It must be both a blessing and a curse to knock it out of the park with your first book. I think people are going into reading The Sirens with high expectations, having loved her debut, Weyward.

I definitely was and I really enjoyed Emilia Hart's second novel. She moves her novel to Australia this time as we follow Lucy (and her sister Jess) in the modern timeline. The other timeline is 1800 on a ship carrying Irish women to Australia. Twins Mary and Eliza have been sentenced to Australia along with other women who have been convicted of various crimes. This storyline was fascinating historically. I had never heard of the Female Factories in early Australia.

But what about the sirens/merrow/mermaids? There isn't a ton of that and I know some early readers have been disappointed. I agree, I would've loved some more insight into the 'tir fo thuinn', the land beneath the waves. I also loved the unique look of Hart's sirens. I'd love to see some fan art!

While I understand the disappointment some readers might feel about the limited mermaid, it’s also interesting that Emilia Hart chose to focus more on the unique gifts of the four women. The four women share a unique gift that is very difficult for them to embrace. Reading this back to back with Eowyn Ivey's Black Woods Blue Sky was very interesting - the idea of being torn between two different lives is a major theme in both books.

The Sirens comes out on April 1 and I really recommend it!

For those who love mermaid books (maybe Mary @ahatformanyreads) what's a good book to read if you want more of the story 'under the sea'.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and @Netgalley for the ARC.

This book has the most stunning cover! Besides already being interested in reading this book, because I absolutely loved Emilia Hart's debut novel *Weyward*, I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover.

This book is told in different POV's by: Lucy, Jess, and Mary. I was most captivated by Lucy's POV and we also get the most story from her character as well.

The book has alternate timelines and I really enjoyed both. In fact, I wish that we got a little bit more of the timeline from 200 years ago, I would've liked to learn a bit more from Mary about herself and her sister Eliza.

Like her first novel, we get to experience that focuses on the bonds between women, sisters - specifically and strong women at that. It was nice to see the women be presented with their obstacles and learn how to empower themselves to overcome what was pushed in their way.

I will say that I struggled a bit at the beginning getting into this book and it took awhile for the story to really get going.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and loved learning a bit of history that went along with the novel. I think it was once again, a beautifully written book just like her debut *Weyward*. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.

Expected Release Date - April 1st 2025

My reviews can also be found on GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/brandisbooks.

Thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Emilia Hart has, once again, crafted a story with brilliant verses. As someone who does not identify as a woman, reading woman's fiction like this sometimes feels perverse, like I am peering into a world I should not see. Hart does not concern herself with making it friendly or comfortable, but still beautiful and hard to look away from, just like the sea. I've read all of the books that Hart has written, and I see myself continuing this trend in the future.

Wow! The Sirens had me hooked quickly and it was a novel I could not put down. The book tells the story of two sisters, Lucy and Jess, in 2019 and another set of sisters, Mary and Eliza, in 1800. Both sets of sisters have strong connections to the sea and the author does a wonderful job connecting the storylines and painting such vivid imagery of the two locations. There are a few twist and turns and unexpected events that had me guessing throughout. I would like to have had a little more of "Journalist" Lucy looking into the disappearance of the eight men we heard about but by the end I was able to come up with my own conclusions.
The Sirens is a beautiful story highlighting the power of love, family, and belonging. Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

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.

This was a captivating and different read. It felt original and interesting.


Thank you to net galley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I loved this book! As a big fan of Weyward, I knew I wanted to read this as well. The cover alone is absolutely stunning- beautifully done! I really enjoyed the story and the connection with the sisters from past and future.

DNF @ 33%. I truly wanted to like this but it was too uneventful for my liking. I think I might try again in the future when I can start fresh.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I will update my feedback when I re-read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Sirens is undoubtedly a beautifully written novel, capturing a sense of seaside whimsy that transports the reader. However, I found that the plot and characters didn’t quite resonate with me. It took me longer than expected to finish, and despite my hopes, I wasn’t as engaged as I’d hoped to be. For readers who appreciate more lyrical, introspective writing over a fast-paced, plot-driven narrative, I think this could be a great fit. I did enjoy the setting and the overarching theme, and despite my personal experience with this one, I’m still eager to read Weyward by Emilia Hart.

Wow, I need every book about sirens to be like this. In fact, I have set the standard now that every siren book I read needs to have this much thought put it into. What a journey truly, the themes of abandonment, love, family, revenge, trauma. They were delivered so well and easy to interpret but also make an impact. I’ll be thinking about this book, it’ll be living rent free right next to Sword of Kaigen and The Poppy War. Loved the historical note in the beginning to educate us, the encouragement to read about the First Nation peoples stories (the link provided on where to start), and the acknowledgement of the Walbunja people.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

This book blends elements from multiple genres, and although it falls outside my usual reading choices, it was a really fun experience. Its eerie and atmospheric qualities made me feel constantly on edge in the best possible way. While it took me some time to fully immerse myself in the story, it significantly improved once Lucy arrived in Comber Bay.

Emilia Hart crafted a rich history that kept me guessing throughout the novel. I can typically predict plot twists, but this story took so many unexpected turns that genuinely surprised me. The multiple points of view are woven together well, and I found each perspective to be equally engaging.

My only critique (without spoilers) is that the initial plot point introduced at the beginning ultimately felt irrelevant and unfinished. It seemed primarily intended to get Lucy to Comber Bay, lacking any further significance to the story.

Overall, I rated this book four stars and I’m eager to dive into Weyward next!

I love a story told through different time periods and different points of view. Similar to Weyward, the story of these women and their experiences captured the time period.

OMG WHAT A READ!!! Jess and Lucy have always had an odd skin condition, after seeking multiple specialists there have never been any answers. it isn't until lucy is in college that she starts sleeping walking again and having strange dreams of 2 sisters on a ship a long time ago. after an incident while sleeping walking lucy is forced to flee to cliffhouse- her sister's house. when she arrives to her sister house she is nowhere to be found with her phone and keys left behind. lucy is forced to uncover the truth of who they really are and the dreams could be more than just dreams. this one is definitely different from weyward but i absolutely ate this one up!!!

The Sirens is beautifully written with a masterfully crafted plot. It’s magical, mysterious, and full of harsh truths about how our world treats its women. I could not put it down!

I loved literally everything about this story - the three separate timelines, the mixed media with Jess’s diary entries and the podcast episodes, and the distinct, yet connected mysteries. I adored all of the women and the bonds tying them together through history and time. This genre-bending story will keep you glued to its pages. If you loved Weyward, then you are sure to love Hart’s sophomore novel!

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

Emilia Hart has such lovely writing style--descriptive and magical without bogging down the story. I think that's what drew me in to Weyward, and I liked The Sirens for that reason as well. I adored the themes of sisterhood and female resilience. The dual POV between Mary/Eliza and Jess/Lucy were woven together really well!

This book lost me mostly because the characters didn't stand out to me. We spend a lot of time with Lucy's inner dialogue, but many of her thoughts and motivations seemed really unremarkable to me, which was disappointing because that takes up a large chunk of the book. The writing style and tone stays consistent between Jess, Lucy, and Mary, so I felt like each individual story seemed to blur together instead of having their own moments to shine.

There were some "twists" and "reveals" that I felt were a little predictable (and slightly contrived, but I can't say more than that in case I spoil the book). A lot of the plot hinges on these surprises, but because I could see where the book was going, I think they didn't impact me as much!

Overall, a slight letdown after Weyward but a good read nonetheless.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the chance to read the e-arc The Sirens by Emilia Hart.

The Sirens is the first book I have read by this author, although her book Weyward has long been on my radar. I was very happy to receive early access as the themes of female bonds and the magic of the sea really appealed to me. The story, told in two very distinctive timeframes, was well researched and connected. Both narratives were equally compelling - Mary and Eliza who are sent to Australia on a convict ship in the 1800’s and the story of Lucy who flees college in search of answers her sister Jess may be able to provide in modern day Australia after suffering sometimes violent sleepwalking episodes.

While the story is centered in realistic events, the mystical connection of the two storylines is powerful and compelling. The narrative brilliantly switched back and forth, and I can honestly say both held my attention equally. This is definitely not a book that a reader gets through wishing for more on one storyline over the other. I read with bated breath to learn the fates of both sets of sisters equally. And when the connection between their stories ultimately surfaces, it is a heart wrenching, yet hopeful manner. I cannot say enough about how much this book touched my heart, and I will gladly recommend it when it publishes in February 2025. 5/5 stars

I loved the atmospheric read! There’s mysteries, questioning the past, female rage and revenge, and magic. Basically all of my favorite things. It’s a slow burn but a great read!

Where Weyward was fear and resilience glided in sparkling sunlit gardens, The Sirens is despair and retribution drenched in stormy, violent seas.

The Sirens is a tale of the bond of womanhood spanning centuries, further proof that we will always protect our own. Four women, all debased by men who, when attempting to defend themselves, find an unjust and apathetic response. “What use is a weapon people are too afraid to touch?” Despite all the warnings and the risks, the women find themselves being summoned to the sea. What happens when they listen to the call? What long hidden secrets will be revealed?

I absolutely adored the eeriness and dark tone of The Sirens. It helped conveyed that sense of fury when you’re wronged by someone, when trust is broken, yet nothing you do seems to make a difference. Like screaming underwater after being pulled down by a rip tide. Emelia also does something amazing that I feel is lost on many readers and this is the second time she has done it.

In Weyward there were witches, in The Sirens, we have sirens. When stories are told about Witches and Sirens, they are conveyed as dangerous women preying on the vulnerable or luring men to their death. Emelia takes back that narrative by weaving stories of sisterhood, the bond of women and how it can never be broken. She writes about the strength not only in numbers but in spirit and how no man has the right to hurt or desecrate without there being a cost.

The sea gives, but it also takes.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC!

The Sirens by Emilia Hart had the potential to be an intriguing blend of magical realism, complex relationships, and dual timelines, but unfortunately, it fails to live up to expectations. The book alternates between two sets of sisters, one from the 1800s forced into convict transportation to Australia, and the other in the present day grappling with a range of personal issues. However, the execution leaves much to be desired.

One of the book's strengths lies in its lush writing and atmospheric descriptions, particularly around the oppressive, mysterious settings. Still, many readers find the prose repetitive, with overused phrases and metaphors that detract from the story’s potential. The narrative style also falters, with all characters—across different time periods—speaking in an identical voice, which makes the historical elements feel unconvincing and the modern-day story monotonous.

The central mystery and plot progression leave readers feeling lost. A major critique is the lack of clear stakes or urgency. The plot doesn’t truly pick up until the latter part of the book, and even then, the fantasy elements only emerge far too late—about 75% through the book—without much explanation or depth. This slow build might have worked if there were more compelling character development or tension, but the characters, particularly Lucy, feel disconnected and lack depth. Her motivations, especially her actions early on, are difficult to understand, which makes it hard to invest in her journey.

The historical storyline, which could have been gripping, ends up feeling underdeveloped. The experience of the two sisters from the 1800s is reduced to repetitive descriptions of the harsh conditions on a convict ship without delving deeply into their experiences. Likewise, the modern-day plot—revolving around Lucy searching for her missing sister—lacks sufficient resolution and feels more like a backdrop for the story’s twist, which is predictable and doesn’t pay off emotionally.

While there are attempts at exploring deeper themes, like sex-based oppression and complicated sisterly bonds, these ideas are not fully realized. The writing often gets bogged down by Lucy's internal ramblings, making the narrative feel sluggish and drawn out. The book also grapples with overdone tropes, such as the teacher-student relationship, which many readers have seen before in other works and feel was poorly executed here.

In the end, The Sirens feels like a pale imitation of Hart’s previous work, Weyward, which had more successful world-building and character development. While it certainly has its moments of atmospheric beauty, the novel as a whole suffers from a lack of cohesion, unclear plot direction, and a failure to deliver a truly satisfying or surprising story. If you enjoyed Weyward, you might find yourself disappointed here, as The Sirens lacks the magic and mystery that made its predecessor stand out.