Historical Magical Realism • Dual Timeline
Expected Publication • 1 April 2025

Thank you @stmartinspress & @macmillan.audio for the ARC & ALC. ♡

*ೃ༄*ੈ✩‧₊˚ Blend family secrets, mysterious disappearances, convict ships sailing for Australia from Ireland, and female resilience.

⚓ I enjoyed the atmosphere and the setting on the shores of a remote Australia coastal town. This one had a slow start and took over half of the book to hook me.

Lucy and Jess are sisters in present day, while Mary and Eliza are twins in 1800s Ireland. In the style of The Lost Apothecary, these will converge as justice is served outside of the law, with a flair of magical realism.

I appreciated the twists, but I wish I connected more with any of the four sisters & the plot.

🎧 Narrator Barrie Kreinik has a wonderful range bringing to life multiple accents of the British isles + Australia, fun listening experience including sea shanties! 🇦🇺🇮🇪

TW: Sexual Assault, Murder, Infidelity (off page)

2 Stars – Promising Concept, Disjointed Execution

The Sirens by Emilia Hart had all the ingredients for a gripping, atmospheric tale—interwoven timelines, the mystery of missing men, eerie seaside legends, and a deep thread of sisterhood connecting women across centuries. Unfortunately, while the premise was strong, the execution left much to be desired.

The 2019 storyline with Lucy starts off intriguing—waking up in a panic with her hands around her ex’s throat is a gripping hook. But instead of diving deep into her psychological unraveling or the mystery of her sister’s disappearance, the narrative often drifts into slow-paced introspection that failed to maintain tension.

The historical plotline featuring Mary and Eliza aboard a convict ship was more compelling, but it felt underdeveloped and rushed. The supernatural elements hinted at something larger, but they remained vague and didn’t quite deliver on the suspense or payoff I was hoping for.

The idea of women connected through time by trauma, resilience, and the power of the sea is powerful—but the story never quite coalesced. The pacing lagged, the connections between timelines felt forced rather than organic, and by the end, I was left more confused than satisfied.

A beautifully written book in parts, but ultimately more promise than payoff.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press & NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sitting right at 2.75⭐️ for me, The Sirens started off with an attention-grabbing beginning, lost me a bit in the middle, but did redeem itself in the end. The main character that we spend the most time with, Lucy, was meh and I had a hard time connecting with her. The whole beginning of the book seemed disjointed, and by the time you’re two thirds of the way into the story, it’s almost as if that entire section didn’t exist. The magical realism element and jumping back and forth between time periods was cool in the beginning, but wore off by the end. It was difficult to differentiate between the different narrators as we moved through the story, I even struggled to remember which sister was which because they were so lacking in personality. Concerning Lucy, what I struggled with the most was, we learn that she loves journalism and received top notch grades to get into a rigorous journalism program. Initially, she loves the school and her program, but at some point she comes to the conclusion that she never needed them be a good journalist anyways…with no evidence in the book to support that she is a good journalist other than the fact that we’re told that she is one. It was here that the story started to lose me. The middle portion was a bit slow, but the last third of the book was a page-turner. I will say, I felt pretty dumb for not being able to predict the plot twist, but I think by that point I was just trying to finish the book lol

I think people who enjoyed The Unmaking of June Farrow will like this one. And even though I am one of those people, there was just something about the characters, pacing, and organization that were lacking.

Emilia Hart's *Sirens* is a powerful exploration of female resilience and solidarity, seamlessly blending myth and modernity. Told through two interwoven timelines, the novel presents a striking narrative of women navigating the complexities of trauma and the arduous path toward healing.

At the heart of *Sirens* is its reimagining of the mythical sirens. Rather than the traditional depiction of seductive, destructive beings, Hart's sirens are fierce, vengeful protectors of women. This refreshing feminist twist on the lore offers readers a potent symbol of feminine rage and justice, a reclamation of the narrative often wielded against women. These sirens become metaphors for the strength that can emerge from pain and the unwavering support found in sisterhood.

The novel's dual timelines enrich its themes of intergenerational trauma and resilience. In the present day, we follow a protagonist grappling with the aftermath of a toxic relationship, her journey toward empowerment mirrored by the sirens’ unyielding defense of the vulnerable. Parallelly, the historical timeline uncovers the origins of the sirens’ protective presence, illuminating the stories of women who faced violence and injustice yet found solace and strength within their own community.

Hart’s prose is both lyrical and visceral, capturing the raw emotions of her characters with striking clarity. The thematic presence of the female experience, particularly as it relates to trauma and recovery, is deeply felt on every page. She navigates these sensitive topics with compassion and nuance, making *Sirens* a poignant testament to the resilience of women in the face of adversity.

Ultimately, *Sirens* is more than a story of vengeance; it is a celebration of feminine strength and the transformative power of solidarity. Emilia Hart has crafted a narrative that is both timeless and urgent, offering readers a cathartic and empowering experience. This novel will undoubtedly resonate with those seeking stories that honor the complexities of healing and the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Emilia Hart does it again! I loved Weyward, and The Sirens is a similar vibe. The sisters in the ship, the relationship between Jessica and Lucy, and the magic vibes--what more could you want! Would be a great literary read for book club.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was approved for the audiobook and the arc of this book and I really loved listening and reading this before bed. I am a sucker for mermaid media and this really itched the spot. I do think it is a slow burn but it kept me interested the whole time and I never found this boring. I loved the setting and the switching of the location and time periods between all the girls. I found that it gave a lot of depth to the story and made it very intriguing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I absolutely loved Emilia Hart’s debut novel, Wayward, so when I heard that Hart had a new novel being released, it was immediately added to my TBR.

The Sirens follows two sets of sisters, living centuries apart, with a deep connection to the sea.

I really appreciate how Hart balances magically realism and female relationships throughout her writing. I did find this novel had a slower build, but the pay off as everything came together at the end was definitely worth it for me.

I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more work from Hart!

Love Emilia’s beautiful writing always. The themes in her books are always so deep about feminism/womanhood/sisterhood/motherhood and as a woman, it really hits deep. I thought the settings in this book were very cozy and magical (specifically the cave and cottage on the cliff). Can’t wait to read more of Hart’s books in the future! Thank you!

Lucy awakens at university and finds her hands around the neck of a boy who has wronged her. In a panic she flees across country to find her older sister, Jess, who she hasn't talked to in over a year. When Lucy arrives at the house, she finds the door unlocked, Jess' phone still plugged into the wall, but no sign of her sister. This town seems to have strange disappearances over the decades, but are they connected to her missing sibling? Or the vivid dreams Lucy has been having, where she's aboard a ship full of women convicts?

This book is haunting at times and has such beautifully descriptive writing. The ocean almost seems like a character itself at times calling the reader in closer. The story goes back in time with some of the POVs, and the chapters of Mary and Eliza are so wonderful at making you feel like you're also aboard an overcrowded ship in the darkness. The premise of the story is so unique overall, and I feel like there were several mysteries wrapped up together really well. The plot was a little slow and meandering at times, but as a result you do really get to know the characters. I figured out most of the family mystery pretty early on but was still surprised by a twist at the end. This is a great celebration of sisterhood and women coming together to overcome obstacles.

I was a huge fan of Weyward, and although this book is quite different, I really enjoyed it. I recommend this to all who enjoy mystery, magic, and historical fiction. As always, I look forward to reading whatever Emilia Hart writes next. I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my opinions.

A spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea. 🌊


THANK YOU St. Martin's Press for sending me over this ARC. 💓

I honestly enjoyed a lot of this storyline and found myself very intrigued by the plot and the characters. There is a lot going on and at times I did have a hard time connecting to the past/present timeline. I loved the bit of mystery the author intertwined into the narrative. A decent book, but just wasn’t not a favorite.

3.5 stars ✨ torn between whether to round up or down!

Pub Date Apr 01 2025 - be on the lookout! The cover is absolutely stunning.

3.75. This book does feel like classic Emilia Hart. In her follow-up to her powerful debut (Weyward), she gives us another set of interwoven lives of women, but this time with a mystery at the heart of it. We don’t get to know how the women are connected until the end but the journey she takes us on is emotional and well thought out.

Overall, I thought the story was well plotted, with exception to the first 20-30%. The first 1/3 of the book opens with a conflict/challenge for one of the women that just doesn’t get properly addressed despite the anxiety and depth of set-up in the intro of the book. I can see why some of the reviews are mixed as some readers are dissatisfied with “plot holes”. I don’t think it was a plot hole per se but I definitely think the resolution could have been more comprehensive and satisfying.

This was a solid read that I enjoyed, but not quite as satisfying as her debut.

P.S. if you listen to audio the narrator sings to you!!

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this story in exchange for an honest review. I really do not like leaving harsh reviews on someone's work, but this story was just not for me at all. I really didn't like the characters, I wanted more from the flashbacks, the thriller aspect wasn't thrilling... I just wished for more all the way around. It sounded super enchanting and cool, so I was so happy when I got the email I received an early copy, but I was let down the whole time. Unfortunately, this story will fade from memory in one week tops..

This was terrific. The bonds between these women was amazing to read. There were twists and surprises. So well written. Very enjoyable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Barrie Kreinik does a great job narrating this story and I recommend the audiobook if that is of interest.

I was excited to read this story as I loved Weyward. However, I found that I did not enjoy this one as much.

The good: I enjoyed the characters and found them relatable. also like themes of female rage stemming from male violence or chauvinistic attitudes. I did like the magical realism as well. The writing is fast paced and flows. I really enjoyed the historical chapters much more than the current timeline. I found the facts, history and content to be more interesting.

The not so good: This book seemed a bit unbalanced in that there was much more going on in the historical part than the present day chapters. The overall story is predicable and felt similar to Weyward. It seemed to drag a bit as well.

This is still a good book for fans of magical realism and feminine rage against men. It was an ok read for me.

DNF at 34%. Ugh it pains me to write this because this cover is STUNNING and the writing is beautiful and so atmospheric. But this is just not the story for me.

Unfortunately I just could not get my mind into the story. It was not holding my interest despite multiple attempts to restart it. I do believe those that love mermaids, magical stories, and the ocean may enjoy this much more than I did.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the complimentary ARC.

I found this book to be interesting but overall depressing. While a connection was established between the two sets of sisters, the ending left me wondering what happened to the first set.

This is my second Emilia Hart book and again she does a great job of showing the strength of women. The story felt a bit rushed and made it a little more difficult to relate to all the characters unlike in her other novel, but I did enjoy the writing.

Thanks to the author @St.Martin'sPress and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars / This review will be posted on BookwormishMe.com today.

The myth of the sirens has been around for a very long time. Sea women luring men to their deaths in the ocean. It’s a tale as old as time. . But is it a myth?

In this retelling of the story of the sirens, we visit sirens from the 1800s when the first sirens found their place in the world. Then we also move forward to 2019 when two young women start dreaming of those original sirens. What can those dreams mean?

In the 1800s, twins Mary and Eliza have been raised by their loving Da in rural Ireland. When tragedy befalls them, they are sentenced to a sea journey to inhabit Australia. Unknown horrors will befall them on their long journey. They fear what awaits them when they arrive.

Lucy is at university studying journalism. It’s been her lifelong dream, and now she’s pursuing a future. Her sister Jess has decamped to a small town on the coast of Australia, where she is making incredible paintings of the sea. When Lucy has a horrific experience of sleepwalking, attacking a classmate in her sleep, she decides to flee to her sister Jess. Once on the road these vivid dreams of living on a prison boat start to haunt her. Lucy only hopes that Jess can help unravel the mysteries.

Fabulous interpretation of the story of the Sirens. The parallels between the twins of the 1800s and the current day sisters, Jess & Lucy, are so interesting. The book reads long, but is worth every page. This book is to be savored, not inhaled.

this was so, so disappointing.

Weyward was one of my favorite books of 2023, so when I saw an ARC of Emilia Hart’s next book, I jumped on it. I wish I didn’t.

This book did not feel “feminist” to me. A book is not feminist simply because there are female characters, especially when those women are devoid of any personality or motivation.

It took me nearly two weeks to get through this, and honestly, I would have DNF’ed this if it wasn’t an ARC. It was a slog and quite boring and the things that were somewhat interesting were predictable and cliched.

I’m really sad this wasn’t good, because Weyward was incredible. It felt like Hart was trying to emulate what she did in her first book and it just didn’t work here.

I enjoy the premise of this book, but I found myself skimming over a lot of it. It is well-written, but I got bogged down in the details. I did like the back and forth from characters and timelines. It definitely aided in figuring out how everything was connected.