What do you think?
Rate this book
Siren Says
Not yet published
Expected 18 Aug 26A 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 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 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.
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 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 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
Expected publication August 18, 2026
115 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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
The William Morris-inspired cover is gorgeous—I want to wallpaper my house with this pattern!
Raven Wynn hasn’t always known it, but she’s on a journey of discovery and sacrifice. It takes her to some dark places, and it isn’t always clear who’s a friend and who’s an enemy. With the limited knowledge she’s been given, Raven must rely on instinct to see her through.
Siren Says weaves Welsh folklore into the modern world in a fascinating tale of familial atonement. Jennifer Herrera includes a helpful guide to the Welsh vocabulary used in the story, as well as plenty of embedded descriptions, so it never becomes confusing.
A distinct cast is introduced—sweet Ash, narcissistic Striker, elusive Cherry, mysterious Delilah, and talented Idris. At one point or another, I suspected every one of them of having a nefarious agenda, which kept me guessing. That said, the pacing of the romantic thread felt slightly off to me; feelings were sometimes developed and then forgotten too quickly. Raven occasionally decided to trust, not always logically, but because it was convenient.
The story as a whole, however, maintains a consistent style: a little dark, a little moody, a little ruthless. I loved the interwoven plant lore and how Herrera doesn’t shy away from life, death, and mourning, presenting them as part of the same cycle.
If you enjoy stories with an interesting magic structure rooted in folklore, self-discovery leading to self-acceptance, and a dash of spice, Siren Says is for you!
Thank you to Putnam for the opportunity to read Siren Says. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and am writing this review voluntarily.
Raven Wynn hasn’t always known it, but she’s on a journey of discovery and sacrifice. It takes her to some dark places, and it isn’t always clear who’s a friend and who’s an enemy. With the limited knowledge she’s been given, Raven must rely on instinct to see her through.
Siren Says weaves Welsh folklore into the modern world in a fascinating tale of familial atonement. Jennifer Herrera includes a helpful guide to the Welsh vocabulary used in the story, as well as plenty of embedded descriptions, so it never becomes confusing.
A distinct cast is introduced—sweet Ash, narcissistic Striker, elusive Cherry, mysterious Delilah, and talented Idris. At one point or another, I suspected every one of them of having a nefarious agenda, which kept me guessing. That said, the pacing of the romantic thread felt slightly off to me; feelings were sometimes developed and then forgotten too quickly. Raven occasionally decided to trust, not always logically, but because it was convenient.
The story as a whole, however, maintains a consistent style: a little dark, a little moody, a little ruthless. I loved the interwoven plant lore and how Herrera doesn’t shy away from life, death, and mourning, presenting them as part of the same cycle.
If you enjoy stories with an interesting magic structure rooted in folklore, self-discovery leading to self-acceptance, and a dash of spice, Siren Says is for you!
Thank you to Putnam for the opportunity to read Siren Says. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and am writing this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Raven Wynn ha vivido toda su vida marcada por una herida que crece sobre su espalda y que amenaza con matarla lentamente. Todo comenzó el día en que su madre decidió protegerla a un costo irreversible. Desde entonces Raven ha rechazado todo lo que tenga que ver con lo sobrenatural mientras busca una forma de sobrevivir en un mundo que no tiene respuestas para ella
Cuando señales inquietantes comienzan a repetirse y una decisión aparentemente pequeña cambia el curso de su destino ella se ve arrastrada a una verdad que ha evitado durante años, su cuerpo no solo guarda dolor también guarda un poder que exige ser escuchado.
__
El romance no funcionó para mi, se siente incompleto y en varios momentos confuso. La relación con Idris queda demasiado al aire y hay decisiones de él que no terminan de tener sentid, Por ejemplo una vez que Idris conoce a Cherry parece dejar de lado a Raven con demasiada facilidad incluso después de descubrir que fue Cherry quien realizó el hechizo y no Raven no hay una platica ni una disculpa hacia ella, además continúa ayudando a Cherry como si nada hubiera pasado lo que debilita mucho el vínculo romántico que supuestamente se estaba construyendo
También resulta difícil de entender por qué Idris lleva a Cherry con su madre cuando Raven ni siquiera tenía conocimiento de lo que realmente estaba ocurriendo con ella.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Cuando señales inquietantes comienzan a repetirse y una decisión aparentemente pequeña cambia el curso de su destino ella se ve arrastrada a una verdad que ha evitado durante años, su cuerpo no solo guarda dolor también guarda un poder que exige ser escuchado.
__
El romance no funcionó para mi, se siente incompleto y en varios momentos confuso. La relación con Idris queda demasiado al aire y hay decisiones de él que no terminan de tener sentid, Por ejemplo una vez que Idris conoce a Cherry parece dejar de lado a Raven con demasiada facilidad incluso después de descubrir que fue Cherry quien realizó el hechizo y no Raven no hay una platica ni una disculpa hacia ella, además continúa ayudando a Cherry como si nada hubiera pasado lo que debilita mucho el vínculo romántico que supuestamente se estaba construyendo
También resulta difícil de entender por qué Idris lleva a Cherry con su madre cuando Raven ni siquiera tenía conocimiento de lo que realmente estaba ocurriendo con ella.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Siren Says is a captivating tale that pulls you in from the start. Raven's magic was bounded by her mother before she came of age, and has been killing her from the inside ever since. In order to get rid of her hated magic, she makes a deal with a long lost aunt. For two months she will train until she completes a dangerous task for her Aunt Delilah, who will remove her powers. With the help of grumpy Iris and aloof Cherry, Raven learns more about her family and magic than she ever thought possible.
THIS WAS GUT WRENCHINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Ughhh the ending was everythinggg. Everything just came together perfectly.
This has to be one of my newest favorite fantasy novels. I literally could not put it down, and there were even times where I had to hold back tears. The book features a story and magical system that is completely different from most other books, which is a refreshing break from the constant repetition. The incorporation of Celtic themes was so beautiful. It felt new, interesting, FRESH.
The romance was perfectly integrated, and I felt like it added a lot to the story without becoming the sole focus. The slow burn and character development is completely worth it. Raven grows on her own and as a partner. It's amazing to see her trust others again. She starts off almost completely alone in the world, but gains friendships, love, and family.
5 stars, would definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
THIS WAS GUT WRENCHINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Ughhh the ending was everythinggg. Everything just came together perfectly.
This has to be one of my newest favorite fantasy novels. I literally could not put it down, and there were even times where I had to hold back tears. The book features a story and magical system that is completely different from most other books, which is a refreshing break from the constant repetition. The incorporation of Celtic themes was so beautiful. It felt new, interesting, FRESH.
The romance was perfectly integrated, and I felt like it added a lot to the story without becoming the sole focus. The slow burn and character development is completely worth it. Raven grows on her own and as a partner. It's amazing to see her trust others again. She starts off almost completely alone in the world, but gains friendships, love, and family.
5 stars, would definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Read
January 9, 2026DNF at 45%
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with this eARC. I thought the themes presented in the description of the book were really interesting. I was especially excited to see how Celtic mythology came into play, as I have only read one other series that touches on this. The first 25% of the book was great. I thought the setup was done really well and was very intriguing. Once it began to get into the thick of the plot, though, things started to not make sense. There was very little description of the magic system. I got nearly halfway through the book, and I barely have a grasp on who can practice what and what kinds of magic there are. Raven, our FMC, seems to know everything and nothing about the magic she possesses, which can be a little confusing. Finally, I thought that Raven's complete infatuation with Idris came on very quickly and became overwhelming almost immediately. At the part I stopped at, Raven couldn't go two pages without mentioning him in some capacity. This started to get annoying pretty fast, and unfortunately, it's the main reason I had to put down this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with this eARC. I thought the themes presented in the description of the book were really interesting. I was especially excited to see how Celtic mythology came into play, as I have only read one other series that touches on this. The first 25% of the book was great. I thought the setup was done really well and was very intriguing. Once it began to get into the thick of the plot, though, things started to not make sense. There was very little description of the magic system. I got nearly halfway through the book, and I barely have a grasp on who can practice what and what kinds of magic there are. Raven, our FMC, seems to know everything and nothing about the magic she possesses, which can be a little confusing. Finally, I thought that Raven's complete infatuation with Idris came on very quickly and became overwhelming almost immediately. At the part I stopped at, Raven couldn't go two pages without mentioning him in some capacity. This started to get annoying pretty fast, and unfortunately, it's the main reason I had to put down this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Siren Says is a lush, moody Welsh fairytale about generational magic, curses, and histories. The women in Raven Wynn's family have been both blessed and cursed with a powerful plant magic for generations, and Raven is about to pay the ultimate price - until she makes a deal with a distant aunt who says she can teach Raven to control her dangerous magic in exchange for Raven's help with harnessing a spirit.
As onetime plant witch myself, this story was right up my alley! I loved the rich setting and all the Welsh influences - it's such a beautiful, evocative culture and language (IMO somehow so underused in dark fantasy stories!), and its inclusion here is very well-done by Herrera. I'm not sure if the author has Welsh connections or is simply a very thorough researcher, but either way I'd be glad to read more of this type of detailed, real-world-influenced work.
If you enjoy dark-ish, folklore-influenced stories about familial bonds broken and reforged, cycles both vicious and virtuous, and the redeeming power of all kinds of love, be sure to check out Siren Says upon its release in August!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
As onetime plant witch myself, this story was right up my alley! I loved the rich setting and all the Welsh influences - it's such a beautiful, evocative culture and language (IMO somehow so underused in dark fantasy stories!), and its inclusion here is very well-done by Herrera. I'm not sure if the author has Welsh connections or is simply a very thorough researcher, but either way I'd be glad to read more of this type of detailed, real-world-influenced work.
If you enjoy dark-ish, folklore-influenced stories about familial bonds broken and reforged, cycles both vicious and virtuous, and the redeeming power of all kinds of love, be sure to check out Siren Says upon its release in August!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Siren Says is an easy 5 stars!! I feel lucky to have been able to get this ARC! It was definitely unexpected. It’s so beautifully atmospheric. Some characters felt a little lacking, even though they still definitely had a specific role to play. Just wish we could have had a bit more on them. The FMC’s growth, (and the profound understanding of womanhood and the fight to reclaim one’s own power), came together with stunning, satisfying clarity. The folklore and magic in this story was easy to grasp. The imagery creates a story so vivid you can almost smell it, see it, and feel it all for yourself. This book is steeped in myth and untamed emotion. It’s left a lasting impression on me…One of my favorite reads, in a long time! Truly magical!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was a very lucky early reader of Siren Says, this book
is sexy, atmospheric, and makes you want to learn more about plants and their uses! What a vibe this book is. Will be recommending it to everyone I know!
is sexy, atmospheric, and makes you want to learn more about plants and their uses! What a vibe this book is. Will be recommending it to everyone I know!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wonderful story of witches, female empowerment, friendship, romance (adds to the plot), and family. I loved the forms of magic and the character growth. I loved the nature aspect and the magical beings.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
astounding and effective work filled with magical creatures and entities and powerful plotting. would recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews