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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
medium-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Siren Queen is a historical, magical realism story about a young, queer Chinese woman trying to fit into 1930s Hollywood.
This was such a bizarre, fascinating blend of genres. Historical fiction and fantasy (magical realism) and a touch of romance and a dash of suspense. Magical realism can be very hit or miss, but this was a hit for me.
I loved the writing style in this. It’s colorful and gorgeous and mysterious. The magic is confusing as all get out, but Nghi Vo has such an immersive way of writing that I didn’t mind.
This was such a bizarre, fascinating blend of genres. Historical fiction and fantasy (magical realism) and a touch of romance and a dash of suspense. Magical realism can be very hit or miss, but this was a hit for me.
I loved the writing style in this. It’s colorful and gorgeous and mysterious. The magic is confusing as all get out, but Nghi Vo has such an immersive way of writing that I didn’t mind.
My main issue was the pacing. This book took me a very long time to read, despite being relatively short. There was a lot of fluff for at least the first half of the book. I kept waiting for the action to pick up or for some missing piece to click into place, but it never felt like it did. I feel like I finished the book with more questions than answers.
The ending does work with the story as a whole, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and it wasn’t quite clear what happened. I’m still not sure if I liked it or not, but it wasn’t a bad ending.
Altogether, though, if you like atmospheric writing, magical realism, and bold lesbians, you might enjoy this.
The ending does work with the story as a whole, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting and it wasn’t quite clear what happened. I’m still not sure if I liked it or not, but it wasn’t a bad ending.
Altogether, though, if you like atmospheric writing, magical realism, and bold lesbians, you might enjoy this.
CW: racism; homophobia; violence; misogyny; sexual content
I'm listening to another book right now with the same narrator, and it's too confusing. Will have to come back to this one in print/ebook later.
i did the audio book! vibey, low fantasy. i wanted more exposition/world-building. there was undoubtedly a mysterious, sexy, fun vibe though that also didn’t demand to be over-explained. i enjoyed how ambivalent i felt about the protagonist.
A showcase for what Vo does best: vibes and magical realism. Story meanders a bit, but that’s not really what you’re here for
4 stars. This was a very quick and entertaining read. This was my first book by Vo but it definitely will not be my last because I absolutely loved her writing style in this. It’s scenic and gorgeous. The pacing was great though I will say that I feel like the ending was a bit rushed.
Luli was a really interesting character and I liked her. I feel like she could’ve been a bit more fleshed out more. I loved the setting and the time period of old Hollywood. There’s a bit of magical realism in this that I wasn’t expecting but it was interesting. Overall, this was a pretty good read and I’m looking forward to checking out more of this author’s work.
Luli was a really interesting character and I liked her. I feel like she could’ve been a bit more fleshed out more. I loved the setting and the time period of old Hollywood. There’s a bit of magical realism in this that I wasn’t expecting but it was interesting. Overall, this was a pretty good read and I’m looking forward to checking out more of this author’s work.
Solid 4 for the setting and the voice. I like how the magic unreality of Hollywood is just a statement of fact here. Luli's character is also a big draw for me. Her choices are sometimes flawed and sometimes just right. More than anything, the mood and the world was magnetic.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes