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Siren Says
“Mysterious, beautiful, and enchanting in the true and sinister sense of the word. You have been warned!” —Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Outlander
A lush, spellbinding tale about a tenacious young woman who must harness her family’s dangerous magic to put a stop to the sacrifices they’ve been making for more than a century
Twenty-five-year-old Raven Wynn knows that the ancient plant magic running through her veins brings nothing but destruction. It doomed her Welsh ancestors. It killed her mother. It’s the reason she’s now bound by a painful curse—one that will destroy her if she can’t find a way to break its hold.
When her estranged Aunt Delilah bursts into her life promising a cure, Raven seizes the chance. However, her freedom comes at a steep price: Once her magic is fully unleashed, she is more powerful—and more dangerous—than anyone thought possible.
Desperate to tame powers she never wanted, Raven makes a pact with Delilah: In exchange for learning to control her magic, Raven will capture one of the spirits that roam Delilah’s hometown on May’s Eve so that it may grant Delilah’s secret wish. With the help of an enigmatic new friend, Cherry, as well as an infuriatingly handsome stoneworker, Idris, Raven learns that her task is even more perilous than she imagined—one false move and the spirits could trap her soul—forever.
A sumptuous escape into a world of Celtic spirits and botanical magic, Siren Says is a bewitching story of the unbreakable bonds between women, the interplay between goodness and power, and the capacity of love to mend our very souls.
A lush, spellbinding tale about a tenacious young woman who must harness her family’s dangerous magic to put a stop to the sacrifices they’ve been making for more than a century
Twenty-five-year-old Raven Wynn knows that the ancient plant magic running through her veins brings nothing but destruction. It doomed her Welsh ancestors. It killed her mother. It’s the reason she’s now bound by a painful curse—one that will destroy her if she can’t find a way to break its hold.
When her estranged Aunt Delilah bursts into her life promising a cure, Raven seizes the chance. However, her freedom comes at a steep price: Once her magic is fully unleashed, she is more powerful—and more dangerous—than anyone thought possible.
Desperate to tame powers she never wanted, Raven makes a pact with Delilah: In exchange for learning to control her magic, Raven will capture one of the spirits that roam Delilah’s hometown on May’s Eve so that it may grant Delilah’s secret wish. With the help of an enigmatic new friend, Cherry, as well as an infuriatingly handsome stoneworker, Idris, Raven learns that her task is even more perilous than she imagined—one false move and the spirits could trap her soul—forever.
A sumptuous escape into a world of Celtic spirits and botanical magic, Siren Says is a bewitching story of the unbreakable bonds between women, the interplay between goodness and power, and the capacity of love to mend our very souls.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2026
About the author
Jennifer Herrera
2 books173 followersJennifer Herrera is a literary agent, who is fascinated by both the stories we tell ourselves to live and the lies we cling to that sabotage our chances at a good life. She was born and raised in northwest Ohio and now resides in Philadelphia with her husband, kids, and kittens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
August 18, 2026
Themes of women’s empowerment, a gorgeous cover, and the promise of a siren with wild magic all lured me in. The blurb gave me visions of a young woman communing with overgrown plants, discovering herself and claiming her power within the setting of a family of strong women. And I suppose this is the case to a certain extent.
Raven is a 25 year old woman, disabled by a curse placed by her mother shortly before her death, that binds her magic and is slowly killing her. Afraid of her mother’s destructive magic, her only wish is to lift the curse and banish her innate power before it destroys her.
I would say this story teeters somewhere between paranormal, urban fantasy, and magical realism with a pinch of horror. And while I admire the combination of siren women with powerful magic and Celtic mythological monsters in a modern setting, the plot felt slightly weighed down beneath its ambitions. Somewhere between fighting ancient beasts that I could never quite visualize and the history of siren ancestors swindling men out of land and work to escape the limitations of a society built on misogyny, I felt like I lost the destination.
I mean, I am all for women embracing their power and voice, and doing what they must to survive in the face of pervasive patriarchy. I also applaud the discussion that people can get lost to overwhelming power, and may need help reigning themselves back in before they either succumb to madness or become a monster. But I didn’t feel like this story presented a clear vision of building a better world without the negative consequences of wielding too much power. And maybe that’s the point, that we are all just muddling our way through, and learning from the mistakes of our ancestors?
I also wanted more depth for most of the characters aside from Raven and the love interest, Idris. In fact, theirs was the only relationship that I found myself truly rooting for. This is partly because I never quite trusted the motivations of the women in this story.
Don’t get me wrong, I was pleasantly surprised by the strong romantic theme and unexpected dash of spice. Idris is the one character that I never doubted, because he felt so innately right, that he generally intended to ground and care for Raven in whatever capacity she needed. However, in a story about a woman embracing her identity and power, I had hopes for stronger female relationships. Even at the end I didn’t fully understand the actions of the women in Raven’s family.
There also seemed to be some kind of allegory between a plant’s life cycle and Raven understanding and claiming her power that I didn’t quite grasp. I loved the way that plants seemed to represent Raven’s intuition, they acted like another character in this story that never seemed to fail her. However, there was quite a bit of plant science that went over my head. I think someone with a strong interest in botany might enjoy this aspect more.
Overall, this story has a gripping premise, a lovely romance, and some interesting Welsh lore and plant science. I just didn’t feel like all the pieces fit together in a way that gave me a complete vision of the intention.
Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Raven is a 25 year old woman, disabled by a curse placed by her mother shortly before her death, that binds her magic and is slowly killing her. Afraid of her mother’s destructive magic, her only wish is to lift the curse and banish her innate power before it destroys her.
I would say this story teeters somewhere between paranormal, urban fantasy, and magical realism with a pinch of horror. And while I admire the combination of siren women with powerful magic and Celtic mythological monsters in a modern setting, the plot felt slightly weighed down beneath its ambitions. Somewhere between fighting ancient beasts that I could never quite visualize and the history of siren ancestors swindling men out of land and work to escape the limitations of a society built on misogyny, I felt like I lost the destination.
I mean, I am all for women embracing their power and voice, and doing what they must to survive in the face of pervasive patriarchy. I also applaud the discussion that people can get lost to overwhelming power, and may need help reigning themselves back in before they either succumb to madness or become a monster. But I didn’t feel like this story presented a clear vision of building a better world without the negative consequences of wielding too much power. And maybe that’s the point, that we are all just muddling our way through, and learning from the mistakes of our ancestors?
I also wanted more depth for most of the characters aside from Raven and the love interest, Idris. In fact, theirs was the only relationship that I found myself truly rooting for. This is partly because I never quite trusted the motivations of the women in this story.
Don’t get me wrong, I was pleasantly surprised by the strong romantic theme and unexpected dash of spice. Idris is the one character that I never doubted, because he felt so innately right, that he generally intended to ground and care for Raven in whatever capacity she needed. However, in a story about a woman embracing her identity and power, I had hopes for stronger female relationships. Even at the end I didn’t fully understand the actions of the women in Raven’s family.
There also seemed to be some kind of allegory between a plant’s life cycle and Raven understanding and claiming her power that I didn’t quite grasp. I loved the way that plants seemed to represent Raven’s intuition, they acted like another character in this story that never seemed to fail her. However, there was quite a bit of plant science that went over my head. I think someone with a strong interest in botany might enjoy this aspect more.
Overall, this story has a gripping premise, a lovely romance, and some interesting Welsh lore and plant science. I just didn’t feel like all the pieces fit together in a way that gave me a complete vision of the intention.
Many thanks to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Want to Read
January 7, 2026Expanding my sci-fi/fantasy collection this summer.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam Publisher and the author, Jennifer Herrera for the early eARC!
Publication date: August 18, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam Publisher and the author, Jennifer Herrera for the early eARC!
Publication date: August 18, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanted to love this, and I liked the initial setup of the story, but I found the character development confusing and the worldbuilding incomplete. Three main points -
1 - It seemed like the story was supposed to be one of women's empowerment, but Violet's character didn't sell this for me. She betrays her sister, marries a man who turns out to be an abuser and subjects her niece to years of pain all because of some vague visions that demand it must be this way. If she was as clever as she is described, why was her best solution to put her family in such compromising positions? How does this honor her power? This didn't make sense to me and I think the "it had to be this way" explanation at the end of the book felt like a cop out. On the same topic of empowerment, our FMC relies heavily on the MMC to understand her situation and has to be saved by him at the end. It was very mixed messaging.
2 - The magic system was vaguely described through interactions between Raven, Delilah and Idris, but by the end it still wasn't clear to me why Raven's bloodline was so powerful or exactly how it all worked. Cherry's character is also revealed to have strong powers but it's never really established how the work or how she can use them to manipulate the world, which is key to the other magics we see.
3- Finally, sirens are described in different ways in different cultures but none that I am aware of fit with the way the author described the women in this story. This was a disappointment to me because I went in with certain expectations that were not met. Admittedly, I am not an expert in mythology, but the author dedicated significant time to her other Celtic inspirations so this point felt worth mentioning.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to an eARC so I could leave this review.
1 - It seemed like the story was supposed to be one of women's empowerment, but Violet's character didn't sell this for me. She betrays her sister, marries a man who turns out to be an abuser and subjects her niece to years of pain all because of some vague visions that demand it must be this way. If she was as clever as she is described, why was her best solution to put her family in such compromising positions? How does this honor her power? This didn't make sense to me and I think the "it had to be this way" explanation at the end of the book felt like a cop out. On the same topic of empowerment, our FMC relies heavily on the MMC to understand her situation and has to be saved by him at the end. It was very mixed messaging.
2 - The magic system was vaguely described through interactions between Raven, Delilah and Idris, but by the end it still wasn't clear to me why Raven's bloodline was so powerful or exactly how it all worked. Cherry's character is also revealed to have strong powers but it's never really established how the work or how she can use them to manipulate the world, which is key to the other magics we see.
3- Finally, sirens are described in different ways in different cultures but none that I am aware of fit with the way the author described the women in this story. This was a disappointment to me because I went in with certain expectations that were not met. Admittedly, I am not an expert in mythology, but the author dedicated significant time to her other Celtic inspirations so this point felt worth mentioning.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to an eARC so I could leave this review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2026
Celibate siren/witch with suppressed plant magic that is destroying her body, reunites with her estranged aunt to get rid of her magic for good. Side quest of being horny for a boy with gem stone magic.
It felt a little insta-lovey with the FMC and MMC. The beginning made comments about her being celibate and then it switched up to instant yearning for the MMC lol so that was weird. Honestly could have left out the romantic plot line and the book would have been just as good. Other parts regarding the monsters/lore confused me at times too but overall this was a good passive read and I enjoyed the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for this gifted ARC!
It felt a little insta-lovey with the FMC and MMC. The beginning made comments about her being celibate and then it switched up to instant yearning for the MMC lol so that was weird. Honestly could have left out the romantic plot line and the book would have been just as good. Other parts regarding the monsters/lore confused me at times too but overall this was a good passive read and I enjoyed the ending.
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for this gifted ARC!
October 22, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e-arc in exchange for a honest review.
ah, i love a strong woman fmc and just female empowerment, also discovering ones self.
this was a different take on magic, witches, sirens, celtic monsters. overall, a decent tale.
i had some issues trying to vision the monsters myself and some of the characters (not Violet), seemed a bit flat. but again, overall, enjoyable story.
ah, i love a strong woman fmc and just female empowerment, also discovering ones self.
this was a different take on magic, witches, sirens, celtic monsters. overall, a decent tale.
i had some issues trying to vision the monsters myself and some of the characters (not Violet), seemed a bit flat. but again, overall, enjoyable story.
Want to Read
January 18, 2026I requested this on Netgalley. Fingers crossed!
August 29, 2026
Fall witchy vibes about sentient plant magic.
Lots of trauma to overcome.
I felt like something was missing, the magic system was confusing at times and I needed more depth from all the characters.
The best part was Raven finding self love and how to heal from visible and invisible wounds along with the bonds between women especially over generations.
Lots of trauma to overcome.
I felt like something was missing, the magic system was confusing at times and I needed more depth from all the characters.
The best part was Raven finding self love and how to heal from visible and invisible wounds along with the bonds between women especially over generations.
January 21, 2026
“Sirenn Says” is an engaging fantasy tale about Raven, who must use her family’s dangerous magic to end the sacrifices they have been making for generations. I loved that it contains elements such as plant magic, mythical beings, and Celtic myth influence. The romance takes an important role in the plot; personally, I enjoyed it, it was the cherry on top. The only issue is that I found the magic system somehow confusing, especially at the end; maybe it could’ve been explained better.
June 27, 2026
Siren Says was different than any other witchy book I’ve read! This book had beautiful imagery, tons of plant facts, and was much darker than I thought it would be.
Thank you to the Author for the gifted Physical ARC to read and review.
Raven, the FMC, knows magic is dangerous and the cause of pain in her life. She loses her mother at a young age and lives with her abusive step father. After living with pain for 13 years, Raven meets her Aunt Delilah, who promises a solution to her problems. Raven learns about her magic and the task she must complete to help Delilah. I felt Delilah, Idris, Cherry, Ash, and Striker were underdeveloped as characters.
The plot was medium paced with some slow parts throughout. The story read like a dark fairytale with twists I didn’t see coming. This was then interspersed with descriptive plant discussions.
I struggled with the world building. Raven and her family are Sirens, but I am not really clear on what a Siren truly can be and all the powers they have - only plants and birds? I don’t know how other witches and lower Magics associate with/know each other. I don’t know if the public is aware of magic or not. Several sections of the book promoted women strength and solidarity, and that men try to control powerful women. But Raven is saved more than once by a man and her magic seems most beautiful during coitus with a man. This all seems contradictory to the messaging in the story.
I liked the Celtic mythology. The creatures were creepy! I liked the technical aspect of the plant extractions. I liked the imagery in the story. The keening weeping willows were my favorite. The music magic was beautifully described.
This book has spice, 🌶️🌶️. This author writes great tension and attraction.
Overall, this book was original and read like a dark fairytale. I enjoyed the read but needed more character development and world building.
Thank you to the Author for the gifted Physical ARC to read and review.
Raven, the FMC, knows magic is dangerous and the cause of pain in her life. She loses her mother at a young age and lives with her abusive step father. After living with pain for 13 years, Raven meets her Aunt Delilah, who promises a solution to her problems. Raven learns about her magic and the task she must complete to help Delilah. I felt Delilah, Idris, Cherry, Ash, and Striker were underdeveloped as characters.
The plot was medium paced with some slow parts throughout. The story read like a dark fairytale with twists I didn’t see coming. This was then interspersed with descriptive plant discussions.
I struggled with the world building. Raven and her family are Sirens, but I am not really clear on what a Siren truly can be and all the powers they have - only plants and birds? I don’t know how other witches and lower Magics associate with/know each other. I don’t know if the public is aware of magic or not. Several sections of the book promoted women strength and solidarity, and that men try to control powerful women. But Raven is saved more than once by a man and her magic seems most beautiful during coitus with a man. This all seems contradictory to the messaging in the story.
I liked the Celtic mythology. The creatures were creepy! I liked the technical aspect of the plant extractions. I liked the imagery in the story. The keening weeping willows were my favorite. The music magic was beautifully described.
This book has spice, 🌶️🌶️. This author writes great tension and attraction.
Overall, this book was original and read like a dark fairytale. I enjoyed the read but needed more character development and world building.
August 19, 2026
What a nice little bit of magic! This was a very sweet and touching story about a young woman, Raven, with the ability to hear and utilize plants to make magic. After her mother’s death she discovers she has even greater powers and is one of generations of magical Sirens in her family. As she comes into her power and learns about the complicated and treacherous history of the women in her family, she also discovers a shocking truth about her own parentage. She must make difficult choices about her future and the future of others while risking her life against dangerous magical creatures.
I really enjoyed this! The main characters were complex and interesting with unique magic and personal challenges in managing it. The magic system was well done - it was complicated and there were several times when it just lost me but I was still caught up in it and was happy to gloss over any gaps. Raven’s backstory and her connections to her past and her present had good depth and I felt for her throughout. There is also a nice romance that doesn’t overwhelm or distract from the main storyline and, although it moves a little quickly, fits just right.
Very enjoyable read! I love magic and that’s what this book is all about. Will definitely look for other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC and share my thoughts.
I really enjoyed this! The main characters were complex and interesting with unique magic and personal challenges in managing it. The magic system was well done - it was complicated and there were several times when it just lost me but I was still caught up in it and was happy to gloss over any gaps. Raven’s backstory and her connections to her past and her present had good depth and I felt for her throughout. There is also a nice romance that doesn’t overwhelm or distract from the main storyline and, although it moves a little quickly, fits just right.
Very enjoyable read! I love magic and that’s what this book is all about. Will definitely look for other books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC and share my thoughts.
September 28, 2026
Wow thank you so much to Putnam for gifting me a copy of Siren Says!! Thank you so much as well to the author for the gifted copy.
This book was so intricate and detailed. The story was magical and beautiful. What really stuck out to me the most was the writing. Reading this book the first thing I noticed was how beautiful Jennifer’s writing style is. The story just flows and the way it’s told is just so magical.
I also loved the plot. The magic, the plants, the women empowerment and themes of finding oneself were just so delicately interwoven into this magical plot. The characters were so multidimensional and we kept uncovering new details.
I would read this again for the beautiful writing alone. But I definitely recommend this book if you love stories of women’s empowerment mixed with romance and magic.
This book was so intricate and detailed. The story was magical and beautiful. What really stuck out to me the most was the writing. Reading this book the first thing I noticed was how beautiful Jennifer’s writing style is. The story just flows and the way it’s told is just so magical.
I also loved the plot. The magic, the plants, the women empowerment and themes of finding oneself were just so delicately interwoven into this magical plot. The characters were so multidimensional and we kept uncovering new details.
I would read this again for the beautiful writing alone. But I definitely recommend this book if you love stories of women’s empowerment mixed with romance and magic.
Did Not Finish
August 14, 2026DNF @30%
Initially, I was intrigued and the writing style was lovely. However, as the book went on, it felt like a lot of ideas were shoved together without them making total sense. Also, the author kept writing like, “he put his hand on my hand” or “his lips grazed my lips” and it was so repetitive and pulled me out of the story because it annoyed me. I don’t think this is bad, but I knew it wouldn’t be higher than a 3 star for me, so DNF.
Initially, I was intrigued and the writing style was lovely. However, as the book went on, it felt like a lot of ideas were shoved together without them making total sense. Also, the author kept writing like, “he put his hand on my hand” or “his lips grazed my lips” and it was so repetitive and pulled me out of the story because it annoyed me. I don’t think this is bad, but I knew it wouldn’t be higher than a 3 star for me, so DNF.
Did Not Finish
April 2, 2026Thank you Netgalley for an Advanced Readers Copy of Siren Says in exchange for my honest review.
I am sad to say I DNF’d this one very early on, at 9%. I did not feel a pull to our main character or her story. She lacks depth or any interesting quirks or personality traits. The setting was unimpressionable. The supporting characters also did not hold my interest. I did not really feel interested in learning more about her or the magic she possesses or her “wound”. Overall I was just very uninterested as a whole. I read to 9% then put it down for weeks and the only reason I have ever thought about it was my obligation to Netgalley. I hope there are people out there who enjoy this but this just did not do it for me.
I am sad to say I DNF’d this one very early on, at 9%. I did not feel a pull to our main character or her story. She lacks depth or any interesting quirks or personality traits. The setting was unimpressionable. The supporting characters also did not hold my interest. I did not really feel interested in learning more about her or the magic she possesses or her “wound”. Overall I was just very uninterested as a whole. I read to 9% then put it down for weeks and the only reason I have ever thought about it was my obligation to Netgalley. I hope there are people out there who enjoy this but this just did not do it for me.
August 19, 2026
Great book for anyone who is a fan of witchy reads!
Raven's mother died from magic when she was young, and her last act was to cast a spell on Raven. It has caused an exoskeleton-type growth to grow and expand all over Raven's back and sides, and it is slowly killing her. She expects it will eventually suffocate/strangle her once it wraps around her neck.
Aside from that injury, though, Raven does not have any of her mother's plant magic. She can, however, understand plants and can hear them. And she works with them as a horticulturalist in a private conservatory. Eventually, Raven gets a magic related lead on how to heal her injury, leading to her growing and tending to a "blood flower." And then in walks the witchy aunt she never knew she had.
Her aunt Delilah tells her that, if she uses a candle to unseal her magic (which will heal her injury) then Delilah will train her in how to use her magic until May's Eve when Raven can then wish away her magic and, in return, she will also help Delilah with something that day. Raven isn't sure whether she can trust Delilah, though, as others around her tell her Delilah is an untrustworthy user. Nonetheless, Raven hesitantly takes the journey to get rid of her magic.
I really enjoyed the darkness of this book, the backstory of the Wynn family, as well as the opportunity to learn about all the Welsh mythical spirits that pop up in this story. This is a great read going into fall, even though it takes place in the spring. There is a nice romantic subplot, but it felt a little hollow to me with no real explanation of where their feelings came from. I don't feel like it really added much, even though I like Idris as a character, but it didn't detract from the story either.
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam, and Jennifer Herrera for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Raven's mother died from magic when she was young, and her last act was to cast a spell on Raven. It has caused an exoskeleton-type growth to grow and expand all over Raven's back and sides, and it is slowly killing her. She expects it will eventually suffocate/strangle her once it wraps around her neck.
Aside from that injury, though, Raven does not have any of her mother's plant magic. She can, however, understand plants and can hear them. And she works with them as a horticulturalist in a private conservatory. Eventually, Raven gets a magic related lead on how to heal her injury, leading to her growing and tending to a "blood flower." And then in walks the witchy aunt she never knew she had.
Her aunt Delilah tells her that, if she uses a candle to unseal her magic (which will heal her injury) then Delilah will train her in how to use her magic until May's Eve when Raven can then wish away her magic and, in return, she will also help Delilah with something that day. Raven isn't sure whether she can trust Delilah, though, as others around her tell her Delilah is an untrustworthy user. Nonetheless, Raven hesitantly takes the journey to get rid of her magic.
I really enjoyed the darkness of this book, the backstory of the Wynn family, as well as the opportunity to learn about all the Welsh mythical spirits that pop up in this story. This is a great read going into fall, even though it takes place in the spring. There is a nice romantic subplot, but it felt a little hollow to me with no real explanation of where their feelings came from. I don't feel like it really added much, even though I like Idris as a character, but it didn't detract from the story either.
Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam, and Jennifer Herrera for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
September 3, 2026Interesting audiobook. Had a 'free' Audible credit, so I decided to listen to this book. First chapter done and I'm already bonding with the main protagonist, Raven, who tragically lost her mother when she was 13. What she believed was a curse, is actually turning out to be an actual magical reckoning. I'm intrigued where this will go.... (That said, they could certainly fix/improve the image for the audiobook, rather than a black square, couldn't they?!)
Temporary DNF. Audiobooks are just not for me. I'll try to pick this up and continue it, once I find a physical copy. Just something about turning the pages of an actual physical book, even an ebook.
Temporary DNF. Audiobooks are just not for me. I'll try to pick this up and continue it, once I find a physical copy. Just something about turning the pages of an actual physical book, even an ebook.
October 20, 2026
I got to 49% in this book and finally had to DNF it. The premise of an apothecary and plant based magic system really intrigued me but I was so darned bored, I couldn’t go on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Raven has spent her life suffering from a curse her witch mother placed on her deathbed, binding her magic and leaving her in constant pain. With a volatile stepfather and a stepbrother she’d do anything to protect, she’s desperate for a cure.
When she reconnects with her mysterious aunt, she’s offered a chance to finally break free, but only if she agrees to do her aunt’s bidding. As Raven sets off on her quest, long-hidden truths begin to surface, missing pieces fall into place, and she discovers her mate along the way.
A dark, witchy, and mysterious read that kept me hooked and left me wanting more!
When she reconnects with her mysterious aunt, she’s offered a chance to finally break free, but only if she agrees to do her aunt’s bidding. As Raven sets off on her quest, long-hidden truths begin to surface, missing pieces fall into place, and she discovers her mate along the way.
A dark, witchy, and mysterious read that kept me hooked and left me wanting more!
Did Not Finish
July 5, 2026DNF @ 52%. For one thing, the description is pretty misleading; it vaguely insinuates that there’s a romance arc, but this is a romantasy through and through, and a poorly written one at that. The romance initially starts out as something kind of resembling a rivals-to-lovers premise if you squint, but there’s no valid reason why they would resent each other, so it’s mostly dropped after awhile. The chemistry between the two characters is not convincing at all, which is a shame considering their relationship takes up most of the story.
The biggest issue for me was the extremely juvenile writing style and characterization; if I had read the first few chapters without knowing how old the main character was, I would’ve guessed this to be a coming-of-age YA novel. With a few edits, I honestly think that would’ve served the story a lot better, but the disconnect between the teenaged tone and mid-twenty something characters was too jarring for me to get through.
I was looking forward to a lush fantasy with botanical magic at the center, not a CW teen drama with a few plant facts mixed in.
The biggest issue for me was the extremely juvenile writing style and characterization; if I had read the first few chapters without knowing how old the main character was, I would’ve guessed this to be a coming-of-age YA novel. With a few edits, I honestly think that would’ve served the story a lot better, but the disconnect between the teenaged tone and mid-twenty something characters was too jarring for me to get through.
I was looking forward to a lush fantasy with botanical magic at the center, not a CW teen drama with a few plant facts mixed in.
February 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this lovely book!
In this dreamy, Celtic-inspired fantasy, twenty-five-year-old Raven views her ancestral plant magic as a curse and nothing but destruction. It is the same volatile power that claimed her mother’s life and left Raven tethered to a literal, agonizing wound that will claim her life if she can’t find a way to cure it. When her estranged Aunt Delilah appears offering a cure, Raven decides to take the chance for freedom. However, breaking the bind on her curse unleashes a magic power far more explosive and dangerous than she ever imagined.
Desperate to tame the powerful magic she never wanted, she must train with Delilah, who will only teach her after the make a pact. Delilah will help her control her magic if in 2 months time, Raven can capture a spirit to grant Delilah’s secret wish. Aided by her new friend Cherry and the charming yet
infuriating handsome stoneworker Idris, Raven embarks on a journey that uncovers dark family secrets and dangerous that might just steal her soul. Can Raven free herself of her magic and right the wrongs of her ancestors?
I just LOVED this one!!! For me this was the perfect mix of fantasy with just a hint of romance. I haven’t been so enthralled in a box like this in a while - where I turn into a gremlin in bed saying “one more chapter” to my husband as I continue to read until 2am just to finish the story. The pacing was fantastic.
The mix of welsh folklore and botonical science was absolutely beautifully written. I really enjoy when fantastical stories pull in some realism to ground the story.
The romance and “spice” was very tasteful and purposeful to the story. I’ve been a bit turned off by romantasy lately, as some of the romance delves into too much heavy smut for my tastes. This book was just the right level for me!
I can really foresee this one being the fantasy book of the summer!
In this dreamy, Celtic-inspired fantasy, twenty-five-year-old Raven views her ancestral plant magic as a curse and nothing but destruction. It is the same volatile power that claimed her mother’s life and left Raven tethered to a literal, agonizing wound that will claim her life if she can’t find a way to cure it. When her estranged Aunt Delilah appears offering a cure, Raven decides to take the chance for freedom. However, breaking the bind on her curse unleashes a magic power far more explosive and dangerous than she ever imagined.
Desperate to tame the powerful magic she never wanted, she must train with Delilah, who will only teach her after the make a pact. Delilah will help her control her magic if in 2 months time, Raven can capture a spirit to grant Delilah’s secret wish. Aided by her new friend Cherry and the charming yet
infuriating handsome stoneworker Idris, Raven embarks on a journey that uncovers dark family secrets and dangerous that might just steal her soul. Can Raven free herself of her magic and right the wrongs of her ancestors?
I just LOVED this one!!! For me this was the perfect mix of fantasy with just a hint of romance. I haven’t been so enthralled in a box like this in a while - where I turn into a gremlin in bed saying “one more chapter” to my husband as I continue to read until 2am just to finish the story. The pacing was fantastic.
The mix of welsh folklore and botonical science was absolutely beautifully written. I really enjoy when fantastical stories pull in some realism to ground the story.
The romance and “spice” was very tasteful and purposeful to the story. I’ve been a bit turned off by romantasy lately, as some of the romance delves into too much heavy smut for my tastes. This book was just the right level for me!
I can really foresee this one being the fantasy book of the summer!
March 5, 2026
ARC from Putnam Publishing for Siren Says by Jennifer Herrera
I loveddddddd this one!! This being a magical enemies to lovers/coming of age/witch book about plant magic was honestly a refreshing take in a genre that can get very overplayed and repetitive.
The character development of Robin and Idris was, in itself, a page turner and I loved how Idris’ magic was based solely on crystals/gems.
Welsh mythology is not something I thought I’d catch myself wanting to learn more about but this read definitely opened a few rabbit holes for me to fall into during my free time.
I could see this branching into more books but honestly, it also had an ending that left me satisfied, which I don’t find happens that often.
I loveddddddd this one!! This being a magical enemies to lovers/coming of age/witch book about plant magic was honestly a refreshing take in a genre that can get very overplayed and repetitive.
The character development of Robin and Idris was, in itself, a page turner and I loved how Idris’ magic was based solely on crystals/gems.
Welsh mythology is not something I thought I’d catch myself wanting to learn more about but this read definitely opened a few rabbit holes for me to fall into during my free time.
I could see this branching into more books but honestly, it also had an ending that left me satisfied, which I don’t find happens that often.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Woah Nelly! Who knew stones could be so hot. Siren Says is full of magic, but not just any magic, plants, rocks, and Welsh mythology which is such a unique twist when a lot of magic stories tend to have the same ingredients. I love the use of plants and their properties, and even giving them personalities which were absolutely delightful and now makes me want to get out in the garden. Welsh culture and mythology tends to fade in the shadow of other Celtic traditions so I was very happy to learn more here. My only quibble is the insta-lust between Raven and Idris. I would like to have more of a buildup of attraction to them to really deserve the payoff of them coming together.
April 3, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.
This book has promise, but there were many plot holes and a few issues with the characterization. I also noticed that a few times a character would be forgotten about mid scene or mid storyline which was odd, and I wish the magic system would have been explored more.
However, I know it isn’t easy to create a new fantasy world and even harder to do one based off of Welsh. For that and the positive parts of this book, I think this is a solid debut.
This book has promise, but there were many plot holes and a few issues with the characterization. I also noticed that a few times a character would be forgotten about mid scene or mid storyline which was odd, and I wish the magic system would have been explored more.
However, I know it isn’t easy to create a new fantasy world and even harder to do one based off of Welsh. For that and the positive parts of this book, I think this is a solid debut.
January 16, 2026
DNF because it was more Romantacy than I expected, and I really am not a fan of that genre. Personal preference but I could see fantasy and romance fans enjoying
September 19, 2026
Thank you to @PutnamBooks for the free digital ARC.
Raven Wynn was cursed by the same destructive magic that killed her mother. The curse is painful and debilitating. Over many years, she attempts to find a solution to the pain with no real progress. She reconnects with her estranged aunt makes a pact to capture a spirit for her in exchange for control of her magic. Capturing the spirit is more dangerous and complicated than expected, but when caught they can grant wishes. Raven has the help of her new friend Cherry and a really hot and broody stoneworker, Idris.
I really liked the plant magic, I thought that was a really great idea and executed well. The Celtic folklore tied into the story was super interesting and I felt very engaged with that aspect of the story. I did find the magic system a bit confusing and I would have loved a lot more exposition about how it works overall. For Raven, I also felt that the amount of time it takes her to seek out a magical solution to her problem is incredibly long given that she knows the source of the issue. Being in pain for that long and attempting to find a solution to the symptoms only didn’t quite fit with the character I actually met here. The romantic subplot was super sweet, Idris and Raven are believable but their banter and even flirty moments made me wish there wasn’t a romance component at all here.
The writing overall was well done and beautiful to read. I read the digital galley but I also bought the audiobook to listen along about halfway through (just didn’t get to finish by release date), and I really loved the narration. The narrator really gave Raven a great voice and I think it elevated the character and experience for me overall.
I do recommend this book if you like YA fantasy. The folklore and the botanical elements were my favorite elements here Even though I explain the few things that didn’t work for me personally, I don’t think those things affect the overall enjoyment of the story.
Raven Wynn was cursed by the same destructive magic that killed her mother. The curse is painful and debilitating. Over many years, she attempts to find a solution to the pain with no real progress. She reconnects with her estranged aunt makes a pact to capture a spirit for her in exchange for control of her magic. Capturing the spirit is more dangerous and complicated than expected, but when caught they can grant wishes. Raven has the help of her new friend Cherry and a really hot and broody stoneworker, Idris.
I really liked the plant magic, I thought that was a really great idea and executed well. The Celtic folklore tied into the story was super interesting and I felt very engaged with that aspect of the story. I did find the magic system a bit confusing and I would have loved a lot more exposition about how it works overall. For Raven, I also felt that the amount of time it takes her to seek out a magical solution to her problem is incredibly long given that she knows the source of the issue. Being in pain for that long and attempting to find a solution to the symptoms only didn’t quite fit with the character I actually met here. The romantic subplot was super sweet, Idris and Raven are believable but their banter and even flirty moments made me wish there wasn’t a romance component at all here.
The writing overall was well done and beautiful to read. I read the digital galley but I also bought the audiobook to listen along about halfway through (just didn’t get to finish by release date), and I really loved the narration. The narrator really gave Raven a great voice and I think it elevated the character and experience for me overall.
I do recommend this book if you like YA fantasy. The folklore and the botanical elements were my favorite elements here Even though I explain the few things that didn’t work for me personally, I don’t think those things affect the overall enjoyment of the story.
September 15, 2026
This book took me a little bit to get into, but once I was invested, I was completely absorbed.
I really loved the magic system in this one. The whole idea of communicating with plants and being able to distill certain aspects of them to use in different ways was SO fascinating to me. I do wish we had gotten a little more in depth information about the Sirens, their powers, and what exactly the lesser magics are, but honestly, I’m not too hung up on it. I felt like we were given enough information to mostly piece everything together.
I also loved loved LOVED Raven and Idris’s relationship. There were definitely moments where I was like… can y’all just get over yourselves and kiss already 😂 but by the end I was absolutely giggling and kicking my feet.
Cherry was also a surprisingly enjoyable character. I was VERY iffy about her for most of the book, but somewhere toward the end she finally managed to win me over.
Some of the family drama didn’t make a ton of sense to me, though. Like Victoria had visions and seemingly did everything she could to protect Raven… but still somehow ended up with that absolute piece of shit Striker?? That part just did not compute for me.
The ending also felt a little rushed. The battle the entire book had been building toward wrapped up pretty quickly, which was a little disappointing. That being said, it still felt fairly fleshed out overall, so while I definitely would’ve liked more, I’m not too upset about it.
Overall, this ended up being a really enjoyable read once it hooked me. The magic system was easily one of my favorite parts, and Raven and Idris completely got me by the end.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this e-book via NetGalley. All options are my own 💖
I really loved the magic system in this one. The whole idea of communicating with plants and being able to distill certain aspects of them to use in different ways was SO fascinating to me. I do wish we had gotten a little more in depth information about the Sirens, their powers, and what exactly the lesser magics are, but honestly, I’m not too hung up on it. I felt like we were given enough information to mostly piece everything together.
I also loved loved LOVED Raven and Idris’s relationship. There were definitely moments where I was like… can y’all just get over yourselves and kiss already 😂 but by the end I was absolutely giggling and kicking my feet.
Cherry was also a surprisingly enjoyable character. I was VERY iffy about her for most of the book, but somewhere toward the end she finally managed to win me over.
Some of the family drama didn’t make a ton of sense to me, though. Like Victoria had visions and seemingly did everything she could to protect Raven… but still somehow ended up with that absolute piece of shit Striker?? That part just did not compute for me.
The ending also felt a little rushed. The battle the entire book had been building toward wrapped up pretty quickly, which was a little disappointing. That being said, it still felt fairly fleshed out overall, so while I definitely would’ve liked more, I’m not too upset about it.
Overall, this ended up being a really enjoyable read once it hooked me. The magic system was easily one of my favorite parts, and Raven and Idris completely got me by the end.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this e-book via NetGalley. All options are my own 💖
August 20, 2026
A huge thank you to @and @putnambooks for the incredible #gifted book and to @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner for the #gifted audiobook.
was a richly gothic, moody, and atmospheric read that captivated me from the start.
Raven is a young woman from a family of witches. After a curse from her dying mother leaves a mysterious wound on her back, she reconnects with her long-lost aunt, Delilah. In exchange for helping Raven gain control over her magic, Raven agrees to help capture a elusive spirit.
The incorporation of Celtic folklore, along with the witchy themes, added a fascinating layer. The plant-based magic was particularly enchanting. The story exudes an eerie, supernatural vibe, punctuated by several surprising twists that kept me guessing. I was especially drawn to Raven’s quest to understand her magic and uncover why her mother cursed her. Each secret revealed shed light on her mysterious past.
The slow-burning romance between Raven and Idris felt a bit underdeveloped, lacking depth, but didn’t detract from the story.
The narrator expertly infused the narration with a haunting, gothic tone that truly brought the story to life.
If you have a love for Welsh mythology, gothic atmospheres, and family secrets, this book is a captivating choice.
was a richly gothic, moody, and atmospheric read that captivated me from the start.
Raven is a young woman from a family of witches. After a curse from her dying mother leaves a mysterious wound on her back, she reconnects with her long-lost aunt, Delilah. In exchange for helping Raven gain control over her magic, Raven agrees to help capture a elusive spirit.
The incorporation of Celtic folklore, along with the witchy themes, added a fascinating layer. The plant-based magic was particularly enchanting. The story exudes an eerie, supernatural vibe, punctuated by several surprising twists that kept me guessing. I was especially drawn to Raven’s quest to understand her magic and uncover why her mother cursed her. Each secret revealed shed light on her mysterious past.
The slow-burning romance between Raven and Idris felt a bit underdeveloped, lacking depth, but didn’t detract from the story.
The narrator expertly infused the narration with a haunting, gothic tone that truly brought the story to life.
If you have a love for Welsh mythology, gothic atmospheres, and family secrets, this book is a captivating choice.
September 14, 2026
Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 What beauty—the writing had me visualizing every scene & every different setting.
🤩 The narration by Sorcha Groundsell had me charmed.
🤩 The mystery is tantalizing, such a hopeful need to have the secrets revealed and situations solved.
🤩 That deep-seated romance…love me some fated mates vibes, especially when there’s banter, a tiny bit of jealousy, and such fitting innuendos that make you giggle even in all the seriousness.
🤩 “Okay,” I said. “So what do I do? Just rub your stones or something?” 😜
🤩 The OMG moment. And so much yearning!
🤩 Another OMG moment. 😳😮
🤩 I passed it onto my mom—she’s a reader but also a plant and gem/jewelry lover, so I know she’s going to love it.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I couldn’t multitask very well. I would get distracted and miss important details.
💫 I had to relisten to many chapters and pay better attention to try and understand, more toward the end.
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4/5
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥 (0-5)
What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 What beauty—the writing had me visualizing every scene & every different setting.
🤩 The narration by Sorcha Groundsell had me charmed.
🤩 The mystery is tantalizing, such a hopeful need to have the secrets revealed and situations solved.
🤩 That deep-seated romance…love me some fated mates vibes, especially when there’s banter, a tiny bit of jealousy, and such fitting innuendos that make you giggle even in all the seriousness.
🤩 “Okay,” I said. “So what do I do? Just rub your stones or something?” 😜
🤩 The OMG moment. And so much yearning!
🤩 Another OMG moment. 😳😮
🤩 I passed it onto my mom—she’s a reader but also a plant and gem/jewelry lover, so I know she’s going to love it.
What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 I couldn’t multitask very well. I would get distracted and miss important details.
💫 I had to relisten to many chapters and pay better attention to try and understand, more toward the end.
August 19, 2026
Many thanks to Netgalley and Putnam for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book started off slow for me, as I initially had a hard time connecting with Raven at the beginning. As the story progressed, I was excited to see her more flushed out. Her initial reluctance to magic and her arc with it were understandable and rooted in the reality of grief and chronic pain.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how well Welsh mythology was actually researched and incorporated into the magic systems, something some popular BookTok books seem to lack when it comes to Celtic mythology.
I would have liked a little more depth out of Idris and Cherry, as they both had their own intriguing backstories.
A fun escapist read once it finally sucked me in, 3.5/5, rounded up for GR!
This book started off slow for me, as I initially had a hard time connecting with Raven at the beginning. As the story progressed, I was excited to see her more flushed out. Her initial reluctance to magic and her arc with it were understandable and rooted in the reality of grief and chronic pain.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how well Welsh mythology was actually researched and incorporated into the magic systems, something some popular BookTok books seem to lack when it comes to Celtic mythology.
I would have liked a little more depth out of Idris and Cherry, as they both had their own intriguing backstories.
A fun escapist read once it finally sucked me in, 3.5/5, rounded up for GR!
October 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Despite the terrible title, the premise of this book was intriguing. Witches, ancient curses, Welsh folklore- sign me up. However, the execution was awful. It read like a young adult book, complete with angst brought about by a lack of communication, which may be second least favorite trope.
This book needed to be longer to fully flesh out the magic system, the history, the binding, the town, the family, literally everything needed more detail that was instead entirely wasted on the angst. Cherry was a flitting wisp of a character, that was even less developed than the rest of the half formed characters.
This could have been a truly fantastic novel.
Despite the terrible title, the premise of this book was intriguing. Witches, ancient curses, Welsh folklore- sign me up. However, the execution was awful. It read like a young adult book, complete with angst brought about by a lack of communication, which may be second least favorite trope.
This book needed to be longer to fully flesh out the magic system, the history, the binding, the town, the family, literally everything needed more detail that was instead entirely wasted on the angst. Cherry was a flitting wisp of a character, that was even less developed than the rest of the half formed characters.
This could have been a truly fantastic novel.
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