This was an interesting take on sirens. I kept wondering what happened to combine the two past and the present together and it all came together in the end.
I literally did not know that people had a disorder that would affect their skin if they got wet. So that was fun going down that rabbit hole.
I thought the way the characters became intertwined was great. At first, I couldn't understand what the past had to do with the present and why no one in her family was really talking about sleepwalking and what was going on. Though as the story unfolded it all came together. I normally don't do anything with mermaids as it is not my normal, but I will say I was highly amused by the storyline and wanted to know more.
I do wonder why this all happens now with the sleepwalking and dreams and not when our main character was younger. Is it a coming-of-age thing?

I was a big fan of Emilia Hart’s first book, Weyward, and I’m happy to say that this one lived up to my own hype!

I really loved the way that dual timelines and multiple POV’s were used throughout the book. There’s only a vague idea of how the two plots are related to one another, and as more was revealed, you slowly get a better idea of what’s going on. Some of the chapters are pretty short, which made it that much easier for me to get sucked into the story, especially with some cliffhanger chapter endings.

The mysteriousness of the plot was so intriguing to me. There’s a little bit of magical realism/fantasy at play here, but done in an easy way that people who are not usually fans of that will still enjoy. There’s also some women empowerment & sisterhood vibes, which I always love.

I wasn’t quite sure where the story was heading, but once that twist was dropped at the end of Part Two, I actually gasped. I loved where it took the story, and how everything made so much more sense. I also wasn’t expecting the epilogue, which answered a lot of questions for me.

This was a book I was picking up every chance I got, with a story that hooked me from the first page.

I honestly won't go in depth in this review because there's not really much to say. I was very excited for this book, I had not seen anything about this book, I had just heard about the author so I was excited to read one of her arcs, My main problem with this book was how I could not connect with the characters and when I don't feel any sort of connection with them, I just end up disliking the book and to be honest the only reason I did not dnf this book was because it was an ARC otherwise it would've been a dnf 20% through, I wish I could write something good about this book but it's one of those rare instances where I just have nothing good to say, It's definitely among the bottom 5 reads of this year. I also didn't enjoy the writing style of this book and usually when a book has weak characters, the writing style is what keeps me going but that wasn't the case here and honestly when these two things do not work I rely to the plot but where was the plot here? so I had nothing to rely on like I need a book to have one good think because honestly I can read a book if it has literally no plot as long as the writing is good or a book with a strong plot and bumpy writing or a book that solely relies on its characters to save it but when a book has none it's really bound to end up here.

Overall, not the best book and I wouldn't recommend!

Emilia Hart win this heart with her debut novel, Weyward, which I read over Winter Break in 2023 (#TeacherLife). Her ability to capture the tension of a woman's desire versus a society's expectations of/for her across time is remarkable.

In The Sirens, we meet two sisters in Australia, Lucy and Jess, who are running from their own demons in pursuit of their unique truths while tethered to each other and to two sisters from Ireland in 1800, Mary and Eliza. Both sets of sisters in each timeline help one another find the bravery within themselves through each other to step into the most authentic versions of themselves and believe in their voices and their experiences despite attempted silencing from those in positions of power.

If Emilia Hart keeps producing books like this, she will continue to be an instant buy and a 5-star read for me.

This early review is a product of an ARC provided by St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. I'm immensely grateful for their generosity.

I was immediately engaged by The Sirens and couldn't wait to keep picking it up. The themes of sisterhood, family and female rage/revenge are some of my favorites and they were done very well. I also loved the vivid Australian setting. I didn't know much about the women's convict boats, and this aspect was eye-opening. There were a few parts that I thought should have been explored more, but overall I still loved this. Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance digital copy!

This book intertwines two sisters from different time periods and shines a light on the centuries old plight of women’s suffering and survival. In Greek mythology, sirens lured sailors to their doom with their haunting songs. In this story, they call to dangerous men instead.

Lucy, traumatized by a betrayal and in danger of losing her spot in her journalism program, seeks out her sister, Jess, at her home in rural Australia. Only, when she arrives, she finds the place abandoned. Desperate to find her sister, she uncovers some unsettling truths she never could have envisioned.

In the second storyline, sisters Mary and Eliza are transported to Australia on a convict ship and away from the only home they have ever known.

It’s a very atmospheric and enlightening tale about resilience in the face of adversity and the power of familial bonds. There is definitely something for everyone here given that the story is part historical fiction, part mystery and part magical realism.

While it’s an engaging read, it doesn’t quite live up to Weyward for me. Still, it’s an intriguing and beautifully written novel. 3.75 Stars


Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

3.5 stars

Thank you to SMP for the e-ARC

this book was a good reading experience, but a frustrating story with some elements that I felt were missing.

the writing itself is probably the highlight: whimsical, lush, emotive prose that carries you through the book and keeps you anticipating what will happen. I think the POV and time switches were highly effective for telling the story and keeping the reader interested.

the relationships between the sisters in this story were very well written. I get frustrated when all of the complexity of female relationships gets collapsed into a one-size-fits-all “we love each other through everything” bond. these characters had conflict and love and hurt between them, and it made the story much more moving.

I do think the plot was lacking. so many details were left unresolved by the end, which made me feel like pages were wasted on something eventually irrelevant. the ending was also just out of left field and felt cheap.

my other gripe is that for a story that’s in part about the process of colonization of Australia, the indigenous people were barely included. we get one fairly tokenized character, but the centered characters are European. obviously the author wanted to tell one sort of story, but it felt like there were copious story opportunities for the Aboriginal people to have a voice or role. so that felt mishandled to me.

3.25/5

This is a wonderful story but I got bored. The multigenerational story line is very interesting and the family secrets make the story flow. But there isn't much happening in the story to keep interest. It's more self realization and focuses more on Lucy's story and her life. It has the perfect amount of magical realism into the story that makes it unique. I just wanted more to the story more interactions more connection. I loved the premise but it was meh to me

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's press for the opportunity to read this story

I really liked Weyward so I was excited to read this. Its hauntingly beautiful. I thought the dual timelines were done well.

A magical realism book about 2 sisters from 2 different time periods bound together by the wonders of dreams and the allure of the sea.
I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy and Jess are sisters, Jess has an allergy to water and is a very lonely teen who finds comfort in an art teacher who sees something special in her. After years of estrangement Lucy needs her now adult sister and runs to her house only to find it abandoned. Two other sisters, Mary and Eliza lived in the 1800s and were sent to the criminal colony Australia after they broke the law and for some reason Lucy continues to dream of them. All of these stories intertwine and tell a tale of sisterhood through the ages.

I love a good female focused story but this one just missed the mark for me. I take a certain amount of responsibility because I listened to much of it and I think I would have been less confused with the three timelines and multiple POVs if I had read more rather than listened. That being said I still couldn’t connect with any of the characters or the story. I think this author may be an acquired taste because I know so many people who loved this one as well as Weyward, her last book, while neither really worked for me. I think this one is a matter of taste.

3.5 stars

Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Historical fantasy is a subgenre I love, because we not only get fictionalized stories based on real types of events that can lead to some great research deep dives after reading, but the bits of magic bring the stories alive that much more. This book has two (plus another through diary entries) timelines and perspectives. One tells the story of female convicts, most of whom committed crimes of necessity to survive, being transported to Australia from Ireland in the year 1800. One tells the story of a journalism student in 2019, who flees to her sister’s remote coastal home after a series of events that rock her life. The third is a series of diary entries from around the year 2000. All three of the timelines deal with women whose lives have been dramatically impacted by awful men, and the stories weave together as the stories progress.

The setting is very atmospheric in the past and present timelines. The reader can feel the exhaustion and confusion and fear of the women trapped in the darkness of the ship’s prisoner deck. The wildness of the sea. The pangs of hunger and constant thirst. The worry about whether they will make it through the journey and the anxiety about what will happen after that if they do.

The present timeline takes place in a rundown house on the cliff in a town known for people going missing, lost to the sea. Our protagonist arrives to find the house empty, having no idea where her sister has gone and whether she’s okay. There is a sense of urgency as the timelines start to converge, as she tries to solve the mystery of her sister’s whereabouts and figure out what secrets her family has been keeping.

The book feels like a blend of historical fantasy and contemporary mystery, with a dash of magical realism and true crime. I loved the complicated family dynamics in all of the storylines, as well as the female empowerment in the face of terrible patriarchal elements. Overall I enjoyed this one and will continue to look forward to other books by this author.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced book!

Emilia Hart’s The Sirens captivated me from start to finish and made me a lifelong fan of her writing. This was my first book by Hart, and I now understand why everyone recommends her books. The intertwining stories of strong, complex women across centuries were beautifully told, and I couldn’t stop reading.

The writing was mesmerizing, with each time period—2019, 1999, and 1800—seamlessly flowing into the next, keeping me completely immersed in the narrative. The mystery of Lucy’s nightmare and her search for answers in her sister Jess’s diary had me turning pages quickly, eager to uncover each new twist.

What really stood out to me was the powerful theme of sisterhood and the resilience of these women across different time periods. The sea, almost a character in itself, calls to them in ways that are both mysterious and magical. Hart’s writing beautifully explores the strength of bonds that can transcend time and space, creating an unforgettable narrative.

Overall, The Sirens is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and magical realism, and I’m so glad I had the chance to experience this book. I’ll definitely be seeking out more of Hart’s work in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found the book to be engaging for the most part, but struggled getting through part 1. It required a lot of back information to make the other two parts great, but after awhile, I felt like it wasn't going anywhere. But, parts 1 and 2 both ended on great points, and I was unable to stop reading at that point. I enjoyed the characters, but struggled to understand their motivations at points. I liked the discovery as to 'why' things were happening, as well as the idea of consequence for those who are not the best people. Overall, a good read, that kept my attention and made me feel all the feelings.

I went into this book pretty blind, kind of assuming it was some sort of fantasy about mermaids. but when you really get into it it’s more a historical fiction/family drama. I think it was also trying to have more a mystery vibe too that didn’t quite hit but the main story about the sisters was really a special one. The mermaid of it all was more subtle than I would’ve liked but again the main story made up for it.

ARC REVIEW: the sirens by emilia hart 🧜🏻‍♀️ an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea 🌊

despite everything going on in both timelines & pov’s, I can comfortably call this a character driven novel ⚓ the sirens takes awhile to get going but it very much falls into the 'finding out who you are' trope while navigating the relationships and themes of family, family secrets, female friendships and sisterhood.

I really enjoyed the imaginative writing, immersing me as if I was the one listening for singing sirens off of my cliffside home. this book combines mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and history, making this a story for many people 🪸

I wish the ending left us with a sense of purpose- perhaps more emotional value or depth would have benefited the story. I just had a hard time connecting with any of the four sisters so nothing truly *hit home* for me! 🐠 can’t end this review without saying that this cover is everything!!

thank you st. martin’s press for the e-arc 🐚 3 stars!

Two sets of sisters separated by several hundred years both told in their youth to stay out of the water as if it would severely injure them vs irritating their skin. Lucy and Jess have conditions exacerbated by water. When Lucy starts having dreams and wakes up to find her hands around the neck of a boy who has shared photos of her at college she runs to Jess at her cliffside house. However, Jess is no where to be found and Lucy discovers a journal and her paintings that indicate she has been having the exact same dreams that she has. Eliza and Mary are sisters in the late 1700's who get into trouble for attacking a man who really was attacking Mary and are sentenced to exile and shipped out as prisoners. While on the ship they are given few rations and the boat disappears very close to the spot where Jess lives in Cliffside house. It took a bit to weave these 2 sisters stories together for me but I do share their attraction to the ocean and enjoyed that aspect and eventually she did pull it together.
Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This felt a bit long to me and I don't know that I would have finished the ARC without also having the ALC. Switching up to the audio helped a lot, as I loved the narrator.
I did think the stories of Lucy and Jess and Comer Bay were interesting and mysterious, but since I'm not a huge historical fiction fan, I could have done without the Mary and Eliza parts. That's probably just me, and I think people who do like historical fiction will enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Lucy, who flees to her sister Jess's coastal home after a disturbing incident, finds her missing and she will unearth strange rumors about the town and the sea, including whispers of women's voices and a past connected to two sisters transported across the world centuries ago. The story unravels between 3 different POVs, Lucy, her older sister Jessica and Mary, a person from the past that has always been linked to the girls for a mysterious reason.

It started off intriguing but then I just got lost within the story. I started to feel a disconnect between the timelines trying to find something similar and then when the mystery is revealed I just didn't seem to care that much. I think if I didn't receive this arc, I would have dropped this book.

Now saying this, I don't think this story is terrible. It is both intriguing and emotional it's just that for me personally, I wanted a story about sisters working though their issues and becoming closer despite all the pain and what I wound up getting was a poetic mystery with a splash of fantasy thrown in that it left me confused.

Over all, Hart has incredible talent in mixing in beauty through pain and I liked that.

I love how well Emilia Hart can flawlessly run multiple story lines together. You see it in Weyward and again her with The Sirens. I did not see the twist coming until it was right there in front of my face. This is definitely worth the read, especially if you loved Weyward. Her writing is just so beautifully well done. Thanks to the author and publisher for the ARC of this book!