Wow. This one truly surprised me! It blended elements of woman’s fiction, historical folklore, and dark mystery for a truly compelling story that kept me enthralled. I really enjoyed it and I think reading this at the end of summer/start of fall was just the right time to enjoy the book’s spooky ocean town setting.

Dual timelines can be a bit of a hit or a miss for me but, they really worked well here and tied the storylines together! This story definitely shocked me at times in a good way and it wasn’t predictable. If you look for books that include spooky, atmospheric or eerie settings, this may be a good addition to your TBR!

I highly recommend listening to this one. The audiobook narrator did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and the accents really helped me get into the story!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for listening while in a bubble bath, The Sirens explores the lives of women separated by time but joined in spirit. It has a captivating story with characters that feel real.

I was given the opportunity to this ebook to read in exchange for an honest review by the publisher.

The last half of the book was WILD. There was mystery, drama, and the vibes were woven perfectly throughout. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)

Sirens was a really enjoyable read that gave me strong Weyward vibes. The story weaves together different timelines, and I absolutely loved seeing how everything connected in the end—this author has such a talent for pulling threads together seamlessly. The Gothic fantasy atmosphere was steady and immersive, almost cozy in its tone.

That said, the pacing is definitely on the slower side. There weren’t any big moments that shocked me or made me super excited, and the fantasy elements stayed at a steady hum rather than spiking with action or intensity. Still, I appreciated the way the timelines unfolded and the way the narrative eventually tied everything together.

Overall, this felt like a cozy Gothic fantasy with a unique rhythm. While it wasn’t the most thrilling read, I’d still recommend it to readers who enjoy layered timelines, Gothic vibes, and slower, atmospheric storytelling.

This book follows women overcoming impossible odds, and transforming the remains of trauma into a personal Renaissance. Lucy and Jessica—sisters living in present day Australia—are dreaming of twin sisters, Eliza and Mary, who both lived over 200 hundred years ago. The twins were forced to travel to Australia on a British convict ship with other women and their story is one of sadness and transformation. Each time Lucy and Jessica dream, they learn more about the twins’ story, but they also begin to sleepwalk, dangerously being guided to the water. Both stories lead us to a seaside town called Comer Bay, where men have gone missing without a trace so many times over the years, it’s called the “Bermuda Triangle.” It is here that Jessica, Lucy, Eliza, and Mary’s stories converge to provide answers about their heritages and identities; more excitingly, this is where each character undergoes quite the shocking transformation. This deep-sea saga is salted through with magical realism and a generous helping of decadently dark and rich Irish folklore. The story connects generations of women across time. It was a moving read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the audio ARC to preview.

My issue with The Sirens was mainly the simple fact that the book slogged for 75%. And then in the last 50 pages of the book, the plot picked up pace and wrapped everything up…but not in a way that really reflected the journey it took to get there. There were a lot of pieces to the story that just didn't work for me and felt cliche. I do think the audio was done beautifully and engaging, but unfortunately, the story was flat and the characters were surface level.

Emilia Hart's The Sirens unfurls across two timelines, interweaving stories separated by more than two centuries yet bound by uncanny echoes. In 1800, twin sisters Mary and Eliza are ripped from their Irish home and placed aboard a convict ship destined for New South Wales—where strange bodily transformations begin as the ocean grows closer. Meanwhile, in 2019, sisters Lucy and Jess grapple with haunting sleepwalking episodes and vivid dreams. Lucy, after a troubling incident, seeks Jess in remote Comber Bay and uncovers not only her sister's disappearance but also buried truths about their lineage and the uncanny pull of the sea. At its core, The Sirens is a feminist fable, meditating on sisterhood, female resilience, and resistance across time and trauma.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

📖 About the book:

In 2019, Lucy wakes up one night with her hands around her ex’s throat and no idea how she got there. She runs to her sister’s home on the coast of New South Wales, only to find Jess missing and rumors about men vanishing and voices on the waves. In 1800s, sisters Mary and Eliza are torn from their home in Ireland and sent on a convict ship to Australia, where something begins to change in them.

💭 Thoughts:

This was such an atmospheric and immersive read. I loved how Emilia Hart wove together history and folklore. It’s eerie and captivating, with a strong focus on women, survival, and the bond between sisters. Both timelines were interesting, but I especially wanted to keep reading about Lucy and what had happened with her sister. This was my second book by Emilia Hart, and I really enjoy her writing style. I’m already looking forward to whatever she writes next.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Barrie Kreinik, and she was wonderful. Her performance made the story feel even more immersive and brought each timeline to life. Thank you @macmillan and @netgalley for the gifted audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Much like Hart's previous novel, this novel focuses on intergenerational trauma, female empowerment, and living in the aftermath of sexual violence.

This novel created such a vivid sense of place and the interconnected nature of the characters. It was interesting to piece together the mystery of the Martin family through various points of view.

I found the pace to be slower than Wayward, and this hindered my enjoyment a bit. Some portions of the novel felt a little repetitive as well. However, I enjoyed this one overall.

The Sirens is beautifully written. With an atmospheric story blending myth, feminism, and generational trauma to through lyrical prose and gothic undertones. Emilia Hart crafts a narrative that haunts the reader, giving a voice to women silenced by history. Weaving their pain, power, and perseverance into a spellbinding story.

Perfect for readers who enjoy dark fairytales, coastal magic towns, and slow-burn revelations. A gripping and poignant read that sticks with you long after the final page.

When I delved into Weyward a few years ago, I was immediately drawn into its immersive and atmospheric world, a testament to the author's storytelling prowess. I found that here once again.

I’ll admit I was drawn to the story because of the mermaids. But I should have known that this would not be some fairytale-like story. Instead, it is a tale of sisters, separated by time, one with a mysterious skin condition, and the secrets the past and the sea hold.

Hart does her research and incorporates historical accounts, plus there are diary entries, which give this a complex and rich narrative. I sometimes got a little lost and had to focus on what and where I was in the story. But I loved the mermaid lore and the strong feminine voice.

Despite its slower pace, The Siren’s setting and mood are shrouded in mystery, creating a haunting atmosphere that captivated me.

🎧 Barrie Kreinik's narration of the audiobook is exceptional, adding depth and emotion to the story. While I would have preferred a separate narrator for each point of view or timeline, Kreinik's performance is exceptional. The interview with the author at the end of the audiobook is a fascinating addition that I highly recommend you stay for.


Thank you @MacmillanAudio for the #gifted audiobook via #NetGalley. #MacAudio2025

I voluntarily listened to and reviewed an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Over 200 years apart, two sets of sisters uncover family secrets and the sea’s magic.

Part contemporary, part historical, this novel mixes fantasy and mystery for a unique piece of fiction. This is a stand-alone.

The plot for this is so interesting but I struggled with the pace. I liked the underlying focus on trauma and healing. Overall I think the book needed smoother transitions when shifting between the two time periods.

Barrie Kreinik does a great job with this solo narration. The audio really captures the mysterious almost spooky mood of the book.

Liked didn't love this one. Preferred it on audio over reading it. Would recommend to a friend as I did enjoy the plot

After falling in love with Emilia Hart’s Weyward—with its beautifully woven triple timeline—I was eager to see where she’d take readers next. The Sirens narrows its focus to a dual timeline, but the result is just as immersive: a haunting blend of magical realism, historical fiction, and mystery that explores sisterhood, transformation, and the ancient power of women.

In 2019, Lucy flees to a coastal town after a terrifying sleepwalking incident involving her ex—only to find her sister Jess missing and the town full of strange whispers about disappearing men and eerie voices on the waves. In 1800, Irish twins Mary and Eliza are unjustly sent to Australia aboard a convict ship, where something magical begins to stir within them.

The threads connecting past and present slowly tighten, revealing secrets and unexpected bonds. Hart’s prose is lush and lyrical, and she masterfully blends suspense with the supernatural, leaving just enough mystery to linger after the last page.

Barrie Kreinik’s audiobook narration was phenomenal, giving voice to each woman with clarity and emotional depth. Her performance brought an already spellbinding story to life.

The Sirens is a bewitching, atmospheric tale of female resilience, legacy, and the unspoken strength passed down through generations. Emilia Hart is now firmly on my auto-read list.

I’d give The Sirens 3 out of 5 stars. It was well written and the narration was solid, but the story just didn’t quite hook me on a personal level. While the concept had potential and the writing style was strong, it lacked the spark or emotional pull to make it truly memorable for me. Overall, a decent listen, just not one I’d rush to recommend.

I really liked the atmosphere of this book. I really liked this book, the narration was great. The mystery was just enough.

I absolutely loved this audiobook, the narration was evocative, emotional, and eerie. I was engaged and drawn in the second the story started and was wrapped up in it to the very end.

These characters felt real and flawed. Each person with their secrets, shames, and desires that propelled the story from the depths of the sea to see the light of day. I think this was one of my favorite summer reads.

Contemporary fiction wrapped in fantasy and a dash of historical. While reading, I could taste the salt and even feel my skin in ways I never noticed before, it felt dry and tight just from reading and I found myself looking for an opportunity to swim or shower, just to get water on my skin.

LOVED this.

4.25 ⭐️s rounded down for Goodreads.
I read The Sirens on ebook in tandem with the audiobook, narrated by Barrie Kreinik.
Firstly, Kreinik was a wonderful narrator. Her voice was calming and pleasant to listen to, even during more tense scenes. And fod me, Kreiniks performance have this tale more life.
Hart's writing was just as beautiful here, as in Weyward. And like Weyward, Sirens was a bit of a slow burn. I really felt for and liked Lucy and Jesse. The secrets within their family were intriguing and had me hooked. Mary and Eliza's story was interesting enough, yet Im not sure if it was entirely needed? The lore of New South Wales peaked my interest more, though it did help tie in M and Es timeline. The trauma each woman experienced felt real and relatable, adding to the heart of this story.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Sirens and will likely come back to it for a re-listen. However, was that ending supposed to be heartwarming? Was it necessary? I sort of found it more upsetting, and I liked a certain someone and that family dynamic much less because of it. 🫠


Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook book!

Unfortunately I did not enjoy this title as much as I wanted to. I did not enjoy the beginning and had a hard time getting into the story. I may not be the best audience and I am sure this book will be enjoyed by others.

The Sirens was an enjoyable audiobook to listen to. The connections between the three different timelines was interesting to follow. The book explored the relationship between trauma and sisterhood and brought insight into the lives of these characters for an enjoyable story.