I was really looking forward to The Sirens, and while there were aspects I enjoyed, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. The narration was absolutely fantastic—engaging and immersive, which kept me listening even when the story didn’t fully hook me.

I was expecting more magical realism, but this read more like a domestic mystery. While the dual timelines were well-executed and added depth to the plot, I struggled to connect with the characters, which made it hard to feel fully invested. That said, the atmospheric writing and strong narration made it an enjoyable listen overall.

3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

Looking for a book with complicated family dynamics, a town haunted by mermaids, and women pursuing justice? The Sirens by Emilia Hart has all of the above (and more)!
I have always been a mermaid girlie more than anything else, and obviously thought that in combination with Hart’s writing style would make this an enthralling read. I inhaled Hart’s debut, Weyward, and had been anxiously awaiting another tale of myth, feminine power, and raw history. And while The Sirens has all three of those elements, they don’t have the same pull that Weyward had for me.
The book has three main characters. Lucy, an Australian university student; Jess, her older sister; and Mary, an Irish girl on a convict ship heading to Australia. We spend the majority of our time with Lucy, who left university in a rush after a sleepwalking incident. It’s mentioned in a few different ways that Lucy has a skin condition that’s affected by water. Lucy spends most of the book at Jess’s house, waiting for her to return from a trip.
Unfortunately, even though the book is 80% in Lucy’s POV, I felt like she was the least developed. Most of Jess’s character development happens as Lucy reads through Jess’s old diary and all of Mary’s development happens through Lucy’s dreams. This setup keeps Lucy front and center, but keeps her in a perpetual state of almost-knowing and never lets her do anything else.
Overall, I enjoyed the twists and turns of all three storylines, and was invested enough to finish the book. The mermaid details started to appear more frequently, and the book ended with a blend of magical realism that I was expecting. Some of the final details really threw me for a loop, but overall, the ending saved the book from its middle.
If any of this book's weirdly specific traits caught your eye, you should definitely give it a shot! I’d also recommend it if you’re really into mermaid myths!
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copy and audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

A enjoyable listen! I was very invested in the story, particularly in Jess and Lucy's storyline. But the historical timeline about the convict ship was also very engaging and interesting to learn about. I didn't know anything about Australian convict ships before reading this book. I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook as well!

Big thanks to Emilia Hart, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

Emilia Hart delivers another beautifully atmospheric novel filled with mystery and magic. While I loved the setting and overall plot, I struggled to connect with some of the characters—especially those in the present-day timeline. That said, it was still an enjoyable listen, and I’d recommend it to fans of mysterious women’s fiction with a mermaid twist.

Thank you to Emilia Hart, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

Emilia Hart once again wrote an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric novel, full of mystery and magic. I am giving this story 3.5 stars. While I really enjoyed the setting and plot of the book, I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters, those of the "present day" timeline in particular. I thought this was an enjoyable audiobook to listen too, and I would recommend it to readers who love mysterious women's fiction.

DNF after chapter one. Unfortunately it did not work for me. It was quite dark at the start. I also just gave birth so I’m a bit sensitive to certain things (if you’ve read the first bit, you understand). Totally a me problem and nothing to do with the book! Definitely try it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy!

That’s a weird book.

It definitely took me a bit to get started. I’m not sure if it’s because the beginning is so slow, or if it’s because I just wasn’t in the mood, but this is a book I picked up and put down a couple of times, each time inching a little forward. At 40% through I was still unsure. It seemed like the book was too slow. I’m not afraid of DNFing a book, but something kept pulling me forward.

At about 50% of the way, I was in trouble. I couldn’t turn it off. I knew what was coming to some extent (it’s in the title of the book) but I needed to see how it worked out, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

This book isn’t one to come straight out and answer all your questions as you ask them, but the answers are there if you pay attention.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will recommend it, and will likely end up purchasing it. I’m going to keep my eye out for a special edition, because this book deserves one!

Thank you NetGalley for this audioARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was an interesting read and definitely worth the hype. It is a very good representation book about women’s rights and how some odd things happen with these pairs of sisters. Emilia does an amazing job at describing what’s happening and putting things together and the overall character growth. This is a good book that I would recommend for those wanting to have a small window into what some women go through, but I would also hedge a caution that while there is no details on page it does talk about abuse in many forms and could potentially trigger PTSD. Otherwise, overall a very good book and very informative.

This was an interesting read. I loved the multiple time lines, one of the timelines revealed as dreams Lucy is having. Lucy also learns about her sister and her family's dark secrets through the older sister's old journal. This book had twists and turns that kept me engrossed and I could not put this book down. The audio narrator did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

Such an interesting story. The writing is atmospheric, even chilling at times. I appreciated the feminist themes and the sisterly bonds. The story was a bit meandering at times, but I didn’t mind it. I thought it did well creating a layered portrait of the characters.

The Sirens is a dual-timeline novel told from multiple perspectives. In 1800, Mary and Eliza are aboard a prisoner ship bound for Australia from Ireland. As they spend more time at sea, they begin to notice unsettling changes in their bodies. In 2019, Lucy is running from her past and seeks refuge with her sister—only to discover that her sister is missing. All four main characters face trauma and grow stronger through the bonds of sisterhood, even as their worlds crumble. Secrets spanning generations are uncovered, and these women navigate the lives they’re forced into while grappling with the generational trauma tied to the secrets they carry.

The story felt similar to Emilia Hart’s other novel, Weyward, with a comparable narrative of women facing trauma and secrecy, but with a slightly more fantastical twist.

I did not enjoy this one as much as I had hoped. I think it was just not for me, so I don't believe I will be much help in reviewing this book in the way that may be needed. Story wise, I would give it a good score because it was interesting, but it just wasn't for me.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 4/1

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

This is a mesmerizing story about sisterhood and the incredible strength of women across time. It blends magical realism with rich Irish folklore in a way that’s both haunting and empowering.

The story starts with Lucy waking up in the middle of the night, her hands around her ex-boyfriend’s throat. Freaked out, she runs to her sister Jess’s house in coastal New South Wales, only to find her missing. As she tries to figure out what happened, she stumbles upon eerie rumors about the town—stories of disappearing men, voices on the waves, and a baby abandoned in a cave. To make things even weirder, her dreams start merging with reality, pulling her toward the past.

Meanwhile, in 1800, Mary and Eliza are ripped from their home in Ireland and thrown onto a convict ship to Australia. As they sail farther from everything they know, something strange starts happening to them, hinting at a deep connection to the sea.

As their stories unfold, past and present collide unexpectedly, revealing a shared trait that ties them all together.

Hart puts a fresh, feminist spin on siren mythology. Instead of being deadly temptresses, the sirens—or Merrow—are protectors of women, using their song for justice. This twist makes the story feel fresh and powerful, driving home themes of resilience and reclaiming power.
While The Sirens is beautifully written, the back-and-forth between timelines and perspectives can slow things down a bit, and some character moments don’t hit as hard as they could.

I loved the narrator, Barrie Kreinik. She did an amazing job with the different accents and brought all of the characters to life. Her narration and singing were beautiful and really added to the atmosphere that the story was going for.

Overall, this is an unforgettable journey through time and myth. If you loved Hart’s last book or enjoy authors like Kristin Hannah, this one’s definitely worth the read.

Emilia Hart has once again created a great work of women’s historical fiction. Interweaving the stories of four women Lucy, Jess and twin sisters Mary and Elizabeth, in The Sirens: A Novel, she once again brings us a powerful story of a group of women whose lives are intertwined across time.

In this powerful story, set on the Australian Coast, we are taken through a journey of family trauma and resilience. Like in her first book Weyward, Harts female characters struggle and overcome significant oppression to realize their own power and agency.

Barrie Kreinik, is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. She brings a unique voice to the characters, being able to seamlessly change accents and provide voices making the story come to life and an enjoyable experience. If you loved the narrations for other books she has done like: Good Night, Irene, Finding of Margaret Fuller, Adriane, and The Fourth Consort, then you will fall in love with this narration as well.

Thank Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 5 Stars
Audio Release and Print Pub Date: April 1 2025

Tags:
Macmillan Audio
@macmillan.audio
#TheSirens
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#netgalley

I wanted to love The Sirens, but honestly, it left me feeling a bit lukewarm.

The concept sounded amazing - three timelines of women connected by the sea's mysterious powers? Sign me up! We follow Lucy in 2019 searching for her missing sister in a coastal town with a dark history, teenage Jess in 1999 dealing with a rare water allergy, and Irish twins on a convict ship to Australia in 1800. Cool premise, right?

One saving grace was Barrie Kreinik's narration of the audiobook. Her ability to distinctly voice each character across the three timelines was impressive, bringing much-needed dimension to protagonists that felt flat on the page. Kreinik's lilting Irish accent for the 1800s twins was particularly captivating, and her subtle vocal shifts between timelines helped keep the story threads clear.

That said, there were some genuinely beautiful passages about the sea, and the author does have a knack for atmospheric writing. The gradually revealed connections between the timelines were clever, if a bit predictable.

If you're into magical realism with feminist themes, you might enjoy this more than I did. But for me, it was just okay - an interesting concept that never quite delivered on its promise. I finished it.

Another win for Emilia Hart! Just like with her hit Weyward, The Sirens has the same style of generational mystery combined with a hint of magical realism. I love how that she uses the eerie tone of mermaid folklore to set the mood for the story, which follows two sets of sisters from different generations unpacking family secrets, while also being lured to the Australian coast.

The narration by Barrie Kreinik was stunning! The story takes us from Ireland to Australia, and truthfully could not tell which was our narrators real accent. The two voices helped to distinguish between the swapping time periods and characters, and helped me as the listener feel fully immersed. There is a part in the book where we hear a Siren Song, and Barrie's voice is so lovely that I believed her to be a mermaid herself.

Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this in advance for my honest feedback.

(4⭐️ = I loved it, would recommend)

The Sirens is a captivating and unique novel with multiple narratives and perspectives that weave together beautifully by the end. The seamless way these diverse storylines intertwine is one of the book's greatest strengths.

As a lover of historical fiction, I found the historical fiction with the addition of mystery and magical realism to be a unique touch.

This was my first book by Emilia Hart, and it did not disappoint. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the story when the main character, Lucy, finds herself in a complicated situation at university. Though there’s tension between Lucy and her sister, Jess, their bond is rooted in deep love.

The story unfolds through three distinct points of view:
1. Present-day Lucy, whose voice takes center stage
2. Jess, through flashbacks as Lucy reads her sister’s diary
3. A further historical flashback, where two sisters navigate a perilous journey on a sinking ship, told from their perspective

My favorite parts of the book came from Lucy’s POV, especially as she uncovers the hidden depths of her sister’s past through the diary entries. I loved how the different timelines and perspectives gradually came together, providing a satisfying and emotional conclusion. Each character embarks on a personal journey of discovery, and watching them uncover hidden truths, both about themselves and each other, kept me on my toes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy of The Sirens by Emilia Hart in exchange for my honest review.

"Up where they walk, up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free - wish I could be
Part of that world" Disney, The Little Mermaid

3.5 Stars...Emilia Hart's second novel, The Sirens, is a present day historical fiction with a touch of fantasy folklore. We meet Mary, Lucy, and Jess, all connect by history and secrecy that starts off the coast of Ireland and ends in New South Wales, Australia. All three hold a secret that though links them through different times in the world, could destroy their very lives and of those they love. All three are controlled by the influence and power of men, and how they decide what is becoming of women even when separated for hundreds of years.
What's hidden in the world below the water, and is it in all reality a place that would be safer and more accepting of the women and their unique differences?
Lucy and Jess are sisters trying to find out why are they so different from one another, yet know that the gut feeling of being more than sisters is present and strong. Mary is a recently 'convicted convict' with her sister being transported to New South Wales to become part of a new settlement, but only as whatever the men carrying them sell them to be. How Ms. Hart interlocks these women is magical and an interesting turn I did not see coming.
However, I do feel that it took a little long and slow to get there. Also, Lucy's story felt unfinished. We meet her in the beginning with something happening that could cause serious ramifications, but it was never settled. The epilogue was a great chapter, but I think it would have been better if all had been revealed within the story to strengthen the relationships that were fragile.
The descriptions of Australia and the waterways to get there back in the 1800s was beautifully written, and more so enhanced by the narrator, Barrie Kreinik. Her voice gave a fantasy feel to the story and the call of The Sirens song.
Maybe The Little Mermaid had it wrong, and living in the water with the strength of women and those that have come before is better than this present day one we walk.
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this new novel by Emilia Hart.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Pub Date: 04/01/25
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

The Sirens
3.5 ⭐️

I loved Weyward and was so excited when I got a copy of The Sirens on @netgalley!

Lucy is running away from her university where she’s had a whole host of problems and toward her sister. But when she turns up at her sister’s she finds her missing with only a few very old clues as to where she might have gone.

This book felt like Literary Fiction, Mystery, and Fantasy all rolled into one. While the first half of the book was extremely slow, the ending did make up for some of it. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped, but if you’re looking for slower paced book that has a unique story, check it out!

ARC Review!

First off, I love the cover! I truly enjoyed the eerie and mysterious vibes. I loved the dual timelines and how the author tied the 2 stories together at the end. The writing is beautiful. However, I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters and really wanted to love them, but unfortunately I did not :(, I really wanted to. I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys elements of magic, folklore, and the supernatural.

The narration was impeccable!!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.