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A review by emilycmarshman
Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was so, so good. I sat down to read it the day after I bought it and read 100 pages in a single sitting, and then found myself doing what I always seem to do when I'm enjoying a book: put off finishing it, because I can't stand the thought of it being over.
In the late 2000s, Louisa, a young artist from the deep south, is admitted to Wrynn College of Art in New England, and struggles to prove herself among her elite, mostly rich classmates. She finds herself drawn to her originally removed roommate Karina, and the two begin a torrid, emotional love affair. The story follows the two of them, in addition to Preston Utley, a boy in their class at Wrynn that Karina dates at the same time she's becoming involved with Louisa, and Robert Berger, a painter-turned-adjunct-professor at Wrynn who's battling his own internal conflicts surrounding his place in the art world, over the course of less than a year of their lives.
The reason I'm giving this book four stars instead of five is because I do think the pacing felt a little off. The beginning of the story seemed to stretch on, and the end rushed by very quickly. I also feel as though the inclusion of Preston's POV was only for us to learn information requisite to the plot - he was a compelling character, and I realize his involvement in the lives of the other three protagonists was vital, but I don't think an entire POV was necessary. On the other hand, I felt extremely emotionally connected to Robert, Louisa, and Karina's stories. Louisa really struggled with having to leave behind her family, whom she's very close with (not to mention her grandfather is very sick), in order to pursue her dreams of attending Wrynn, which I can relate to very closely.
Antonia Angress did an incredible job of making each of these characters feel like real, tangible people, and by the end of Sirens & Muses, I wanted nothing more than for each of them to find happiness.
In the late 2000s, Louisa, a young artist from the deep south, is admitted to Wrynn College of Art in New England, and struggles to prove herself among her elite, mostly rich classmates. She finds herself drawn to her originally removed roommate Karina, and the two begin a torrid, emotional love affair. The story follows the two of them, in addition to Preston Utley, a boy in their class at Wrynn that Karina dates at the same time she's becoming involved with Louisa, and Robert Berger, a painter-turned-adjunct-professor at Wrynn who's battling his own internal conflicts surrounding his place in the art world, over the course of less than a year of their lives.
The reason I'm giving this book four stars instead of five is because I do think the pacing felt a little off. The beginning of the story seemed to stretch on, and the end rushed by very quickly. I also feel as though the inclusion of Preston's POV was only for us to learn information requisite to the plot - he was a compelling character, and I realize his involvement in the lives of the other three protagonists was vital, but I don't think an entire POV was necessary. On the other hand, I felt extremely emotionally connected to Robert, Louisa, and Karina's stories. Louisa really struggled with having to leave behind her family, whom she's very close with (not to mention her grandfather is very sick), in order to pursue her dreams of attending Wrynn, which I can relate to very closely.
Antonia Angress did an incredible job of making each of these characters feel like real, tangible people, and by the end of Sirens & Muses, I wanted nothing more than for each of them to find happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse