3.75 stars
the sirens is a book that you truly can’t fit into one genre: the magical elements mixed with the contemporary timeline and mystery subplot made this read so immersive and atmospheric. from the first chapter i was captivated by the story telling and the sheer intrigue that this novel brings.

this was such a unique take on your typical story of sirens. i loved the concept of the sisters rare skin condition (aquagenic urticaria) and seeing it evolve through the story was so interesting. this in addition to mystery aspect and the sisters battle against their call to water made for a enjoyable reading experience.

My complaints lies in the pacing and timeline switching. I found the pacing to be a bit too slow at times which when in combination with the constantly changing timeline, made it hard to get into the story and keep the stamina to continue reading.

overall this was a very interesting story that provided a little bit of everything in terms of genres. i’m looking forward to going back and reading Hart’s first novel, and to see what else she produces.

I enjoy Emilia’s writing a lot. It feels very magical and cozy, if that makes sense? I liked the characters but felt the story moved a bit slow. Which is fine, just maybe not what I’m used to!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emilia Hart writes some of the most beautiful historical fiction that I have ever read. I thought that this book was so fun in the regard of how the author swept together two completely different stories and seamlessly intertwined them but kept it incredibly interesting along the way. There was some magical realism tied into the story that I thought fit the plot very well. It was actually very eerie and dark at points and although it wasn't what I was expecting, I did really enjoy it. The intersecting timelines and strong will of the women that Hart wrote made it a compelling read for me.

I loved this book and will read anything Hart writes. Atmospheric and perfect and I can’t wait to read whatever else Hart writes

Thank you to @emiliahartbooks @stmartinspress and. @netgalley for the #gifted e-book and @macmillan.audio #MacAudio2025 for the #gifted audiobook.

The story beautifully intertwines elements of history and magical realism, creating a poignant exploration of sisterhood.

We follow three distinct timelines centered around two sisters, Mary and Eliza, who are unjustly convicted of a crime in 1800s England and exiled to Australia. In 2019, Lucy, a college student seeking refuge from a troubling encounter, finds solace with her sister Jess, who shares her own journey beginning in 1998 during high school. As these narratives unfold, secrets emerge, revealing a mesmerizing connection: these women are mermaids, bound by a unique and mystical lineage.

I found this book thoroughly captivating. Although the initial pace felt a bit slow, it swiftly gathered momentum as the threads of the stories intricately wove together. The author masterfully paints a vivid picture of the convict ship and the haunting beauty of Comer Bay, making the setting come alive. The interconnected tales of the sisters are spellbinding, and the portrayal of mermaids is both imaginative and original. I truly admired the strength and independence of the female characters, while the male characters seemed to pale in comparison.

Listening to the audiobook while reading significantly enhanced my experience; the narrator excelled at bringing each character and the full spectrum of their emotions to life.

If you appreciate a richly layered narrative that combines history, mystery, and enchanting elements, this book is an absolute must-read.

I genuinely didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did! I haven’t read Weyward (even though it happens to be on my shelf) and this book made me want to pick it up. I really enjoyed the characters and although I really don’t enjoy pedophilia being a theme in books, I do do understand how it played a part in the plot and the vengeful justice done for the women gave me a lovely satisfaction.

Hart’s The Sirens take on mermaids is fresh and intriguing, and the depiction of the Australian convict ship era adds a compelling layer of historical depth. While there may have been moments that didn't captivate me fully, I appreciated its imaginative storytelling and the way it explores the resilience of women across generations. It’s a book with an undeniable sense of mystery and magic—one that will resonate with anyone who loves folklore-infused historical fiction.

With lyrical prose, The Sirens tells a tale of two sets of sisters bound by family secrets and by the sea. This folkloric coming-of-age story is a stunning meditation on female beauty and power that carefully examines the nuance of violences that women face—that women have always faced—and rejects notions of "good/bad girls" and "boys will be boys" that continue to dominate society's treatment of survivors.

Although it is not a novel that all readers will enjoy, the complex characters, dual timelines, atmospheric setting, and themes of agency and consequences makes The Sirens an excellent book for discussion—a perfect book club pick.

For an extra treat, grab this one as an audiobook. Barrie Kreinik's performance elevates the storytelling, enhances characterization, and creates wonderful distinctions between the timelines. I will definitely seek out other titles read by this narrator.

"The sea gives, but it also takes."

4 stars

A multi-timeline story that beautifully weaves together historical fiction and magical realism. I wish I had read this at the beach!

First we meet Lucy, a twenty year old college student, in the middle of a university crisis. She decides to visit her sister, Jess, the only person she believes who will understand what's happening to her. But upon arrival in Comber Bay, she discovers her sister is missing, and after looking at her artwork, that they may be even more connected that Lucy originally thought. The small town's history has Lucy searching for answers about her sister, and only with the discovery of Jess's journal does she find out things are more complicated than she ever knew.

We shift to the 1800s to a set of twin sisters, Mary and Eliza, forced out of Ireland on a convict ship bound for New South Wales. They've always been taught to fear water, especially the ocean, as their mother drowned when they were younger. But now being aboard the ship and shoved into dank, damp quarters for months they being to feel the call of the sea -- that maybe their mother didn't drown but became something more.

I loved Emilia's writing in Weyward and The Sirens does not disappoint. Her ability to describe in eerie detail the atmosphere upon the ship as well as the tumultuous relationship between each set of sister characters is perfection. She depicts how unbreakable the bonds of sisterhood can be, and what women are truly capable of in the face of adversity.

This book was a slow starter for me. I read the first 25% over three days, but then was completely hooked and read the remaining 75% in one sitting. So if you begin and it does not immediately draw you in, fear not because it is coming. Keep reading! You will be glad you gave this book a chance.

Another poignant and compelling novel from Emilia Hart.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sisters Mary and Eliza are on a convict ship being transported to Australia in the 1800s. Present day sisters Jess and Lucy seem to be working through their challenges individually. Lucy is struggling at university and runs to her sister for help. The Sirens intertwines the stories of the pairs of sisters in a way that keeps you reading to see how they are connected. I enjoyed the historical parts the most, and found those sisters very compelling. The unusual relationship between Jess and Lucy kept me interested in them. I think if you were a fan of historical fiction and true crime/mystery, you will love The Sirens.

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This is my second read from Emilia Hart and I love the way she includes family and women empowerment.

This read in particular shocked me with how much I liked and understood the meaning behind it. The parallel between the sisters and Lucy and Jess were so vastly different yet come together in a satisfying way.

I thought the historical aspect was going to intimidated me but Hart had it spun in a way that really worked for the story. I felt and saw everything that they went through and it hurt.

Emilia Hart, I need your next book NOW!

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

This was my first book by the author and I really enjoyed the writing style and overall themes. Jess was my favorite character, and felt the most realistic and multi-dimensional. I would have preferred that the book was shorter as the second half dragged. I have also figured out the twist around 50% mark so exceeding naivete displayed by Lucy was not endearing her to me in any way (how poor of a grasp does she have on basic biology/genetics)?

Cameron was a weird character as some of his actions at the end did not seem logical to me based on his previous actions.

This was my first book by Emilia Hart. This was an interesting read! I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more books in this genre.

The Sirens is a stunning blend of magical realism and mystery with an overriding theme of female endurance similar to that of Weyward. The novel follows Lucy and Jess in the present day with flashbacks from Mary’s point of view hundreds of years in the past. There’s a definite dark, almost haunted, quality to the book. I enjoyed both timelines but felt a little underwhelmed by the pacing of both. The ending felt a little rushed, with a lot happening in the last 15% of the book. Overall this was an enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC provided in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much for allowing me this advance copy. I’ve been waiting for a year to read this and it did not disappoint!! I loved it. I loved the variety of perspectives. The varying time lines were great. The characters were interesting and dynamic. The writing was engaging and flowed well. I will definitely be buying my own hard copy and reading again. I can’t wait for more from Emilia

I loved Emilia Hart's debut novel "Weyward", and could not wait to get my hands on her second novel. As someone who loved her debut and has been a lifelong lover of mermaids and the sea, this book felt right up my alley. However, I found that "The Sirens" felt too much liked the story of Weyward all over again, but in a different package. I honestly think I would have enjoyed this novel more if I had not read "Weyward" prior.

I would recommend to anyone who is a feminist, loves historical fiction with a dash of magical realism, but I do not think I would ever pick up to reread.

i was drawn to this book by its beautiful cover, the title (i LOVE mermaids), and the fact that i had never read anything by Emilia Hart before. i purposely avoided reading the description, wanting to approach the story with a clean slate. overall, it was a heartwarming tale of women coming together, overcoming both internal and external obstacles, and realizing their self-worth – all incredibly important.

the mystery surrounding the missing sister had me hooked from the beginning, and i was curious to see how the two different points of view would intersect. However, as i reached the halfway point, the story began to drag a bit with too much focus on Mary's dark ship expiernce and Lucy's internal struggles, without much action to move the plot forward. fortunately, Jess's diary entries helped to inject some life into the narrative and build up to the surprising twist at the end.

while the ending was satisfying, there were a few loose ends that were left untied. despite this, I found the story to be a heartwarming read with a slow burn that kept me engaged.

i would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emilia Hart for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emilia Hart for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Sirens" is a mystical, moving, and often macabre story about the complicated relationships we have in our lives, whether it be with our family, or friends, or our lovers.

The story starts off fairly slow, with Lucy not doing much after she flees uni, and Mary and Eliza spending 99% of the book on the prison deck of a ship. Once Jess' diary was introduced, and you started to see how everyone's storylines were connected, it picked up a bit. I've seen many of the reviews saying there was no sense of urgency in the book, but I think it worked in this scenario. The slower pace helped you feel the helplessness of the characters when they could do nothing but wait.

I would've liked some resolution to the aftermath of Lucy's actions with Ben, and whatever potential ramifications she may or may not have faced after her abrupt departure, but overall the story wrapped up quite nicely for all the characters, both past and present.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Harper Collins / The Borough Press and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review! I was drawn to the cover of this novel and setting in NSW, Australia. I was constantly reminded of "The Fatal Shore" throughout this book and was happy to see it mentioned in the acknowledgments! Definitely an atmospheric, dark story from the perspectives of two sisters in two differing timelines. I loved the historical fiction aspect, the mystery, and the characters themselves. The story was better than expected and had a satisfying ending despite the twists and turns. I will be recommending this title after publication!

Emilia Hart is a talented writer. She has the ability to capture my senses through her descriptions, first with Weyward and now with The Sirens. I could taste, smell, see and hear all of the places in this book.

The Sirens follows two strong female characters in two different timelines, but their stories are similar. Lucy and Mary have both been wronged in their relationship with men, which changes the course of their lives. This book is a reminder that women are still treated differently and oftentimes ignored when problems arise with the men in their lives.

I found this book enjoyable to read, it was slow but full of all of the "goods" Hart offers. The last chapter in the book answered a question I had throughout, how are all of these characters connected?