Once again, I am the target audience for Emilia Hart's beautiful stories!!!

"The Sirens" is another masterfully woven intergenerational tale of longing, freedom, fear, and magic. One timeline is in the early 1800s and the early colonization of what will be known as Australia and two Irish women sent there for crimes against the crown. The other is modern-day New South Wales, where a uni student wakes up after choking a boy while sleepwalking. Tell me how you could ignore this plot- I'll wait. Hart's use of dreams to move us between the two timelines furthered the sense of magic within the story and helped tie them together.

Adoption and family can be difficult waters to navigate and I thought Hart did so with care and tenderness. I come from a family shaped by adoption and my hackles immediately rose when it came up in the book. To my surprise, but maybe I shouldn't have been, Hart dealt with this very well, reinforcing that biology does not make one family. Do I condone how some chose to handle the knowledge of adoption in this tale? Absolutely not and the tensions portrayed between the adoptive parents and the child were well warranted in my opinion.

All in all, another wonderful book from Hart. I only wish she had used the relationship between the sisters in the 1800s to share more about the Irish lore surrounding sirens. She could have used the time about the Nyad to share folktales about sirens and other mythical water creatures to further up the magical elements within this story.

While there were definitely interesting elements to this story, it really didn't seem to know what it wanted to be. Horror, murder mystery, supernatural, historical, lost family: there were just too many different topics happening and none seemed to manage to take control.

I liked the idea of this book and the basis of the story on the origins of Sirens in the Australian continent. I enjoyed the plot twists. But the internal dialogue was just so lengthy for me it was hard to continue at times. I also wasn't super fond of any of the characters. I just expected to feel more.

I read the audiobook and enjoyed the voices but I think the overall pacing and sections with Mary and Eliza was just too much of nothing going on for a good amount of the book.

3.5 stars. This book is tough for me to rate and review. After reading and loving Weyward by the same author, I was disappointed with this book. First, I will add that the book cover is beautiful and worth commenting on. I do usually really enjoy magical realism and the theme of mermaids as “sirens” with references to mythology is definitely intriguing. The double timeline format worked well but I did want more character development of Mary and Eliza from the past. I did enjoy the build up around the mystery of Jess’s disappearance in the current timeline but felt like Lucy and Jess’s backstories were overly complicated and caused me to lose some interest at times. As in Weyward, the author did connect the two stories in the end but the revealing of Mary’s relationship with Jess and Lucy seemed rushed. But I think the biggest disappointment for me was the repeating theme of women seeking revenge on men. Not that I don’t get that women have suffered misogyny forever and the use of magic to stop them can be entertaining but I like to see authors avoid repeating themes from book to book and use their writing talents to create something entirely new.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator was excellent! Her ability to switch between Irish and Australian accents was amazing. All the voices were very well-done and the dramatic effects were perfect.

I have really enjoyed both books by Emilia Hart, I will definitely be reading anything else she publishes!! I flew through The Sirens audio in a day. I really enjoyed Barrie Kreinik's narration, she was the perfect narrator for this book. Mermaids/sirens aren't usually something I read a lot on, but I really enjoyed this take! I also loved the historical fiction element of this. I adored the multiple perspectives and timelines in this book. I do wish we would have gotten a little more from Mary though, hers was probably the most interesting perspective in my opinion. Although the pacing was a little slow, especially in the beginning, I still found myself captivated with the story throughout. I did find some of the plot predictable, but I did NOT see Jess being Lucy's mother coming at all! I do kinda hate how she tied in the lineage component between Mary, Jess, and Lucy though in the epilogue... I understand the need to explain but it was a pretty heartbreaking note to end on. Overall a worthwhile read, and I can't wait to see what Emilia Hart writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited to read this book, especially after I loved her debut Weymouth so much. I’ve been drawn to historical fantasy a lot more lately, so I was all set to love this book. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite meet the bar that was set after her first book. Despite that, it wasn’t a ‘bad’ read, but it was more of a ‘meh’ kind of read.

I had read the audiobook version of this ARC, and it was narrated by Barrie Kreinik. Her narrating skills are top-notch, with her easily vacillating between a variety of Irish and Australian accents and tones of voice that range from feminine to masculine voices. If I could have just rated this on the narration, it would have been a 5. There were some facets of the novel that didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

This is a story that takes place in three different periods of time: Lucy’s experiences in 2019, excerpts from a journal that Jess kept during her teen years, and the forced relocation of two sisters in 1800 from Ireland and sent to a penal colony in Australia.

Of all the perspectives, none of them captivated me throughout the entire book. Eliza and Mary’s held my attention the most—especially at the beginning and the end of the book. Lucy was interesting, but I really struggled to connect with a lot of her story. Jess’s POV was also hard to connect with because it was solely through journal entries. And while journal entries can be immensely revealing, these were … not quite as revealing to the reader as they are to Lucy.

Eliza and Mary were absolutely victims of circumstances, and wound up being sent to a penal colony in New South Wales after an attempt at self-defense went horribly wrong. One of the sisters is unable to speak, so they have devised a way to communicate between themselves as they’re transported across the world on a ship. But on the long trip, they come to some realizations about themselves and their relationship with their mother.

Lucy wakes in the middle of a sleepwalking episode with her hands wrapped around the neck of a guy she used to hook up with. Instead of dealing with the situation, she winds up fleeing halfway across the country (continent?) to find her sister in hopes of getting some answers about what might have led to the sleepwalking. But as she flees the university to her sister’s house, she doesn’t respond to the many attempts others have made to reach out to her, including the university and her friends. It made me feel like she was just running away from her life and the consequences that follow her actions.

There are journal entries from Jess in the 1990s that did a lot of telling and not showing. There wasn’t really any emotional growth that I noticed in her, even after twenty years. I got a little more understanding of what occurred at that period in her life, but her journal entries never really got into how she felt or thought, and how she reflected on her experiences at the time.

After reading something that makes me want to learn more, I tend to do a little research after reading. And in this case, aquagenic urticaria is a real disease, but it isn't anything like how it is portrayed in the book. This is just my own feelings on it, but I think if an author is going to portray a medical diagnosis in their story, they should at least take the time to get it right.
I had a couple of major issues with the book, which led to the rating of 3 ‘meh’ stars. First, it was easy to connect Jess and Lucy’s timelines, but then it was a lot harder to see how what occurs in the 1800 timeline connects to Jess and Lucy’s stories. The other thing is that the plot twists were easily predictable to me, and there weren’t really any surprises in the story. I would have loved to learn more about how Jess and Lucy felt instead of just being told what happened.

Also, the pacing was inconsistent, and it felt like the book was entirely too long—the boat hits the doldrums in the middle of the book and so did the pacing. It did pick up at the end, but it wasn’t quite enough to overcome all the other issues. I was also frustrated with sleepwalking being a major aspect of the story and having Lucy seek out her sister, but then it was never resolved. Plot holes are frustrating to encounter, but I will say that Barrie Kreinik’s narration was my favorite thing about this book. You might enjoy this more than I did if: you like slow-paced reads, are interested in historical fantasy but don’t need a well-defined paranormal system, are intrigued by folklore you might not have heard of yet, and want to hear a wonderful narrator.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I love the idea of sirens, and I love all the excitement that comes with it, however, this book was far from exciting for me. It felt like it took a long time to get going, about 75% in. For the most part, it felt like a drag. I wanted to love it, but sadly, it was not my favorite.
Thank you NetGalley, MacMillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for this ARC.

A beautifully written book! The settling this book gives is breathtaking! Two sisters who find themselves being pulled to the same dream but aware of it. A journey with multiple layers and timelines.

Emilia Hart masterfully weaves a tale of generational trauma, resilience, and the undeniable power of sisterhood in Sirens. If you enjoyed Weyward, this novel will captivate you in the same way, as it seamlessly blends multiple timelines into a beautifully crafted narrative that culminates in a stunning conclusion.

From the very beginning, I was drawn into the mystery surrounding Lucy and her missing sister Jess in 2019, as well as the harrowing journey of Mary and Eliza in the 1800s. Hart’s ability to balance historical fiction with an almost ethereal, magical quality makes Sirens an unforgettable read. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, the twists—especially the final one—completely took me by surprise.

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, and I can confidently say that the experience was enhanced by Barrie Kreinik’s exceptional narration. Her performance, including the haunting siren songs, fully immersed me in the story. I found myself completely engrossed, unable to put my phone down—even on a Friday night!

Sirens is a breathtaking, atmospheric novel that lingers long after the final page. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves stories of strong women, the magic of the sea, and beautifully woven historical fiction.

Ok, I am going to start by saying her first book, Weyward, was one of my favorite books of 2022 (I also had an arc of that one). So I was very excited to get the arc audio for The Sirens. While I enjoyed the story, it just did not live up to Weyward for me. It's my first novel surrounding mermaids and it did jumpstart an intrigue to find more though.

I figured out what was going on and the family connections pretty early on, so that was not a surprise, but I enjoyed it. I wish there was more of a focus on what happened with Lucy and her school experience. I know that wasn't the focus, and the driving factor that led to her leaving and heading to Jess's house, but I felt jipped in that aspect. I also just couldn't connect with Mary and Eliza's story/timeframe for some reason. I can't put my finger on it, but there was something missing to draw me in.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it didn't have my blood boiling and mind racing like Weyward did.

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

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

I listened to this book as an audiobook and I loved the narrator, Barrie Kreinik. Her voice and accent worked beautifully with this story.

This is my first Emilia Hart book and I enjoyed it, but it fell a little flat for me. I loved that the stories of these women, Lucy (2019), Jess (1999), Mary, and Eliza (1800s), were all interconnected throughout time. The family bond and love was seeping from every page. No question the author is a beautiful writer and paints a very vivid description of the environment, surroundings, feelings, colors, smells, textures, etc., but that being said, I felt that there were many moments of excessive introspection and rambling. I often couldn't help but conjure this mental image of the character (usually Lucy) just standing in the middle of a kitchen or sidewalk to stare into space for an exceedingly long time while all these scenarios and in depth analyses play out in her head. It felt like there was very little actual verbal dialogue between characters. This also served to make the pacing of the book feel very slow. There were also a couple of threads that seemed to be important for the trajectory of the story, but ultimately lead nowhere (sleepwalking, journalism ambitions, art careers).

That said, the element of magical realism was fabulous. It almost made being a mermaid feel tangible, like they are out there in the world. For me, this was a redeeming quality (who doesn't want to be a mermaid?!) and the book still held a few surprises and a nice ending for the Wilson/Martin family.

The Sirens take place during different timelines and narratives. 1800"s twin sisters Mary and Eliza are being trransported from Ireland on a convit ship heading to Australia. The conditons aboard the ship are terrible and when the twins skin are changing with each passing day. Eliza and Mary are feeling the sea call to them more and more as the days pass by on the ship. 1999 Jess a 16 year old has that has a rare skin conditon and is just wanting someone to connect with. An aspiring artist Jess is drawn to her art professor for more than a student /teacher relationship. Jess feels that he can actually see who she really is and this by far is a comfort to her. Jess has secrets that are not ready to be shared. 2019 Lucy is in college for journalism and she has been sleepwalking and awakes to find her strangling her former lover, In a panic Lucy flees college and heads to her sister Jess for help. The trip reveals more clues than answers when Lucy is now looking for information into Jess's dissapearance. The Sirens was a fascinating read that also touched on the myth of mermaids. I loved this book just like with Weyward Emilia Heart weaves together both mystical and mystery flawlessly. I would like to thank both NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to an advanced copy of this novel.

Where do I even begin with this one?

Did l like it? Yes, I think so. But I struggled a lot to be honest. It has a very slow start, and I felt it dragged a lot in places.

This book is a mix of a few genres with magical realism, historical fiction, mystery and it had a touch of what felt like a Little Mermaid retelling.

I really enjoyed the historical fiction side with the history of the Irish women and how they ended up in Australia. And I liked the bond between the two sisters.

I also enjoyed the dual POV timeline switching between the current day and the other of over 200 years in the past.

Hart does have a beautiful way of describing the places and people she writes about and I think that is what kept me going for the most part. And she can definitely write about strong resilient women.

Definitely pick this one up if you enjoyed Hart’s previous works!


Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy for an honest review.

While I loved the way the author wrote, I felt some things went unexplained in an annoying way. I also found it predictable, but that could be my weird brain. I think a lot of things are predictable. Anyway, I liked the prose and characterization, but lost interest about halfway thru once I figured out some key elements. 3 stars for a mostly fun time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of the audiobook for The Sirens!

This was absolutely adorable, peak cozy fantasy. It’s low stakes with a touch of mystery and magical elements that are easy to picture. More of a blend between historical fiction and fantasy, it made for such a comforting read. The story follows two sisters from different timelines, separated by hundreds of years, and highlights the resilience of women with a bit of fantasy woven in. Set in a charming coastal town, the atmosphere is immersive, and the narrator’s lovely Irish accent adds to the storytelling experience. I had a few lingering questions by the end, but overall, I really enjoyed it!

Emilia Hart has done it again with The Sirens, a moving, atmospheric novel told through time. Barrie Kreinik is hypnotic, switching seamlessly between an Irish brogue and an Australian accent.

3.5 stars - This may be my first mermaid/siren book - I really enjoyed that magical realism part of the story. The Sirens has history, mystery and feminism. Set in Australia, there is a beautiful opening acknowledgement to the indigenous people of the land. Loved the author interview at the end of the audio to hear more about her process and inspiration.

I'm having trouble not comparing Emilia Hart's books to each other.

Weyward was one of my top reads of 2024. I fell in love with that story in a way I could not have expected. It was a 5+ star read for me. Not to say that The Sirens is not good, it was beautiful and powerful. That being said, comparison is the thief of joy and I overanalyzed both books to the point of misery. They have similar themes and I can't help but think that the way they were handled in Weyward was just *chef's kiss* and in The Sirens, Hart was grasping for that feeling again.

I loved this story and audiobook! Thank you so much for giving the opportunity. I loved the dual timelines and the magic of it all.

I had previously read this story and really enjoyed it. Told from various perspectives spread over centuries, these women were so beautifully written. Each with a unique viewpoint and style. I found the story captivating. The narration was lovely and really helped evoke the rich emotions of the story.