The Sirens follows three timelines from 1800's Ireland to the current day in 2019 telling the tales of four young women who discover their strengths and unity to overcome those who harm them and other females who live near them. The youngest in the present-day story seeks her older sister to help and confide in her with issues she is struggling with only to find her missing. Her disappearance is strange and her sister starts to grow concerned that something terrible may have happened to her. As she stays in her home waiting for her sister's return, she discovers her journal, and things she has been questioning slowly start to make more sense. A long-time mystery about missing people is resolved, and the women eventually understand their roles in this life and why they never quite fit in.

Although the story was slow-paced, it unfolded to answer the questions these women have in common. They discover their self-worth and importance in helping keep women safe from true monsters in their and other women’s lives. It touches on how hard it can be for young women who don't look perfect and may have some physical differences to be treated poorly and the impact it has on them mentally. It also touches on how sometimes women are treated lesser than boys/men as if they are more important due to their gender which historically has been and in many cases still is an issue.

The ending wrapped up the story well with a satisfying outcome.

I received an audiobook from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 Stars

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It’s probably not fair to compare The Sirens to Weyward, but I also can’t help thinking about the latter book while writing this review. Hart masterfully wove together three different timelines in Weyward in a way that was poignant and compelling. Her character work was fantastic, and the storytelling was brilliant. I was fully immersed in that story and those characters. Unfortunately I feel like The Sirens fell short of my expectations because I was expecting the same level of investment and it just wasn’t there for me. The book had an interesting concept, weaving two separate timelines together, something I know Hart can do really well. But it felt a bit disjointed and rushed, and as a reader I wasn’t as invested in the big reveal(s). The character work wasn’t as strong as it was in her previous book either.

On the plus side, Hart does have beautiful prose. Her writing is interesting and she sets up the mystery in a way that holds you and makes you want to continue reading. I also think that the exploration of the abuse and oppression women have faced throughout history was really well done. Be sure to check content warnings before reading this book. The audiobook narrator was also fantastic. I definitely recommend reading the book that way. Ultimately not a new favorite, but I do still love Hart’s writing and will be picking up her future releases.

If you like magical realism, women getting their revenge, or mermaids, I recommend this one. As an audiobook, I loved Barrie Kreinik’s narration, and she sings in this book, just as she did with SLEWFOOT, and it is perfection. I definitely enjoyed the book more because I listened to it, and I’m grateful to Macmillian Audio for the Advance Listening Copy; this book releases on April 1st.

Emilia Hart did it again! Another book about the strength and power of WOMEN! The bond between sisters (both blood and in spirit) is shown so beautifully here. The boat disaster and the truth about what happened in the cave (past and distant past) and about the mother that left but never truly left them. So many stories spun together and I worried they may get tangled and I may get lost but as always Emilia has us and it was perfection! The fact that I got this as an ARC is an absolute honor and I hope to consume every single thing that this beautiful woman writes in the future!

Thank you again NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this early copy!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart is a fantastic sophomore novel and really lived up to the hype surrounding her first novel, Weyward, which was beloved by readers and hailed as the best debut novel of the year on Goodreads. The Sirens blends all of my favorite things, historical fiction, magical realism, women’s fiction and feminism.

The Sirens is a book about the journeys of two sets of sisters separated by 2 centuries who are struggling to deal with some pretty egregious crimes committed by men against their bodies. We start in the 2019 timeline with the youngest sister Lucy who is seeking refuge with her older sister Jess after she trusted the wrong man and now has photos of her body spread around on the internet that she never intended anyone to see. This event triggers her to travel to see her sister and start to uncover the secrets of all 4 women who are featured in this novel. And there are many secrets and many twists, turns, and jaw-dropping reveals.

In the 1800s timeline, twin sisters Eliza and Mary are traveling on a prisoner’s cargo ship from Ireland to Australia and are suffering at the hands of men in their timeline as well. However, they start to notice changes to their bodies and these changes are the thing that ultimately links the 4 women featured in the book.

I really enjoyed both timelines, but enjoyed Lucy and Jess’ story the most, whereas in Weyward, I enjoyed the historical time period more.

The narration by Barrie Kreinik for this audiobook was 5 stars with the narrator seamlessly switching accents and genders and guiding us through the story with a truly phenomenal performance.

I do not think I would have finished this book if I hadn't received an arc. The book felt extremely detailed, boring, and it dragged on and on and on. This book started off with a great hook, Lucy waking up from sleep-walking and finding her hands around the neck of this guy she slept with one time. She then takes off to her estranged sister who lives miles and miles away. It could have been so exciting, but instead it followed Lucy (who I did not connect with) as she just drags her feet trying to find her sister. I was very excited to try this ARC after hearing that Weyward was so well done, but this book falls very flat for me. Thank you to MacMillian Audio and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

@emiliahartbooks, the author of Weyward, has a new book publishing next week on 01 April 2025. I really enjoyed The Sirens and the use of folklore in the story. Sea folk can be found by many different names throughout history such as Sirens, Mermaids, & Selkies. This story weaves together that folklore with a mystery. The story is told from multiple POVs and multiple time points. I recommend reading this book if you like mysteries based on folklore and if you loved Weyward.

The plot of this book was great. But for me the narration was challenging to make it through. I would suggest people perhaps try it on paper!

The premise of this book was very interesting.

Two different timelines give us the lives of 2 sets of sisters. In the 1800s Eliza and Mary fight to stay alive as they are transported on a British convict ship to Australia. The further they travel the more they notice changes to their bodies as they are called by the sea.

In 2019, Lucy leaves home after a cyberbullying incident to visit her sister Jess in Comper Bay on the Australian coast. When she arrives, her sister is not there, and her neighbors don't know where she went. Lucy starts sleepwalking and dreaming of the 1800's sisters as she tries to find Jess. Lucy starts unravelling the family history after she finds Jess's diary, and her perception of family changes forever.

The two storylines weave their way together as the women struggle with chauvinism.

The characters were strong, resilient women, but unfortunately, I didn't find them very likeable. The plot moved very slowly in the middle and I almost gave up. There was a major plot twist I didn't expect, but even that didn't really save the book for me. I wanted to enjoy it more than I actually did.

The narrator did a lovely job with the multiple voices, and helped immensely with the constant changes in point of view. Even then, I got lost a few times determining who's story we were listening to.

I was a massive fan of Emilia Hart’s Weyard and have been looking very much forward to reading The Sirens. It is another beautiful exploration into the way that women are treated, disbelieved, and disregarded throughout time as well as the beauty and strength in reclaiming your power. I was incredibly moved by The Sirens and will be telling all my girlfriends to read it. Thank you for my gifted copy!

Really enjoyed this audiobook. Interesting mix of historical information and fantasy. Current suspense as well. Recommended.

I listened to the audiobook version, narrated by Barrie Kreinik, and her performance was excellent. She used varying voices and accents for the different characters, which made it easier to connect with each one. What really stood out to me, though, was the singing in the audiobook. It was such a unique touch that added so much emotion and depth to the scenes. It wasn’t something I expected, but it really enhanced the overall experience. I also really appreciated the music at the beginning and end of the audiobook, it set the tone perfectly, making me feel even more immersed in the story.

One of the things I really loved was how the story alternated between multiple points of view. Each character had such a distinct voice, and watching their stories weave together felt so natural and satisfying. It kept me hooked the entire time.

The twist with Lucy and Jess! I did not see that coming, and I loved how it completely surprised me. It was one of those reveals that made me appreciate how cleverly the story was put together.

What made this book special for me were the themes of womanhood, trauma, and resilience. It was so empowering, shedding light on the complexities and strength that come with being a woman. The book doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, but it also shows how women can rise above adversity and find strength in the most unexpected places.

Emilia Hart is a master of writing female rage. The way the stories of women across centuries were seamlessly woven together painted a picture of injustice, but also of women using their power to take control back. One of my favourite things about her writing is the way she describes smells - I don't think I've read any other author who makes me feel like I'm right there quite like Emilia Hart does.

If you love atmospheric stories, multiple timelines, and a heavy dose of magic, I highly recommend. I read and loved Weyward, and The Sirens gave me more of what I loved.

The Sirens is a clever and imaginative mixture of real life and fantasy! Told in dual time lines, this story is about the strength and body between sisters and family. I loved the narration and the plot. Who isn't drawn in by the romanticism of mermaids and the mystery of the sea! Where the story fell a little short for me was the violence against women it portrayed (in both timelines). It was a bit of a slow burn and relied more on the mystery than the characterization. Overall a great story that I think readers will love!

Okay, wow! This was a feminist magical realism with historical elements and a mystery set in two different timelines, and seriously, wow, what a fun combo!

Two sets of sisters, one set from 1800 and one set from 2019, whose stories converge in such a unique and unexpected way! I loved both timelines and the themes of sisterhood and feminine resilience throughout. The narrator was fantastic, whimsical and really brought this story to life for me!

I loved Weyward so I was really excited for this one. Unfortunately, it just did not live up to its predecessor. The Sirens is full of magical realism and has a fairy tale feel to it. Lucy wakes up finding herself doing the unthinkable. As she is shaken up, she decides to escape to her sister's home on the coast. However, when she gets there, Jess is nowhere to be found. Thus starts a mystery that jumps back and forth in time. We also follow Mary and Eliza, young girls who have been convicted of crimes and shipped out to New South Wales in the 1800s. There are threads in here that I really enjoyed and that echoed the atmosphere I loved in Weyward. Hart pays a lot of tribute to the natural world in her writing. This one was just a bit too choppy for me and we spent way too much time in Lucy's head. I wanted more from the story and found many sections to move slowly. The audio is well done. The narrator's voice was perfect for this book which had a very nautical feel. It just wasn't enough to keep me engaged. I'm sure, though, I would have struggled more had I read this in print. I do think those who like stories about women, sisterhood, magical realism, and stories of the sea will find a lot to enjoy in this book. It sadly was not for me.

The Sirens is swimming with mystery and eerie underwater terrors. Dark dreams and feelings of disconnection plague Lucy as she struggles with cruel acts committed against her. When she tries to escape to find a safe place where she feels like she belongs, things only get more complicated and confusing.

Mary and Eliza are taken from their home and their father and thrust into a life almost not worth living. They wake each day, not knowing if they'll live to see the next.

These stories are driven by strong family bonds and the striving for finding yourself and the people to whom you belong. With Lucy and Jess, and Mary and Eliza, we see how much stronger we can be if we're together.

Hart expertly intertwines the lives of these women and their journeys and leaves us with a tale that will burrow into our hearts like the sound of the ocean nestled inside a seashell.

ARC audiobook from Netgalley and Macmillan audio. Thank you

I don't think this was for me.
This story had a lot of plots and twists to it. It's a very slow novel and I'm not used to that but I enjoyed it. The story was told through a very visual aspect through words it gives you that creepy vibes. If you are into slow historical fiction, magical realism stories about the sea, I definitely think this is for you. The narrator did a great job.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this audio. I really enjoyed this audio. It's by the same author as wayward, which I was also really into. This follows sisters who are separated by centuries. This was magical and emotional. I loved it very much, I highly recommend the audio.

I had high hopes for this book after loving Weyward so much. The audio narration by Barrie Kreinik was very well done. The eerie vibes of the seaside town, the feel of the mystery, the peril on the ship, and even the singing added so much to the experience of listening to this story. Emilia Hart's prose is beautiful and she is an evocative storyteller.

However, I struggled with this story. I found the character Lucy difficult to connect with and I had a hard time getting invested in her motivations or her journey. I also struggled with the pacing, as the start of the story was very slow with a considerable amount of backstory then picked up toward the end of the book as the two storylines came together. The ending was disappointing as it seemed to lose focus. Finally, I had difficulty connecting all of the aspects of the magical realism in the story with the central plot line and, while those aspects did help to reinforce the themes of feminine power, they were sometimes confusing and pulled me out of the narrative.