Thanks so much to TOR and BookishFirst for an ARC of Siren Queen by Nghi Vo!
This novel is so many things that it can be dizzying at the start. Once I got the hang of it and realized that it’s almost all fantastical, I was able to stop reading metaphors and take the fantasy elements at their word. Luli Wei rises to stardom and immortality in an alternative 1920s Hollywood filled with monstrous filmmakers and golems of paper and magic. Her story is absolutely gorgeous from the first page to the last. My only note is that I would love for the author to revisit this world to flesh it out in the future. I’m really hoping that she’ll give us more time in this world and really dive deep into the monsters of the story.
Perfect for people who enjoy:
Magical realism
Lush prose
Historical fiction
Sapphic themes
Asian American main character
Old Hollywood
Old Gods/Horror themes
This novel is so many things that it can be dizzying at the start. Once I got the hang of it and realized that it’s almost all fantastical, I was able to stop reading metaphors and take the fantasy elements at their word. Luli Wei rises to stardom and immortality in an alternative 1920s Hollywood filled with monstrous filmmakers and golems of paper and magic. Her story is absolutely gorgeous from the first page to the last. My only note is that I would love for the author to revisit this world to flesh it out in the future. I’m really hoping that she’ll give us more time in this world and really dive deep into the monsters of the story.
Perfect for people who enjoy:
Magical realism
Lush prose
Historical fiction
Sapphic themes
Asian American main character
Old Hollywood
Old Gods/Horror themes