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sol_journal 's review for:
The Lost Queen
by Aimee Phan
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
**Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Posted to: NetGalley and The StoryGraph
Posted on: 15 May 2025
3.4 (rounded down to 3) out of 5 stars.
I was so close to finishing this (68%) so I kind of hate that I just… couldn’t. I found the plot really interesting, the magic new and colorful (quite literally sometimes for those who have read it-), and the unraveling myth really intriguing (especially the way it was being revealed). I really think that this novel would fall well with people who enjoy the mix of modern and magic. There are dips into the past with these characters and stories that pertain to them/the plot, and the way it was all set up was really enjoyable for me.
Personally though, I found the characters began growing flat for me. Around that midway point of the book, things started to grow repetitive. The same cycle started and it seemed like nothing was really changing? The two main characters had an issue, they agreed on what the possible solution could be, but then things never truly felt like they would move on. They kept mentioning how they needed more of their powers to stop the Big Bad Evil (to avoid spoilers), but it was constantly that same note. I personally began to lose the plot too in that things got murky around this middle point too? Some scenes meant to pack a punch feel a little weak and characters just didn’t really give as much as they were in the beginning. It was a strong beginning, but almost feels disjointed from the point where I stopped now that I have the time to sit and etch out my thoughts about it.
Overall, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. I think if I would have finished it, I might have had a stronger opinion on it, but because I didn’t I think the middle ground three stars is fair and valid! There was potential here and I think the right people can and will find this story and fall in love with it. Personally for me, it didn’t hit the right mark. Maybe I can convince myself to come back and finish it someday, but for now I’ll leave it here. I started to get bored and overly critical of it which would’ve made me be too cynical about it and I didn’t want that either hence why I just put it down here and now for the time being. If anybody else has read this, I hope they find more things to love and enjoy about it that I did!
I think it also just soured for me for that T*sla mention… If I had a nickel for every time I read a book that mentioned that gods-forsaken brand, I would have two nickels which isn’t much, but its weird that it’s happened twice (and pretty close to each other too…)
CONTENT WARNING(S):
Abusive/toxic friendships, blood, war, violence, body horror, drowning mentions (in a premonition scene), natural disasters (cause by magical forces), suicide (in that two characters willingly/purposefully jump off a cliff knowing that they will die but choosing this death over the alternative)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail
Suicide in that two characters jump off a cliff knowing they will die/wanting to die over the alternative option (which is the murder mention/warning)