claire_reads_a_lot 's review for:

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan

4.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Aimee Phan has truly joined the greats of this genre. Jolie's experience as a teenager, with nasty friend breakups and lonely feelings are relatable and make you feel like you're right along with her. Her mysterious visions and the mythology kept me enthralled from the first to last page. As a swimmer, I felt connected to Jolie. The mythology was interesting and new and a fresh interpretation. Jolie and Huong's relationship as friends and then sisters was a loving touch that allowed for all sorts of twists and turns in the story. The relationships that were so full of meaning allowed for the most heart break and betrayal. Yet, so deep was the sisterly bond, that one would give their life for the other to be happy, adding to the deep bond and feeling of the characters. Jolie's relationship with her grandparents was also heartfelt and comforting when things got too chaotic. Jolie and her grandfather's final parting was so heart wrenching and filled with intense emotions.

Overall, this book was filled with instance and passionate emotions that held the book together as a whole. Filled with hope, love and adventure, I can't wait to see what Aimee Phan comes up with next!