A review by stargoddess
Karaoke Queen by Dominic Lim

fast-paced

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

4.75

This book was a warm hug of queer joy! I enjoyed Dominic Lim’s first book and had been looking forward to this since it was announced, and I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint. There was clearly a lot research that went into this book, from the detailed description of the trials and tribulations of doing drag (including the infamous tuck) to the references to RuPaul’s Drag Race, the cultural touchstone for many drag fans. Also, the book oozed love for Filipino culture, particularly in the detailed food descriptions, which were mouthwatering! I particularly enjoyed the focus on the importance of familial love, both in the Filipino blood family context and in the queer found family culture.
My one quibble with the book, which kept it from being a perfect five stars, was the frequent use of the technique of starting a scene and then launching into a flashback of a few hours earlier. I understand the narrative intent to build tension in what is generally a low-stakes book, but I mostly just found it broke the flow of the story. Other readers may find it less distracting.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for all fans of queer stories, particularly those with an interest in drag, music, or both.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.