Reviews

Siren Queen, by Nghi Vo

sayhar13's review

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

exlibriscass's review

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I actually had a hard time trying to figure out exactly how to talk about Siren Queen and the absolute magic of this book because it was much more of an experience that I can’t really put into words. The subtle magic of the world was so deeply woven into the words and every scene it felt like watching a movie and reading the script at once. I also can’t think of anything more clever than mixing the ideas of fae and deals with the devil into old Hollywood. 

To put is plainly Siren Queen is about Chinese-American girl, whose real name we never know, who falls in love with the immortality of movies and makes her own way onto the silver screen and in doing so finds herself and becomes a monster - but not in the way you think. It’s so much more than that though! In a surprisingly short read Vo manages to show the complexities of friendship, love, and loyalty as well as come up against the question of what is bravery again and again and leaving with different answers. That isn’t even starting to touch on what I thought the real magic of the book was which was how Vo described the scenes of the movies while they were shooting them but that is something you would have to read for yourself to experience. 

Overall, I absolutely loved this book and I think it’s the queer Hollywood actress book that everyone really needs to read.

carolynf's review against another edition

4.0

A haunting blend of old Hollywood and old magic. All the characters are fictitious but have parallels to classic film stars. The main character is reminiscent of Anna Mae Wong, and I thought I recognized a Cary Grant, Butterfly McQueen, and several other famous individuals, if you blur the timeline a bit. At the same time there is the fairy court's hunt, dolls that come to life, magic in exchange for years of life, protective kisses, etc.

jennkurrie's review against another edition

2.0

#104/2022

ryzar's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

basicbookbabes's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

jaime_of_gryffindor's review

slow-paced

3.5

The Siren Queen was my first book by Nghi Vo and I found it to be a pretty good read. I don’t typically enjoy historical fiction books, but the all of the fantasy elements of this book certainly helped to keep my attention. This book was incredibly well written and had a diverse group of characters which I found to be quite refreshing. When I first started this book, I thought it had potential, but I struggled to stay interested and I think part of that was just the time period for me since I’m so accustomed to reading books about modern times. But this book did an awesome job at blending historical fiction, magic, and fantasy and the author did a great job of setting the scene and describing the characters and it really helped me to get into this book. Although this book was pretty good, I struggled though it at times and I wouldn’t feel the need to read it again.

willowmariemanning's review

reflective fast-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

meganhenriksen's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

amanda214's review

dark emotional informative inspiring 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? No

4.25

4.25 This book is so beautifully written that I could not put it down. This story follows a young Chinese American actress trying to make it big in Hollywood in the Golden Age. She is willing to do anything to make it big so she strikes a deal to not play maids, any roles with funny talk , or fainting flowers instead she is playing monster characters where she makes it huge as a siren. The story follows this bizarre Hollywood world infused with magical realism, monsters and mystical things as stars and starlets use more than there skill to survive.

This is my first Nghi Vo book but it will not be my last from the first pages I was hooked. This is one of the best examples of magical realism I have come across where the magic is sprinkled through but is told in a way that can make you actually believe this is history. The writing was beautiful, lyrical and immersive. My only issue with the book was there were some characters I would have really liked to have known more about . I did listen to the audiobook and really enjoyed the narration as well. The narrator was easy to understand and engaging . I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.