mary, at times, being Eliza's very own eyes. I found both relationships realistic and showcases what sisterhood feels like and what that connection truly is.

"She'd scarcely been able to believe she was there, on her sister's squashy velvet couch, surrounded by the charming clutter of plants and canvases and mismatched furniture. How many times has she imagined this moment?"

The historical timeline following Eliza and Mary was so intriguing. This covered a piece of history that I had never heard about before. This timeline combined fascinating history with unsettling body horror and irrefutable love. The present day timeline was all over the place. I found some of Jess and Lucy's actions and history to be unbelievable and out there. This drew me out of the story.

I also did not like the ending. I was disappointed or straight up didn't like some of the big reveals and plot points. For me, the journey was much better than the destination. And, maybe I'm dumb, but I also found myself confused on a few different details. Do not let this overshadow the things that I enjoyed.

The Sirens beautifully depicts that no matter how far we run, we can never truly change who we are, our true nature. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

🧜‍♀️⛓️🌊📔

"The idea of her sister just downstairs, of no longer being alone, is so comforting that she can't bear to break the spell of it."

The Sirens was a masterful piece of storytelling. Beautiful, dark, and engaging. Hart paints an enthralling picture of two sets sisters across time, keeping the reader guessing at what twists and turns would come next. It's both haunting and folkloric, delving into the entangled way women often have to protect themselves and hide while longing for a better, freer world and the depths they'll go to get there. Highly recommend.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, #partner for the advanced e-copy of The Sirens in exchange for my honest review.

Emilia Hart’s debut novel, Weyard, was a surprise hit for me and so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her next book and of course I had to grab the UK version, that was already out, when I was overseas in March. I just love this cover and I also loved this 2nd book!⁣
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Hart has such a way of spinning a story, gradually laying out the framework and introducing the characters and then weaving in their connections. I was spellbound as I made my way through this one…becoming more and more invested in what was happening and wondering how it was all going to tie together. ⁣
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I loved the complex family dynamics that were explored as well as the themes of oppressed women – this was also explored a bit in her debut and I love how Hart continues to carry this theme with her. Blending historical fiction with fantasy and some Irish folklore, this story is rich with culture and yet also a bit magical. It really was the perfect combination and I found myself completely captivated.

DNF. I've tried several times but this book just isn't working for me. I was hoping to be swept away but I can't get into it at all. I think this story just isn't my vibe.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart first caught my attention with its beautiful cover, but the story inside is just as captivating. This was my first book by the author, and I can see why readers praise her for creating emotionally rich characters with real depth. The heartfelt storytelling pulled me in, and as a fan of fantasy and mermaid lore, this book hit all the right notes. I truly enjoyed the blend of myth and emotion throughout.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart first caught my attention with its beautiful cover, but the story inside is just as captivating. This was my first book by the author, and I can see why readers praise her for creating emotionally rich characters with real depth. The heartfelt storytelling pulled me in, and as a fan of fantasy and mermaid lore, this book hit all the right notes. I truly enjoyed the blend of myth and emotion throughout.

After years of estrangement Lucy needs her now adult sister and runs to her house only to find it abandoned. Two other sisters, Mary and Eliza lived in the 1800s and were sent to the criminal colony Australia after they broke the law and for some reason Lucy continues to dream of them. All of these stories intertwine and tell a tale of sisterhood through the ages.

I love a good female focused story but this one just missed the mark for me. I take a certain amount of responsibility because I listened to much of it and I think I would have been less confused with the three timelines and multiple POVs if I had read more rather than listened. That being said I still couldn’t connect with any of the characters or the story. I think this author may be an acquired taste because I know so many people who loved this one as well as Weyward, her last book, while neither really worked for me. I think this one is a matter of taste.

3.5 rounded up

I very much enjoyed this read! Emilia Hart has such a way of writing.... So captivating. I loved the female empowerment and the mysteries spread across centuries.

Quick and Dirty
-historical fantasy
-full of family secrets
-sister story
-Irish/Australian history
-highly feminist

Let me start by saying: I didn’t love Weyward the way everyone else seemed to. Yes, it was beautifully written, but the three storylines felt too similar, and I struggled with the portrayal of men—not one had redeeming qualities.

Lucky for me (and for you), The Sirens delivers on both writing and character. The dual timelines are distinct and compelling, and—praise be—there are at least a couple of morally decent men in the mix.

I really enjoyed this book. The darkness reminded me of C.J. Cooke (a fave), while the storytelling brought Hester Fox to mind (also a fave). The twisted, interwoven narratives kept me hooked—I couldn’t wait to get back to either my audiobook or eBook every time life forced me to put it down.

Sure, some of the mystery was a little predictable, but the emotional payoff and fiercely feminist themes made this exactly the kind of gothic novel I was craving.

Highly recommend for fans of gothic fiction—and whether you pick it up in summer or save it for a moody fall read, it absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.

The Sirens is a story told across multiple timelines about female rage, trauma, and the power of female friendship in overcoming life's hardships. It was a slow-moving book, that I personally struggled to get invested in. I've had a lot of things going on in my personal life and I don't think I was in the right headspace for this book. DNF @ 50%

I ended up really enjoying this one. I have meant to pick up Weyward by the author but decided to pick this one up first. I was immediately drawn into the writing and the characters. The story was heartbreaking and raw and as a woman I really connected with our main characters. It really just came down to men really suck and women need to support each other. I think it would have been a higher rating if not for the epilogue---which ruined a character's image for me...and felt unnecessary for the story. After this I can't wait to pick up her other works.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Sirens is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of sisterhood, trauma, and the deep, mysterious pull of the sea. Through dual timelines—one set in contemporary Australia and the other in early 19th-century Ireland—the novel weaves a tapestry of love, loss, and the enduring bonds between sisters. Hart’s lyrical prose and atmospheric storytelling create a world that is both enchanting and eerie, drawing readers into its depths. The integration of magical realism adds a layer of intrigue, blurring the lines between myth and reality. While the pacing may feel deliberate at times, the emotional payoff is profound, leaving a lasting impression.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved Weyward, the first book by this author, and have been looking forward to the release The Sirens. I enjoyed her writing equally as much in this book. The story is set on the coast of Australia and is a haunting and atmospheric tale told in dual time lines. In the 1800s, sisters Mary and Eliza spent months aboard an ill-fated convict ship destined for Australia. In present-time Australia, we have Lucy and her sister Jess dealing with personal challenges, family secrets and an eerily strong shared connection to the sea.
Overall, the book is compelling and thought-provoking. Although a bit slow in the beginning, the intertwining storylines and the gradual unveiling of secrets build engagement as the story progresses. The book includes heavy themes of female trauma, but I thought the author portrayed them in a sensitive way. This book combines mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and history into a lovely and haunting read.

I was so looking forward to this book, as I absolutely loved Weyward and could not put it down. However, I still only 52% through this book, and bored to tears. I will probably finish it at some point, but I cannot say I recommend this book.

Emilia Hart is a prolific author! i read Weyward after reading this gem! i absolutely loved it! cant wait to read more from her

thank you Netgalley for this opportunity

I love the premise of this book. I'm always down for a female rage story. I did wish that this story had more bite to it though. The meandering pace watered down any feelings that came up so it made it hard for me to stay invested. However there were some plot points towards the end that pulled me back in and got me invested again. If you enjoy mysteries that simmer for most of the book then you might enjoy this book.

Thank you to Emilia Hart, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this book was not for me. Nothing against the author or her writing but I just wasn't able to connect with this story the way I was hoping to.

I really enjoyed this spellbinding historical fiction novel! Thank you so, so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title!

Blurb:
2019: Lucy awakens from a dream to find her hands around her ex-lover’s throat. Horrified, she flees to her older sister’s house on the Australian coast, hoping she can help explain the strangely vivid nightmare that preceded the attack—but Jess is nowhere to be found.

As Lucy awaits her return, the rumors surrounding Jess’s strange small town start to emerge. Numerous men have gone missing at sea, spread over decades. A tiny baby was found hidden in a cave. And sailors tell of hearing women’s voices on the waves. Desperate for answers, Lucy finds and begins to read her sister’s adolescent diary.

1999: Jess is a lonely sixteen-year-old in a rural town in the middle of the continent. Diagnosed with a rare allergy to water, she has always felt different, until her young, charming art teacher takes an interest in her drawings, seeing a power and maturity in them—and in her—that no one else has.

1800: Twin sisters Mary and Eliza have been torn from their loving father in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship bound for Australia. For their entire lives, they’ve feared the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were just girls. Yet as the boat bears them further and further from all they know, they begin to notice changes in their bodies that they can’t explain, and they feel the sea beginning to call to them…

A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space, The Sirens captures the power of dreams, and the mystery and magic of the sea.

I love the way Emilia Hart does feminist historical fiction with a touch of magic. This kind of story will always be a win for me, but the way Hart really immerses you in the setting and the atmosphere really makes you feel the story. The characters at times felt flat, some parts of story felt forced, and some resolutions were not satisfying. Overall however, these issues did not detract all that much from my enjoyment of the story.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.