I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a mixed third and first person-POV dual-timeline speculative novel. After attacking the man who shared her nudes, Lucy leaves her university and heads to the home of her older sister, Jess. But Jess isn’t there, told no one where she was going, and left her phone in the house. In 1800, twin sisters Eliza and Mary are forced on a ship from Ireland to Australia.

Emilia Hart opens the novel by acknowledging the complex history of Australia and that it is not her place to tell the stories of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples and then gives acknowledgement to the Walbunja people. This doesn’t mean that she ignores Aboriginal people in the plot; one of the side characters is half-Aboriginal, Melody, and there is a specific mention of the devastation the ships carries Irish convicts had on the native population as well as the thousands of years that Australia had been populated prior to the arrival of Europeans. It’s very important for us to recognize that two things can be true at the same time: that the British forced Irish people onto ships to get them out of the way and how that is a form of genocide and that the Irish, in turn, participated in genocide in Australia.

Two of the major themes are survivorship and life after sexual assault. Lucy was starting a relationship with Ben who claimed to care about her and then shared her nudes with his friends who then posted them to social media, ruining Lucy’s life. Instead of supporting Lucy, her university seems to be more on Ben’s side and even tells her not to ruin his life by pressing charges. But nobody asks about Lucy and her life. We also have depictions of a teacher grooming a high school student and the trauma experienced by Irish women at the hands of the men who arrived with them in Australia.

The speculative element comes in Jess and Lucy having silver markings on their skin that gets worse when they come in contact with water. The prose is quite lovely and conveys the silver markings in increasingly poetic ways as well as the way other people react to it. Lucy’s school treated her like she was a monster and Lucy herself has always struggled with her skin while Jess has her own struggles with her rash. Smells are used quite a bit as well to convey the aquatic aspects to the speculative elements.

Content warning for depictions of grooming, sexual assault, and mentions of racism

I would recommend this to fans of dual timeline speculative fiction and readers looking for something exploring the recent complex history of Australia

The Sirens explores themes of female resilience and ancient magic. The prose is beautiful but sometimes the characters lack depth/development and the plot is inconsistent in pacing. If you loved Weyward, you might be disappointed by this one. Overall this was a 3.5/5 for me. Thank you SMP and Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I can say that I almost DNF this book because the beginning was so slow and predictable that it seemed boring. I am so happy that I stuck it out! The twist and turns that occurred in the middle and end of the book were insane! The relationship dynamics between all the characters are so different than anything I have read recently that I flew through the rest of the book.

This book is definitely a mystery and its only partly because of the mythical sirens. Jess and Lucy go through crazy personal hurtles all because they have weird dreams about historical people. Mary and Eliza are the key to everything, and it is interesting to see how the author slowly merges both timelines into a wonderful tale. I did know a good amount of history of the convicts that were forced to live in Australia, but this book definitely taught me more about the process and the path that the ships took.

By the time I finished, I was so satisfied with the book that I want to jump right back into it and pay more attention to the little details.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ feminist fantasy sign me up. The story begins with 4 women who want to find their place in a world where quality is a myth. They must come together and use their differences to build themselves up/ find their place in the world. The story is woven in with real historical events that happened in Australia. The true message that this book gives me as women empowerment.. I loved it so much

Wow I really enjoyed this! Straight off the bat I loved the writing and I was so intrigued by the story. The writing was beautiful and perfectly descriptive and the story being told pulled me in right away. The dual timeline is done so well, through the entire story I was captivated by both Lucy and Jess’s story in the present day as well as Mary and Eliza’s story in the past. I was equally excited to read both timelines and go on their journeys with them.
The mysterious elements were fun and captivating as they unraveled. Though I would’ve liked to have spent more time in the explanations at the end, I would have liked to see more if it happening in action rather than some things being alluded to or just briefly told to us. Like actually see some of the things happen in action, even if the seeing was brief as well. Some of the mysterious elements throughout felt a little left behind at the end, glossed over. I did appreciate that things weren’t over explained though, that the author trusts her audience to understand what is going on, what the truth actually is, and how things came to be.
I loved the characters. Lucy and Jess and Mary and Eliza were so fun to follow and learn about. Their experiences and shared conditions were fascinating to follow along. I also found the historical element of the prisoner ships from Ireland to Australia so fascinating.
I had such an enjoyable reading experience with this book. Every time I picked it up I was excited to read more and I was captivated by what I was reading. I read a lot of this book around other people so I was continuously asked what I was reading and I was always excited to tell them and tell them that it was really good. I almost want to get a physical copy just so I can lend it to people! I had a good time reading this book, and that is always my main takeaway when I read. I love when I can enjoy the reading experience and every page. I would say a 4 star book but a 5 star read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC!

The premise of The Sirens intrigued me & holds promise. The execution however was not quite there for me. I wasn't compelled to see what happens next in the way that I was when reading Weyward. The multiple povs that flowed brilliantly in Hart's previous work didn't have that same effect here. There were aspects of the story that felt so unserious & cliche (and made me think of H2O) that it pulled me out of the narrative. While the plot and stakes did pick up in the last 20% of the book, this drive wasn't consistent throughout the beginning and middle.
I loved & was excited by the concepts of this novel & it was so close to being just right, but overall it did miss the mark for me. I will be interested in seeing what Emilia Hart creates in the future!
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

This was definitely not like Weyward. So when I realized that I was able to enjoy this book more I liked the dual timelines. The stories of the sisters on their journeys.
I had little knowledge of the convict ships from England and Ireland to Australia. I love a book that inspires me to dig into history, esp history that I know little of.
I could have done without the epilogue at the end of the book.

SYNOPSIS
- In 2019, Lucy wakes up in her ex’s bed with her hands around his throat. Terrified, she flees to her sister Jess’s house—only to find Jess missing. As she searches for answers, she uncovers eerie town rumors: men vanishing, whispers in the waves, and a baby abandoned in a sea cave.
- In 1800, Irish sisters Mary and Eliza are ripped from their home and sent on a convict ship to Australia. As the journey drags on, strange changes begin happening to them—changes that can’t be explained.

MY THOUGHTS
- This book was so slow. Every scene dragged, and it felt like nothing ever happened.
- The multiple POVs should have made it more interesting, but everyone sounded exactly the same—even the characters from the 1800s.
- I didn’t care about the characters or the plot. The concept had potential, but it was just… boring.
- The ending wasn’t worth the struggle. After hundreds of pages, I was left wondering why I even stuck it out.
- I kept hoping it would pick up, but it never did. At times, it felt endless.

TL;DR ⭐️⭐️Painfully slow, flat characters, and not nearly as exciting as it sounds. The dual timeline lacked depth, and the story dragged with no real payoff.

I read Emilia Hart’s debut novel, Weyward and instantly fell in love with her beautiful prose and storytelling. So when I saw that she was coming out with a new novel I immediately requested it on NetGalley.

The Sirens is a dual POV story that spans from the 1800s to modern day. The story follows two imprisoned sisters on a grueling journey across the ocean to Australia as well as two sisters navigating their lives with a mysterious medical ailment in modern day Australia.

This epic story of sisterhood is rich in history and lore from the shores of Ireland to the shores of Australia. We all know the old sailor tales of sirens, they’re savage beauty and ability to lure men into the sea to their deaths. Emilia Hart breathes life into these tales and gives us a beautiful story of resilience in womanhood.

The Sirens is atmospheric, it is as beautiful as it is sad. At times this story reminded me a lot of Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning, another fantastical tale that highlights the danger of the sea.

I absolutely loved this story, Emilia Hart has become an auto buy author for me for sure!

After reading Wayward I was very excited to get a new book by Emilia Hart. This one did not disappoint! It had the same "gothic like" feel that I love. It was a great story about strong women, and the ups and downs of their lives. We follow two pairs of sisters, one pair from the 1800 and the other pair from modern times, and their struggles. The pair from 1800 are convicts forced to go to Australia from Ireland. They all have a strange relationship with water akin to some sort of allergy.
The story is captivating, especially the suspenseful and mystery parts, and they are plentiful. Certain parts left me gasping, especially the end.
I highly recommend this book! It was so well written. I can't wait for more from Ms Hart.

Overall, I would not recommend this book. I did like the siren lore, and the clear interpretation of myth by the author. Otherwise, found the story predictable from the beginning, and it was a frustrating read as you wait for the clueless characters to catch up with what you put together from the start. The historical timeline lacked substance, and was all filler until the shipwreck, and the present day timeline was not engaging.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a beautifully written novel that blends elements of magic, mystery, and tragedy. Set in the lush and atmospheric backdrop of Cornwall, the story revolves around three women whose lives are entangled with a long-buried secret. The writing is vivid, and the author skillfully captures the eerie allure of the setting, creating a haunting atmosphere that draws the reader in.

However, while the novel excels in atmosphere and prose, it falls short in pacing and character development. At times, the plot feels slow and meandering, with certain sections dragging on without much progression. The characters, though intriguing, feel somewhat underdeveloped, and their motivations are not always clear, which can make it difficult to fully connect with them.

The premise of the novel is compelling, but the execution leaves something to be desired. The Sirens ultimately feels like a book with great potential, but it doesn't fully deliver on that promise. For readers who enjoy atmospheric novels with a touch of the mystical, it may still be worth picking up, but it may not satisfy those looking for a faster-paced or deeply engaging plot.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy for review.
While not my usual genre, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was 100% invented in the outcome. I will be recommending to everyone.

I haven't had the pleasure of reading Weyward yet, but I've heard such good things. So when I saw that Emilia Hart had a new release, I jumped at the chance. The Sirens tells the stories of two sets of sisters separated between hundreds of years. It's a blend of historical fiction, mystery, and magical realism. Emilia really captures the theme of female empowerment and resilience. The story is atmospheric and I really appreciated the re-imagining of real historical events in Australia. I read this shortly after I returned from a 2 week vacation in Australia and felt like it was perfect timing. I will definitely be adding Weyward to my TBR!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love Emilia Hart’s writing, the beautiful way she manages to bring bits of magic into modern day, while also weaving in stories from the past always keeps me coming back for more. While the Sirens does have a little bit of a spooky vibe, it ultimately is a beautiful story of sisterhood and women finding their true selves in a world that is not always kind to them. I really enjoyed following Lucy, Jess, Mary, and Eliza through time and definitely recommend fans of Weyward give the Sirens a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC!

I was so excited to see a new book by Emilia Hart, after loving Weyward, and I honestly preferred this one! I love the undercurrent of feminine rage throughout it. The characters were so well developed and I loved how they were all connected. The author perfectly blended elements of fantasy and reality.

The story is set in two timelines. The first timeline follows Lucy and her sister, Jess, in modern day Australia, where Lucy has had to flee from university to Jess’ house, to find Jess not there. The other follows Mary and Eliza, to sisters on a 1800s convict ship, bound for Australia.

I received the audio version and was blown away. The narrator is excellent. Her reading was so distinct between the two timelines - it’s hard to believe it’s only one narrator.

I haven't read Weyward yet (it's on my neverending tbr), but I have heard great things so I was excited at the opportunity to read this one! I love a good dual timeline, and this story has an excellent mystery laced throughout the story. Her characters and their stories are so compelling, I couldn't put this down! I love the way Hart connected everything. Her writing is so beautiful, I can't believe I slept on reading her!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a memorizing and beautifully written novel. The way that Hart writes about heartbreak and trauma and the roads that we take to redemption is exactly the kind of stories I need in my life. Add a little dash of magic and mystery and *chefs kiss* . I liked Lucy and thought that she was endearing and relatable, she had so many things working against her with her medical condition and the things that started happening to her that she couldn't explain or understand. Then of course throw in a condescending "golden can do no wrong" boy in the mix and I was sucked in and ready to go to bat for her. When she shows up to her sisters is when the story takes that fantastical twist that Hart does so well. So many things made this such a fun read, between the main story line, the ship, and the diary it was three stories all perfectly woven together. And all three felt fleshed out enough that none seemed incomplete by the end. I could not put this down and every time I thought I knew what was going on or where the connections were I was thrown back into left field. The mystery parts of this book are fantastic and the feminine rage revenge angle played out perfectly. The Sirens now lives next door to Weyward rent free in my head and I cannot wait to see what is next for Hart.

This is a multi timeline fantasy, beginning with a heart breaking prologue. 2019, with Lucy fleeing her life after an unfortunate event at college. She runs to her estranged sister’s home in the coast, only to find her sister Jessica missing when she arrives and a local mystery where men have been disappearing over a period of years. While sifting through her sister’s life, she stumbles across a diary that transports readers to 1999 when Jessica is a a teenager. Interspersed with these timelines, we also get flashbacks to the 1800’s where another set of sisters are being transported on a ship for criminals. The three timelines weave together to produce the mystical answer to all of the questions.

I found the first half of the book to be very slow going. Lucy does a lot of moping about, getting nowhere and in general feeling sorry for herself. Until she discovers Jessica’s diary, she seems to be spinning out indefinitely. The book began to pick up once the puzzle pieces were revealed and as the three timelines began producing answers. Jessica’s diary timeline is much more enjoyable than reading from Lucy’s perspective. I did enjoy the mystical aspect in the end, when it was all coming together. All in all, I liked the book, but it is not one that I would reread. The cover is beautiful however!
I do have a copy of the authors first book, Weyward, lingering in my TBR stack. I do think I’ll be moving it up to read soon because I did like the author’s writing style.

Thanks to Emilia Hart, St Martins Press and NetGalley for the advance copy.

The Sirens is a captivating tale centered on Lucy, a young woman whose reality begins to unravel after a traumatic experience, until details from vivid dreams of two sisters from the 1800s guide her toward the truth. This is a beautifully written, genre-bending story that blends magical realism, historical fiction, and a bit of mystery into a fascinating feminist tale. The pacing is painfully slow, but the characters and plot kept me intrigued enough to keep going, and by the end, I was grateful I stuck with it.