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De sirenen
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fantasy (2025)Een adembenemende historische roman over vrouwelijke veerkracht en de unieke band tussen vrouwen met een vleugje magie
In De sirenen van Emilia Hart kruisen heden en verleden elkaar door de mysterieuze magie van de zee.
2019. Lucy wordt midden in de nacht wakker in de kamer van haar ex-geliefde met haar handen om zijn keel. Ontzet vlucht ze naar het huis van haar zus aan de kust van New South Wales in de hoop dat Jess haar levensechte dromen die aan de aanval voorafgingen kan verklaren. Maar haar zus wordt vermist. Terwijl Lucy op haar wacht ontdekt ze vreemde geruchten over het stadje: er zijn mannen vermist, een baby is achtergelaten en in de golven klinkt het gefluister van vrouwenstemmen.
1800. Mary en Eliza worden vanuit Ierland gedwongen verscheept naar Australië. Terwijl het schip hen steeds verder wegvoert van alles wat ze kennen ervaren ze op zee onverklaarbare veranderingen in hun lichaam.
In De sirenen van Emilia Hart kruisen heden en verleden elkaar door de mysterieuze magie van de zee.
2019. Lucy wordt midden in de nacht wakker in de kamer van haar ex-geliefde met haar handen om zijn keel. Ontzet vlucht ze naar het huis van haar zus aan de kust van New South Wales in de hoop dat Jess haar levensechte dromen die aan de aanval voorafgingen kan verklaren. Maar haar zus wordt vermist. Terwijl Lucy op haar wacht ontdekt ze vreemde geruchten over het stadje: er zijn mannen vermist, een baby is achtergelaten en in de golven klinkt het gefluister van vrouwenstemmen.
1800. Mary en Eliza worden vanuit Ierland gedwongen verscheept naar Australië. Terwijl het schip hen steeds verder wegvoert van alles wat ze kennen ervaren ze op zee onverklaarbare veranderingen in hun lichaam.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 13, 2025
4485 people are currently reading
136195 people want to read
About the author
Emilia Hart
6 books6,409 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 7,594 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 9, 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
__
"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.*
November 28, 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.
medium.com
April 15, 2025
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.
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 6, 2025
—— 𝟒.𝟐𝟓 ✰ stars. 🐚
📱┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭
🏷️┆𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕞, ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝔽𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟
📆┆𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟠/𝟛𝟘/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟡/𝟙/𝟚𝟝
📃┆𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 “Sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea. A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space”. 」
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★¼
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟹.𝟽𝟺 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: *ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ
ᴡᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀ: 🌧️
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴛɪᴍ ᴛᴀᴍꜱ 🍫
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ✅
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇʀᴍᴀɪᴅꜱ — ꜰʟᴏʀᴇɴᴄᴇ + ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴄʜɪɴᴇ
2:15 ———♡——— 3:57
╭───
┆
╰⪼ ❛and with your mermaid hair and your teeth so sharp you crawled from the sea to break that sailor's heart. you only get one night upon the shore so dance like you've never danced before.❜
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🧜🏻♀️ ꜱɪꜱᴛᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ
🐚 ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ
🧜🏻♀️ ꜱɪʀᴇɴ ꜰᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ
🐚 ꜰᴇᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇꜱɪʟɪᴇɴᴄᴇ
🧜🏻♀️ ᴄᴏᴀꜱᴛᴀʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
🐚 ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴡɪɴɪɴɢ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏʟɪɴᴇꜱ
⚠️TW: sexual assault, rape, grooming, relationship with a minor
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼
💬┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• The last book for my summer tbr did not disappoint. The Sirens ended up being the perfect transition book from summer to fall. The dark, dreary seaside setting, the mysterious happenings, women’s voices who lead men to their demise. (I wish I had that ability)
• We all know I have issues sometimes with dual timelines, but it worked really well together in this book. Usually, I’ll find myself preferring one timeline and thinking the other to be unnecessary to the story, but I was equally invested in both stories, which is rare for me.
• The plot twist TWISTED. It got me good. 😮💨
• My only issue: the journal entries. Another book with damn journal entries that got me all confused. The entries + dual timelines hurt my brain. I can’t keep up with all the dates!
• I didn’t realize until recently that this is the same author of Weyward, which has been sitting in my Kindle judging me. Now I’m looking forward even more to reading it since this author’s writing was beautiful.
• I truly had a siren girl summer. 🧜🏻♀️
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸
❝ “𝒲𝑒𝓁𝓁, 𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒶 𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔,” 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝒶𝒾𝓇 𝓂𝒶𝒾𝒹𝑒𝓃 𝒹𝒾𝒹 𝒸𝓇𝓎,
𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝒿𝑜𝓎 𝑜.
𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓉 𝓈𝑜 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉𝓁𝓎, 𝓈𝑜 𝓈𝑜𝒻𝓉, 𝓈𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎,
𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝓁𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝑜,
𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝒶𝒾𝓁𝑜𝓇𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝑜.” ❞
📱┆𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭
🏷️┆𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕞, ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 𝔽𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟
📆┆𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝟠/𝟛𝟘/𝟚𝟝 - 𝟡/𝟙/𝟚𝟝
📃┆𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬
「 “Sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea. A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space”. 」
❝𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓀𝑒𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒’𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑒𝓁𝓈𝑒, 𝓉𝑜𝑜. 𝒜 𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓇𝑒𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇. 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. ❞
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼
ᴍʏ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ★★★★¼
ɢᴏᴏᴅʀᴇᴀᴅꜱ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 𝟹.𝟽𝟺 ☆ ꜱᴛᴀʀꜱ
ꜱᴘɪᴄᴇ: *ꜱᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇɴᴛ
ᴡᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀ: 🌧️
ᴘᴀɪʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ: ᴛɪᴍ ᴛᴀᴍꜱ 🍫
ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ?: ✅
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
lıllılı.ıllı.ılılıılıı.lllııılı.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴍᴇʀᴍᴀɪᴅꜱ — ꜰʟᴏʀᴇɴᴄᴇ + ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀᴄʜɪɴᴇ
2:15 ———♡——— 3:57
⇄ ◃◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻
╭───
┆
╰⪼ ❛and with your mermaid hair and your teeth so sharp you crawled from the sea to break that sailor's heart. you only get one night upon the shore so dance like you've never danced before.❜
⊱ ────── {⋆ ‧₊˚♪𝄞 ⋆} ────── ⊰
ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
🧜🏻♀️ ꜱɪꜱᴛᴇʀʜᴏᴏᴅ
🐚 ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛꜱ
🧜🏻♀️ ꜱɪʀᴇɴ ꜰᴏʟᴋʟᴏʀᴇ
🐚 ꜰᴇᴍᴀʟᴇ ʀᴇꜱɪʟɪᴇɴᴄᴇ
🧜🏻♀️ ᴄᴏᴀꜱᴛᴀʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴ ꜱᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ
🐚 ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴛᴡɪɴɪɴɢ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏʟɪɴᴇꜱ
⚠️TW: sexual assault, rape, grooming, relationship with a minor
❝𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝒶 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒾𝓃 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓋𝑒𝒾𝓃𝓈, 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑜𝓊𝒹 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔.❞
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼
💬┆𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
• The last book for my summer tbr did not disappoint. The Sirens ended up being the perfect transition book from summer to fall. The dark, dreary seaside setting, the mysterious happenings, women’s voices who lead men to their demise. (I wish I had that ability)
• We all know I have issues sometimes with dual timelines, but it worked really well together in this book. Usually, I’ll find myself preferring one timeline and thinking the other to be unnecessary to the story, but I was equally invested in both stories, which is rare for me.
• The plot twist TWISTED. It got me good. 😮💨
• My only issue: the journal entries. Another book with damn journal entries that got me all confused. The entries + dual timelines hurt my brain. I can’t keep up with all the dates!
• I didn’t realize until recently that this is the same author of Weyward, which has been sitting in my Kindle judging me. Now I’m looking forward even more to reading it since this author’s writing was beautiful.
• I truly had a siren girl summer. 🧜🏻♀️
𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸 𓇼 𓂃 𓈒𓏸
❝𝒯𝒽𝑒𝒾𝓇 𝒻𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝒜 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝒽𝒶𝓇𝓀𝓈 𝑔𝓁𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝑒𝓅, 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓈𝓌𝒶𝓂 𝒾𝓃 𝑔𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝓁𝑜𝓊𝒹𝓈. 𝒜 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓅𝓁𝑒𝒹, 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝒾𝓁𝑒𝓈.
𝒜 𝒻𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹. ❞
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!
July 18, 2025
1.5 stars
B.O.R.I.N.G.
Gosh, I hate when a book lulls me to sleep and sucks all the positive energy I have for reading traditionally published books. This book did exactly that. It was so hard for me to finish. It completely dampened my desire to pick up another book.
The premise sounded cool. Women from different timelines connected by some sort of magic and history? Yes please. But nope. The execution was so bland. The pacing was slow as hell. The writing kept trying to be deep and poetic, but instead of feeling emotional or powerful, it just felt flat and vague. I kept waiting for something to hit me. Something to make me feel. But nothing ever did.
All the characters, I swear their voices all felt the same. I kept forgetting whose chapter I was even reading. It’s like I was being told I should care, but I just didn’t. There was no punch. Just vibes. And not the good kind.
It’s been weeks, and in between trying to finish this, I’ve read like 3,000+ pages worth of fanfics 😭😭 I want to come back so bad, but I don’t know why my latest traditionally published reads keep disappointing me.
Please read another dazzling review for this before deciding!!
Note : Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me this ARC
B.O.R.I.N.G.
Gosh, I hate when a book lulls me to sleep and sucks all the positive energy I have for reading traditionally published books. This book did exactly that. It was so hard for me to finish. It completely dampened my desire to pick up another book.
The premise sounded cool. Women from different timelines connected by some sort of magic and history? Yes please. But nope. The execution was so bland. The pacing was slow as hell. The writing kept trying to be deep and poetic, but instead of feeling emotional or powerful, it just felt flat and vague. I kept waiting for something to hit me. Something to make me feel. But nothing ever did.
All the characters, I swear their voices all felt the same. I kept forgetting whose chapter I was even reading. It’s like I was being told I should care, but I just didn’t. There was no punch. Just vibes. And not the good kind.
It’s been weeks, and in between trying to finish this, I’ve read like 3,000+ pages worth of fanfics 😭😭 I want to come back so bad, but I don’t know why my latest traditionally published reads keep disappointing me.
Please read another dazzling review for this before deciding!!
Note : Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me this ARC
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!
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 📖
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.
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.
October 27, 2025
new review to come, the characters were boring me to death. None were intreasting they are dull and lifeless like a puppet. Yes, I lower the rating since two stars are too generous
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.'
October 14, 2025
➸ 3/5 stars
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. that element kept me engaged, making me want to turn the pages to see how everything would unfold.
one of the strongest parts of was the prose. the author’s writing style was smooth, light, and incredibly easy to sink into. It never felt heavy or overworked, m i felt super engaged!
where the book fell short was in the 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. but here the characters were present, delivering their lines and moving the plot forward, but they lacked real depth or emotional weight. there was a lot of glimpses of inner conflict, but nothing truly transformative. that was disappointing because, with stronger characters, this could have been a much more powerful book!!
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 but here I found myself wondering: “What was the point of all this?” It doesn’t seem to say anything meaningful in the end. i wouldn’t call this a bad book, but at the same time, I wanted more depth, more emotional resonance, more purpose. it was good but lacked on a lot of areas!!
***ARC provided by the publisher St. Martin’s Press and an ALC provided by the publisher Macmillan Audio.***
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. that element kept me engaged, making me want to turn the pages to see how everything would unfold.
one of the strongest parts of was the prose. the author’s writing style was smooth, light, and incredibly easy to sink into. It never felt heavy or overworked, m i felt super engaged!
where the book fell short was in the 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. but here the characters were present, delivering their lines and moving the plot forward, but they lacked real depth or emotional weight. there was a lot of glimpses of inner conflict, but nothing truly transformative. that was disappointing because, with stronger characters, this could have been a much more powerful book!!
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 but here I found myself wondering: “What was the point of all this?” It doesn’t seem to say anything meaningful in the end. i wouldn’t call this a bad book, but at the same time, I wanted more depth, more emotional resonance, more purpose. it was good but lacked on a lot of areas!!
***ARC provided by the publisher St. Martin’s Press and an ALC provided by the publisher Macmillan Audio.***
June 6, 2025
3 stars.
A mysterious and atmospheric tale of sisterhood and seaside folklore.
A woman who was publicly shamed by a boy at her university flees to the small seaside town her sister recently moved to. Longing to build a stronger relationship with her sister, she hopes that some time spent there will be the escape and therapy she needs.
The atmosphere was my favourite part of this novel. The author knows how to pull the reader right into the setting of the story. I loved the remote seaside town and crumbling home in need of every repair. The setting was dark, haunting and mysterious and immensely added to my enjoyment.
Unfortunately for me, I didn’t click with the storyline or the main character from the start, so I never had a true connection to the plot. A large issue for me was that I didn’t buy into the incident in the beginning of the book that sparked the main characters decision to flee and how she handled the whole situation. Since I didn’t connect with that, I had little investment in what happened afterward. I had a hard time sympathizing or even liking the main character.
There was a sleep element to the story that should have been mysterious and powerful, but didn’t quite work for me. There is also a unique medical condition that is a main part of the storyline that I felt could have used further explanation in how the character manages day to day life. It felt like a random piece of the plot that was never fully fleshed out.
Diary entries are a large part of this novel which are always a hit or miss for me. Sadly, they were a miss for me with this one. The diary entries did not ring true in how a teenage girl would actually write and they felt like a forced piece of the plot to push the story forward and fill the gaps.
This authors debut novel, Weyward, is on my All Time Favourite list. This book, her second release, was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2025. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my hopes and perhaps my high expectations were part of what ruined the reading experience for me.
Regardless, I look forward to whatever this author writes next. Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
A mysterious and atmospheric tale of sisterhood and seaside folklore.
A woman who was publicly shamed by a boy at her university flees to the small seaside town her sister recently moved to. Longing to build a stronger relationship with her sister, she hopes that some time spent there will be the escape and therapy she needs.
The atmosphere was my favourite part of this novel. The author knows how to pull the reader right into the setting of the story. I loved the remote seaside town and crumbling home in need of every repair. The setting was dark, haunting and mysterious and immensely added to my enjoyment.
Unfortunately for me, I didn’t click with the storyline or the main character from the start, so I never had a true connection to the plot. A large issue for me was that I didn’t buy into the incident in the beginning of the book that sparked the main characters decision to flee and how she handled the whole situation. Since I didn’t connect with that, I had little investment in what happened afterward. I had a hard time sympathizing or even liking the main character.
There was a sleep element to the story that should have been mysterious and powerful, but didn’t quite work for me. There is also a unique medical condition that is a main part of the storyline that I felt could have used further explanation in how the character manages day to day life. It felt like a random piece of the plot that was never fully fleshed out.
Diary entries are a large part of this novel which are always a hit or miss for me. Sadly, they were a miss for me with this one. The diary entries did not ring true in how a teenage girl would actually write and they felt like a forced piece of the plot to push the story forward and fill the gaps.
This authors debut novel, Weyward, is on my All Time Favourite list. This book, her second release, was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2025. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my hopes and perhaps my high expectations were part of what ruined the reading experience for me.
Regardless, I look forward to whatever this author writes next. Thank you to the publisher for my review copy!
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 😤
September 25, 2025
“I called you Lucy. I wanted you to have the sea in your name.”
― Emilia Hart, The Sirens
Five stars. Bravo. Exquisite exquisite as a vibrant pink and aquamarine seashell.
How to even begin this review?
This is the story of Lucy. This is the story of Jess. This is the story of Mary. This is the story of Eliza.
Some of them are separated by decades, centuries.
But this is also the story of sirens.
Now I have to warn in advance. This is going to be long. I have not gathered my thoughts together, so it’s going to be in the moment writing stream of consciousness writing.
I wanted to read this as soon as I saw the cover. The cover called to me, and if you are someone who dreams of moonlight and underwater islands, of sea cottages and mermaids, of beautiful strangers yet familiar strangers, swimming through the waters then this is your book.
The cover is the sea, and so is the book everywhere you turn the sea waits.
For you.
As it waited for many of the characters.
I love books that use the sea as its own character, where voices fall off waves and whisper to you. This author knows the sea. I bet she wears it like a second skin.
The book starts in present day with Lucy, who has something very traumatic, happened to her at college, where she is studying to be a journalist.
Feeling alienated and alone, she decides to drive out to see her sister, Jess, who lives in a tiny beach town, haunted by the memories of the men that have gone missing over many years.
But Jess is not there, not knowing what to do Lucy – Lu- SEA decides to stay a while and wait for sister to return .
But outside she can hear the sound of the surf and the sea pounding away. And she’s having fantastical dreams about another time, another century, with two other women lived. They are haunting her so to speak well – them, and the sea caves they swim in.
What is going on?
Way way back a long time ago Mary and Eliza were sisters. They were also prisoners, and unfairly, so, taken from everything that they love , from their own beloved cottage, and thrust onto a prisoner ship.
Back in present times, both Lucy and Jess have a serious skin condition where they cannot go in water, for it can do something to their skin.
Jess is an artist and she’s painting – what is she painting? Two women looking out walking into the ocean. Being called by the very waves themselves.
The same girls that Lucy is dreaming about
There is much much much much much more to this book.
You see Lucy and her sister are at a point of alienation in their lives where they have sort of drifted apart. But why is that? What will Lucy find and discover staying in her sister’s beach cottage in this beautiful yet isolated beach town where something has taken so many of the young men there?
OK, I’m just gonna start right in. This book was made for people who see the sea in their dreams and see the sirens, each like individual stars, and who hunger to read books about the beauty of it all.
Some people are not going to like this book and I do understand that. When I was reading this and I was about 35 to 40% in I found myself getting a bit impatient with the slowness. It does move slowly, my friends, it’s a slow burn.
After a while, however, that stopped mattering . I felt a gathering, seafoam storm of my own, I had to know what would happen, so I had to finish it in one sitting.
But I will say upfront, that if you’re someone who cannot deal with multiple timelines – there are three here – or books that move slowly than this may not be for you. Likewise, if you are not mad about the sea, this will also not be for you, since the sea is hissing and whispering to you on every sea drenched page.
Another reviewer mentioned the book “Our lives under the sea” which was a masterpiece in which I gave five stars to. Yes, the atmosphere is a lot like that and if you liked that book you would like this
Likewise, I will mention the book “The wicked deep.” If you liked The wicked deep, you would love this book, and if you loved this book, you need to read The wicked deep.
This also reminded me of a book I read recently The Amalfi Curse , which was a spectacular.
So that gives you an idea of the type of book it is. I think you will know whether it’s for you based on all the reviews here, including my own.
Now something that often happens to me when reading is I may lose interest in a book as it goes along. That didn’t happen here in fact, the opposite happened. I started getting more and more interested and more and more intensely involved as the book went on.
Now , I have always had a fascination for the sea. Just look at my name on here. And I love sirens, adore mermaids, and I’m happy to say that the book completely lived up to its cover page.
This cover definitely makes it onto my top 10 list.
So in summary, the people who will Not like this book are people who don’t like slow moving books, people who are completely plot driven , and not character driven, people who don’t like hearing about the sea all over the place, and also people who don’t like abstraction and I say that because there’s a lot of symbolism here, and a lot of metaphors and aspects of it are very abstract. I happen to love all of the things I just described. But not everybody does, I know that.
It’s not perfect. As I was updating while reading, I wrote one point in the beginning to middle, this book is good, but not as good as I was hoping. Silly me! In my next update, I wrote: it’s better!
But it’s a journey, not a destination, and the journey will take you through underwater caves, and it will take you through long, luxurious waves, and through sightings of vivid, pink fish, blue fish , underwater rainbow friends , coral reefs, so blindingly pink you’ll think of underwater fields of pink sugar.
And through it all will be the sirens.
Now it’s important to understand that the sirens are not omnipotent through the book in the physical form in the beginning and middle, but illusions to them are. And these start at the very beginning.
You will read about their presence . You will hear about the beguiling songs that they sing. You will perhaps hear them singing to you, just like one can often hear the pull of the sea when putting a seashell to the ear.
Now I have to put up spoilers to discuss the ending, so please if you are interested in reading this, do not read my review any further, because I am going to sing out the ending.
SPOILERS
I was surprised to see many people say that the story of Lucy and Eliza was not wrapped up. I could not disagree more. That’s what I meant about the story being abstract. There is not a whole heck of a lot of discussion at the end of the book about why the dreams have stopped, but you can miss it because it’s just a quick throwaway sentence almost. But Lucy and Jess do say maybe the dreams have stopped because the sirens know they don’t need them for help Anymore. Because now they have each other, and they the sea. I mean honestly I thought it was a lovely ending, and haunting.
I really wish Mary and Eliza would have decided to look for DA though. I liked him.
And I’m glad very glad that they forgave their parents or who Lucy always believed to be her parents.
I’m not sure how I felt about Jesse’s father cheating with the siren. But here’s how I interpreted that.
Remember, when Mary made the promise to take care of the women of the village? Well, that also included Jesse‘s mother, or who she believed to be her mother because she couldn’t have kids of her own.
Also Throughout the book we are told how much Mary wants children.
I interpreted that whole thing that Mary deliberately took him as a lover, to give him and his wife a child. Perhaps she even cast a siren spell over him you know sirens! Most people would be helpless against their charms.
Because Mary is inherently good not bad and inherently protects good people not bad people that is how I interpreted the ending completely and honestly I thought the whole thing was beautiful
I am going to end this review very shortly and step out of the colorful wonderland of sirens for now
But might I say how pleased I am that Lucy and Jess discovered the truth about themselves ?
And how sad it was that they didn’t know this crown jewel of truth from the very beginning?
That glowing crown jewel of truth is that you girls are the most beautiful of them all! Inside and out. Because you are the sirens.
― Emilia Hart, The Sirens
Five stars. Bravo. Exquisite exquisite as a vibrant pink and aquamarine seashell.
How to even begin this review?
This is the story of Lucy. This is the story of Jess. This is the story of Mary. This is the story of Eliza.
Some of them are separated by decades, centuries.
But this is also the story of sirens.
Now I have to warn in advance. This is going to be long. I have not gathered my thoughts together, so it’s going to be in the moment writing stream of consciousness writing.
I wanted to read this as soon as I saw the cover. The cover called to me, and if you are someone who dreams of moonlight and underwater islands, of sea cottages and mermaids, of beautiful strangers yet familiar strangers, swimming through the waters then this is your book.
The cover is the sea, and so is the book everywhere you turn the sea waits.
For you.
As it waited for many of the characters.
I love books that use the sea as its own character, where voices fall off waves and whisper to you. This author knows the sea. I bet she wears it like a second skin.
The book starts in present day with Lucy, who has something very traumatic, happened to her at college, where she is studying to be a journalist.
Feeling alienated and alone, she decides to drive out to see her sister, Jess, who lives in a tiny beach town, haunted by the memories of the men that have gone missing over many years.
But Jess is not there, not knowing what to do Lucy – Lu- SEA decides to stay a while and wait for sister to return .
But outside she can hear the sound of the surf and the sea pounding away. And she’s having fantastical dreams about another time, another century, with two other women lived. They are haunting her so to speak well – them, and the sea caves they swim in.
What is going on?
Way way back a long time ago Mary and Eliza were sisters. They were also prisoners, and unfairly, so, taken from everything that they love , from their own beloved cottage, and thrust onto a prisoner ship.
Back in present times, both Lucy and Jess have a serious skin condition where they cannot go in water, for it can do something to their skin.
Jess is an artist and she’s painting – what is she painting? Two women looking out walking into the ocean. Being called by the very waves themselves.
The same girls that Lucy is dreaming about
There is much much much much much more to this book.
You see Lucy and her sister are at a point of alienation in their lives where they have sort of drifted apart. But why is that? What will Lucy find and discover staying in her sister’s beach cottage in this beautiful yet isolated beach town where something has taken so many of the young men there?
OK, I’m just gonna start right in. This book was made for people who see the sea in their dreams and see the sirens, each like individual stars, and who hunger to read books about the beauty of it all.
Some people are not going to like this book and I do understand that. When I was reading this and I was about 35 to 40% in I found myself getting a bit impatient with the slowness. It does move slowly, my friends, it’s a slow burn.
After a while, however, that stopped mattering . I felt a gathering, seafoam storm of my own, I had to know what would happen, so I had to finish it in one sitting.
But I will say upfront, that if you’re someone who cannot deal with multiple timelines – there are three here – or books that move slowly than this may not be for you. Likewise, if you are not mad about the sea, this will also not be for you, since the sea is hissing and whispering to you on every sea drenched page.
Another reviewer mentioned the book “Our lives under the sea” which was a masterpiece in which I gave five stars to. Yes, the atmosphere is a lot like that and if you liked that book you would like this
Likewise, I will mention the book “The wicked deep.” If you liked The wicked deep, you would love this book, and if you loved this book, you need to read The wicked deep.
This also reminded me of a book I read recently The Amalfi Curse , which was a spectacular.
So that gives you an idea of the type of book it is. I think you will know whether it’s for you based on all the reviews here, including my own.
Now something that often happens to me when reading is I may lose interest in a book as it goes along. That didn’t happen here in fact, the opposite happened. I started getting more and more interested and more and more intensely involved as the book went on.
Now , I have always had a fascination for the sea. Just look at my name on here. And I love sirens, adore mermaids, and I’m happy to say that the book completely lived up to its cover page.
This cover definitely makes it onto my top 10 list.
So in summary, the people who will Not like this book are people who don’t like slow moving books, people who are completely plot driven , and not character driven, people who don’t like hearing about the sea all over the place, and also people who don’t like abstraction and I say that because there’s a lot of symbolism here, and a lot of metaphors and aspects of it are very abstract. I happen to love all of the things I just described. But not everybody does, I know that.
It’s not perfect. As I was updating while reading, I wrote one point in the beginning to middle, this book is good, but not as good as I was hoping. Silly me! In my next update, I wrote: it’s better!
But it’s a journey, not a destination, and the journey will take you through underwater caves, and it will take you through long, luxurious waves, and through sightings of vivid, pink fish, blue fish , underwater rainbow friends , coral reefs, so blindingly pink you’ll think of underwater fields of pink sugar.
And through it all will be the sirens.
Now it’s important to understand that the sirens are not omnipotent through the book in the physical form in the beginning and middle, but illusions to them are. And these start at the very beginning.
You will read about their presence . You will hear about the beguiling songs that they sing. You will perhaps hear them singing to you, just like one can often hear the pull of the sea when putting a seashell to the ear.
Now I have to put up spoilers to discuss the ending, so please if you are interested in reading this, do not read my review any further, because I am going to sing out the ending.
SPOILERS
I was surprised to see many people say that the story of Lucy and Eliza was not wrapped up. I could not disagree more. That’s what I meant about the story being abstract. There is not a whole heck of a lot of discussion at the end of the book about why the dreams have stopped, but you can miss it because it’s just a quick throwaway sentence almost. But Lucy and Jess do say maybe the dreams have stopped because the sirens know they don’t need them for help Anymore. Because now they have each other, and they the sea. I mean honestly I thought it was a lovely ending, and haunting.
I really wish Mary and Eliza would have decided to look for DA though. I liked him.
And I’m glad very glad that they forgave their parents or who Lucy always believed to be her parents.
I’m not sure how I felt about Jesse’s father cheating with the siren. But here’s how I interpreted that.
Remember, when Mary made the promise to take care of the women of the village? Well, that also included Jesse‘s mother, or who she believed to be her mother because she couldn’t have kids of her own.
Also Throughout the book we are told how much Mary wants children.
I interpreted that whole thing that Mary deliberately took him as a lover, to give him and his wife a child. Perhaps she even cast a siren spell over him you know sirens! Most people would be helpless against their charms.
Because Mary is inherently good not bad and inherently protects good people not bad people that is how I interpreted the ending completely and honestly I thought the whole thing was beautiful
I am going to end this review very shortly and step out of the colorful wonderland of sirens for now
But might I say how pleased I am that Lucy and Jess discovered the truth about themselves ?
And how sad it was that they didn’t know this crown jewel of truth from the very beginning?
That glowing crown jewel of truth is that you girls are the most beautiful of them all! Inside and out. Because you are the sirens.
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 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.
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 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.
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
September 5, 2025
I understand why The Sirens won't appeal to every reader. It's a complicated triple-timeline narrative, with one of those timelines delivered via a character reading another character's diary entries written twenty years earlier. There are elements of magical realism/fantasy that merge with "real" life in inexplicable ways. Characters make exasperating life choices for terrible reasons and terrible life choices for exasperating reasons. If you don't live in Australia or haven't visited New South Wales, you can't really determine where anyone is or what the landscape looks like except an ocean and cliffs that could be any random littoral setting. You can pretty much determine what's going to happen early on in the story/stories.
And yet. Somehow all of these jarring elements came together in a story that I did find enchanting and imaginative. Emilia Hart links contemporary Australian culture to its early European settlements, when Irish and English convicts were shipped over to populate the penal colonies and decimate the Aboriginal homelands. She depicts the horrific months-long sea voyage of two sisters from Ireland to Australia's east coast in gripping detail, all while foreshadowing the threads of connection between 1800 and and the novel's more contemporary settings: 1998 and 2019.
Contemporary New South Wales features another set of sisters, Lucy and Jess. Jess, Lucy's elder by twenty years, is a reclusive artist who has returned to a tiny town on the coast where she lived with their parents until shortly after Lucy's birth. The village, Comber's Bay, is notorious for the many men who have disappeared in its dangerous waters.
Both daughters suffer from a rare skin condition—an allergy to water—that has made their social lives, particularly romantic relationships, complex and fraught with heartbreak. Lucy flees university after lashing out at a young man who humiliated her on social media and seeks refuge at her sister's place. Except that Jess isn't there, isn't answering her phone or texts. A day or so before Lucy showed up, Jess asked her neighbor to watch her cat and drove off. She's not exactly a missing person, but her sudden departure portends doom.
While waiting for her sister to reappear, Lucy finds a high school-era diary of Jess's. What Jess reveals in her fraught entries shatters everything Lucy thought she knew of her family and her very sense of self.
Emilia Hart manages all of these threads and the inherent melodrama with beautiful writing, great transitions and pacing, and an evident love for the characters and her story. It's an enchanting read.
And yet. Somehow all of these jarring elements came together in a story that I did find enchanting and imaginative. Emilia Hart links contemporary Australian culture to its early European settlements, when Irish and English convicts were shipped over to populate the penal colonies and decimate the Aboriginal homelands. She depicts the horrific months-long sea voyage of two sisters from Ireland to Australia's east coast in gripping detail, all while foreshadowing the threads of connection between 1800 and and the novel's more contemporary settings: 1998 and 2019.
Contemporary New South Wales features another set of sisters, Lucy and Jess. Jess, Lucy's elder by twenty years, is a reclusive artist who has returned to a tiny town on the coast where she lived with their parents until shortly after Lucy's birth. The village, Comber's Bay, is notorious for the many men who have disappeared in its dangerous waters.
Both daughters suffer from a rare skin condition—an allergy to water—that has made their social lives, particularly romantic relationships, complex and fraught with heartbreak. Lucy flees university after lashing out at a young man who humiliated her on social media and seeks refuge at her sister's place. Except that Jess isn't there, isn't answering her phone or texts. A day or so before Lucy showed up, Jess asked her neighbor to watch her cat and drove off. She's not exactly a missing person, but her sudden departure portends doom.
While waiting for her sister to reappear, Lucy finds a high school-era diary of Jess's. What Jess reveals in her fraught entries shatters everything Lucy thought she knew of her family and her very sense of self.
Emilia Hart manages all of these threads and the inherent melodrama with beautiful writing, great transitions and pacing, and an evident love for the characters and her story. It's an enchanting read.
December 16, 2025
4.5
Svidjela mi se kompleksnost priče! Čitajući je pitajući se, razmišljajući, povezujući, gdje je na kraju svako zašto imalo svoje zato bilo mi je savršeno. Ispreplesti više radnji kroz više vremenskih razdoblja, kvalitetno, razumljivo i smisleno težak je posao koji je Emilia Hart sa svojim „Sirenama“ uspješno odradila. I kako se uranjalo sve više u priču, bivalo je sve čarobnije... Posebno i neočekivano, a opet, sam naslov daje naslutiti tu mogućnost nestvarnoga. Ništa pretjerano, taman dovoljno čarobnosti koju je autorica zanimljivo provukla kroz cijeli roman, ujedno mu daje i poseban "touch".
Više o utiscima pročitajte klikom na link: https://knjige-u-svom-filmu.webador.c...
Svidjela mi se kompleksnost priče! Čitajući je pitajući se, razmišljajući, povezujući, gdje je na kraju svako zašto imalo svoje zato bilo mi je savršeno. Ispreplesti više radnji kroz više vremenskih razdoblja, kvalitetno, razumljivo i smisleno težak je posao koji je Emilia Hart sa svojim „Sirenama“ uspješno odradila. I kako se uranjalo sve više u priču, bivalo je sve čarobnije... Posebno i neočekivano, a opet, sam naslov daje naslutiti tu mogućnost nestvarnoga. Ništa pretjerano, taman dovoljno čarobnosti koju je autorica zanimljivo provukla kroz cijeli roman, ujedno mu daje i poseban "touch".
Više o utiscima pročitajte klikom na link: https://knjige-u-svom-filmu.webador.c...
September 18, 2025
2019: Als Lucy aus einem Albtraum erwacht und sich im Bett eines Kommilitonen wiederfindet, ihre Hände um seinen Hals gelegt, flieht sie unter Schock von der Universität zu ihrer Schwester Jess an die Küste. Doch ihre Schwester ist verschwunden, das alte Haus am Meer steht leer. Während Lucy auf Jess Rückkehr wartet, suchen sie immer wiederkehrende Albträume heim. Sie beginnt zu recherchieren - und trifft auf seltsame Geschichten von Männern, die spurlos im Meer verschwinden und einem Baby, das in einer Höhle gefunden wurde.
1800: Die Zwillingsschwestern Mary und Eliza werden in Irrland von ihrem Vater getrennt und nach Australien verbannt. Auf der langen Schiffsreise bemerken die Mädchen beunruhigende Veränderungen an sich. Sie sind dem Zorn des Meeres und der Willkür der Schiffsbesatzung schutzlos ausgeliefert. Allein die Gemeinschaft mit ihren Mitgefangenen gibt ihnen Halt.
Emilia Hart legt mit "Unbeugsam wie die See" erneut einen höchst mitreißenden und spannenden Roman vor, der wie ihr Debüt "Die Unbändigen" auf mehreren Zeitebenen spielt und neben wahren historischen Begebenheiten auch magische Elemente enthält. Mich konnte sie damit wieder sehr fesseln und begeistern, vor allem auch durch den spektakulären Schauplatz an der rauen Küste Australiens. Die Geschichte an sich war für mich zwar schnell durchschaubar, trotzdem habe ich mit Lucy und Jess, Mary und Eliza mitgefühlt und -gelitten. Emilia Hart gelingt es, ganz reale Themen wie den sexuellen Missbrauch Schutzbefohlener mit der Magie des Meeres zu verbinden. So entsteht eine einzigartige Story mit permanent hoch gehaltenem Spannungsbogen, die die Leser*innen so schnell nicht mehr loslässt. Von mir gibt es eine Leseempfehlung, insbesondere für gemütliche Lesestunden im Herbst, und ich freue mich auf alle weiteren Romane der Autorin!
Übersetzt von Julia Walther.
1800: Die Zwillingsschwestern Mary und Eliza werden in Irrland von ihrem Vater getrennt und nach Australien verbannt. Auf der langen Schiffsreise bemerken die Mädchen beunruhigende Veränderungen an sich. Sie sind dem Zorn des Meeres und der Willkür der Schiffsbesatzung schutzlos ausgeliefert. Allein die Gemeinschaft mit ihren Mitgefangenen gibt ihnen Halt.
Emilia Hart legt mit "Unbeugsam wie die See" erneut einen höchst mitreißenden und spannenden Roman vor, der wie ihr Debüt "Die Unbändigen" auf mehreren Zeitebenen spielt und neben wahren historischen Begebenheiten auch magische Elemente enthält. Mich konnte sie damit wieder sehr fesseln und begeistern, vor allem auch durch den spektakulären Schauplatz an der rauen Küste Australiens. Die Geschichte an sich war für mich zwar schnell durchschaubar, trotzdem habe ich mit Lucy und Jess, Mary und Eliza mitgefühlt und -gelitten. Emilia Hart gelingt es, ganz reale Themen wie den sexuellen Missbrauch Schutzbefohlener mit der Magie des Meeres zu verbinden. So entsteht eine einzigartige Story mit permanent hoch gehaltenem Spannungsbogen, die die Leser*innen so schnell nicht mehr loslässt. Von mir gibt es eine Leseempfehlung, insbesondere für gemütliche Lesestunden im Herbst, und ich freue mich auf alle weiteren Romane der Autorin!
Übersetzt von Julia Walther.
April 21, 2025
3.5 stars
For those who have read Weyward, the formula for Sirens may feel familiar. The book alternates between two timelines, touching on trauma and hidden family secrets with a touch of magical realism. In the current timeline, Lucy finds herself on the verge of being kicked out of university. As opposed to tackling the issues head on she decides to visit her sister, hoping she’ll understand what she’s going through. In the past timeline, roughly around 1801, Mary and her sister are being transported to New South Wales on a convict ship. We briefly get an idea of why they are there, but the storyline focuses more on the long voyage in the most inhumane conditions possible.
What I liked:
- The historical element was certainly intriguing and definitely had me googling.
- The present storyline. I actually think this could’ve been delved into further. There was just so much turmoil from both within the family history along with the girls skin condition. I just think spending more time on this I would’ve enjoyed it even more. Same could be said with the past. Both timelines had very interesting aspects to them.
What didn’t work for me:
- The connection between both timelines didn’t flow well, in my opinion. I felt myself trying to tie them both together and while I know that there was a connection between the timelines I feel like I missed the boat on it.
- Magical realism. This worked so well for me in Weyward, but it did not work for me in this book. I just don’t believe it was fully flushed out or maybe the topic didn’t work for me. I could honestly have done without it in this book and maybe enjoyed it more.
- The two timelines. I love books that have different timelines, but in this case I favored the present timeline over the past and each time I was taken out of the story once it flipped.
- The teacher aspect. While I I liked the present timeline, I did not like this aspect. I think it goes back to needing more time spent on doing a deeper dive in the family dynamics as well as the inner turmoil of the girls. This felt out of place.
Would my feelings have been different had I not read Weyward first? Very possibly. This certainly is a well written book and fans of this author will definitely like it.
I had a tough time with my rating. While it held my attention, I felt it was a little bit all over the place and didn’t connect with me as a reader. I think I’ve settled on a 3.5 rating, lowering down to a 3 as there was more that didn’t work for me than what did.
For those who have read Weyward, the formula for Sirens may feel familiar. The book alternates between two timelines, touching on trauma and hidden family secrets with a touch of magical realism. In the current timeline, Lucy finds herself on the verge of being kicked out of university. As opposed to tackling the issues head on she decides to visit her sister, hoping she’ll understand what she’s going through. In the past timeline, roughly around 1801, Mary and her sister are being transported to New South Wales on a convict ship. We briefly get an idea of why they are there, but the storyline focuses more on the long voyage in the most inhumane conditions possible.
What I liked:
- The historical element was certainly intriguing and definitely had me googling.
- The present storyline. I actually think this could’ve been delved into further. There was just so much turmoil from both within the family history along with the girls skin condition. I just think spending more time on this I would’ve enjoyed it even more. Same could be said with the past. Both timelines had very interesting aspects to them.
What didn’t work for me:
- The connection between both timelines didn’t flow well, in my opinion. I felt myself trying to tie them both together and while I know that there was a connection between the timelines I feel like I missed the boat on it.
- Magical realism. This worked so well for me in Weyward, but it did not work for me in this book. I just don’t believe it was fully flushed out or maybe the topic didn’t work for me. I could honestly have done without it in this book and maybe enjoyed it more.
- The two timelines. I love books that have different timelines, but in this case I favored the present timeline over the past and each time I was taken out of the story once it flipped.
- The teacher aspect. While I I liked the present timeline, I did not like this aspect. I think it goes back to needing more time spent on doing a deeper dive in the family dynamics as well as the inner turmoil of the girls. This felt out of place.
Would my feelings have been different had I not read Weyward first? Very possibly. This certainly is a well written book and fans of this author will definitely like it.
I had a tough time with my rating. While it held my attention, I felt it was a little bit all over the place and didn’t connect with me as a reader. I think I’ve settled on a 3.5 rating, lowering down to a 3 as there was more that didn’t work for me than what did.
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!
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
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