Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Siren Queen

Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

31 reviews

thissagreads's review against another edition

challenging reflective tense slow-paced

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

1.5

The plot was a bit confusing. So confusing and VERY SLOW at times, that I almost DNF’d the book. And there was-or wasn’t- magic interlaced? I had to reread a few times because I wasn’t sure what was going on and that was a tad frustrating. This book was written a little too mysterious for my preference and yes there’s LGBTQIA+ love from several characters, but I think after reading this, I understand why I typically never enjoy reading something where a person of color has to hide their identity because of the “times” of an era. It’s so saddening and frustrating that there wasn’t much opportunity to love bravely without the retribution from old Hollywood. And the scenes and characters were a bit too vague for my liking so I wasn’t really connected to any of them.

Content Warnings

peggymay's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

Content Warnings

gellyreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.0

I feel like I don't know what happened in this book. I tried to re-read Act 1, and I just still felt lost. I was really confused by the magic. But that could be me, I feel like I always struggle with magical realism? Once things started happening, I felt like I did know what was going on. I just am not too sure how much I cared. The romance, if you could call it that, fell really flat on me. The plotline about her sister felt the same way. It was written in a nice way, the idea was intriguing, I just wanted more. I honestly only gave it so high because I feel like I just missed something and I need someone to explain it to me?

Content Warnings

oceanelle's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective slow-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? No

3.5

Content Warnings

jaimc's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious

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

3.5

Content Warnings

lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition

Go to review page

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

If I had read this book as a teenager, I would have been obsessed with it. There are monsters straight out of fairy tales and myths, classic Old Hollywood stories, love stories, different kinds of magic.... Unfortunately, as an adult, it felt a bit lacking for me, even though I did enjoy it. This is supposedly a few different novella ideas brought together, and that makes sense to me. There is a lot going on here. In spite of that, I did want a bit MORE, more explanations, more world building, more stakes to this world. The magic systems are vague and just mentioned without deeper explanations, and people can become immortal by becoming actual stars in the sky, but they are still alive? I get the metaphor about immortality and fame, but my literal brain wants to know how that WORKS. :) The main character basically just gets whatever she wants and doesn't grow much. There is great LGBTQ rep, although the characters sadly have to keep who they are quiet. The main character is a child of Chinese immigrants, and has to deal with racism, as well, and she fights back against being the stereotypical roles. She is called a monster, I guess because of her drive and cold-nature in going after what she wants. I was kind of hoping she would become a true monster and maybe strike some blows against the patriarchy. I would not call this a horror by any stretch of the imagination, more like a beautiful but unsettling dream.

Content Warnings