5/5 Stars. Thanks to Ms. Hoang, Netgalley, and the publisher for an ELC/ARC of the audiobook!

<i> The story follows Issa and Olivia, best friends in the 1930s who want nothing more than to be movie stars. They try their hardest to break into the industry the traditional way, going to auditions and lining up outside of studios. Though Issa's mother doesn't approve, she decides to do two things that she wouldn't like:

1) Pursue a career in acting instead of at the hotel where she works
2) Reconnect with her aunt and dead grandmother to receive training in the shaman ways that run in her family - and get help to break into the industry.

Bà, her grandmother, connects them with a spirit on the other side: silent film star, Ava Lin Rang. With her help, Issa and Olivia not only get their first big break, but use her advice to achieve higher and higher levels of stardom.

But, as expected, things aren't going to turn out like they do in the movies.</i>


What can I say? I loved this one. This pulled me in from the start with the atmospheric setting, the characters, and a wonderful narrator. The twists in the story felt natural. The romance that happens isn't the forefront because this was a story about two best friends above all else. Their friendship and the way it changes with connections to the spirits and Hollywood are the center of the story and I think that makes it all the more poignant.

As for the narration, I think the narrator did a fantastic job with every voice. As something transforms in the story, her voice transforms. She puts on accents and uses certain tones in such an appropriate way. I think I actually benefit ted listening to this story rather than reading it. And I don't usually think that.

Definitely a recommendation for many, many of my friends!