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A review by marginmuse
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
3.0
The Sirens is a novel that had all the elements to be something truly special, but in the end, it left me feeling somewhat mixed. The premise is spellbinding. A story about sisters separated by centuries but bound by the sea, and the way the narrative weaves between timelines intrigued me from the start. I was particularly drawn to the mysterious connections between Lucy, Jess, and the historical figures of Mary and Eliza, whose lives in the 1800s set the stage for much of the novel's magic and suspense.
The story shifts between Lucy’s search for answers in 2019, Jess’s past struggles in 1999, and the haunting journey of Mary and Eliza as they are transported to Australia. I loved the idea of exploring these interconnected lives across different time periods, and the mystical elements of the sea calling to them were eerie and captivating. Jess’s rare allergy to water and the mysterious disappearances of men at sea created an intriguing atmosphere, one that kept me turning pages. But, I found myself wanting more from the characters. Lucy’s pursuit of answers felt repetitive at times, and while Jess’s diary provided some insight, it didn’t fully develop the emotional weight I was hoping for.
The historical aspect, with its convict ship and the sea’s eerie pull, was the most compelling part for me. However, I struggled to fully connect with the characters, and the narrative sometimes felt drawn out. There were moments of brilliance, particularly in the exploration of sisterhood and the power of dreams, but the pace lagged at times, and the ending didn’t have the emotional punch I was anticipating.
Overall, The Sirens is a solid read, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s a book filled with intriguing ideas, but I felt it could have gone deeper into the mystical aspects and the characters’ emotional journeys. If you enjoy stories about magic, sisterhood, and the sea, this one is worth checking out but just know that it doesn’t quite reach the heights I was hoping for.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own
The story shifts between Lucy’s search for answers in 2019, Jess’s past struggles in 1999, and the haunting journey of Mary and Eliza as they are transported to Australia. I loved the idea of exploring these interconnected lives across different time periods, and the mystical elements of the sea calling to them were eerie and captivating. Jess’s rare allergy to water and the mysterious disappearances of men at sea created an intriguing atmosphere, one that kept me turning pages. But, I found myself wanting more from the characters. Lucy’s pursuit of answers felt repetitive at times, and while Jess’s diary provided some insight, it didn’t fully develop the emotional weight I was hoping for.
The historical aspect, with its convict ship and the sea’s eerie pull, was the most compelling part for me. However, I struggled to fully connect with the characters, and the narrative sometimes felt drawn out. There were moments of brilliance, particularly in the exploration of sisterhood and the power of dreams, but the pace lagged at times, and the ending didn’t have the emotional punch I was anticipating.
Overall, The Sirens is a solid read, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential. It’s a book filled with intriguing ideas, but I felt it could have gone deeper into the mystical aspects and the characters’ emotional journeys. If you enjoy stories about magic, sisterhood, and the sea, this one is worth checking out but just know that it doesn’t quite reach the heights I was hoping for.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own