The Sirens: A Novel
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • #1 LibraryReads Pick • Indie Next Pick
A spellbinding novel about sisters separated by centuries, but bound together by the sea, from the author of the runaway New York Times bestseller Weyward
2019: Lucy awakens from a dream to find her hands around her ex-lover’s throat. Horrified, she flees to her older sister’s house on the Australian coast, hoping she can help explain the strangely vivid nightmare that preceded the attack—but Jess is nowhere to be found.
As Lucy awaits her return, the rumors surrounding Jess’s strange small town start to emerge. Numerous men have gone missing at sea, spread over decades. A tiny baby was found hidden in a cave. And sailors tell of hearing women’s voices on the waves. Desperate for answers, Lucy finds and begins to read her sister’s adolescent diary.
1999: Jess is a lonely sixteen-year-old in a rural town in the middle of the continent. Diagnosed with a rare allergy to water, she has always felt different, until her young, charming art teacher takes an interest in her drawings, seeing a power and maturity in them—and in her—that no one else has.
1800: Twin sisters Mary and Eliza have been torn from their loving father in Ireland and forced onto a convict ship bound for Australia. For their entire lives, they’ve feared the ocean, as their mother tragically drowned when they were just girls. Yet as the boat bears them further and further from all they know, they begin to notice changes in their bodies that they can’t explain, and they feel the sea beginning to call to them…
A breathtaking tale of female resilience and the bonds of sisterhood across time and space, The Sirens captures the power of dreams, and the mystery and magic of the sea.
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Readers say Emilia Hart’s *The Sirens* beautifully blends mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, and rich local folklore into an immersive, atmospheric...
I’ve heard incredible things about Weyward, so I was eager to dive into Emilia Hart’s latest work. My expectations were high and I still couldn’t put it down; almost as if Hart had made this book happen after reading a wishlist from my own diary rather than Jess’s. The story weaves true crime and historical fiction with an achingly beautiful quality that makes even the (I will say, VERY many) predictable moments resonate with emotional depth. My only complaint is that I knew what was going to happen hundreds of pages before it did, but the vibes were immaculate so how mad can I be? It’s a beautiful exploration of found family and female solidarity, all set against a vividly described nautical backdrop that engages every sense. I swear I know what Comber Bay smells like and it still haunts me.
Sirens features characters navigating chronic pain (through aquagenic urticaria, a rare water allergy), a prominent character with visual impairment, foreword acknowledgement and inclusion of Indigenous peoples, and imprisoned women. Every element was handled with compassion and an evident dedication to accurate, thoughtful representation.
This book was provided to me for free in exchange for my honest review. Rating: 4.5/5
Their stories converge in Comer Bay, known as the “Bermuda Triangle” for missing men, revealing heritage and identity. The Sirens, called Merrow, are vengeful protectors of women, a feminist twist on Greek mythology. They switch between mermaid and human forms and use a fatal siren song.
Hart's books focus on female experiences, trauma, and healing. While beautifully written, the characters are flawed, highlighting themes of change and acceptance. Despite this, the pacing suffers from alternating points of view and shifting timelines, sometimes causing important moments to be overlooked. Overall, I did enjoy the book and cannot wait to see what else Emilia Hart has in store for us.
This book beautifully blends elements of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction, creating a truly immersive reading experience. I was particularly drawn to the character of Lucy in the present-day (2023) storyline. I found her relatable, and her struggle with uncovering long-hidden family secrets kept me hooked from start to finish. The way her past and present collide, especially with her search for answers about her family’s mysterious connection to an ancient legend, was incredibly intriguing.
The book also does a great job of exploring the rich history and mythology of the region, especially its ties to the legends surrounding lost civilizations and hidden treasures. The blend of local folklore with the more mystical elements of the story added an extra layer of magic that I couldn't get enough of.
I'm eager to see what this author will write next. Her ability to weave historical stories into modern narratives, while focusing on strong, complex female protagonists, really sets her work apart.
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