hendrixpants's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body horror, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
entityj's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Racism
Moderate: Classism and Xenophobia
Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
shinypurplepants's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Recommended for fans of magical realism, feminist re-imaginings of monsters, and those that love the otherworldly nature you get from tales of the world behind the Silver Screen.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Racial slurs
kleine_elster_'s review
4.5
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Xenophobia, and Homophobia
lucystolethesky's review
- 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
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Kidnapping, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
juliatsang's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Xenophobia
rorikae's review against another edition
- 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
Luli Wang grows up above the laundry her family runs in Hungarian Hill. When she discovers her local movie theater and sees her first silent film, she falls in love with the movies. When offered the chance to be an extra in a movie shooting in her neighborhood, she jumps at the opportunity. This sets her on the path to becoming a film star herself, navigating the haunting backlots of the Hollywood studios, her own sexuality, and the racism that permeates society.
Vo pairs her lyrical prose with a paranormal take on early Hollywood to create a haunting tale about the film industry, stardom, and racism. Luli Wang is the perfect main character between her confidence, willingness to disrupt systems, and determination to be a star without playing servants or femme fatales like her predecessors.
One of the greatest aspects of this novel is the atmosphere. I felt almost as if I was in a dream between Vo's prose, the shifting paranormal world of demons and deals that is the backlot of the studios, and the way Vo amplifies history through speculative elements. I was never quite sure what was happening but that was intentional as Luli is dealing with the same issues. She stands so clearly amongst this shifting world that it further solidifies her character.
I also loved the overall themes in this story including the importance of monstrosity, living as a queer person amongst a world that tries to suppress you, and the racism and misogyny of Hollywood.
If you enjoyed 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' but would like to see what it would be like with more monsters and speculative elements, you need to pick up 'Siren Queen.' I think it's Vo's greatest work yet and I can't wait to see where she goes next.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
internationalreads's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Outing, Body horror, Drug use, Sexism, Sexual content, Abandonment, Body shaming, Classism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Alcohol, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Fatphobia, Racism, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, and Cultural appropriation