Unraveling Mysteries, Sisterhood, and the Women's Resilience

"The sea was in her veins, calling as loud as a song."

The Sirens is a magical realism tale that follows three women (Mary, Jess, and Lucy) who discover their uniqueness and must find their place by embracing their differences when equality is a myth.

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

This story is about the bonds of sisterhood, of being a mother, and follow two main timelines and three main characters. While the story has POVs for the three women, Mary's sister Eliza is also heavily featured and offers a different viewpoint of the journey as she is blind. Additionally, there are two main timelines: Mary and Eliza in the 1800s, and then Jess and Lucy in 2019, but there flashbacks to a younger Jess in 1999.

This book is not a lighthearted summer read but rather touches on topics of trauma (from being banished from their homeland and forced to board a convict ship, to finding out they were adopted, to being different) and how resilient women can be when going through challenges and facing their pasts.

"There's something about this place, something different. It keeps its women safe."

Emilia Hart's descriptions of the Australian coastline and the haunting tales of the the sea and what is waiting there were beautiful. And the word, haunting is probably one of the better descriptions that I can give to this book. The magical realism within the book is very atmospheric.

"That's what dreams are like. Unseen, but always there. Waiting."

Each character is fully alive and searching to understand who they are... and to figure out their family mystery. Mary and Eliza's mother disappeared into the sea; Jess and Lucy have always felt "different" and while they felt loved, they were lonely growing up. I loved how the author pulled in a rare allergy to water (aquagenic urticaria) in which their skin "flakes" if in contact with water and yet, **SPOILERS** the longer that they are in water, then their true self (a merrow) is what they become.

The tír fo thuinn, the land beneath the waves" (was it any wonder men had feared it so?)

The way the storylines intertwined and how the secrets were revealed both frustrated and kept me engaged in the reading. This book speaks of the strength and courage, as well as the resilience of women over the centuries. A friend likened it to When Women Were Dragons and I would have to agree; if you loved that book, you will enjoy this read! The characterization and imagery throughout the book were wonderful... just beware of the heavier topics.

"But sometimes, there is no choice. There is only love."

Happy Reading!