A review by bratatouille
Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

4.5

I started this with low hopes, expecting another book about the problems of a mediocre white woman. I was gleefully wrong. The cast is, in fact, all white people so I can’t say anything about that. HOWEVER, this story follows four different people at the same prestigious art college and I have never been so compelled by characters before. It’s not that they’re particularly interesting or dynamic, but the entirety of the book is written like you’re following four humans. I understand that that sounds obvious and simple, but what I mean is that these characters don’t do or say things for plot. They aren’t aware of what the others are doing or saying; they don’t rely on another character to propel them forward. They are simply living. Every choice, action, reaction, and emotion is done in a way that feels like you are watching them live. They aren’t pushing plot or emotional development, they’re doing what I do every day. I found myself enraptured in the unfolding of events and could feel myself grieve when I reached the end. I went into this COMPLETELY blind and found what was truly a surprise gem. For those that need more enticing: gay. And they were roommates!