A really dark, cold and almost folktale-like novel that focuses on four women living in different centuries, each of whom is on a journey of self-discovery. Although this is an interesting and compelling story, one that is beautifully written, parts of it dragged way too much and parts of it were wholly predictable. Moreover, the initial plot of the story (involving Lucy’s having to face the consequences of her actions) just disappeared as the story continued, and I was definitely underwhelmed by the ending. All in all this was an interesting, good read but not a great one.

3.5 stars. After reading and loving the author's first book, I was so excited to pick this one up! Alas, it did not quite live up to my expectations.

The Sirens is a beautifully written story with an interesting premise. Written in multiple timelines with multiple POVs, we have a story of sisterhood, healing, and self-discovery.

The writing and vivid description made it easy for me to visualize the setting and the storyline. While I enjoyed having different POVs, they were written very similarly and were hard to differentiate as I read, which made things feel a bit monotonous. I also struggled to understand or believe some of the characters' decisions, and I did not care much for the teacher/student relationship and its revival in the present.The book dragged in the middle, but things picked up again around the 75/80% mark to a mostly satisfying ending. We got our biggest questions answered. There are a few smaller loose ends that weren't fully resolved, but that didn't bother me as much as it did other readers.

I think readers who like beautiful prose, fantasy, female empowerment, and mermaids/the sea, and who don't mind a slower burn, will enjoy this book. But I think the author's first book is better.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sirens is the newest release by Emilia Hart, author of Weyward. I loved Weyward and was so excited to receive an ARC of The Sirens!

This story is told in alternating timelines and points of view. In the 1800s, we have Mary and her sister Eliza. They are convicts on a prison ship from Ireland headed to the penal colonies in New South Wales. Crowded into the belly of the ship with other female prisoners, the sisters experience cruel treatments and heartache as they leave their home behind. In the present day, we have Lucy who wakes up from sleepwaking and finds herself assaulting a boy who had hurt her in the recent past. She flees university to avoid the investigation and to try to learn why she's been sleepwalking from her sister, Jess, who also sleepwalks. She arrives at her sister's house, Cliff house, but her sister is missing. Finally, we have Jess, whose POV is told through her diary in 1999. Lucy finds this diary and begins to piece the puzzle together in order to find her sister.

This story is one of resilience and kinship, feminine rage and protection. It blends mystery, historical fiction, and magical realism to create an intricate tale of sisterhood and the things that bind women together. Thanks to the publisher, the author, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book by Emilia Hart is a captivating novel that intertwines the lives of two sets of sisters across different centuries. The story alternates between 2019, where Lucy flees to her sister Jess’s house after a traumatic incident, and 1800, where Mary and Eliza are forced onto a convict ship heading to Australia. The novel explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the haunting power of the sea.

What I liked about the book:

Atmospheric Writing: Hart’s descriptions of the coastal setting and the eerie, sea-swept caves are hauntingly beautiful, creating a vivid backdrop for the story.
Characters: The characters are well-developed, with each sister’s journey reflecting their strength and vulnerability. The dual timelines are handled skillfully, with each era’s narrative enriching the other.
Themes: The novel delves into heavy themes such as trauma, healing, and the fight against oppression, making it a thoughtful and compassionate read

What I didn't like:

Pacing: I felt like it was a slow pace in the middle sections, as the story takes its time to build up to the climax.
Predictability: A few plot twists may be predictable for seasoned readers of the genre, which could lessen the impact of the revelations.
Conclusion: “The Sirens” is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and magical realism that celebrates the strength of women and the bonds of sisterhood.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the advanced copy.

First of all, can we all take a minute to appreciate just how gorgeous this cover is? I really love it.

I also quite enjoyed Hart’s atmospheric writing. I felt the cool slick rocks of the cave, I could smell the damp fetid walls of the ocean reclaiming Jess’s home, I could sense the foreboding of being locked in the dark hull of a ship with Mary and Eliza. The setting was masterfully put together and was my favorite part of the story.

The Sirens is dual time line—and I mostly liked the story set in the 1800s. Sisters being transported from Ireland to a penal colony in New South Wales? Survival, strength, and bonding among those being transported? Yes please! But I wanted MORE from this story. I felt like I understood a little bit of what was happening here, but not enough…

…and that brings us to the present day storyline, or as I like to call it, the major meh part. First of all, the characters were very hard to connect with—I wanted to cheer for them, but they just did nothing for me and I could not muster a rally cry. Secondly—things were happening, a metamorphosis of sorts, but I’m not sure why? Why these two sisters? What was the link with the past? HOW? I just didn’t get it.

So there you have it, a stunning cover, a brilliantly crafted atmosphere, some interesting context, but ultimately a story that fell a little short of my expectations.

I will definitely read another novel from Hart—she is a gifted writer, there is no doubt. However, Weyward far surpasses The Sirens for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the digital ARC.

Overall, I didn't love this one. The pacing was slow which had me struggling throughout and I just couldn’t get into the story. I did enjoy the concept of historical and magical realism. But that didn’t really save the book for me.

"The Sirens" by Emilia Hart is a captivating novel that masterfully intertwines historical fiction, magical realism, and mystery to explore themes of sisterhood, resilience, and empowerment. The story unfolds across two timelines: in 1800, Irish sisters Mary and Eliza are transported to Australia as convicts; in 2019, journalist Lucy seeks solace in her sister Jess's coastal home, only to find her missing amidst eerie local legends. Hart's lyrical prose vividly brings to life the haunting atmosphere of Comber Bay, a town shrouded in mystery and whispers of the supernatural. The dual narrative structure is handled with finesse, weaving together past and present in a way that keeps readers engaged and eager to uncover the connections between the two. The novel's exploration of women's strength and solidarity in the face of adversity is both poignant and inspiring. Fans of Hart's debut, "Weyward," will find familiar themes here, but "The Sirens" stands on its own as a testament to Hart's growth as a storyteller. This book is a must-read for those who appreciate richly layered tales that celebrate the enduring bonds between women.

Wow. Emilia just gave us a heartbreaking, haunting, beautifully written book about the strength and power found in Sisterhood + Womanhood. The stories of Lucy, Jess, Eliza & Mary will stick to your bones long after reading.

The Sirens is as intriguing as it is mysterious. Just when I thought I knew how a storyline would play out, it went an entirely new and exhilarating direction! I highly recommend this read to anyone wanting a story that will take them on a feminist ride, untwisting secrets that span hundreds of years in the most magical way. Such a satisfying conclusion that had me in tears. So happy this was my first Emilia Hart read! It’s left me eager to dive into her other works.

Eternally grateful for the chance to devour this highly anticipated ARC of mine thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. I hope this novel gets all the praise!

I absolutely loved Weyward so I was excited to find out Hart had another upcoming book set to be released on April 1, 2025. Unfortunately I had such high hopes for The Sirens but it didn’t live up to my expectations. The pacing was a bit slow, which took me out of the story at times.
The writing style is magical and I could feel the emotions of the characters but the overall story felt off at times. The switching between perspectives and times seemed to hurt more than help. The second half of the book began to pick up and some of the bigger plot points became clear. My biggest disappointment with this book was that the female characters seemed so helpless most of the time. I wanted a bit more from the ending as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

This book was filled with secrets, mystery, and eerie vibes. The beginning hooked me, and I loved how the story was told in multiple timelines. There were twists that I did not expect. I love how this author writes with themes of sisterhood and femininity in her stories. The pacing was a bit slow, which took me out of the story at times. I wanted a bit from from the ending as well. 3.25 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a lovely novel! There was a lot of the story that I was so intrigued to see how it would be wrapped up, and Hart did a great job! This story combines fantasy with some mystery, old world (1800s) with new world (2019, talk of podcasts) which made it very interesting to read!

2.5 stars.

I want to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book prior to its release.

While I wanted to love it, I felt that it missed the mark for me. I was tempted to not finish it more than once.

Overall, the story was very dull. I did not feel a connection to any of the characters.

The alternate timeline never made sense with the presence and the plot just seemed to meander for the majority if the book.

I agree with other reviewers who thought a solid 100 pages or so could have easily been edited/trimmed from the final novel because they did not serve the story.

It also seemed as if the author frequently was repeating herself. In the first coupld of chapters alone, she described 3 seperate rooms as "stale."

It feels like there is too much going on, but also too little. The main story is very slow, and lacks any meaningul action and story building. I kept turning page after page, searching for a spark, but found only relentless overthinking. The plot crawled beneath heavy layers of introspection, making the characters feel distant and difficult to connect with.

At the end of the day, I think I would have enjoyed this novel more had it been fully the story of the Irish sisters being transported to Australia.

I received a digital advance copy of The Sirens by Emilia Hart via NetGalley. The Sirens is scheduled for release on April 1, 2025.

The Sirens weaves together the legend of the sirens with the history of Australian convict ships as it follows two pairs of sisters. Modern day Lucy flees to her sister’s new home in New South Wales only to find the house empty and her sister missing. As she tries to figure out where her sister is, and what secrets she is keeping, Lucy has waking dreams of two sisters on a ship in the early 1800s. Mixed into Lucy’s story is Mary’s story, one of the two sisters on the convict ship that crashes off the Australian coast. The more Lucy dreams, the more her own story begins to merge with the sisters she sees when she closes her eyes.

While there are similarities and a common thread in the stories of Lucy and Mary, they stand up as complete and separate characters in the novel. The same goes for the sisters and other characters around the two women. While we spend most of our time with Mary and Lucy, they inhabit a world filled with people who feel real.

The two interwoven stories also take place in very different environments. Lucy is primarily in and around the cliff house on the Australian coast, while Mary is primarily trapped on the prisoner’s deck of a ship. The worlds of the women are distinct, yet linked by the sea that surrounds them both.

Hart does a great job in this novel of weaving together what initially seem to be two completely separate stories. As a reader, you begin to see the threads of connection well before the final reveals, yet the resolution remains satisfying. I was not surprised by any of the turns, but appreciated the complexity of the weaving of the story lines. Hart also does a good job of balancing the contemporary, historical, and mythical elements. All of those elements worked together to create a rich story, without any of them feeling overbearing.

Overall, The Sirens is a well told story of sisterhood and female resilience.

I read "The Sirens" by Emilia Hart on NetGalley. This book kept me on edge the entire time! I wanted to know the outcomes so badly for Mary & Eliza and Lucy & Jess. Their stories were intertwined and I wanted more details the entire book. In 1800 Mary & Eliza are sent on a convict ship full of women to New South Wales from Ireland. And in 2019 Lucy runs to her sister, Jess, for help. I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately requested Hart's first book.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

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⁣Much like Wayward, The Sirens in an epic feminist fantasy that discusses sisterhood and the power of female resilience. Told in two timelines, this is a very atmospheric and quite creepy novel. I found it immersive and lots of fun! The characters were a bit different for me, when comparing them to Weyward and it took me a bit longer to get into the story for that reason, which left the reading experience a little flat.

3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this ebook!

This was another beautiful book by Emilia Hart filled with feminine rage, connection, and justice, and it did not disappoint. The way that she interweaves different generations of women together, connected by blood and the violence they’ve experienced, is truly so beautiful. There is such a powerful message of hope and protection, and I loved the twists and turns that kept me on my toes and looking for the pieces of the puzzle.

I absolutely loved it and could not out it down! Highly recommended read for really any woman, but especially those who look out for each other and keep each other safe.

I loved Weyward and I can tell you all that I’m utterly bewitched by The Sirens.

Historical, atmospheric, gothic, and feminism at its most divine.

The past clashes like waves upon the future. How the tragic history of two Irish sisters become intwined with two contemporary Australian women made for a storyline that utterly enchanted me.

Emilia Hart has such a masterful way of storytelling, and I hope everyone gets to experience this beautiful new novel from her

I absolutely love Emilia's writing. She always has a way of captivating me into the story. She can always bring history and meaning to a full circle that leaves you feeling like the book was a warm hug.

We are set in three different time periods with three different POVs. Sometimes Emilia’s stories take me a few chapters to really get into, but then I’m on a beautiful ride.

Such a wonderful story!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin for the e arc.
Be on the lookout-PUB DATE: 04/01/25

In present-day Australia, Lucy flees to her older sister Jess’s house after a disturbing incident at university, only to find Jess missing and the town shrouded in mysterious rumors about disappearing men and strange occurrences at sea. As Lucy delves into Jess's diary, she uncovers secrets about her sister’s past, including their shared water allergy and a connection to a mysterious art teacher. The novel weaves together three timelines, including the tragic story of Irish twin sisters, Mary and Eliza, who are bound for Australia on a convict ship in the 1800s, uncovering a powerful tale of sisterhood, dreams, and the supernatural pull of the ocean.

Hart’s writing made me feel like I was caught in a haunting dream–supernatural, but not scary, with tinges of Irish folklore. The mysteries in each timeline made me want to keep reading to figure out how it was all connected. I did guess one of the major plot twists early on, but it didn’t detract from the story at all, as I still wanted to see how it was all going to unfold. Having also read Weyward, I enjoyed this story much more!

The Sirens
3.5 ⭐️

I loved Weyward and was so excited when I got a copy of The Sirens on @netgalley!

Lucy is running away from her university where she’s had a whole host of problems and toward her sister. But when she turns up at her sister’s she finds her missing with only a few very old clues as to where she might have gone.

This book felt like Literary Fiction, Mystery, and Fantasy all rolled into one. While the first half of the book was extremely slow, the ending did make up for some of it. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped, but if you’re looking for slower paced book that has a unique story, check it out!