In 2019, Lucy wakes up from a sleepwalking episode to find that she is physically assaulting another student at her college. Rather than facing the consequences of her behavior, she flees to her estranged sister's home in Comber Bay, only to find that Jess has mysteriously left, without her car or her phone just days before an upcoming exhibit of her painting. Lucy is left to figure out where Jess has gone, and why, and slowly pieces the mystery together with the help of her sister's diary from when she was a teenager, before Lucy was born. Lucy's point of view alternates with these diary entries from 1999, as well as the point of view of Mary, a young woman in 1800 who is being transported to Australia from Ireland with her blind sister on the Naiad, a ship we know is doomed to sink just outside Comber Bay. This book has elements of magical realism, as both Jess and Lucy dream of Mary and Eliza as they are transported on the ship, while there are also hints that Jess and Lucy's severe allergy to water is not as it appears.
For me, the threads of this story were easy to connect and predict, particularly the relationship between Jess and Lucy and Mary and Eliza, as well as some other threads that I won't mention for fear of being too much of a spoiler. That said, while I did also feel some of the plot lines were just dropped at the conclusion of the novel without any real closure, this book was still beautifully written and enjoyable to read. I enjoyed the character development displayed by Lucy as she investigated Jess's disappearance in particular.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Emilia Hart for my first ARC—what an incredible introduction to early reviews. Sirens captured all of my favorite things: mermaids, Australia, art, diverse representation, and, most poignantly… female rage.

I’ve heard incredible things about Weyward, so I was eager to dive into Emilia Hart’s latest work. My expectations were high and I still couldn’t put it down; almost as if Hart had made this book happen after reading a wishlist from my own diary rather than Jess’s. The story weaves true crime and historical fiction with an achingly beautiful quality that makes even the (I will say, VERY many) predictable moments resonate with emotional depth. It’s a beautiful exploration of found family and female solidarity, all set against a vividly described nautical backdrop that engages every sense. I swear I know what Comber Bay smells like and it still haunts me.

Sirens features characters navigating chronic pain (through aquagenic urticaria, a rare water allergy), a prominent character with visual impairment, foreword acknowledgement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples, and imprisoned women. Every element was handled with compassion and an evident dedication to accurate, thoughtful representation.

This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review.

The Sirens is a beautiful book about family, strength, and love. It’s told from dual timelines from the perspective of two sets of sisters and the obstacles they overcome. Really magical and I liked it so much!

Lucy is currently in college when she finds herself sleep walking, attempting to harm her ex. She flees to her older sister’s cliffside cottage for help. When she reaches Jess’s home, her sister isn’t there. In her search for answers, Lucy reads Jess’s diary from high school, and learns more secrets than she ever thought could exist.

This story was magical, atmospheric, mysterious and tense. There are two main timelines, hundreds of years apart, that make up the main story, but I also thoroughly enjoyed the diary entries that gave Jess her own story as well. The mystery of the sunken ship that killed female prisoners in the cove where Jess lives was so interesting, and I love how the author tied that story to the present. This story is about sister love, female strength and power, and how family bonds may bend but don’t always break.

This is an ARC from NetGalley.

Though this author is a top-notch storyteller, this was too much of a slow burn for me which later snuffed out almost completely.
The plot picks up (albeit predictably) at the half way point, and while character and world development are filled with symbolism and thematic imagery, the overall story fell flat for me.
I may have expected too much after LOVING Weyward, this one is certainly not the author's best.

"The Sirens" by Emilia Hart showcases the author's vivid imagination and creative world-building skills. While the book may not be a perfect fit for all readers, particularly those who are not fans of the fantasy genre (like me), there is still much to appreciate about Hart's writing.

Despite some shortcomings in character development and plot coherence, "The Sirens" remains an engaging read with some compelling moments that are sure to capture the reader's attention. Hart's writing style is rich and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the world she has created.

While it may not be for everyone, "The Sirens" is still a worthwhile addition to the fantasy genre and a testament to Hart's talent as a writer. Fans of imaginative and creative storytelling will likely find something to enjoy in this book.

4 ☆
2019: Lucy awakens in her ex-lover’s room in the middle of the night with her hands around his throat. Horrified, she flees to her sister’s house on the coast of New South Wales, hoping Jess can help explain the vivid dreams that preceded the attack—but her sister is missing. 1800: Mary and Eliza are torn from their loving home in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship heading for Australia. As the boat takes them farther and farther away from all they know, they begin to notice unexplainable changes in their bodies.

The cover art is gorgeous! I don't even know what to say about this story. This story took me by surprise; by the name alone, I was thinking mythical creatures—sirens walking among humans and taking men. But that's totally not what's happening in this story. It almost gave me a coming-of-age, finding family, and coming to love one's self in their uniqueness vibe. Which isn't bad at all, and I felt like this story showed all that. The pacing was good, though I did feel like it was a little long and could have been a little shorter. But overall, I really enjoyed this story.

The audiobook was good. The narrator did a good job telling the story; it was very easy to listen to and understand. I listened to this story at 2x speed.

Thank you, Netgellay, Macmillan Audio for the audiobook, and St. Martin's Press for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Weyward by Emilia Hart, so I was very excited to read this one and it's one of my top 2025 releases! This book was soooooooo atmospheric. I could practically smell the damp house in Comber Bay and feel the sea spray on my face. I loved the back and forth narrative between 2019 and 1800 and how they bled into each other. I figured out the first twist, but the second and third twists definitely shocked me. As with Weyward, this is a story of women taking back their lives and the men who wronged them getting what they deserve.

🧜‍♀️ The Sirens by Emilia Hart 🧜‍♀️

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced readers copy of this book!

This book is told in multiple timelines/multiple POV’s. It follows the story of Mary and Eliza, who were imprisoned and put on a ship from Ireland to Australia in the 1800’s, and the stories of Jess and Lucy in the present day. It’s a story of the resilience of women, and the bonds of sisterhood.

I have previously read Weyward by this author, and absolutely loved it. This book was a solid read, but did not have the magic of Weyward for me. The pacing was incredibly slow for the majority of the book, until the last quarter of the book and the pace very abruptly picks up. The characters and plot were intriguing to me, but the ending felt very rushed. For the most part, I enjoyed the book.

The Sirens will be published on April 1, 2025.

Loved Weyward so much I knew I had to read this one immediately- and the only reason this one only got 4 stars was because it wasn’t quite as good.

On two different timelines we get stories of sisterhood, mothers and daughters and the power of female bonds and love. Both stories were so achingly beautiful. The characters were well defined but also so well blended with each other you could really feel the love between them- across both space and time. It was magical, mythical, tender and brave all wrapped up into a beautiful story about women who support and protect each other.

Highly recommend everyone pick this up when it’s released in April- she is quickly becoming a favorite author and I look forward to the next release!

THANK YOU to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advance copy.

Another epic feminist fantasy from Emilia Hart, author of Weyward. I love Harts ability to focus on a few women and tell their stories of growth throughout the book. Like Weyward, this switches to different timelines which I actually enjoy. All in all, a wonderful story of female empowerment told through fantasy, which is so special

4.5⭐️Wonderfully mystical, dark, and atmospheric. I love mermaid stories and this one did not disappoint♥️✨🌊The cliff side rainy & gloomy setting really shines throughout, but beware it is more a literary women’s fiction than a fantasy novel. Told via 3 POVs (1 on a boat, 1 present time on a bay, and 1 via a journal) + there is a mixed media podcast element for exposition which was fun. The story unfolds slowly and is beautifully written. Feels like a mix of a contemporary/historical/ literary mystery with a smudge of fantasy (similar to weyward I guess). Loved this ominous read filled with female rage ✨

The Sirens is a spellbinding tale that masterfully intertwines magical realism, historical fiction, and mystery, delving deep into themes of sisterhood, generational trauma, and resilience. Spanning two main timelines, the story alternates between Mary and Eliza, sisters aboard a convict ship bound for Australia in 1800, and Lucy, a young woman in 2019 plagued by haunting dreams and searching for her missing sister, Jess.

Mary and Eliza's story unfolds amidst the harsh conditions of the convict ship. As they sail farther from home, mysterious transformations hint at a connection to the sea, echoing their mother's tragic drowning. Meanwhile, in 2019, Lucy's life takes a dramatic turn when her sleepwalking episodes lead her to runaway to Jess' isolated home in New South Wales, only to find it abandoned. As Lucy unravels the secrets hidden in Jess' diary and faces her own unsettling dreams, the threads of the past and present weave tightly together, culminating in revelations that transform all four women's lives.

What sets The Sirens apart is its rich, atmospheric storytelling. Emilia Hart captures the eerie allure of the sea and the bonds of sisterhood with a lyrical, haunting tone that lingers long after the final page. The novel balances the heavy weight of trauma and survival with moments of hope and empowerment, offering a nuanced portrayal of women's strength across time.

The magical realism is seamlessly blended with historical and contemporary elements, creating a world that feels both tangible and otherworldly. Fans of Hart's previous work, Weyward, will find echoes of its exploration of female resilience and the ways women navigate oppressive systems. However, The Sirens stands out for its nuanced pacing and engaging character development, particularly in how it ties together themes of transformation and self-discovery.

This is not a lighthearted mermaid tale-its themes are dark and complex, though less harrowing than Weyward. For readers who appreciate layered narratives and feminist storytelling, The Sirens is an absolute must-read.

With vivid imagery, intricate plotting, and a touch of the mystical, The Sirens is a 5-star read that is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and stories of female empowerment, it is sure to become one of the standout novels of 2025.

I love a book with dual timelines and this one did not disappoint. Loved the eerily atmosphere and the characters.

This book was so captivating. The family dynamics, the ocean calling, the mystery of where Jess went.
I loved it. I felt like I was standing on the deck of the Cliff House looking out to sea with them.

This book immediately put Emilia Hart on my must-buy-immediately list from here to the end of time.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the chance to read and give my honest review for Emilia Hart’s new book, The Sirens.

My rating: 3.5 ⭐️/ 5 (I rounded up because even though it’s 2025, Goodreads doesn’t allow for half stars)

Some positives: I really enjoyed the multiple time period POVs, the spooky “atmosphere” of the plot and suspense, the character development and growth, and I enjoy Hart’s style of writing. Also hey! Mermaids!

Not-so-positives: The pacing was a bit too slow for me, hence the half stars rating. The plot was a bit on the predictable side for me, but I’m pretty good at vibing with context clues and guessing plots/subplots so that might just be a me thing and not everyone’s experience!

The experiences of these 4 characters culminate as the past and present collide, Sirens is a powerful story of women's empowerment, intertwining fantasy and reimagining of real events in Australia’s rich history. If you enjoyed Emilia Hart's previous book, Weyward, it’s very likely you will enjoy The Sirens as well. I definitely think it’s worth the read!

I read Weyward prior to reading this book, so I already had a pretty strong idea of what Emilia Harts writing would look like. I expected a slow plot, vivid descriptions, deep character history, etc. We did get all this, and I enjoyed those moments. But I overall I felt really dissatisfied with this book. My main issue is with the plot overall which felt so slow to start, get going, and continue. Then you have the ending which felt like everything was happening and wrapping up all at once. The contrast is jarring.

There were a few plot points that felt rushed and led me to have more questions rather than a satisfying ending. I also felt there were some storylines which didn’t have any conclusion at all and were left forgotten in the middle of the book.

I did like the characters, though the dynamic between the sisters and family was a bit cold. That might have been props to Emilia Hart though as the family is cold and distant to . She almost did too good of a job creating that dynamic. On the other hand, the descriptions in this book are stunning. The way she describes the shoreline and the lore were some of my favorite parts. I have no doubt that Hart is a talented writer. The plot for this one just fell short for me.

A chilling yet breathtaking story of the resilience and bonds of true sisterhood. This book is filled with mystery and magic and all the makings for an absolutely beautiful book. Just thinking about this book gives me goosebumps in the best of ways. I was sucked in from the start and never wanted to come up for air. Obsessed with everything about this book. Very thankful I was able to experience the perfection. 10/10. Will definitely be recommending to everyone I meet!

Admittedly, it took a bit for me to really get into this book. It starts off with a bang, but then gets a bit slow. The second half is what really pulled me in and then I couldn’t put it down! It’s got some nice twists. The various lead characters are so real. There are two timelines/intertwined stories to follow. And I felt invested in both by the end. It can feel a bit dark at times, which also made me need to take some breaks while reading.

Definitely a book I recommend, though! Pick it up this spring!

Emilia Hart's Weyward was one of my favorite audiobooks last year so I had high hopes for The Sirens and I was not disappointed! I love a time-dash, duology of female heroines. Hart expertly weaves these women together with a dash of magical realism and vivid characters. Ethereal, mysterious and empowering.