From the very first chapter, this book gave me an eerie, haunted feeling. Weyward was one of my favorites, so as soon as I saw Emilia Hart had another book coming, it was an instant add to my TBR. This story unfolds across two interwoven timelines: Lucy & Jess’s journey and Mary & Eliza’s tale.

After experiencing a traumatic event at university, Lucy seeks refuge with her sister Jess at Cliff House, where Jess has been living and working on her art. Though the sisters have grown apart, Lucy feels Jess may be the only one who truly understands what she’s going through. But when she arrives, Jess is nowhere to be found. While waiting for her return, Lucy stumbles upon her sister’s diary, uncovering long-buried family secrets that might explain the strange events unraveling around her.

Meanwhile, in the past, Mary and Eliza’s story unfolds aboard a convict ship bound for an uncertain future. Their chapters gradually reveal how their fate connects to Lucy’s present-day struggles. As Lucy pieces together the truth, she realizes Jess may be in danger—and time is running out to save her.

This gripping tale of resilience and hidden power kept me turning the pages. Nothing and no one is quite what they seem. I can’t wait to see what Emilia Hart writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emilia Hart for the ARC

This is the second book by Emilia Hart and WOW, it does not disappoint. It is clear that Hart ties in themes of nature, superstitions, mythology, and strong female characters to her style of writing. The females in this book look out for each other. Hart does a seamless job weaving different time periods together in a way where you want to read about both time periods. Hart adds so many traditional and mythological aspects to her writing as well. Reading this book transports you into a different world. A world where magic and myths have to be real.

Female power in spades. This really focuses on the four women’s growth and feminine power as each story unfolds. Traveling back in time to present day these females embrace their power. Loved this book thank you NetGalley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4/5

“We will keep you safe. I promise.”

The Sirens is a devastating and beautiful tale, told from the perspective of two women with an ocean of time between them.

In Ireland, 1800, Mary and her sister Eliza have been exiled and forced aboard a female convict ship that is making the perilous journey to New South Wales. In New South Wales, 2019, Lucy is seeking the help of her sister Jessica, after awakening to find herself strangling her ex-lover.

Readers are introduced to these four women who, despite being separated by two centuries, are facing very similar struggles. Mary and Eliza have committed no crime beyond defending themselves. While Lucy and Jess are struggling to recover from placing their trust in the wrong people. Both sets of sisters find their paths shrouded in secrets, the answers to which just might set them free.

The journey of these characters highlights the resilience of women and the strength that many find in sisterhood (I found myself crying multiple times). The mythical spin on historical events added an additional layer of meaning to this story, as sirens are known for their ability to lure men to their deaths. What better way to depict women who have been wronged by a system built for men. Is this poetic justice?

Emilia Hart’s willingness to give a voice to women lost to time and history made this story much closer to my heart. I appreciate the amount of research she did to create this story and that her forward directed readers to the appropriate sources for more information on the topic.

If you enjoy feminist fiction, mythology, and sobbing over the bonds of sisterhood - this book is for you!

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a book that leaps to and from different timelines. The main characters in this book, Lucy and Jess, sisters in the present, and Mary and Eliza, sisters from the 1800’s, are connected through vivid dreams. I normally enjoy a historical fiction genre, but this lacked any vibrancy. The cover of the book is beautiful, the descriptions sound lovely, but I had trouble connecting with any of the characters. The story itself was choppy, I couldn’t feel the flow of the different centuries, they really felt like different stories.

I truly struggled trying to get through this book. I was hoping for a strong, feminist fantasy of a storyline, but I found it boring.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

The Sirens completely swept me away!

Told in dual timelines, we follow Lucy in 2019 as she flees to her sister’s house after a violent and unexplainable incident, only to find her missing. At the same time, we’re taken back to 1800, where Mary and Eliza, two sisters sentenced to a convict ship heading for Australia, begin to experience strange changes to their bodies. The way these timelines weave together—layering mystery, mythology, and history—was so GOOD, I couldn’t put it down.

This was my first book by Emilia Hart, and WOW, her writing is insanely immersive. When I tell you I smelled the stench of that prisoner ship, I mean it. The atmosphere, the emotion, and the slow unraveling of secrets all made for an unforgettable read.

If you love stories about sisterhood and just a dash of something otherworldly, this one’s for you.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Emilia Hart is a beautiful writer, and this novel was beautifully written, but I didn't find the storyline to be as satisfying as Weyward. I liked the alternate timelines, but connected more with Lucy and Jess's story (the modern story) than I did with Eliza and Mary's.

I found that some of the themes in the story weren't fully fleshed out. For example, Lucy sleepwalking and strangling someone was never really explained fully.

A lot of characters were introduced but not given enough development.

Still, it was a unique premise and an interesting story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. The Sirens by Emilia Hart. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this advanced reader copy. The cover art alone earned this novel a star! So pretty. This novel brings us to the 1800s on an Australia bound ship. Female prisoners are being sent from Ireland to Australia to serve their sentences. Two sisters cling to each other in fear. Then in present day we meet two other sisters who are struggling with many issues. Lucy was attacked at school, and while sleepwalking, she attempts to strangle her assailant. Lucy flees to her sister’s new home on the coast. But Jess seems to have disappeared! This village is known for spooky happenings too. Men have disappeared from this seaside locale. There’s rumored to be a hidden sea cave too. We go back and forth between the sister pairs, learning about the strength of women and what binds us all together. This had a lot of potential, but ended up just becoming too convoluted. Disappointing. #books #whatiread #bookstagram #bookgram #reading #advancedreaderscopy #netgalley #goodreads #libbyapp #thesirens #bookworm

A really dark, cold and almost folktale-like novel that focuses on four women living in different centuries, each of whom is on a journey of self-discovery. Although this is an interesting and compelling story, one that is beautifully written, parts of it dragged way too much and parts of it were wholly predictable. Moreover, the initial plot of the story (involving Lucy’s having to face the consequences of her actions) just disappeared as the story continued, and I was definitely underwhelmed by the ending. All in all this was an interesting, good read but not a great one.

3.5 stars. After reading and loving the author's first book, I was so excited to pick this one up! Alas, it did not quite live up to my expectations.

The Sirens is a beautifully written story with an interesting premise. Written in multiple timelines with multiple POVs, we have a story of sisterhood, healing, and self-discovery.

The writing and vivid description made it easy for me to visualize the setting and the storyline. While I enjoyed having different POVs, they were written very similarly and were hard to differentiate as I read, which made things feel a bit monotonous. I also struggled to understand or believe some of the characters' decisions, and I did not care much for the teacher/student relationship and its revival in the present.The book dragged in the middle, but things picked up again around the 75/80% mark to a mostly satisfying ending. We got our biggest questions answered. There are a few smaller loose ends that weren't fully resolved, but that didn't bother me as much as it did other readers.

I think readers who like beautiful prose, fantasy, female empowerment, and mermaids/the sea, and who don't mind a slower burn, will enjoy this book. But I think the author's first book is better.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sirens is the newest release by Emilia Hart, author of Weyward. I loved Weyward and was so excited to receive an ARC of The Sirens!

This story is told in alternating timelines and points of view. In the 1800s, we have Mary and her sister Eliza. They are convicts on a prison ship from Ireland headed to the penal colonies in New South Wales. Crowded into the belly of the ship with other female prisoners, the sisters experience cruel treatments and heartache as they leave their home behind. In the present day, we have Lucy who wakes up from sleepwaking and finds herself assaulting a boy who had hurt her in the recent past. She flees university to avoid the investigation and to try to learn why she's been sleepwalking from her sister, Jess, who also sleepwalks. She arrives at her sister's house, Cliff house, but her sister is missing. Finally, we have Jess, whose POV is told through her diary in 1999. Lucy finds this diary and begins to piece the puzzle together in order to find her sister.

This story is one of resilience and kinship, feminine rage and protection. It blends mystery, historical fiction, and magical realism to create an intricate tale of sisterhood and the things that bind women together. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book by Emilia Hart is a captivating novel that intertwines the lives of two sets of sisters across different centuries. The story alternates between 2019, where Lucy flees to her sister Jess’s house after a traumatic incident, and 1800, where Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convict ship heading to Australia. The novel explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the haunting power of the sea.

What I liked about the book:

Atmospheric Writing: Hart’s descriptions of the coastal setting and the eerie, sea-swept caves are hauntingly beautiful, creating a vivid backdrop for the story.
Characters: The characters are well-developed, with each sister’s journey reflecting their strength and vulnerability. The dual timelines are handled skillfully, with each era’s narrative enriching the other.
Themes: The novel delves into heavy themes such as trauma, healing, and the fight against oppression, making it a thoughtful and compassionate read

What I didn't like:

Pacing: I felt like it was a slow pace in the middle sections, as the story takes its time to build up to the climax.
Predictability: A few plot twists may be predictable for seasoned readers of the genre, which could lessen the impact of the revelations.
Conclusion: “The Sirens” is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and magical realism that celebrates the strength of women and the bonds of sisterhood.

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

First of all, can we all take a minute to appreciate just how gorgeous this cover is? I really love it.

I also quite enjoyed Hart’s atmospheric writing. I felt the cool slick rocks of the cave, I could smell the damp fetid walls of the ocean reclaiming Jess’s home, I could sense the foreboding of being locked in the dark hull of a ship with Mary and Eliza. The setting was masterfully put together and was my favorite part of the story.

The Sirens is dual time line—and I mostly liked the story set in the 1800s. Sisters being transported from Ireland to a penal colony in New South Wales? Survival, strength, and bonding among those being transported? Yes please! But I wanted MORE from this story. I felt like I understood a little bit of what was happening here, but not enough…

…and that brings us to the present day storyline, or as I like to call it, the major meh part. First of all, the characters were very hard to connect with—I wanted to cheer for them, but they just did nothing for me and I could not muster a rally cry. Secondly—things were happening, a metamorphosis of sorts, but I’m not sure why? Why these two sisters? What was the link with the past? HOW? I just didn’t get it.

So there you have it, a stunning cover, a brilliantly crafted atmosphere, some interesting context, but ultimately a story that fell a little short of my expectations.

I will definitely read another novel from Hart—she is a gifted writer, there is no doubt. However, Weyward far surpasses The Sirens for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the digital ARC.

Overall, I didn't love this one. The pacing was slow which had me struggling throughout and I just couldn’t get into the story. I did enjoy the concept of historical and magical realism. But that didn’t really save the book for me.

"The Sirens" by Emilia Hart is a captivating novel that masterfully intertwines historical fiction, magical realism, and mystery to explore themes of sisterhood, resilience, and empowerment. The story unfolds across two timelines: in 1800, Irish sisters Mary and Eliza are transported to Australia as convicts; in 2019, journalist Lucy seeks solace in her sister Jess's coastal home, only to find her missing amidst eerie local legends. Hart's lyrical prose vividly brings to life the haunting atmosphere of Comber Bay, a town shrouded in mystery and whispers of the supernatural. The dual narrative structure is handled with finesse, weaving together past and present in a way that keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the connections between the two. The novel's exploration of women's strength and solidarity in the face of adversity is both poignant and inspiring. Fans of Hart's debut, "Weyward," will find familiar themes here, but "The Sirens" stands on its own as a testament to Hart's growth as a storyteller. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate richly layered tales that celebrate the enduring bonds between women.

Wow. Emilia just gave us a heartbreaking, haunting, beautifully written book about the strength and power found in Sisterhood + Womanhood. The stories of Lucy, Jess, Eliza & Mary will stick to your bones long after reading.

The Sirens is as intriguing as it is mysterious. Just when I thought I knew how a storyline would play out, it went an entirely new and exhilarating direction! I highly recommend this read to anyone wanting a story that will take them on a feminist ride, untwisting secrets that span hundreds of years in the most magical way. Such a satisfying conclusion that had me in tears. So happy this was my first Emilia Hart read! It’s left me eager to dive into her other works.

Eternally grateful for the chance to devour this highly anticipated ARC of mine thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. I hope this novel gets all the praise!

I absolutely loved Weyward so I was excited to find out Hart had another upcoming book set to be released on April 1, 2025. Unfortunately I had such high hopes for The Sirens but it didn’t live up to my expectations. The pacing was a bit slow, which took me out of the story at times.
The writing style is magical and I could feel the emotions of the characters but the overall story felt off at times. The switching between perspectives and times seemed to hurt more than help. The second half of the book began to pick up and some of the bigger plot points became clear. My biggest disappointment with this book was that the female characters seemed so helpless most of the time. I wanted a bit more from the ending as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

This book was filled with secrets, mystery, and eerie vibes. The beginning hooked me, and I loved how the story was told in multiple timelines. There were twists that I did not expect. I love how this author writes with themes of sisterhood and femininity in her stories. The pacing was a bit slow, which took me out of the story at times. I wanted a bit from from the ending as well. 3.25 stars.

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

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a lovely novel! There was a lot of the story that I was so intrigued to see how it would be wrapped up, and Hart did a great job! This story combines fantasy with some mystery, old world (1800s) with new world (2019, talk of podcasts) which made it very interesting to read!

2.5 stars.

I want to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book prior to its release.

While I wanted to love it, I felt that it missed the mark for me. I was tempted to not finish it more than once.

Overall, the story was very dull. I did not feel a connection to any of the characters.

The alternate timeline never made sense with the presence and the plot just seemed to meander for the majority if the book.

I agree with other reviewers who thought a solid 100 pages or so could have easily been edited/trimmed from the final novel because they did not serve the story.

It also seemed as if the author frequently was repeating herself. In the first coupld of chapters alone, she described 3 seperate rooms as "stale."

It feels like there is too much going on, but also too little. The main story is very slow, and lacks any meaningul action and story building. I kept turning page after page, searching for a spark, but found only relentless overthinking. The plot crawled beneath heavy layers of introspection, making the characters feel distant and difficult to connect with.

At the end of the day, I think I would have enjoyed this novel more had it been fully the story of the Irish sisters being transported to Australia.