𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 @stmartinspress 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤!

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴. “

𝗪𝗲𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 was one of my favourite reads last year, so obviously I had to read 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀! Emilia Hart writes beautiful tales, intertwining women throughout timelines and centuries. Initially, there was a draw to understand Lucy’s story, actions, and history and ultimately how it would connect with her sister Jess, and Mary and Eliza who lived in 1800. But as the story progressed, I found the novel to lack focus and lose that initial spark. I was left wanting more character and plot growth, and frankly more magical realism elements. I wanted Sirens. Was the book horrible? Not at all, but it’s not one I’d recommend to the level I did for her previous novel.

The Sirens is the sophmore book by Emilia Hart. I enjoyed Weyward her 1st novel so was eager to read The Sirens. It did not disappoint.

Lucy is a young univiersity student who flees her university after a horrific accidental act. She goes to Comber Bay to her sister Jess, whom she knows will help her. Though she and Jess have grown apart of late, she knows Jess will be there for her, only when she reaches Cliff House, Jess is nowhere to be found. Lucy finds Jess’ diary and starts to unravel secrets from her family that she had no idea about. Lucy starts to fear that Jess may be in trouble. Can Lucy find her sister and unravel the secrets that have been kept from her, and why does the sea call to her?

In 1800 Ireland Mary and Eliza are torn away from their father and sent on a convict ship to Australia where they will have to face an unknown future, The two stories meld with the Siren myth as a central theme in both stories,

Like her 1st novel, Emilia Hart has a way of drawing you into her world.

Thanks to Netgalley, St Martin’s Press and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.

The magical realism in this book was phenomenal. Hart did a great job of sprinkling the fantasy very slowly into the story, making you continually wonder if it was going to turn completely magical or stay on the ledge. This kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire novel. The back and forth between the past and present also created intrigue and investment in multiple characters within the story, not just the main ones. I also really enjoyed the mystery component.

Overall, the writing was fantastic, the character rich and unique, and the setting mystical. As a history lover, I also greatly appreciated the historical accuracy within the storytelling and the "journalistic" components of exploring the mystery.

If you're a fan of magical realism, low fantasy, historical fiction, and/or mystery, you'll love this book.

The Sirens is different from Emilia Hart's acclaimed Weyward, but the strong emphasis on nature weaves throughout this book as well. While different, the Sirens was just as compelling as Weyward if not a bit more fantasy heavy. In the Sirens, the two stories weave together beautifully with a few twists, but at the heart of the novel, is about family and embracing yourself. A strong second release from Hart.

🌊✨ The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a hauntingly beautiful tale of sisterhood, secrets, and the sea’s dark pull. Told across three timelines—2019, 1999, and the 1800s—this novel weaves together the lives of four women whose destinies are shaped by the ocean and the truths buried beneath its waves.

🔹 In 2019, Lucy seeks refuge with her estranged sister after a devastating betrayal, only to find Jess missing and whispers of something eerie lurking in Comber Bay.

🔹 In 1999, Jess, battling a rare condition that makes water her enemy, unearths chilling family secrets.

🔹 In the 1800s, Irish twins Mary and Eliza, convicted and exiled, find themselves transforming into something other as the sea tightens its grip.

I found this book to have everything, historical fiction, magical realism, and feminist power. It also had the same atmospheric writing that I loved in Weyward . 🌿

⚓ The coastal setting in this one was eerie and mysterious, the landscape and the weather was giving me creepy and moody vibes.

A beautiful book that is a slow burn and is more about the journey, the characters and the storytelling.

Thank you @netgalley for this eARC.

The Sirens was a very compelling read and I think it will be a big hit for folks who loved A Sea of Unspoken Things, Outlander, or The Warbler! It tells the story of women on two different timelines and winds them together perfectly.

I found the Sirens to be thought provoking and captivating and I look forward to recommending it to others! It's also the encouragement I needed to finally read Weyward!

I don’t know how to talk about this book. I didn’t dislike it at all. I guess I felt conflicted and sometimes confused. There were two story lines set centuries apart that eventually, sort of tie into each other - sisterhood, female resilience, and the sea are big themes. I enjoyed the historical fiction elements (a ship of female “convicts” from Ireland being exiled to Australia), the mermaid/siren elements (but wanted more of that), and the cover (so pretty!) If you liked ‘Weyward’ and its magical realism/two timelines, perhaps you’ll also find this compelling. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for the sneak peak!

I loved the author’s debut novel so I was really excited to read this one. It is mystery, historical fiction, magical realism, female empowerment and family drama all mixed in to one.

The story is told in multiple timelines and POVs- from sisters, Lucy and Jess, in 2019 and 1999, as well as Mary, an Irish prisoner on a convict ship to Australia in the 1800’s. I liked this way of telling the story as the mystery is gradually uncovered; however, I figured out the twists well before they were actually revealed.

I liked the writing style and overall storyline (even though I’m typically not a magical realism type person), but I just didn’t love it. The characters weren’t particularly likable and I felt like the shifting viewpoints left some loose ends. The encounter with the siren in the epilogue left me with an ick feeling and also made me question the whole book.

I feel so bad that Iam not sharing a more positive review of this book. I honestly think this book should have some trigger warnings. I have read too many sad and heavy books the last few weeks that I might give this one another chance in the future. A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this as an ARC. Out of resepct for the author, I will not be sharing this review on my book account.

Hart is an incredible writer and approaches a time in history that is impossible to sugarcoat. The story follows a dual timeline between two sisters (Mary and Eliza) who are onboard a vessel set for Austrialia in the early 1800s. As "convicts" they board with dozens of other "condmened" women. We learn more about their abuse and life through flashbacks from Lucy, who is in the present day also going through some trauma with having a nude photo leaked online from a guy she hooked up. Both Lucy and her sister (Jess) have a skin condition where it is scaly and gets easily irritated by water. We learn through Lucy more about abuse/grooming her sister went through, as Lucy is trying to make contact with Jess who has gone missing.

From the dual POV and "flashbacks" we basically know the ending from the beginning and as readers are yelling "NO DON'T DO IT!" the whole time. It is an effective way to write, but also because I know the predictable ending and the "magical realism" of it, I find myself more sad and anxious than curious to keep reading.

While this book was not for me at this time, please don't let me discourage you from picking this up! It has DOZENS of 4-5 stars and again, what I might not have liked could be a book you love! Very similar atmospheric vibes to Burial Rites, A Sea of Unspoken Things, etc.

Content: sexual abuse/triggering foreshadowing, some language, open door scenes.

A beautiful and lyrical story that drew me in based on the premise and prose, but didn't quite payoff in plot for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Lucy and Jess, Mary and Eliza- two sets of sisters living years apart who all have the same extremely rare allergy to water. In the present, Lucy flees her university to her sister Jess's home by a cliff after she attempts to strangle a man while sleepwalking but Jess isn't there. Her paintings are though, and they pull at Lucy. Mary and Eliza were transported to Australia after Eliza smashed a man in the head as he was attacking Mary. It's a horrible voyage for them (I would have liked a whole novel about these two). How are the four sisters linked? Well, the title telegraphs some of the answer but there's a secret that Lucy must untangle about Jess and their family. There's good atmospherics and sympathetic female characters (the fathers are positive). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I know some have been less enthusiastic about this when comparing it to Weyward but I didn't read Weyward and I quite enjoyed it.

While another of Emilia Hart's books has been on my TBR longer than I'd care to admit, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to pick up a book centered on Sirens, sister, and spans of time. I am thrilled to say that this exceeded every one of the expectations I had for it, for The Sirens mastered the balance between atmosphere and characterization so many authors seem to stumble on. I read this in two days, devouring the deliciously dark plot lines, and savoring every twisted description.

The Sirens follows two sets of sisters separated by hundreds of years but united by the sea. Described accurately as a tale of female resilience, this book does not hesitate to show the darkness of the female experience or the ferocity with which women change their fates. A love letter to the ocean in the specific way I see it - scary, magical, and so very healing - this is a book I will be thinking about for a long time. Magical realism at it's absolutely finest.

Emilia Hart does a fantastic job weaving dual timelines of historical fiction, current time and magical realism in her newest novel, “The Sirens”.
She demonstrates the harsh realities of the 1800s on a mystical thread that connects the lives of two sets of women across centuries. Along the historical timeline, we are introduced to sisters Mary and Eliza, struggling to survive the brutal conditions aboard an English prisoner ship bound for Australia. Hart creates a vivid portrayal of their treatment on board. The trauma, physical hardships, and the constant abuse the women face. Their resilience is tested to its limits when the vessel tragically wrecks off a treacherous coastline.
Intertwined with this is the contemporary story of Jess and Lucy. Facing their own personal and family turmoil, Jess's departure from home sets in motion a journey of discovery for Lucy. Hart skillfully builds an atmosphere of unease and mystery surrounding their relationship. Both women share the unusual trait of sleepwalking and a similar skin condition, hinting at a deeper connection. The story teases out the tendrils of a long-held family secret that dates back to Lucy's birth, which creates a compelling sense of anticipation.

What truly elevates "The Sirens" is Hart's delicate integration of magical realism and her writing is immersive. Pacing is great with a gradual crescendo up to the intense peak of the story, however, I did find it a little slow with the wrap up.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review “The Sirens”

I was so excited when I got approved for this ARC. Weyward was one of my favorite reads last year. The Sirens drew me in from the start. I love Emilia's writing and her flare for feminism and weaving history into her writing. Her writing is beautifully descriptive without being flowery. The jump between the past and present kept me interested. Unlike many other reviews I did not find I had a hard time connecting with the characters, Lucy, Mary and Eliza pulled me in from the beginning, it was later in the book when Jess really made her way forward. I was captivated as all the pieces started falling into place. I was able to predict some of the "twists" but it didn't take away from the story. Overall I absolutely loved this story, it left me feeling warm and fuzzy and fulfilled and I can't wait to see what Emilia comes up with next.

Enjoyed reading this story of sisters! I usually really enjoy anything Emilia writes and this was no different- however I did feel like it kind of drug on. A really great book and worth the recommendation for sure!

If you are reading this book because you loved Weyward, you might be a bit disappointed. The books are very different, but there are similarities if I break it down and think about it. The Sirens is also about the power of women, gold from multiple time periods and creates a vivid atmospheric setting. I didn’t find the book creepy or gothic at all, just…. Damp. This wasn’t my favourite story, but I appreciated the writing and how it came together. I guessed the plot twist early on too, so that was a bit of a bummer.

It’s hard to truly sum up what this book is about without giving away too much of the amazing plot. But within these pages you’ll find a missing sister, a character looking for herself, history, magic, and social commentary. This book was so good and so imaginatively written. I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of The Sirens!
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I adore stories imbued with magical realism, and since I enjoyed Weyward from this author, I knew The Sirens would be on my TBR! Part mystery, part fantasy, part family drama, this atmospheric tale follows four women in multiple timelines as they discover themselves, their power, love, and healing through their connection to the sea. As if the cover alone isn't reason enough to pick this up, this novel is a compelling story of female strength amidst the patriarchal world stacked against them. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

I thoroughly enjoyed The Sirens, by Emilia Hart. Unlike her book, Weyward, this story included fantasy/magical realism elements. These are often a fail for me, but I enjoyed every aspect of this story.

Told as two timelines, the historical story is of two sisters removed to Australia for petty crimes back in Ireland. The central storyline is in the present and focuses on two sisters and the many secrets surrounding their lives. I loved the intrigue, was surprised by the surprises, and cared about the lives of both sets of sisters.
If you like stories depicting female resilience with a bit of fantasy thrown in - and especially if you are intrigued by mermaids, I'd give this book a read.
I listened to the audio version of the book, narrated by Barrie Kreinik, and the listening experience improved the book for me. The voices were wonderfully rendered, it was easy to follow, and the Aussie accent was music to my ears.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic version of the book in exchange for a review.

This is a review of the audiobook.

This was so well-written! The prose was beautiful and the characters felt real and compelling.
The characters are strong and vivid. The atmospheric prose draws you in and keeps you reading.
The author does an excellent job of bringing the settings to life with vivid imagery.
If you enjoyed Weyward, you’ll love this one too! I look forward to reading everything Emilia Hart writes!