The Sirens by Emilia Hart is atmospheric and haunting, drawing readers into a world of myth, mystery, and dark secrets. Set on a remote island, the story weaves together the lives of three women across generations, each touched by the sirens of the island, which hold a seductive yet dangerous allure. The novel is rich with lyrical prose and immersive descriptions, creating a sense of tension and foreboding that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The plot is beautifully crafted, exploring themes of power, identity, and the pull of the past. The characters are complex and layered, with their own desires and struggles, which make them feel real and relatable. The mystery surrounding the sirens is both captivating and eerie, making for an engaging read that is as thought-provoking as it is suspenseful.

If you enjoy stories that combine mythological elements with deep character exploration and a touch of the eerie, The Sirens will leave you mesmerized and reflective long after you finish. It’s perfect for those who like atmospheric tales with a darker edge.

The Ocean's Daughters: A Spellbinding Tale of Sisters and Secrets

Imagine a story so soaked in sea spray and family secrets that you can taste salt on your lips. That's "The Sirens" – Emilia Hart's latest novel after her hit "Weyward."

The story follows four sisters across different centuries, all mysteriously bound to the ocean. Hart weaves their tales together like a net, catching fragments of magic, history, and family drama in its threads. The ocean isn't just a backdrop here—it's alive, shifting between protector and threat as easily as the tides change.

Yes, the book starts slow. But like a growing wave, it builds into something powerful. Hart blends historical fiction with touches of magic, creating a story that feels both old as the sea and freshly washed ashore. While some readers might want more explanation about the supernatural elements, the mystery is part of the charm.

This is a book about sisters, secrets, and the pull of the sea. It's for anyone who likes their family drama with a dash of magic and their historical fiction with an extra splash of strange.

4.5/5 stars

Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman or anyone who's ever felt the ocean calling their name.

Like others, I was super eager to read this book as I had read and loved Weyward by this author… it’s not Weyward, so I’ll stop the comparison there.
This book is beautifully written (thus the 4 stars) but it wasn’t for me. I enjoyed the sister bonds, but found the voices were a little too young adult for me. I’m not a huge historical fiction fan, so I appreciated the dual time-line, I just found they were quite disjointed so it often felt a little jarring to switch time-lines.
I’m all in for a touch of magical realism, and I think the author does a fantastic job weaving in magical elements, but I’m not really sure why this story needed mermaids 🤷🏻‍♀️ I didn’t mind though. This book is really more family drama and an exploration of the lasting trauma of inappropriate male advances.

The audio was well done and helped with the transition of time lines.

4.5 stars rounded up!

The Sirens is the sophomore novel from Emilia Hart, whose debut was Weyward. It's rare that I like the second novel of an up-and-coming author more, but this was the case for The Sirens. Perhaps it is because I am more into mermaids than witches, but I found this novel to be very well done.

Hart took on the formidable task of combining elements of historical fiction, mystery, and magical realism to craft a compelling tale of the bond of sisterhood. The book is so complex that it is a bit hard to concisely describe. There are three timelines:
1) The early 1800s, in which sisters unjustly convicted of a crime are banished to the isle of Australia
2) Present day, in which a female college student (Lucy) is grappling with the aftermath of mistreatment by a male peer, so she flees to her sister's (Jess) house on the coast of Australia
3) Flashbacks to Jess' life when she was in high school

I particularly enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the novel. While I know that Australia was an island for the British to send their convicts, it was really interesting to learn more about this practice, particularly from the perspective of females who were deemed criminals due to the patriarchy. I appreciated how Hart weaved together this story line with the future characters. Overall, I highly recommend you place this book on your must-read list for 2025!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced audiobook to review in exchange for m my honest opinion.

🐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 :
~ mermaid folklore
~ stories about sisterhood
~ family secrets
~ historical fantasy
~ seaside Australian setting
~ journal entries
~ The Thirteenth Year

🐚 𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 :
Her debut novel, Weyward, was a 5★ favorite of mine last year so I was really excited to dive into this new book by Emilia Hart (pun-intended🌊)

I found The Sirens to be underwhelming. I feel like it’s in the wrong category being marketed as fantasy/historical fiction. The vast majority of the story is present day & it felt more like a family drama than anything. Also, the magical realism aspect was less enchanting & more just… weird?

The mermaid lore needed more information, & there were several plot points that go completely unexplained.

I did enjoy Hart’s lyrical writing style, & the audiobook narration was very well done. It followed a similar formula as Weyward, with the characters having virtually the same motivations, but the execution was less effective.

Ultimately I was left with more questions than answers. I feel like this book just skimmed the surface instead of a giving a deep dive into what made these characters tick which made it hard to be fully invested. I think the idea behind the story had promise, but I would still recommend Weyward over this one.

Thank you to @netgalley + @macmillanaudio for the opportunity to listen to this ARC ◡̈

"The Sirens" by Emilia Hart was wildly disappointing. Hart's writing is beautiful, yet I found this story lacking. I was hooked for around the first 20 percent of the book, but I quickly found myself losing interest. There just wasn't enough happening. Most of the book is spent with Lucy just waiting for the next thing to happen. I thought the chapters revolving around Mary and Eliza were boring. The one thing that kept me listening was Hart's prose. I don't think I would have finished this book if it had been written by another author. If you enjoy mysteries with little to no action, you may enjoy this. But for readers who enjoy action-packed fantasies, I would recommend you skip it.

After reading and loving Weyward last year, I made sure to nab this one as soon as I saw it was available. The Sirens is a story about sisterhood, spanning two timelines and locations. Our two sets of sisters are twins Mary and Eliza, trapped on a convict ship traveling from Ireland to New South Wales, and Lucy and Jess, sisters living in modern day Australia who have never been very close.

Emilia Hart is such a beautiful writer, and I was so captivated by this story. It was really atmospheric, and I had a great sense of the dark hull of the convict ship and of the little seaside cottage Jess lived in. I really liked the feminist tone in the book, and I felt heartbroken over the circumstances of the women on the ship and their stories of how they were convicted of crimes and then exiled. I also really liked the magical aspect of the book, and I couldn't wait to see how that all panned out and how these stories were connected.

My only reason for not giving this one five stars is because I just wanted a bit more from the climax and the ending. It kind of felt like a 'blink and you'll miss it' situation. I also felt like some of the plot points weren't really resolved fully. 

Overall, I really enjoyed listening to this one. Barrie Kreinik did a great job with the narration. I was able to really speed up the audiobook and wasn't lost one bit. She also was able to switch off between Irish and Australian accents so well, and that was really impressive. The audiobook also featured an interview with the author at the end, and she explained her writing process and how this story came together.

The Sirens, following a similar story structure to Weyward (which I really enjoyed) gave me an edge when it came to the predictability of this story. However, I still found it to be very well written and an intriguing story. I listened to the audiobook alongside reading the e-arc and I had a great time, mostly. There were some points that really seemed to lull but I am happy that I continued. I love seeing all of the story lines coming together! I cannot wait to see what Emilia Hart does next, or if she will choose to continue these interconnected story lines.

3.5 - Triggers: teacher relationship

I recently read Sirens by Emilia Hart, and while it had its ups and downs, there were definitely things I appreciated about the story. It follows two sisters, Jess and Lucy, and as someone who loves books about mermaids and dual perspectives, I was intrigued by the concept. Although the dual timelines weren’t my favorite, and I found them a bit hard to stay engaged with at times, there were moments that kept me invested, especially the mysteries surrounding Cliff House, the missing men, and the sunken ship. That part of the story really drew me in, and I loved piecing together who Jess and Lucy were supposed to be.

Jess’ diary entries were a standout for me. They added an interesting layer to the narrative and helped deepen the mystery. The audiobook was also a big highlight. The narrator’s tone and pacing were excellent, and they really enhanced my overall experience with the story. The cover of this book was also gorgeous and perfectly captures all the sea vibes.

There were a few things that didn’t quite work for me. Lucy’s storyline felt bogged down with backstory that didn’t move the plot forward, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters overall. The sleepwalking element was intriguing at first, but by the end, it didn’t seem to tie into the story in a meaningful way, which was a bit disappointing. I also struggled with the teacher-student relationship in the plot. It just didn’t sit right with me and made it harder to fully enjoy the story.

Still, “Sirens” had some strong moments, especially when it leaned into the mystery and discovery. While it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I think readers who enjoy atmospheric stories with a touch of history and intrigue might find it worth a read.

Thank you #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio, for a chance to read this early in exchange for an honest review.

Having seen all of the fanfare for Weyward, I was immediately intrigued by the concept of The Sirens. The audiobook production was exceptionally well done, and I highly recommend that format. A tiny amount of singing was included, but I found it to elevate the experience instead of making me cringe.

The plot was minimal and slow-moving, this certainly felt more character-driven than plot-driven. There was no one point in the story that had me hooked and unable to put it down. It was the audiobook I put on when I went for a quiet walk or late evening knitting. It has a quiet eeriness. At one point it explains the term the "doldrums" - what sailors would call a period of no wind, no movement to blow the sails, an eerie calmness. I would say that applies to some periods of the story as well. While it was all evenly paced, it was on the slower end of things.

As for the characters, they are all unique and distinct in themselves but I found the tone of the writing to be quite similar - especially between the two modern characters. I do not believe they are written to be likable, as they are quite flawed and don't have the best self-awareness or redeeming traits. That said, they reflect the human condition.

One note for readers - be sure to check the trigger warnings and heed them if needed.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced listener copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What began as a startling and slightly eerie read became an absolutely enthralling tale. I could not put down this tale of these women across the years and how their stories wove together. The pacing was perfect, and the reveals were so well done. Barrie Kreinik’s narration was wonderful as well!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was wonderfully written. It was a tad predictable and I figured out what was going on about halfway through. But that didn’t make it a bad book. The supernatural element of this book was never actually explained, or if it was I missed it completely. It fit and it didn’t fit in this aspect and that’s my only complaint. The mystery of it all could have been explained without the supernatural aspect. But overall it was a good book.

The Sirens is written by Emilia Hart. Emilia wrote Weyward, a book I read and loved in 2023. This book, will share shelf space with Weyward and I will treasure it. It is a story told in three different timelines. In 1801 two Irish sisters, twins, are being deported to New South Wales, Australia for their crimes. They are boarding a ship that consists of all female prisoners (83) and 22 crewman. In 2019, Jess and Lucy are sisters - born 17 years apart. They both suffer from a skin condition that keeps them covering themselves. They both sleepwalk and feel themselves drawn to water even though water makes their condition worsen. Lucy, the younger sister, at the start of the story, awakens to find herself strangling a boy that shared an intimate photo of her on TikTok. Lucy flees her college campus to go visit her sister who lives more than 12 hours away in the seaside village. Lucy arrives and she sees Jess's paintings but Jess is not home, yet her car, house keys and phone are there. Lucy begins looking around the place for information and she finds her sisters journal from 1998. Lucy is hungry for information about her big sister and begins reading the journal and realizes that her sister had difficulties too - and she is more worried about her than ever. Lucy finally breaks down and tells her parents where she is and that Jess is missing. In the 19th century the sisters, Eliza and Mary, suffer during the voyage as there isn't much food, and they are treated poorly, and the constant fear of the water. Both, Jess and Lucy dream of the sisters. I found this to be a strong feminist story of myth and rage. It's beautifully written, and I loved the characters. This is my 99th advanced reader copy - although it is an audio arc - and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The narration by Barrie Kreinik is stellar. I would listen to her read her grocery list. Thank you to #NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for my advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you loved Weyward, you will adore this book. Folklore inspired book about the the strength of female bonds intertwining two provocative timelines . I’ve sat staring at the wall since finishing this book an hour ago. This is a book I won’t forget any time soon.

I loved the concept of this story, I just wish that Hart had leaned in more on the legend and fantasy aspect of it. I generally enjoy stories with a dual timeline that manages to connect, but this one felt awfully separate throughout. I think this one just missed the mark for me. It was good, and I could see someone who was more invested in the historical element really loving it, but I kind of wanted more "Sirens."

4.5⭐️ The voices, the sea, the songs. The strength of women across time.

I loved the way that this wrapped up. It felt very complete.

The narrator did an amazing job at bringing life to these women.

I absolutely loved Weyward, so when I heard Emilia Hart had another book coming out, I was so excited!

Unfortunately this story didn't do it for me like the other. I felt there was quite a bit of contradictory morals (especially in the epilogue) and too many "come on girls, use your brains" moments. I did love the origin story of Eliza and Mary, and wish the book would've been centered around them and their lives instead of the dual timeline that this book was. I also wish the "reality" of sirens came to light much much earlier.

Overall, this book was between a 3 and 4 star read through most of it. The epilogue lost me and ultimately has me giving this 3 stars.

If you’re like me and loved Weyward by Emilia Hart, then you absolutely need to check out her upcoming release, The Sirens!

The Sirens features several elements that I loved about Weyward, including strong female characters, alternating timelines, a complex story, and an excellent narrator for the audiobook. Although the stories have some similarities, there are also some vast differences. The characters in The Sirens face their own unique challenges and there are some elements of the plot that completely surprised me. I found myself once again immersed in Hart’s story and I grew to love these characters. Hart is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me!

First, I want to say I LOVED Hart's first novel Weyward; so when the opportunity came to read her second novel, The Sirens, I was over the moon happy! This book definitely falls in line with her themes of strong female protagonists and feminism, but with a magical realism that is reminiscent of Homer’s Odyssey. The parallel stories between sisters showcase a range of emotions, family secrets and strong bonds. The historical narrative of the women convicts who were transported from Ireland to New South Wales gave the story a unique perspective, one I hope to investigate further. I also did appreciate the emotional ebb and flow of the story, as well as wonderful narration by Barrie Kreinik. However, the first 1/3 of the book was so slow moving for me that I didn’t think I would finish it. During this time, I was losing interest in the characters and the unfolding plot. In addition, I understand Hart wanted to make the reader feel Lucy’s anxiety and urgency to find Jess, but there were times I wanted to give up based upon the repetitive nation of her spiraling.
With that said, once I hit the halfway mark my interest piqued and the unfolding tale took me for a ride I didn’t expect.


Thank you to Drew Kilman, Macmillan Audio, NetGalley & Emilia Hart for this advanced audiobook.

The Sirens is a completely predictable book where at every turn the reader knows what is going to happen before our main characters; in a way that made me frustrated with the narrators for being so ignorant to what was in front of them. Only two scenes at the every end were somewhat surprising to me, however even they had glimmers of being something I had anticipated. I don't want to be too harsh on this title since it's wasn't entirely bad, in fact I did enjoy watching everything unfold. Yet, it wasn't doing much that I hadn't seen before. If this had come out 5-10 years earlier I think it would have been more impactful, yet it's now a predictable story in an over-saturated market of similar themes, that didn't do anything new. I wish it had leaned more into the vengeful mermaid angle, and less repetitive where's my sister side of things. It just felt as if the interesting bits were cut short while the boring bits were expounded on.