I’m struggling with what to think of this story, and therefore what to rate it. It was overall entertaining yet not highly enjoyable, and the message seemed murky at best and problematic at worst. Best I could tell, the general lesson was “be careful what you wish for”- but this lesson was being taught to a group of women who were more or less wishing for pretty basic things to help balance out their disadvantages and struggles. There were far more interesting places the story could have gone, with the issues of races, gender, and socioeconomic status in play. And why exactly did they all have the middle name of Mai, other than as a way to insert it in the title?

Thank you Van Hoang, 47North, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Monstrous Misses Mai by Van Hoang was such a captivating historical fiction fantasy story that held my attention from start to finish.
The characters were flawed but still so fascinating.
Well thought out and plotted with strong characters. And the world-building was just amazing!

Thank You NetGalley and 47North for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I really wanted to like this one because I love historical settings/time periods and the concept sounded amazing! Sadly this didn’t work for me.

The pacing was slow and writing overly descriptive. It took way too long to get to the magic, which is the whole point of the book? It’s meant to be dark and yet there’s no tension or suspense, the first 20% (75ish pages) is just minute details telling the reader everything instead of showing us. It’s also incredibly repetitive-
I GET IT CORDI YOU DIDNT HAVE FRIENDS AND HATED THE SHOP BUT LEARNED TO LOVE IT AND NOW SEWING IS YOUR PASSION!! You don’t need to tell me every single chapter 🫠

I DNFd this at 26% (about 92 pages) because after all this time I still count care less about the characters or what happens, just give me the dark magic and mistakes already

The Monstrous Misses Mai is a fun and lightly magical novel that follows four Asian American roommates (the Mais) living in downtown Los Angeles in the 1950s. These four women all have something that they are running from as well as something that they are longing for, and through the main character Cordelia (Cordi), the reader follows the group as they navigate their attempts to gain power and fame in a city that constantly seeks to other them. This is Van Hoang’s adult debut, and I think that it has great potential to appeal to young and new adult audiences alike.

I found the tone and writing style to be a great blend of playful, mysterious, and hard-hitting when it needed to be. In some ways, I was reminded of Mona Awad’s novels (complete with some light body horror!), if they were suitable for a slightly younger audience. Hoang’s themes (class-based oppression, a lack of Asian representation and the presence of anti-Asian racism, cultural obligations towards family, toxic friendships) speak to many issues that are particularly pertinent to young or new adult readers, and her messaging and writing style are easy to interpret without feeling cheesy or heavy-handed.

I also really appreciated Hoang’s attention to detail. Cordi works as a seamstress and is an aspiring fashion designer, and the story is filled with details about clothing and textiles, as well as descriptions of the food the girls eat and the apartment that they share. It really works to flesh out the world and does a great job of showing Cordi’s passions rather than just telling them. The only part of the book that felt under-explained was the magic system itself (known within the book as the lura). While the lura is intentionally mysterious to the main characters, at the end of the novel I was still left with some questions about how the lura interacts with the mortal world, and to what degree the presence of the lura is known or accepted by general society.

There were also a couple of choices made with respect to the side characters that I didn’t love. In particular, the storyline with Cordi’s older sister, Trina, did not wrap up in a way that felt particularly satisfying. She has had to sacrifice so much for her family, and Cordi seems almost entirely ignorant of this for most of the book. While she does have a moment where she is able to see things from Trina’s perspective, it doesn’t feel particularly impactful for her, and the reader is given so little context about the nature of Cordi and Trina’s relationship before Cordi is estranged from her family that Trina’s sudden importance at the end of the book feels a bit out of place. I also found the ending to wrap everything up just a bit too neatly, especially given that at around the 90% mark I had absolutely no idea how anything would be resolved.

But in general I just had a lot of fun reading this book, and really appreciated how Hoang was able to blend her fantasy- and horror-adjacent plot with her social commentary. I’ll for sure be keeping an eye out for her future releases.

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the e-ARC of this novel!

What would you sacrifice for success? That is the question that the women in this novel must answer before it is too late. 

This story is about friendship, desire, and ambition. The four women who end up sharing an apartment together don't realize the depths of the situation they find themselves until it is too late. When they say you shouldn't mess with witchcraft, they aren't kidding!

Cordi, Tessa, Silly, and Audrey are these four women. They each have dreams for their future, and when they are offered the opportunity to get it with little work, they jump at the chance. This wasn't the wisest move they could make, and they soon learn that there is a price to pay for success if you don't work for it.

Beyond that, this book explores the friendship between women who may have never met had it not been for this apartment that they share. While this book is set in 1959, it is reflective of nearly any period in time. Family expectations are the same now as they were then. Perhaps a little different, but still somewhat the same. 

Because these women are young (20's), they still lack some maturity when it comes to actions. Cordi is jealous of Silly's friendship with Tessa. It is like Cordi wants to be Tessa's only friend. They seem to shun Audrey because she is a little different, and also doesn't want to be mixed up in the witchcraft. She is probably the smartest one of the bunch. Tessa is all about being seen with the movers and shakers of the city. Little does she realize what that might really mean!

I was engrossed in this novel. Normally, this isn't the type of book I read (magical realism, witchcraft, etc), but there was something about this story that engaged me and kept me glued to the pages. I had a love/hate relationship with all the characters, but they each added a dimension to the story. Whether it was their involvement with the magical aspect, greed, desire, or hope, each character played a part in the final conclusion.

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it if you enjoy this genre.

While I can appreciate important topics like the poor treatment of immigrants, racism, and the feeling like you never belong to a particular place while searching for the unobtainable “home”, I found Cordi unlikable and the magic missing from the atmosphere. I’m glad to have read it, and want to thank the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

A cautionary tale. The Misses Mai each represent something different and each will make you think about your own experience, It's an interesting read.

*3.5 rounded down for Goodreads score*
Thank you to Netgalley and 47North for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"The Monstrous Misses Mai" by Van Hoang follows four young Asian American women who share the same middle name: Mai. Set in 1950s Los Angeles, the four Mais come into contact with some very real magic that can grant them the power to make their every dream come true...but everything comes at a price.

I was so excited for this one. The summary reminded me a lot of Nghi Vo's "Siren Queen," which is one of my favorite books. I think Hoang did a really good job of showing four very different young women from different Asian ethnic groups (Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, and I think Japanese?) and the ways that female friendships can form or not. And even though it made me mad, I felt that Hoang did a great job of portraying how toxic some Asian American families can be.

That said, I also had a lot of issues with the book. It might be cause I'm old, but I found Cordi (our main Mai) really exhausting. I know she was dealing with a lot of familial trauma and was figuring out who she was but god, I just...I rolled my eyes SO OFTEN. And I say that as someone who has had to go no contact with some family because of the toxicity. But I also just hated how self-sacrificing and pathetic she was, especially with Tessa. I don't know. It just felt difficult to connect with someone so young and limp. Aside from that, I wish there was more magic in the first third. It was so boring and it really dragged because I didn't like Cordi. By the end, while I liked her more, I felt like the lura stuff and the outcomes weren't really earned. And the lura stuff could have been more expansive, especially with how much time is wasted in that earlier part of the book.

Overall, it's a good book. I think. Parts of it were enjoyable to me and other parts were really not.

BIPOC Historical Fantasy set in Los Angeles, 1959 in which an aspiring fashion designer and her new roommates meet a charming man who promises to fulfill their every dream – with magic but soon the price becomes too high.

1/5 stars: This is Hoang's BIPOC Historical Fantasy set in Los Angeles, 1959 and features the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants and aspiring fashion designer who along with her new roommates become taken in by a charming man and witch who promises to fulfill their every dream but soon she realizes the sacrifice is much too high. Hoang's writing and character work are nicely done. Unfortunately, this just wasn't a book for me; leading me to DNF it at 21%.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and 47North in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

Set in 1959 LA, four young women become roommates. They are all from Asian ethnic backgrounds and have the same middle name, Mai. Callum has helped each of them get the apartment to rent and one day taught them magic, but only tells them a little bit of information at a time. They each wished for what they wanted most with one small sacrifice of an item they cherished. Later, they feel it isn't enough as they start to want more than what they've already been given. The bigger the wish, the bigger the sacrifice. What can go wrong?

I really enjoyed the book and thought it was unique and relatable. I felt a connection to Cordi, Vietnamese background and tough love parents. Cordi is a fantastic character who only wanted to do what she loved most, and have love and acceptance from her family. Her emotions are well conveyed and understandable.

The book also touched on privilege and what the girls have to go through. No matter how good they are at their jobs, they were overlooked. There's also an interesting magic system where for most of the book we only know what the girls know. I definitely recommend the book!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I liked this book quite a bit, however I felt like I was waiting for more of *something* to even happen. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop. It was a good story, I just wanted more sustenance from it. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

"You're going to sell your soul for a sewing machine?" Audrey said.
"Who said anything about selling souls?"

What would you sacrifice to fit in? For beauty? For fame? For acceptance?

After being disowned by her parents, Cordi is searching for a job and a place to live in 1959 LA. When a mysterious stranger helps her find an apartment, she learns that her three roommates all have the same middle name. Mai. What a fun coincidence, right? And the mysterious stranger offers them a little boost, a little spell, to help them gain a job...well, that's okay, too, right? No one ever got hurt from a little spell. But as the girls get everything they wished for, they learn that everything has its price...

Okay, this was far from a perfect book. There were a few plot holes and points that went no where (like the Mai coicidence), but right from the start this book was a delight. The writing style is a perfect mix of YA meets adult, and the ages and situations and tone equate to a nice crossover novel that was incredibly engaging.

"It's always the people who are supposed to love you that end up hurting you the most."

I loved Cordi. I loved Audrey (and wanted her to have more page time). I loved Gabe and even kinda liked Cressida, although I gave her some serious side-eye throughout the whole thing. The complicated relationships were just *perfect*, as was Cordi's constant desire for acceptance and love, without having the ability to realize what manipulative love was until long after the fact. Also, the final villain speech? Chills.

Also, there is so much FASHION wrapped into this, and everything has POCKETS!

While I wish the book had gone a little deeper in some places, it was still super entertaining and just a fun "be careful what you wish for" story.

"When you're poor and can't afford new things, you learn how to fix what other people cast aside, and when the world is designed for people who are different from you, you learn how to alter yourself and the things around you to fit"

This was absolutely riveting! I went into this totally blind, based off the cover alone and it was so worth it.

Set in the 50's in LA, Cordi has just been kicked out of her parents' home. She finds a loft in an apartment with a bunch of other girls who bond over the shared middle name, Mai. While she feels like she is finally part of something, she is in fear that she wont be able to find a job to support herself.

When a friend of the landlord expresses that he has some magic and can help them make their dreams come true, the girls play along, thinking deep down that they have nothing to lose... how wrong they are... Whatever they did, whatever incantation they spoke, seems to work. They start to each appear more beautiful, with doors opening for them, and their dreams within reach. When they do realize the cost, though, it is already too late. Their lives are changed completely.

That is only one level to the book, though. There are intricacies at play here that I found so intriguing. I loved Cordi's character. She is a bleeding heart, but so much stronger than she realizes. I had so much fun with this book, even with the darkness within it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Monstrous Misses Mai.

First, great title.

Second, I love that the main character is Vietnamese.

The narrative brims with female friendship, immigrant struggle and adversity, finding your way and path in life that is harsh against people and faces that don't look white.

It's 1959 Los Angeles and aspiring fashion designer Cordelia Mai Yin, the first-generation child of Vietnamese immigrants, is desperate to find a place to live after a bitter fight with her family.

When Cordi rents a cheap loft in an old apartment building, she quickly becomes friends with Tessa, Audrey, and Silly. Strangely enough, they all share the same middle name but maybe that's a sign they're meant to be friends.

When Callum, a kind of friend of the landlord offers a solution on how the young ladies can overcome obstacles standing in their path to recognition and glory, the women realize a little luck takes magic. And a lot of sacrifice they may not be willing to pay.

What I did like:

The setting, the author paints a realistic view of 1950s LA, the grit and grime of an immigrant life away from the shiny glitter and gloss of the entitled and privileged

The lura: the magic is subtly explained, just a few simple facts, what you need to do in order to get something in return

Cressida Thompson turns out to be more than just a affluent society girl

What I didn't like:

Cordi is an unlikable character, at least to me. She's judgmental, jealous, and desperate for people to like her. I get her character traits may be due to her upbringing and how strict her parents are, but I soon grew tired of Cordi's jealousy when Silly wanted to spend time with her and Tess

I wished Callum had been a more formidable foe, instead of just a whiny wannabe hanging around vulnerable women to poach souls and suck as much power as he could from them.

I wish there had been more magic, more spells, more magical stuff happening.

For a narrative that revolved around dark magic, sacrifice, and suffering, there was very little urgency or suspense.

And what was the point of all of the women having the same middle name?

That was never explained, or was it because the author wanted the title to be alliterative.

I liked the premise, it had great potential to be something dark and scary, but it didn't hit the mark for me.

The premise of this book seemed really fun and interesting, but I got to about 17% in an was still not hooked. I really have so many books on my TBR that I don't want to waste time with something that doesn't deliver on its premise right away. The writing was fine, everything about it was fine...it just didn't speak to me.

Disclaimer: I know the author.

This was such a fun, twisty book. I loved the time period in LA and the descriptions of the city, the shops, the food, all created a strong sense of place. The characters were flawed but I still rooted for them, even when yelling at them to make better choices. A touch of magic, family and found family, new adulthood, all round out the story. Oh, and the fabulous clothing!

This book was completely outside of my preferred genre, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story kept me quite interested with the mixture of realism and a bit of magic. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this author and checking out her other books! A huge thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this ARC.

An enticing plot but it didn't quite work for me. A little too cliched; I didn't love the writing. Hopefully it's just me! Sorry.

The characters and surrounding is really well written but I struggled to get into it. This book wasn't my cup of tea. If I wasn't sent this request I probably never would have chose this title because I don't typically read these kinds of books. I think someone who enjoys time period books with a touch of magic may like this book. At this time I decided not to leave my review on Goodreads because I didn't want it lowering the current rating of the book.

"The Monstrous Misses Mai" was a quick read for me. The writing flowed well, the plot was fun, and I liked the characters. I actually liked everything except the last 10%: at this point the story somewhat lost me and I think the ending tied everything up a little too neatly.