Scan barcode
marina_dee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
5.0
“What's so great about being seen?' Tara demanded. "What's so important about that?'
She might have had the words for it, but I didn't. They locked up in my throat, about being invisible, about being alien and foreign and strange even in the place where I was born, and about the immortality that wove through my parents' lives but ultimately would fail them. Their immortality belonged to other people, and I hated that.”.
Beautiful.
babs_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
Magical realism, folklore and Hollywood. . . put them in a jar and shake them loose. This wasn't a mix I was missing but after Siren Queen, I want more. I like monsters.
Luli Wei, desperate and determined, she wants to be a star! She walks a balance of staying true to who she is (does she even know?) and who they want her to be. Refusing to play the part of maid, no accents and definitely no fainting. . . what is left is to play is the monster, and well, Luli does that really well.
It's a battle, a constant shift between the powers and magic and the absolute chaos of it. Trading hair for years of your life seems to be the norm in this wild ride. (Listing anything else might give it away). The life that Luli fights for comes at a cost, it's a barter, if you want something you have to be willing to give something up in return.
Explosive in the sensual experience, allowing two very different women to come into Luli's life at different points raising the risks of being who she is. She follows her heart each time relishing in the connections. Daring it to be wrong in all the right ways. Taking on monster in many forms.
The writing was beautiful, I read along while listening. Audiobooks are sort of new to me. I tend to get distracted easily. However, I've been reading along at times and others so focused there was no way to be distracted. Wonderful narrating job on this one!
Thank you so much to @tordotcom and @macmillan.audio and Nghi Vo for the advanced gifted copies for review!
Luli Wei, desperate and determined, she wants to be a star! She walks a balance of staying true to who she is (does she even know?) and who they want her to be. Refusing to play the part of maid, no accents and definitely no fainting. . . what is left is to play is the monster, and well, Luli does that really well.
It's a battle, a constant shift between the powers and magic and the absolute chaos of it. Trading hair for years of your life seems to be the norm in this wild ride. (Listing anything else might give it away). The life that Luli fights for comes at a cost, it's a barter, if you want something you have to be willing to give something up in return.
Explosive in the sensual experience, allowing two very different women to come into Luli's life at different points raising the risks of being who she is. She follows her heart each time relishing in the connections. Daring it to be wrong in all the right ways. Taking on monster in many forms.
The writing was beautiful, I read along while listening. Audiobooks are sort of new to me. I tend to get distracted easily. However, I've been reading along at times and others so focused there was no way to be distracted. Wonderful narrating job on this one!
Thank you so much to @tordotcom and @macmillan.audio and Nghi Vo for the advanced gifted copies for review!
gabhopesreads's review against another edition
3.75
3.75 ⭐
This was fun!! I think I just need to read all old Hollywood queer novels because they are so enjoyable for me. Some aspects of this one were confusing, but that could've just been my lack of reading comprehension today, honestly. I'm rounding to 4 stars because I have Nghi Vo's other novel, the chosen and the beautiful which was 5 ⭐ for me and this one wasn't quite there, but was still super fun! This had a touch of whimsy and was enchanting. I imagined everything as kinda dark, mysterious and smokey in LA.
This was fun!! I think I just need to read all old Hollywood queer novels because they are so enjoyable for me. Some aspects of this one were confusing, but that could've just been my lack of reading comprehension today, honestly. I'm rounding to 4 stars because I have Nghi Vo's other novel, the chosen and the beautiful which was 5 ⭐ for me and this one wasn't quite there, but was still super fun! This had a touch of whimsy and was enchanting. I imagined everything as kinda dark, mysterious and smokey in LA.
kenziecriswell's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
screamsbeneath's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
steamsuccubus's review
adventurous
challenging
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
4.25
mpho3's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition
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