The Siren and the Star - by Colby Cedar Smith (Hardcover)

About the Book

Unable to sing after a traumatic assault, seventeen-year-old Lula travels to Venice with her ensemble where she studies the life and music of Italian composer Barbara Strozzi.

Book Synopsis

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List Selection

"Soaring and searing." --Elizabeth Acevedo, former Young People's Poet Laureate and New York Times bestselling author of Poet X

A promising young singer recovers from a traumatic experience by traveling to Venice and connecting with the work of a 17th-century female composer in this gorgeous and sensual novel in verse from the acclaimed author of Call Me Athena.

Introverted and homeschooled, vocal prodigy Luciana "Lula" Gabroni is ready to become the star she's trained all her life to be. After entering the New England Conservatory of Music, she is immediately chosen to join an elite ensemble of peers who will compete in a prestigious music festival in modern-day Venice, Italy.

Barbara Strozzi is a poor young woman living in 17th-century Venice who dreams of making her mark on the world through her gift of song. She is determined to fight against the prescribed path of an illegitimate servant girl, daring to envision a life filled with intellect, pleasure, and independence--even as the restrictions of her gender and status threaten to silence her forever.

When Lula comes across Barbara's bold and seductive music in the Conservatory library, she immediately feels a striking kinship with the mysterious female composer. After an incident at school sends Lula searching to reclaim her voice, she soon realizes she must connect with the ghosts of the past to find her heart's true song once again.

Review Quotes

"Lyrical, layered, and richly imagined, The Siren & the Star brings 17th-century Venice to life through two intertwined voices and a long-buried stanza of the past. Colby Cedar Smith has created a melodic masterpiece of hidden history."--#1 New York Times bestselling author, Ruta Sepetys

In a novel that is both soaring and searing, THE SIREN AND THE STAR is full of the magic and poetry that makes you want to hug a book tight. --Elizabeth Acevedo, former Young People's Poet Laureate and New York Times-bestselling author of Poet X.

Readers who love verse novels and books told in dual timelines will want to get this one on their TBRs.--Book Riot "10/29/25"

This atmospheric, visceral verse novel will appeal to readers of Joy McCullough's Blood Water Paint (2018), fans of strong female protagonists, and lovers of the arts.--Booklist "10/1/25"

"A soaring, symphonic novel-in-verse."--Rebecca Caprara, award-winning author of Spin

"If you love female empowerment, classical music, magic, witchiness, and even a spicy romance, then you'll love love love this book!"--Jasminne Mendez, The Pura Belpré Honor Award winning author of Aniana del Mar Jumps In

"The Siren and the Star is powerful, sensual, and just as musical as the fascinating history." --Margarita Engle, Newbery Honor winning author of The Surrender Tree and Young People's Poet Laureate Emeritus

Readers of books in verse, romance, and music history will all be drawn to this ­engaging book.--School Library Journal "10/1/25"

Told in evocative verse, this skillfully crafted and emotionally resonant story explores ambition, resilience, identity, trauma, and the reclamation of women's voices across history. Dreamy and thoughtful.--Kirkus "September 1, 2025"

About the Author

Colby Cedar Smith is an award-winning poet, novelist, and educator, and the author of two novels in verse: The Siren and the Star and Call Me Athena. Her work often focuses on the untold stories of women throughout history and has been recognized with a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection, an ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project selection, a Goodreads Choice Award Best Poetry nomination, a Nautilus Award, a Michigan Notable Book selection, a Midwest Book Award, and a New Jersey Council on the Arts Fellowship. Her poems and narratives have been featured by Forbes, Poetry, and NPR. She holds a BA from Colorado College and an EdM from Harvard University. You can find her on Instagram @Colby_Cedar_Smith.