The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a story of three generations of women who may or may not be sirens. Sirens are sea creatures from Homer's The Odyssey. They are beautiful and lure men to their deaths with their enchanting song. The scenario that keeps getting repeated is evil men taking things from women like dignity, adolescence, and their bodies. The theme is the sirens' song which happens when the bad men get punished. The Sirens tells three parallel tales. Lucy's story is set in the present day. Jess's story unfolds in the 1990s through journal entries. Mary's story is revealed in the 1800s through dreams. This unique storytelling leads up to all the storylines intersecting. The story flows very well with a consistent pace. The book is written very well with a lot of beautiful passages. The story of Mary is written like an old Irish poem. The words are not written in syntax but, have a light airy quality to them. The story is pro-feminism but also recognizes some good men. The story overall works very well I was compelled about the mystery of Jess or Lucy being sirens or not. Mary has an interesting dynamic with her mother and sister that I found very compelling. The story did have one big problem that kept it from being great. Lucy questions her origins. She makes it a big deal. I figured it out at the 30% mark. The book reveals what I already knew at the 76% mark. I thought the twist was just too obvious. The twist was a big part of the book. Despite this, the beautiful writing and other twists made me still enjoy The Sirens. I read The Sirens thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press. The Sirens was published on April 1, 2025.

Plot Summary: Lucy wakes up with her hand around the neck of a boy she once slept with in college. She sleepwalked into his dorm room and started strangling him. Along with the sleepwalking she dreams of two sisters Mary and Eliza. The sisters are onboard a women's prison ship headed towards New Wales, which is in Australia. Lucy thinks of her older Sister Jess. She flees the college after the incident. She does not want to go to her parent's house. Instead, she heads to her sister Jess's house. Jess's house is on a cliff overlooking the beach. The house is next to the cliffs that have been a local legend for missing men. Lucy arrives and Jess is not home. She finds Jess's phone in the house and starts to worry. She searches the house and finds Jess's journal. She learns they each have a skin condition. The condition makes their skin look like scales. The two sisters also haunt Jess's dreams. Jess's journal also holds many dark secrets that will change Lucy forever.

What I Liked: The prose was written very well. It was both beautifully written and understandable. I loved the history of the cliffs and sea caves. I love that pattern that starts emerging about the missing men. I loved the Mary and Eliza story. I feel this is where the best writing is. The family bond being portrayed was very special in the past and the present. It was nice to see that two guys were decent in the story and kind of get rewarded for it. I like reading women's fiction. I know that a big part of men are trash. Still, it was nice seeing two men being nice. I only need one that isn't. The history of the Sirens was great and I could have had more. I did like the ending of the book and how the stories were wrapped up.

What I Disliked: My main problem was one big twist that Lucy just could not figure out even if it was obvious. I did have a slapping my head in disbelief moment. Lucy was going over everything she had learned in Jess's journal and at the library. When she put it all together, she thought if this and this is true then the only possibility is this. And she is wrong and worse it makes no sense. When she finally understands everything, it doesn't even seem like a huge deal. It's almost as if she had an inkling about it the whole time. The rest of the writing and plotting is good, This one just bothered me. I did not like that Lucy called her mom to talk about the things in Jess's journal. Her mom then said to stop reading. She would be there in a day or so. But the mom is not mentioned again when the dad comes. The mom had a moment and when everything was revealed she had more to lose. The book is well written there are no plot holes just missed opportunities.

Recommendation: The Sirens is a beautifully written book with a lot of promise. The story has a lot of heart and is very interesting. The Sirens did make me want to read Hart's debut novel Weyward, which more than a few reviewers have recommended. As I was reading The Sirens, I couldn't stop the Cell Block Tango song. It was from Chicago the musical and it kept playing in my head. The line "He had it coming" kept repeating. The Sirens was a good read that I recommend to my followers. If I were to choose my top five reads of the year so far, The Sirens would be on the list.

Rating: The Sirens by Emilia Hart I rated 3.9 out of 5.

I feel somewhat neutral about this one. It reminded me a lot of Weyward, but it was unique enough that I think if they weren't written by the same author I wouldn't have even connected the two beyond the female-focused, timeline-jumping storylines.

Overall, I felt like it was hard to connect with the characters, and I didn't care much about Mary and Eliza's story. I would have liked to learn more about their mother? I liked that the different traumas the women experienced didn't define them, even if it seemed to be a central part of their stories.

The epilogue definitely came as somewhat of a shock.

This book was a bit of a disappointment for me. The premise sounded great, but the execution was a rollercoaster...a very, very slow one. The first 60 or 70% of this book was so slow and did not engage me at all unfortunately. I wanted something to happen, and I almost dnf'ed it multiple times. The flashback pov to Mary and Eliza's parts were my least favorite. I just didnt see how their parts were that necessary to the main story. The last 25% of the book was slightly redeeming but I just ended up having more questions at the very end. It did have a decent twist but I also didn't care that much for any of the characters, so it wasn't enough to make me want to rate this book higher. I wanted and hoped to enjoy this book much more than I did. However, it just felt like the majority of this one was endless details and descriptions and very little actually happening.

This was my first book from Emilia Hart and I’d heard such lovely things about her previous book, Weyward. The writing wonderful, she seems to be a great story teller. It flows through 3 timelines and interweaves the story and lives of multiple women. While, the writing was great, the story itself just wasn’t for me. I found myself not engaged in the plot and story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an advanced readers copy of the Sirens.

This story had a great mystery that immediately sucked you in, the characters were sympathetic and complex, and the ending was mostly satisfying. Selkies and Sirens are much too much slept on in retellings and stories.

The one criticism I have is that there were a too few many references to modern, contemporary fads like Tiktok. This will date the book more than it deserves in the future.

Ultimately, really good.

I really liked the story line, plot and characters of this book. I felt like there was a lot going on and sometimes struggles to figure out the timeline. Overall, I felt this was a decent read.

I enjoyed Emilia Hart's Weyward so much that I knew immediately I would love this book. It did not disappoint. The magical story from the sea crossing two timelines was a rich and wonderful experience. I highly recommend you try this if you are into all things magical and witchy like me!

I enjoyed Hart's Weyward so I decided to request this one and unfortunately did not enjoy it nearly as much. The story started with a bang with Lucy waking up to find her hands around the neck of guy she recently slept with that had recently turned sour. From there she flees her school to an island town that her sister is currently living at only to find her sister missing. The story then goes back and forth from the current timeline to the 1800's which follows a couple of sister's on a convict ship to Australia from Ireland.

I was expecting an epic tale that ended up falling short. I didn't feel any connection to the characters and could not get engaged with the story. It felt disjointed and flat.

I was so excited to receive this book as I loved The Weywards. Sadly this one just didn't work for me- the initial premise of the book seemed to last until 2/3 of the way through when finally the plot was shaped and moved forward. I love Hart's writing and characters but I was pretty confused with these characters for a while, it didn't help that we jumped around so much.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC, pub date 4/1!

The Sirens is the kind of novel that thrives on the enchanting setting and character building. The way Emilia Hart reimagines classic mermaids is unique but it still awoke my childhood love of swimming and the familiar desire to swim in the depths with schools of beautiful fish. Hart skillfully weaves together historical fiction with mythology and mystery in a way that explores bonds between women without sacrificing the plot.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book. I really enjoyed this book and wasn’t sure what to expect. If you enjoyed Weyward, be sure to check out this book.

The title, The Sirens, give a hint about the book being about mermaids, but I didn't realize it until way into the story. This is a dual timeline story set in both 1800 and 2019. The early timeline introduces the reader to two sisters, Mary and Eliza. We see them as children, their father warning them to stay away from the water. When it touches their skin, it changes, so they try and stay away. Then they are forced onto a convict ship, heading to Australia. The further away from their home they get, they begin to change. What awaits them in this new land could be a forced marriage or even a life of prostitution. The present story is that of Lucy. She has been shamed by a professor who was her lover. When she wakes up with her hands around his neck, she flees to her sister's home on the coast in New South Wales. She has been having vivid dreams that she doesn't understand, and hopes Jess can help her to understand them. When she arrives, Jess is not there. While waiting for Jess to return, she hears rumors in town, and her dreams become even more vivid. What is happening to her? What do the dreams mean?

The Sirens is an extremely atmospheric story, that gives off some creepy vibes as well as what it means to have a connection to the sea in a way that humans can't understand. The story alternates from Lucy and Jess in 2019 and Mary and twin sister Eliza in the 1800s. Sisterhood and the bond they have is what holds this book together for me. The magical realism and mythology of mermaids was well done once it was revealed near the end of the book. It pulled it all together for me, but was still open to interpretation. This is a story that also explores female strength and resilience, especially when it comes to Jess' story. The family stories revealed near the end showed the importance of the "human parents" to the women. This an historical fiction story with mystery and magic. Not what I would normally pick up, but I enjoyed it.

The Sirens is a slow-burn, multigenerational story about women, myth, and the sea, every girl who used to play mermaids at the pool's dream. I co-read this one with the audiobook and digital copy, which worked *really* well for the format- it has that dreamy, layered feeling Emilia Hart excels at where past and present bleed together, and I was always eager to find out where it was headed next.

There are three timelines here: 2019, 1999, and 1800, all circling around women on the edge of something mysterious and powerful. I really liked how Emilia Hart played with transformation, inheritance, and rage across each timeline, and it kept the narrative fluid. The present-day story gave me a little bit of Yellowjackets energy, while the historical one had this eerie, almost fairytale quality.

Like Weyward, this is not what I consider a fast-paced read, but it’s quietly hypnotic. I was a big fan of the atmosphere. I think fans of Weyward will love this one.

Thanks so so much to St Martin's Press for the advanced copy!

This book was my first by Emilia Hart and was really excited to get a chance to read The Sirens. I did love the writing and in particular the descriptions of the Sea. Those were lovely. I read the author’s notes and know how much the author put into this book. It really had all the elements to be great, but for me it wasn’t.

The issue was not the writing. I found that to be compelling, yet writing doesn’t carry characters that I never found a connection with. The story is broken into 2 parts with Lucy, leaving school and trying to locate her sister Jess in 2019. She goes to Comber Bay in South Wales.

The other timeline takes place in 1800’s, where a group of women are held captive on a boat since they are considered criminals and department from Ireland and will end up in South Wales. The two main characters, Mary and Eliza are just trying to Survive.

There have been Men who drowned, fell, or possibly something otherworldly was sucking them in at the cave in Comber Bay.

So, this sounds like such wonderful material to make a Beautiful Book, yet the book is mostly about Lucy wondering and pondering her thoughts about everything and anything. There wasn’t a plot or any pushing the story forward until I was 80% in. The last 20%, yes that was the book. It was too late though. I hadn’t found a connection to these characters. It didn’t matter by now. The characters melded together, nothing distinguished them and it certainly should have.

So, I will try another of Emilia Hart’s books. Find that magic and connection that is lacking here for me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. I leave reviews of all books I read.

The Sirens by Amelia Hart is a beautiful story about acceptance belonging and the definition of real families. When Lucy wakes up choking her one time lover she freaks out and runs to her sister Jesse‘s house Despite not having spoken to her in almost a year. when she arrives at her sister’s coastal cottage Jesse isn’t there, while waiting Lucy finds her sister‘s diary. Throughout the book we get to see Lucy Jesse and twin sisters Mary and Liz who’s POV is set in the 1800s. They get sent to the penal colony in Australia for attempting to murder a not so nice man I really enjoyed this book but I must admit there was one part at the end that was confusing to me but I know if I stated here it will be a spoiler and I’m not looking to ruin the book for anyone. I love books reimagined from folklore in fairytales and I think the twist Miss heart gave to the sirens was brilliant. Giving revenge to those who deserve it is much more palatable than giving it to just anyone who is a male. I also think because I am blind my affinity was with Lizzie and as far as having a character with disabilities I also think Ms Heart did a brilliant job with that as well. This really is a great book a beautiful story and one I highly recommend. This book is full of twist, touching moments satisfying revenge and so much more. They also have a dash of paranormal fiction but it is definitely apropos to the story and doesn’t lessen it at all..#NetGalley, #SaintMartin’sPress, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #AmeliaHart, #TheSirens,’m

Emilia Hart is a fantastic storyteller! The Sirens is told in dual timelines centuries apart about sisters and the bond that secures them together. The magical realism element was addicting and fantastical. Only in the hands of a great storyteller could the world of mermaids blend with the lives of sisters, secrets of families, the pull of the sea, add a dash of historical fiction and make it all come together with a satisfying conclusion. Immediately mysterious and ultimately a deep dive into human emotion and primal instincts.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy.

I read Weyward last year, and I couldn't wait to read Emilia's new novel, The Sirens. I love Emilia's Writing but this one didn’t live up to the hype for me.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is an enchanting historical fantasy that weaves together a haunting tale of sisterhood, magic, and vengeance. Set in New South Wales, the novel explores multiple timelines and introduces readers to a captivating mix of historical drama, Irish folklore, and a feminist reimagining of sirens.
The story opens in the 1800s with Mary and Eliza, two Irish sisters, who are tragically sent to Australia as convicts aboard a ship carrying criminals. Their bond is one of deep love and desperation as they navigate their harrowing journey, bringing us to a raw depiction of the brutality and hardships of transportation. The shift to 1999, where Jess’s diary recounts her experience, offers a subtle but powerful look at how the weight of the past continues to echo through the generations. The final timeline, set in 2019, focuses on Lucy, who, while grappling with the terrifying experience of sleepwalking and unknowingly attempting to harm her boyfriend, embarks on a journey to find her missing sister, Jess.
Hart’s narrative structure is one of the novel's most compelling aspects. The constant shifts between timelines allow for a deepening understanding of the interconnectedness of these two pairs of sisters, while also keeping the tension high. The way Hart balances these stories—historical and contemporary—is masterful, making each timeline feel distinct but also tightly bound together by a shared sense of mystery and magic.
One of the most striking aspects of The Sirens is the infusion of Irish mythology and folklore. The concept of sirens is reimagined not just as mythic creatures luring sailors to their doom, but as powerful symbols of female agency and revenge. Hart’s feminist take on the siren myth challenges the conventional portrayal of women in literature, transforming them from passive victims to active, powerful forces capable of exacting justice. This aspect of the story feels both timely and timeless, resonating deeply in an era where women's voices are reclaiming space and power.
The magical realism in the book is subtle but effective, woven into the narrative in such a way that it feels like a natural extension of the world Hart has created. The blending of folklore with the gritty realism of historical and modern-day settings creates a sense of unease and wonder that keeps the reader captivated.

There has been a rise on instagram lately of the mood reader - someone who reads based on how they're feeling. In the case of the Sirens, I think it is important for readers to be in a place where they can be vulnerable and deal with such painful feelings. Trauma from gender based violence is tricky because it is just so common - which makes writing literature about it tricky, because it is dealing with such a common experience, but one which was whispered for so long.

Hart walks the line well of providing a great sense of atmosphere for the story. Set in the small Australian town of Combers Bay, protagonist Lucy flees to the home of her sister, Jess, after attacking a classmate who had betrayed her intimate trust. In Combers Bay, Lucy starts to uncover mysteries of the past, both of her own family, and of a convict ship which had sunk coming from Ireland, the Naiad. Hart conveys well the sense of superstition and open secrets which can exist in a small town - where tragedies are hinted at, never said outright, and as William Faulkner so memorably said, "the past is never dead, it's not even past."

The book covers a lot - there are three different timelines covered, with a variety of flashbacks. This does mean that the book doesn't get to explore the details of a lot of really fascinating rabbit holes. There is a mention of Lucy's interest in being an investigative journalist, but we don't get more than surface level of her investigation into the crash of the Naiad. The book also introduces us to a bunch of side characters: Jess's childhood best friend Max, local fisherman Ryan, who we only got a glimpse of, and I would have loved to see more. I know I joked about the Raven Scholar being 700 pages, but this book had enough content and plot that I think it probably could have supported that length and allowed Hart to expand on a lot of the interesting things in her book.

I loved that Hart was interested in a feminist retelling of the myth of Sirens in an Australian setting, and the book was beautifully moody and thoughtful. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a captivating blend of historical fiction and magical realism, intertwining the lives of four women across different centuries, all connected by the enigmatic force of the sea. The narrative unfolds through dual timelines:

Hart's prose is lauded for its lyrical beauty, effectively immersing readers in the atmospheric settings of both timelines. The exploration of themes such as sisterhood, female resilience, and the haunting allure of the sea adds depth to the narrative. The novel's structure, alternating between perspectives and time periods, enriches the story.

In summary, The Sirens offers a unique and enchanting take on the siren myth, combining historical depth with magical elements. It's a recommended read for those who appreciate stories of female empowerment and are drawn to atmospheric, multi-layered narratives.