The Song of the Siren

Daughters of England #7

by Philippa Carr

As England erupts in violent Jacobite upheaval, two half-sisters — one of surpassing beauty and untamed spirit; the other plain, shy and dutiful — vie for the love of a man and the life of a child.
When the lovely and willful Carlotta, on her way to the home of her suitor Benjie Stevens, is abducted by the dashing Jacobite leader Lord Hessenfield and forced to share his bed, she doesn't dream that the shameful coupling will spiral into mutual passion. But Hessenfield must flee to France, and Carlotta finds herself pregnant with his child. Desperate to save face and future, she marries Benjie and resolves to live happily ever after — until she returns home to find her half-sister Damaris in love with Matt Pilkington, son of the neighboring estate owner. Never one to deny her desires, Carlotta plunges into a torrid affair with Matt, a betrayal that sends the trusting Damaris into a nearly fatal illness, a wasting disease from which only Carlotta's child, the enchanting Clarissa, can save her.
With Damaris restored to health and a quiet if empty life, and Carlotta reunited in France with her true love, Hessenfield, it seems that each sister has realized her destiny — until a desperate letter from Paris reveals the terrible price Carlotta has paid for her happiness and begs Damaris to save the child Clarissa from a similar fate.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance, British Literature, Adult

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 11, 1980

About the author

Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow, Anna Percival and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Lainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all time favorites. I read this book as a teenager, it was the first of the Phillipa Carr series that I had read. I had to go back and read the ones prior and I couldn't wait until each one came out on the series.

[Karen Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book I've read in the Daughters of England series where I thought the central character not so likeable. Carlotta is selfish, mean, arrogant, and egotistical. What a delicious story!

[Phil Syphe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big improvement on the previous couple of books in the series, though not as good as “Saraband for Two Sisters”.

Like the aforementioned title, this novel features a twin first-person narrative, told by two sisters of very different natures. The diverse viewpoints complement each other well.

Although “bad girl” Carlotta leads the more exciting life, I found myself drawn to the “good girl”, Damaris.

This author, including under her different pen names, is brilliant at portraying child characters. The one here – Clarissa – is the best I’ve yet to encounter. This little girl is so believable & entertaining with her consistent questions.

Plotting is clever, with a few unexpected twists, with the only downside being needless repetition – something this author is guilty of whichever name she writes under. This is what comes out of churning out book after book, rather than spending the necessary time to ensure quality reading takes precedence over quantity of titles.

But overall, this is a very good read.

[MV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another favorite of mine in the series. Very dramatic, with dual narrators (Carlotta and her half-sister Damaris).

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

The seventh volume of Carr's "Daughters of England" series picks right up where the previous work, "The Love Child," left off, shifting its focus to a dual narrative between sisters Carlotta and Damaris. Beautiful, magnetic, head-strong and rich, Carlotta 's selfish and reckless nature leads her into a brief, intense affair with John Field, Lord Hessenfield, a leading Jacobite who is plotting against Queen Anne. Gentle, more timid Damaris is alternately her victim and the one who will pick up the pieces of the wreckage. Carr has a fondness for not-so-admirable female characters, but occasionally she punishes them. Here, she does not shy away from reminding the reader through Carlotta that choices have consequences: and the last half of the novel is a tightly focused ticking clock.

[Chrystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a frustrating book. Most of it is told from the point of view of Carlotta, the selfish brat. Parts of it are told from her half-sister Damaris' point of view. Her story is more interesting and it's not until the last 30 pages of the book that things start moving along and the story is getting good. Then the book ends abruptly and kind of lamely. What a let-down. She spent too much time on the boring escapades of slutty Carlotta, and ran out of time...

The next book will be about Carlotta's bratty daughter, Clarissa.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author's historical novels. This one centers on two sisters who are very different in nature and need to find a way to accept each other's differences. England is at war with France, and this family gets caught up in the through the men they are associated with. The elder sister reminded me of Scarlett O'Hara, taking whatever or whoever she wants with no regard to who gets hurt. A pleasant romp through the past.

[Marie Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one too and thought the ending was awesome.. The whole formula of virile sex crazed men and amazingly beautiful women is getting stale by this seventh book of the series however. Looking past that makes it an intriguing plot set against an intriguing historical perspective

[Marta Gómez Nadal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanta este libro, es el primero que leí de la saga hijas de Inglaterra y me los quiero comprar todos. Las historias de esta familia tienen pinta de ser muy interesantes.

[Raquel Terradillos]

Victoria holt

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do I even say about this book? Intense, titillating, frustrating. The characters are so real and passionate and fall foolishly to their whims tragically. The set up and historical background was really cool and interesting, reminding me of Outlander; although at times it was a bit much and a tad confusing, for I'm not too knowledgeable on the time period. The dark secrets and family drama was intriguing, and I regret a bit that I started with the 7th book, I felt I missed a few bits of information and didn't have knowledge or a connection with the parents like I felt I should. However, most of the important information seemed to be revealed or mentioned in some way. The pacing was really good, other than a bit of political talk at the beginning. What really brought this book up to four stars was the ending. After what happened to Damaris, I was so happy that she found someone she could love because I never really trusted Matt. Jeremy was just so great! We didn't get much of him, but he seemed trustworthy and perfect for Damaris. When they finally found Clarissa I was so happy! The song of the siren metaphor when Carlotta was killed was brilliant! I feel kind of bad saying she deserved it but after the way she hurt everyone in her life... it was a mysterious, stunning and well thought of death. The main characters get such good character arcs it is very entertaining to watch them struggle and figure out life. Overall, an interesting and fun book, might read the others in the series.

[Adna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es el libro más dramático que he leído en la vida. O sea era una sorpresa tras otra y cuando pensabas que ya no había nada por descubrir PPUUMM!!
Odié des de el inicio a Carlota, tenía tanta soberbia y era tan egoísta, solo miraba por ella y ya está. Se creía que era mejor por ser una mujer "atrevida" y "aventurera" que podía conquistar a cualquier hombre y deslumbrar a todos. Aagghh que creída! Y encima odiaba a su hermana sin ningún motivo.
Como puede escudarse diciendo que es su naturaleza y que no se consideraba ni buena ni mala? Lo que le hizo a su hermana fue definitivamente de mala persona, su final fue el karma.
Y Harriet, como puedes querer que tu único hijo se case con una mujer que sabes que lo va a engañar? Cuando tú hijo la trata como si fuera una reina?
En cambio Dàmaris era tan buena e inocente, siempre preocupándose por los demás, puede que demasiado. Creo que lo que Matt le hizo fue un aprendizaje para ella que le abrió los ojos y la condujo a una relación más bonita. Al final tuvo su final feliz de cuento de hadas. Su romance con Jeremy me recordó al señor Darcy en Orgullo y prejuicio.

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the whole series. Carlotta is charming and captivating. I was in love with her the second she graced the series in the last book. She will spellbind you into loving and hating her. She will use Harriet to get what she wants. She will fall in love with someone who is pure evil and hurt a good man in the process. The thing is, what does around comes around. The beautiful siren's flame is flickering in the wind of her wake.

I have probably read this book 20 times.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good tale, and interesting that it is written from 2 view points, although Philippa Carr did that in a few books, Saraband for Two Sisters, for example. Carlotta does not always do the kind thing, but you like her despite it.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a series of mother to daughter generations stories telling the history of England from Henry VIII to WW II. Fabulous to read them all in order. Each one is a gem; each is surprising and well written.

good read.

[Tammie Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 7

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books so far.