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.

DNF after chapter one. Unfortunately it did not work for me. It was quite dark at the start. I also just gave birth so I’m a bit sensitive to certain things (if you’ve read the first bit, you understand). Totally a me problem and nothing to do with the book! Definitely try it.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy!

That’s a weird book.

It definitely took me a bit to get started. I’m not sure if it’s because the beginning is so slow, or if it’s because I just wasn’t in the mood, but this is a book I picked up and put down a couple of times, each time inching a little forward. At 40% through I was still unsure. It seemed like the book was too slow. I’m not afraid of DNFing a book, but something kept pulling me forward.

At about 50% of the way, I was in trouble. I couldn’t turn it off. I knew what was coming to some extent (it’s in the title of the book) but I needed to see how it worked out, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

This book isn’t one to come straight out and answer all your questions as you ask them, but the answers are there if you pay attention.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and will recommend it, and will likely end up purchasing it. I’m going to keep my eye out for a special edition, because this book deserves one!

Thank you NetGalley for this audioARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was an interesting read and definitely worth the hype. It is a very good representation book about women’s rights and how some odd things happen with these pairs of sisters. Emilia does an amazing job at describing what’s happening and putting things together and the overall character growth. This is a good book that I would recommend for those wanting to have a small window into what some women go through, but I would also hedge a caution that while there is no details on page it does talk about abuse in many forms and could potentially trigger PTSD. Otherwise, overall a very good book and very informative.

This was an interesting read. I loved the multiple time lines, one of the timelines revealed as dreams Lucy is having. Lucy also learns about her sister and her family's dark secrets through the older sister's old journal. This book had twists and turns that kept me engrossed and I could not put this book down. The audio narrator did an amazing job bringing this story to life.

Such an interesting story. The writing is atmospheric, even chilling at times. I appreciated the feminist themes and the sisterly bonds. The story was a bit meandering at times, but I didn’t mind it. I thought it did well creating a layered portrait of the characters.

The Sirens is a dual-timeline novel told from multiple perspectives. In 1800, Mary and Eliza are aboard a prisoner ship bound for Australia from Ireland. As they spend more time at sea, they begin to notice unsettling changes in their bodies. In 2019, Lucy is running from her past and seeks refuge with her sister—only to discover that her sister is missing. All four main characters face trauma and grow stronger through the bonds of sisterhood, even as their worlds crumble. Secrets spanning generations are uncovered, and these women navigate the lives they’re forced into while grappling with the generational trauma tied to the secrets they carry.

The story felt similar to Emilia Hart’s other novel, Weyward, with a comparable narrative of women facing trauma and secrecy, but with a slightly more fantastical twist.

I did not enjoy this one as much as I had hoped. I think it was just not for me, so I don't believe I will be much help in reviewing this book in the way that may be needed. Story wise, I would give it a good score because it was interesting, but it just wasn't for me.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pub date: 4/1

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook.

This is a mesmerizing story about sisterhood and the incredible strength of women across time. It blends magical realism with rich Irish folklore in a way that’s both haunting and empowering.

The story starts with Lucy waking up in the middle of the night, her hands around her ex-boyfriend’s throat. Freaked out, she runs to her sister Jess’s house in coastal New South Wales, only to find her missing. As she tries to figure out what happened, she stumbles upon eerie rumors about the town—stories of disappearing men, voices on the waves, and a baby abandoned in a cave. To make things even weirder, her dreams start merging with reality, pulling her toward the past.

Meanwhile, in 1800, Mary and Eliza are ripped from their home in Ireland and thrown onto a convict ship to Australia. As they sail farther from everything they know, something strange starts happening to them, hinting at a deep connection to the sea.

As their stories unfold, past and present collide unexpectedly, revealing a shared trait that ties them all together.

Hart puts a fresh, feminist spin on siren mythology. Instead of being deadly temptresses, the sirens—or Merrow—are protectors of women, using their song for justice. This twist makes the story feel fresh and powerful, driving home themes of resilience and reclaiming power.
While The Sirens is beautifully written, the back-and-forth between timelines and perspectives can slow things down a bit, and some character moments don’t hit as hard as they could.

I loved the narrator, Barrie Kreinik. She did an amazing job with the different accents and brought all of the characters to life. Her narration and singing were beautiful and really added to the atmosphere that the story was going for.

Overall, this is an unforgettable journey through time and myth. If you loved Hart’s last book or enjoy authors like Kristin Hannah, this one’s definitely worth the read.

Emilia Hart has once again created a great work of women’s historical fiction. Interweaving the stories of four women Lucy, Jess and twin sisters Mary and Elizabeth, in The Sirens: A Novel, she once again brings us a powerful story of a group of women whose lives are intertwined across time.

In this powerful story, set on the Australian Coast, we are taken through a journey of family trauma and resilience. Like in her first book Weyward, Harts female characters struggle and overcome significant oppression to realize their own power and agency.

Barrie Kreinik, is quickly becoming one of my favorite narrators. She brings a unique voice to the characters, being able to seamlessly change accents and provide voices making the story come to life and an enjoyable experience. If you loved the narrations for other books she has done like: Good Night, Irene, Finding of Margaret Fuller, Adriane, and The Fourth Consort, then you will fall in love with this narration as well.

Thank Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 5 Stars
Audio Release and Print Pub Date: April 1 2025

Tags:
Macmillan Audio
@macmillan.audio
#TheSirens
#EmiliaHart
#netgalley

I wanted to love The Sirens, but honestly, it left me feeling a bit lukewarm.

The concept sounded amazing - three timelines of women connected by the sea's mysterious powers? Sign me up! We follow Lucy in 2019 searching for her missing sister in a coastal town with a dark history, teenage Jess in 1999 dealing with a rare water allergy, and Irish twins on a convict ship to Australia in 1800. Cool premise, right?

One saving grace was Barrie Kreinik's narration of the audiobook. Her ability to distinctly voice each character across the three timelines was impressive, bringing much-needed dimension to protagonists that felt flat on the page. Kreinik's lilting Irish accent for the 1800s twins was particularly captivating, and her subtle vocal shifts between timelines helped keep the story threads clear.

That said, there were some genuinely beautiful passages about the sea, and the author does have a knack for atmospheric writing. The gradually revealed connections between the timelines were clever, if a bit predictable.

If you're into magical realism with feminist themes, you might enjoy this more than I did. But for me, it was just okay - an interesting concept that never quite delivered on its promise. I finished it.

Another win for Emilia Hart! Just like with her hit Weyward, The Sirens has the same style of generational mystery combined with a hint of magical realism. I love how that she uses the eerie tone of mermaid folklore to set the mood for the story, which follows two sets of sisters from different generations unpacking family secrets, while also being lured to the Australian coast.

The narration by Barrie Kreinik was stunning! The story takes us from Ireland to Australia, and truthfully could not tell which was our narrators real accent. The two voices helped to distinguish between the swapping time periods and characters, and helped me as the listener feel fully immersed. There is a part in the book where we hear a Siren Song, and Barrie's voice is so lovely that I believed her to be a mermaid herself.

Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this in advance for my honest feedback.

(4⭐️ = I loved it, would recommend)

The Sirens is a captivating and unique novel with multiple narratives and perspectives that weave together beautifully by the end. The seamless way these diverse storylines intertwine is one of the book's greatest strengths.

As a lover of historical fiction, I found the historical fiction with the addition of mystery and magical realism to be a unique touch.

This was my first book by Emilia Hart, and it did not disappoint. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into the story when the main character, Lucy, finds herself in a complicated situation at university. Though there’s tension between Lucy and her sister, Jess, their bond is rooted in deep love.

The story unfolds through three distinct points of view:
1. Present-day Lucy, whose voice takes center stage
2. Jess, through flashbacks as Lucy reads her sister’s diary
3. A further historical flashback, where two sisters navigate a perilous journey on a sinking ship, told from their perspective

My favorite parts of the book came from Lucy’s POV, especially as she uncovers the hidden depths of her sister’s past through the diary entries. I loved how the different timelines and perspectives gradually came together, providing a satisfying and emotional conclusion. Each character embarks on a personal journey of discovery, and watching them uncover hidden truths, both about themselves and each other, kept me on my toes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy of The Sirens by Emilia Hart in exchange for my honest review.

"Up where they walk, up where they run
Up where they stay all day in the sun
Wanderin' free - wish I could be
Part of that world" Disney, The Little Mermaid

3.5 Stars...Emilia Hart's second novel, The Sirens, is a present day historical fiction with a touch of fantasy folklore. We meet Mary, Lucy, and Jess, all connect by history and secrecy that starts off the coast of Ireland and ends in New South Wales, Australia. All three hold a secret that though links them through different times in the world, could destroy their very lives and of those they love. All three are controlled by the influence and power of men, and how they decide what is becoming of women even when separated for hundreds of years.
What's hidden in the world below the water, and is it in all reality a place that would be safer and more accepting of the women and their unique differences?
Lucy and Jess are sisters trying to find out why are they so different from one another, yet know that the gut feeling of being more than sisters is present and strong. Mary is a recently 'convicted convict' with her sister being transported to New South Wales to become part of a new settlement, but only as whatever the men carrying them sell them to be. How Ms. Hart interlocks these women is magical and an interesting turn I did not see coming.
However, I do feel that it took a little long and slow to get there. Also, Lucy's story felt unfinished. We meet her in the beginning with something happening that could cause serious ramifications, but it was never settled. The epilogue was a great chapter, but I think it would have been better if all had been revealed within the story to strengthen the relationships that were fragile.
The descriptions of Australia and the waterways to get there back in the 1800s was beautifully written, and more so enhanced by the narrator, Barrie Kreinik. Her voice gave a fantasy feel to the story and the call of The Sirens song.
Maybe The Little Mermaid had it wrong, and living in the water with the strength of women and those that have come before is better than this present day one we walk.
Thank you Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this new novel by Emilia Hart.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
Pub Date: 04/01/25
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

The Sirens
3.5 ⭐️

I loved Weyward and was so excited when I got a copy of The Sirens on @netgalley!

Lucy is running away from her university where she’s had a whole host of problems and toward her sister. But when she turns up at her sister’s she finds her missing with only a few very old clues as to where she might have gone.

This book felt like Literary Fiction, Mystery, and Fantasy all rolled into one. While the first half of the book was extremely slow, the ending did make up for some of it. I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped, but if you’re looking for slower paced book that has a unique story, check it out!

ARC Review!

First off, I love the cover! I truly enjoyed the eerie and mysterious vibes. I loved the dual timelines and how the author tied the 2 stories together at the end. The writing is beautiful. However, I wasn't able to connect with any of the characters and really wanted to love them, but unfortunately I did not :(, I really wanted to. I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys elements of magic, folklore, and the supernatural.

The narration was impeccable!!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest review.

Emilia Hart’s The Sirens is a haunting, multi-layered triumph, further elevated in its audiobook form by Barrie Kreinik’s dynamic narration. Kreinik’s seamless shifts between American and Irish accents animate each woman’s distinct voice, from 2019’s fugitive Lucy—fleeing a violent nightmare—to 1999’s isolated Jess, whose diary entries unravel her fraught bond with a manipulative art teacher, and 1800s Irish twins Mary and Eliza, exiled to Australia only to discover their eerie metamorphosis into sirens.

Hart masterfully entwines inherited trauma and resilience, threading centuries with the ocean’s primordial call. While the middle sags under its ambitious scope (Jess and the twins’ arcs beg deeper exploration), the novel’s unflinching portrayal of betrayal and redemption—a recurring, visceral theme—underscores its feminist defiance. Atmospheric and incisive, it balances gripping mystery with allegory, as each woman confronts predatory forces to reclaim power in a world intent on silencing them. Like Weyward, Hart’s prose thrums with the tenacity of women who bend but never break, blending myth, survival, and the raw magic of sisterhood. A resonant ode to the echoes of strength passed through generations, even as the sea claims its due.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of “The Sirens” in exchange for a review.

This one was very mid for me. The split story line was good, though sometimes with the single narrator it was hard to remember what time period I was in. I just couldn’t get into the story for some reason. There was a lot going on and it just felt chaotic to me.

A bit disappointed because I liked Weyward so much, but hope I’m in the minority because I’ve seen so much buzz and anticipation for this title!

Audiobook Review 🪸🎧📖

thank you so much partner @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook!

The Sirens
by Emilia Hart
Narrated by Barrie Kreinik

About the book 👇🏽

A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space, The Sirens captures the power of dreams, and the mystery and magic of the sea.

🪸 My thoughts:

I don’t think I can put into words to explain how much I loved this book. It isn’t fast paced but it had me hanging onto every word. I enjoyed the stories of these four women on their own journeys of self discovery that end up coming together in the most beautiful and magical way. I absolutely loved the magical realism woven into this tale that truly is lyrical in every way. The audiobook narrator Barrie Kreinik did a wonderful job and really brought this story to life, making this one of my favorites of 2025 so far! I knew I wanted to read this book based on the premise alone, I then saw the Waterstones edition and knew I needed to snag it. This story was incredible and it’s one I’ll be thinking about for years to
come. I highly recommend giving this audiobook a listen and/or giving this book a read! It’s definitely worth giving your undivided attention. The Sirens hits shelves in the US April 1, 2025!

Happy reading 📖🪸🎧