“Though, she recalls now, there had been a time in childhood when she often dreamed of water. She doesn’t remember much. A sun-dappled surface far above her head. A feeling that she was drowning, but somehow safe, that a liquid membrane protected her from the outside world.”
I’ve been eagerly anticipating The Sirens, and while it carries Emilia Hart’s signature style—strong women, historical threads, and magical realism—it left me with mixed feelings. There’s a lot to admire, but some aspects didn’t quite land for me.
Plot Summary
Plot SummaryThe novel follows the stories of four women across three timelines: Lucy in 2019, her sister Jess in 1999, and Irish sisters Mary and Eliza in 1800.
Lucy, grappling with recent turmoil, seeks refuge with Jess along the Australian coastline, hoping for answers and solace. Meanwhile, Jess has her own burdens to carry, ones that manifest through her art and sense of isolation. In the distant past, Mary and Eliza are sentenced to transportation on a convict ship bound for Australia, forced to survive both the voyage and the harsh realities of their new world.
Their stories slowly intertwine, revealing a narrative of resilience, oppression, and the ever-present ocean—a silent witness to their struggles. The novel balances historical fiction with themes of myth, particularly the lore of sirens and mermaids as metaphors for female autonomy.
Themes
Themes- Female empowerment & injustice: Hart, once again, explores how women throughout history have been silenced, mistreated, and underestimated.
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Family & sisterhood: The relationships between the sisters, though fractured, serve as a grounding force in a novel otherwise brimming with uncertainty.
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Magical realism & folklore: While the mythological elements were intriguing, I wanted more depth—especially regarding mermaids and selkies.
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Secrets & survival: Each woman faces an internal battle, carrying past trauma while trying to reclaim her own sense of identity.
What Worked Well
What Worked Well-
Beautiful, lyrical writing: Hart’s prose is immersive and evocative, effortlessly bringing coastal Australia and historical landscapes to life.
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Interconnected timelines: While I sometimes struggled with the constant shifts, Hart manages to weave the different eras together in an engaging way.
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Strong historical elements: The convict-ship narrative was well researched and gripping, offering a realistic glimpse into the brutal past.
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Female-driven storytelling: Each character’s arc feels raw and emotional, even when the pacing is uneven.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
Who Will Enjoy This Book?If you loved Weyward, this book has a similar tone—multi-generational storytelling, feminist themes, and lush settings. Fans of historical fiction, magical realism, and novels that explore trauma and resilience will find much to appreciate here. However, those who dislike fragmented storytelling or highly atmospheric, slower-paced reads might find it harder to connect.
Conclusion
While The Sirens doesn’t quite match Weyward for me, it’s still a solid read. The writing is stunning, the themes deeply affecting, and the historical sections particularly strong. That said, I found the twists predictable, the folklore underdeveloped, and some narrative threads frustratingly unresolved.
Still, there’s no denying Emilia Hart’s talent in creating evocative, female-driven tales. If you enjoy stories of sisterhood, survival, and mystical elements, The Sirens is well worth a read—just don’t expect it to dive too deeply into the magic.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for the chance to read this book.
About the author Emilia Hart ✨ (@emiliahartbooks) • Instagram photos and videos
@roelia_reads New on the bookshelf! Hot off the Press! #EBRecommends for the best and latest for your reading pleasure ❤️ Sirens by Emilia Hart Black Woods, Blue Skies by Eowyn Ivey Leeumens deur Rudie van Rensburg May All Your Skies by Fiona Scarlett Where to start? What do you think? #RoeliaReads #ExclusiveBooks #bookrecommendations #EmiliaHart #EowynIvey #RudieVanRensburg #FionaScarlett ♬ Will to Live – Jacob Yoffee
