Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

84 reviews

melodyseestrees'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

This book is dark and uses magical realism as a magnifying glass to explore concepts within stardom that are quite toxic and harmful. There were characters that I wish had been explored more as their lightness was a breath of fresh air. There were story threads that weren't quite tied securely.

For example Jane appears and disappears without much interaction in the story. The parents just get replica dolls of both of their daughters and choose to live in delusion? Said dolls have the presence and ability to abuse the daughter that stayed? This could have been magic or the actions of deluded parents trying to prevent at least one child from defying expectations or growing into her own person but it wasn't explored so we'll never know. I did somewhat appreciate how the relationship with Tara went as it is something to be said about idol worship.

The audiobook is a fantastic experience, especially since the lyrical nature of the writing feels very natural. This is a person directly telling you the story. I fear this technique would not translate as readily to the page. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Homophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cultural appropriation, Abortion, Sexual assault, and Body horror

narzibenoucdel's review

adventurous dark reflective 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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Bullying, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Torture, and Violence

abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review

I was really looking forward to reading this book, as I've loved Nghi Vo's Singing Hills Cycle. Unfortunately, I think the content of this particular novel is a bit too disturbing/triggering for me in the current head space I'm in. I will definitely be revisiting at a better time!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Racism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

rstankievech's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-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? Yes

4.0

Loved the vibes and thr world.  I want to know more about all the magic in this world.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

szuum's review

dark mysterious medium-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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Misogyny, Homophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

iridescentdreams's review against another edition

dark reflective 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? No

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Torture

Minor: Sexual violence

hexgnome13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-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

5.0

This book is gorgeous, raw, and unflinching. It takes Golden Age Hollywood into the realms of the far and never looks back. I loved it

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism and Sexism

Minor: Racial slurs

ka_cam's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-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

4.0

Enjoyed the writing, the magical realism, the lesbianism/queerness! Some sections dragged a bit but all and all an interested read.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Classism, Racism, Sexism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Lesbophobia

starryfruits's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-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

4.5

Really good, went in blind and pleasantly suprised. A type of historical magical fiction that I haven't seen done well in a while

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Racial slurs

Minor: Death and Pedophilia

serenedancer's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

An well written story about old Hollywood and being an Asian woman in the space. The magical realism was well integrated in the story, especially compared to a prior book I read by them (the GG retelling). 

Overall well done, but I just felt a little removed from the main character. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Racism and Racial slurs