There are not enough superlatives for this book's characters, settings, and the tapestry of words that blends history with fiction. You must listen to this book. The narration is riveting, luring you into the story like a Siren. This is one of the strongest female centric books that I have read, ever!

Convict transportation is the impetus for this story that spans generations and resolves itself in the perfect ending. I loved all of the characters and found their personal stories intriguing and believable.

I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook and will be looking for Emilia Hart's next book. I will recommend it to all of my female friends.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this audiobook! I really enjoyed the storyline and the narrator did a nice job of keeping the story alive and engaging. I like magic realism/mild fantasy but sometimes that line can be a little foggy and make you wish the author had leapt one way or the author with the idea. For me, the touch of mermaid fantasy wasn’t my favorite, but the story itself was strong and captivating regardless! The characters are believable and I enjoy this author’s strong commitment to realistic and compelling family dynamics. I definitely recommend you check this one out once it hits the shelves!

I had such high expectations of this book, however I think that it ultimately fell flat for me.

The narrator was excellent and the story was heading in a good direction, however I felt very dissatisfied with the ending. It seemed like we were with the story for far longer than we should've been and the whole journey felt like it was for nothing once we got down to the nitty gritty of it all.

Thank you to Netgalley & The publisher for my early e-audio arc.

The Sirens is a beautifully written novel that weaves together two timelines with lyrical prose and a haunting atmosphere. The historical thread following Mary and Eliza is particularly captivating, rich with emotion. The modern-day Lucy and Jess storyline didn’t resonate as strongly with me - they lacked depth and I was left puzzled by some of the choices they make. However, as a whole this was an immersive and evocative read.

I absolutely loved Weyward and was really excited to see the new of Sirens—even more thrilled when I got my hands on an ARC!

A feminist story that touches on magical realism, featuring two sets of sisters. In 2019, we meet Lucy and Jess; Lucy finds herself a victim in a cyberbullying event and awakes with her hands around her ex-boyfriends neck. She flees to her sister, Jess, who she comes to find is nowhere to be found.

Alternatively, we go back to 1800s abroad a convict ship from Ireland to Australia and meet Mary and Eliza. Having a fear of the ocean due to their mother’s death, they sense a transformation within themselves as they travel the seas. Seems to be a sense of calling...

The stories of these sisters intertwine as the past and present collide, guiding them toward embracing the future. There are themes of womenhood, empowerment and self discovery. Great character development and the historical events between Ireland and Australia are depicted with great detail and depth.

This was a very well done audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job

What a fabulous book ! It took me awhile to get used to the pace of the story with the flashbacks of Mary and Eliza on the ship but once I got in the groove, the pages flew by . Also like the way the author used Jess’ diary entries as a way to tell her back story.

This is a tale of heartbreak but also of the bonds of sisterhood and how love prevails. Loved the ending and the way it wraps up the story of the sea. I love the way the author took a real,life tragedy and told it in a compelling way. .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a beautifully crafted, spellbinding tale of sisterhood, resilience, and the mysterious pull of the sea. Spanning centuries and interwoven timelines, Lucy, Jess, and the twin sisters Mary and Eliza captivated me with their gripping stories. The rich historical backdrop and touch of magic made every page immersive. Hart masterfully balances mystery, heartbreak, and hope, delivering a tale that lingers long after the final chapter. Fans of historical fiction with enchanting twists will absolutely adore this masterpiece. I couldn’t put it down!

The Sirens is a transportive Women’s Fiction that is compelling and propulsive. This story is told in three timelines, one in a historical timeframe, one present tense, and one told from the journal of the present timeline’s main character’s sister in the recent past. The discussion of how women support one another throughout the story is incredible, and meaningful.

I was very impressed with the immediate tension in this story, and the author’s ability to keep that suspenseful edge throughout the story, without it being a suspense novel. It kept me engaged and eager to keep reading.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which was incredibly well done by a single narrator. I listened at 1.5x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed is 1.75x speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced listening copy.

I really enjoyed Weyward and was excited for another book from Emilia Hart. Sadly, this book just didn’t work for me. It took me almost a month to read. It progressed incredibly slowly and I felt no connection to the characters. I also found it difficult to keep everything straight. The dual timeline was a great aspect of the story, but made for some confusion with who was who at times. The story did have some interesting twists, but overall I just couldn’t get into the story. I will say, the narration was great. The narrator was really able to set the atmosphere and bring the story to life.

Emilia Hart is back and better than ever! I love her book Wayward; it is one that I constantly recommend, and The Sirens will be added to this list. It is atmospheric, mysterious, all about woman empowerment, and folklore is dripping from the pages. I was hooked from the moment I began listening to the audio. The Australian and Irish accents had me. I also dove into the eBook, needing to swipe the pages as I dove down deep into the mysterious waters that birthed the stories that surround the town of Comper Bay.

The moment Lucy snaps awake with her hands wrapped around the neck of the boy she thought she loved. Lucy knew she was in trouble. She cannot think straight but she knows she must leave school. Her sister's home in Comper Bay sounds like the perfect escape. She jumps in her car and begins the 12-hour drive. The nightmares that have wound through her dreams coming to light, the two sisters, the pull of the ocean. What does it all mean? When she finally arrives, the front door is open, her sister is gone, and the painting she is working on is on full display. Lucy knows it cannot be the sisters from her dream. How can Jess know about them?

This is a dual timeline swapping between 2019 and 1800. Lucy and Jess dig into their past to find out family secrets that have been buried deep. The skin condition that has haunted them both since they were born. Making them stand out and when all they want to do is melt into the background. Mary and Eliza are being sent to Australia on a convict's ship. The women convicts are treated so horribly. The boat and the women are lost to the thrashing waves, just as the smell of land greeted their nostrils. Their haunting songs drift across the land of Comper Bay. Men have gone missing and the caves below the Cliff House are the link. Thank you to Emilia Hart, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin's Press for my gifted copy.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

I am not sure if I would recommend this to others. I loved the concept and I also enjoyed the parallel time lines. I didn’t really get into it until about halfway when twists started revealing themselves. There were several loose ends left behind and the last couple of chapters flew by. By the end of the epilogue I was so confused. I will need to read the end of the book again.

It took me a while to put a review together for this book, simply because it was so different than what I was expecting. This book is dark and atmospheric and a true depiction of female rage and empowerment through generations. Hart’s writing is beautiful and poetic. But please check your trigger warnings as this book is dark and explores many dark themes. It is multi-pov and also utilizes multiple story telling devises such as podcasts, dreams and diaries. The main characters are compelling and easy to root for. In today’s political climate this book felt especially poignant.

I have two issues with this book:
First, I wanted more exploration of the sirens and fantastical elements. This is very light on the fantasy elements and quite modern. I do acknowledge this is more of a personal preference as a fantasy reader, but I wanted more of the mythology of sirens and to see them have more on-page scenes.
Second, the epilogue. I want to avoid spoilers so won’t go into much detail. But to me it felt like a punch in the gut. The previous theme of essentially horrible men being horrible was essentially completely flipped and in a sense redeemed. This almost ruined all the work done in the book.

Overall, this book is beautifully written and atmospheric. And such an important look at familial and female bonds, secrets and trauma through the ages.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Emilia Hart's "The Sirens" is a spellbinding novel that intricately weaves the tales of two sets of sisters, separated by centuries yet bound by the enigmatic allure of the sea. The narrative oscillates between 2019 and the early 19th century, exploring themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the transformative power of water.

In 2019, we follow Lucy, a young woman grappling with a mysterious condition that makes her allergic to water. After a traumatic incident, she seeks refuge with her older sister, Jess, in the coastal town of Comber Bay, Australia. Upon arrival, Lucy discovers Jess missing, prompting a journey into family secrets and self-discovery. Concurrently, the narrative delves into the early 1800s, where Irish sisters Mary and Eliza are forcibly taken from their homeland and placed on a convict ship bound for Australia. As they endure the harrowing voyage, they notice inexplicable changes in their bodies, hinting at a deeper connection to the sea.

Hart's prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid images of the sea's beauty and menace. The alternating timelines are seamlessly interwoven, each enriching the other and building a cohesive narrative that captivates the reader. The characters are richly developed, their struggles and triumphs resonating deeply. The bond between the sisters, in both timelines, is portrayed with authenticity and emotional depth, highlighting the enduring strength of familial ties.

However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with a deliberate build-up that culminates in a swift resolution. Additionally, while the novel incorporates elements of magical realism, those expecting a traditional fantasy centered on sirens may find this aspect understated. The fantastical elements serve more as a backdrop to the exploration of human experiences and relationships.

In conclusion, "The Sirens" is a beautifully crafted tale that delves into the complexities of sisterhood, identity, and the call of the sea. Emilia Hart has delivered a compelling narrative that lingers long after the final page, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction infused with a touch of magic.

This book was empowering how characters came together in times of trial and tribulation to help one another. The character development was amazing and the way the stories are intertwined was perfect.

The mysteries kept me going and I read the book on one day. There were some things I felt could have been improved but I don't want to give spoilers and I so appreciate the details that did exist in the storyline.

True to its name, "The Sirens" captivates, lyrically drawing you into a mystical swirl of mystery, historical fiction, and female empowerment.

Told in a dual timeline, the novel fundamentally focuses on the lives of sisters Mary and Eliza, who were passengers on a convict ship sailing to Australia in the 1800s. Wrongfully imprisoned and suffering from horrid conditions, the twins have nothing left to cling to but each other. Far in the future, we enter the life of Lucy, a young woman who is grappling with strange nightmares and sleepwalking that has navigated her straight into trouble. Lucy flees to a coastal town to seek refuge with her older sister, Jess. From then on, the reader is taken on a journey exploring not just the bonds of sisterhood, but also the bonds between both timelines.

Across the board, I found the characters likeable and relatable. There is a strong magical realism thread to this book that dips its toes into fantasy. I read and enjoyed Emilia Hart's "Weyward," but I enjoyed this one even more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for an advance copy for honest review. Barrie Kreinik performed the narration and did an excellent job of bringing all characters to life convincingly.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

Who knew that dreams could be so powerful. When Lucy awakens one night with her hands wrapped around her ex-lovers throat, she feels to her sister’s house, hoping she can help explain the vivid dreams. Lucy’s ex-lover honestly deserved that.

Mary and Elizabeth are twin sisters who fear the ocean because their mother drowned when they were little. But they start to notice changes to their bodies and they begin to feel the sea calling to them.

I thought the dual POVs were interesting. But I definitely found Lucy’s story a little more interesting. When Lucy’s sister is no where to be found, she starts to do some digging and brings to read her sister’s diary. We learn more about Lucy’s sister Jess and why she missed Lucy’s recent birthday. Her life changes forever when she reads that diary. I was shocked to hear what she found inside of it! I didn’t see the ending coming at all.

The twists in this story were great! This book was definitely dark but interesting. This was very different from what I normally read/listen to but I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much. Barrie did a wonderful job narrating! I’m glad I was able to listen to it. I did find it a little slow so I think if I had read it, it would have taken me a lot longer to finish it. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Emilia.

Thank you so much NetGalley, Emilia and Macmillan Audio for the E-ALC! I was so excited to be able to listen to this!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication: April 1 2025

#NetGalley

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a multi-layered puzzle of a book, grounded in the contemporary world while hinting at the fantastical just a hair’s-breadth away. As with her powerful book, Wayward, I’d recommend reading trigger warnings before starting this title.

The Sirens is perfect for readers who like:
- Multiple points-of-view
- Multiple timelines
- Stories grounded in a contemporary setting but with fantastical elements
- Mermaids
- Sister stories
- Mystery facets
- Feminine rage
- Epistolary elements (journal entries)

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC. I look forward to reading whatever Emilia Hart dreams up next!

I was so excited to read this book and thrilled when I was approved for an ARC. I was drawn to the cover, the title, and the description. I really liked Weyward and was hoping for another good book from Emilia Hart. However, I found this new novel very difficult to read. The pacing was slow and I just couldn't connect with the characters. Unfortunately the book was a DNF for me at about 65%, but I did push through on the audiobook to see how it ended. The narration helped a bit, but I still struggled to finish the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ARC in exchange for honest thoughts.

I gave this book 2 Stars

The Sirens
By Emilia Hart
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book of year: 12
Favorite Quote:
She asked Lucy to make a choice but, sometimes there is no choice, only love.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read The Sirens by Emilia Hart.
After finishing Weyward, I knew I needed more of Emilia Hart’s storytelling. I love the way she weaves multiple perspectives from different time periods, seamlessly bringing them together in a powerful way. This seems to be an emerging genre, and I’m finding myself drawn to it more and more.
The Sirens follows four women across different eras: Lucy in 2019, her sister Jess in 1999, whose story unfolds through the pages of her adolescent diary, and Mary and Eliza in 1800. Hart has a remarkable ability to tug at my heartstrings, making me deeply admire these women despite the hardships they endure.
I had no idea where this book was going to take me, and its quiet, unexpected twists kept surprising me. Emilia Hart is quickly becoming an auto-read author for me!

4.25/5. Thanks to Ms. Hart, the publisher, and Netgalley for the advanced listening copy!

This is my first Emilia Hart book read, but Weyward is also on my list for this year. And now I am very excited to read Weyward. This was a wonderful introduction to Ms. Hart's writing.

The story follows Lucy, a college student who wakes up to find herself strangling a man who has done her wrong. Her first thought is to go to her sister, Jess, who she hasn't seen in quite a while but feels safe with. Once she gets there, though, Jess isn't there. In Lucy's quest to find her sister, she ends up unraveling long held family secrets - and secrets of the town she's drawn to.

Part of that discovery is Lucy reading her sister's diary from 20 years earlier, revealing the answers to mysteries through another set of eyes. These come to us just as they come to Lucy with every page turn.

Interwoven in that story is the story of Mary and Eliza, prisoners on a ship to Australia in the 1800s. Parts of Jess and Lucy's story is reflected in this past, young girls finding out just what they truly are and how to embrace it.

This novel has a bit of everything I like: mystery, murder, mermaids. The prose itself is very beautiful, evoking a real sense of place for me. The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, is also a fantastic addition. Overall, an audiobook I will have no issue recommending to friends.