Siren Says

by Jennifer Herrera

A lush, spellbinding tale about a tenacious young woman who must harness her family’s dangerous magic to put a stop to the sacrifices they’ve been making for more than a century

Twenty-five-year-old Raven Wynn knows that the ancient plant magic running through her veins brings nothing but destruction. It doomed her Welsh ancestors. It killed her mother. It’s the reason she’s now bound by a painful curse—one that will destroy her if she can’t find a way to break its hold.

When her estranged Aunt Delilah bursts into her life promising a cure, Raven seizes the chance. However, her freedom comes at a steep Once her magic is fully unleashed, she is more powerful—and more dangerous—than anyone thought possible.

Desperate to tame powers she never wanted, Raven makes a pact with In exchange for learning to control her magic, Raven will capture one of the spirits that roam Delilah’s hometown on May’s Eve so that it may grant Delilah’s secret wish. With the help of an enigmatic new friend, Cherry, as well as an infuriatingly handsome stoneworker, Idris, Raven learns that her task is even more perilous than she imagined—one false move and the spirits could trap her soul—forever.

A sumptuous escape into a world of Celtic spirits and botanical magic, Siren Says is a bewitching story of the unbreakable bonds between women, the interplay between goodness and power, and the capacity of love to mend our very souls.

Genres: Fantasy, Adult

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Herrera is a literary agent, who is fascinated by both the stories we tell ourselves to live and the lies we cling to that sabotage our chances at a good life. She was born and raised in northwest Ohio and now resides in Philadelphia with her husband, kids, and kittens.

Reviews

[Liana Gold]

Expanding my sci-fi/fantasy collection this summer.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam Publisher and the author, Jennifer Herrera for the early eARC!

Publication date: August 18, 2026

[Cleverly Chloé]

I requested this on Netgalley. Fingers crossed!

[Meshari.m · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sirenn Says” is an engaging fantasy tale about Raven, who must use her family’s dangerous magic to end the sacrifices they have been making for generations. I loved that it contains elements such as plant magic, mythical beings, and Celtic myth influence. The romance takes an important role in the plot; personally, I enjoyed it, it was the cherry on top. The only issue is that I found the magic system somehow confusing, especially at the end; maybe it could’ve been explained better.

[Thea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this, and I liked the initial setup of the story, but I found the character development confusing and the worldbuilding incomplete. Three main points -
1 - It seemed like the story was supposed to be one of women's empowerment, but Violet's character didn't sell this for me. She betrays her sister, marries a man who turns out to be an abuser and subjects her niece to years of pain all because of some vague visions that demand it must be this way. If she was as clever as she is described, why was her best solution to put her family in such compromising positions? How does this honor her power? This didn't make sense to me and I think the "it had to be this way" explanation at the end of the book felt like a cop out. On the same topic of empowerment, our FMC relies heavily on the MMC to understand her situation and has to be saved by him at the end. It was very mixed messaging.
2 - The magic system was vaguely described through interactions between Raven, Delilah and Idris, but by the end it still wasn't clear to me why Raven's bloodline was so powerful or exactly how it all worked. Cherry's character is also revealed to have strong powers but it's never really established how the work or how she can use them to manipulate the world, which is key to the other magics we see.
3- Finally, sirens are described in different ways in different cultures but none that I am aware of fit with the way the author described the women in this story. This was a disappointment to me because I went in with certain expectations that were not met. Admittedly, I am not an expert in mythology, but the author dedicated significant time to her other Celtic inspirations so this point felt worth mentioning.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to an eARC so I could leave this review.

[Rachel Vachon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this lovely book!

In this dreamy, Celtic-inspired fantasy, twenty-five-year-old Raven views her ancestral plant magic as a curse and nothing but destruction. It is the same volatile power that claimed her mother’s life and left Raven tethered to a literal, agonizing wound that will claim her life if she can’t find a way to cure it. When her estranged Aunt Delilah appears offering a cure, Raven decides to take the chance for freedom. However, breaking the bind on her curse unleashes a magic power far more explosive and dangerous than she ever imagined.

Desperate to tame the powerful magic she never wanted, she must train with Delilah, who will only teach her after the make a pact. Delilah will help her control her magic if in 2 months time, Raven can capture a spirit to grant Delilah’s secret wish. Aided by her new friend Cherry and the charming yet
infuriating handsome stoneworker Idris, Raven embarks on a journey that uncovers dark family secrets and dangerous that might just steal her soul. Can Raven free herself of her magic and right the wrongs of her ancestors?

I just LOVED this one!!! For me this was the perfect mix of fantasy with just a hint of romance. I haven’t been so enthralled in a box like this in a while - where I turn into a gremlin in bed saying “one more chapter” to my husband as I continue to read until 2am just to finish the story. The pacing was fantastic.

The mix of welsh folklore and botonical science was absolutely beautifully written. I really enjoy when fantastical stories pull in some realism to ground the story.

The romance and “spice” was very tasteful and purposeful to the story. I’ve been a bit turned off by romantasy lately, as some of the romance delves into too much heavy smut for my tastes. This book was just the right level for me!

I can really foresee this one being the fantasy book of the summer!

[Emily Hauser · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF because it was more Romantacy than I expected, and I really am not a fan of that genre. Personal preference but I could see fantasy and romance fans enjoying

[grey ☽]

ARC review to come

[Adrienne]

DNF at 45%
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for providing me with this eARC. I thought the themes presented in the description of the book were really interesting. I was especially excited to see how Celtic mythology came into play, as I have only read one other series that touches on this. The first 25% of the book was great. I thought the setup was done really well and was very intriguing. Once it began to get into the thick of the plot, though, things started to not make sense. There was very little description of the magic system. I got nearly halfway through the book, and I barely have a grasp on who can practice what and what kinds of magic there are. Raven, our FMC, seems to know everything and nothing about the magic she possesses, which can be a little confusing. Finally, I thought that Raven's complete infatuation with Idris came on very quickly and became overwhelming almost immediately. At the part I stopped at, Raven couldn't go two pages without mentioning him in some capacity. This started to get annoying pretty fast, and unfortunately, it's the main reason I had to put down this book.

[Natalie Johanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and Netgalley for the ARC.

I have so many thoughts about this book. If I was rating just the plot and story, it would be 4.5 stars, but the writing, unfortunately brought it down for me. 2.5 rounded up to 3.

First off, the good:
the story was an interesting one and I liked the use of plants in the magical system. I enjoyed the interweaving of Celtic myths (at least I think it's real Celtic myths). It had a fresh take I hadn't seen before.

Now for the less good:
The worldbuilding was so confusing and the magic system... I'm still trying to figure it out fully. After finishing the book, I still don't know if everyone knows about magic or just this weirdly isolated town? It's implied in the beginning and through conversations with Raven's step dad that, no, not everyone knows about magic but then that just falls by the way side and everyone seems to know about magic? The first half of the story, Raven is lamenting that her magic hasn't come in and she has no magic...yet she's walking around talking to plants like that IS COMPLETELY NORMAL and it's not explained until nearly half a book later that the plant thing is just part of who she is. So like... is that not magic? Does everyone talk to plants?

Also, I'm not entirely sure how Raven's magic works. In the beginning she was lighting stuff on fire and zapping people with electricity when she got cranky but then as she became "more powerful" she could only use magic if she had powders? I couldn't track what the rules were. I also cant figure out if Sirens are ONLY the Wynn family line or if that is a type of magic. It's used as both and it's very confusing. Contextually, it seems like Sirens is a type of magic, but then there are lines saying only Wynns can be Sirens. So... I don't know. It can be ignored for the most part if you just flow with it, but like I said, it was inconsistent.

Now for the real bad:
The writing is just... bad in a lot of parts. The Character of Striker is... just bad. And unnecessary. The stepdad added very little and was such a flat and undeveloped character for the "backstory" for Raven it really fell flat. He appears halfway through the story and suddenly there's also a dead sister that is supposed to be a big reveal, but since it's been HALF A BOOK and never been mentioned, the reveal was just confusing rather than mind blowing. His whole character was a bad cliche. Also, Raven's half brother is Ash...Striker's actual kid... and in dialogue Ash calls him Striker... not dad. It was weird enough I had to go back to see if I'd missed something. There were also several overly repeated phrases the author is clearly a fan of. If I took a shot for every "my wound", "that is to say that", "ten minutes later", "an hour later" I'd have died of alcohol poisoning by the end of it. Aside from phrases, there was also a lot of unnecessary repetition. Nearly exact lines repeated a paragraph later. Throughout the entire book. Trust your readers to remember what we read a page ago.

The editing was just, not there. People were grabbing beers when the last paragraph had them already drinking some. Sitting down when they already were. Silly things that just jerk you out of the story.

Overall, this was an interesting story with a lot of potential that failed to deliver.

[RavenCantRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren Says
2.5 ⭐️

Thanks NetGally and Putnam for the advanced copy!

I had initially requested this book because it sounded so neat and the main character and I share a name, unfortunately that was the beginning and end of the positives I found.

I do think that there is definitely an audience for this, it just wasn’t my personal cup of tea.

Raven is a young woman who comes from a family of witches, or Sirens (still not entirely sure the distinction? Is it just ravens family that are sirens? I have a lot of questions. The world building wasn’t very tight) but her mother died when she was young and her last act was to bind ravens magic. Because of this, Raven has a wound that won’t go away and causes her immense pain.

Ravens solution is to try to find a way to get rid of her magic and this is where the story lost me. I can’t stand a character that thinks that something their whole family did is suddenly bad because of a single incident when they were a child who wasn’t fully capable of comprehending the whole scope of the picture. She doesn’t try to find a mentor, she doesn’t ever try to understand her magic, she just immediately writes it off and it annoyed me. Which is why I think others might like this even though I do not.

The cliche evil step dad was also just not developed well imo and the world building wasn’t very confusing (as stated above) especially when trying to figure out if the world is aware of magic??? Ravens step brother Ash doesn’t believe in it, but her step dad seems to know it’s real? And it only got more confusing as the story went on.

The romance also didn’t hit for me, I didn’t really feel the tension even as we went farther along. Raven would have feelings one moment only to not have them the next? And idris just fell flat for me.

I thought the plant magic system was really interesting but couldn’t get fully into it because of how annoyed I was with Raven for saying she didn’t have magic and then the next sentence literally talking to plants. Like girl get it together, the pieces are right there.

I would like to see what this author does next as I thought the concept was truly unique, but this one wasn’t for me.

[Thio Moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The William Morris-inspired cover is gorgeous—I want to wallpaper my house with this pattern!

Raven Wynn hasn’t always known it, but she’s on a journey of discovery and sacrifice. It takes her to some dark places, and it isn’t always clear who’s a friend and who’s an enemy. With the limited knowledge she’s been given, Raven must rely on instinct to see her through.

Siren Says weaves Welsh folklore into the modern world in a fascinating tale of familial atonement. Jennifer Herrera includes a helpful guide to the Welsh vocabulary used in the story, as well as plenty of embedded descriptions, so it never becomes confusing.

A distinct cast is introduced—sweet Ash, narcissistic Striker, elusive Cherry, mysterious Delilah, and talented Idris. At one point or another, I suspected every one of them of having a nefarious agenda, which kept me guessing. That said, the pacing of the romantic thread felt slightly off to me; feelings were sometimes developed and then forgotten too quickly. Raven occasionally decided to trust, not always logically, but because it was convenient.

The story as a whole, however, maintains a consistent style: a little dark, a little moody, a little ruthless. I loved the interwoven plant lore and how Herrera doesn’t shy away from life, death, and mourning, presenting them as part of the same cycle.

If you enjoy stories with an interesting magic structure rooted in folklore, self-discovery leading to self-acceptance, and a dash of spice, Siren Says is for you!

Thank you to Putnam for the opportunity to read Siren Says. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley and am writing this review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This felt like a fresh take on fantasy compared to a lot of what I’ve been reading lately. It’s still very much fantasy, but it leans into a quieter, more grounded kind of magic that made the world feel new. The magic tied to plants, stones, and music was especially beautiful and almost poetic. There’s already a sense of strength and calm in those elements in the real world, so seeing that idea pushed into something magical really worked for me.

I was fully invested in Raven and her coming-of-age journey, especially her shift from bloodbinding toward seeing the beauty and possibility in magic. Her arc felt earned and emotionally satisfying. Overall, the book was fun, fast-paced, and genuinely enjoyable to read.

That said, a couple things pulled me out a bit. I found it odd that Idris and Delilah were never actually in the same room or interacting directly until the very end. It felt like a missed opportunity, especially since Delilah absolutely seems like someone who would have strong opinions about him. I also struggled to understand how non-magical people fit into this world. Raven’s stepfather and stepbrother clearly don’t believe in magic, but then events like the May Day ceremony make it seem like the town as a whole buys into the origin story. I couldn’t quite tell whether magic was known, believed, or quietly dismissed, and that lack of clarity was confusing.

Still, the originality of the magic system and Raven’s story made this a strong and memorable read for me.

(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book)

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raven Wynn ha vivido toda su vida marcada por una herida que crece sobre su espalda y que amenaza con matarla lentamente. Todo comenzó el día en que su madre decidió protegerla a un costo irreversible. Desde entonces Raven ha rechazado todo lo que tenga que ver con lo sobrenatural mientras busca una forma de sobrevivir en un mundo que no tiene respuestas para ella

Cuando señales inquietantes comienzan a repetirse y una decisión aparentemente pequeña cambia el curso de su destino ella se ve arrastrada a una verdad que ha evitado durante años, su cuerpo no solo guarda dolor también guarda un poder que exige ser escuchado.

__
El romance no funcionó para mi, se siente incompleto y en varios momentos confuso. La relación con Idris queda demasiado al aire y hay decisiones de él que no terminan de tener sentid, Por ejemplo una vez que Idris conoce a Cherry parece dejar de lado a Raven con demasiada facilidad incluso después de descubrir que fue Cherry quien realizó el hechizo y no Raven no hay una platica ni una disculpa hacia ella, además continúa ayudando a Cherry como si nada hubiera pasado lo que debilita mucho el vínculo romántico que supuestamente se estaba construyendo
También resulta difícil de entender por qué Idris lleva a Cherry con su madre cuando Raven ni siquiera tenía conocimiento de lo que realmente estaba ocurriendo con ella.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Sarah Kemmerer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siren Says is a captivating tale that pulls you in from the start. Raven's magic was bounded by her mother before she came of age, and has been killing her from the inside ever since. In order to get rid of her hated magic, she makes a deal with a long lost aunt. For two months she will train until she completes a dangerous task for her Aunt Delilah, who will remove her powers. With the help of grumpy Iris and aloof Cherry, Raven learns more about her family and magic than she ever thought possible.

THIS WAS GUT WRENCHINGLY BEAUTIFUL. Ughhh the ending was everythinggg. Everything just came together perfectly.

This has to be one of my newest favorite fantasy novels. I literally could not put it down, and there were even times where I had to hold back tears. The book features a story and magical system that is completely different from most other books, which is a refreshing break from the constant repetition. The incorporation of Celtic themes was so beautiful. It felt new, interesting, FRESH.

The romance was perfectly integrated, and I felt like it added a lot to the story without becoming the sole focus. The slow burn and character development is completely worth it. Raven grows on her own and as a partner. It's amazing to see her trust others again. She starts off almost completely alone in the world, but gains friendships, love, and family.

5 stars, would definitely recommend. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

[Jarrahlee Hurrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

R: 3.5⭐️Overall this book was fun. The story really captured my attention at the start. A woman, Raven who is a siren (talks to plants). Her mother cursed her on her death bed, so Raven has grown up with a painful growth/sickness slowly killing her. The story slowly reveals why this happened, as Ravens searches to find her place in the world and accept her magic.

My favourite things were the descriptions of plants and caring for them. It was magical and beautiful to read the passion there. The story felt really creative and unique. I loved all the spirit creatures or beasts. Although I would have loved a bit more in depth detail. Instead it was “tsskfheh is a huge snakelike creature who will pierce you with its teeth”. The names were crazy!! I gave up even trying to pronounce them.😂👌🏼
The book started so strong, then I felt it rushed the ending. All the drama and killings happened in maybe one chapter. So much build up, for that?

I had a lot of questions: What is everyone’s magic? Is this world the same as now? But why was a whole town aware of this magic? It wasn’t explained much. I’d like to know what exactly Raven can do? There was talking to plants, then some electric zapping, then what did it end up being able to do? This is a stand alone, so won’t ever know? Instant love, also isn’t for me.

Overall I did enjoyed this and felt invested in the story. There was enough beauty and plot to keep it fun.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Putman publisher for the advanced copy.

[Brielle Weber · Rating 3 out of 5]

After coming off of a high after reading In The Veins of the Drowning by Kalie Cassidy and making it my entire personality, I have proclaimed that 2026 will be the year of the siren.

Siren Says is romantasy blended with Welsh folklore. It reads sort of like Weyward by Emelia Hart (oddly, she also has a a recent book out called The Sirens) without the various povs/switching timelines. Themes include generational trauma, empowerment, and feminism. The FMC, Raven, is a siren, and her mom was a witch who died when she young leaving a lot of mystery and angst around who she is and her magic. Throughout the book, Raven is on a journey to learn about her past and heal herself.

“People don’t realize this, but repotting a plant is one of the most intimate things you can do to a plant. Plants strain every day to dig their roots deep into the earth so they are capable of upward growth. Their whole lives depend on that anchoring. When you expose their roots, you’re exposing their most vulnerable parts.”

I loved the plant information woven into this story, and it had good bird/crow vibes, however the plot and magic system were little confusing and I found that I didn’t really relate to or care much for the characters.

✨2.5 rounded up! The mood/vibes were right, but the story was missing something.

Thank you NetGalley and Putman for this r-arc. Siren Says comes out August 18, 2026.

[Vanessa Konopacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really truly enjoyed this book. I’ve been in a reading slump and have been pushing through. I’m so thankful that I have. This and my previous read have been reminding me of my love of reading. I have never had such a quotable book before. So many strong and poignant quotes that I want to keep with me forever. Things like “never be ashamed of what you have to do to survive. Not ever” and “Never underestimate the lengths men will got to in order to limit a woman’s power” and my favorite “There’s no such thing as clean hands when it comes to a woman accessing power. Men have made sure of this”. I really enjoyed such an intelligent story about an adult woman coming into her own, even if that world involved fantastical world of magic and spirits. You understand our FMCs search for more, and of learning herself. My only wish would be that the epilogue 2as a bit more and we knew about our secondary characters a bit more. You come to care about them so much. It’s also one of the few times I really wanted more… and would entertain hope for more stories in this world or about this character. Do yourself a favor and read about Raven and her search to become all she can with the magic she was born with. How she finds a lost family member and learns who they are and herself and find the one that touches her heart with all the perks and dangers that creates.

[Jessie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was totally engaged at the start of this book but that enthusiasm waned as the plot progressed, leaving me less than satisfied with the end result. Raven's history and early trauma are relatable and the way they inform her mindset and perspective really make sense when we first meet her. The mystery of her mother and her hidden magic were truly compelling and the way plant magic was depicted was a major highlight of the story. I loved the way the plants responded to Raven and gave subtle hints and nods as if they were characters in their own right. The plot twists and big reveals of the book were ones I didn't see coming, and there's one reveal in particular that I thought was executed extremely well by the author. Unfortunately, I found as the book went on the story became a bit too convoluted and the development and pacing of the romance wasn't as believable and authentic as I was hoping for. I also thought the ending was overdramatized in a way that undermined its emotional resonance. I would recommend this book to readers who are seeking something in the genre that feels fresh and isn't cookie cutter despite my personal issues with it. I will always applaud an author who tries something different and while not all elements worked, there is something to be said for taking risks even if they don't all totally pay off.

Thank You to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC

[CWilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Raven Wynn is a woman of extraordinary mental and emotional fortitude, who does her best to navigate unexpected turns and twists in a very dangerous life she never asked for. Where many FMCs can rush in or make emotional decisions, Raven works to carefully gather the information she needs to chart her way through the darkness. As an adult, this made it a far more relatable read.

Additionally, I loved that the characters had real dialogues where they allowed themselves to be vulnerable. I can’t tell you the number of times that I find myself yelling at Chapter 31 of a book for the FMC and MMC to just TALK to each other, and I did not experience this in Siren Says.

Adjacent to Raven’s quest to unravel her family history and crisis, we see her and MMC, Idris, begin to open up to each other after a terse history. Naturally, Raven isn’t sure if he’s someone she can trust, but the evolution of their relationship is like watching winter bulbs develop and bloom. It’s so satisfying. I highly recommend this book for its explorations of inherited trauma and responsibility, the cozy elements of plant magic, and the soul-deep love that we get to see growing.

[rebeccareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siren Says is a lush, moody Welsh fairytale about generational magic, curses, and histories. The women in Raven Wynn's family have been both blessed and cursed with a powerful plant magic for generations, and Raven is about to pay the ultimate price - until she makes a deal with a distant aunt who says she can teach Raven to control her dangerous magic in exchange for Raven's help with harnessing a spirit.

As onetime plant witch myself, this story was right up my alley! I loved the rich setting and all the Welsh influences - it's such a beautiful, evocative culture and language (IMO somehow so underused in dark fantasy stories!), and its inclusion here is very well-done by Herrera. I'm not sure if the author has Welsh connections or is simply a very thorough researcher, but either way I'd be glad to read more of this type of detailed, real-world-influenced work.

If you enjoy dark-ish, folklore-influenced stories about familial bonds broken and reforged, cycles both vicious and virtuous, and the redeeming power of all kinds of love, be sure to check out Siren Says upon its release in August!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Abbi :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really solid urban fantasy standalone!!

We follow our Raven, our 25-year-old FMC, through her journey of discovering her past and who she really is. It is a very well written novel about self discovery, and Jennifer Herrera did a wonderful job with this story. She gave every single aspect just the amount of attention it needed to create a very well rounded romantasy. The pacing was excellent, the lore of the magic system was thoroughly explained, the romance was well thought out, and even the platonic relationships with Cherry, Raven's new friend, and Ash, her step-brother, were given careful consideration.

There was also a uniqueness to the story that is sometimes difficult to find in romantasy stories nowadays. The emphasis on Welsh culture was also a welcome surprise too, and I think readers will find it equally fascinating.

I would definitely recommend this story to those that like urban fantasy stories with a romantic side plot and a unique magic system!

And thank you to Putman Books and Jennifer Herrera for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!! All thoughts are my own.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

I really wanted to like this more than I did.
The first 20% was so captivating, but the further I read, the more unanswered questions I had. The world building needed more detail and explanation.

There were also portions of the plot that didn’t quite make sense. The plot drags on, with most of the action in the last 15% of the book. At the same time, key moments are just quickly rushed through…. after she kills Striker, she just moves on like no big deal? And her step brother is a key character until she is just totally fine to accept that he doesn’t want to see her, and then he is never mentioned again? For most of the book, it’s not clear what she is doing day to day - is she just living in this house filled with plants and has no interest in getting another job?

The romance went from 0-100 and the scene of her and Idris at the end was beyond weird and horribly cringey.

I loved the magical plants element, and some scenes were captivating. Overall, I was disappointed that this very unique and original premise wasn’t teased out in a clearer manner.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Putnam for the E-ARC of Siren Says by Jennifer Herrera via NetGalley. All opinions are mine.

This was an enchanting story that I very much enjoyed. A woman with a magical ancestry that she doesn't have full knowledge of, fighting to find the beauty in a world that has not been so kind to her and battling against a magical heritage that seems to be trying to kill her. This story features a heavy emphasis on plant magic with underlying stone work, sprinkle in the crows and a forbidden love, masterpiece in the making!

I especially loved the magical elements in this story. Witchy books are my favorite and this one met my expectations! It was so fun and different from others. I also love how our FMC, Raven found her other half, but that wasn't the main plot. The slow burn of that budding (pun intended) relationship was just enough not to divert from the main plot, but just enough to keep me rooting (again, pun intended) for them to make it.

The ending was perfect. The way it all wrapped up was amazing! Definitely recommending to everyone I know!

The only thing I do not like is the title.

[angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Putnam Books and Netgalley for the earc!

Do you like the concept of Avatar the Last Airbender's concept of spirits and a spirit world? Do you like "Muted" the webtoon where a young witch discovers her affinity with plant magic? And finally, do you like a sprinkling of Celtic mythology?

If so, this is your next read!

Raven is bound by a painful curse that is slowly killing her day by day. Her mother has passed away shortly after the binding of this curse. The doctors scratch their heads, and can't figure out the disease that is spreading across her body. However, she is really good with plants. They speak to her. They croon at her. They whine at her. They brush their leaves against her. Saving one flower from the cold of a concrete jungle has her fate land in the hands of her Aunt Delilah.

This curse can be lifted. Her magic can disappear once and for all. She can return to a sense of normalcy. All she has to do is hunt for a spirit on the night of Nos Calan Mai to grant a wish. The catch? Well, other things are hunting her too.

Dear reader, what are you willing to sacrifice to right a wrong?

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Siren Says is a romantasy with Celtic themes set in a modern era. The romance was refreshing, with no devastating heartbreaks and challenges. I enjoyed reading of a pretty healthy relationship, that even though was based a little in deceit, turned into a trusting relationship. In terms of spice, I would say the spice level was moderate.

There were a lot of little twists and turns that came up as the story progressed. I was a little disappointed that the ending didn't touch on Idris's mom and how things turned out for her once she got her soul back. That was the driving force behind what Raven did what she did when she went against what her and Delilah agreed on. His mom gave up her soul in hopes of finding Raven. We could have at least had a few sentences on how things ended for her.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cozy with romance and fantasy themes. The character development and twists were a great addition as well.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the atmosphere and vibes of this book- not quite gothic, but the dark botany is a vibe I enjoy. There were some really interesting themes that were touched on in this story, as well. Powerful women, actual moral dilemmas, confronting and correcting dark family history- these all worked well in the story that was told.

I think there was almost too much going on, so while the themes were strong, the topics felt almost shallow. We had self harm, anxiety disorder, abusive and manipulative family relationships, dark family history, and it just felt like there wasn’t enough time to address all of this deeply, so it all got glazed over. This extended into the relationships, as well, as I would have liked those to go deeper. The connection with Idris felt like nothing more than biology, which I understand was a bit of the point, but with how strongly they felt, I needed more. I never quite knew where Raven stood with Cherry or Delilah- the relationships just felt a bit lacking all around for me.

I do think the atmosphere and family story really held this together for me, and the ending was a really satisfying way to pull everything together!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc.

[Laurel Rakas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to start by admitting that fantasy is not my go-to genre, but I was stunned by this book. Yes, stunned is a good word, because I just had to stop and breathe and take awhile return to real life after I finished it.
I loved so many things about this book. I especially appreciated Raven, the protagonist who finds her power and place in the world. Raven is always guided by her innate sense of right, and that makes her such a strong and compelling character.
The relationship between Raven and Idris...ummm, wow. I'll just say they have real and believable chemistry. There's a quiet and tender message here about the saving power of love.
The action sequences were written in such a way that it played out like a movie in my mind. A suspenseful movie that I could not tear myself away from!
All in all, such a satisfying read.

As an aside, if this could be a series (all of Raven's ancestors!) I would read them for sure.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Siren Says had a cool premise and was an easy, fast read for me. I finished it in just a few days, but it didn’t fully live up to what it set up. The concept itself is interesting and definitely pulled me in, but the execution often felt a bit Young Adult–ish, especially in the writing style and character voice. That said, it’s definitely not YA in content, since there are some very grown-up, spicy moments sprinkled throughout, which made the tonal mismatch a little noticeable.
The writing sometimes felt immature, and the big ending/action sequence felt rushed, like things wrapped up before they had a chance to really land. I wanted a bit more depth and payoff there.
All that said, I didn’t hate reading it at all. It kept my attention, the premise was fun, and it was entertaining enough that I don’t regret picking it up. If you like lighter reads with an intriguing idea and some spice, this one might still be worth checking out.

[Berry ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ (Updating Reviews!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jennifer Herrera, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! Siren Says releases on August 18th!

Overall Rating: 3.75 / 5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 1 / 5 🌶️

Siren Says delivers a fresh, new take on romantasy, magic, and worldbuilding, tying Welsh folklore into the modern world. It divulges on themes of generational trauma, empowerment, and feminism!

Can I just say, I LOVE the magic system in this book! It felt so unique. And the way it tied into the themes of generational trauma was flawless.

I did feel that some characters did feel flat for me. Violet's character in particular seemed really difficult for me to grasp, as well as Cherry. They didn't feel as fleshed out as Raven or Idris, for example.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read! It felt like a new, refreshing take on witches, magic, and romantasy as a whole.

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siren Says is a captivating tale rooted in Welsh and Celtic folklore, weaving together magic, love, and the healing and the haunting power of plants. Raven, the protagonist, knows only one thing for certain that magic killed her mother. Gifted with a green thumb and burdened by pain, she must uncover the truth and find a way to survive before it’s too late.

What truly stood out to me was the plant-based magic system. As a gardener, I found it fascinating to see how familiar flora were reimagined as magical tools. This added a grounded, earthy texture to the fantasy. I also appreciated the fresh take on sirens, which felt both mythic and intimate.

I would have loved to learn more about the Wynn women and the deeper workings of this magical world. Still, the story left a lasting impression.

Thank you to Putnam for the digital galley of this book.