3 out of 5 Stars!

When Lucy wakes up to find herself strangling her ex-lover, she is horrified. What possessed her to do such a thing? To escape the horror of what she’s done, she flees to her sister's house on the coast of New South Wales. Except, when she arrives, her sister Jess is missing. As Lucy waits for her to return, she starts to do some investigating of her own. Not only into Jess’s disappearance, but into the missing men along the coast. Back in the 1800s, Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convicted ship heading for Australia. As they leave Ireland and head towards Australia, their bodies start to morph into something new. As the days pass, the more they uncover their true identity.

Since reading “Weyward” by Emilia Hart, I have been craving another piece of magical historical fiction. So, when I finally saw “The Sirens” hit Netgalley, I was ecstatic to be picked for an advanced reader copy. This book had a strong emphasis on family, sisterhood, feminism, and fantasy. Normally, I really love these topics, but this specific one really didn’t do it for me. Even with the strong writing, I thought this book fell flat with a slow plot and twist I saw coming.

I do believe this book had huge potential for crazy twists and action. But like I mentioned before, I saw most of the twists coming pretty early on in the plot. Along with that, the plot was really lacking for me, up to 80%. A lot of the plot was about Lucy trying to find Jess, but instead of looking for her, she was reading diary entries to learn more about her sister. Personally, I think a combination of detective work and journal reading would have brought more of a flow to the story.

Along with Lucy’s perspective, we get to hear from Jess and Mary. Out of all three perspectives, Jess’s was my favorite as there was an actual plot and cliffhangers in between chapters. Mary’s perspective was interesting, but I found it hard to follow at times. Again, there wasn’t anything that really jumped out to me in terms of the plot.

By the time I finished the book, I felt like there were still some leftover questions. Again, I think the boiling point of this book could have started earlier, so we heard more about their current situation at the end. I am really disappointed by “The Sirens” by Emilia Hart. But, because “Weyward” was so good, I am hoping for a better book in the future!

“The Sirens” by Emilia Hart will be released on April 1st, 2025!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Emilia Hart, and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Sirens definitely has a plot that is different than anything I've ready before. Part mystery, part historical-fiction, part magical realism, it really blended all these genres together well. The book kept my interest from the start and was hard to put down. The writing was atmospheric and the mystery storyline definitely had me hooked.

It's really cool how the author managed to combine a part of history I had never heard about (ships full of British convicts that were taken to what is now Australia) with a mystery that also has feminist themes running throughout.

There was a twist that I saw coming pretty far in advance. It didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story, I just didn't experience the shock that I think I was meant to when the twist was revealed.

I really don't want to say too much more as I don't want to give anything away. Just know it's a unique story with some unusual elements to it. If you enjoy historical fiction, mysteries, and magical realism, I think you'll really enjoy this book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I do not know what it is that draws me into the books of Emilia Hart. The language? Characters or themes? I don't know. They are otherworldly. Hart's books truly are like Siren songs to me. There is something in her writing that is so mystical. Elegant. Visceral. Speaking of her books, using words like "captivate" or a phrase like "draw me in" would not accurately describe what I feel when I listen to or read them. No. They CALL me into their worlds. This one washed over me like a soft sea wave.

Taking place in three different periods, this wonder of the sea tells the story of three generations of two sisters who are searching for the truth about their longings, dreams, and old mysteries.
In 2019, Lucy has been sleepwalking and ends up with her hands around her ex-lover's throat. Confused by her actions, she seeks out her estranged sister, Jess, who has always been a sleepwalker. Arriving at Comber Bay on the coast of Australia, Lucy finds Jess's house empty, with her car, keys, and phone present. As she waits for Jess to return, she lets herself in and begins to feel a visceral connection to the artwork, the home, and the sea. But why? As she searches for answers, she listens to a true crime podcast about men in Comber Bay who have gone missing. Yet, a baby is found in a nearby cave. When she finds Jess's diary, she realizes that the truth may be closer than she thinks.
In 1999, Jess is a small-town girl who has a crush on her art teacher. He seems to see something in her that no one else does. Jess knows she's different. She just happens to have an allergy to water. She can't stop thinking and dreaming about two sisters trapped on a ship in the ocean. Is she connected to them somehow? The closer she gets to learning the truth, the more difficult it becomes to stay away from Comber Bay
In 1800, Mary and Eliza are taken as prisoners aboard a ship to be exiled on the coast of Australia. Facing harsh conditions in cramped quarters, Eliza finds singing to bring comfort to them both. They've always been afraid of water. But as the ship travels to this new land, they begin to notice changes in their bodies, as the sea calls them.

The writing. Oh, the writing! The setting, the themes of resilience, the bonds of sisterhood, the connection across time, and the hints of magic are simply breathtaking. This is not a fantasy book. It is more historical fiction and magical realism. Emilia Hart is creatively brilliant.

A very special thank you to St. Martin's Press, Emilia Hart, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this audio ARC in exchange for my raving review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
4.25 stars!
I was so hyped to get this ARC after loving Weyward. I really enjoyed this one. Harts writing really draws you in and immerses you into the story. I enjoyed learning about parts of history I did not know much about and I loved the concept of Sirens and mermaids being protectors of women. If you enjoyed Weyward, I think you will enjoy this too!

Two sets of sisters living two centuries apart connected by their dreams. Such is the premise of Emilia Hart’s latest feminist mystery, THE SIRENS.

Like her earlier book, WEYWARD, Hart delivers an atmospheric novel rich in imagery and with a touch of magic. Her writing is beautiful and it’s easy to get swept away by her words. Another similarity is the heavy emphasis on female trauma and the struggles to get justice.

Lucy and Jess are sisters bound together by sleepwalking that accompanies strange dreams. Along the rugged coast of Australia a mystery reveals itself regarding men who have vanished without a trace. The sisters’ dreams slowly reveal a possible connection to another set of sisters banished on a slave boat from Ireland centuries ago.

THE SIRENS is a slowly meandering journey that requires suspending disbelief and immersing yourself in the tale. It’s a story of resilience and connection and the magic of answering what calls you.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a story about sisterhood, and how the sea brought together women who needed each other, needed an escape, needed to feel safe. There were multiple timelines in this story, but in each one those themes were very present. And then the timelines tied together in a beautiful way, older generations of women helping the next ones as time went on. There were some twists I wasn't expecting and definitely didn't see coming throughout this book. It was a little slow to start until I felt rooted into the different timelines, but once I did I was consumed by these stories and how they weaved together so beautifully in the end. 🩵📚

Thank you to the author and to the publisher for this ARC of The Sirens, in exchange for an honest review.

The Sirens
Emilia Hart did it again! She brougth us another original story where feminism and magical realism collide with epic results.
We follow the stories of four women in two diferent time lines.
First we meet Lucy, a journalism student who gets into trouble after being ciberbullied due a rare skin condition. Seeking her estranged sister Jess help at Comper Bay in the Australian coast. All she could find was it looks like a haunted house and the most desolate place where several men have gone missing at sea over the years.
Through Jess´diary, Lucy finds out that she also have been struggling with her rare condition.
The narrative shifts between chapters to the 1800s, where we meet Mary and Eliza and their heartbreaking story. They are twin sisters from Ireland sent to Australia as convicts. Due their journey aboard a ship for criminals, we learn their sad story and the strange changes in their bodies.
This is a immersive read with a powerful mesage about self discovery. I loved the characters development and the autor´s creativity reimagining the historical events.
Officially, I can say, that I´m gonna read everything Emlia Hart writes.
Thank you NetGalley, thank you St. Martin´s Press New York for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this atmospheric novel that defies categorization - part mystery, part magical realism, part historical fiction, with the past timeline slowly unfolding over the course of the present day story. I loved the witchy, mermaid vibes and was completely engrossed from the beginning. A wonderful sophomore novel for the author of WEYWARD - I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Pub Date: 4/1/25
Review Published: 3/31/25
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Sirens

This one was a vibey and spooky storytelling experience. With the layered timelines and POVs, I thought the narration did an incredible job of keeping the characters straight and pulling you along the narrative.

There were some heavier topics that were hard to read, so I am glad I was able to switch to the audio version because the atmospheric narration helped me continue on.

Recommend if you enjoy literary fiction that doesn’t shy away from hard topics with a mix of some magical realism.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillian Audil for the ARC and ALC! My opinions are my own.

Sirens is a combination of magical realism, historical vibes and mystery. Just when you think you have figured it out, another mystery throws you into a different direction.

This compelling story explores the lives of women and sisters across generations, revealing their remarkable ability to adapt, overcome, and thrive in the face of adversity, inspiring hope and empowerment for a better tomorrow. It was a truly captivating experience for myself and I’m sure other readers.

Actually 4.5⭐️

I really enjoyed The Sirens and the way that Emilia Hart interwove the main characters stories.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I will be recommending it to others.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC that will be published tomorrow! Like I did with "Weiward," I enjoyed this story. I like how the author always tells you a story of magic or mythology and intertwines it with real-life tragic events many people (women above all) go through. She makes you relate to the story and the characters in a way, without having been a witch or a siren. Without spoiling the story (I always avoid doing so), if you enjoyed her previous book, you will enjoy this one too

She does it again with another hauntingly beautiful novel that intertwines the female characters lives with lyrical prose and a compelling blend of history, magic, and emotion. The atmospheric writing draws readers into a world where myth and reality blur, leaving a lasting impact. A captivating, thought-provoking read for fans of female resilience with a touch of the supernatural.

I have mixed feelings about this book - ultimately, I didn’t connect with the story.

The Sirens follows a similar plot device with parallel stories across centuries, like Hart’s debut, Weyward. Similarly, it ties historical fiction with fantasy and mythology elements. Both of those aspects I enjoyed. I think that Hart does a really masterful job of paralleling the past and present in both books I’ve read, while still weaving in some really magical elements. All of that stood up, and I think I liked those parts more than “Weyward”.

However - it felt like nothing really “happened” until the last ~20% of the book. It was just a lot of back story and zero main plot, which didn’t hook me or keep me engaged. I didn’t find myself compelled to find out what happened, because a lot of it felt very obvious. Some plot twists, but nothing that really grabbed me.

Plus, it felt a bit too contrived. I’m just not buying, that for 30+ years, this girl just barely ever touched water? I’m just not sure that a “water allergy” would really hold up. I don’t know, something about it just didn’t hit.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. It’s out April 1. Opinions are my own.

This book was such a captivating and atmospheric book. With differing lush, mysterious landscapes from Ireland in the 1800s, to Australia in the 2000's as well as a daunting boat journey, the novel follows the lives of three women linked by a haunting and dangerous myth. This book provides eerie vibes and beautiful storytelling.

With a folklore/myth bent, this book is right up my alley because of the beautiful backgrounds it relates to.

This book was captivating, engrossing, hauntingly beautiful, and thought-provoking novel that kept me awake to finish it.

This ebook was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, St Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of The Sirens.

While I didn't feel as strongly about The Sirens as I did Weyward, this was still an amazingly-told story. I was captivated by the mystery surrounding the 2019 sisters and the pain and fear of their journey felt by the 1800 sisters. Emilia Hart has cemented herself in my must-read author list. Told through two different timelines while following tow different sets of sisters, The Siren delivers a story of resilience, power, grace, and sisterhood with a nice size portion of fantasy.

3.5 stars! This story follows two time lines of two sets of woman. Mary and Eliza are sisters who find themselves on a ship headed to what becomes Australia after they assaulted a man attacking them. Jess and Lucy are sisters year later that are each dealing with men that betrayed them. When Lucy is suspended from university she goes to see her sister but finds her missing. The book continues with secrets exposed and fates realized.

This book was so interesting in so many ways. There were parts that dragged a bit but I loved the ending and how everything came together.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I just loved this book from the first page.
It is a tale of sisterhood ,family and resilience. Throughout the book these characters are drawn to the sea. It is told in three different timelines bu the author has woven them together so it is never disjointed.
It is the story of Lucy and Jess -2 sisters living in Australia and Mary and Eliza-twin sisters from Ireland who were sent to Australia on a convict ship. It is interesting to see how those 4 are so connected. It is a beautiful tale of healing using history, magical realism and mystery to keep your interest up to the last page

This is one of those books where, the more I thought about it, the less I liked it. When I started I was very interested, but it felt like quite a bit of the story was told through journalling, and not in the best way. The end was fairly rushed, and the main character's reaction to the ending was underwhelming. There was a lot that was just hand waived away, and it didn't sit well with me. I kept thinking, "how did that happen?" and not in a great-shocked way.
I am still giving three stars because I really liked it as I finished it, and the writing was very good. When I initially finished I thought I would give it four stars before thinking further on it.

This was an interesting read. I think I made the mistake of listening to the audio ALC because it was a bit hard to keep up with the characters changing and some timeline changes. But overall the story was good. A little mystery and a little fantasy. I love a mermaid type story and since this one was set over generations I enjoyed it. The characters were likable and it was definitely a story of finding yourself and the truth.