I really enjoyed the author's debut "Weyward" so I was super excited to get this ARC! I was a little disappointed at the way this book began. I had nothing to connect me to the main character at all and it just felt like nothing was really hooking me. The author has a knack for imagery, but unfortunately it seems this one is more imagery than story. By the time I reached 38% of the book I am slightly more interested in the back story of the characters but more than that, I find myself wondering why Lucy hasn't called the authorities yet. It's very hard to believe that her sister just left her phone and everything behind right before a big art show. And even though Lucy knows things are strange, she's just squatting her sister's house waiting for her. Add in the sleepwalking and the mysterious paintings? I just feel like that should make it more urgent. And while I understand being put down by an authority figure when she needed help, I feel like Lucy should have followed her instinct to get her sleepwalking diagnosed and stick up for herself. The story is just a bit unbelievable and hard to push through. "Until Jess returns... all she can do" is start investigating their weird bond with each other and the girls Jess was painting? No, you find your sister, make sure she's safe and investigate together. 52% of the way into this book I was finally a bit invested. I think that is too slow of a start and I am only reading at this point because I have now put in a lot of my time and I want to see it through. I wanted this to be better than it was. I also think unfortunately, the epilogue was an unnecessary addition. It only made me dislike the dad and I'm not sure why the author made that choice. I love this author's first book, but this one was not for me. Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC!

This story is told from a couple different perspectives and jumps between the past and the present. In both the past and present you are faced with a pair of sisters who are going through turmoil. In the present you have Lucy who is fleeing from a nightmare where she tried to strangle her ex-lover. She hopes that she can find solace with her sister, yet when she arrives at her sister’s house she is nowhere to be found. In the past you have two sisters ripped from their home and families forced upon a convict ship being sent to Australia. Lucy is haunted by dreams of these sisters. She is surprised to find a painting in her sister’s house of the girls, and she wonders how they are all connected.
This is a powerful book spanning different generations. It highlights the power of woman and the choices they make sprinkled with a bit of fantasy. I loved the different twists and turns that connected all the characters and found them artfully done.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

This book was so beautifully written about the bond between sisters. We also get a sprinkle of feminine rage and revenge.

We are following two sisters from two different timelines. Jess and Lucy have always had a strained relationship and their 17 year age difference doesn’t help. When Lucy shows up at Jess’ house and she’s missing. Lucy starts to uncover secrets from the past.

This book is not action packed or twisty but the way it is written kept me engaged the entire time. The slight mermaid lore wrapped into made me love this story more.

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy
APK: Ebook
Pages: 339
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Series or Standalone: Stand-alone

This one was just okay. I struggled connecting with the characters. I did really like the blend of historical fiction, magical realism, and mystery.

So OBSESSED. I absolutely loved Wayward by this author and guess what, I loved this too. I can’t wait for this to come out and everyone starts to read it. It’s so good. I will read whatever this author writes.

I was really excited to read The Sirens. I loved Weyward so much. Emilia Hart has a way with having the most beautiful covers. But I just could not get into this one. I gave it to half way and just could not go on further.


Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

'The Sirens' by Emilia Hart focuses on the bonds of sisterhood. I really enjoyed the relationships between Jess and Lucy and between Mary and Eliza. While these women were separated by centuries, they share commonality in the love they shared. I also enjoyed the siren folklore of Comber Bay. A solid work of women's fiction. This is the first book I read by Hart, but it won't be my last. 4 stars.

Taking place in dual timelines, The Sirens tells the modern story of Lucy, a university student who's just attacked her former lover and has fled to her sister's house for solace and refuge; and it tells the story of Mary and Eliza, twins being transported from Ireland to Australia on a prison transport ship.

I was immediately swept up in the history and drama of Mary and Eliza's story. I knew about the history of transporting prisoners, and the penal colonies established in Australia, but I never actually thought much about that journey. Hart's descriptions of the journey were harrowing, but so compelling. And brought to mind elements of sisterhood and inequality that I had loved in Weyward. I was so engrossed in this facet of the novel that I felt I could have easily spent a hundred more pages with the women on the prisoner deck of the Naiad.

It took me a little longer to warm to Lucy's story, but once I did I was absolutely gripped by the mystery surrounding her. Completely shaken by her attack, Lucy feels a bit adrift as she heads for her sister's house, and worse still when she discovers her sister gone from the home. It wasn't until Lucy really gave herself a shake and realized she had a mystery to solve and that she COULD solve it that I really got pulled in. And then I was hooked. Literally couldn't out the book down. By the time we got the big reveal I honestly put the book down and said, of course, it was staring at us! But I was so far in I didn't see it until Emilia Hart wanted us to. It was perfect.

And the fantasy. Just like in Weyward it was there, just simmering below the surface, ready to twinkle at just the right moments. I've had a hard time describing the genre on this one because it was historical fiction, but also a mystery, and a fantasy all blended together in a gem of a read that I can't stop thinking about!

I throughly enjoyed this book! I read Emilia Hart’s debut “Weyward” and I really liked it so I was excited to see what her next book would hold. I ended up enjoying “The Sirens” even more! This book felt very familiar in theme and atmosphere/vibe to “Weyward” but not similar enough that it felt like different characters/same plot. This is a testament to her strong character writing. Each character felt so well-developed that it’s hard to believe they are fictional. I found it very easy to connect with Lucy. I have not personally been victimized in the same way she was, but as women I feel we can all relate to how she felt in that situation with Ben and the lack of support she received from those at her school who were supposed to help her. Hart did a really great job throughout this book showcasing the two different sisterhoods. I really enjoyed the relationships between Mary and Eliza, and Jess and Lucy. Even though Jess and Lucy’s relationship appears to be estranged until the end, we get enough context from Lucy’s memories and her inner dialogue to feel the underlying strength of that relationship. I also really enjoyed how impactful the side characters ended up being in both timelines. I found myself really attached to the other women on the Naiad by the end of the book and was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed seeing those women come together and support each other. Sitting back and thinking about this book has also made me realize how important of a side character Melody was. She was instrumental in providing us readers with the information about Devil’s Lookout without it seeming like this information was being dumped on us in a way that didn’t make sense to the story. I also think that weaving in Jess’s story by having Lucy read her diary was a really awesome way to introduce us to her POV without it feeling overwhelming. Each story, Mary’s, Jess’s, and Lucy’s, felt so vibrant and engaging I never got bored. With “The Sirens” Emilia Hart improved so much on an already strong debut. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her career as an author.

Emilia Hart’s second novel, The Sirens, is a brilliantly written dual timeline novel following two sets of sisters as they embark on a journey of self discovery and empowerment.

In the first timeline, we follow Lucy and her sister Jess. After Lucy finds herself in a predicament at school, she flees the campus in search of a safe haven with her sister. The only problem is… where is Jess? Lucy finds herself apartment wide open and Jess’ phone still there. We toggle between Lucy and Jess’ POV as they figure out between themselves what is going on healthwise with them.

In the other timeline, we follow Mary and Eliza - twin sisters in the 1800s who have been put on a ship toward modern day Australia for the island prison. As they journey towards their new fate, they start to notice changes to their bodies and a calling towards the sea.

Just as you suspect from Hart, the novel has been extensively researched with real historical events of Ireland and Australia. These events have been effortlessly woven into a magical realism/historical fiction/fantasy novel, just like her debut novel in Weyward.

Thank you NetGalley, Emilia Hart, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of this book! Out 4/1/25!

I loved the author's first book Weyward , and in this one, she weaves historical mystery and drama wonderfully. The bonds of sisterhood in the two timelines drew me to this title. There's lots of trauma, but these sisters are strong, especially together. The story focuses on resilient women going through challenges and facing their pasts.

I have never used the word haunting while reviewing a book, but this story is exactly that, and I found it very atmospheric. The descriptions of the Australian coastline and the haunting tales of the sea create a sense of place and really bring out the emotions. I was sucked in right away and loved both timelines equally. That's a big deal for me. In the 1800s, Mary and Eliza were aboard a convict ship that was going to Australia. In present-time Australia, we have Lucy and Jess dealing with personal issues and trying to figure out a family mystery. The author did well making me feel tense and getting me into the characters' lives and the family mysteries.

The intertwining storylines and the gradual unveiling of secrets keep readers engaged throughout. The book handles heavy themes of female trauma and does so in a way that shows the strength of the characters. The story deals with some heavy topics, and I loved the realistic and sensitive way Hart dealt with them in her writing of the story. Overall, the book is compelling and thought-provoking. Emilia Hart has once again delivered a captivating story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. I will be thinking of this one for a long time.

An emotional read with twists and turns! Thoroughly enjoyed the story and appreciated a glimpse into Australia in the 1800s.

I love some historical fiction. I enjoyed this book, but it was a little bit slower than I would've liked. I might give it a re-read but listen to the audio instead. Beautiful writing though! Just. not sure it was a favorite.

Thank you Netgalley & St Martins Press!

Emilia Hart crafts lyrical, atmospheric, mysterious stories. This book would be perfect for someone looking to combine historical fiction with a touch of fantasy.

Told across three timelines, this book covers a beautiful story of determination, love, and family bonds.
My biggest complaint is. the ending felt rushed compared to the rest of the book.
Overall I think if you enjoyed Weyward, you will enjoy this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to review this book.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart opens with a gripping, surprising start, which I found more immediately compelling than her debut novel, Weyward. Set against the dangerous and thrilling backdrop of the Australian coast, the novel weaves themes of sisterhood, adversity, and resilience into its haunting, gothic-tinged narrative. Hart’s writing is undeniably beautiful with intense imagery that makes me feel like I'm seeing the scene through the main character's eyes.

While I appreciated the writing style and intricate storytelling, the overall mood was too heavy for my taste. If you enjoy historical fiction with a darker, more mysterious tone, this may be the perfect read for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review! ⭐⭐⭐ 3.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 rounded down. An atmospheric, moody, and mysterious novel that follows 2 sets of 2 women in the early 1900s, 1999, and present day. I love how Emilia Hart weaves multiple timelines, POVs, and stories into an intricate web full of familial ties, resilience, and women empowerment (also a bit of rage). Once I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down! I did not like this book as much as I did Weyward (her first novel), this one was somewhat lacking in the plot department. I think so much time was spent on layering the different POVs and making everything come together that the main storyline with Lucy was a bit boring and seemed to be mostly used to "discover" different pieces of the puzzle. Overall I loved this book! I want to live on a quaint cliffside cottage and be left alone to make my art! Such a vibe.

This book covers a myriad of dark topics, but the specific topics are a bit of a spoiler, so please read with caution.

Trigger Warnings: infant abandonment, self harm, suicidal ideation, grooming of a child/teen by an authority figure and satutory rape (briefly on page), imprisonment and neglect (past timeline), starvation and dehydration (past timeline), death by drowning and whipping (past timeline)

Historical fiction • Magical realism
Dual timelines • Family secrets
Female vengeance • Sisterhood

“I know people who say they’ve heard it, standing on the beach at night. Voices, coming from the waves. Women’s voices.”

The Sirens is an empowering story of female strength and resilience.
We follow two sets of sisters. In 1800, twins Mary and Eliza are sent to Australia on a ship for convicts.
In 2019, Lucy seeks out her sister Jess after running into some trouble - only to find Jess missing when she arrives at her house.

This was my first book by Emilia Hart and I really enjoyed it. The story of sisters across time was thought-provoking and emotional.
I like when characters are inexplicably drawn to something - whether it’s another person, item, or place. In this book, our girls are drawn to a place, the sea.
From disappearing men to voices in the water, there are multiple mysteries throughout that make it eerie and haunting.

“The sea gives, but it also takes.”

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my eARC

3.5/4 This is an interesting story about two pairs of sisters and their strange relationships with the sea. Overall, I thought there were some beautiful descriptions throughout, but I struggled to fully connect with the characters or see a real emotional connection between them.

In 2019, the primary setting is on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, where two sisters, Lucy and Jess, are searching for answers from the past...
In 1800, the secondary setting is on a convict ship traveling from Ireland to Australia, where twin sisters Mary and Eliza begin to notice unexplainable changes to their bodies as they get further and further out to sea...
The Sirens is a genre blend of Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, and Mystery, and Hart takes it up a notch by sprinkling in a fair amount of Family Drama to tie everything together.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this digital e-arc.*

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This s not my normal genre that i would read. I can say I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. I would definitely
recommend this book.