I’ll start by saying, I would never have finished this if it hadn’t been an ARC. I wanted to DNF so many times, but felt an obligation to finish.

After reading and enjoying Hart’s Weyward, I was so excited to snag The Sirens. I went in with high hopes, but it just didn’t land. The plot was so slow and there was no character development to make up for it. The story was written in multiple perspectives through multiple timelines, but honestly, all the voices were so similar, it just added to the bore. I needed something… anything… to keep my attention. While things finally picked up near the end (80% in or so), it was just way too late.

Hart is an eloquent writer. I enjoyed her imagery of the Australian shores, their beauty and danger, and she honored the power of sisterhood throughout, but these pieces weren’t enough to redeem the book for me.

As with all books, someone will pick this up and love it, but it just wasn’t for me and I’ll have a hard time recommending. That being said, check out Hart’s Weyward instead.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I read the first 40% of the book by ebook and thought… I’ll wait until the book releases and listen to it on audio. AND THEN when I was able to listen early (thank you Macmillan audio 😘) the book was a lot more enjoyable for me.

What you need to know:
Lucy is a university student and wakes to find her hands around the neck of the boy she thought she may have loved. She grabs her stuff and makes her way to Comber Bay, the place her older sister moved to not to long ago. Lucy hopes that the nightmares and sleepwalking can be explained and that Jess might be able to help her. Jess and Lucy’s relationship has been strained, but Lucy feels this pull to this town full a secrets where her sister has found refuge. Only when she gets to her sister’s house Jess is nowhere to be found. Are the secrets to where her sister is linked to the towns past?


My thoughts: (warning- potential spoilers ahead)

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I think I preferred listening to the book over reading it with my eyeballs. I think it you liked Weyward and even The Lost Apothecary I think you might enjoy this book, but it was a slow start for me.

Now this could be a me problem but I had a hard time knowing the difference between Eliza and Mary (even though the chapter was told in third person from Mary’s pov when we jumped to the past.) I don’t think this was because of the audio performance though.

It felt like we weren’t in the past long enough for me to differentiate between the two. I don’t know if that was the third person pov, or just me needing more info in Mary’s chapters to understand the difference between the two girls- granted they are sisters joint at the hip but still.

I thought the way Emilia wove the past chapters to the present was really creative. So I understand maybe why we weren’t in the past longer at the beginning on the book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eArc.



SPOILER:



I don’t quite know how I feel about the epilogue… kinda wished it wasn’t there at all, but I guess it did answer some questions I had, though don’t ask questions you aren’t gonna like the answer for 🫣.

3.75 stars.

I loved Weyward so was looking forward to reading the latest (The Sirens) by the author.

This is an atmospheric and beautifully written novel about sisters, female empowerment, and resilience across the centuries. This is a slow-paced read told from three POVS and across timelines. I thought it was well-done but I did find the ending a bit unclear and to read that part a couple of times. I also thought parts of the plot were overly complex and descriptive at times. There is magical realism woven throughout and for me, that part did not fully resonate.

While I enjoyed Weyward more, I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Like most everyone else I fell in love With Emilia Hart’s novel, Weyward and eagerly waited for her follow up novel. Sirens is a tale of sisters and the sea. This is a book about all of the facets of womanhood. The evolution of the sirens evokes the changes an adolescent girl . From the changes her body goes through and all of the complexities and uncertainties that come with it. It is about how men view women and about how women treat each other. But it is mostly about relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters. A lot of ideas woven together in a lovely modern fairy tale. And always there is the sea.
Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartins press for this arc.

The stunning cover and premise drew me in to this lush and breathtaking story about femininity, sisterhood, and the bonds that keep us together. I absolutely loved the split-timeline narrative and thought it added a unique element to the story that both juxtaposed and tied the women's tales together really beautifully. 10/10 would recommend.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 @stmartinspress 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤!

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴. “

𝗪𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 was one of my favourite reads last year, so obviously I had to read 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀! Emilia Hart writes beautiful tales, intertwining women throughout timelines and centuries. Initially, there was a draw to understand Lucy’s story, actions, and history and ultimately how it would connect with her sister Jess, and Mary and Eliza who lived in 1800. But as the story progressed, I found the novel to lack focus and lose that initial spark. I was left wanting more character and plot growth, and frankly more magical realism elements. I wanted Sirens. Was the book horrible? Not at all, but it’s not one I’d recommend to the level I did for her previous novel.

The Sirens is the sophmore book by Emilia Hart. I enjoyed Weyward her 1st novel so was eager to read The Sirens. It did not disappoint.

Lucy is a young univiersity student who flees her university after a horrific accidental act. She goes to Comber Bay to her sister Jess, whom she knows will help her. Though she and Jess have grown apart of late, she knows Jess will be there for her, only when she reaches Cliff House, Jess is nowhere to be found. Lucy finds Jess’ diary and starts to unravel secrets from her family that she had no idea about. Lucy starts to fear that Jess may be in trouble. Can Lucy find her sister and unravel the secrets that have been kept from her, and why does the sea call to her?

In 1800 Ireland Mary and Eliza are torn away from their father and sent on a convict ship to Australia where they will have to face an unknown future, The two stories meld with the Siren myth as a central theme in both stories,

Like her 1st novel, Emilia Hart has a way of drawing you into her world.

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin’s Press and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

The magical realism in this book was phenomenal. Hart did a great job of sprinkling the fantasy very slowly into the story, making you continually wonder if it was going to turn completely magical or stay on the ledge. This kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. The back and forth between the past and present also created intrigue and investment in multiple characters within the story, not just the main ones. I also really enjoyed the mystery component.

Overall, the writing was fantastic, the character rich and unique, and the setting mystical. As a history lover, I also greatly appreciated the historical accuracy within the storytelling and the "journalistic" components of exploring the mystery.

If you're a fan of magical realism, low fantasy, historical fiction, and/or mystery, you'll love this book.

The Sirens is different from Emilia Hart's acclaimed Weyward, but the strong emphasis on nature weaves throughout this book as well. While different, the Sirens was just as compelling as Weyward if not a bit more fantasy heavy. In the Sirens, the two stories weave together beautifully with a few twists, but at the heart of the novel, is about family and embracing yourself. A strong second release from Hart.

🌊✨ The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a hauntingly beautiful tale of sisterhood, secrets, and the sea’s dark pull. Told across three timelines—2019, 1999, and the 1800s—this novel weaves together the lives of four women whose destinies are shaped by the ocean and the truths buried beneath its waves.

🔹 In 2019, Lucy seeks refuge with her estranged sister after a devastating betrayal, only to find Jess missing and whispers of something eerie lurking in Comber Bay.

🔹 In 1999, Jess, battling a rare condition that makes water her enemy, unearths chilling family secrets.

🔹 In the 1800s, Irish twins Mary and Eliza, convicted and exiled, find themselves transforming into something other as the sea tightens its grip.

I found this book to have everything, historical fiction, magical realism, and feminist power. It also had the same atmospheric writing that I loved in Weyward . 🌿

⚓ The coastal setting in this one was eerie and mysterious, the landscape and the weather was giving me creepy and moody vibes.

A beautiful book that is a slow burn and is more about the journey, the characters and the storytelling.

Thank you @netgalley for this eARC.

The Sirens was a very compelling read and I think it will be a big hit for folks who loved A Sea of Unspoken Things, Outlander, or The Warbler! It tells the story of women on two different timelines and winds them together perfectly.

I found the Sirens to be thought provoking and captivating and I look forward to recommending it to others! It's also the encouragement I needed to finally read Weyward!

I don’t know how to talk about this book. I didn’t dislike it at all. I guess I felt conflicted and sometimes confused. There were two story lines set centuries apart that eventually, sort of tie into each other - sisterhood, female resilience, and the sea are big themes. I enjoyed the historical fiction elements (a ship of female “convicts” from Ireland being exiled to Australia), the mermaid/siren elements (but wanted more of that), and the cover (so pretty!) If you liked ‘Weyward’ and its magical realism/two timelines, perhaps you’ll also find this compelling. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the sneak peak!

I loved the author’s debut novel so I was really excited to read this one. It is mystery, historical fiction, magical realism, female empowerment and family drama all mixed in to one.

The story is told in multiple timelines and POVs- from sisters, Lucy and Jess, in 2019 and 1999, as well as Mary, an Irish prisoner on a convict ship to Australia in the 1800’s. I liked this way of telling the story as the mystery is gradually uncovered; however, I figured out the twists well before they were actually revealed.

I liked the writing style and overall storyline (even though I’m typically not a magical realism type person), but I just didn’t love it. The characters weren’t particularly likable and I felt like the shifting viewpoints left some loose ends. The encounter with the siren in the epilogue left me with an ick feeling and also made me question the whole book.

I feel so bad that Iam not sharing a more positive review of this book. I honestly think this book should have some trigger warnings. I have read too many sad and heavy books the last few weeks that I might give this one another chance in the future. A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this as an ARC. Out of resepct for the author, I will not be sharing this review on my book account.

Hart is an incredible writer and approaches a time in history that is impossible to sugarcoat. The story follows a dual timeline between two sisters (Mary and Eliza) who are onboard a vessel set for Austrialia in the early 1800s. As "convicts" they board with dozens of other "condmened" women. We learn more about their abuse and life through flashbacks from Lucy, who is in the present day also going through some trauma with having a nude photo leaked online from a guy she hooked up. Both Lucy and her sister (Jess) have a skin condition where it is scaly and gets easily irritated by water. We learn through Lucy more about abuse/grooming her sister went through, as Lucy is trying to make contact with Jess who has gone missing.

From the dual POV and "flashbacks" we basically know the ending from the beginning and as readers are yelling "NO DON'T DO IT!" the whole time. It is an effective way to write, but also because I know the predictable ending and the "magical realism" of it, I find myself more sad and anxious than curious to keep reading.

While this book was not for me at this time, please don't let me discourage you from picking this up! It has DOZENS of 4-5 stars and again, what I might not have liked could be a book you love! Very similar atmospheric vibes to Burial Rites, A Sea of Unspoken Things, etc.

Content: sexual abuse/triggering foreshadowing, some language, open door scenes.

A beautiful and lyrical story that drew me in based on the premise and prose, but didn't quite payoff in plot for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Lucy and Jess, Mary and Eliza- two sets of sisters living years apart who all have the same extremely rare allergy to water. In the present, Lucy flees her university to her sister Jess's home by a cliff after she attempts to strangle a man while sleepwalking but Jess isn't there. Her paintings are though, and they pull at Lucy. Mary and Eliza were transported to Australia after Eliza smashed a man in the head as he was attacking Mary. It's a horrible voyage for them (I would have liked a whole novel about these two). How are the four sisters linked? Well, the title telegraphs some of the answer but there's a secret that Lucy must untangle about Jess and their family. There's good atmospherics and sympathetic female characters (the fathers are positive). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I know some have been less enthusiastic about this when comparing it to Weyward but I didn't read Weyward and I quite enjoyed it.

While another of Emilia Hart's books has been on my TBR longer than I'd care to admit, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to pick up a book centered on Sirens, sister, and spans of time. I am thrilled to say that this exceeded every one of the expectations I had for it, for The Sirens mastered the balance between atmosphere and characterization so many authors seem to stumble on. I read this in two days, devouring the deliciously dark plot lines, and savoring every twisted description.

The Sirens follows two sets of sisters separated by hundreds of years but united by the sea. Described accurately as a tale of female resilience, this book does not hesitate to show the darkness of the female experience or the ferocity with which women change their fates. A love letter to the ocean in the specific way I see it - scary, magical, and so very healing - this is a book I will be thinking about for a long time. Magical realism at it's absolutely finest.

Emilia Hart does a fantastic job weaving dual timelines of historical fiction, current time and magical realism in her newest novel, “The Sirens”.
She demonstrates the harsh realities of the 1800s on a mystical thread that connects the lives of two sets of women across centuries. Along the historical timeline, we are introduced to sisters Mary and Eliza, struggling to survive the brutal conditions aboard an English prisoner ship bound for Australia. Hart creates a vivid portrayal of their treatment on board. The trauma, physical hardships, and the constant abuse the women face. Their resilience is tested to its limits when the vessel tragically wrecks off a treacherous coastline.
Intertwined with this is the contemporary story of Jess and Lucy. Facing their own personal and family turmoil, Jess's departure from home sets in motion a journey of discovery for Lucy. Hart skillfully builds an atmosphere of unease and mystery surrounding their relationship. Both women share the unusual trait of sleepwalking and a similar skin condition, hinting at a deeper connection. The story teases out the tendrils of a long-held family secret that dates back to Lucy's birth, which creates a compelling sense of anticipation.

What truly elevates "The Sirens" is Hart's delicate integration of magical realism and her writing is immersive. Pacing is great with a gradual crescendo up to the intense peak of the story, however, I did find it a little slow with the wrap up.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review “The Sirens”

I was so excited when I got approved for this ARC. Weyward was one of my favorite reads last year. The Sirens drew me in from the start. I love Emilia's writing and her flare for feminism and weaving history into her writing. Her writing is beautifully descriptive without being flowery. The jump between the past and present kept me interested. Unlike many other reviews I did not find I had a hard time connecting with the characters, Lucy, Mary and Eliza pulled me in from the beginning, it was later in the book when Jess really made her way forward. I was captivated as all the pieces started falling into place. I was able to predict some of the "twists" but it didn't take away from the story. Overall I absolutely loved this story, it left me feeling warm and fuzzy and fulfilled and I can't wait to see what Emilia comes up with next.

Enjoyed reading this story of sisters! I usually really enjoy anything Emilia writes and this was no different- however I did feel like it kind of drug on. A really great book and worth the recommendation for sure!