The Sirens by Emilia Hart gripped me from the first page. Lucy’s story, set in modern day, was interesting and compelling. The mystery around her condition was enough to keep me turning pages. Then, we switch timelines to Mary and Eliza, set in the 1800’s. I found this second timeline much less engaging. It took more than halfway into the novel before I became engaged in Mary and Eliza’s narrative.
Overall, I enjoyed the magical realism woven with modern day. A slow burn story of sisters, family, secrets and lore.

I preferred The Sirens over Hart’s debut novel, Weyward. Noting this as many readers are stating the opposite in their reviews.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC via NetGalley.

this book was incredible! what a beautiful homage to the strength and resiliency of sisterhood, feminine spirit, and friendship.

am deeply impressed by how much the author has grown as a writer. Her first book was sweet and very accomplished but reminded me too much of too many things. Here, she has developed a unique style and voice that entrance and enthrall her readers in her own Siren Song.

I couldn't put it down and the stories within called me back until it was complete.

well done

This is an interesting story about two sets of sisters in New South Wales, Australia, that spans generations. It's a mix of mystery, historical fiction, and magical realism. It's a layered story that has details from the period and region of the world. It builds an intriguing world in 2019 where the two sisters look for their past and weaves the 1800 journey in the convict ship traveling from Ireland to Australia. As they cross the vast sea, Mary and Eliza's bodies begin to change.

Emilia is an up-and-coming author who writes intricate books. I recommend you read her debut novel as well.

I loved Wayward so much. I was so excited for this one. I enjoyed it for the most part. But honestly it was kinda hard to follow along with. I was confused for the majority of the book. But then the last 20% made up for the rest of the book.

This was probably my most anticipated read going into 2025 because I LOVED Emilia's debut novel, Weyward. The premise was interesting and I was particularly drawn to the older timeline in the 1800's about the two sisters aboard the convict ship from Ireland to Australia.

The Sirens didn't capture my attention as much as Weyward did. Perhaps it's the sophomore slump or the consequence of my own expectations. I did enjoy parts of the story, but felt certain aspects were drawn out too much and others weren't detailed enough. I would've loved the 1800 storyline to be explored more because the history of the convict ships sounds fascinating.

A common theme between both Weyward and The Sirens is female rage and empowerment. I love how Emilia portrays these through her female characters by initially showing them at their lowest, but then coming into their strength. She does an amazing job writing beautiful, haunting, atmospheric novels with magical realism woven in and remains an auto-buy author for me.

This book was so unique and unlike anything else I’ve read. Part family drama, part historical fiction, part mystery, with just a touch of magical realism and themes of female empowerment, this book was absolutely delightful.

If you’re looking for a compelling, magical (without being fantasy) summer read, I definitely recommend picking this one up!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The cover of this book is so beautiful. I like this author's writing. very magical in feeling.

I really like the blend of otherworldly and contemporary that Emilia Hart writes. I also think she writes feminist stories about generations of women very well. This was engaging and thought provoking, as a woman myself. Also, what a gorgeous book!

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⋆
I picked this one up for author alone, and I wasn’t disappointed. Her other book, ‘Weyward’, had me from the first chapter, and this was no different - I was hooked from the start.

I think I just really enjoy her writing style - the content, the format, the magical realism and folklore, and the combination of dual timelines and POVs, all of it lends itself to a great read. Additionally, the plethora of strong female characters within both of the books she has written are inspiring, unique, and admirable. She reminds me a bit of another author, Kate Morton, with their propensity to write fantastic female protagonists, multiple POVs, immersive settings, and strong storylines.

This story was laid out in an interesting manner, blending history, fiction, and folklore. I don’t often read historical fiction, and while this is more lite on the historical part, I always learn something when reading this genre. I was particularly drawn to Mary and Eliza in this novel - their story and bond had me *almost* wishing the timeline and POV would stick with them.

And in a dramatic twist of fate, I actually loved the epilogue. Normally, I find them to rarely add anything of value to the story, but this epilogue was set in the past - it offered up a tiny bit of insight, while still leaving some things to mystery and imagination, just how I like it.

Between this book and her last, Emilia Hart’s novels are worth making room for - both in your reading schedule, and on your shelves.

~ 👩🏻‍🦰

This book is told in multiple timelines including 1800, 1998, and 2018. The 1800 portion features twin sisters Mary and Eliza. They were transported from Ireland to Australia on a convict ship. The part set in 1998 is about Jess as a young student and her relationship with her art teacher. In 2018 we meet Lucy the younger sister of Jess as she leaves school to visit Jess during a tumultuous time in her life. When she arrives Jess is gone. Lucy finds journals written by Jess and starts reading them to find clues to where she might be. She discovers something that changes everything she thought she knew about her family and herself.

Once again Emilia Hart delivers a beautifully written novel filled with feminine rage, myth, and sisterhood. I loved this magical story and couldn't put it down. I'm eagerly anticipating what Emilia Hart delivers next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Sirens....what can I say but this is another book that I expected to love due to reading and loving the authors first book. This book was simply boring to me and I had to slog my way through it. I wanted more of THE SIRENS, you know, like the title suggested. And maybe less predictability?

This story focuses on Lucy who leaves college unexpectedly after an incident and travels to her sisters home only to find her sister missing. We then receive and alternate timeline and account of her sister Jess and her past and what led her to a life away from her family. I think if you go into this story and know that it will be a slower novel you may do better.

This cover is one of the most beautiful I have seen. I will give the book that.

The Sirens follows modern-day sisters, Lucy and Jess. It juxtaposes their story with the story of sisters Mary and Eliza, who were shipped to New South Wales from Ireland with a ship-ful of women after being convicted of a crime. Ultimately, the Sirens is a story of discovery, new beginnings, and finding your true self.

I got very wrapped up in this novel, and just NEEDED TO KNOW HOW IT ENDED, which I alway take as a good sign. I actually listened to the audiobook copy of this book, which I think helped me get in the character's heads, with the various accents, etc.

This was a surprising find, but overall I really enjoyed it. I'd recommend if you are looking for something different, and enjoy both historical fiction and fantasy (SIRENs etc.)

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy for review

I struggled to connect with The Sirens and likely wouldn’t have finished it without an ARC. While the writing was often beautiful, the book lacked engaging characters, plot, and momentum. Most of the story felt like aimless introspection, especially from Lucy, whose decisions were hard to follow and didn’t feel grounded. The multiple timelines and voices blended together without distinction, and the stakes remained low throughout. Though it picks up near the end, it felt like too little, too late. Disappointing, especially after loving Weyward.

I absolutely loved this book. After reading Weyward Girls by Emilia Hart, I knew that I had the read this title. I love anything that combines sea and mermaids so it was right up my aisle. I sometimes fine alternating timelines and POVs confusing, but this one was easy to follow along with. Everything about this book kept me guessing until the end when it ultimately revealed the connection between Mary, Eliza, Jess, and Lucy. Whatever Emilia Hart publishes in the future, I certainly will read.

Like with Weyward, I finished this novel and thought to myself…wow. The Sirens starts of fast paced and mysterious. Full of trauma and mystery. As history and modern day merge you met with beautiful tales of overcoming trauma and finding yourself amongst that trauma. I am female, mother of daughters and sons, and mythology lover but I still feel that I’ve only processed 10% of this books depth. The story itself is beautiful. The characters lives and tragedies are things that are relatable and sadly common. Seeing this story conclude felt like gaining closure on situations and stories I didn’t realize I needed closure on. These women’s stories were beautifully and delicately told with the inner feminine rage we all feel. Thank you for writing this book. It will forever remain on my shelf as a story to read-read and share.

I loved this book! I started this back when I first received it and didn't realize how close I had been to finishing it all this time. I stopped at chapter 44 of 48 and I didn't remember what happened.. life and got away from reading for awhile. But I kept remembering these characters, particularly Mary and Eliza. I would think of them at random times or when another book made reference to "selkies" and it's like they were calling to me, haha. I wanted to see how their story resolved. As with Weyward, this isn't my typical genre magical realism but she writes in such a easy that pulls me in. Both of her books have been fantastic and I can't wait to see what she writes about next!!

This is my first book by Emilia Hart and it has a few of my favorite things: a dual timeline and points of view, along with historical aspects. With following two sets of sisters, Emilia Hart weaves a story that explores mystery, family history and family secrets. I couldn't wait to see how the two storylines would come together and find the connection between them both, while also trying to solve what happened to Jess. I've always been interested in sirens, so when I saw this book and cover, I couldn't pass it up! This story kept me guessing along the way! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

This was a heartbreaking but beautiful story that unfolded in an eerily captivating way. Its thriller meets history and lore with a sprinkle of fantasy, and alluringly written. A great read!

I didn't love the author's last book, so I was taking a chance on this one when I downloaded it as read now. Unfortunately this one, and this genre just isn't for me.

This was my first Emilia Hart novel, and now I need to go back and read Weyward immediately.

The Sirens is a beautifully eerie story about women, power, and the pull of the sea, woven across three timelines that connect in unexpected ways.

I was hooked by the layered storytelling and the way each timeline unfolded with its own tension and emotional weight. The writing was immersive and full of sensory detail (but not too flowery to detract from the story). I especially loved Mary and Eliza; watching them discover their strength was a highlight for sure.

Recommend The Sirens to anyone in the mood for a satisfying slow burn.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.