schmoore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hmhughes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mcarroll's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
neera_exlibris's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I read Nghi Vo's Singing Hills novellas recently and absolutely loved them so I was really excited to read Siren Queen, and unsurprisingly it was also incredible. Unlike the Singing Hills Cycle which has a whimsical feel, Siren Queen is gritty, dark, and sinister, but still packed full of magic. There's no discussion of the rules of the magic in this pre-Code Hollywood setting, and it takes so many forms. It's subtle but also fully on show; it's in everything, from the smallest transaction to the biggest displays of stardom. It's so entrenched in the world and everyday life that to get an explanation for how it works would have been strange and out of place, especially because the magic is an element that enriches the setting and the story, rather than being the focus of it.
Luli was a really interesting protagonist to follow. She's very morally grey and has enormous ambition. I love that we're finally getting more and more BIPOC characters who are unashamedly in it for themselves without caring what the white people around them think about it.
This was an incredibly enthralling read about fame and immortality, and the price that the pursuit of them exacts.
I read Nghi Vo's Singing Hills novellas recently and absolutely loved them so I was really excited to read Siren Queen, and unsurprisingly it was also incredible. Unlike the Singing Hills Cycle which has a whimsical feel, Siren Queen is gritty, dark, and sinister, but still packed full of magic. There's no discussion of the rules of the magic in this pre-Code Hollywood setting, and it takes so many forms. It's subtle but also fully on show; it's in everything, from the smallest transaction to the biggest displays of stardom. It's so entrenched in the world and everyday life that to get an explanation for how it works would have been strange and out of place, especially because the magic is an element that enriches the setting and the story, rather than being the focus of it.
Luli was a really interesting protagonist to follow. She's very morally grey and has enormous ambition. I love that we're finally getting more and more BIPOC characters who are unashamedly in it for themselves without caring what the white people around them think about it.
This was an incredibly enthralling read about fame and immortality, and the price that the pursuit of them exacts.
eldridgehorror's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
belle__keep's review against another edition
4.0
Urban/historical fantasy with elements of magical realism & horror
Examination of intersectional marginalization - race, gender, class, sexuality, gender presentation
Sapphic & Chinese American MC
Relationship exploration - sister, friend, romantic interest
”an outsider achieving stardom on her own terms”
Examination of intersectional marginalization - race, gender, class, sexuality, gender presentation
Sapphic & Chinese American MC
Relationship exploration - sister, friend, romantic interest
”an outsider achieving stardom on her own terms”
sumaitaah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
jmmstp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
claudiaque's review against another edition
4.0
I had to try and describe this book the other day and found myself at a bit of a loss. Golden age of Hollywood meets….an entirely built fantasy world that you are barely allowed to know or see. The idea of it is so simple but the world around it is so fantastical that it becomes hard to explain.
Siren Queen follows ‘Luli’ Wei, a young girl desperate to break into Hollywood and become a star (literal!) despite the dangers of werewolves, changelings, people who will steal your souls, and other monsters who help make movies while also dealing with regular old racism against her for being Chinese-American.
The world building is so in depth and yet so little described that I often found myself a little confused. The actual becoming a star being one of them. But almost all of it just pulls you along well enough in the story that you find yourself just being like ‘ok yeah you become a star I guess’ and also ‘this car has feelings, sure’ and ‘wait what was that about women with empty backs? Oh were moving on? Ok’. There was no stopping to explain the world which leads to some deep confusion on my end but also keeps the pace and story moving so quickly that it doesn’t feel like a loss. It feels more like a teaser trailer to a whole world you could see and might if you just keep going. As someone who is so detail oriented in my magic world building though I was driven a little crazy. I always feel just a little bit detached from magical realism.
Luli is an interesting character and, I hate to compare it to the only other old Hollywood movie about WLM I know but its right there, gives major Evelyn Hugo vibes. Both are so strong and determined, both facing prejudice (though Evelyn can hide her ethnicity), while discovering their love of women while in the spotlight. Both could be considered cruel and detached and callous to those they don’t love, but seem to love deeply when they do. Both also have an older gay Hollywood friend….wow yeah I can’t really not compare these two. This is basically Evelyn Hugo with a sprinkle of magic dust. Which is not a bad thing since I love that book and Evelyn but take it how you will I guess.
I loved the relationships that Luli builds while building her star. Romantic or otherwise, it felt like such an emotional journey for her to just build trust with anyone. I was cheering for her happiness throughout and success to climb to the top of an extra difficult mountain that seemed to throw every problem her way.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but could have used more world building. I think this may be a style of the author but I think that it works so I would check out her other novels. This was narrated by Natalie Naudus who OF COURSE did great and is an automatic listen :)
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook.
Siren Queen follows ‘Luli’ Wei, a young girl desperate to break into Hollywood and become a star (literal!) despite the dangers of werewolves, changelings, people who will steal your souls, and other monsters who help make movies while also dealing with regular old racism against her for being Chinese-American.
The world building is so in depth and yet so little described that I often found myself a little confused. The actual becoming a star being one of them. But almost all of it just pulls you along well enough in the story that you find yourself just being like ‘ok yeah you become a star I guess’ and also ‘this car has feelings, sure’ and ‘wait what was that about women with empty backs? Oh were moving on? Ok’. There was no stopping to explain the world which leads to some deep confusion on my end but also keeps the pace and story moving so quickly that it doesn’t feel like a loss. It feels more like a teaser trailer to a whole world you could see and might if you just keep going. As someone who is so detail oriented in my magic world building though I was driven a little crazy. I always feel just a little bit detached from magical realism.
Luli is an interesting character and, I hate to compare it to the only other old Hollywood movie about WLM I know but its right there, gives major Evelyn Hugo vibes. Both are so strong and determined, both facing prejudice (though Evelyn can hide her ethnicity), while discovering their love of women while in the spotlight. Both could be considered cruel and detached and callous to those they don’t love, but seem to love deeply when they do. Both also have an older gay Hollywood friend….wow yeah I can’t really not compare these two. This is basically Evelyn Hugo with a sprinkle of magic dust. Which is not a bad thing since I love that book and Evelyn but take it how you will I guess.
I loved the relationships that Luli builds while building her star. Romantic or otherwise, it felt like such an emotional journey for her to just build trust with anyone. I was cheering for her happiness throughout and success to climb to the top of an extra difficult mountain that seemed to throw every problem her way.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but could have used more world building. I think this may be a style of the author but I think that it works so I would check out her other novels. This was narrated by Natalie Naudus who OF COURSE did great and is an automatic listen :)
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for a copy of this audiobook.
bookmaddie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
such a unique, venomous, magical story! i think this is the best of vo’s work (that i’ve read).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism