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freireh25 's review for:
The Lost Queen
by Aimee Phan
The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan was a surprising ride—slow to start but deeply rewarding by the end. What begins as a story about a bullied teenage girl slowly transforms into something much richer, blending contemporary teen issues with Vietnamese history, mythology, and unexpected emotional turns.
In the first half, we follow Jolie as she tries to navigate life after being targeted by her former friends. The bullying is intense and isolating, and it’s clear Jolie is struggling to find her place. At this point, I thought I was reading a standard coming-of-age YA. But then Huong enters the picture, and the story takes a sharp and fascinating turn.
The second half is where the novel truly shines. With the introduction of Huong’s backstory, we’re pulled into themes of heritage, reincarnation, and the powerful legacy of the Trung sisters—legendary warrior queens from Vietnamese history. This was my first time learning about them, and their story added incredible depth to the novel. There were moments that felt like filler early on, but they ultimately paid off, especially as the threads of the past and present began to intertwine.
Jolie’s character development was a highlight. Watching her transform from a timid, bullied girl into someone who begins to understand her strength and identity was incredibly satisfying. Huong, on the other hand, caught me completely off guard. She had me in the first half, and then—well, let’s just say the twist was wild.
While I wished some of the supporting characters had a bit more depth, the story’s emotional focus made up for it. It’s not just about bullying or family secrets—it’s about the weight of history, the bonds between women, and what it means to reclaim your voice.
In the first half, we follow Jolie as she tries to navigate life after being targeted by her former friends. The bullying is intense and isolating, and it’s clear Jolie is struggling to find her place. At this point, I thought I was reading a standard coming-of-age YA. But then Huong enters the picture, and the story takes a sharp and fascinating turn.
The second half is where the novel truly shines. With the introduction of Huong’s backstory, we’re pulled into themes of heritage, reincarnation, and the powerful legacy of the Trung sisters—legendary warrior queens from Vietnamese history. This was my first time learning about them, and their story added incredible depth to the novel. There were moments that felt like filler early on, but they ultimately paid off, especially as the threads of the past and present began to intertwine.
Jolie’s character development was a highlight. Watching her transform from a timid, bullied girl into someone who begins to understand her strength and identity was incredibly satisfying. Huong, on the other hand, caught me completely off guard. She had me in the first half, and then—well, let’s just say the twist was wild.
While I wished some of the supporting characters had a bit more depth, the story’s emotional focus made up for it. It’s not just about bullying or family secrets—it’s about the weight of history, the bonds between women, and what it means to reclaim your voice.