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The Sirens
A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine
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.
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.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2025
1,440 people are currently reading
79.4k people want to read
About the author
Emilia Hart
4 books4,762 followersEmilia Hart is a British-Australian writer. She was born in Sydney and studied English Literature and Law at the University of New South Wales before working as a lawyer in Sydney and London.
Emilia is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative’s Three Month Online Novel Writing Course and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Caledonia Novel Award. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK. "Weyward" is her debut novel. She lives in London, England.
Emilia is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative’s Three Month Online Novel Writing Course and was Highly Commended in the 2021 Caledonia Novel Award. Her short fiction has been published in Australia and the UK. "Weyward" is her debut novel. She lives in London, England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,359 reviews
January 10, 2025
I do not think I would have finished this book if I hadn't received an arc. Now, looking at the book page on Goodreads, I see a number of people DNFed it for a lot of the same reasons I wanted to.
Hart's Weyward was a very pleasant surprise for me last year. It was also the whole reason I couldn't wait to read this book. Strong writing; strong characters; intriguing story... but I think The Sirens can only really lay claim to the first one of those. Some beautiful description was all it really had going for it.
This was one of those books that I simply did not click with; I never experienced that moment where the book latches on and pulls you in. There was no connection with the characters, no real plot for 80% of the book, no hook, no urgency, no vibrancy… nothing that made me want to read on. The stakes felt low throughout and I think a good hundred pages of Lucy's rambling introspection could have been safely cut.
From the beginning, I felt it difficult to connect with these characters. The story starts with Lucy waking up from sleep-walking and finding her hands around the neck of this guy she slept with one time (before he shared intimate photos of her). Mortified, she flees her university and decides, for some reason, to drive out into the middle of nowhere to visit her estranged sister. I just really didn’t understand her actions from the start. It seemed a weak and weird excuse to force Lucy and Jess together, especially as the whole sleepwalking deal is kinda forgotten later.
The story, like Weyward, flits about through multiple perspectives, but here they all had the same narrative style and voice. Not only did this make it less believable, especially when we went a couple centuries back in time, but it was also boring and monotonous.
Also, there is a in this book, something I feel has been explored to death and done so much better by other authors like .
I do feel the book picks up towards the end, but I personally don't think it's worth it. There's a lot of meandering non-story here, with characters (mainly Lucy) dithering about and doing nothing for pages on end.
Hart's Weyward was a very pleasant surprise for me last year. It was also the whole reason I couldn't wait to read this book. Strong writing; strong characters; intriguing story... but I think The Sirens can only really lay claim to the first one of those. Some beautiful description was all it really had going for it.
This was one of those books that I simply did not click with; I never experienced that moment where the book latches on and pulls you in. There was no connection with the characters, no real plot for 80% of the book, no hook, no urgency, no vibrancy… nothing that made me want to read on. The stakes felt low throughout and I think a good hundred pages of Lucy's rambling introspection could have been safely cut.
From the beginning, I felt it difficult to connect with these characters. The story starts with Lucy waking up from sleep-walking and finding her hands around the neck of this guy she slept with one time (before he shared intimate photos of her). Mortified, she flees her university and decides, for some reason, to drive out into the middle of nowhere to visit her estranged sister. I just really didn’t understand her actions from the start. It seemed a weak and weird excuse to force Lucy and Jess together, especially as the whole sleepwalking deal is kinda forgotten later.
The story, like Weyward, flits about through multiple perspectives, but here they all had the same narrative style and voice. Not only did this make it less believable, especially when we went a couple centuries back in time, but it was also boring and monotonous.
Also, there is a in this book, something I feel has been explored to death and done so much better by other authors like .
I do feel the book picks up towards the end, but I personally don't think it's worth it. There's a lot of meandering non-story here, with characters (mainly Lucy) dithering about and doing nothing for pages on end.
March 28, 2025
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The Book Review Crew Blog
I loved the author's first book Weyward , and in this one, she weaves historical mystery and drama wonderfully. The bonds of sisterhood in the two timelines drew me to this title. There's lots of trauma, but these sisters are strong, especially together. The story focuses on resilient women going through challenges and facing their pasts.
I have never used the word haunting while reviewing a book, but this story is exactly that, and I found it very atmospheric. The descriptions of the Australian coastline and the haunting tales of the sea create a sense of place and really bring out the emotions. I was sucked in right away and loved both timelines equally. That's a big deal for me. In the 1800s, Mary and Eliza were aboard a convict ship that was going to Australia. In present-time Australia, we have Lucy and Jess dealing with personal issues and trying to figure out a family mystery. The author did well making me feel tense and getting me into the characters' lives and the family mysteries.
The intertwining storylines and the gradual unveiling of secrets keep readers engaged throughout. The book handles heavy themes of female trauma and does so in a way that shows the strength of the characters. The story deals with some heavy topics, and I loved the realistic and sensitive way Hart dealt with them in her writing of the story. Overall, the book is compelling and thought-provoking. Emilia Hart has once again delivered a captivating story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. I will be thinking of this one for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
The Book Review Crew Blog
I loved the author's first book Weyward , and in this one, she weaves historical mystery and drama wonderfully. The bonds of sisterhood in the two timelines drew me to this title. There's lots of trauma, but these sisters are strong, especially together. The story focuses on resilient women going through challenges and facing their pasts.
I have never used the word haunting while reviewing a book, but this story is exactly that, and I found it very atmospheric. The descriptions of the Australian coastline and the haunting tales of the sea create a sense of place and really bring out the emotions. I was sucked in right away and loved both timelines equally. That's a big deal for me. In the 1800s, Mary and Eliza were aboard a convict ship that was going to Australia. In present-time Australia, we have Lucy and Jess dealing with personal issues and trying to figure out a family mystery. The author did well making me feel tense and getting me into the characters' lives and the family mysteries.
The intertwining storylines and the gradual unveiling of secrets keep readers engaged throughout. The book handles heavy themes of female trauma and does so in a way that shows the strength of the characters. The story deals with some heavy topics, and I loved the realistic and sensitive way Hart dealt with them in her writing of the story. Overall, the book is compelling and thought-provoking. Emilia Hart has once again delivered a captivating story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. I will be thinking of this one for a long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
April 5, 2025
0.75!
I honestly won't go in depth in this review because there's not really much to say. I was very excited for this book, I had not seen anything about this book, I had just heard about the author so I was excited to read one of her arcs, My main problem with this book was how I could not connect with the characters and when I don't feel any sort of connection with them, I just end up disliking the book and to be honest the only reason I did not dnf this book was because it was an ARC otherwise it would've been a dnf 20% through, I wish I could write something good about this book but it's one of those rare instances where I just have nothing good to say, It's definitely among the bottom 5 reads of this year. I also didn't enjoy the writing style of this book and usually when a book has weak characters, the writing style is what keeps me going but that wasn't the case here and honestly when these two things do not work I rely to the plot but where was the plot here? so I had nothing to rely on like I need a book to have one good think because honestly I can read a book if it has literally no plot as long as the writing is good or a book with a strong plot and bumpy writing or a book that solely relies on its characters to save it but when a book has none it's really bound to end up here.
Overall, not the best book and I wouldn't recommend
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"A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine." add magical realism into this as well 🤭 let's go!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-Arc*
I honestly won't go in depth in this review because there's not really much to say. I was very excited for this book, I had not seen anything about this book, I had just heard about the author so I was excited to read one of her arcs, My main problem with this book was how I could not connect with the characters and when I don't feel any sort of connection with them, I just end up disliking the book and to be honest the only reason I did not dnf this book was because it was an ARC otherwise it would've been a dnf 20% through, I wish I could write something good about this book but it's one of those rare instances where I just have nothing good to say, It's definitely among the bottom 5 reads of this year. I also didn't enjoy the writing style of this book and usually when a book has weak characters, the writing style is what keeps me going but that wasn't the case here and honestly when these two things do not work I rely to the plot but where was the plot here? so I had nothing to rely on like I need a book to have one good think because honestly I can read a book if it has literally no plot as long as the writing is good or a book with a strong plot and bumpy writing or a book that solely relies on its characters to save it but when a book has none it's really bound to end up here.
Overall, not the best book and I wouldn't recommend
__
"A story of sisters separated by hundreds of years but bound together in more ways than they can imagine." add magical realism into this as well 🤭 let's go!
*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-Arc*
April 3, 2025
“Sirens" is an engaging, epic feminist fantasy tale revolving around four women who are on a journey to discover their uniqueness in a world where equality is a myth, and where they must find their own place by embracing their differences and brilliance in the face of chauvinism.
The story begins in 2019, introducing us to Lucy, an 18-year-old journalism student who has been cyberbullied by her secret boyfriend, who shared an intimate photo of her on social media (though he insists he didn’t), turning her into the laughingstock of her school. Reporting the issue to the school authorities doesn’t help, as the boy she blames has influential parents. One morning, Lucy finds herself sleepwalking and choking him in her sleep, which makes her fear she may destroy everything she has worked so hard for. Seeking refuge, she drives to her estranged older sister Jess’ house in Comper Bay, along the Australian coast—a haunted place where numerous men have mysteriously gone missing at sea over the decades. When Lucy arrives, she finds the door open, her sister gone in a hurry, her phone left behind, and signs of a male visitor before she disappeared.
Lucy connects with Jess’ neighbors, but none of them seem to have any useful information about her sister’s whereabouts, and surprisingly, they didn’t even know Jess had a sister. While Lucy waits for Jess to return, she begins having recurring nightmares of two sisters on a ship fighting for their lives, and her sleepwalking becomes more intense. As she digs deeper into her past, she starts uncovering why her sister distanced herself from the family and missed Lucy’s recent birthday.
When Lucy discovers her sister’s diary hidden in the house, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever.
Jess’ diary takes us back to 1999 when she lived with their parents in a rural town. Struggling to connect with others due to a rare skin condition, aquagenic urticaria, which makes water a danger to her, Jess finds solace in her art, with the support of Max, a fellow outcast, and her 24-year-old art teacher, who gives her private lessons. As she learns more about her condition, Jess begins to suspect her parents are hiding secrets about her illness that she must uncover.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to the 1800s, introducing us to Mary and Eliza, twin sisters from Ireland who are sent to Australia as convicts aboard a ship for criminals. They fear the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were young. As the sisters sail farther from home, suffering from thirst, hunger, and the harsh conditions of the ship, they begin to notice strange transformations in their bodies, as though the sea itself is calling to them, turning them into something else entirely.
The stories of these four women converge as the past and present collide, helping them embrace their future. Sirens is a powerful story of women's empowerment, richly woven with fantasy and a reimagining of real historical events in Australia. The vivid character development and intriguing plot make for an immersive and rewarding read, especially for fans of the author’s previous work, Weyward. It’s a beautiful journey through different timelines and a chance to empathize with powerful heroines on their paths of self-discovery.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this epic journey's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The story begins in 2019, introducing us to Lucy, an 18-year-old journalism student who has been cyberbullied by her secret boyfriend, who shared an intimate photo of her on social media (though he insists he didn’t), turning her into the laughingstock of her school. Reporting the issue to the school authorities doesn’t help, as the boy she blames has influential parents. One morning, Lucy finds herself sleepwalking and choking him in her sleep, which makes her fear she may destroy everything she has worked so hard for. Seeking refuge, she drives to her estranged older sister Jess’ house in Comper Bay, along the Australian coast—a haunted place where numerous men have mysteriously gone missing at sea over the decades. When Lucy arrives, she finds the door open, her sister gone in a hurry, her phone left behind, and signs of a male visitor before she disappeared.
Lucy connects with Jess’ neighbors, but none of them seem to have any useful information about her sister’s whereabouts, and surprisingly, they didn’t even know Jess had a sister. While Lucy waits for Jess to return, she begins having recurring nightmares of two sisters on a ship fighting for their lives, and her sleepwalking becomes more intense. As she digs deeper into her past, she starts uncovering why her sister distanced herself from the family and missed Lucy’s recent birthday.
When Lucy discovers her sister’s diary hidden in the house, she has no idea that her life is about to change forever.
Jess’ diary takes us back to 1999 when she lived with their parents in a rural town. Struggling to connect with others due to a rare skin condition, aquagenic urticaria, which makes water a danger to her, Jess finds solace in her art, with the support of Max, a fellow outcast, and her 24-year-old art teacher, who gives her private lessons. As she learns more about her condition, Jess begins to suspect her parents are hiding secrets about her illness that she must uncover.
Meanwhile, the narrative shifts to the 1800s, introducing us to Mary and Eliza, twin sisters from Ireland who are sent to Australia as convicts aboard a ship for criminals. They fear the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were young. As the sisters sail farther from home, suffering from thirst, hunger, and the harsh conditions of the ship, they begin to notice strange transformations in their bodies, as though the sea itself is calling to them, turning them into something else entirely.
The stories of these four women converge as the past and present collide, helping them embrace their future. Sirens is a powerful story of women's empowerment, richly woven with fantasy and a reimagining of real historical events in Australia. The vivid character development and intriguing plot make for an immersive and rewarding read, especially for fans of the author’s previous work, Weyward. It’s a beautiful journey through different timelines and a chance to empathize with powerful heroines on their paths of self-discovery.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this epic journey's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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April 1, 2025
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY 4/1/25!!!
The Sirens is the story of two sets of sisters, centuries apart, mysteriously linked by the wonder of dreams and the allure of the sea.
In 2019, the primary setting is on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, where two sisters, Lucy and Jess, are searching for answers from the past...
In 1800, the secondary setting is on a convict ship traveling from Ireland to Australia, where twin sisters Mary and Eliza begin to notice unexplainable changes to their bodies as they get further and further out to sea...
The Sirens is a genre blend of Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, and Mystery, and Hart takes it up a notch by sprinkling in a fair amount of Family Drama to tie everything together. Similar in format to her impressive debut novel, Weyward, this has a contemporary timeline intertwined with timelines from the past. And like her previous book, I cannot take my eyes off the gorgeous cover.
I love how this author's storytelling builds with intricate details and emotions given to the characters. You clearly understand the depth of the research effort to create this intense story. An unexpected twist dropping at 70% was a pleasant surprise, and I flew through the remainder of the book.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook was read by Barrie Kreinik, one of my favorite narrators. She recounts the story flawlessly, switching from English to Australian accents as necessary. Her gender voicing was also discernible, making this a pleasurable listening experience.
The Sirens, Emilia Hart's sophomore novel, does not disappoint, and I will patiently await her next book!
4.5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
The Sirens is the story of two sets of sisters, centuries apart, mysteriously linked by the wonder of dreams and the allure of the sea.
In 2019, the primary setting is on the coast of New South Wales, Australia, where two sisters, Lucy and Jess, are searching for answers from the past...
In 1800, the secondary setting is on a convict ship traveling from Ireland to Australia, where twin sisters Mary and Eliza begin to notice unexplainable changes to their bodies as they get further and further out to sea...
The Sirens is a genre blend of Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, and Mystery, and Hart takes it up a notch by sprinkling in a fair amount of Family Drama to tie everything together. Similar in format to her impressive debut novel, Weyward, this has a contemporary timeline intertwined with timelines from the past. And like her previous book, I cannot take my eyes off the gorgeous cover.
I love how this author's storytelling builds with intricate details and emotions given to the characters. You clearly understand the depth of the research effort to create this intense story. An unexpected twist dropping at 70% was a pleasant surprise, and I flew through the remainder of the book.
This was an immersion read; the audiobook was read by Barrie Kreinik, one of my favorite narrators. She recounts the story flawlessly, switching from English to Australian accents as necessary. Her gender voicing was also discernible, making this a pleasurable listening experience.
The Sirens, Emilia Hart's sophomore novel, does not disappoint, and I will patiently await her next book!
4.5⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for a DRC and an ALC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 3, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
One thing about me is I get scared easily and this creeped me out for a good 60% of the book. It was so eerie and dark and cold. The author’s writing was definitely captivating and compelling. This was definitely a feminist tale and depicted resilient and strong women.
I will say that I didn’t expect this type of story with the premise. What disappointed me was how the entire plot is swept under the rug at the 98% mark. I was so disappointed by this. I wish the author would’ve went more into depth with that because it made all the nightmares and sleepwalking absolutely useless. I was just wondering why I spent the whole book reading about this when it’s barely mentioned at the end. It just felt convenient to end it that way.
The other problem I had was super subjective but the teacher thing I just couldn’t. I can’t go more into details without spoiling but it was very hard to look past that. It didn’t impact my rating but it impacted my enjoyment for sure.
And this is the first time this happens to me but the prologue completely ruined the book for me. It was going to be a 3✨ read but the prologue? … why ruin the relationship this way? It was just painful to read and I’m left feeling very bittersweet.
That being said, reading is subjective and those are just my thoughts!
One thing about me is I get scared easily and this creeped me out for a good 60% of the book. It was so eerie and dark and cold. The author’s writing was definitely captivating and compelling. This was definitely a feminist tale and depicted resilient and strong women.
I will say that I didn’t expect this type of story with the premise. What disappointed me was how the entire plot is swept under the rug at the 98% mark. I was so disappointed by this. I wish the author would’ve went more into depth with that because it made all the nightmares and sleepwalking absolutely useless. I was just wondering why I spent the whole book reading about this when it’s barely mentioned at the end. It just felt convenient to end it that way.
The other problem I had was super subjective but the teacher thing I just couldn’t. I can’t go more into details without spoiling but it was very hard to look past that. It didn’t impact my rating but it impacted my enjoyment for sure.
And this is the first time this happens to me but the prologue completely ruined the book for me. It was going to be a 3✨ read but the prologue? … why ruin the relationship this way? It was just painful to read and I’m left feeling very bittersweet.
That being said, reading is subjective and those are just my thoughts!
November 12, 2024
Told in two timelines, The Sirens was a thought provoking book about sisters, strength, secrets, and determination. I really enjoyed The Sirens despite it being a tad slow in the beginning. I enjoyed the 'finding out who you are' aspect of this book. I also enjoyed the relationships and the themes of family, family secrets, female friendships and sisterhood. Not to mention the look at how women are/were persecuted yet remained strong throughout history. I also enjoyed the atmosphere and the feeling of being called to the sea, feeling a part of it, and being drawn to it. I liked how Mary and Eliza in the past (1800), had a strong bond and how they changed on the convict ship. I also enjoyed how Lucy (2019) (went searching for Jess, her sister and found out the truth of who she and Jess truly are.
I found this to be a very thought provoking and original book. It is wonderfully written and captivating. The characters are likeable, intriguing, and their plight is gripping. As I mentioned, this book had a slow start for me but soon I was won over and I wanted to know how things would turn out. This book combines mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and history.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Harper Collins UK/ The Borough Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Brenda - The Book Witch. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on The Sirens.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
I found this to be a very thought provoking and original book. It is wonderfully written and captivating. The characters are likeable, intriguing, and their plight is gripping. As I mentioned, this book had a slow start for me but soon I was won over and I wanted to know how things would turn out. This book combines mystery, fantasy, magical realism, and history.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Harper Collins UK/ The Borough Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Brenda - The Book Witch. Please read her review as well to get her thoughts on The Sirens.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
January 23, 2025
Emilia Hart has lovingly crafted a tale of women’s fiction involving mysterious mermaids, women overcoming impossible odds, and transforming the remains of trauma into a personal Renaissance. Lucy and Jessica—sisters living in present day Australia—are dreaming of twin sisters, Eliza and Mary, who both lived over 200 hundred years ago. The twins were forced to travel to Australia on a British convict ship with other women and their story is one of sadness and transformation. Each time Lucy and Jessica dream, they learn more about the twins’ story, but they also begin to sleepwalk, dangerously being guided to the water. Both stories lead us to a seaside town called Comer Bay, where men have gone missing without a trace so many times over the years, it’s called the “Bermuda Triangle.” It is here that Jessica, Lucy, Eliza, and Mary’s stories converge to provide answers about their heritages and identities; more excitingly, this is where each character undergoes quite the shocking transformation.
This deep-sea saga is salted through with magical realism and a generous helping of decadently dark and rich Irish folklore. In traditional Greek mythology, Sirens are typically portrayed as rather villainous. They are beguiling temptresses, luring men to their watery graves with beautiful enchantments woven into song, as depicted in ancient tales such as The Odyssey. The sirens in this story have a vengeful protectiveness over women, which is a refreshing, feminist variation on the lore. They are called Merrow, and similarly, they are also known for their mercurial natures, fluidity between mermaid and human forms, and having the ability to use that fatal siren song. Of course, this was super exciting to read about, and I was all too eager to go swimming with the Sirens!
After reading both of Emilia Hart’s books, I have noticed a strong thematic presence involving the female experience, specifically as it relates to trauma and the healing process. The story was beautifully written, so when I felt like my soul was being broken apart yet again, the author at least painted a painfully exquisite picture. I honestly struggled with disliking the female main characters as much as I did. However, I am also able to see how each woman being written as a considerably flawed individual as integral to a story hooking together the intricacies of change, self-enlightenment, and acceptance in the face of hard truths. While cognitively complex, it can also make it challenging to prevent the characters from becoming wholly unlikable. There are several characters to navigate and multiple story lines to simultaneously weave together; in this, the author was brilliantly successful at showcasing female tenacity and resilience across the shores of time. However, I concluded that the pacing was pretty bogged down by these alternating points of view and shifting timelines. Significant moments for characters also seemed to be forgotten altogether as we progressed between the various viewpoints.
This nautical tale is one of female empowerment, embracing the tides of transformation, and a sisterhood so powerful it connects generations of women across time. I recommend embarking upon this seafaring, feminist odyssey if you enjoyed Hart’s previous book or enjoy works comparable to those from Kristin Hannah.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. Pub day is April 1st!
This deep-sea saga is salted through with magical realism and a generous helping of decadently dark and rich Irish folklore. In traditional Greek mythology, Sirens are typically portrayed as rather villainous. They are beguiling temptresses, luring men to their watery graves with beautiful enchantments woven into song, as depicted in ancient tales such as The Odyssey. The sirens in this story have a vengeful protectiveness over women, which is a refreshing, feminist variation on the lore. They are called Merrow, and similarly, they are also known for their mercurial natures, fluidity between mermaid and human forms, and having the ability to use that fatal siren song. Of course, this was super exciting to read about, and I was all too eager to go swimming with the Sirens!
After reading both of Emilia Hart’s books, I have noticed a strong thematic presence involving the female experience, specifically as it relates to trauma and the healing process. The story was beautifully written, so when I felt like my soul was being broken apart yet again, the author at least painted a painfully exquisite picture. I honestly struggled with disliking the female main characters as much as I did. However, I am also able to see how each woman being written as a considerably flawed individual as integral to a story hooking together the intricacies of change, self-enlightenment, and acceptance in the face of hard truths. While cognitively complex, it can also make it challenging to prevent the characters from becoming wholly unlikable. There are several characters to navigate and multiple story lines to simultaneously weave together; in this, the author was brilliantly successful at showcasing female tenacity and resilience across the shores of time. However, I concluded that the pacing was pretty bogged down by these alternating points of view and shifting timelines. Significant moments for characters also seemed to be forgotten altogether as we progressed between the various viewpoints.
This nautical tale is one of female empowerment, embracing the tides of transformation, and a sisterhood so powerful it connects generations of women across time. I recommend embarking upon this seafaring, feminist odyssey if you enjoyed Hart’s previous book or enjoy works comparable to those from Kristin Hannah.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. Pub day is April 1st!
January 12, 2025
The Sirens by Emilia Hart was an unusual choice for me. While I sometimes delve into the mystical or light fantasy, the book's description felt more like a mystery to me. I enjoyed the plot and characters despite knowing little about the concept of mermaids, at least how they were introduced in fiction or society... have you ever stepped back to think... how did a concept of a half-woman half-fish being come to fruition? It wasn't first identified with The Little Mermaid which I adored as a kid in the 1980s... so where did the creation come from? This book doesn't dive into that history but it does start with a group of women who were exiled from Ireland to Australia, thus beginning the convict creation of the country, stealing from the natives and birthing an entirely new culture in the world. Cut to modern day with two sisters and a secret. I figured that one out about 50 pages before the truth was revealed but I still maintained curiosity about where the plot would go. Very atmospheric, a book that is more about painting a picture of humankind and nature, less about staying within typical boundaries. Great for those who like wordplay, descriptions, and metaphors. Those who love secrets will like the twists. But I needed a more solid ending without so much room for interpretation.
March 17, 2025
It's my first time reading women's fiction. In my opinion, it's a great experience, definitely not what I was expecting, and the three stories came out together beautifully in the end. The narration is so good and the voice actress can really sing
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖚𝖇𝖑𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝕯𝖆𝖙𝖊 ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Apr 01 2025
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I've always wanted to read "Weyward" but I didn't have the chance to read it yet. However, now I have the opportunity to listen to this beautiful audiobook thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. I also received the eARC from St. Martin's Press so thank you all 💋
Find my review on Instagram
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖚𝖇𝖑𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝕯𝖆𝖙𝖊 ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
Apr 01 2025
⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆
I've always wanted to read "Weyward" but I didn't have the chance to read it yet. However, now I have the opportunity to listen to this beautiful audiobook thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. I also received the eARC from St. Martin's Press so thank you all 💋
Find my review on Instagram
March 17, 2025
The Sirens is an absolute masterpiece and my only sadness is that I finished it so quickly.
We all know Emilia Hart is a true master of her art but even with extremely high expectations, they were exceeded. I believe in reading books in the genre you’re in the mood for and for the longest time I just didn’t feel like reading magical historical fiction. I continually put it off and put it off and then eventually I needed to read it and she had me in a hold within the first page. There are few books that can defy the desire to read a genre and Hart has that true talent. The right time to read her books is always right now.
If you listen to Paris Paloma and loved Our Wives Under the Sea, then this book will be a must the moment it’s released. The magic is subtle but strewn throughout like a web that’s fully formed in the end. The bonds, the sisterhood, the connection of women to the sea. This book holds absolutely nothing back and I will be dreaming of all The Sirens for many moons to come.
We all know Emilia Hart is a true master of her art but even with extremely high expectations, they were exceeded. I believe in reading books in the genre you’re in the mood for and for the longest time I just didn’t feel like reading magical historical fiction. I continually put it off and put it off and then eventually I needed to read it and she had me in a hold within the first page. There are few books that can defy the desire to read a genre and Hart has that true talent. The right time to read her books is always right now.
If you listen to Paris Paloma and loved Our Wives Under the Sea, then this book will be a must the moment it’s released. The magic is subtle but strewn throughout like a web that’s fully formed in the end. The bonds, the sisterhood, the connection of women to the sea. This book holds absolutely nothing back and I will be dreaming of all The Sirens for many moons to come.
April 7, 2025
➸ 3 stars.
i have to admit, The Sirens took me by surprise. going into it, I didn’t have the highest expectations—I was bracing myself for a letdown. but to my surprise, I actually enjoyed some parts.
set in australian history, the novel follows the lives of women on their personal journeys. what made it stand out, at least for me, was the blend of magic realism and a touch of mystery woven into the story. that element kept me engaged, making me want to turn the pages to see how everything would unfold because I saw a review of someone saying they only finished the book because it was an arc and I feared I’ll feel the same but I didn’t!
one of the strongest parts of the book was the prose. the author’s writing style was smooth, light, and incredibly easy to sink into. It never felt heavy or overworked, which made for an enjoyable reading experience.
➸ however, where the book fell short—at least in my opinion—was in its characterization. when it comes to women’s fiction, I expect to feel something, even if I don’t personally relate to the characters or their experiences. there’s usually an emotional pull that draws me in as a woman myself, but here, the characters felt two-dimensional. they were present in the story, delivering their lines and moving the plot forward, but they lacked real depth or emotional weight. there were glimpses of inner conflict, but nothing truly transformative. that was disappointing because, with stronger character development, this could have been a much more powerful read.
➸ another thing that left me feeling a bit empty was the overall purpose of the book. every story, no matter how simple or silly, should leave something behind—an idea, a message, a feeling in my opnion. but with The Sirens, I found myself wondering: “What was the point of all this?” It’s frustrating when a book has all the right ingredients—beautiful prose, an interesting setting—but doesn’t seem to say anything meaningful in the end. iwouldn’t call this a bad book, but it’s one that left me conflicted. there were moments I really enjoyed, but at the same time, I wanted more—more depth, more emotional resonance, more purpose. If the characterization had been stronger, this could have been a strong read.
➵ ARC provided by the publisher—St. Martin’s press—and an ALC by the publisher—macmillam audio—for honest review.
i have to admit, The Sirens took me by surprise. going into it, I didn’t have the highest expectations—I was bracing myself for a letdown. but to my surprise, I actually enjoyed some parts.
set in australian history, the novel follows the lives of women on their personal journeys. what made it stand out, at least for me, was the blend of magic realism and a touch of mystery woven into the story. that element kept me engaged, making me want to turn the pages to see how everything would unfold because I saw a review of someone saying they only finished the book because it was an arc and I feared I’ll feel the same but I didn’t!
one of the strongest parts of the book was the prose. the author’s writing style was smooth, light, and incredibly easy to sink into. It never felt heavy or overworked, which made for an enjoyable reading experience.
➸ however, where the book fell short—at least in my opinion—was in its characterization. when it comes to women’s fiction, I expect to feel something, even if I don’t personally relate to the characters or their experiences. there’s usually an emotional pull that draws me in as a woman myself, but here, the characters felt two-dimensional. they were present in the story, delivering their lines and moving the plot forward, but they lacked real depth or emotional weight. there were glimpses of inner conflict, but nothing truly transformative. that was disappointing because, with stronger character development, this could have been a much more powerful read.
➸ another thing that left me feeling a bit empty was the overall purpose of the book. every story, no matter how simple or silly, should leave something behind—an idea, a message, a feeling in my opnion. but with The Sirens, I found myself wondering: “What was the point of all this?” It’s frustrating when a book has all the right ingredients—beautiful prose, an interesting setting—but doesn’t seem to say anything meaningful in the end. iwouldn’t call this a bad book, but it’s one that left me conflicted. there were moments I really enjoyed, but at the same time, I wanted more—more depth, more emotional resonance, more purpose. If the characterization had been stronger, this could have been a strong read.
➵ ARC provided by the publisher—St. Martin’s press—and an ALC by the publisher—macmillam audio—for honest review.
━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━
January 30, 2025
'I know people who said they've heard it, standing on the beach at night. Voices, coming from the waves. Women's voices'.
Lucy awakes with a start, horrified, mystified at what she's done. There's only one thing to do: flee. Loathe to admit anything to her parents, only her estranged sister, Jess, is left to turn to. Although they've not been in contact in ages, Lucy makes her way to Comber Bay - a sleepy town best known for its own series of mysterious disturbances. Indeed, when Lucy finally knocks on Jess's door, she discovers that not only is she not at home, it's clear she fled. More ominous is the painting in Jess's studio, depicting two sisters standing in front of the ocean, two sisters who have been haunting Lucy's vivid dreams. Lucy must take a step back; in time and from everything she's ever believed, in order to truly understand herself and her family.
'The Sirens' is told in a dual timeline, one contemporary and the other from over 200 years in the past. The story's multiple POVS create a haunting, atmospheric tale of betrayal, lies, love, and acceptance - anointed by the magic of the sea: its wisdom and fantastical myths. The clarity of water distills the truth, and cleanses them so that they may find a different future.
Despite all the success of Weyward, this is my first novel from Emilia Hart, and I was taken away on a journey with it. Like most good stories, it does take a while to build and get to know the characters. Being shrouded in some mystery, the story a slow burn but takes the reader on an evocative journey along the way. This book will suit historical fiction fans who also appreciate magical realism.
'I have always seen this. This moment. Us, changed by the sea.'
Lucy awakes with a start, horrified, mystified at what she's done. There's only one thing to do: flee. Loathe to admit anything to her parents, only her estranged sister, Jess, is left to turn to. Although they've not been in contact in ages, Lucy makes her way to Comber Bay - a sleepy town best known for its own series of mysterious disturbances. Indeed, when Lucy finally knocks on Jess's door, she discovers that not only is she not at home, it's clear she fled. More ominous is the painting in Jess's studio, depicting two sisters standing in front of the ocean, two sisters who have been haunting Lucy's vivid dreams. Lucy must take a step back; in time and from everything she's ever believed, in order to truly understand herself and her family.
'The Sirens' is told in a dual timeline, one contemporary and the other from over 200 years in the past. The story's multiple POVS create a haunting, atmospheric tale of betrayal, lies, love, and acceptance - anointed by the magic of the sea: its wisdom and fantastical myths. The clarity of water distills the truth, and cleanses them so that they may find a different future.
Despite all the success of Weyward, this is my first novel from Emilia Hart, and I was taken away on a journey with it. Like most good stories, it does take a while to build and get to know the characters. Being shrouded in some mystery, the story a slow burn but takes the reader on an evocative journey along the way. This book will suit historical fiction fans who also appreciate magical realism.
'I have always seen this. This moment. Us, changed by the sea.'
December 21, 2024
I LOVE MERMAIDS. OK? No ifs ands or buts. If there are mermaids, I will read it.
Rating: 4 ⭐️
The Sirens follows two sets of sisters; two twins on a convict ship in 1800, exiled to Australia, and two sisters in 2019, plagued with memories of the twins' voyage. In 2019, we follow Lucy as she slowly uncovers the circumstances of her birth, the mysteries surrounding her sister, the rumors of missing men, and the voyage in 1800. She slowly discovers that maybe they're all not quite... human.
I'm probably biased because well, mermaids, but this was really good! By the halfway point I had my theories locked down, so I sat my mom down and explained my hypothesis. Emilia Hart did a great job of creating the mystery and leaving little hints and clues. I wish it would let me post my highlights because my annotations were filled with AHA!! I knew it!!
This was an interesting take on the classic siren tale. All the girls were plagued with a rare skin condition (in 2019, called aquagenic urticaria) in which their skin changed when in contact with water. Seeing it as a threat, they never went near water. Ever. However, they were constantly drawn to it, sleepwalking into pools or baths in the middle of the night. The whole time I was like, PLEASE! GO INTO THE WATER!
Despite the 200+ year difference in the two storylines, they were interconnected and complimented each other well. The events surrounding the convict ship in 1800 were related the mysteries and strange phenomenon in 2019. Both sets of sisters also went through the same physical and mental changes. Sometimes, I find parallel storylines disjointed or boring, but here, it was done well.
As one of three sisters, I also love a sister-story. Love you, Tori and Katie ❤️ Respect to sisters.
Overall, The Sirens was haunting, mysterious, feminist, and altogether, compelling. Strap in for its release in early 2025, because you're in for a fun ride!
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
I got the arcccccc. I saw sirens 🧜🏽♀️ and I went, enough said 😤
Rating: 4 ⭐️
"Freed from her prior inhibitions-from the compulsion to be nice, to be a good girl-she'd become something she could never have imagined being. She'd become... dangerous."
The Sirens follows two sets of sisters; two twins on a convict ship in 1800, exiled to Australia, and two sisters in 2019, plagued with memories of the twins' voyage. In 2019, we follow Lucy as she slowly uncovers the circumstances of her birth, the mysteries surrounding her sister, the rumors of missing men, and the voyage in 1800. She slowly discovers that maybe they're all not quite... human.
I'm probably biased because well, mermaids, but this was really good! By the halfway point I had my theories locked down, so I sat my mom down and explained my hypothesis. Emilia Hart did a great job of creating the mystery and leaving little hints and clues. I wish it would let me post my highlights because my annotations were filled with AHA!! I knew it!!
This was an interesting take on the classic siren tale. All the girls were plagued with a rare skin condition (in 2019, called aquagenic urticaria) in which their skin changed when in contact with water. Seeing it as a threat, they never went near water. Ever. However, they were constantly drawn to it, sleepwalking into pools or baths in the middle of the night. The whole time I was like, PLEASE! GO INTO THE WATER!
Despite the 200+ year difference in the two storylines, they were interconnected and complimented each other well. The events surrounding the convict ship in 1800 were related the mysteries and strange phenomenon in 2019. Both sets of sisters also went through the same physical and mental changes. Sometimes, I find parallel storylines disjointed or boring, but here, it was done well.
As one of three sisters, I also love a sister-story. Love you, Tori and Katie ❤️ Respect to sisters.
Overall, The Sirens was haunting, mysterious, feminist, and altogether, compelling. Strap in for its release in early 2025, because you're in for a fun ride!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me early access to The Sirens in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
I got the arcccccc. I saw sirens 🧜🏽♀️ and I went, enough said 😤
March 5, 2025
★☆☆☆☆ 1.5/5
rounded down
✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉ Note : This review will remain spoiler-free as it has not been published at the current date of my review.
The Sirens is my first time reading works from Emilia Hart, and may potentially be the last time I do as well. I had requested this ARC because the cover is absolutely gorgeous, the premise was intriguing, and I was very interested in knowing the story that would evolve. I unfortunately did not get any sort of satisfaction from this book like I had hoped and found myself really, really struggling to read this that I contemplated DNF'ing.
: ̗̀➛ My Review Rants
The writing for this book was strong. It was beautiful and I found myself pulled in by the writing, despite not really clicking with anything that I was actually reading about. I felt no attachment to the characters or the experiences their storylines followed. And the strong writing made the lack of an actual plot or development stand out all the more. I found myself constantly questioning or simply skimming through most things Lucy did or said.
The start of the book had an interesting prose, but the more I looked at it, the more questions I had about the holes surrounding it. We start The Sirens with Lucy waking up to find her hands around the neck of a man she had slept with and was forming an intimate relationship before he leaked her nude photos to his group chat of friends, and essentially the entire school. Sounds interesting until you look into it a bit more (because, like I always do, I overanalyze things more than I should). How did she get across campus to his dorm? How did she unlock his dormitory door and slip in unnoticed? How did neither he nor his roommates hear her get in and inside his room? How did no one on campus see this woman sleepwalking and think to stop her?
Putting that aside - Lucy is mortified by the fact that she woke up with her hands around his neck and she flees. Where to, you ask? Well of course, to her estranged sister's home thousands of miles away from her, a place she had never visited and only knew existed because her sister sent her a postcard with the address years prior. Only, she gets there, and no alarm bells go ringing in that head of hers when the front door is unlocked, her sister nowhere to be found, and she is still essentially on the run from a near murder attempt on her ex-fling.
This entire setup feels forced and has very little explanation because much like everything else in this book, they never circle back on this or elaborate on the how's, why's, or what-the-hell's. And instead of taking the opportunity to delve into all of these questions before, we are instead sat through a book of Lucy and this contrived mystery of eight missing men, her sister's disappearance, and the exile of Mary in the 1800s while waiting for the conclusions to be told point-blank to Lucy.
There was this build up and expectation that the characters had so much personality and life to them that they've lived and experienced, but I felt nothing for any of them. It felt so one-dimensional, and I couldn't for the life of me bring myself to care about anything.
I won't even touch on the student-teacher conversation in this book because that would make my review longer than I want to make it. Just know, it is awful.
: ̗̀➛ Final Thoughts
I give this book a solid 1.5/5 stars, and the only reason why it is not a complete 1 star is because I applaud the effort. There was clearly thought and effort to this book, it just didn't click for me or make me feel anything it wanted me to. I personally would not recommend this to anyone, but my taste is subjective and oftentimes all over the place, so don't hesitate to check it out on its official publication if you think it may be something more aligned with your interests.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of this novel.
rounded down
✎ (❁ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈) ༉ Note : This review will remain spoiler-free as it has not been published at the current date of my review.
The Sirens is my first time reading works from Emilia Hart, and may potentially be the last time I do as well. I had requested this ARC because the cover is absolutely gorgeous, the premise was intriguing, and I was very interested in knowing the story that would evolve. I unfortunately did not get any sort of satisfaction from this book like I had hoped and found myself really, really struggling to read this that I contemplated DNF'ing.
: ̗̀➛ My Review Rants
The writing for this book was strong. It was beautiful and I found myself pulled in by the writing, despite not really clicking with anything that I was actually reading about. I felt no attachment to the characters or the experiences their storylines followed. And the strong writing made the lack of an actual plot or development stand out all the more. I found myself constantly questioning or simply skimming through most things Lucy did or said.
The start of the book had an interesting prose, but the more I looked at it, the more questions I had about the holes surrounding it. We start The Sirens with Lucy waking up to find her hands around the neck of a man she had slept with and was forming an intimate relationship before he leaked her nude photos to his group chat of friends, and essentially the entire school. Sounds interesting until you look into it a bit more (because, like I always do, I overanalyze things more than I should). How did she get across campus to his dorm? How did she unlock his dormitory door and slip in unnoticed? How did neither he nor his roommates hear her get in and inside his room? How did no one on campus see this woman sleepwalking and think to stop her?
Putting that aside - Lucy is mortified by the fact that she woke up with her hands around his neck and she flees. Where to, you ask? Well of course, to her estranged sister's home thousands of miles away from her, a place she had never visited and only knew existed because her sister sent her a postcard with the address years prior. Only, she gets there, and no alarm bells go ringing in that head of hers when the front door is unlocked, her sister nowhere to be found, and she is still essentially on the run from a near murder attempt on her ex-fling.
This entire setup feels forced and has very little explanation because much like everything else in this book, they never circle back on this or elaborate on the how's, why's, or what-the-hell's. And instead of taking the opportunity to delve into all of these questions before, we are instead sat through a book of Lucy and this contrived mystery of eight missing men, her sister's disappearance, and the exile of Mary in the 1800s while waiting for the conclusions to be told point-blank to Lucy.
There was this build up and expectation that the characters had so much personality and life to them that they've lived and experienced, but I felt nothing for any of them. It felt so one-dimensional, and I couldn't for the life of me bring myself to care about anything.
I won't even touch on the student-teacher conversation in this book because that would make my review longer than I want to make it. Just know, it is awful.
: ̗̀➛ Final Thoughts
I give this book a solid 1.5/5 stars, and the only reason why it is not a complete 1 star is because I applaud the effort. There was clearly thought and effort to this book, it just didn't click for me or make me feel anything it wanted me to. I personally would not recommend this to anyone, but my taste is subjective and oftentimes all over the place, so don't hesitate to check it out on its official publication if you think it may be something more aligned with your interests.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review of this novel.
March 26, 2025
A spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea. 🌊
THANK YOU St. Martin's Press for sending me over this ARC. 💓
I honestly enjoyed a lot of this storyline and found myself very intrigued by the plot and the characters. There is a lot going on and at times I did have a hard time connecting to the past/present timeline. I loved the bit of mystery the author intertwined into the narrative. A decent book, but just wasn’t not a favorite.
3.5 stars ✨
Pub Date Apr 01 2025 - be on the lookout! The cover is absolutely stunning.
THANK YOU St. Martin's Press for sending me over this ARC. 💓
I honestly enjoyed a lot of this storyline and found myself very intrigued by the plot and the characters. There is a lot going on and at times I did have a hard time connecting to the past/present timeline. I loved the bit of mystery the author intertwined into the narrative. A decent book, but just wasn’t not a favorite.
3.5 stars ✨
Pub Date Apr 01 2025 - be on the lookout! The cover is absolutely stunning.
April 1, 2025
This is an atmospheric, folktale story that is full of mystery and melancholy. The pace of the story is a bit slow but if you are in the mood for a slower book, this one will be perfect. I have always been interested in mermaids and I love the lore behind them so this was a fun, interesting read. Haunting, mysterious, sorrowful and hopeful.
I am happy that I listened to the audio version of this book because the narrator, Barrie Kreinik does a wonderful job of narrating. I do wish this one had multiple narrators so that we could have had more than one voice, but still, job well done.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 4/1/25
I am happy that I listened to the audio version of this book because the narrator, Barrie Kreinik does a wonderful job of narrating. I do wish this one had multiple narrators so that we could have had more than one voice, but still, job well done.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 4/1/25
August 6, 2024
Sirene di Emilia Hart rientrava tra le uscite libresche più attese del 2024 e ha decisamente raggiunto le aspettative.
Avevo apprezzato in precedenza il suo romanzo di debutto, Weyward, per il suo stile di scrittura sensoriale e metaforico, che in qualche modo riusciva a descrivere situazioni drammatiche che noi donne viviamo ogni giorno. Quindi, attendevo trepidante una nuova storia dell'autrice.
Da un punto di vista narrativo, secondo me Sirene si trova un gradino sopra a Weyward, che resta nonostante tutto un buon primo romanzo. Però, ho riscontrato una costruzione più solida e approfondita della storia e delle quattro voci narranti: Lucy, Jess, Mary ed Eliza.
Il mistero che lega questi personaggi mi ha intrigata sin dalla prima pagina e sono rimasta genuinamente sorpresa dai vari colpi di scena, poiché non li avevo minimamente visti arrivare. Infatti, mi piacerebbe rileggerlo, cogliendo tutti gli indizi che portano a una determinata rivelazione.
Il tema centrale è il legame con il mare, aspetto che mi ha colpita molto, poiché lo sento vicino alla mia persona. Nonostante io sia Bilancia, di conseguenza un segno d'aria, l'acqua è il mio elemento. Nulla di brutto può accadere finché sono al mare, mi trasmette una serenità e una calma che nessun altro luogo riesce a darmi. Non a caso, lo definisco il mio posto felice. Quindi, leggere Sirene in spiaggia è stata un'esperienza magica, che mi ha permesso di vivere sulla mia pelle le descrizioni del mare. Vi consiglio di fare lo stesso, per percepire al meglio la lettura.
Come accaduto anche in Weyward, ma in maniera meno esplicita e grafica, si parla di violenza di genere nelle sue forme più disparate: dal revenge p0rn all'abuso di potere, a denunce inascoltate. Sirene affronta la tematica della diversità, di quanto possa essere limitante in una società che predilige la norma, lo standard, soprattutto se sei una donna, attraverso la figura della merrow. Infatti, l'autrice si è rifatta al mito scozzese e gaelico per rappresentare le sirene. Da amante di H2o, Mako Mermaids e La sirenetta non ho potuto che apprezzare. Soprattutto, per la grotta di Comber Bay, che l'ho immaginata come quella dell'Isola Mako.
Per me uno dei migliori libri dell'anno, non vedo l'ora di scoprire cosa scriverà in futuro Emilia Hart!
Avevo apprezzato in precedenza il suo romanzo di debutto, Weyward, per il suo stile di scrittura sensoriale e metaforico, che in qualche modo riusciva a descrivere situazioni drammatiche che noi donne viviamo ogni giorno. Quindi, attendevo trepidante una nuova storia dell'autrice.
Da un punto di vista narrativo, secondo me Sirene si trova un gradino sopra a Weyward, che resta nonostante tutto un buon primo romanzo. Però, ho riscontrato una costruzione più solida e approfondita della storia e delle quattro voci narranti: Lucy, Jess, Mary ed Eliza.
Il mistero che lega questi personaggi mi ha intrigata sin dalla prima pagina e sono rimasta genuinamente sorpresa dai vari colpi di scena, poiché non li avevo minimamente visti arrivare. Infatti, mi piacerebbe rileggerlo, cogliendo tutti gli indizi che portano a una determinata rivelazione.
Il tema centrale è il legame con il mare, aspetto che mi ha colpita molto, poiché lo sento vicino alla mia persona. Nonostante io sia Bilancia, di conseguenza un segno d'aria, l'acqua è il mio elemento. Nulla di brutto può accadere finché sono al mare, mi trasmette una serenità e una calma che nessun altro luogo riesce a darmi. Non a caso, lo definisco il mio posto felice. Quindi, leggere Sirene in spiaggia è stata un'esperienza magica, che mi ha permesso di vivere sulla mia pelle le descrizioni del mare. Vi consiglio di fare lo stesso, per percepire al meglio la lettura.
Come accaduto anche in Weyward, ma in maniera meno esplicita e grafica, si parla di violenza di genere nelle sue forme più disparate: dal revenge p0rn all'abuso di potere, a denunce inascoltate. Sirene affronta la tematica della diversità, di quanto possa essere limitante in una società che predilige la norma, lo standard, soprattutto se sei una donna, attraverso la figura della merrow. Infatti, l'autrice si è rifatta al mito scozzese e gaelico per rappresentare le sirene. Da amante di H2o, Mako Mermaids e La sirenetta non ho potuto che apprezzare. Soprattutto, per la grotta di Comber Bay, che l'ho immaginata come quella dell'Isola Mako.
Per me uno dei migliori libri dell'anno, non vedo l'ora di scoprire cosa scriverà in futuro Emilia Hart!
February 24, 2025
"The Sirens" is my first read by Emilia Hart, even though I have had "Weyward" on my TBR shelf. But who doesn't love a book about the dark mysteries of sirens and mermaids? This story is of two sisters in two different timelines set over 200 years apart. Lucy finds herself in trouble after a sleepwalking event ends her hands around her ex-lover throat. Frightened and unable to face the situation, she flees to her sister's place in South Wales, only to realize she is missing. While waiting for her return, she hears of a baby found abandoned in a sea-swept cave, whispers of men gone missing over decades, with the sound of women's voices across the waves. The second timeline is set in the 1800s when and Eliza and Mary are torn from their home in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship heading for Australia. As they are dragged away from all they know and love, they begin noticing strange and unusual changes in their bodies. Both timelines show the strength of sisterhood and the secret magic of the sea.
Clearly evident in the title, it was obvious where this story was headed, but throughout, I struggled to see where these two timelines would connect. I found myself less interested in the second storyline as not many details were given. I loved the mysteries of the sea, the sirens, and how the story come together, but I wish we would have delved more into the sirens and less into the weird and abusive relationships of both sisters. Perhaps I was just thrown off by the current timeline and issues surrounding today, combined with the sirens which didn't resonate as well with me. All in all, it was an enjoyable and quick read that I found even more lovely as I was able to read it while traveling through South Wales.
Clearly evident in the title, it was obvious where this story was headed, but throughout, I struggled to see where these two timelines would connect. I found myself less interested in the second storyline as not many details were given. I loved the mysteries of the sea, the sirens, and how the story come together, but I wish we would have delved more into the sirens and less into the weird and abusive relationships of both sisters. Perhaps I was just thrown off by the current timeline and issues surrounding today, combined with the sirens which didn't resonate as well with me. All in all, it was an enjoyable and quick read that I found even more lovely as I was able to read it while traveling through South Wales.
November 29, 2024
The Siren is a bewitching brew of magical realism, historical fiction, and mystery, pulling me into a world where sisterhood, secrets, and family bonds are tangled like seaweed in the depths of the sea. With magic in the air and mystery at every turn, this story cast its spell on me from the very first page. Magical realism often leaves me questioning what’s real and what’s conjured, leaving me with a few lingering questions, yet the storytelling was utterly captivating. A breathtaking tale of female resilience that stays with you long after the final page.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
A Witches Words buddy read with Debra
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley
A Witches Words buddy read with Debra
February 8, 2025
I genuinely enjoyed this novel and appreciated the extensive research and thought that went into portraying the journey of women who were imprisoned and sent to colonized Australia. This is a strong piece of feminist fiction with four central characters who discover their inner strength in profound ways.
The plot unfolds across two timelines and from multiple perspectives. The first timeline follows sisters Lucy and Jessica, who are intrinsically linked by their behavior and a rare skin disorder. However, with nearly two decades separating them, they do not share the typical sisterly bond. Lucy finds herself in a difficult situation and feels she cannot return to her family home. As a last resort, she heads to Comber Bay to stay with her sister.
The second timeline follows sisters Mary and Eliza, who have been forcibly taken from their home in Ireland after an act of self-defense. Along with many other women, they are being transported to New South Wales as criminals to be sold into bondage or marriage—essentially two sides of the same coin. Their journey is challenging, and the sisters gradually uncover more about their mysterious upbringing and their mother before their supposed arrival in Australia.
The small town of Comber Bay is enveloped in an atmospheric mystery, with hints of the supernatural. It was the site of a devastating shipwreck in the 1800s and has a history of young men disappearing, believed to have been lured to their deaths by the spirits of the drowned women from the ship.
I appreciated how both timelines were interwoven with a supernatural element, particularly the dreams that Lucy and Jessica shared with Eliza and Mary. Furthermore, the nuanced theme of self-acceptance—recognizing that individual identity may differ from societal standards—was compelling. The novel featured many powerful plot points that complemented the feminist theme, and I was glad to see that neither set of sisters engaged in self-deprecation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this novel in exchange for my honest review. The audio presentation was performed exceptionally well. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the plot to life with her accent and singing. All opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experiences.
The plot unfolds across two timelines and from multiple perspectives. The first timeline follows sisters Lucy and Jessica, who are intrinsically linked by their behavior and a rare skin disorder. However, with nearly two decades separating them, they do not share the typical sisterly bond. Lucy finds herself in a difficult situation and feels she cannot return to her family home. As a last resort, she heads to Comber Bay to stay with her sister.
The second timeline follows sisters Mary and Eliza, who have been forcibly taken from their home in Ireland after an act of self-defense. Along with many other women, they are being transported to New South Wales as criminals to be sold into bondage or marriage—essentially two sides of the same coin. Their journey is challenging, and the sisters gradually uncover more about their mysterious upbringing and their mother before their supposed arrival in Australia.
The small town of Comber Bay is enveloped in an atmospheric mystery, with hints of the supernatural. It was the site of a devastating shipwreck in the 1800s and has a history of young men disappearing, believed to have been lured to their deaths by the spirits of the drowned women from the ship.
I appreciated how both timelines were interwoven with a supernatural element, particularly the dreams that Lucy and Jessica shared with Eliza and Mary. Furthermore, the nuanced theme of self-acceptance—recognizing that individual identity may differ from societal standards—was compelling. The novel featured many powerful plot points that complemented the feminist theme, and I was glad to see that neither set of sisters engaged in self-deprecation.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this novel in exchange for my honest review. The audio presentation was performed exceptionally well. The narrator did a fantastic job of bringing the plot to life with her accent and singing. All opinions expressed are my own and are based on my personal experiences.
January 2, 2025
Really enjoyed this one! Undertones of myth and magic but above all a story about the bond between sisters.
I loved how lyrical this was without being a pain in the ass to read haha. The words are beautiful together but the story unfolds easily. I followed along with rapt attention and enjoyed every part of it.
There's a dual narrative, and I enjoyed jumping back and forth. Some of the links between the past and present were a little hard to believe, but I enjoyed it nontheless.
This is magical realism, so it's a bit of an odd one and for that reason I think it may rub some people the wrong way. The protagonist has a strange skin condition that reacts badly to water, and that on its own raises all kinds of questions. Again, though, I really didn't mind suspending disbelief.
A few twists keep the story interesting, and the Australian setting with the history tied in was quite fascinating to me.
I just really enjoyed losing myself in the story, even though it was a little slower than my normal fare. I enjoyed taking my time with it, and enjoyed how it danced between reality and magic.
I'd recommend this one for those looking for something a little different.
With thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an ARC
I loved how lyrical this was without being a pain in the ass to read haha. The words are beautiful together but the story unfolds easily. I followed along with rapt attention and enjoyed every part of it.
There's a dual narrative, and I enjoyed jumping back and forth. Some of the links between the past and present were a little hard to believe, but I enjoyed it nontheless.
This is magical realism, so it's a bit of an odd one and for that reason I think it may rub some people the wrong way. The protagonist has a strange skin condition that reacts badly to water, and that on its own raises all kinds of questions. Again, though, I really didn't mind suspending disbelief.
A few twists keep the story interesting, and the Australian setting with the history tied in was quite fascinating to me.
I just really enjoyed losing myself in the story, even though it was a little slower than my normal fare. I enjoyed taking my time with it, and enjoyed how it danced between reality and magic.
I'd recommend this one for those looking for something a little different.
With thanks to Harper Collins and NetGalley for an ARC
April 4, 2025
This was a very fast read for me as I finished the same day I began. Emilia Hart's prose in The Sirens is, as in Weyward, tremendously readable, compelling, timely and important.
On the surface, this is the story of two estranged sisters, Jess and Lucy, both dealing with a form of abuse from boyfriends who in the beginning looked at them in a way that made them "feel special" until they realized what they were seeing was just the boys' own "ego[s] reflected back." The suspense in this storyline develops rapidly, beginning with Lucy's unnatural sleepwalking and her sudden impulse to see her sister whom she feels is the only person who might understand her. We learn that she has long felt alienated from her own body due to a strange skin condition of colored scales in just a few places around her body, a condition she shares with Jess. She leaves university to talk to Jess but when she arrives at her small house by the ocean cliffs, she discovers that Jess is MIA. Lucy does discover Jess' diary, however, and she eventually reads it for clues about where Jess might be. The diary entries act as the first real window she's ever had into her sister's life.
This is also the story of women horribly mistreated on a prison ship bound to Australia, all of their trials and tribulations, and the author's attempt to "write them back into history." Naturally these two storylines do eventually feed into one another.
At its heart, on a deeper level, this is a novel about the trauma of silences which affect women--the current silences kept out of shame, out of the fear of being misunderstood or simply not believed--and the silences of past unclaimed experiences which perpetuate because history refuses to admit to them. Emilia Hart's characters are in no way victims, however. They are proactive young women learning to find their voices even in the conspiracies of silence all around them.
On the surface, this is the story of two estranged sisters, Jess and Lucy, both dealing with a form of abuse from boyfriends who in the beginning looked at them in a way that made them "feel special" until they realized what they were seeing was just the boys' own "ego[s] reflected back." The suspense in this storyline develops rapidly, beginning with Lucy's unnatural sleepwalking and her sudden impulse to see her sister whom she feels is the only person who might understand her. We learn that she has long felt alienated from her own body due to a strange skin condition of colored scales in just a few places around her body, a condition she shares with Jess. She leaves university to talk to Jess but when she arrives at her small house by the ocean cliffs, she discovers that Jess is MIA. Lucy does discover Jess' diary, however, and she eventually reads it for clues about where Jess might be. The diary entries act as the first real window she's ever had into her sister's life.
This is also the story of women horribly mistreated on a prison ship bound to Australia, all of their trials and tribulations, and the author's attempt to "write them back into history." Naturally these two storylines do eventually feed into one another.
At its heart, on a deeper level, this is a novel about the trauma of silences which affect women--the current silences kept out of shame, out of the fear of being misunderstood or simply not believed--and the silences of past unclaimed experiences which perpetuate because history refuses to admit to them. Emilia Hart's characters are in no way victims, however. They are proactive young women learning to find their voices even in the conspiracies of silence all around them.
January 28, 2025
This is one of those novels that finds its way into your thoughts after you finish reading. I enjoyed the story and I also feel like it left me a little haunted by its events. Told from two different times periods we get the story of two sets of sisters. Both have a rare condition that makes them unable to be around water yet both sets of sisters crave the water.
The first set of sisters are convicted of a crime and forced to leave Ireland for Australia in the 1800s. The second story is about Lucy, who almost strangles someone while sleeping, and flees to her sister's house to try and find answers. Once there she discovers her sister is missing but finds her old diary. Searching for answers, Lucy discovers that there are so many more secrets than she could ever imagine.
I loved the magical elements to this story as well as the message it delivered. The dual timeline format kept the stories fresh and made me want to keep reading. This novel is unique, mysterious, and absorbing. This was my second novel by Emilia Hart and I can't wait to read more.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
The first set of sisters are convicted of a crime and forced to leave Ireland for Australia in the 1800s. The second story is about Lucy, who almost strangles someone while sleeping, and flees to her sister's house to try and find answers. Once there she discovers her sister is missing but finds her old diary. Searching for answers, Lucy discovers that there are so many more secrets than she could ever imagine.
I loved the magical elements to this story as well as the message it delivered. The dual timeline format kept the stories fresh and made me want to keep reading. This novel is unique, mysterious, and absorbing. This was my second novel by Emilia Hart and I can't wait to read more.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
February 2, 2025
This book has the most stunning cover! Besides already being interested in reading this book, because I absolutely loved Emilia Hart's debut novel *Weyward*, I was immediately drawn in by the gorgeous cover.
This book is told in different POV's by: Lucy, Jess, and Mary. I was most captivated by Lucy's POV and we also get the most story from her character as well.
The book has alternate timelines and I really enjoyed both. In fact, I wish that we got a little bit more of the timeline from 200 years ago, I would've liked to learn a bit more from Mary about herself and her sister Eliza.
Like her first novel, we get to experience that focuses on the bonds between women, sisters - specifically and strong women at that. It was nice to see the women be presented with their obstacles and learn how to empower themselves to overcome what was pushed in their way.
I will say that I struggled a bit at the beginning getting into this book and it took awhile for the story to really get going.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and loved learning a bit of history that went along with the novel. I think it was once again, a beautifully written book just like her debut *Weyward*. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
Expected Release Date - April 1st 2025
Thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is told in different POV's by: Lucy, Jess, and Mary. I was most captivated by Lucy's POV and we also get the most story from her character as well.
The book has alternate timelines and I really enjoyed both. In fact, I wish that we got a little bit more of the timeline from 200 years ago, I would've liked to learn a bit more from Mary about herself and her sister Eliza.
Like her first novel, we get to experience that focuses on the bonds between women, sisters - specifically and strong women at that. It was nice to see the women be presented with their obstacles and learn how to empower themselves to overcome what was pushed in their way.
I will say that I struggled a bit at the beginning getting into this book and it took awhile for the story to really get going.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and loved learning a bit of history that went along with the novel. I think it was once again, a beautifully written book just like her debut *Weyward*. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend.
Expected Release Date - April 1st 2025
Thank you to both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
February 14, 2025
What a beauty! I love the way Emilia Hart does magical realism. She just encaptures me with her books.
This book has an alternating POV. Eliza and Mary in the 1800s and the current Jess and Lucy timeline. I was initially a little confused, but that ship quickly righted itsel.
Lucy awakes from a dreamlike state with a feeling her hands around someone's throat. She can't shake the feeling, so she takes it as a sign to immediately go to her estranged sister, Jess. When she gets there, Jess is nowhere to be found. Lucy digs around and finds Jess' diary, only to find out that Jess has been having these "dreamlike scenarios" too. Lucy funds a painting at her sisters of a mermaid and a ship that she had had vivid dreams of. She then finds more paintings with the same two sisters. As she did more, she starts to uncover the truth about her and Jess' story.
Lucy begins to listen to a podcast, which she learned only happened not too far away. 30 years prior, 8 men disappeared.
In the 1800s, we have Eliza and Mary. We her their backstory and how it intertwines with Jess and Lucy's story and the missing men.
Emilia Hart writes with such lyrical prose and has a way of intertwining stories with magical realism flawlessly.
The Sirens was a fascinating read.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication April 1, 2025
This book has an alternating POV. Eliza and Mary in the 1800s and the current Jess and Lucy timeline. I was initially a little confused, but that ship quickly righted itsel.
Lucy awakes from a dreamlike state with a feeling her hands around someone's throat. She can't shake the feeling, so she takes it as a sign to immediately go to her estranged sister, Jess. When she gets there, Jess is nowhere to be found. Lucy digs around and finds Jess' diary, only to find out that Jess has been having these "dreamlike scenarios" too. Lucy funds a painting at her sisters of a mermaid and a ship that she had had vivid dreams of. She then finds more paintings with the same two sisters. As she did more, she starts to uncover the truth about her and Jess' story.
Lucy begins to listen to a podcast, which she learned only happened not too far away. 30 years prior, 8 men disappeared.
In the 1800s, we have Eliza and Mary. We her their backstory and how it intertwines with Jess and Lucy's story and the missing men.
Emilia Hart writes with such lyrical prose and has a way of intertwining stories with magical realism flawlessly.
The Sirens was a fascinating read.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Expected publication April 1, 2025
February 12, 2025
**ARC of this book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Have you ever read a feminist novel where author tries so hard to show all women as saints that inadvertently strips them of any personality and agency? This is one of them.
We are following three women - Lucy, Jess and Mary - across three different timelines. Lucy and Jess are estranged sisters that seem to have a very strained relationship due to the big age difference. The story focuses on Lucy in 2019 when she flees her university after assaulting her peer during a sleepwalking episode. For some unexplained reason she decides to show up on her older sister doorstep only to discover the doors unlocked, her sisters phone still in the house and Jess nowhere to be found. That does not ring any alarm bells so Lucy gets comfy in the house and starts snooping. The town Lucy finds herself in has its own mystery - 8 men going missing without any trace and a baby found in one of the caves in the '80. At some points Lucy decides that they are all connected and a very anemic investigation ensues. In the meantime Lucy finds her older sister diary from 1998 and we get chapters covering that time. The diary reveals some family secrets so investigation about what happened to 8 missing men is unceremoniously abandoned to focus on family drama. Lucy also dreams about Mary - a young woman sentenced for her crimes to be sent to Australia's penal colony in 1800 - and as a result we are getting chapters from the Mary's POV.
It seems like there are a lot of things happening in this book but when I was reading it, it was feeling strangely uneventful. Lucy mops around the house a lot, Mary spends majority of her time in the darkness, locked in the cargo space of the transportation ship. There is little logic to Lucy's actions and following her made for a real ordeal. Why she investigates some random guys missing instead of looking for her sister? Why she is not asking questions but waits for everything to be revealed to her? Why she fled the university in the first place? Leaving with no explanation makes the whole assault look even worse.
Ok but what about all those mysteries? Everything is foreshadowed so heavily that I figured them out way before the characters so then I was just waiting for someone or something to show up and reveal everything to Lucy. It was annoying me to no end that author describes Lucy as very driven person with the passion for journalism but there is not even an ounce of proactiveness in her. Also this is a feminist novel so you know that all the bad things in the world will happen only because of all men being sexual predators. Women are those gentle creatures that have no other way of facing the world than enduring the injustices.
Another disappointing aspect of this novel was that it signaled a desire to explore morality of its characters but it never did it. In the end everything is very flat and, dare I say it, trivial. Women are always good and men are always bad. Women always support each other, they don't condemn other women, they only condemn men. Women have a reason to all their actions, men are working on the impulse, driven only by their sexual needs. There are two positive male figures in the book and they are both fathers. Ah, scratch that - one of the fathers in one of the final chapters acts on his sexual needs and even when author tries to frame it as a good action it still left a sour taste in my mouth.
I don't like when enduring is the only way for women to exist in this world. I don't like when the world is flattened to contain only good or only bad characters. I don't like when the characters need to be held by the hand and lead by the plot from one answer to another. To sum it up - I can't recommend this book.
Have you ever read a feminist novel where author tries so hard to show all women as saints that inadvertently strips them of any personality and agency? This is one of them.
We are following three women - Lucy, Jess and Mary - across three different timelines. Lucy and Jess are estranged sisters that seem to have a very strained relationship due to the big age difference. The story focuses on Lucy in 2019 when she flees her university after assaulting her peer during a sleepwalking episode. For some unexplained reason she decides to show up on her older sister doorstep only to discover the doors unlocked, her sisters phone still in the house and Jess nowhere to be found. That does not ring any alarm bells so Lucy gets comfy in the house and starts snooping. The town Lucy finds herself in has its own mystery - 8 men going missing without any trace and a baby found in one of the caves in the '80. At some points Lucy decides that they are all connected and a very anemic investigation ensues. In the meantime Lucy finds her older sister diary from 1998 and we get chapters covering that time. The diary reveals some family secrets so investigation about what happened to 8 missing men is unceremoniously abandoned to focus on family drama. Lucy also dreams about Mary - a young woman sentenced for her crimes to be sent to Australia's penal colony in 1800 - and as a result we are getting chapters from the Mary's POV.
It seems like there are a lot of things happening in this book but when I was reading it, it was feeling strangely uneventful. Lucy mops around the house a lot, Mary spends majority of her time in the darkness, locked in the cargo space of the transportation ship. There is little logic to Lucy's actions and following her made for a real ordeal. Why she investigates some random guys missing instead of looking for her sister? Why she is not asking questions but waits for everything to be revealed to her? Why she fled the university in the first place? Leaving with no explanation makes the whole assault look even worse.
Ok but what about all those mysteries? Everything is foreshadowed so heavily that I figured them out way before the characters so then I was just waiting for someone or something to show up and reveal everything to Lucy. It was annoying me to no end that author describes Lucy as very driven person with the passion for journalism but there is not even an ounce of proactiveness in her. Also this is a feminist novel so you know that all the bad things in the world will happen only because of all men being sexual predators. Women are those gentle creatures that have no other way of facing the world than enduring the injustices.
Another disappointing aspect of this novel was that it signaled a desire to explore morality of its characters but it never did it. In the end everything is very flat and, dare I say it, trivial. Women are always good and men are always bad. Women always support each other, they don't condemn other women, they only condemn men. Women have a reason to all their actions, men are working on the impulse, driven only by their sexual needs. There are two positive male figures in the book and they are both fathers. Ah, scratch that - one of the fathers in one of the final chapters acts on his sexual needs and even when author tries to frame it as a good action it still left a sour taste in my mouth.
I don't like when enduring is the only way for women to exist in this world. I don't like when the world is flattened to contain only good or only bad characters. I don't like when the characters need to be held by the hand and lead by the plot from one answer to another. To sum it up - I can't recommend this book.
March 15, 2025
A more than decent follow up to the wonderful Weyward, that taking place in her adopted England, this one back in her native Australia. Based in the fictionalised town of Comber Bay, right near present day Bateman's Bay about four hours south of Sydney, where I will be heading next month nearby.
The book was a slow starter with three narrators all up with differing timelines. Not always easy to do and keep it together, but Ms Hart does a decent job. Once the story got going, I found it quite gripping and enjoyed the journey, the ending and pulling together of the various timelines and stories was just ok. 4 stars, library ebook.
The book was a slow starter with three narrators all up with differing timelines. Not always easy to do and keep it together, but Ms Hart does a decent job. Once the story got going, I found it quite gripping and enjoyed the journey, the ending and pulling together of the various timelines and stories was just ok. 4 stars, library ebook.
February 14, 2025
True to its name, "The Sirens" captivates, lyrically drawing you into a mystical swirl of mystery, historical fiction, and female empowerment.
Told in a dual timeline, the novel fundamentally focuses on the lives of sisters Mary and Eliza, who were passengers on a convict ship sailing to Australia in the 1800s. Wrongfully imprisoned and suffering from horrid conditions, the twins have nothing left to cling to but each other. Far in the future, we enter the life of Lucy, a young woman who is grappling with strange nightmares and sleepwalking that has navigated her straight into trouble. Lucy flees to a coastal town to seek refuge with her older sister, Jess. From then on, the reader is taken on a journey exploring not just the bonds of sisterhood, but also the bonds between both timelines.
Across the board, I found the characters likeable and relatable. There is a strong magical realism thread to this book that dips its toes into fantasy. I read and enjoyed Emilia Hart's "Weyward," but I enjoyed this one even more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for an advance copy for honest review. Barrie Kreinik performed the narration and did an excellent job of bringing all characters to life convincingly.
Told in a dual timeline, the novel fundamentally focuses on the lives of sisters Mary and Eliza, who were passengers on a convict ship sailing to Australia in the 1800s. Wrongfully imprisoned and suffering from horrid conditions, the twins have nothing left to cling to but each other. Far in the future, we enter the life of Lucy, a young woman who is grappling with strange nightmares and sleepwalking that has navigated her straight into trouble. Lucy flees to a coastal town to seek refuge with her older sister, Jess. From then on, the reader is taken on a journey exploring not just the bonds of sisterhood, but also the bonds between both timelines.
Across the board, I found the characters likeable and relatable. There is a strong magical realism thread to this book that dips its toes into fantasy. I read and enjoyed Emilia Hart's "Weyward," but I enjoyed this one even more.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Emilia Hart for an advance copy for honest review. Barrie Kreinik performed the narration and did an excellent job of bringing all characters to life convincingly.
April 5, 2025
3.75 stars.
I loved Weyward so was looking forward to reading the latest (The Sirens) by the author.
This is an atmospheric and beautifully written novel about sisters, female empowerment, and resilience across the centuries. This is a slow-paced read told from three POVS and across timelines. I thought it was well-done but I did find the ending a bit unclear and had to read that part a couple of times. I also thought parts of the plot were overly complex and descriptive at times. There is magical realism woven throughout and for me, that part did not fully resonate.
While I enjoyed Weyward more, I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
I loved Weyward so was looking forward to reading the latest (The Sirens) by the author.
This is an atmospheric and beautifully written novel about sisters, female empowerment, and resilience across the centuries. This is a slow-paced read told from three POVS and across timelines. I thought it was well-done but I did find the ending a bit unclear and had to read that part a couple of times. I also thought parts of the plot were overly complex and descriptive at times. There is magical realism woven throughout and for me, that part did not fully resonate.
While I enjoyed Weyward more, I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
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