From childhood, Luli Wei desperately wants to be a star. But Hollywood is a dangerous place— full of not just predatory men but outworldly beings who might literally steal your soul or years of your life. It's both a roll of the dice and a careful dance to become a star and not a meal.

This is a sparkling and haunting tale of early Hollywood that's transformed into the darkest of fairylands. Like Vo's The Chosen and the Beautiful, it's a sly and insightful commentary on gender, race, and sexual orientation. Highly recommended.

If you're looking for a book that's a little old hollywood, a little mystical, magical and fantastical, you're going to want to read this book.

Vo has created a representation of Hollywood and stardom that is firmly rooted in the fantastical and perhaps veers towards SciFi, but as you let the story sit with you, you have to wonder: is it really that far off from reality?

Luli Wei is beautiful, talented, and desperate to be a star. A Chinese American, she is a girl who could easily be typecast as the few things she refuses to be cast as: maid. funny talking. fainting flower. But Luli believes in herself and by extension her talent so much that she refuses these parts. In what I find to be a bit of an ironic twist, when casting directors don't know what to do with her (haven't we heard this before?) Luli finds her place as a monster.

But the heart of this story is the ever present danger that aspiring stars face. Hollywood moguls are depicted as literal monsters, or monsters wearing human skin. There are allusions to the sacrifices made to reach the pinnacle, and its heavily implied that those sacrifices are literal, not figurative. In a way, despite all the fantasy, it doesn't seem that much of a stretch to look at our own hollywood stratosphere and make the connection. Our own Hollywood elite are largely unknowable to the vast majority. What sacrifices have they made? What have they left behind? What are they forced to hide in order to be more palatable? One can easily spiral down a rabbit hole of drawing connections between this fantasy world and our own real world.

Vo depicts her Hollywood elite as actual stars. You make it, you gain immortality and you become a star. Stars, however, burn out. They burn too brightly. They can get lost among the other stars. Its all a beautiful metaphor for the dog eat dog world of fame, and I wish the narrative had spent a little more time explaining how this happens and why. Who gets chosen? Is there a reason some aspiring stars make it and others dont, destined to become hollowed out shells, or that some stars burn out, their greatness lost to history? Maybe I enjoy the process too much and should just let the result wash over me as Vo seems to have intended.

Usually, I just rate (and review) books based off enjoyment and how impactful I found the content. And while I both enjoyed my time reading this (any time I picked it up I was entranced by the writing and magic), as well as thought that the subject matter was handled beautifully and with care, And yet I don’t know how to rate this book. It’s so weird and cruel, but lovely and enthralling. I can’t even tell you what parts I liked or disliked. It’s such a unique experience. I was confused, angry, and at times terrified but also happy and completely immersed in the book. One thing I can safely say is that I’ve never read anything like this, ever.

<i> Thank you to NetGalley for providing this arc copy in exchange for an honest review. </i>

"I have been told that you needed to believe in yourself, believe in your wits, your looks, and your luck against the titan's weight of the world."

I would like to thank Macmillian-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Full review will be out on my blog on near release date.

Siren Queen will be released on May 10th, 2022.

Siren Queen is one of my most anticipated 2022 releases, and it was just for the sole fact that it was written by Nghi Vo (as I absolutely enjoyed The Empress of Salt and Fortune) and it already speaks volumes on how much I was going to love it - and I was thrilled to be right. I never expected anything less from her work, and this new standalone from her proves it.

Set in the Golden Hollywood Era of 1930s, Luli Wei wants to be a star, but does not want to follow in the leads of those who came before her, especially those who look like her. This book follows her journey of looking for her Next Big Break and all the things she needed to do in order to achieve those goals - whether it was good or bad. Little does she know that the glamour and glitz of movies that she wants has a looming darker side full of magic and monsters.

I don't normally encounter fantasy novels set in old school Hollywood, so this book was such a refreshing take on it. Combined with Nghi Vo's gorgeous writing and storytelling, this book just exuded a lot of atmospheric tones that gave the entire book a beautiful yet haunting experience. I also love how this book gave a dark fantastical twist on the true realities of Hollywood and the things rising stars need to undergo just to achieve their dreams. If you're a fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, just add a huge dash of fantasy into it, and this book is definitely for you.

Trigger warnings: racism, misogyny, homophobia

Luli Wei wants to be a star in Hollywood, but she wants to achieve it on her own terms, and not on the producers'. But how can a little girl, roughly 14 years old, without a patron or protection survive Hollywood? Especially when the monsters of the movies are real, but less scary than the people working in those movies?

This book was amazing and I would gladly read it again! It showed how a girl (a Chinese American at that) with her own strength achieved her dreams. One of the most important messages that this book transmitted to me was not to lessen your boundaries for professional reasons, something that we can easily overlook. Luli had times when she was scared and she thought that she wouldn't make it and honestly my heart felt for her. But; she never gave up. Even when all hope was lost, she pulled it off. Altough, she had support from friends that she made on the long-term (Greta is the best firend I would want to have), eventually she had to fight her own battles alone; and she excelled at it.

Character-wise, it had a variety of personalities. Apart from Luli, Greta was like a rock to her, and even when the latter hit rock bottom, Luli was there for her. Harry was such a cinammon roll that I wanted to wrap in bubble wrap and protect forever. Considering Emmaline and Jacko, now those two I wanted to get rid off. Emmaline wasn't necessarily that bad, but she was toxic and she wasn't worth Luli's patience; especially when she was toying with her.
The thing about Jacko was what scared me the most to be honest. He was the predator, the employer that has power and domination on his employee, that threatens them that they will never make it in the industry if they don't listen to him, that he will ruin their perosnal lives with evidence (that definitely violate the right to private life)... It was scary because there are people like him, in every single work environment. People like him are real, and they continue torturing those who have dreams and those who want to take it to their next level, but the "big boss" won't have any of it. And it infuriates me to this day.

I really liked the narration. It was on first person, and the reader could see and feel all Luli's emotions and thoughts. It was a way to understand her better. And it would be a pleasure if I could see one of her last adventures.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. The book comes out on May 1o, stay tuned!

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I tried several times to read this and couldn't get into the writing style.

**ARC provided from NetGalley**

This book was an absolutely stunning read from start to finish. The fantasy of the story is so integrated with the storytelling that I honestly found myself at times forgetting that it wasn't all real. It captures a very interesting time in Old Hollywood from the eyes of the main character that has to make some hard decisions as they maneuver in a dangerous world.

I felt that the ending was rather abrupt at first, but I found myself realizing that it fit the story far better than a very wrapped-up one. I also really enjoyed how the magical things are never quite explained. Is it demons, gods, fae? It's nicely vague enough that you kinda get to fill in things with how your own imagination sees what is being described.

Overall a really amazing read. One of my favorite books of the year so far.

Humanitarian corridors are being set up from Mariupol, Sumy and towns and villages outside the capital Kyiv.
But Ukraine officials accused Russian forces of firing on a convoy of women and children from Peremoha village, near Kyiv, killing seven.

CW: Racial slurs, racial profiling,

Readers who are acquainted with the story of Anna May Wong, who is considered to be the first Chinese American Hollywood movie star, will enjoy this novel about the underpinnings of a woman of colour trying to make it in the entertainment industry in spite of rampant white supremacy in Hollywood, wanting to relegate her to roles like "geisha" or Dragon Lady, or to make her speak with a specific accent. In the first half of the twentieth century, starts like Merle Oberon who could pass for white but who were of mixed-race ancestry (in her case of Eurasian and Māori descent), went to great pains to devise "cover stories" to explain any "discrepancies" that came up and followed the often painful procedure advice that studio heads subjected them to or else, they would be threatened with losing their careers.

Luli Wei is like these women--a woman of colour who wants to be a star in pre-Code Hollywood--except in this world, Hollywood cabals aren't just a metaphor. There are sorcerers, apothecaries, and magic. Luli is part of that world from her family. However, she knows all too well that opportunities for women of Chinese descent are rare, and that she is expected to play a docile maid. Nonetheless, she is determined to succeed.

The novel has a filmic quality and reads like a project that Ryan Murphy is the show-runner for (or should be)--exposing the often horrendous and atrocious things that go on behind-the-scenes in Hollywood and the film industry, but this time, with the added kick of magic existing in this universe.

Readers who like the style of Hollywood tell-alls and show the hidden corners of the industry will enjoy this book, as will folks with a penchant for film history.

siren queen follows luli, a chinese american woman trying to make a name for herself during the golden age of hollywood. as she embarks on her journey to the top, she is faced with mystical creatures who loom at every turn, and a system rampant with homophobia, sexism, and racism. despite all of these things, our siren queen emerges, and discovers not only who she is, but who she wants to be, and the lengths at which she will go to achieve this.

i loved nearly everything about this book. i thought the writing was beautiful; each section was lyrical and mesmerizing. i really enjoyed reading about luli and how she comes to terms with both her sexuality and where she fits in to the 1930s hollywood narrative, even as nearly everyone is actively working against her. i also enjoyed the setting in which this story takes place, as the provided details allow you to feel like you’re there in the story with the characters.

as for what i did not like, upon finishing the story, i felt like there was something missing. what that is? i’m not quite sure. i think i wanted to see more of that true magical element, and wanted more time spent on the relationships developed (both platonic and romantic). however, this did not really interfere with my reading experience of this book — it was more of an afterthought.

overall, i really enjoyed this story. it drew attention to much of what still exists in hollywood today, and was a ride from start to finish. i have not read other works by nghi vo, but i am really looking forward to it now. 4/5 stars!

thank you so much to netgalley and macmillan-tor/forge for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Siren Queen is a dark fantasy taking place during the golden age of 1930’s Hollywood. In this story, the movie making is controlled by monsters and dark magic lurks around every corner. It felt like a modern Grimm’s fairy tale…strange, a bit creepy, but certainly enthralling.

Much like this author’s last book, The Chosen and the Beautiful, this story drips with stunning prose and caused me to feel disoriented at times. It also addresses topics of racism, classism, and LGBTQ representation in the film industry.

The story revolves around a ambitious Chinese American girl who wants nothing more than to become a star. However, she won’t settle for the roles that place her into a stereotype, and the beasts she faces to rise into stardom are formidable.

Overall, this was a chilling and thought provoking masterpiece that I won’t soon forget. It was one that is meant to be savored. Read it if you enjoy spellbinding tales that reflect reality with a sprinkling of stardust. ✨

This is the second book I've read from Nghi Vo and while I enjoyed it more than The Chosen and the Beautiful, I find her writing a bit hard to get into. Admittedly, both of the ones I read are about time periods I don't like (the 20s and 30s) and The Chosen and the Beautiful is a retelling of The Great Gatsby which I hated, so that may have something to do with it. Siren Queen was definitely the better of the two by far. Set in the 1930s Hollywood, it about a young queer Chinese girl's journey to becoming a literal star. Vo's writing is atmospheric and the story was interesting enough to keep me reading to the end, which is good because it got better the further I got into the story. As with The Chosen and the Beautiful there was a heavy dose of magical realism, those it was much more prevalent this time. Overall it was worth the read and I'll probably read more of her books in the future.

Siren Queen tells the story, or at least some version of it, of early screen star Luli Wei, a Cantonese American girl who makes it big in Hollywood. Her fame comes at a price, with dark bargains running the film industry.

This stunning story grapples with Otherness - having "alien" festures, being forced to conceal her sapphic desires, and how the camera shows what it wants you to see. The titular Siren is not just a film role, but a thread throughout.

I'll definitely pick up other works by Nghi Vo.

3.4/5

Vo creates another wonderfully strange world, this time in a dangerous, magical Old Hollywood. The style is dreamy, blurring the lines between the realistic and the arcane to create a convincing world. Luli Wei is a tough and vulnerable protagonist, and her navigation of otherness--her race, her queerness--is nuanced and compelling.

2/5 - I know my rating is in the minority, as most reviews (as of today 03/09/22) are between 4 and 5 stars, but I could not get into this book. Vo's prose was lyrical and beautiful, and the idea of mixing fantasy with Old Hollywood definitely captured my attention, but I just didn't like this novel. I don't even have a very clear reason why, but I struggled to finish it.

I will not be publishing this review on my blog (I don't have much to say about this one), out of respect to the author/publisher.

5/5

Enter the glittering world of Old Hollywood, where the very fabric of stardom is rife with dark bargains and sacrifice. To those that dare attempt fame, they must navigate a complicated system, competing for the limelight, and inevitably paying the ultimate price. For Luli Wei, a young Chinese American coming of age in this tumultuous time and desperately seeking stardom, the dark truth to the movie industry is inconsequential. She is more than willing to offer up her soul for the chance to shine and burn, even if it means becoming someone else entirely. In a system where the studio heads have all the power, and blood and ancient ritual is second nature, to yield is to begin. The silver screen beckons her forth, and to succeed in an industry determined to push her to the sidelines she may have to take on the role of the monster itself.

Siren Queen is an alluring novel, laced with a ferocity that reverberates throughout every page. In typical fashion Nghi Vo creates a vivid picture, ingeniously depicting the glamorous world of Old Hollywood and its frightening underbelly. Through the eyes of a young woman looking back upon her journey to the limelight, this golden age of Hollywood is given new voice – one that dwells in the bottomless deep, luring you from the shore before dragging you down into its murky undertow. It's been awhile since I read a book that left me as epically stranded and desperate as this one and I’m sure I won't find anything like it again. Throughout the narrative, there is a luminosity that shines through even the darkest moments. Existing as a queer, Chinese American woman during the time of pre-code Hollywood is a poignant center for the entirety of Luli’s story. This landscape breeds a unique sort of desperation and a drive to break free from the predetermined roles set by these studios and the world at large. Luli Wei is such an incredible representation of that and a person willing to be flawed to get where she wanted. Knowing that Siren Queen was also giving a slice of Evelyn Hugo energy only led me further into the deep end of this novel. While I would have liked more with Luli and her future partner, there is a staggering beauty in this narrative being a kind of open letter penned to her past self and future relationships. For those looking for something in the vein of Evelyn Hugo, this is right up there thematically, but don't expect an exact comparison between the two. In her sophomore novel, Nghi Vo explores the realities of fame, what it means to pursue it on your own terms, and who you have to become in order to succeed. With razor-sharp teeth, Siren Queen shines like a beacon in the storm, bringing to light a truth far deadlier when realized.

This review is on my Goodreads as of 3/8/22 and will be posted on my blog closer to publication.

Thank you so much, Tor for giving me an ARC of Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

Firstly, I am completely honest when I say this is one of the best books of the year. It's breathtaking in its exploration of magic. A system, unlike anything I've never really read before. Immorality is seemingly gilded but it's a sinister reflection of the wants and desires of people obsessed with wanting to make it in the limelight.

Luli is a poor, immigrant Chinese woman from an impoverished home on Hungarian Hill, California. Like any lost and confused kid, Luli finds hope and dreams through the big screen. I was a poor kid from the home of immigrants. Maybe I didn't grow up in the 1930s but I understand the confusion and hurt placed on you when you start to realize how society treats you differently. Luli sees her way out of this by forging her own path into Hollywood through magic.

It's incredibly dazzling to read Vo's prose and she opens readers to this world that's so beautiful and so grimey. Luli sees firsthand the monstrous nature of magic, immortality, and Hollywood. She carves her own path choosing to play a monster in big Hollywood films. She navigates corporate sexism, misogyny, and xenophobia. Despite these hardships, she learns about love and discovers her queerness.

What I love about Vo's writing is how authentic and wonderful the existence of lesbians and queer people are. They exist and I see myself and my friends represented. The love that Luli has for the different types of women in her life is extraordinary and riveting to read. I blasted through this novel because I wanted to keep up with Luli and her struggle against fighting the big bad wolf of Hollywood and his grip on the marginalized actors and actresses who work for him. I love how dark this novel is and hones in on how terrifying it is to be complicit in a system that does not value you at all. However, Vo's story is hopeful and full of light amongst the terrifying, The way she can craft this story is beyond recognition. Vo is seriously one of the best voices in literature right now and nothing can compare to her magic touch.

full review to be post on GateCrashers closer to release date.

This is the first book I’ve read by Nghi Vo. After finishing siren queen I will definitely be checking out other works by Vo. The writing was simply beautiful and so unique. I’ve never read a story quite like this and the only way I can describe this is darkly whimsical and magical. I don’t feel like my words can give this novel it’s deserved justice. The descriptions, metaphors, the magical feel and fantasy aspects of this were just so nicely and uniquely done. I throughly enjoyed my time reading this and can not wait to read more of her work.

*I received a free e-book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changed or influenced my views or opinions.)

I'd encountered Nghi Vo's writing earlier in "The Chosen and the Beautiful" so had some sense of her writing style before reading "Siren Queen", but I can't say this has changed my person preferences towards her style of writing.

"Siren Queen" is told from the perspective of Luli Wei, a Chinese American girl who enters a version of a rising Hollywood in a world imbued with different forms of magic. The first half of the novel was engrossing for me, as it covers how Luli stumbled into the world of acting, the various agreements that she had to undertake in order to pursue it as her career, and how she ramifications of stealing her name from her sister. The second half covers her eventual rise to fame, the various players and actors she meets, and the different relationships she forms and destroys.

I enjoyed Vo's prose and sentence structure, but can't help but voice the same points that I found difficulty with in "The Chosen and the Beautiful". While the interweaving of magic with reality isn't something I dislike, there is very little explanation given to how the rules work and what's actually happening. It's also difficult to understand her main protagonist, the narrator, as she at times comes off simultaneously as very emotional and vulnerable but also flippant and lackadaisical. I do appreciate that her writing highlights the Asian American experience, as well as various LGBT relationships, but unfortunately this book didn't live up to expectations for me.

Reading Nghi Vo's writing is always an immersive experience for me. Her prose is lyrical, her world-building is layered, and I'm always captivated by the stories she tells. In this book, Vo explores the golden age of Hollywood through an urban fantasy lens. Think actual monsters and magic, with an unforgettable Chinese-American queer female narrator trying to forge a path to stardom upwards through the endless obstacles in her path. I love the way Vo tackles difficult and important issues through a fantasy lens, with spot-on metaphors and very smart, beautiful writing. Vo manages to be very literary and yet accessible at the same time, a difficult balance to achieve. Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge Publishing for an advanced digital review copy.