A review by jedbird
Sirens & Muses by Antonia Angress

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I found this story compelling - I read it in a day. It's not really a BIG story and doesn't even attempt to teach the reader anything new, but it is interesting and well-crafted and populated with sympathetic characters.

Well, except for Preston.

Preston is an annoying jock/art provocateur. Karina is a painter and the daughter of major collectors. Louisa is a painter and swamp fairy. Robert is a has-been political artist who gets a second chance at relevance. 

The blurb focuses on the young women and their relationship, and that was definitely interesting, but I was actually much more engaged and moved by Robert's narrative arc, his change from a disengaged visiting lecturer to a real teacher. 

The women's paintings are described, and Karina's work sounds competent but calculated, and I have no interest in seeing any of it. Louisa's bird women are another story entirely. 

It's an academia story, an art story, a queer story, which are all things I love, so I'm really happy with this book.