The Sirens by Emilia Hart

I loved the idea of this book, and love these we kinds of stories that are tinged with fantasy but anchored in the real world and around realistic characters. I really appreciated the two timelines (sometimes 3) and felt like they helped the storyline develop with the right amount of anticipation as to where it was headed. Starting out with Lucy, who is running from a traumatizing event at university, we learn more about her sister and how their two paths are connected. Plus a story of two other sisters imprisoned on a ship.

Although this one was a tad slow for me; the descriptive and atmospheric writing did win me over - but I would have loved more of a twist or something unexpected to wrap it up!

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my early copies! I did both versions, but I think I preferred the audio! Loved the narration - especially the siren songs. This one is out at the end of the month.

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Synopsis:

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. As Lucy waits for her return, she starts to unearth strange rumours about Jess’s town—tales of numerous missing men, spread over decades. A baby abandoned in a sea-swept cave. Whispers of women’s voices on the waves. All the while, her dreams start to feel closer than ever.

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.

A breathtaking tale of female resilience, The Sirens is an extraordinary novel that captures the sheer power of sisterhood and the indefinable magic of the sea.

"The Sirens" by Emilia Hart is told in dual timelines with two sisters, Mary and Eliza, on a convict ship headed to New South Wales in 1800. In 2019, Lucy heads to New South Wales to visit her much older sister after she starts having strange dreams, starts sleepwalking, and tries to choke her ex boyfriend. It is told from multiple points of view with highly likeable characters. The novel has elements of mystery, historical fiction, and magical realism. I felt the novel was a bit slow paced, but found the narrator, Barrie Kreinik to add to the mystical elements. Overall, it was definitely not as engaging as Hart's previous book, "Weyward", but still a good read.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of the audiobook for my opinion.

I went into this book not knowing what it would be about and with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I was hooked on the story and wanted to keep reading. I loved the build up of the Lucy timeline. The other story, Mary, confused me at first but then I was just really into the whole thing and really enjoying it. I was disappointed by the ending, I felt like it didn’t explain things enough and I was left with so many questions. I also fell like it ended abruptly.

I tried to listen to this book but found myself preferring the ebook.

It’s a good story, an original one and I did enjoy reading it.

An absorbing, magical read. I loved this dive into the mystical bonds of the sisterhood of women, across time, genetics, and shared experience.

Well, well, well … This was similar but also different than Weyward, which I loved. The book unfolded beautifully, told between two storylines of past and present - which left you trying to figure out how the lives connect.

I found myself shouting “no!” with each plot twist for part 1, 2 and 3 and I love when I don’t guess the twists! That was a refreshing part of this book - The characters were endearing and the narration was great. I could’ve even had more to the story.

Adding as an author on my “must read” list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

Oh this book to me by surprise! I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. I was fortunate to have the audio and kindle version and it was nice to go back and forth.

Really enjoyed the two POV’s and listening to the MC’s journey.

I know this will be a big hit when it hits shelves April 1, 2025.

Thanks to Netgalley, Macmillan audio and St Martin’s Press for my audio and e arc in exchange for my honest review.

After falling in love with Emilia Hart’s Weyward, I was eagerly waiting for her next book—and The Sirens did not disappoint. This book is a powerful, heart-wrenching journey that centers on the strength, love, and resilience of women. From the bonds of sisters and mothers to the power of female friendship, it beautifully explores what it means to be different—and how those differences make us who we are meant to be.

As a mother of three daughters with autism, The Sirens spoke to me on a deep, personal level. The story follows two sisters, Mary and Eliza, sent to Australia for the “crime” of protecting themselves, and their experiences as prisoners aboard a ship. The narrative weaves together their past with Lucy, a young woman in the present, struggling to accept her allergy to water and her place in the world, and Jess, her sister, whose journal entries reveal her own struggles of self-acceptance.

Through each of these women’s journeys, we see the universal power of sisterhood and the strength we draw from one another. This book is an ode to the untold struggles women face and the quiet strength that runs through our stories. 🌿

The lyrical prose of Emilia Hart is utterly captivating, and The Sirens is a book I won’t soon forget. It’s one I recommend to every woman, as it speaks to the parts of us that often go unspoken. 📚

Thank you to NetGalley, Emilia Hart, and MacMillan Audio for the privilege of experiencing this audiobook.

#BookReview #TheSirens #EmiliaHart #WomenStories #Sisterhood #BookRecommendation #AmReading #Audiobook #Sirens #NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this wonderful story about sisters and women across centuries and their story of resiliency and survival from a world that they do not feel accepted or a part of.
I love the detailed stories this author gives us about the generations and the times in history that affect the characters so deeply when they are given special gifts. Each one has a unique experience with their shared qualities.

I did think it was a slow start and at times long winded, hence the 4 stars given.

1. This book is unique, powerful, and immersive.
2. I highly recommend the audiobook for an enriched experience!

Hart won me over in her 2023 debut, Weyward, with her rich prose and ability to weave together women’s stories across generations. I particularly enjoy her exploration of women reclaiming their voice and power in the face of patriarchal injustices, and The Sirens centers on those similar themes, while expanding more on sisterhood in this new release.

The Sirens follows two sets of sisters, oddly connected via dreams/visions and sleepwalking incidents. In 1800, Mary and Eliza are convicted of murder in Ireland and forced onto a grueling transoceanic convict ship journey to the newly established penal colony in Australia. In 2019, Lucy and Jess are plagued with nightmares, and when Lucy finds herself accused of violence after a sleepwalking incident, she flees to Jess’s home on the coast for support. But when she arrives, Jess is missing, and Lucy must search for answers in Jess’ journals, artwork, and other clues left behind. During her search for Jess, Lucy uncovers local town lore of generations of missing men, tales of babies found in caves, and women’s voices on the waves, all while her dreams of Mary and Eliza grown more intense. With slow-burn suspense that escalates towards a heart-pounding conclusion, I was completely captivated by this story. Hart brilliantly walks the line between lore, magic, and reality, while creating characters and plot lines that are relatable and easy to champion. I particularly enjoyed the exploration of sisterhood and sacrifices women are oftentimes forced to make for themselves or loved ones. Expertly researched, I particularly enjoyed learning more about the women convicts and the lives they tried to carve out for themselves in a new and strange world.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my gifted audiobook; narrator, Barrie Kreinik, blew me away where her performance, accent work, and ability to distinguish between the various voices/perspectives of the story. Her emotive narration absolutely enriched my reading experience, from the haunting singing to the emotional scenes Hart created. Readers who enjoy women’s fiction, with a blend of historical, contemporary and magical elements need to add this one to their TBR!

I received an ALC of The Sirens by Emilia Hart from NetGalley and the Publisher; Thank you!

First of all, I want to listen to everything Barrie Kreinik has ever narrated. Truly a lovely voice, and her accent really helped me build a better mental map of the characters and setting. I think that Emilia Hart's writing and Barrie Kreinik's narration work together beautifully to blend the stories of sisters across time. The narration anchored me in the story.

The tension in The Sirens builds slowly, and had I read it in paper or e-book, the pace would have been a challenge for me. Kreinik's narration truly helped me enjoy this really beautiful story about families, secrets and what it means to feel safe.

This layered, heartfelt fantasy is beautifully heartbreaking. To read this book is to be seen as a woman, yet the fantastical elements are so thoughtfully described they are viscerally real. Listening to this audiobook left me fearing I should pull over. I was too sucked in, clutching the steering wheel, so teary eyed it was hard to see. I expected nothing less following Weyward, but I can not wait for this to be released so I can share this experience with every woman in my life.

The Sirens is story with mystery, family secrets, history, magical realism, sisterhood, lore, and female resilience. I truly enjoyed the pace of the book, that was itself similar to the methodical rhythm of the sea. The narration was beautifully done and really helped intensify the feel of the story. An enjoyable audiobook perfect for when you’re looking for an enchanting and calm listen.

In The Sirens, Emilia Hart weaves a haunting tale of mystery and connection that spans generations. Lucy flees her university life to seek refuge at her sister Jess's coastal home in New South Wales, only to find Jess missing. Drawn to the house and the whispers of the sea, Lucy embarks on a quest to uncover her sister's whereabouts. As she delves deeper, she discovers unsettling parallels between their lives—shared dreams, a mysterious skin condition, and the haunting legacy of two Irish sisters from the 1800s who endured their own harrowing journey.

While the narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, the slow build allows for a rich exploration of the women’s intertwined fates, revealing deep secrets and layered histories. Hart masterfully interlaces the past with the present, creating a tapestry of familial bonds and the struggle for identity. The connection between Lucy, Jess, and their historical counterparts adds a captivating depth to the story.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read and review this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Another vibey aesthetic book for witchy girlies. I really enjoyed the world building in this book. Very girl power and I love a book with contemporary mythology elements, it scratches a very specific part of my brain.

I really found myself enjoying the different accents the narrator had. At times she lulled me off to sleep because I found her voice to soothing. The story was pretty good. I did find myself being very interested in what was going on but it was extremely predictable.

Links to come.

I was really looking forward to The Sirens, and while there were aspects I enjoyed, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. The narration was absolutely fantastic—engaging and immersive, which kept me listening even when the story didn’t fully hook me.

I was expecting more magical realism, but this read more like a domestic mystery. While the dual timelines were well-executed and added depth to the plot, I struggled to connect with the characters, which made it hard to feel fully invested. That said, the atmospheric writing and strong narration made it an enjoyable listen overall.

3/5 ⭐⭐⭐

Looking for a book with complicated family dynamics, a town haunted by mermaids, and women pursuing justice? The Sirens by Emilia Hart has all of the above (and more)!
I have always been a mermaid girlie more than anything else, and obviously thought that in combination with Hart’s writing style would make this an enthralling read. I inhaled Hart’s debut, Weyward, and had been anxiously awaiting another tale of myth, feminine power, and raw history. And while The Sirens has all three of those elements, they don’t have the same pull that Weyward had for me.
The book has three main characters. Lucy, an Australian university student; Jess, her older sister; and Mary, an Irish girl on a convict ship heading to Australia. We spend the majority of our time with Lucy, who left university in a rush after a sleepwalking incident. It’s mentioned in a few different ways that Lucy has a skin condition that’s affected by water. Lucy spends most of the book at Jess’s house, waiting for her to return from a trip.
Unfortunately, even though the book is 80% in Lucy’s POV, I felt like she was the least developed. Most of Jess’s character development happens as Lucy reads through Jess’s old diary and all of Mary’s development happens through Lucy’s dreams. This setup keeps Lucy front and center, but keeps her in a perpetual state of almost-knowing and never lets her do anything else.
Overall, I enjoyed the twists and turns of all three storylines, and was invested enough to finish the book. The mermaid details started to appear more frequently, and the book ended with a blend of magical realism that I was expecting. Some of the final details really threw me for a loop, but overall, the ending saved the book from its middle.
If any of this book's weirdly specific traits caught your eye, you should definitely give it a shot! I’d also recommend it if you’re really into mermaid myths!
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the free advanced copy and audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

A enjoyable listen! I was very invested in the story, particularly in Jess and Lucy's storyline. But the historical timeline about the convict ship was also very engaging and interesting to learn about. I didn't know anything about Australian convict ships before reading this book. I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook as well!

Big thanks to Emilia Hart, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

Emilia Hart delivers another beautifully atmospheric novel filled with mystery and magic. While I loved the setting and overall plot, I struggled to connect with some of the characters—especially those in the present-day timeline. That said, it was still an enjoyable listen, and I’d recommend it to fans of mysterious women’s fiction with a mermaid twist.

Thank you to Emilia Hart, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the gifted audiobook!

Emilia Hart once again wrote an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric novel, full of mystery and magic. I am giving this story 3.5 stars. While I really enjoyed the setting and plot of the book, I had a hard time connecting with some of the characters, those of the "present day" timeline in particular. I thought this was an enjoyable audiobook to listen too, and I would recommend it to readers who love mysterious women's fiction.