nice read, expected something more though.
- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an early review.

Nghi Vo writes beautifully. It's a joy to follow her prose, which is both lush and precise; it makes her characters come alive in a unique way. I felt that this was where the real magic of the book lay.

The plot and world-building were fun and engaging, though I felt that some aspects of them felt a little rote. It was a lot of fun to read about a magical Hollywood, and certainly the metaphors are apt; it definitely feels like there's magic going on in these old films, and that the erratic rise and fall of starlets at the mercy of studios could be compared to human sacrifices. Beyond that, however, the core ideas developed by the book don't really feel new; but I didn't really mind. The writing was good enough to create a lovely reading experience.

Vo's writing is undeniably beautiful, but the plotting and pacing of this book left me quite confused. The entire first act felt really long and then the epilogue almost ruined the rest of the book for me. I also don't feel like I ever really got to know the main character. However, some of the parts in the middle, especially the parts about the Siren Queen films, were absolutely delightful and fascinating.

Siren Queen is a very original story. The writing is beautifully immersive and brings you in to a world of intrigue and ambition. It is beautifully wrought and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

At first pleasantly surprised by this story, then progressively disappointed, I came out of this book with what I can only call a tepid impression. However, I would happily read another book by Nghi Vo, seeing as her writing is what I liked most about Siren Queen. Indeed, I was immediately drawn into this novel by her setting of the 30s' Hollywood, its occult magic and the charismatic main character. I don't easily enjoy magical realism, but here it was no trouble for me, as it fit perfectly with the writing style and the story. I also liked that it added, through metaphors, to the social critic made by the author about the hypocrisy and the pressure exerted behind the scenes of the californian studios in that era. Unfortunately, I was really hoping for a more developped ending, and the one I got was clearly not nearly satisfying enough. I still recommend it to those who enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

Siren Queen, a fantasy novel set in 1930s Hollywood, by Knee Vo is a fantastic read. In this version of Tinseltown, movie magic is irresistible and deadly.

The star of the story is Luli Wei, a young, beautiful, talented Chinese woman who desperately wants to make it big, even if that means she must become a monster herself. The story seamlessly blends magic and metaphor for a delightful story with teeth. I loved The Chosen and the Beautiful, so my expectations were high going into this new novel. I LOVED the high-stakes hijinks they brought to old Hollywood. I recommended this book in the 06 May episode of The Library of Lost Time. https://strongsenseofplace.com/library.

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo s a dark adult historical fantasy set in the golden age of Hollywood and I found this beautifully written throughout. However, It didn't grab me at the beginning as I found it hard to get into to. But, I am glad I stuck with it and it became addictive. This book is not my usual gene I read and I will hopefully read more books by Nghi Vo in the future.

“No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.” Luli Wei is beautiful, talented, and desperate to be a star. Coming of age in pre-Code Hollywood, she knows how dangerous the movie business is and how limited the roles are for a Chinese American girl from Hungarian Hill—but she doesn’t care. She’d rather play a monster than a maid"

Trigger warnings: Death, racism, sexism, and homophobia.

Thank you NetGalley, Nghi Vo, and Macmillan-Tor/Forge, Tordotcom for my free copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Luli Wei is determined to be a star. Or anything close to it- a monster perhaps. From the dirtiest slums to the fanciest suburbs, she displays an ice cold determination to achieve. A Sheep that makes a deal with a Wolf to become a Siren.

Nghi Vo is one of my most favourite authors. What attracts me to their works like a moth to her flame is their conciseness. They have a mastery over words such that not a single one is to be wasted. And, as my love for their work has grown simple admiration to fanatic adoration- I find myself feeling that something is missing on this one. I’ve reached to the conclusion that it has to be the book’s direction. It meanders through its phases, and unlike a breezy walk that calms your mind; it simply feels pointless.

The plot has run its course; the ending however, is vaguely abrupt. The book itself reminds me of Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland, and, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I can see the potential, but the execution was mid-tier, sad to say. It feels incomplete somehow. Maybe there was a point to that as well, I’m not convinced as a reader to look into it deeper that it was.

Maybe I’m too critical since I know they can do better. This book is still very well done. Anything by Nghi Vo is still an auto-read for me. I hope you will give this book a chance. If you do, please let me know of your thoughts. Happy reading! :)

Nghi Vo is incapable of missing!

Her works are complex, critical and wholly enthralling, and Siren Queen is no different. In the past few years, we've all seen the cracks forming on the veneer of celebrity, especially following the rise of influencer culture and conditional fame. Siren Queen's question of what it means to earn fame, the cost of success and the sacrifice that goes into making your dreams a reality is nothing short of exemplary.

Oh I'm just so thankful that I got to read this! SIREN QUEEN was one of my most anticipated releases of the year - as someone who is queer and has a screenwriting major, I saw this as *the* dream combination for me.

SIREN QUEEN is about a girl who discovers the magic(al escapism) that movies offer at a very young age and decides to become a brightly burning star. The path she chooses to take is not an easy one and even though we only walk it with her for only a few years of her life, it is unforgettable and brilliant.

Nghi Vo's writing is the first thing that stands out to me. It is flowery, but not in a way you'd expect. While it captures metaphor and weaves magic into every word, it also holds suspense and a certain intensity that makes it original and fresh. I absolutely loved the subtle, minimalistic world building, and the nods it made to old Hollywood, the film industry, and what you had to sacrifice to become a titan within it.

The way it talks and analyzes the themes of sacrifice in general is really interesting, as well as the discussion on monsters and what makes you one. It does it in such a way... The fact is that this book is never just one thing. Everything is interconnected. It discusses race, segregation, queerness, otherness, loneliness, selfishness. And it encompasses and includes everything.

I just loved this wholly and completely and I cannot wait to reread it, as well as read whatever Vo publishes next. Until then, I'll be thinking about this one, trying to figure out all its layers.

SIREN QUEEN hit me like a beautiful, long waking dream. Nghi Vo tells a captivating story here that is familiar in some aspects- a young woman hoping to make it big in Hollywood clashing with predatory studio execs, impossible beauty standards, and the everyday grind of filmmaking in the pre-code era. However, the fantastical elements mean that Luli Wei's rise to fame takes place in a Hollywood unlike that we have ever seen before. Studio execs are not just figurative monsters but real ones, making chilling sacrifices to dark gods to keep the Hollywood machine chugging along. Women make and remake themselves to be beautiful, chopping off body parts and donning new faces in order to be loved by the adoring crowds. And becoming a star? A shockingly literal and beautiful process. I loved this book and I'll be thinking about it for a long time.

What a unique and interesting novel. This is my first time reading Nghi Bo’s work and I was very intrigued. I think many adult readers would enjoy it for an array of reasons: magic, queer, historical, race and class issues, etc.

Thank you Netgalley for the Arc of 'Siren Queen'.

This title has a slow burn, but more than enough intrigue and spellbinding prose to lure you into its dark, fantastical imagining of pre-Code Hollywood. Glittering, glamourous, and seductive.

The writing was simply beautiful. Lyrical, descriptive and so atmospheric I could picture every single scene with clarity. It was a little difficult to imagine the studio space especially the first time Luli and Greta head to the fires, but you definitely get accustomed to the style and whimsy of this reality. I think not fully being aware of what’s happening and being a disoriented pulls us into the story and we get more a feel of what Luli is dealing with.

Nghi Vo remains outstanding in this exploration of culture and identity. I really enjoyed the nuance that was given and the writing reads so lyrically.

Everything is not as it seems, what you want costs more than you anticipate, and that thing that goes bump in the night wasn't just your imagination. Siren Queen was everything dark, sexy, and magical set to the backdrop of 1920s Hollywood. This book had me hooked from the beginning. Though the main character was hard to like, she gives bad bitch energy that is undeniable. The strong friendships between the women in this book were one of the key highlights, and the fairytale references and mythic creatures abounded. It wasn't a full five stars for me because there was a portion of the middle of the book that just seemed to drag a bit more than the beginning. Overall, Nghi Vo's writing is very savory, sensual, and vivid, and I will definitely be on the look out for her other work.

A gorgeous, darkly magical historical fiction novel. The movie studios of 1930s Hollywood are controlled by monstrous humans and monsters posing as human. For aspiring actresses like Luli, sacrifices must be made in order to achieve their dreams. Twenty years off her life is a small price to pay for stardom. But Luli has no interest in becoming some fainting leading lady, sidelined by the studios. And when she's cast as a siren, she realized being a monster might just be her best chance for success.

Nghi Vo's lush prose never fails to wow me, and this story fully lived up to the language. The 1930s setting of pre-code Hollywood was atmospheric and perfect for all the dark magic and sinister dealings going on. I honestly wouldn't have minded if the story continued on a little longer, particularly after Luli really comes into her power

I think I like this best out of all Vo’s books I’ve read (or started to read) so far. I listened to the audiobook and even though the beginning was a bit slow for me, it *felt* so melodic and lovely that I kept going with it. Once I got a better feel for the world building, the second half of the book seemed to pick up. I really appreciate what Vo’s doing here genre-wise, and personally speaking, I love that she’s left me with this image/impression of a magical “overlay” to real-world California geographies and histories.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an e-arc of this book.

I had no idea what was going on in this book the vast majority of the time but it was still dang great. The writing? Amazing. I loved the premise and Vo followed through on it very well.

“Failure hovered at the edge of my vision, but I learned that you never allowed it in, never brought it home to sit like some honored guest.”

This is an interesting blend of fantasy and almost historical fiction. I love books about old Hollywood and Vo builds a vivid world and characters here - I just wish I'd connected to them more. The book was a bit long and I found myself confused at times. Regardless, the writing is gorgeous and I'll definitely give her next book a read.

Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley for the copy to review.