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The Siren
The brand new novel from global sensation Tomi The Siren is a dark, propulsive speculative thriller that will leave you breathless.
When Emery joins Dartmouth College she's determined it will be the ticket to her future, as she leaves the chaos of her past behind.
But before long she meets glamorous, intoxicating Roux, and her close-knit band of 'sirens'. Why can't she stay away from them - and what do they want from Emery?
As she learns more about these women, it becomes clear that there is a dark power operating at the heart of their circle. And, with everything on the line, Emery decides it's a power she must take for herself - no matter the cost.
An addictive and sinister examination of power and survival - and the frighteningly thin lines between life and death.
When Emery joins Dartmouth College she's determined it will be the ticket to her future, as she leaves the chaos of her past behind.
But before long she meets glamorous, intoxicating Roux, and her close-knit band of 'sirens'. Why can't she stay away from them - and what do they want from Emery?
As she learns more about these women, it becomes clear that there is a dark power operating at the heart of their circle. And, with everything on the line, Emery decides it's a power she must take for herself - no matter the cost.
An addictive and sinister examination of power and survival - and the frighteningly thin lines between life and death.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Tomi Adeyemi
14 books21.7k followersTomi Adeyemi is a Nigerian-American writer and creative writing coach based in San Diego, California. Her debut novel, CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, comes out March 6th, 2018 and the movie is currently in development at Fox with the producers of Twilight and The Maze Runner attached. After graduating Harvard University with an honors degree in English literature, she received a fellowship that allowed her to study West African mythology and culture in Salvador, Brazil. When she’s not working on her novels or watching Scandal, she can be found blogging and teaching creative writing to her 3,500 subscribers at tomiadeyemi.com. Her website has been named one of the 101 best websites for writers by Writer’s Digest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
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February 4, 2026Does anyone else find it incredibly odd that she used her own face for the cover? Is this a memoir or fiction? The "absolutely true" part and the cover makes me think memoir, but the summary sounds like fiction.
Did she switch to Indie?
Did she switch to Indie?
Read
April 13, 2026Isn't that just Tomi on the cover??? 😭
Read
May 5, 2026gonna withhold my thoughts until near pub date, will be spilling the tea (derogatory)
Want to Read
February 8, 2026intrigued? it's not what i expected, and idk about the cover, but i will be reading
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
2.75-3 range
I quite enjoyed the beginning and ending of this one, though the rest didn't quite land for me.
At the start, I was drawn in by Emery's enigmatic character, her arrival at Dartmouth, and her navigation of those first days as she met roommates, went to (and hated) frats, and found herself lured in by the Sirens. I could definitely feel Emery's desperation to be like them, alive and wild, in a way she feels she hasn't been. I could relate to her wanting college to be a fresh start to remake herself.
I was drawn in by the culty vibes of the Sirens themselves, along with the 'trials' and competition to 'get in' to their group. I think the competition element was my favorite part, and if you want to read about unhinged college hazing, this one is definitely for you!
I also appreciated how Emery's relationship with her mom was highlighted. As someone who also struggled heavily with mental health during college and frequently turned to my mom as my grounding source, I could relate to their connection.
Emery's character definitely changes throughout the story, and it was interesting to see how she fell into the group and mindset; I think she definitely meets her goal of becoming a different version of herself, but even after reading I'm still debating whether it was in a positive direction (which I like - I appreciate having something to think about after!).
The end was definitely surprising, and I really enjoyed how it went in a direction I wasn't expecting! Throughout the whole story, there's a constant mystery surrounding the group of girls, and I was glad to get a sort of 'answer' to who/"what" they are.
That said, I really struggled with the rest of the book. Here are my 'okays':
- While initially drawn in by the mystery of Emery's character herself, I felt like I never got to know her. I always felt like an outsider despite the book being largely character-driven and focused on her POV.
- I found the romance superficial/unbelievable.
- Sometimes the approach to mental health felt off to me. . . almost romanticized??
- I felt that the Sirens were indistinguishable from one another.
- I don't think the 'academia' atmosphere really comes through. Though plot points take place in/on campus property, we don't see Emery going to class much, interacting with other students, etc. Her entire focus seems to be on the Sirens and their trials (which were compelling), but this made it harder for me to reconcile how she's still excelling at school.
- The very end feels a little chopped off. Particularly, the last few sentences introduce an event that made me feel as though the story had come to a close to feeling like it wasn't over; I would have liked a little more clarity and/or an epilogue of some sort (as I believe this is a standalone).
Thanks to the publisher for an early copy to read and review; all opinions are my own.
I quite enjoyed the beginning and ending of this one, though the rest didn't quite land for me.
At the start, I was drawn in by Emery's enigmatic character, her arrival at Dartmouth, and her navigation of those first days as she met roommates, went to (and hated) frats, and found herself lured in by the Sirens. I could definitely feel Emery's desperation to be like them, alive and wild, in a way she feels she hasn't been. I could relate to her wanting college to be a fresh start to remake herself.
I was drawn in by the culty vibes of the Sirens themselves, along with the 'trials' and competition to 'get in' to their group. I think the competition element was my favorite part, and if you want to read about unhinged college hazing, this one is definitely for you!
I also appreciated how Emery's relationship with her mom was highlighted. As someone who also struggled heavily with mental health during college and frequently turned to my mom as my grounding source, I could relate to their connection.
Emery's character definitely changes throughout the story, and it was interesting to see how she fell into the group and mindset; I think she definitely meets her goal of becoming a different version of herself, but even after reading I'm still debating whether it was in a positive direction (which I like - I appreciate having something to think about after!).
The end was definitely surprising, and I really enjoyed how it went in a direction I wasn't expecting! Throughout the whole story, there's a constant mystery surrounding the group of girls, and I was glad to get a sort of 'answer' to who/"what" they are.
That said, I really struggled with the rest of the book. Here are my 'okays':
- While initially drawn in by the mystery of Emery's character herself, I felt like I never got to know her. I always felt like an outsider despite the book being largely character-driven and focused on her POV.
- I found the romance superficial/unbelievable.
- Sometimes the approach to mental health felt off to me. . . almost romanticized??
- I felt that the Sirens were indistinguishable from one another.
- I don't think the 'academia' atmosphere really comes through. Though plot points take place in/on campus property, we don't see Emery going to class much, interacting with other students, etc. Her entire focus seems to be on the Sirens and their trials (which were compelling), but this made it harder for me to reconcile how she's still excelling at school.
- The very end feels a little chopped off. Particularly, the last few sentences introduce an event that made me feel as though the story had come to a close to feeling like it wasn't over; I would have liked a little more clarity and/or an epilogue of some sort (as I believe this is a standalone).
Thanks to the publisher for an early copy to read and review; all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Wow, just wow... I have so many thoughts about this book...
And talk about an unreliable narrator. I don't even know if everything I read was real, or a fantasy. The ending was so mesmerising and confusing at the same time.
And talk about an unreliable narrator. I don't even know if everything I read was real, or a fantasy. The ending was so mesmerising and confusing at the same time.
Review of advance copy
I was instantly enraptured by this book. The MC Emery was instantly relatable to me, with her anxiety and the stories she's been told about herself hit home.
If you've ever felt that you didn't belong, this book is one for you. It challenges you to understand how far you'll go to belong, to find friends, and consider the consequences.
Additionally, The poetry was brilliant.
If you've ever felt that you didn't belong, this book is one for you. It challenges you to understand how far you'll go to belong, to find friends, and consider the consequences.
Additionally, The poetry was brilliant.
September 8, 2026
disclaimer: this was read and reviewed before publication date as an ARC via NetGalley, thanks to the publisher. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are my own.
2.5 STARS
(rounded up to 3)
this is not suitable to be marketed for YA. i’ve double-checked and triple-checked to confirm this, and it is so. while it isn’t outright spicy, there are scenes and things happening in the story that crosses a very thin line. sure, the main character and participating characters are of consensual age. but to say this is okay for 14-year-olds to read is something left for parental discretion. aside from a handful of almost sexually explicit scenes, there’s the forcing of taking drugs, under age drinking, and a planned fake shooting. these, imo, are too heavy topics for young minds. so i knocked off one-star.
as for the story itself… i have so many mixed feelings. it gets very dark and covers some traumatic topics concerning mental health. the FMC, Emery, is navigating the biggest change of her life as a new freshman at Dartmouth. despite having only lived such a short life, her mental health isn’t exactly stable. she’s been in a psych ward and has done things in the past that still eats at her, but hopes college will be the opportunity for her to find her place in the world. then, she runs into The Sirens—a small group of girls that Emery finds herself wanting to join. how far will she go and what is she willing to sacrifice to finally fit in?
the pages of poetry peppered throughout the book to showcase Emery’s state of mind was a nice touch. it’s giving the readers an extra insight to her mental chaos. like she’s not quite put together but she’s trying to make sense of herself. Emery also makes a ton of bad choices, despite everything in her warning her not to. it reminds the readers that she’s still young, naive, and just overall lost. she practically commits crimes just to feel like she’s getting pieces of herself out of them.
as for the layer of romance in this, it almost felt like it could do without. but the ending also needed her to care. it’s like that devastating, soul-shattering love. it just felt too fast for how it all happens. just thought it spoke more of infatuation than love, but that’s just me. i do love that Emery finds a friend in Ozlie though. another person who sees her before Emery even sees herself. she deserved Ozlie more than Roux. *side eye*
would i recommend it? depends on the audience. i wouldn’t encourage those who struggle with self-harm to read this, even though some of the writing could be uplifting. it’s readable, just needs a thorough warning before you dive in.
2.5 STARS
(rounded up to 3)
this is not suitable to be marketed for YA. i’ve double-checked and triple-checked to confirm this, and it is so. while it isn’t outright spicy, there are scenes and things happening in the story that crosses a very thin line. sure, the main character and participating characters are of consensual age. but to say this is okay for 14-year-olds to read is something left for parental discretion. aside from a handful of almost sexually explicit scenes, there’s the forcing of taking drugs, under age drinking, and a planned fake shooting. these, imo, are too heavy topics for young minds. so i knocked off one-star.
as for the story itself… i have so many mixed feelings. it gets very dark and covers some traumatic topics concerning mental health. the FMC, Emery, is navigating the biggest change of her life as a new freshman at Dartmouth. despite having only lived such a short life, her mental health isn’t exactly stable. she’s been in a psych ward and has done things in the past that still eats at her, but hopes college will be the opportunity for her to find her place in the world. then, she runs into The Sirens—a small group of girls that Emery finds herself wanting to join. how far will she go and what is she willing to sacrifice to finally fit in?
the pages of poetry peppered throughout the book to showcase Emery’s state of mind was a nice touch. it’s giving the readers an extra insight to her mental chaos. like she’s not quite put together but she’s trying to make sense of herself. Emery also makes a ton of bad choices, despite everything in her warning her not to. it reminds the readers that she’s still young, naive, and just overall lost. she practically commits crimes just to feel like she’s getting pieces of herself out of them.
as for the layer of romance in this, it almost felt like it could do without. but the ending also needed her to care. it’s like that devastating, soul-shattering love. it just felt too fast for how it all happens. just thought it spoke more of infatuation than love, but that’s just me. i do love that Emery finds a friend in Ozlie though. another person who sees her before Emery even sees herself. she deserved Ozlie more than Roux. *side eye*
would i recommend it? depends on the audience. i wouldn’t encourage those who struggle with self-harm to read this, even though some of the writing could be uplifting. it’s readable, just needs a thorough warning before you dive in.
Want to Read
February 3, 2026Tomi Adeyemi is back.
We will be preordering.
We will be preordering.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fantasy can be hit or miss for me, but this one is intriguing. It focuses on a new college student with mental health issues, and her desire to become a part of a secret society. But is it worth it? What will she have to give up in order to join The Sirens?
Emery is a character that, while I can't relate to her situation, I can relate to her desire to be a part of something greater than she is and to make a mark in this world. She has endured a lot, and to make it into Dartmouth is no small feat. She does get stuck with a roommate that thinks she and Emery will be best friends and do everything together. That changes when Emery chooses to not go through sorority recruitment, and is focused on another organization. This is where I have to give the author credit, she does use the Greek organizations that are on the campus. You can imagine I was a bit surprised when I saw my sorority listed, but we are on that campus, so that gave extra weight to the validity of the organizations and her research in providing an accurate representation.
I enjoyed the book up until about 80%. I don't remember the exact point, but the book went sideways for me. Emery has done everything she needed to do to be accepted as the single new member to The Sirens, but then strange things happen. At that point, after certain conversations, I wondered if this was real or in her mind and she was having a delusion in a mental facility. Also, the ending just abruptly ends. I have no idea if there will be another book to explain that ending.
There is a lot going on in this book, and most of it was very enjoyable because I didn't want to put the book down. I just can't explain, or understand, the end of the book. Others might, and that is why there is a book for everyone.
We give this book 3 paws up.
Emery is a character that, while I can't relate to her situation, I can relate to her desire to be a part of something greater than she is and to make a mark in this world. She has endured a lot, and to make it into Dartmouth is no small feat. She does get stuck with a roommate that thinks she and Emery will be best friends and do everything together. That changes when Emery chooses to not go through sorority recruitment, and is focused on another organization. This is where I have to give the author credit, she does use the Greek organizations that are on the campus. You can imagine I was a bit surprised when I saw my sorority listed, but we are on that campus, so that gave extra weight to the validity of the organizations and her research in providing an accurate representation.
I enjoyed the book up until about 80%. I don't remember the exact point, but the book went sideways for me. Emery has done everything she needed to do to be accepted as the single new member to The Sirens, but then strange things happen. At that point, after certain conversations, I wondered if this was real or in her mind and she was having a delusion in a mental facility. Also, the ending just abruptly ends. I have no idea if there will be another book to explain that ending.
There is a lot going on in this book, and most of it was very enjoyable because I didn't want to put the book down. I just can't explain, or understand, the end of the book. Others might, and that is why there is a book for everyone.
We give this book 3 paws up.
September 16, 2026
*Thank you to the publisher for the free copy for review*
Review: The premise of Adeyemi’s latest will certainly draw readers in, but the novel itself may struggle to hold their attention.
“The Siren” follows Emery Coleman, a freshman at Dartmouth College, as she is swept up into the world of a mystical band of girls called “The Sirens.” When Roux, their leader, offers Emery the chance to join them, Emery will do whatever it takes to make it in.
For all intents and purposes, “The Siren” has the makings of a good thriller. Adeyemi skillfully crafts a tense Ivy League environment that places pressure on Emery, the main character, to fit in. With time, it is revealed that her desire to do so stems from having spent time in a psychiatric ward. Her past calls her narration into question, which will keep readers on their toes as they try piece together the true motivation of The Sirens and uncover the mystery shrouding them. Adeyemi incorporates Emery’s actual poetry to showcase her emotional arc as the story progresses.
Unfortunately, issues with pacing and characterization ultimately make this story fall flat. Significant time jumps occur so that the reader’s focus is on the trials Emery must undergo to be inducted into the secret society. These time jumps make it more difficult to get to know the characters when they are not in the midst of high stakes situations and the underlying themes of mental health suffer for it. Additionally, the gaps in the timeline are where relationship development would typically occur. As a result, the romantic subplot involving Emery and Roux’s stepbrother Eli is harder to invest in, their instant attraction practically unbelievable.
The ambiguous resolution will frustrate some and shock others as they recover from Adeyemi’s sinister twists in the final act.
➤ 3 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
Review: The premise of Adeyemi’s latest will certainly draw readers in, but the novel itself may struggle to hold their attention.
“The Siren” follows Emery Coleman, a freshman at Dartmouth College, as she is swept up into the world of a mystical band of girls called “The Sirens.” When Roux, their leader, offers Emery the chance to join them, Emery will do whatever it takes to make it in.
For all intents and purposes, “The Siren” has the makings of a good thriller. Adeyemi skillfully crafts a tense Ivy League environment that places pressure on Emery, the main character, to fit in. With time, it is revealed that her desire to do so stems from having spent time in a psychiatric ward. Her past calls her narration into question, which will keep readers on their toes as they try piece together the true motivation of The Sirens and uncover the mystery shrouding them. Adeyemi incorporates Emery’s actual poetry to showcase her emotional arc as the story progresses.
Unfortunately, issues with pacing and characterization ultimately make this story fall flat. Significant time jumps occur so that the reader’s focus is on the trials Emery must undergo to be inducted into the secret society. These time jumps make it more difficult to get to know the characters when they are not in the midst of high stakes situations and the underlying themes of mental health suffer for it. Additionally, the gaps in the timeline are where relationship development would typically occur. As a result, the romantic subplot involving Emery and Roux’s stepbrother Eli is harder to invest in, their instant attraction practically unbelievable.
The ambiguous resolution will frustrate some and shock others as they recover from Adeyemi’s sinister twists in the final act.
➤ 3 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
September 1, 2026
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was simply put - very bad, in my opinion. I don’t even know where to start.
It is not clear what this book wants to be. On the cover of my arc it says it’s a YA dark academia with a supernatural edge. It contains content way too old for YA, but the characters act like they’re 12. There’s drug taking, drinking, hazing, assault…which should not be marketed as young adult.
The “supernatural edge” line is also a huge spoiler and literally happens right at the end but I was waiting for it the whole time.
There are also next to no features of a dark academia text here. You can’t just set a story at a university and do some hazing and expect it to be classed as dark academia??
Huge gaps of information are missing. Emery makes the deans list despite there being little to no discussion of her going to class or completing assignments.
It’s often not clear what mental state Emery is in. You have no idea whether she has been sleeping regularly or taking her medication until it’s sprung on you out of
Convenience or seemingly as an afterthought.
Psychiatrist appointments are scheduled with no follow ups. I can’t tell if her MH issues are to confuse the reader and have them question what’s real or not, or whether it’s purely to “explain” some of the despicable shit she does.
Side note - one of the things she does is TRULY, TRULY awful and there is seemingly NO self reflection and she gets to continue as she was???
Most of this book truly read like it was written by a teenager, including the ridiculous romance plot line.
The characters barely spoke before exchanging I love yous.
Certain phrases and descriptions are repeated incessantly. Her name, Emery, is mentioned in almost every sentence. “Prada headband”, “Marley twists”, “blue bow”, “flower painted boots”, “the siren”, “white boots”… oh my GOD. They were mentioned so many times I was both convinced that the character never changes her clothes and the author must think I’m stupid.
The poems Emery writes were just so bad I did consider whether they were rage bait at one point.
The use of scattering words across the page to convey her “madness” in the poems was just annoying rather than having an emotional impact. I just found our FMC pathetic.
She was a horrible person, horrible daughter, student, friend…I’m glad that’s all over.
This was simply put - very bad, in my opinion. I don’t even know where to start.
It is not clear what this book wants to be. On the cover of my arc it says it’s a YA dark academia with a supernatural edge. It contains content way too old for YA, but the characters act like they’re 12. There’s drug taking, drinking, hazing, assault…which should not be marketed as young adult.
The “supernatural edge” line is also a huge spoiler and literally happens right at the end but I was waiting for it the whole time.
There are also next to no features of a dark academia text here. You can’t just set a story at a university and do some hazing and expect it to be classed as dark academia??
Huge gaps of information are missing. Emery makes the deans list despite there being little to no discussion of her going to class or completing assignments.
It’s often not clear what mental state Emery is in. You have no idea whether she has been sleeping regularly or taking her medication until it’s sprung on you out of
Convenience or seemingly as an afterthought.
Psychiatrist appointments are scheduled with no follow ups. I can’t tell if her MH issues are to confuse the reader and have them question what’s real or not, or whether it’s purely to “explain” some of the despicable shit she does.
Side note - one of the things she does is TRULY, TRULY awful and there is seemingly NO self reflection and she gets to continue as she was???
Most of this book truly read like it was written by a teenager, including the ridiculous romance plot line.
The characters barely spoke before exchanging I love yous.
Certain phrases and descriptions are repeated incessantly. Her name, Emery, is mentioned in almost every sentence. “Prada headband”, “Marley twists”, “blue bow”, “flower painted boots”, “the siren”, “white boots”… oh my GOD. They were mentioned so many times I was both convinced that the character never changes her clothes and the author must think I’m stupid.
The poems Emery writes were just so bad I did consider whether they were rage bait at one point.
The use of scattering words across the page to convey her “madness” in the poems was just annoying rather than having an emotional impact. I just found our FMC pathetic.
She was a horrible person, horrible daughter, student, friend…I’m glad that’s all over.
July 5, 2026
Received an advanced readers copy from Publisher!
Just finished the Arc and WOW! 🤩
We follow the main character Emery as she is starting her freshman year of college. We jump from her writing poems, back to her in present time. She has had mental health problems that we get more information on throughout the book.
Emery is looking for a fresh start and notices a group of girls that seem almost powerful? She is invited to join their “sorority” but does not know whether this is a good thing or trouble is coming. 😬
I loved that we got to see what she was texting in her notebook even though she never shared with anyone else. It really helped move the story along and let the reader feel connected to the moment.
I think this book is unlike anything I have ever read and will be amazing for the girls that feel like they never fit it!
TOMI, You have done it again!! ❤️
Just finished the Arc and WOW! 🤩
We follow the main character Emery as she is starting her freshman year of college. We jump from her writing poems, back to her in present time. She has had mental health problems that we get more information on throughout the book.
Emery is looking for a fresh start and notices a group of girls that seem almost powerful? She is invited to join their “sorority” but does not know whether this is a good thing or trouble is coming. 😬
I loved that we got to see what she was texting in her notebook even though she never shared with anyone else. It really helped move the story along and let the reader feel connected to the moment.
I think this book is unlike anything I have ever read and will be amazing for the girls that feel like they never fit it!
TOMI, You have done it again!! ❤️
September 27, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Siren!
Unfortunately this was a miss for me. The writing is beautifully done, but the story just wasn’t there for me. It seemed like every decision Emery made was really bad to the point of making me wonder how she got into an Ivy League school. Her essay must have really been something because that girl has no head on her shoulders.
The author narrates this book herself and she does a good job of that. You can see and feel the pride the author has in this book and hope this book finds the audience that will love it. Unfortunately I am not that audience.
Also, SEVEN SLEEPING PILLS? Were you trying to drug him or murder him?!
Unfortunately this was a miss for me. The writing is beautifully done, but the story just wasn’t there for me. It seemed like every decision Emery made was really bad to the point of making me wonder how she got into an Ivy League school. Her essay must have really been something because that girl has no head on her shoulders.
The author narrates this book herself and she does a good job of that. You can see and feel the pride the author has in this book and hope this book finds the audience that will love it. Unfortunately I am not that audience.
Also, SEVEN SLEEPING PILLS? Were you trying to drug him or murder him?!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had the best time reading this!
It follows Emery as she goes to collage for her freshman year. She’s carrying a lot of pain and mental health problems that we come to understand as the story unfolds. The book is full of snippets of her poems that were fantastic is showing us her darkest thoughts and how was she feeling about things. I really loved how it was formatted too as it added a lot to the tone of the story.
Emery doesn’t fit in and after a few attempts at ‘normal’ collage life, she stumbles upon the sirens, a group of powerful, beautiful, confident women. She’s irrevocable drawn to them, in particular their leader, Roux.
She is drawn to the sirens, knowing they have transformed themselves and she wants that. But she’s not the only prospect and initiation will test her boundaries and push her further that she believed she could or should go. The other sirens were admittedly more background characters so we didn’t get much depth to them but Emery and those most important to her were the core of the story so I didn’t mind this at all.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this - I sped through it in two days because I couldn’t put it down! I loved the university setting (though the academia is very much a backdrop), discovering the truth of Emery’s pain, seeing her get drawn to intoxicating power. I never knew what the characters would do next and what exactly they were hiding which is my favourite kind of story. I also liked Emery’s relationship with Eli. Having someone care for her without conditions or expectations was an interesting contrast to Emery’s feelings for Roux.
It’s the kind of story without clear boundaries, consequences, decisions and inevitability blurring together, and won’t be for eveyone but I loved the depth of feeling. Emery isn’t always likeable, she makes some terrible decisions and her obsession with the sirens is backed by nothing more than her past trauma and need for what they have but It felt raw and real, driven by emotion and not logic. The spiral into the siren’s way of life, and the slow dismantling of Emery’s socially acceptable self into her dark heart was captivating (and exactly what I was hoping for based on the cover) was very much the essence of the dark academia genre to me. The ending wasn’t what I expected but fitted well and though its abrupt (intentionally so) and I would have liked to sit in it for longer, it was very impactful and it’s one I’ll be thinking about a while!
Overall a really great read - not sure much aesthetically dark academia but tonally, in regards to character, it hit the perfect spot for me.
Thank you to Bookbreak pan MacMillan for the proof copy. All thoughts are my own.
It follows Emery as she goes to collage for her freshman year. She’s carrying a lot of pain and mental health problems that we come to understand as the story unfolds. The book is full of snippets of her poems that were fantastic is showing us her darkest thoughts and how was she feeling about things. I really loved how it was formatted too as it added a lot to the tone of the story.
Emery doesn’t fit in and after a few attempts at ‘normal’ collage life, she stumbles upon the sirens, a group of powerful, beautiful, confident women. She’s irrevocable drawn to them, in particular their leader, Roux.
She is drawn to the sirens, knowing they have transformed themselves and she wants that. But she’s not the only prospect and initiation will test her boundaries and push her further that she believed she could or should go. The other sirens were admittedly more background characters so we didn’t get much depth to them but Emery and those most important to her were the core of the story so I didn’t mind this at all.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this - I sped through it in two days because I couldn’t put it down! I loved the university setting (though the academia is very much a backdrop), discovering the truth of Emery’s pain, seeing her get drawn to intoxicating power. I never knew what the characters would do next and what exactly they were hiding which is my favourite kind of story. I also liked Emery’s relationship with Eli. Having someone care for her without conditions or expectations was an interesting contrast to Emery’s feelings for Roux.
It’s the kind of story without clear boundaries, consequences, decisions and inevitability blurring together, and won’t be for eveyone but I loved the depth of feeling. Emery isn’t always likeable, she makes some terrible decisions and her obsession with the sirens is backed by nothing more than her past trauma and need for what they have but It felt raw and real, driven by emotion and not logic. The spiral into the siren’s way of life, and the slow dismantling of Emery’s socially acceptable self into her dark heart was captivating (and exactly what I was hoping for based on the cover) was very much the essence of the dark academia genre to me. The ending wasn’t what I expected but fitted well and though its abrupt (intentionally so) and I would have liked to sit in it for longer, it was very impactful and it’s one I’ll be thinking about a while!
Overall a really great read - not sure much aesthetically dark academia but tonally, in regards to character, it hit the perfect spot for me.
Thank you to Bookbreak pan MacMillan for the proof copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 31, 2026
I received an ARC for this book.
I really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed the beginning and was intrigued by the ending. Everything in the middle felt rather long winded and frustrating. Spoilers below.
What I liked:
- Tomi Adeyemi is a beautiful writer. She paints beautiful pictures of the gorgeous collegiate backdrop and the world the Sirens inhabit.
- I liked being introduced to Emery and her back story. I initially liked her relationship with her mother and her introduction to this new world. I was intrigued by all that had come before her freshman year in college and was curious to learn more.
- The ending was a page turner and I was anxious to resolve the story and find out the truth behind these Sirens.
What I disliked:
- I didn't learn more about her back story and wished that that part of the story had had more depth. As the reader, I didn't feel like I understood the nuance of what she had been through and how she got to where she was. The pain felt real but the experience felt surface level. I wanted real memories that gave an idea of what Emery experienced, not continuous references to this difficult time in her life.
- I didn't enjoy the romantic relationship formed between Eli and Emery. It formed quickly and lacked a real connection for me. All of a sudden it was love. They didn't even really know each other. And it went up and down all of the time. One day they were together and it was incredible and then she would stop talking to him. I didn't believe their connection. It felt surface level.
- Aside from Roux, the Sirens felt interchangeable to me. I couldn't tell one from the other. I wish there were less of them and we learned more about each. I also didn't understand their appeal. I think that's what felt the most frustrating. I didn't understand Emery's decisions and choices because I didn't understand the appeal of the Sirens. Why was trashing her whole life, becoming this version of herself, pushing away her mother, all worth it to become this new version of herself that she coveted? While I understand it on the surface, it lacked so much depth. On the surface, Emery coveted being someone else only to embrace herself. It just didn't exist for me in the writing why it was so important to her to sacrifice so much and hurt people (or see them get hurt), all to become a Siren. They didn't seem that amazing. Sure they looked great and had great clothes and beautiful residence, but again, surface level. Why was that so important? I put the book down at one point and didn't pick it up for over a week because I hated her decision at one point. A lot of it felt... unsubstantiated for me.
- There were a couple holes that weren't accounted for and that bothered me a bit.
- As a daughter of a single mother, how she treated her pissed me off.
- At various moments, I thought the whole Sirens thing was made up in a severe psychosis from lack of meds. Or she'd wake up in a hospital and she never had met the Sirens or gone to Dartmouth and that was what she would imagine in her catatonic psychosis. I think I would have been intrigued by that ending too.
- Is this a standalone? Because it ended on a cliffhanger and while I don't want to read a second book, I do want to know what happened there.
- I felt a bit confused about the genre. Is it YA? It read YA to me but then there were some spicy inferences. Is it fantasy/sci fi? It didn't feel that way for most of the book but then it does. There are also some religious undertones (which were interesting but I wish was resolved more).
- Finally, while the ending was intriguing, there was also some mystery to what actually happened and who was involved. I was interested reading the end but I wasn't super satisfied about what I read.
Thank you for the arc. I'm curious what others think about it.
I really wanted to like this book. I enjoyed the beginning and was intrigued by the ending. Everything in the middle felt rather long winded and frustrating. Spoilers below.
What I liked:
- Tomi Adeyemi is a beautiful writer. She paints beautiful pictures of the gorgeous collegiate backdrop and the world the Sirens inhabit.
- I liked being introduced to Emery and her back story. I initially liked her relationship with her mother and her introduction to this new world. I was intrigued by all that had come before her freshman year in college and was curious to learn more.
- The ending was a page turner and I was anxious to resolve the story and find out the truth behind these Sirens.
What I disliked:
- I didn't learn more about her back story and wished that that part of the story had had more depth. As the reader, I didn't feel like I understood the nuance of what she had been through and how she got to where she was. The pain felt real but the experience felt surface level. I wanted real memories that gave an idea of what Emery experienced, not continuous references to this difficult time in her life.
- I didn't enjoy the romantic relationship formed between Eli and Emery. It formed quickly and lacked a real connection for me. All of a sudden it was love. They didn't even really know each other. And it went up and down all of the time. One day they were together and it was incredible and then she would stop talking to him. I didn't believe their connection. It felt surface level.
- Aside from Roux, the Sirens felt interchangeable to me. I couldn't tell one from the other. I wish there were less of them and we learned more about each. I also didn't understand their appeal. I think that's what felt the most frustrating. I didn't understand Emery's decisions and choices because I didn't understand the appeal of the Sirens. Why was trashing her whole life, becoming this version of herself, pushing away her mother, all worth it to become this new version of herself that she coveted? While I understand it on the surface, it lacked so much depth. On the surface, Emery coveted being someone else only to embrace herself. It just didn't exist for me in the writing why it was so important to her to sacrifice so much and hurt people (or see them get hurt), all to become a Siren. They didn't seem that amazing. Sure they looked great and had great clothes and beautiful residence, but again, surface level. Why was that so important? I put the book down at one point and didn't pick it up for over a week because I hated her decision at one point. A lot of it felt... unsubstantiated for me.
- There were a couple holes that weren't accounted for and that bothered me a bit.
- As a daughter of a single mother, how she treated her pissed me off.
- At various moments, I thought the whole Sirens thing was made up in a severe psychosis from lack of meds. Or she'd wake up in a hospital and she never had met the Sirens or gone to Dartmouth and that was what she would imagine in her catatonic psychosis. I think I would have been intrigued by that ending too.
- Is this a standalone? Because it ended on a cliffhanger and while I don't want to read a second book, I do want to know what happened there.
- I felt a bit confused about the genre. Is it YA? It read YA to me but then there were some spicy inferences. Is it fantasy/sci fi? It didn't feel that way for most of the book but then it does. There are also some religious undertones (which were interesting but I wish was resolved more).
- Finally, while the ending was intriguing, there was also some mystery to what actually happened and who was involved. I was interested reading the end but I wasn't super satisfied about what I read.
Thank you for the arc. I'm curious what others think about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advance Copy Review
The way my head spun with each part! Seeing the MC go through these obstacles and then the final twist is crazy! I can see this adapted into a movie and I hope that manifests!
The way my head spun with each part! Seeing the MC go through these obstacles and then the final twist is crazy! I can see this adapted into a movie and I hope that manifests!
September 30, 2026
Cloying and compulsive, magnetic and mesmerising 'The Siren' reals you in, much like its namesake, leaving the pages turning relentlessly as unease stirs within your soul. It's the kind of read that gets beneath your skin and plays havoc upon your mind. It's an intense story that will set your heart pounding in your chest on occasion as you wonder just how everything will work out. It's an intoxicating, heady experience; the type of read that leaves you wondering what exactly you just read once you turn the final page.
Initially I have to confess that I wasn't sure that 'The Siren' would work for me. It begins with Emery's first day at Dartmouth and a combination of the 'party' atmosphere and her prickly demeanour had me initially unsure. It's obvious from the start that she has a traumatic history but how blunt she is towards others makes her a hard individual to warm to; especially when she shares frustration at somebody's inability to get her name right, whilst simultaneously being unsure whether that individual is Brittany or Hannah. I understand what the author was going for with the clone like nature of certain cliques but it did leave me wandering whether Emery's attitude was going to grate on me throughout.
Thankfully once the 'Sirens' made their appearance I found myself inevitably drawn into the story, unable to tear myself away from the unsettling vibes that they brought with them. The Sirens are a group of girls who seem untouchable; beautiful, destined for greatness with wealth and power at their disposal. It's a sisterhood set aside from the other sororities and fraternities at Dartmouth through its mystique. It's member's truly seem otherworldly and untouchable. Given their magnetic allure, it's not surprising that Emery finds herself desperate to get in.
Once this group is introduced 'The Siren' really takes on a dark, gritty and unsettling atmosphere. The trials they set for their members have exceptional stakes and the turmoil that follows is monumental. It's the kind of addictive, twisty contemporary read that reminded me somewhat of my love of the 'Pretty Little Liars' books in the past; although this is definiteley their darker, grittier cousin. The compulsion to read on is very much the same though.
Towards the ends things take a major turn and shakes things up immensely with its genre vibes overall. There are hints of this direction dotted throughout but between Emery's previous experience with her perception of reality and the use of intoxicants it's hard to know exactly what is and isn't real. This seems to change as clarity is given, to a degree, towards the end and the Greek mythology ties shine through. Although lingering questions remain throughout.
Whilst I'm on the subject of the ending I have to admit that it's one that leaves me torn. On the one hand its very much burrowed its way inside of my brain, leaving me questioning what exactly I just read. But at the same time if this is a standalone (which I'm not entirely sure of the answer to) then surely it can't just end there? I'm all for endings that leave your brain spinning but that can't be all, surely? This one felt so abrupt that I'm not quite sure what to think.
I also have to admit that I'm torn on what to think of the bond between Emery and Eli. I liked them together and can understand the magnetic allure towards him - as like Roux he very much seems to have something mesmerising about him. Yet I did feel like his love for Emery was too instantaneous, especially given the extreme depths of his emotions. The fact that the Sirens, and Eli as the sibling of one, have an almost supernatural sense of allure to them make Emery's attraction to them feel true. Roux's draw towards Emery felt believable too as her demeanor was more that of a cat playing with a mouse throughout. But Eli's declarations just didn't quite click for me in the same way.
Finally Emery's poetry and rough thoughts from her journal are dotted about throughout and really add to the sense of urgency and atmospheric undertones of the book.
Overall I recommend picking up 'The Siren' if you're looking for an intense, twisty read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. For the most part it reads like a dark contemporary tale but you do get undertones of the supernatural dotted about at times - ones that potentially stem from Emery's state of mind...or do they? It's a cloying and unsettling read that is impossible to put down once it gets going. I'm just not too sure what to make of the ending. If it's the start of a series then it's the kind of incredibly cruel ending that'll leave you ravenous for more. If it's a standalone though, its somewhat frustrating. But I enjoyed the reading experience overall and do appreciate how it's left this one playing on my mind. I just desperately hope that there is more in the world planned as surely things can't end there?
Initially I have to confess that I wasn't sure that 'The Siren' would work for me. It begins with Emery's first day at Dartmouth and a combination of the 'party' atmosphere and her prickly demeanour had me initially unsure. It's obvious from the start that she has a traumatic history but how blunt she is towards others makes her a hard individual to warm to; especially when she shares frustration at somebody's inability to get her name right, whilst simultaneously being unsure whether that individual is Brittany or Hannah. I understand what the author was going for with the clone like nature of certain cliques but it did leave me wandering whether Emery's attitude was going to grate on me throughout.
Thankfully once the 'Sirens' made their appearance I found myself inevitably drawn into the story, unable to tear myself away from the unsettling vibes that they brought with them. The Sirens are a group of girls who seem untouchable; beautiful, destined for greatness with wealth and power at their disposal. It's a sisterhood set aside from the other sororities and fraternities at Dartmouth through its mystique. It's member's truly seem otherworldly and untouchable. Given their magnetic allure, it's not surprising that Emery finds herself desperate to get in.
Once this group is introduced 'The Siren' really takes on a dark, gritty and unsettling atmosphere. The trials they set for their members have exceptional stakes and the turmoil that follows is monumental. It's the kind of addictive, twisty contemporary read that reminded me somewhat of my love of the 'Pretty Little Liars' books in the past; although this is definiteley their darker, grittier cousin. The compulsion to read on is very much the same though.
Towards the ends things take a major turn and shakes things up immensely with its genre vibes overall. There are hints of this direction dotted throughout but between Emery's previous experience with her perception of reality and the use of intoxicants it's hard to know exactly what is and isn't real. This seems to change as clarity is given, to a degree, towards the end and the Greek mythology ties shine through. Although lingering questions remain throughout.
Whilst I'm on the subject of the ending I have to admit that it's one that leaves me torn. On the one hand its very much burrowed its way inside of my brain, leaving me questioning what exactly I just read. But at the same time if this is a standalone (which I'm not entirely sure of the answer to) then surely it can't just end there? I'm all for endings that leave your brain spinning but that can't be all, surely? This one felt so abrupt that I'm not quite sure what to think.
I also have to admit that I'm torn on what to think of the bond between Emery and Eli. I liked them together and can understand the magnetic allure towards him - as like Roux he very much seems to have something mesmerising about him. Yet I did feel like his love for Emery was too instantaneous, especially given the extreme depths of his emotions. The fact that the Sirens, and Eli as the sibling of one, have an almost supernatural sense of allure to them make Emery's attraction to them feel true. Roux's draw towards Emery felt believable too as her demeanor was more that of a cat playing with a mouse throughout. But Eli's declarations just didn't quite click for me in the same way.
Finally Emery's poetry and rough thoughts from her journal are dotted about throughout and really add to the sense of urgency and atmospheric undertones of the book.
Overall I recommend picking up 'The Siren' if you're looking for an intense, twisty read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. For the most part it reads like a dark contemporary tale but you do get undertones of the supernatural dotted about at times - ones that potentially stem from Emery's state of mind...or do they? It's a cloying and unsettling read that is impossible to put down once it gets going. I'm just not too sure what to make of the ending. If it's the start of a series then it's the kind of incredibly cruel ending that'll leave you ravenous for more. If it's a standalone though, its somewhat frustrating. But I enjoyed the reading experience overall and do appreciate how it's left this one playing on my mind. I just desperately hope that there is more in the world planned as surely things can't end there?
October 1, 2026
Do I *finally* feel human shaped enough to write reviews for books again!? HOORAY.
This was so interesting. It’s wildly unlike Adeyemi’s other books thus far, so I’d suggest going in with an open mind. I do think the publisher is doing this book a disservice by categorizing this as YA though. I would not give this to my students to read— I think this falls into more of a “new adult” genre, as there are some mildly explicit sex scenes, so many drugs, violence, etc. While those are all topics a YA book can have and cover, it’s a tad too intense for me to keep this one in my classroom library, especially for freshmen. I think the publisher says 16-18 (which to me is a bit different than general YA, but whatever). I thought it was adult until I came to review it and see it’s tagged as YA. It’s pretty dark, and moments of the novel were tough to listen to, especially as Avery spirals.
But, we see Avery, the most unreliable of untrustworthy narrators, begin her freshman year at college after recovering from a mental health crisis. I was unsure of how I felt about Avery— I didn’t like her, but also had moments where I felt flashes of empathy for her. She bounces back and forth between girl and monster, victim and aggressor, and we spend most of the novel (as does Avery) trying to figure out which one is the real version of her. I really enjoyed it and felt it was well done. Even after the novel is finished, I’m not sure what was real, and I love that.
The ending was a bit unexpected and the pacing of it felt a tad rushed. We spend so much time in the trials and then all of a sudden there’s 11 minutes of the book left and everything happens all at once. I would have enjoyed a little more build up, but I do think the twist at the end is Adeyemi doing what she does best— it was fun to see some fantastical elements woven into a real world setting.
I did enjoy the ending though, because the whole point of the novel (to me) is that we’re in Avery’s head trying to figure out reality. And how Adeyemi chose to end this, it doesn’t spoon feed us a clear answer. You have to think about it— hold the text up to the light and see what you think makes sense. I can think of at least three ways to interpret the end, and I appreciate the mental work it made me do. I think it especially works in this thriller-ish genre.
The poems between the chapters were also such a cool way to break up the story and give us a window into Avery’s work as a writer. Now that I’ve finished the book, I think it would be cool to go back and read the whole piece from start to finish. I wonder if I would glean more…
Also worth noting that I listened to this on audio, and I do think that positively impacted my response to the novel. Adeyemi does a great job narrating it— so creepy and full of emotion. Thanks to Libro.fm’s teacher ARCs for the early copy!
Overall, it’s worth a read!
This was so interesting. It’s wildly unlike Adeyemi’s other books thus far, so I’d suggest going in with an open mind. I do think the publisher is doing this book a disservice by categorizing this as YA though. I would not give this to my students to read— I think this falls into more of a “new adult” genre, as there are some mildly explicit sex scenes, so many drugs, violence, etc. While those are all topics a YA book can have and cover, it’s a tad too intense for me to keep this one in my classroom library, especially for freshmen. I think the publisher says 16-18 (which to me is a bit different than general YA, but whatever). I thought it was adult until I came to review it and see it’s tagged as YA. It’s pretty dark, and moments of the novel were tough to listen to, especially as Avery spirals.
But, we see Avery, the most unreliable of untrustworthy narrators, begin her freshman year at college after recovering from a mental health crisis. I was unsure of how I felt about Avery— I didn’t like her, but also had moments where I felt flashes of empathy for her. She bounces back and forth between girl and monster, victim and aggressor, and we spend most of the novel (as does Avery) trying to figure out which one is the real version of her. I really enjoyed it and felt it was well done. Even after the novel is finished, I’m not sure what was real, and I love that.
The ending was a bit unexpected and the pacing of it felt a tad rushed. We spend so much time in the trials and then all of a sudden there’s 11 minutes of the book left and everything happens all at once. I would have enjoyed a little more build up, but I do think the twist at the end is Adeyemi doing what she does best— it was fun to see some fantastical elements woven into a real world setting.
I did enjoy the ending though, because the whole point of the novel (to me) is that we’re in Avery’s head trying to figure out reality. And how Adeyemi chose to end this, it doesn’t spoon feed us a clear answer. You have to think about it— hold the text up to the light and see what you think makes sense. I can think of at least three ways to interpret the end, and I appreciate the mental work it made me do. I think it especially works in this thriller-ish genre.
The poems between the chapters were also such a cool way to break up the story and give us a window into Avery’s work as a writer. Now that I’ve finished the book, I think it would be cool to go back and read the whole piece from start to finish. I wonder if I would glean more…
Also worth noting that I listened to this on audio, and I do think that positively impacted my response to the novel. Adeyemi does a great job narrating it— so creepy and full of emotion. Thanks to Libro.fm’s teacher ARCs for the early copy!
Overall, it’s worth a read!
September 29, 2026
Do yourself a favor— stay away from Roux and her Sirens. With her long hair and stunning red lips, Roux is the girl who dances on tables and sings Frank Sinatra to the moon. Harper is the gorgeous queen who travels from stunning event to stunning event with her 3.2 million followers and brand sponsorships in her wake. Artura–Artie–Reyes is a Colombian comet of a girl with tongue out, middle finger up, smile on her face and blood between her teeth. When she’s not in the classroom, she’s competing in the UFC. Aurora is a fair skinned, wispy blond haired, blue-eyed doll who stepped straight out of a dream. Despite her breathless-voice and breath-stealing beauty, Aurora paints the world from which she’s risen. Sora Yoon is a red-haired stunner and professional model who studies political science by day and works all over the country and overseas by night.
Emery’s desperate to learn how the five otherworldly students have come together— whether they named themselves The Sirens or have been dubbed sirens by the rest of the Dartmouth student body. Emery has read the myths of Odysseus and the enchanting sirens; how their beauty and voices lured sailors to their death, but it’s like these five girls came from another world and escaped dorm life to live together in their own Mount Olympus, an island just for goddesses.
They’ve chosen four freshmen women to pledge The Sirens, but only one will get in. Will they choose to leave now or see this journey through? Emery is determined to accept the challenge no matter how it ends. She would kill to be like them. To be a Siren is to feel the freedom of the wind. To be a Siren is to walk this world ablaze. To be a Siren is to see the world like the starry night. To be a Siren is to command the earth beneath your feet. All it takes is a single moment, a split second between past and present when your future rests in the palm of your hands, and one decision will forever change your path. Now is the moment; today is the day Emery will remember for the rest of her life. Who will Emery choose to be?
Emery’s desperate to learn how the five otherworldly students have come together— whether they named themselves The Sirens or have been dubbed sirens by the rest of the Dartmouth student body. Emery has read the myths of Odysseus and the enchanting sirens; how their beauty and voices lured sailors to their death, but it’s like these five girls came from another world and escaped dorm life to live together in their own Mount Olympus, an island just for goddesses.
They’ve chosen four freshmen women to pledge The Sirens, but only one will get in. Will they choose to leave now or see this journey through? Emery is determined to accept the challenge no matter how it ends. She would kill to be like them. To be a Siren is to feel the freedom of the wind. To be a Siren is to walk this world ablaze. To be a Siren is to see the world like the starry night. To be a Siren is to command the earth beneath your feet. All it takes is a single moment, a split second between past and present when your future rests in the palm of your hands, and one decision will forever change your path. Now is the moment; today is the day Emery will remember for the rest of her life. Who will Emery choose to be?
September 1, 2026
Thank you, Macmillan, for providing me with an advance reader copy of The Siren. I was particularly excited to read this one because Children of Blood and Bone is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, The Siren fell rather flat for me.
One of my first points of hesitation was the cover. While it is striking, I found myself wondering how the imagery connected to the story, particularly given that the book centers on college students. I expected the cover to feel more organically tied to the world and themes of the novel, and that disconnect unfortunately carried into some of my reading experience.
I initially enjoyed getting to know the characters and catching glimpses of the darkness beneath their personalities and circumstances. There was a lot of potential in those early moments, and I was intrigued by where the story might go. As the book progressed, though, I found it increasingly difficult to stay interested and engaged. The buildup promised a payoff that ultimately didn’t land for me.
I also struggled somewhat with the writing style. At times, the prose felt formulaic, with more telling than showing, which made it difficult for me to become fully immersed in the characters’ experiences or emotional journeys.
Ultimately, I wonder if part of my disconnect was that the book felt much more squarely YA than I had anticipated. That isn’t inherently a criticism—YA is a great genre—but compared with Adeyemi’s previous YA work, I found the approach here somewhat less nuanced and, for my reading tastes, a little off-putting.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this early, and I’ll absolutely continue to be interested in whatever Tomi Adeyemi writes next. Children of Blood and Bone remains such a memorable book for me, and perhaps that high bar shaped some of my expectations going into The Siren. Unfortunately, this one simply wasn’t a book that resonated with me in the same way.
One of my first points of hesitation was the cover. While it is striking, I found myself wondering how the imagery connected to the story, particularly given that the book centers on college students. I expected the cover to feel more organically tied to the world and themes of the novel, and that disconnect unfortunately carried into some of my reading experience.
I initially enjoyed getting to know the characters and catching glimpses of the darkness beneath their personalities and circumstances. There was a lot of potential in those early moments, and I was intrigued by where the story might go. As the book progressed, though, I found it increasingly difficult to stay interested and engaged. The buildup promised a payoff that ultimately didn’t land for me.
I also struggled somewhat with the writing style. At times, the prose felt formulaic, with more telling than showing, which made it difficult for me to become fully immersed in the characters’ experiences or emotional journeys.
Ultimately, I wonder if part of my disconnect was that the book felt much more squarely YA than I had anticipated. That isn’t inherently a criticism—YA is a great genre—but compared with Adeyemi’s previous YA work, I found the approach here somewhat less nuanced and, for my reading tastes, a little off-putting.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to read this early, and I’ll absolutely continue to be interested in whatever Tomi Adeyemi writes next. Children of Blood and Bone remains such a memorable book for me, and perhaps that high bar shaped some of my expectations going into The Siren. Unfortunately, this one simply wasn’t a book that resonated with me in the same way.
September 27, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was different in the best way. It felt like The Craft mixed with Mean Girls: a mysterious girl group, exclusivity, power, obsession, and a Queen Bee at the center of it all.
Emery arrives at Dartmouth determined to keep her scholarship, manage her medication, and leave her past behind. Then she meets Roux, Eli, and the Sirens, entering a world that feels glamorous, secretive, intoxicating, and increasingly unsettling.
Roux had me side-eyeing her almost immediately. Her manipulation and gaslighting create constant tension, even as her charisma makes it easy to understand why Emery is drawn to her and the Sirens.
I especially enjoyed the psychological uncertainty surrounding Emery’s experience. I kept wondering whether what she was seeing was real, whether she could trust her perception, and how much of it was manipulation.
The Sirens represent freedom, belonging, reinvention, and power, but the book also explores what happens when the desire to belong begins demanding too much.
YA is not typically a genre I reach for, but I really enjoyed this. Because of the darker subject matter, I would not recommend it for younger YA readers under around 15.
Overall, this was strange, dark, atmospheric, and thought-provoking. It kept me questioning what was real, what was manipulation, and how dangerous the desire to belong can become.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was different in the best way. It felt like The Craft mixed with Mean Girls: a mysterious girl group, exclusivity, power, obsession, and a Queen Bee at the center of it all.
Emery arrives at Dartmouth determined to keep her scholarship, manage her medication, and leave her past behind. Then she meets Roux, Eli, and the Sirens, entering a world that feels glamorous, secretive, intoxicating, and increasingly unsettling.
Roux had me side-eyeing her almost immediately. Her manipulation and gaslighting create constant tension, even as her charisma makes it easy to understand why Emery is drawn to her and the Sirens.
I especially enjoyed the psychological uncertainty surrounding Emery’s experience. I kept wondering whether what she was seeing was real, whether she could trust her perception, and how much of it was manipulation.
The Sirens represent freedom, belonging, reinvention, and power, but the book also explores what happens when the desire to belong begins demanding too much.
YA is not typically a genre I reach for, but I really enjoyed this. Because of the darker subject matter, I would not recommend it for younger YA readers under around 15.
Overall, this was strange, dark, atmospheric, and thought-provoking. It kept me questioning what was real, what was manipulation, and how dangerous the desire to belong can become.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (cracked door)
⚠️Trigger/content warnings at the bottom
The writing was super poetic and atmospheric, and it was a page-turner, but unfortunately this book was not for me.
This book is the embodiment of, “I’m not like other girls. I’m worse.” I wanted to root for Emery, the main character, but she just kept making horrible decision after horrible decision. The romance didn’t work for me either because they barely knew each other and it came out of nowhere.
A lot of the evil things Emery and The Sirens were doing seemed pointless, and it was sort of justified at the end, but not in a way that felt fulfilling to me. It was chaos for the sake of chaos.
The book had a very dark tone and the twists definitely caught me off guard. I think fans of twisty, dark thrillers and villain origin stories would enjoy this. This book is YA but personally I felt the content was mature and I wouldn’t recommend it to a teen.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and NetGalley for the arc!
Out sept 29!
⚠️trigger/content warnings: self-harm, mental illness, underage drinking, recreational drugs, suicide, hazing, strong language, racism, domestic violence, murder, gun violence. There is a scene where there is a fake school shooting that causes panic and injury but there is no actual shooting.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (cracked door)
⚠️Trigger/content warnings at the bottom
The writing was super poetic and atmospheric, and it was a page-turner, but unfortunately this book was not for me.
This book is the embodiment of, “I’m not like other girls. I’m worse.” I wanted to root for Emery, the main character, but she just kept making horrible decision after horrible decision. The romance didn’t work for me either because they barely knew each other and it came out of nowhere.
A lot of the evil things Emery and The Sirens were doing seemed pointless, and it was sort of justified at the end, but not in a way that felt fulfilling to me. It was chaos for the sake of chaos.
The book had a very dark tone and the twists definitely caught me off guard. I think fans of twisty, dark thrillers and villain origin stories would enjoy this. This book is YA but personally I felt the content was mature and I wouldn’t recommend it to a teen.
Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) and NetGalley for the arc!
Out sept 29!
⚠️trigger/content warnings: self-harm, mental illness, underage drinking, recreational drugs, suicide, hazing, strong language, racism, domestic violence, murder, gun violence. There is a scene where there is a fake school shooting that causes panic and injury but there is no actual shooting.
September 29, 2026
I don’t often read Dark Academia, but when I do, I like it written like this.
Emery comes to Dartmouth on a scholarship from a small, poor neighborhood. She has very little experience, but she knows she wants to make friends. So, when the group known as the Sirens approaches her, she turns her back on traditional sororities; her main focus becomes getting the last spot in the competition to become a Siren.
I got so caught up in the different Siren rooms (all prefaced by their color in the hardback book) that I almost forgot the criminality of what they were doing. Yes, Emery is coming out of her shell. Yes, she has made (pseudo) friends with Roux and her stepbrother, Eli. I really wanted to see more of her relationship with Ozlie, a fellow competitor who “sees” Emery, and was such a sympathetic character.
The ending, though! I don’t know what was going on, but the book seemed to go in such a different direction it made my head snap back. I wish it would have ended before Chapter VII - I think I could have expected that. But in the end, I kept my rating of 4 stars because this book was so beautifully written, the story was so engaging, and if Emery was in any way autobiographical, I felt it in my pores. I fear for people who enter college with mental health issues, because the pressure is intense. In the end, we’re left with so many questions, but the main one is: did Emery find herself and the power that she craved or was she even more broken?
Thank you so much to Henry Holt and Co. for the BEAUTIFUL hardcover edition!
Emery comes to Dartmouth on a scholarship from a small, poor neighborhood. She has very little experience, but she knows she wants to make friends. So, when the group known as the Sirens approaches her, she turns her back on traditional sororities; her main focus becomes getting the last spot in the competition to become a Siren.
I got so caught up in the different Siren rooms (all prefaced by their color in the hardback book) that I almost forgot the criminality of what they were doing. Yes, Emery is coming out of her shell. Yes, she has made (pseudo) friends with Roux and her stepbrother, Eli. I really wanted to see more of her relationship with Ozlie, a fellow competitor who “sees” Emery, and was such a sympathetic character.
The ending, though! I don’t know what was going on, but the book seemed to go in such a different direction it made my head snap back. I wish it would have ended before Chapter VII - I think I could have expected that. But in the end, I kept my rating of 4 stars because this book was so beautifully written, the story was so engaging, and if Emery was in any way autobiographical, I felt it in my pores. I fear for people who enter college with mental health issues, because the pressure is intense. In the end, we’re left with so many questions, but the main one is: did Emery find herself and the power that she craved or was she even more broken?
Thank you so much to Henry Holt and Co. for the BEAUTIFUL hardcover edition!
October 1, 2026
THE SIRENNNNN!!!! OHHH MY GAAHHHH,
This book is my introduction to Tomi Adeyemi, and baby, I had a blast.
Emery gets to Dartmouth battling with her own demons. She gets their and immediately falls in love with Eli and is mesmerized by Roux and the Sirens. Following Emery's experience with rush week and all of the things that come from trying to become a Siren.
Everything she hears from about the Sirens is negative. She's told to steer clear, to run or to try to join another sorority. The Sirens are dangerous.
The end of this story was a shock to the system. I wish there was another book or additional details about how the Sirens work and exist.
I'm still shocked and in awe, and I finished this book last night. The book ended and I just sat there, baffled.
I received this ALC from NetGalley.
This book is my introduction to Tomi Adeyemi, and baby, I had a blast.
Emery gets to Dartmouth battling with her own demons. She gets their and immediately falls in love with Eli and is mesmerized by Roux and the Sirens. Following Emery's experience with rush week and all of the things that come from trying to become a Siren.
Everything she hears from about the Sirens is negative. She's told to steer clear, to run or to try to join another sorority. The Sirens are dangerous.
The end of this story was a shock to the system. I wish there was another book or additional details about how the Sirens work and exist.
I'm still shocked and in awe, and I finished this book last night. The book ended and I just sat there, baffled.
I received this ALC from NetGalley.
September 5, 2026
Thank you to bookbreakuk, First Ink Books & Pan Macmillan for sending me an arc of this, i absolutely devoured it
This very much gave me vibes of Cruel Intentions meets The Craft and the writing was so descriptive and atmospheric that I had no trouble imagining the characters, the settings and the moods.
The characters were all well written and I loved the friendship between Emery and Ozlie and the toxic friendship between Emery and Roux was seeping through the pages! I loved it!
The plot had me hooked but my only niggle is that I thought the ending was quite rushed and it deserved a few more pages to really close it out. Other than that, I can’t really fault it.
This very much gave me vibes of Cruel Intentions meets The Craft and the writing was so descriptive and atmospheric that I had no trouble imagining the characters, the settings and the moods.
The characters were all well written and I loved the friendship between Emery and Ozlie and the toxic friendship between Emery and Roux was seeping through the pages! I loved it!
The plot had me hooked but my only niggle is that I thought the ending was quite rushed and it deserved a few more pages to really close it out. Other than that, I can’t really fault it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review this ALC. This is my honest opinion.
First, I would like to acknowledge that this was a pleasant audio experience. I truly enjoyed the sound effects that augmented the storytelling.
This book is going to have to sit with me for a bit before I can honestly say I fully understand what happened. It felt like the typical making of a Mean Girl experience, until it took a turn. I won't spoil the ending. I will say that I'm unsure what part was "real/awake" for Emery. It all felt like a fever dream by the end. I'll have to circle back once I receive my physical copy.
It was an interesting story. It does have lots of adult content; wouldn't recommend for younger, more impressionable youth/preteens. The writing was very descriptive and beautiful, I could clearly envision each scene. This is one of the stories where you may not like any character in particular. Maybe one. I don't mind those type of stories myself. I do recommend this story. 4 stars.
First, I would like to acknowledge that this was a pleasant audio experience. I truly enjoyed the sound effects that augmented the storytelling.
This book is going to have to sit with me for a bit before I can honestly say I fully understand what happened. It felt like the typical making of a Mean Girl experience, until it took a turn. I won't spoil the ending. I will say that I'm unsure what part was "real/awake" for Emery. It all felt like a fever dream by the end. I'll have to circle back once I receive my physical copy.
It was an interesting story. It does have lots of adult content; wouldn't recommend for younger, more impressionable youth/preteens. The writing was very descriptive and beautiful, I could clearly envision each scene. This is one of the stories where you may not like any character in particular. Maybe one. I don't mind those type of stories myself. I do recommend this story. 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As an English teacher, I think the most annoying criticism of a book is when someone says a book is "too YA" or that they won't read something because it is YA. Good writing is good writing no matter the audience. An author, who wields their craft with precision and expertise, can weave a compelling story with complex characters and an intriguing plot. Unfortunately, The Siren carries none of those aforementioned attributes. The writing is juvenile in content and syntax. The character development is implied, but non-existent. The novel is marketed as "dark academia," yet I wonder if the author, a supposed college graduate, actually experienced college, especially since aside from a few outlandish scenes from a freshman seminar, never mentions the actual academia part of college. This novel was petulant, the writing immature, and frankly, the epitome of what I imagine people who hate on novels classified as "YA." While I am a firm believer that there's an audience for every book, this novel is sure to be a disappointment for most
September 26, 2026
I really enjoyed The Siren! Tomi Adeyemi created such a dark, mysterious, and atmospheric story that pulled me in from the beginning. I loved the whole concept of the Sirens—their glamorous lives, secret parties, and the feeling that something much darker was hiding underneath it all.
Emery was such an interesting character to follow. I loved watching her navigate her past, her desire to belong, and the complicated relationships she develops with Roux and Eli. The dynamic between Emery and Roux was especially fascinating—intense, toxic, and completely captivating.
The mix of dark academia, supernatural elements, secrets, obsession, friendship, and power made this incredibly addictive. The deeper Emery became involved with the Sirens, the more I needed to know what was really happening.
Dark, seductive, mysterious, and hard to put down. Definitely a 5-star read for me!
Emery was such an interesting character to follow. I loved watching her navigate her past, her desire to belong, and the complicated relationships she develops with Roux and Eli. The dynamic between Emery and Roux was especially fascinating—intense, toxic, and completely captivating.
The mix of dark academia, supernatural elements, secrets, obsession, friendship, and power made this incredibly addictive. The deeper Emery became involved with the Sirens, the more I needed to know what was really happening.
Dark, seductive, mysterious, and hard to put down. Definitely a 5-star read for me!
September 30, 2026
4.25 star rating!
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