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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Complicated
I don’t know how I feel about this book. I think the writing is really good, but often I felt lost, like I didn’t really know or understand what was going on. Maybe I’ll try listening to the audiobook because often when I read books that I struggle with, when I hear the interpretation of the story, things become clear.
So much of the story seemed really visual, and maybe that was what I struggled with, I couldn’t visualize what was implied, but not stated. This makes me feel like this story needs to become a movie.
So much of the story seemed really visual, and maybe that was what I struggled with, I couldn’t visualize what was implied, but not stated. This makes me feel like this story needs to become a movie.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
dark
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
beautiful. so beautiful and everything i love in a book
adventurous
challenging
medium-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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Rating: Absolutely Loved It, 5 stars
This was my first work by Nghi Vo, but it certainly will not be last. I loved this book. I was originally thinkign 4.5 stars, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it.
This was a magical realism, fever dream of a story. It is set in Old Hollywood where the studios are sort of a fae-like realm, dripping with moonlight and broken glass. Stars can become immortal, there is a magic about them. The silent film stars of old have lost their color and their voices while new stars line up to take their place and make their own names. Everything about the process of becoming a star is dark and menacing. Basically, the vibes are immaculate. If you are looking for a clear understanding of how the magic works or the world-building, this is likely not going to hit for you. I however was content to go with the pure vibes and the slight confusion that comes with the events that unfold, and I loved it.
Siren Queen is a very character driven story in which we follow Luli as she navigates her path to stardom dealing with all the roadblocks in her way due to sexism, racism, and homophobia. Luli grew up in Hungarian Hill, the daughter of an immigrant father and second generation asian-american mother. She works in her parents dry cleaning business, but spends her time dreaming of the films and film stars that she spends all her extra time and money watching at the local cinema. When she stumbles across a movie shoot when out delivering a package, she happens to be noticed by a star and brought in for a small part of a beggar child. We follow her as she grows up and schemes her way into the studio to have a shot at the big time for real.
However, Hollywood is not what it seems. It is a dark and menacing place where the cards are stacked against her. Most non-white stars are relegated to the roles of maid or some other ridiculous role. Luli refuses to accept that and is determined to do it her own way. She doesn't want to be beholden to a man either, which is one of the traditional approaches that women can climb the ranks to stardom.
No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.
Luli was a really interesting character to follow. She has her own moral code, but it is not necessarily traditionally good. I found her a likable and interesting character to follow, and I was rooting for her, but she does fall into the morally gray realm. I really loved her story though, and I couldn't put it down. We follow her as she explores relationships with other women in a very homophobic culture. It brings in different depictions of lavender marriages arranged by the Hollywood executives, which was also quite interesting. I liked a lot of the side characters that we meet, especially Harry and Greta. Overall, Luli's journey to self-realization and satisfaction with who she is and her place in the world was extremely satisfying.
There were a lot of layers in this book, and there is probably a lot I didn't pick up on. Something about this book was just so gripping, and it is going to be one I don't soon forget. I highly recommend it!
This was my first work by Nghi Vo, but it certainly will not be last. I loved this book. I was originally thinkign 4.5 stars, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it.
This was a magical realism, fever dream of a story. It is set in Old Hollywood where the studios are sort of a fae-like realm, dripping with moonlight and broken glass. Stars can become immortal, there is a magic about them. The silent film stars of old have lost their color and their voices while new stars line up to take their place and make their own names. Everything about the process of becoming a star is dark and menacing. Basically, the vibes are immaculate. If you are looking for a clear understanding of how the magic works or the world-building, this is likely not going to hit for you. I however was content to go with the pure vibes and the slight confusion that comes with the events that unfold, and I loved it.
Siren Queen is a very character driven story in which we follow Luli as she navigates her path to stardom dealing with all the roadblocks in her way due to sexism, racism, and homophobia. Luli grew up in Hungarian Hill, the daughter of an immigrant father and second generation asian-american mother. She works in her parents dry cleaning business, but spends her time dreaming of the films and film stars that she spends all her extra time and money watching at the local cinema. When she stumbles across a movie shoot when out delivering a package, she happens to be noticed by a star and brought in for a small part of a beggar child. We follow her as she grows up and schemes her way into the studio to have a shot at the big time for real.
However, Hollywood is not what it seems. It is a dark and menacing place where the cards are stacked against her. Most non-white stars are relegated to the roles of maid or some other ridiculous role. Luli refuses to accept that and is determined to do it her own way. She doesn't want to be beholden to a man either, which is one of the traditional approaches that women can climb the ranks to stardom.
No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.
Luli was a really interesting character to follow. She has her own moral code, but it is not necessarily traditionally good. I found her a likable and interesting character to follow, and I was rooting for her, but she does fall into the morally gray realm. I really loved her story though, and I couldn't put it down. We follow her as she explores relationships with other women in a very homophobic culture. It brings in different depictions of lavender marriages arranged by the Hollywood executives, which was also quite interesting. I liked a lot of the side characters that we meet, especially Harry and Greta. Overall, Luli's journey to self-realization and satisfaction with who she is and her place in the world was extremely satisfying.
There were a lot of layers in this book, and there is probably a lot I didn't pick up on. Something about this book was just so gripping, and it is going to be one I don't soon forget. I highly recommend it!
dark
mysterious
medium-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:
Yes