40
Siren Says by
Jennifer Michelle Herrera
Hosted by Sara Vander Zwaag & Jennie Lindsay
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Summary
Jennie and Sara give their opinions of Siren Says by Jennifer Michelle Herrera — a lush, Welsh-rooted romantasy about a young woman whose magic has been bound for years, the family secrets waiting for her in Pennsylvania, and the women who shape her path. From a plant-based magic system and a dark fairy tale ending to a softer, more everyday kind of romantasy hero, the hosts dig into female rage, intergenerational trauma and atonement, reclaiming ancestral culture instead of borrowing someone else's, and why female friendship is the beating heart of the story. They also talk pacing, tactile prose, and the hopeful question: when do we get the Delilah, Cherry, and Idris spin-offs?
Spoilers
Full spoilers for Siren Says by Jennifer Michelle Herrera, including the ending.
Content Warnings
Self-harm, domestic abuse from a parent, violence and gore, and a coercive sexual encounter that is accidental.
Chapters
0:00 – Show Intro
0:24 – Today's Book: Siren Says
1:50 – Content Warnings for Siren Says
2:44 – Recap Begins: Welsh Pronunciations & Raven's Bound Magic
5:01 – Recap Continues: Cynefin, Cherry & Training
6:20 – Recap Wrap-Up: The Family Quarry & Nos Calan Mai
7:56 – Themes & Reactions: Intergenerational Atonement
9:55 – Appropriation vs. Reconnecting With Ancestral Roots
11:47 – Passing Down Stories, Setting & a Grim Fairy Tale
14:59 – The Violence of Women
16:24 – Bound Magic: Power Isn't the Problem
18:32 – Morally Gray Women
20:22 – The Grimoire as a Framing Device
21:40 – That Dark Fairy Tale Ending
22:52 – Welsh Pronunciations: Audiobook vs. Print
24:00 – Wanting More: Pacing & the Final Act
27:31 – A Tactile Book
28:42 – Idris, "Ravenous" & a Softer Hero
30:56 – The Quartet: Raven, Cherry, Idris & Delilah
32:19 – Female Friendship Over Rivalry
33:42 – Shadow Mommies
34:39 – Why You Should Read It
36:29 – Magic Types, Seers & Fransys
37:54 – Intergenerational Trauma, Atonement & Fantasy as Allegory
39:15 – Spice Rating, the Club Scene & Overall Score
41:50 – Female Friendship, Rereading & Why We Do This Podcast
43:42 – Show Outro
Mentioned in This Episode
Siren Says — Jennifer Michelle Herrera
Outlander — Diana Gabaldon
Fourth Wing — Rebecca Yarros
Sorcha Groundsell — narrator of the Siren Says audiobook
FAQ
Does Episode 40 of Spread Your Wingspan cover Siren Says by Jennifer Michelle Herrera, the Welsh-inspired witch fantasy?
Yes, Episode 40 of Spread Your Wingspan is a full recap and discussion of Siren Says by Jennifer Michelle Herrera, a fantasy rooted in Welsh mythology about a young witch whose magic has been bound. Jennie and Sara walk through the story, the themes, and what they loved and wanted more of.
What is Siren Says by Jennifer Michelle Herrera about?
Siren Says follows Raven Wynn, a young woman whose magic was bound as a teenager and who travels to Pennsylvania to find her mysterious aunt and a way to deal with her power. Along the way she finds family secrets, ancient Welsh magic, and new friendships. We cover the full recap in Episode 40 of Spread Your Wingspan.
Should you read or listen to Siren Says?
Jennie and Sara recommend the audiobook, narrated by Sorcha Groundsell, if you're the kind of reader who needs to know how a word sounds before moving on, since the Welsh names and magic terms can slow down a print read. Hear their full take in Episode 40 of Spread Your Wingspan.
Is Siren Says spicy?
Not very — Jennie and Sara give it one pepper out of five, noting the love scene is sweet but short and not graphic. Full spice talk is in Episode 40 of Spread Your Wingspan.
