Historical fantasy is a subgenre I love, because we not only get fictionalized stories based on real types of events that can lead to some great research deep dives after reading, but the bits of magic bring the stories alive that much more. This book has two (plus another through diary entries) timelines and perspectives. One tells the story of female convicts, most of whom committed crimes of necessity to survive, being transported to Australia from Ireland in the year 1800. One tells the story of a journalism student in 2019, who flees to her sister’s remote coastal home after a series of events that rock her life. The third is a series of diary entries from around the year 2000. All three of the timelines deal with women whose lives have been dramatically impacted by awful men, and the stories weave together as the stories progress.

The setting is very atmospheric in the past and present timelines. The reader can feel the exhaustion and confusion and fear of the women trapped in the darkness of the ship’s prisoner deck. The wildness of the sea. The pangs of hunger and constant thirst. The worry about whether they will make it through the journey and the anxiety about what will happen after that if they do.

The present timeline takes place in a rundown house on the cliff in a town known for people going missing, lost to the sea. Our protagonist arrives to find the house empty, having no idea where her sister has gone and whether she’s okay. There is a sense of urgency as the timelines start to converge, as she tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s whereabouts and figure out what secrets her family has been keeping.

The book feels like a blend of historical fantasy and contemporary mystery, with a dash of magical realism and true crime. I loved the complicated family dynamics in all of the storylines, as well as the female empowerment in the face of terrible patriarchal elements. Overall I enjoyed this one and will continue to look forward to other books by this author.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced book!

Emilia Hart’s The Sirens captivated me from start to finish and made me a lifelong fan of her writing. This was my first book by Hart, and I now understand why everyone recommends her books. The intertwining stories of strong, complex women across centuries were beautifully told, and I couldn’t stop reading.

The writing was mesmerizing, with each time period—2019, 1999, and 1800—seamlessly flowing into the next, keeping me completely immersed in the narrative. The mystery of Lucy’s nightmare and her search for answers in her sister Jess’s diary had me turning pages quickly, eager to uncover each new twist.

What really stood out to me was the powerful theme of sisterhood and the resilience of these women across different time periods. The sea, almost a character in itself, calls to them in ways that are both mysterious and magical. Hart’s writing beautifully explores the strength of bonds that can transcend time and space, creating an unforgettable narrative.

Overall, The Sirens is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and magical realism, and I’m so glad I had the chance to experience this book. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Hart’s work in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found the book to be engaging for the most part, but struggled getting through part 1. It required a lot of back information to make the other two parts great, but after awhile, I felt like it wasn't going anywhere. But, parts 1 and 2 both ended on great points, and I was unable to stop reading at that point. I enjoyed the characters, but struggled to understand their motivations at points. I liked the discovery as to 'why' things were happening, as well as the idea of consequence for those who are not the best people. Overall, a good read, that kept my attention and made me feel all the feelings.

I went into this book pretty blind, kind of assuming it was some sort of fantasy about mermaids. but when you really get into it it’s more a historical fiction/family drama. I think it was also trying to have more a mystery vibe too that didn’t quite hit but the main story about the sisters was really a special one. The mermaid of it all was more subtle than I would’ve liked but again the main story made up for it.

ARC REVIEW: the sirens by emilia hart 🧜🏻‍♀️ an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea 🌊

despite everything going on in both timelines & pov’s, I can comfortably call this a character driven novel ⚓ the sirens takes awhile to get going but it very much falls into the 'finding out who you are' trope while navigating the relationships and themes of family, family secrets, female friendships and sisterhood.

I really enjoyed the imaginative writing, immersing me as if I was the one listening for singing sirens off of my cliffside home. this book combines mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and history, making this a story for many people 🪸

I wish the ending left us with a sense of purpose- perhaps more emotional value or depth would have benefited the story. I just had a hard time connecting with any of the four sisters so nothing truly *hit home* for me! 🐠 can’t end this review without saying that this cover is everything!!

thank you st. martin’s press for the e-arc 🐚 3 stars!

Two sets of sisters separated by several hundred years both told in their youth to stay out of the water as if it would severely injure them vs irritating their skin. Lucy and Jess have conditions exacerbated by water. When Lucy starts having dreams and wakes up to find her hands around the neck of a boy who has shared photos of her at college she runs to Jess at her cliffside house. However, Jess is no where to be found and Lucy discovers a journal and her paintings that indicate she has been having the exact same dreams that she has. Eliza and Mary are sisters in the late 1700's who get into trouble for attacking a man who really was attacking Mary and are sentenced to exile and shipped out as prisoners. While on the ship they are given few rations and the boat disappears very close to the spot where Jess lives in Cliffside house. It took a bit to weave these 2 sisters stories together for me but I do share their attraction to the ocean and enjoyed that aspect and eventually she did pull it together.
Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This felt a bit long to me and I don't know that I would have finished the ARC without also having the ALC. Switching up to the audio helped a lot, as I loved the narrator.
I did think the stories of Lucy and Jess and Comer Bay were interesting and mysterious, but since I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, I could have done without the Mary and Eliza parts. That's probably just me, and I think people who do like historical fiction will enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Lucy, who flees to her sister Jess's coastal home after a disturbing incident, finds her missing and she will unearth strange rumors about the town and the sea, including whispers of women's voices and a past connected to two sisters transported across the world centuries ago. The story unravels between 3 different POVs, Lucy, her older sister Jessica and Mary, a person from the past that has always been linked to the girls for a mysterious reason.

It started off intriguing but then I just got lost within the story. I started to feel a disconnect between the timelines trying to find something similar and then when the mystery is revealed I just didn't seem to care that much. I think if I didn't receive this arc, I would have dropped this book.

Now saying this, I don't think this story is terrible. It is both intriguing and emotional it's just that for me personally, I wanted a story about sisters working though their issues and becoming closer despite all the pain and what I wound up getting was a poetic mystery with a splash of fantasy thrown in that it left me confused.

Over all, Hart has incredible talent in mixing in beauty through pain and I liked that.

I love how well Emilia Hart can flawlessly run multiple story lines together. You see it in Weyward and again her with The Sirens. I did not see the twist coming until it was right there in front of my face. This is definitely worth the read, especially if you loved Weyward. Her writing is just so beautifully well done. Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!

I really enjoyed the author's debut "Weyward" so I was super excited to get this ARC! I was a little disappointed at the way this book began. I had nothing to connect me to the main character at all and it just felt like nothing was really hooking me. The author has a knack for imagery, but unfortunately it seems this one is more imagery than story. By the time I reached 38% of the book I am slightly more interested in the back story of the characters but more than that, I find myself wondering why Lucy hasn't called the authorities yet. It's very hard to believe that her sister just left her phone and everything behind right before a big art show. And even though Lucy knows things are strange, she's just squatting her sister's house waiting for her. Add in the sleepwalking and the mysterious paintings? I just feel like that should make it more urgent. And while I understand being put down by an authority figure when she needed help, I feel like Lucy should have followed her instinct to get her sleepwalking diagnosed and stick up for herself. The story is just a bit unbelievable and hard to push through. "Until Jess returns... all she can do" is start investigating their weird bond with each other and the girls Jess was painting? No, you find your sister, make sure she's safe and investigate together. 52% of the way into this book I was finally a bit invested. I think that is too slow of a start and I am only reading at this point because I have now put in a lot of my time and I want to see it through. I wanted this to be better than it was. I also think unfortunately, the epilogue was an unnecessary addition. It only made me dislike the dad and I'm not sure why the author made that choice. I love this author's first book, but this one was not for me. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC!

This story is told from a couple different perspectives and jumps between the past and the present. In both the past and present you are faced with a pair of sisters who are going through turmoil. In the present you have Lucy who is fleeing from a nightmare where she tried to strangle her ex-lover. She hopes that she can find solace with her sister, yet when she arrives at her sister’s house she is nowhere to be found. In the past you have two sisters ripped from their home and families forced upon a convict ship being sent to Australia. Lucy is haunted by dreams of these sisters. She is surprised to find a painting in her sister’s house of the girls, and she wonders how they are all connected.
This is a powerful book spanning different generations. It highlights the power of woman and the choices they make sprinkled with a bit of fantasy. I loved the different twists and turns that connected all the characters and found them artfully done.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This book was so beautifully written about the bond between sisters. We also get a sprinkle of feminine rage and revenge.

We are following two sisters from two different timelines. Jess and Lucy have always had a strained relationship and their 17 year age difference doesn’t help. When Lucy shows up at Jess’ house and she’s missing. Lucy starts to uncover secrets from the past.

This book is not action packed or twisty but the way it is written kept me engaged the entire time. The slight mermaid lore wrapped into made me love this story more.

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy
APK: Ebook
Pages: 339
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

This one was just okay. I struggled connecting with the characters. I did really like the blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and mystery.

So OBSESSED. I absolutely loved Wayward by this author and guess what, I loved this too. I can’t wait for this to come out and everyone starts to read it. It’s so good. I will read whatever this author writes.

I was really excited to read The Sirens. I loved Weyward so much. Emilia Hart has a way with having the most beautiful covers. But I just could not get into this one. I gave it to half way and just could not go on further.


Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

'The Sirens' by Emilia Hart focuses on the bonds of sisterhood. I really enjoyed the relationships between Jess and Lucy and between Mary and Eliza. While these women were separated by centuries, they share commonality in the love they shared. I also enjoyed the siren folklore of Comber Bay. A solid work of women's fiction. This is the first book I read by Hart, but it won't be my last. 4 stars.

Taking place in dual timelines, The Sirens tells the modern story of Lucy, a university student who's just attacked her former lover and has fled to her sister's house for solace and refuge; and it tells the story of Mary and Eliza, twins being transported from Ireland to Australia on a prison transport ship.

I was immediately swept up in the history and drama of Mary and Eliza's story. I knew about the history of transporting prisoners, and the penal colonies established in Australia, but I never actually thought much about that journey. Hart's descriptions of the journey were harrowing, but so compelling. And brought to mind elements of sisterhood and inequality that I had loved in Weyward. I was so engrossed in this facet of the novel that I felt I could have easily spent a hundred more pages with the women on the prisoner deck of the Naiad.

It took me a little longer to warm to Lucy's story, but once I did I was absolutely gripped by the mystery surrounding her. Completely shaken by her attack, Lucy feels a bit adrift as she heads for her sister's house, and worse still when she discovers her sister gone from the home. It wasn't until Lucy really gave herself a shake and realized she had a mystery to solve and that she COULD solve it that I really got pulled in. And then I was hooked. Literally couldn't out the book down. By the time we got the big reveal I honestly put the book down and said, of course, it was staring at us! But I was so far in I didn't see it until Emilia Hart wanted us to. It was perfect.

And the fantasy. Just like in Weyward it was there, just simmering below the surface, ready to twinkle at just the right moments. I've had a hard time describing the genre on this one because it was historical fiction, but also a mystery, and a fantasy all blended together in a gem of a read that I can't stop thinking about!

I throughly enjoyed this book! I read Emilia Hart’s debut “Weyward” and I really liked it so I was excited to see what her next book would hold. I ended up enjoying “The Sirens” even more! This book felt very familiar in theme and atmosphere/vibe to “Weyward” but not similar enough that it felt like different characters/same plot. This is a testament to her strong character writing. Each character felt so well-developed that it’s hard to believe they are fictional. I found it very easy to connect with Lucy. I have not personally been victimized in the same way she was, but as women I feel we can all relate to how she felt in that situation with Ben and the lack of support she received from those at her school who were supposed to help her. Hart did a really great job throughout this book showcasing the two different sisterhoods. I really enjoyed the relationships between Mary and Eliza, and Jess and Lucy. Even though Jess and Lucy’s relationship appears to be estranged until the end, we get enough context from Lucy’s memories and her inner dialogue to feel the underlying strength of that relationship. I also really enjoyed how impactful the side characters ended up being in both timelines. I found myself really attached to the other women on the Naiad by the end of the book and was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed seeing those women come together and support each other. Sitting back and thinking about this book has also made me realize how important of a side character Melody was. She was instrumental in providing us readers with the information about Devil’s Lookout without it seeming like this information was being dumped on us in a way that didn’t make sense to the story. I also think that weaving in Jess’s story by having Lucy read her diary was a really awesome way to introduce us to her POV without it feeling overwhelming. Each story, Mary’s, Jess’s, and Lucy’s, felt so vibrant and engaging I never got bored. With “The Sirens” Emilia Hart improved so much on an already strong debut. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her career as an author.

Emilia Hart’s second novel, The Sirens, is a brilliantly written dual timeline novel following two sets of sisters as they embark on a journey of self discovery and empowerment.

In the first timeline, we follow Lucy and her sister Jess. After Lucy finds herself in a predicament at school, she flees the campus in search of a safe haven with her sister. The only problem is… where is Jess? Lucy finds herself apartment wide open and Jess’ phone still there. We toggle between Lucy and Jess’ POV as they figure out between themselves what is going on healthwise with them.

In the other timeline, we follow Mary and Eliza - twin sisters in the 1800s who have been put on a ship toward modern day Australia for the island prison. As they journey towards their new fate, they start to notice changes to their bodies and a calling towards the sea.

Just as you suspect from Hart, the novel has been extensively researched with real historical events of Ireland and Australia. These events have been effortlessly woven into a magical realism/historical fiction/fantasy novel, just like her debut novel in Weyward.

Thank you NetGalley, Emilia Hart, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of this book! Out 4/1/25!

I loved the author's first book Weyward , and in this one, she weaves historical mystery and drama wonderfully. The bonds of sisterhood in the two timelines drew me to this title. There's lots of trauma, but these sisters are strong, especially together. The story focuses on resilient women going through challenges and facing their pasts.

I have never used the word haunting while reviewing a book, but this story is exactly that, and I found it very atmospheric. The descriptions of the Australian coastline and the haunting tales of the sea create a sense of place and really bring out the emotions. I was sucked in right away and loved both timelines equally. That's a big deal for me. In the 1800s, Mary and Eliza were aboard a convict ship that was going to Australia. In present-time Australia, we have Lucy and Jess dealing with personal issues and trying to figure out a family mystery. The author did well making me feel tense and getting me into the characters' lives and the family mysteries.

The intertwining storylines and the gradual unveiling of secrets keep readers engaged throughout. The book handles heavy themes of female trauma and does so in a way that shows the strength of the characters. The story deals with some heavy topics, and I loved the realistic and sensitive way Hart dealt with them in her writing of the story. Overall, the book is compelling and thought-provoking. Emilia Hart has once again delivered a captivating story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. I will be thinking of this one for a long time.