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Siren
Meet Zinhle, the glamorous Siren, as she reels through the highs and lows of fame-seeking in Jozi. Zinhle lives through a sham marriage, a stint as the lover of a Nollywood high-roller, sex parties, and an affair with a football star. She bed-hops from man to powerful man, overcoming cattiness, rivalry, cheating, and dodgy agents to nab a starring role in Heritage, a highly successful soapie. She has attitude and sass in bucket loads and is never far from the latest front-page scandal. Siren, Kuli Roberts’s gripping debut novel, is a classic rags-to-riches tale, jam-packed with drama, hot sex, and reversals of fortune that will keep readers zipping through the pages until the very end.
232 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2020
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48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 11, 2022
I love me some high drama. Sex, drugs and Kwaito.
Kuli Roberts, the-one-formerly-known-as-Shwashwi, unveiled another fab layer of her talent. She's added writer of high drama to her many accolades. Her story of Zinhle is textual, sensual and evocative.
Finished #siren this morning & had to take time out. This fast-paced scandalously sleazy drama had me turning the pages, mouth agape.
"Siren" starts with a prologue titled "Italian sports cars" narratinv a traumatic incident in 2018. It then moves 39 years back to 1979 where circumstances of Zinhle's birth set the tone of this story. We journey with Zinhle living her dream of TV stardom. The drugs, sex and alcohol fuelled escapades, sex for parts and the filth and sleaze behind TV productions. An eat or be eaten existence for Zinhle. Up until page 133, Kuli delivers a Jackie Collins-esque storyline with all the ingredients to keep the reader hooked on what is on offer and then some. However, scratching beyond the surface, the abuse of aspiring starlets is an everyday occurrence, the sham of manufactured lives and the backstabbing will make you start viewing your TV dramas in a different light. Maybe you'll have a little sympathy towards the real people behind these characters. A lot of the subplots in Siren had a lot of truths in them. These reality weddings...all may not seem like it is. There's always a hidden agenda. Begs the question, why are we still hung up on heteronormative codes in 2019? Like really...we have so many pressing matters to attend to like low literacy rates, the shrinking economy, the rising youth unemployment rate etc.
I loved the gossip in the first half of Siren but the second half had my heart. The narrative changes and the shift is handled beautifully. Kuli opens up and presents us with a whole Zinhle.
I loved Siren because, although the narrated time spans 41 years, the narrative is not drawn out. Kuli held my interest from the first page to the last page. Siren will make you cry, shout from joy, scream "Don't do it", sigh out "How could you", hold your breath and eventually breath out because we all return to ourselves when the time is right.
A great present for your girlfriends. With so many #girlsweekendaways this time of the year, give your girls this gorgeously packaged gift. You'll thank me later.
The review is also posted here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
If you are looking for a fast-paced palpitations-inducing read, grab Siren. Deserved all 4 stars
Kuli Roberts, the-one-formerly-known-as-Shwashwi, unveiled another fab layer of her talent. She's added writer of high drama to her many accolades. Her story of Zinhle is textual, sensual and evocative.
Finished #siren this morning & had to take time out. This fast-paced scandalously sleazy drama had me turning the pages, mouth agape.
"Siren" starts with a prologue titled "Italian sports cars" narratinv a traumatic incident in 2018. It then moves 39 years back to 1979 where circumstances of Zinhle's birth set the tone of this story. We journey with Zinhle living her dream of TV stardom. The drugs, sex and alcohol fuelled escapades, sex for parts and the filth and sleaze behind TV productions. An eat or be eaten existence for Zinhle. Up until page 133, Kuli delivers a Jackie Collins-esque storyline with all the ingredients to keep the reader hooked on what is on offer and then some. However, scratching beyond the surface, the abuse of aspiring starlets is an everyday occurrence, the sham of manufactured lives and the backstabbing will make you start viewing your TV dramas in a different light. Maybe you'll have a little sympathy towards the real people behind these characters. A lot of the subplots in Siren had a lot of truths in them. These reality weddings...all may not seem like it is. There's always a hidden agenda. Begs the question, why are we still hung up on heteronormative codes in 2019? Like really...we have so many pressing matters to attend to like low literacy rates, the shrinking economy, the rising youth unemployment rate etc.
I loved the gossip in the first half of Siren but the second half had my heart. The narrative changes and the shift is handled beautifully. Kuli opens up and presents us with a whole Zinhle.
I loved Siren because, although the narrated time spans 41 years, the narrative is not drawn out. Kuli held my interest from the first page to the last page. Siren will make you cry, shout from joy, scream "Don't do it", sigh out "How could you", hold your breath and eventually breath out because we all return to ourselves when the time is right.
A great present for your girlfriends. With so many #girlsweekendaways this time of the year, give your girls this gorgeously packaged gift. You'll thank me later.
The review is also posted here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?stor...
If you are looking for a fast-paced palpitations-inducing read, grab Siren. Deserved all 4 stars
January 9, 2020
What Kuli lacked in the much anticipated and promised erotica she outdone herself in the story line👌🏾👌🏾 she just has a way with words. The unfolding of events in the life of Zihle famously known as Siren as she works her way up in the television industry with its dramas and her personal dramas🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️ is the whole encore of this book. This girl was full of it but i loved how she owned up to each decision she made be it a good one or a stupid one. This book kept me on the edge of my seat once i got back to it after some days break(lol its fast paced like you watching a movie hence the break) finished the remaining half in 2 hours thats how good her story telling is you wanna know what happens next.
January 19, 2025
I think I missed out just a little on the niceness of this book because I kept waiting for THE sex - hot, raunchy erotica. In my defence, the book was 'sold' as an erotic novel guaranteed to get your temperature rising and juices flowing. Don't get me wrong, sex is had in the book but it's not erotic at all, it's just here and there and gone in 2 seconds. Nothing to make you shift uncomfortable and envision premium strokes. Nothing to back up the "Erotica" claims that were made when the book was released.
Enough whining - Back to the real deal. The book is Kuli Roberts' debut. It's well written and the storyline is intact. The character build up is proper.
I absolutely loved how she started with Mabel during apartheid and went on to Zinhle in a cut throat TV world we all know (about) so well. Zinhle went through it all! The typical growing up without a father, poor family, dealing with foreigners, the ghetto - The whole rags to riches shebang. Then came the sex parties, the couch castings, the drugs, the alcohol, rehab, faking it for the media, marriages, having it all, losing it all, having it all again, deaths, more drugs, one night stands. Everything you have heard about how some celebrities climb the ladder and how some crash and burn under pressure, Zinhle went through it. Most parts felt like something I've read or watched before but maybe that's just how 'real' the story was.
I loved the book. It felt longer than it really was and took me more days to finish it than expected, but all in all, I enjoyed it.
Zinhle's come up at the end was amazing. I loved that very much and I found myself cheering her on. I didn't particularly like her parents getting back together in the end. I found it weirdish.
I still hate that the promised hot and bothered sex never happened but we move 😔
Enough whining - Back to the real deal. The book is Kuli Roberts' debut. It's well written and the storyline is intact. The character build up is proper.
I absolutely loved how she started with Mabel during apartheid and went on to Zinhle in a cut throat TV world we all know (about) so well. Zinhle went through it all! The typical growing up without a father, poor family, dealing with foreigners, the ghetto - The whole rags to riches shebang. Then came the sex parties, the couch castings, the drugs, the alcohol, rehab, faking it for the media, marriages, having it all, losing it all, having it all again, deaths, more drugs, one night stands. Everything you have heard about how some celebrities climb the ladder and how some crash and burn under pressure, Zinhle went through it. Most parts felt like something I've read or watched before but maybe that's just how 'real' the story was.
I loved the book. It felt longer than it really was and took me more days to finish it than expected, but all in all, I enjoyed it.
Zinhle's come up at the end was amazing. I loved that very much and I found myself cheering her on. I didn't particularly like her parents getting back together in the end. I found it weirdish.
I still hate that the promised hot and bothered sex never happened but we move 😔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2019
( BlackBirds Thank you for sending me Arcs to read, this is my honest review)
Siren is a light read... grab yourself a glass of pinotage and lock your bedroom. Because Siren is telling her story... This book gave me many loves and many hates... Siren had strong willed characters. Like Mabel! Zintle’s mom.... tjo!!! What a warrior and she raised a warrior who came out ready with her own spears and shields... The story follows the rise and the fall of being an actor in the television industry. We are introduced to Zintle who ventures in the world of money, sex, glitz if not glitches. As an actor my self, I really enjoyed reading this book and totally know and have seen the rising of passion and how rejection can damage even the most talented actor. The industry is a cut throat and Zintle roller skates in dirt and gravel. With greatness being her destination... She is driven by passion and controls lust. Zintle is in a journey of becoming content with self and reaching her dreams of being an actor. She is not afraid to work hard and to be worked on!! I empathized with Zintle as she tipsy toed climbing the ladder of fame she changed her name to Siren. She was body shamed, was couch casted and she found love, got married and became a widow and lost her son and after that getting an Oscar!!! A warrior!!!
This book somehow reminded me of Tshisa, drama series. But the book is much better.
I liked how real the book felt. Something awesome happened in the few pages concerning the structure, it started with Mabel as a domestic worker and she was having a steamy sex with her baas. Then the writer dropped that and then we find out she is pregnant with Zintle and boom we continue with Zintle but still following Mabel’s life... hmmm 🤔 lovely!!!
Siren has memorable scenes. ( Well sex scenes)
I do think that when you going to write about sex really take me there. This book had a potential of being the best novel with best sex scene, but unfortunately it didn’t. I missed the experience of feeling, of being gorged. The writing could have dug even more. Some scenes felt rushed and the pace of the whole book felt rushed.
Interestingly sometimes the rushing worked well because the book is set in Johannesburg. The sense of adrenaline was clear... at times I wanted Siren to just smell flowers and breath 😀 3/5
Siren is a light read... grab yourself a glass of pinotage and lock your bedroom. Because Siren is telling her story... This book gave me many loves and many hates... Siren had strong willed characters. Like Mabel! Zintle’s mom.... tjo!!! What a warrior and she raised a warrior who came out ready with her own spears and shields... The story follows the rise and the fall of being an actor in the television industry. We are introduced to Zintle who ventures in the world of money, sex, glitz if not glitches. As an actor my self, I really enjoyed reading this book and totally know and have seen the rising of passion and how rejection can damage even the most talented actor. The industry is a cut throat and Zintle roller skates in dirt and gravel. With greatness being her destination... She is driven by passion and controls lust. Zintle is in a journey of becoming content with self and reaching her dreams of being an actor. She is not afraid to work hard and to be worked on!! I empathized with Zintle as she tipsy toed climbing the ladder of fame she changed her name to Siren. She was body shamed, was couch casted and she found love, got married and became a widow and lost her son and after that getting an Oscar!!! A warrior!!!
This book somehow reminded me of Tshisa, drama series. But the book is much better.
I liked how real the book felt. Something awesome happened in the few pages concerning the structure, it started with Mabel as a domestic worker and she was having a steamy sex with her baas. Then the writer dropped that and then we find out she is pregnant with Zintle and boom we continue with Zintle but still following Mabel’s life... hmmm 🤔 lovely!!!
Siren has memorable scenes. ( Well sex scenes)
I do think that when you going to write about sex really take me there. This book had a potential of being the best novel with best sex scene, but unfortunately it didn’t. I missed the experience of feeling, of being gorged. The writing could have dug even more. Some scenes felt rushed and the pace of the whole book felt rushed.
Interestingly sometimes the rushing worked well because the book is set in Johannesburg. The sense of adrenaline was clear... at times I wanted Siren to just smell flowers and breath 😀 3/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2020
The first time I read Siren by Kuli Roberts I thought, “yoh! It must be rough in the South African entertainment industry.” :/
But as I continued through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel sadness for our actors, actresses, singers, soccer players etc. If the book is anything to go by, it isn’t roses and rainbows. Yes, I understand that it is fiction however, we cannot ignore that any work written comes from some reality, and the reality in Siren is too hard to swallow.
Just a side note, my review for Siren will be a bit bias. After all, I am a huge follower of Kuli Roberts’ work and her book Siren is just as I expected. Nothing shy from her sensual and seductive style of writing.
Siren is sexy, fresh, relatable and real.
I had to stop myself from reading on, the day I received the book; because I feared I would finish it too quickly. The novel is grabbing. You want to know what is next. The story pulls you in so deep. You can easily find yourself immersed in the pages.
There is of course sex, drugs, alcohol; unfortunately lots of death and gut wrenching thoughts as you sit and wonder, can it be? You cannot help but think of all our entertainers, past and present, and the struggles to get in or stay in the entertainment industry.
The book follows the story of a young actress, Siren a.k.a Zinhle. Her story begins during apartheid when her black mother and white father do the unthinkable - they have an affair and Siren is born. Siren’s mother was a domestic worker and her Father the Baas. This was the beginning of what will only lead to sad and painful moments for Siren.
The book is a definite must read for anyone considering a place in the entertainment industry in South Africa. I expect that certain things in the book are exaggerated to build the story and most of the occurrences cannot happen to one person - but it is not unlikely.
Siren starts from the bottom. As a young girl working at a shop. After her boss hits on her and dies the following day, she makes a decision to change her life and become an actress.
Excitement leads her to fall trap of the phrase 'to being young and naive' - thinking you have found the love of your life, only for the person to be gay and Siren, back then just Zinhle, to be part of a ploy to get high screen ratings and brand freebies. To Siren thinking she was being represented for her acting skills, only to spend her life sleeping with pot bellied men for the next buck.
Overall, it is things that could happen to anyone and in any career.
What the book taught me is that there is no manual in life but, with a bit of patience things do often make a turn - and often more than once.
Nevertheless, read the book. It is fun, exciting and also great for your mental skills, because the writer is well versed in the use of words.
In conclusion, Kuli Roberts’ use of words for me is equivalent to Picasso’s use of a brush. I think it is worthy of decades of perfection.
But as I continued through the pages, I couldn’t help but feel sadness for our actors, actresses, singers, soccer players etc. If the book is anything to go by, it isn’t roses and rainbows. Yes, I understand that it is fiction however, we cannot ignore that any work written comes from some reality, and the reality in Siren is too hard to swallow.
Just a side note, my review for Siren will be a bit bias. After all, I am a huge follower of Kuli Roberts’ work and her book Siren is just as I expected. Nothing shy from her sensual and seductive style of writing.
Siren is sexy, fresh, relatable and real.
I had to stop myself from reading on, the day I received the book; because I feared I would finish it too quickly. The novel is grabbing. You want to know what is next. The story pulls you in so deep. You can easily find yourself immersed in the pages.
There is of course sex, drugs, alcohol; unfortunately lots of death and gut wrenching thoughts as you sit and wonder, can it be? You cannot help but think of all our entertainers, past and present, and the struggles to get in or stay in the entertainment industry.
The book follows the story of a young actress, Siren a.k.a Zinhle. Her story begins during apartheid when her black mother and white father do the unthinkable - they have an affair and Siren is born. Siren’s mother was a domestic worker and her Father the Baas. This was the beginning of what will only lead to sad and painful moments for Siren.
The book is a definite must read for anyone considering a place in the entertainment industry in South Africa. I expect that certain things in the book are exaggerated to build the story and most of the occurrences cannot happen to one person - but it is not unlikely.
Siren starts from the bottom. As a young girl working at a shop. After her boss hits on her and dies the following day, she makes a decision to change her life and become an actress.
Excitement leads her to fall trap of the phrase 'to being young and naive' - thinking you have found the love of your life, only for the person to be gay and Siren, back then just Zinhle, to be part of a ploy to get high screen ratings and brand freebies. To Siren thinking she was being represented for her acting skills, only to spend her life sleeping with pot bellied men for the next buck.
Overall, it is things that could happen to anyone and in any career.
What the book taught me is that there is no manual in life but, with a bit of patience things do often make a turn - and often more than once.
Nevertheless, read the book. It is fun, exciting and also great for your mental skills, because the writer is well versed in the use of words.
In conclusion, Kuli Roberts’ use of words for me is equivalent to Picasso’s use of a brush. I think it is worthy of decades of perfection.
September 6, 2021
“She might have turned her back on the showbiz life, but it still had a few things to show her.” And indeed it showed her 🔥
In Kuli Roberts’s debut, we follow Zinhle aka Siren on her journey to becoming the best actress there ever was. Starting with Mabel (Zinhle’s mother) back in the apartheid days, we get to see how Zinhle came out from a very weird affair. Her rise and fall getting in the entertainment industry, the men, her attempts at love, being naive and building a backbone of steel through it all.
Very fast paced, one thing leading to another, I feel like too many things happened all at once and I was overwhelmed by it all. Some things I believe were unnecessary.
I loved Zinhle’s character. Fearless, a go getter who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I loved her development as a person and as an actress. She comes across as a strong person but I enjoyed seeing her softness in the small scenes. Homegirl goes through a lot, ukuthi how she woke up, dusted herself EVERY SINGLE TIME still beats me.
I think it gave a great light to Mzansi’s entertainment industry, showcasing that not everything is as easy as it may seem.
In Kuli Roberts’s debut, we follow Zinhle aka Siren on her journey to becoming the best actress there ever was. Starting with Mabel (Zinhle’s mother) back in the apartheid days, we get to see how Zinhle came out from a very weird affair. Her rise and fall getting in the entertainment industry, the men, her attempts at love, being naive and building a backbone of steel through it all.
Very fast paced, one thing leading to another, I feel like too many things happened all at once and I was overwhelmed by it all. Some things I believe were unnecessary.
I loved Zinhle’s character. Fearless, a go getter who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. I loved her development as a person and as an actress. She comes across as a strong person but I enjoyed seeing her softness in the small scenes. Homegirl goes through a lot, ukuthi how she woke up, dusted herself EVERY SINGLE TIME still beats me.
I think it gave a great light to Mzansi’s entertainment industry, showcasing that not everything is as easy as it may seem.
December 4, 2024
If Kuli Roberts was still alive, I would send her a message through one of the many platforms and just say, "Shonono's". I picked up this book this year, having bought it more than two years ago. I had no idea what the book was about, even the fact that it was a novel. I was only aware when I decided to read it, with some reservations to be honest. I am blown away and it is such a pity that we will never have another book from Ms. Roberts as this is just a wonderful book with beautiful plot twists. And this book was never going to bre a Kuli book without the theme of albinism and LGBTQ+ community. She also managed to touch on themes of the immorality act during apartheid South Africa, drug addiction and the book is littered with sex, in a very tasteful and enjoyable way.
Siren is a woman who followed her dreams to the end, but also experienced different kind of trauma's that can easily break a human. You will fall in and out of love with her, but will never forget her. Read this book!
Siren is a woman who followed her dreams to the end, but also experienced different kind of trauma's that can easily break a human. You will fall in and out of love with her, but will never forget her. Read this book!
January 8, 2023
What a rollercoaster of a life for our protagonist, Sinhle AKA Siren. It was a river ring read overloaded with scandal and betrayal.
The novel highlights strong themes of sexual abuse which it a grave issues in South Africa. Not to mention the toxic culture that one may experience in the filming industry where one need to be complicit in unwanted sexual activity to receive and acting role.
Siren’s journey is empowering that despite the tribulations she faces, she endures it and comes back on top.
The novel highlights strong themes of sexual abuse which it a grave issues in South Africa. Not to mention the toxic culture that one may experience in the filming industry where one need to be complicit in unwanted sexual activity to receive and acting role.
Siren’s journey is empowering that despite the tribulations she faces, she endures it and comes back on top.
January 8, 2020
I finished #SIREN yesterday it is written by the sultry Kuli Robert's. Published by BlackBirdBooks
Its really fast-paced and full of drama. So an easy read and a page Turner. I did feel like it may have been originally a script for a movie or soapie.
But I loved some of the juicy bits on the entertainment industry.
I would not call it an erotic novel. There was very little sex. 😒💔
I loved the ending. A proper come up.
Its really fast-paced and full of drama. So an easy read and a page Turner. I did feel like it may have been originally a script for a movie or soapie.
But I loved some of the juicy bits on the entertainment industry.
I would not call it an erotic novel. There was very little sex. 😒💔
I loved the ending. A proper come up.
December 30, 2025
A juicy and highly captivating tale of what goes on in the lives soap stars and crew and behind the scenes of Mzansi soapies. The author has been a celebrity journalist for as long as I remember so there was no one better to pen this novel than her. May the late Kuli Roberts continue to rest in peace.
Read
October 3, 2020It is true to Kuli's voice, sensuous good writing.
September 2, 2021
If you need a book that’s just light filled with sex and drama of the SA entertainment industry this is the book for you. I enjoyed this book, it came at time when I needed a light read without getting too involved with the character. I never got too attached to Siren story cause of different she was from anything close to my life but I found myself rooting for her so much!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews