4.5 rounded to 5


At the center of this YA novel about sisters, brothers, siblings, parents and grandparents as well as friend dynamics and a whole lot of other intense themes, is mythology that has grown up around the Trung sisters, a pair of military generals who nearly two thousand years ago mnaged for two years to resist the massive Han invasion of Vietnam.

We begin with Jolie Lam, who has lost her two best friends after a sports incident. These two have become mean girls, but to her defense comes Huang, a cool girl who offers her friendship and support. It's set in and around San Jose, working in earthquakes and drought and other area-specific phenom.

Meanwhile, Jolie is dealing with visions, and her grandfather's apparent dementia. But when inexplicable magic enters her life, everything the sixteen year old thought she knew goes seriously sideways.

At that point, the book becomes a brakeless roller-coaster, getting more and more intense and weird, the pacing faster and faster until the sudden end. I thought the end kinda cool, and yet there had been so much setup at the start that I couldn't help wishing for a coda: emotional resolution especially, but also I really wanted to see how the "new" Jolie would pick up her high school life.

Still, a terrific read.

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan was a great book! It had great character development, strong plot and great plot.

I knew nothing of Vietnamese mythology going into this book, and honestly, it left me craving more. The concepts of dragons and reincarnations fascinate me, and I love that they’re featured in so many creation stories. The Lost Queen is an incredible burst of color. It’s sunsets and sunrises, bright yellow flowers and orange flickers of flames. Hot summer days and chilly nights.

Jolie is an outcast. After an outburst at her last swim meet, she dropped out of the team, and her two best friends have abandoned her. Even worse, she’s constantly tormented by not only pictures and videos of the incident, but visions she cannot explain. While her grandpa is a thầy bói, able to use his abilities to tell the future and fortunes, only men inherit the gift, so why is she being tortured with this?

Enter Huong, the most popular girl in school, who enters Jolie’s life after she saves her in gym class. And she has the answers Jolie seeks: the two of them are reincarnations of the Trung sisters, Vietnam’s legendary queens, and their selfish brothers are closing in to claim their powers for themselves for good. But as Jolie regains memories of her past life, things aren’t adding up as they should….

And she has to choose between her sister and the mortals she cares for once again.

Thank you to Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review, and pre-order The Lost Queen before it comes out on May 6!

Review will be up on socials by Sunday or Monday, so check back for my links soon :))

well-crafted story based on the Trung sisters, one of my all-time favorite historical stories, and in general works well, although I wish there was more time given to the fantasy bits. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. I loved the story and found the bonds of sisterhood that grew between Jolie Lam and Huong Pham's beautifully written. When I found out it was loosely based off of the legendary Trung Sisters, that piqued my interest even more. Aimee Phan wove the tale hauntingly and poignantly while set in modern times. Jolie is an outcast until she meets Huong and they form a fast friendship. As their bond grows, so do their powers. They have to learn how to use them and navigate school and their everyday relationships. The story was a little complicated but I was hooked.

3.5/5 stars

Summary: The start of a Vietnamese-inspired YA fantasy duology follows Jolie Lam, a high schooler with a mysterious past. After saving popular girl Huong Pham, Jolie gains newfound friendship and awakens ancient powers. As the two uncover their ties to legendary Vietnamese queens and goddesses, they must reclaim their immortal elements before ancient enemies return. With dreams, portals, and a looming battle, Jolie must decipher truth from deception to save those she loves—and the world.

I agree with some of the other reviewers in that this read was "trippy". I liked the world-building and the Vietnamese lore additions that were woven in the story. Aimee Phan also does a fantastic job at emulating teenagers in high school, which is honestly not my thing as I like to age up my characters and couldn't with Aimee's detailed writing (this is absolutely a compliment).

There were a few main reasons I couldn't get into this particular read. I had a difficult time with the characters and the overall character development. I loved the base of Jolie's character as well as Huong's arc; however, Huong's character was so obvious and Jolie had no clue (granted, she really had no clue about everything, starting from scratch). The pacing of the book was extremely slow in the beginning and then picked up to become pretty predictable and ultimately rushed in the end.

Again, I loved the lore, I just had a hard time putting everything together to make it an interesting read for me - I don't think this will be the case for every reader.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Aimee Phan for allowing me access to an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

One of the most beautiful and captivating books I've read in a long time! The voice is very lyrical and strong, the relationships very real and the story just fantastic. Can't wait to read more from this author!

Jolie Lam is your everyday high school outcast who is known primarily for a freak out at a swim meet. It also doesn’t help her grandfather is suffering from dementia while still trying to use his magical gifts.

Jolie has resigned her herself to a life on the sidelines quietly going through her days on autopilot. That all changes, however, when she saves the popular Huong from drowning during swim practice. Huong immediately takes Jolie under her wing and their friendship feels like a preordained fate. Is everything is as it seems, though? Is Jolie really just an ordinary girl? Is Huong the friend she says she is? What is up with all these dreams and visions of mythical beasts?

Phan has expertly woven together a multilayered story that manages to catch not only the teenage experience, but the human experience as well. The Asian myths used in the story perfectly match each stage of Jolie’s evolution. The final result is a an extraordinary story that is, to borrow a cliche, as old as time.

The Lost Queen is a rich, imaginative YA fantasy that blends Vietnamese mythology with modern-day coming-of-age themes in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. Aimee Phan crafts a story that is as much about ancient goddesses and elemental magic as it is about finding your voice and identity in a world that wants you to stay small.

At the heart of the novel is Jolie Lam—a girl burdened by isolation, family expectations, and a strange past she can’t quite grasp. Her journey from outcast to powerful heroine is messy, emotional, and utterly captivating. What I loved most about Jolie is that she isn’t perfect—she’s insecure, sometimes impulsive, but determined to understand who she is, both in this life and the ones that came before. Her relationship with her grandfather, a fortuneteller haunted by visions, is another highlight. Their bond grounds the story with warmth and heart even as everything around them becomes increasingly fantastical.

The friendship-turned-sisterhood between Jolie and Huong Pham is one of the book’s strongest threads. It begins with shared secrets and loyalty but unravels in unexpected ways as they uncover their ties to legendary Vietnamese queens. Their dynamic explores trust, betrayal, and the complexities of shared destiny. The twist in their relationship hit hard, especially because Phan takes the time to develop both characters and let their bond evolve naturally.
Phan’s use of Vietnamese lore, particularly the inspiration from the Trưng Sisters, adds a powerful layer to the story. The incorporation of myth and history makes The Lost Queen feel bigger than a typical YA fantasy—like it’s honoring a cultural legacy while also reinventing it for a new generation. The magic system, especially the elemental powers and reincarnation elements, was intriguing, though at times a bit dense. I appreciated how the portals, dreams, and different timelines wove together, but there were moments I wished for a bit more clarity on the lore’s mechanics.

That said, the writing style is lyrical without being overwrought, and the pacing (especially in the second half) had me fully locked in. The climax is intense and emotional, but I did find myself wishing for an epilogue or at least a few scenes of aftermath to give the story room to breathe after its biggest revelations.

The Lost Queen is a vibrant, sometimes chaotic, but ultimately rewarding fantasy that explores sisterhood, legacy, and self-discovery. Jolie Lam might not be a traditional heroine, but her story is one worth following—and I’m eager to see where the sequel takes her next.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. Legitimately could not put this one down. LOVED the characters and the beautiful world building. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release.

Wow wow wow I loved this book so much! I am super picky on fantasy books but this one completely blew me away.

The characters the story everything in this book captivated me and left me wanting to read even more of the authors books.

Go buy this book when it comes out or get it from the library or borrow it from a friend whatever you gotta do to read it because trust me you are going to love this book.

Thank you netgalley PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the arc

This book was stellar. The voice hit really well for me and solidified it as a stand out for the year so far. I loved the story and the fact it is a contemporary fantasy. Middle grade is full of these sorts of stories, but YA not so much, something I think this book could lead a change for.

The complicated history is unraveled with great pacing, keeping things tense and readers curious without getting bored. There is lots of drama and lots of twists and turns.

I highly recommend this fantasy for teens.

I greatly enjoyed this book! I will be interviewing Aimee about it next week for my podcast, Novel Finds. The episode will air on May 4th, in anticipation for the book's release on May 6th, and can be heard wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for allowing me to read an early copy!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

Wow! Not much tonsay that hadn't been said. This book is incredible. You are going b to enjoy every page!

Highly recommend.

This is such a beautiful YA fantasy! I was just sucked into the story from the beginning and was intrigued by the different twists turns this story took. I both love the ending, but also wanted there to be an epilogue of some sort, something to show the aftermath of everything. But again, I loved the ending too because it just leaves it up to the readers imagination of what happened after. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!!

Two words: absolutely incredible

Simply put, Jolie Lam is the female Vietnamese American Percy Jackson that I never knew I needed. But she is so much more than that. She is a queen.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 by Aimee Phan is an epic coming-of-age story that blends history with myth, present with the past, homeland with motherland, and oneself with the world.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵: a unique family and community, mesmerizing magic, complicated relationships, mystery, suspense, and drama, all revolving around a lonely insecure teenage girl discovering her best self by reclaiming her roots.

This YA fantasy takes inspiration from the Vietnamese lore of Hai Bà Trưng (the 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀), who led the people to protect their land from the Han Chinese. Though they were ultimately defeated and their reign was cut short (41-43 AD), the Trung sisters are considered symbols of Vietnamese nationalism, and their feats are honored and memorialized to this day. Phan presents a version of their story rooted in Vietnamese mythology and reimagines their sisterhood through Jolie and Huong in a way that is more complex than you’d initially think.

My critiques for this book are minor, likely taking more issue with the YA genre than the story itself:

1. It would have been nice to see more of the Vietnamese language. There’s a whole part where Jolie realizes she understands Vietnamese, but we only see that dialogue in English translation. I’m not requesting a whole Viet script and translation; it just would have been cool to see. But this may be because I’m a bit of a nerd and love being exposed to different languages.
2. Some interpersonal conflicts were resolved too easily in my opinion. They involved minor characters but still felt too smooth sailing, even though I knew we needed to get past it quickly to change focus to the real villains. That said, it’s possible that the resolution was true to the nature of high school relationships and I simply don’t relate lol

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: If I had read this ten years ago, this would have become my favorite book of all time. My current 27-year-old self will never stop thinking and talking about this book, and I am certain that my future self will want to pass this story down to her kids. Having grown up in Southern California in the heart of Little Saigon, I have so much love for The Lost Queen. It’s a story that Vietnamese Americans can be proud of. I earnestly wish for this incredible story by Aimee Phan to be spread far and wide so that people young and old from all backgrounds can get a little taste of what it means to be Vietnamese.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC!

The Lost Queen is a beautiful and enchanting fantasy that features ancient magic unleashed, weaving magic, the bond of sisterhood, a heroine like no other, self-discovery, and is inspired by Vietnamese lore.

Jolie Lam, a high school sophomore in San Jose, is known for two things: her bizarre freakout at last year’s swim meet and her fortuneteller grandfather with visions of dragons and earthquakes. Friendless and ostracized, Jolie's life takes a dramatic turn for the better when she saves the school's it-girl, Huong Pham, during a haunting vision of her own. Taken under Huong's wing, Jolie's world transforms, in more ways than one.

As Jolie and Huong's bond deepens, they unlock long lost powers: telepathic abilities, fluency in Vietnamese, and eerie premonitions. This leads them to a shocking revelation: they have ties to legendary queens and goddesses of ancient Vietnam. While a thrilling discovery, it also sets them on a perilous journey. The girls must navigate dreams and portals to piece together their past lives and reclaim their immortal elements before their ancient enemies strike again. But all is not what it seems, and Jolie must determine friend from foe, truth from lie, and ultimately right from wrong in this battle for all she loves and the fate of the world.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down! The Vietnamese lore, ancient magic, and sibling relationships all drew me in and held my attention the entire book. Jolie and Huong are strong female characters who each come into their own. Jolie's journey of self-discovery is one that I think many teens will be able to relate to. I also enjoyed Jolie's strong relationship with her grandparents.

The magic system in this book is fantastic. The elements of the system that Phan creates are intricate and unique. I loved watching Jolie discover each of her elemental powers and how to use them. The portals between present day, the dreams, and Jolie's grandfathers story book add so much to the story and the magic system. I loved seeing the girls live their lives in both ancient Vietnam and present day California. There are a few parts where the ancient world and the present world unite, and it is done very seamlessly; everything is tied together very well. It makes the reader believe this type of thing could actually happen in our present times.

Phan's writing style makes the story flow nicely. The way she draws Jolie really gives the reader insight into Jolie's thoughts and feelings. Jolie becomes this deep character who is struggling to discover what is real and what is not real; who she can trust and who is lying to her. Her journey throughout the book is incredible.

I am looking forward to the second part of this duology. Highly recommend this book!

Thank you netgalley! 🫶🏻

Let me first day I was not initially into it. But as I kept reading it got trippy and I could NOT put my kindle down. If i didn't have a hard time getting into it i would have rated it four stars. It was a slow start but once it gets going it's GOING lol.

I loved this book. It's like a new twist on old folklore that I read about when I was younger. The story kept me intrigued every step of the way and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next and how it was going to end.