I decided to step away at 20%. I think this book would be ideal for someone looking for a historical fiction with old Hollywood vibes and a light magic system. I was hoping for something a little more romance driven, so my interest just never really took off.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing / Brilliance audio for the free digital and audiobook arc in exchange for an honest review.


I honestly had a good time with this book. I liked it more than I expected. I like the characters and can't help to root for Issa And Olivia who are more like sisters than friends. Issa's grandmother and Ava are also interesting characters. I can't stop listening to the audio book even though I am doing something else and I just wanted to know what's going to happen next. It was narrated perfectly and the narrator did a great job with the other voices as well.. although the ending wasn't really that climactic, still was a fun and entertaning read.

This captivating novel will resonate with readers who are drawn to tales of female empowerment, the importance of pursuing one's aspirations, and the intricate nature of identity. Fans of fantasy and historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural will find themselves particularly enchanted by this story. The narrative weaves a rich tapestry of self-discovery, resilience, and the extraordinary, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read for those who appreciate stories that delve into the depths of human experience and the magic that lies within and around us.

This was such a nice take on friendship, power and familial ties. I obviously saw where this was going a mile away, but learning about Issa and her family was the most fun of it. I loved their dysfunction and the silent love they held with one another even after so long without chatting.

I wanted more scenes from their grandma and mom and establishing a stronger connection when it came with the conflict with Issa’s uncles. A lot of good plot was downcast in order to focus on Olivia and Issa. I also felt like there were times when nothing was really happening where we could have put mire plot there in order to boost their world.

First I wanna thank Van Hoang, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this early for an honest review.
I don't read much of historical fiction but this synopsis really sounded so interesting and got me curious for the book.
This was definitely a great read and took a turn I wasn't expecting, which was really good.
I love our two main characters Issa and Olivia, even tho Olivia got on my nerves a few times and I think Issa should stand up for herself more. I LOVE Issa's interactions with Grandma cause Grandma is sassy and made me laugh quite a lot. Also I love Issa and Jem, they're adorable.
The concept of her shaman heritage was really an interesting one and that I haven't read about in other books before. Ava's appearance at the beggining and how she helped them with her influence was kinda wholesome but that twist and the way things happened at the end left me shook. I definitely didn't see that coming. It made the book even better cause it was already a great book and that unexpected twist made it even more surprising.
This book is a solid 4.5 stars for me. I definitely recommend to everyone who likes fantasy and historical fiction.

Breaking into show business is hard. Will summoning the spirit of a former Vietnamese silent film star make it easier?! Issa Bui and Olivia Nong are two young Vietnamese girls trying to break into the biz in the 1930s. Going to the MGM lot daily to try and get auditions and having to cart back to the lot another day because phones are an extravagant expense.
After a long day, Issa gets summoned to visit Bà Ngoąi, the grandmother Issa’s Ma has forbidden her to form a relationship with. Bà Ngoąi is the head of their family gang and also a shaman. The whole family is. Issa and Olivia are surprised to arrive and find that Bà Ngoąi is dead. But no fear, her spirit is brought forth by her Auntie. Issa is the heir of the family business, but wants to follow her dreams of becoming a famous movie star! They strike a deal and Issa has a year to become famous before she takes over the family business. She and Olivia are also introduced to the spirit of Ava Lin Rang, an Asian actress of the silent era. She helps them make connections and gives them acting tips and tricks! We love a ghost friend!
Issa grows more confident in her powers and her acting abilities, and Olivia spends a whole lot of time with Ava at her side providing feedback and bolstering her skills and fame! After some time, though, Ava seems to want more. To spend more time on the mortal plane, to get stronger. Issa gets worried and reaches out to Bà Ngoąi and her auntie, and eventually they need to bring Ma in to fully sus out what Ava is doing with Olivia and Olivia’s body!
This was a wild ride and had me guessing what was going to happen next throughout! And Elyse Dinh’s performance was so genuine and beautiful!

4.5⭐
During the Golden age of Hollywood, in order for 2 Vietnamese young dreamers to gain success, they need to conjure their magical 'break' - they soon learn that fame definitely comes at a price.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish! The story-telling, & pace kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next.

* Elise Roth narrated the audiobook, and oh is she talented! The way she played each character (& there was definitely a lot of characters) was amazing, each person

Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing & Brilliance Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Short Synopsis:
Issa and her best friend Olivia dream of becoming famous actresses. But it’s the 1930s, and the world works against two young Vietnamese women. So Issa turns to her family - that her mother walked away from - to get help. Oh and their witches.

My Thoughts:
This is my first book by Van Hoang (though I do own the ebook of The Monstrous Misses Mai), and I really enjoyed the blend of history and fantasy.

Issa is a character you can’t help but root for. And her relationship with Olivia and her family members added so much depth to her character. The setting was so fun and vibrant. I felt like I was walking the streets of MGM Studio along with Issa and Olivia.

The blatant racism the girls faced had me raging. (Stay angry girls.) But unfortunately it reflected history accurately.

The paranormal/magical elements elevated the intensity of the plot. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. Definitely one I’d recommend!

What You’ll Find:
Standalone fantasy
Hollywood drama
Paranormal elements
Secrets
Themes of racism and belonging

The description of communing with the dead in Golden Age Hollywood caught my interest, along with the tensions and challenges facing the young, Los Angeles-born Vietnamese friends. The audiobook immediately drew me into the lives of the two close friends whose bond formed early as the only Asian students in school. Their isolation and experiences of being belittled and marginalized comes through in key moments. Their shared dreams of acting in movies shines in contrast to the future in menial jobs expected for them by the main character's hardworking mother.

Van Hoang keeps the story moving and shows a deft touch in revealing enough character background to create empathy without bogging down the pace. I thoroughly enjoyed becoming immersed in the cultural details of the family and the descriptions of Chinatown, old Hollywood, and environs.

The supernatural story builds slowly. This is quiet horror, yet nonetheless powerful. Although the story's direction is clear from the beginning, I felt fully engaged. I liked the two young friends and wanted them to win. For me, the novel could have used more suspense and peaks, and a slightly faster pace, yet the subtlety is ultimately effective.

I enjoyed the details of their lives and the question of how far we’ll go to achieve a dream. Hoang handles the effects of poverty and feeling unwanted with sensitivity. She slowly unveils the danger brewing under the surface and lets loose with a satisfying climax and conclusion.

Favorite things:
Supernatural elements entwined with life
Cultural insights, family and clan aspects
Naturally rendered crime background
Mother-daughter dynamic
Moving depiction of the struggle to succeed in white male-dominated Hollywood
Friendship
Coming of age
Character growth
The presence of romance doesn't take over–the book remains centered on the supernatural plot and female relationships
Excellent Bechdel Test score

The audiobook narrator does a good job with the many voices. This is an excellent production. I rated Silver and Smoke 4 stars. I’ll watch for more books by Van Hoang.

Highly recommended for readers of horror, supernatural fantasy, and #OwnVoices books. This is an excellent pick for a listener seeking to #DiversifyYourBookshelf for 2025. I hope librarians will pick this up. It handles risks and conflicts young people face moving out on their own in a way that shows consequences without ever being preachy.

Thank you, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for the ALC for consideration. These opinions are solely my own.

Fresh out of high school and desperate to change the trajectory of their lives, Issa and Olivia inseparable as always decide they will chase their dreams of being film stars despite the expectations of Issa's family and the near allergy to hire let promote people of color in significant and diverse roles. Their backup plan? Use Issa's dormant ability to summon a former silent era star known to be one of the first 'like them' to guide them through with advice and maybe a little mystical suggesting to key figures.

'Silver and Smoke' is a novel that I found more enjoyment in its parts than its whole. That said, the elements that did draw me in made up for the rest of it. I can easily see the way this novel brings to life what the film industry, production parts and overall process, to a generation who probably hasn't given it much consideration to being almost as magical as the supernatural elements. Things like production rate, the contracting of actors not to works but studios, the even contractual limits on personal conduct and appearance, the whole atmosphere of the lots warmed this gal with a soft spot for media analysis and history's heart.

Another element I loved was how inner-generational collaboration came in as vital. The living memory and importance of family was drawn in a very literal way to a culture known to give it more credence than many of those of the west. It was an interesting choice to have a matriarchal vision when the civil war between branches of this family ran down gender lines. Though to see extended and adopting family working as one was endearing.

One aspect of this story I really hope isn't missed due to some of my personal low points is how deeply this depicts the spectrum and evolution of relationships. There are a lot of parallels to toxic and supportive interactions that aren't always separate. The book has a lot to say about the cycle of abuse, trauma responses, and how long lasting aftereffects can make the lure towards those who seek to exploit.

Unfortunately this book never had a breakout for me. Foreseeing a book's direction isn't always a deterrent. In this case quick swings of character and attitudes gave away much of what I have to commend the summary writer for only alluding to where many give the act away. It made things more of a waiting game than a gradual decline. It was easy to believe in the extent that each of the leads were chasing their own goals that they wouldn't be as aware of the reader when combined with their own self questioning. This reader, however, had a few points where they were waiting a bit too long for the ball to drop.

I am one of the first to say that I wish many underrepresented stories didn't have to have elements of the historical exclusion. If you are going to bring it up, though, I feel like this addressed it more on a social level than industrial. It may have also been nice to namedrop a few real life actors though I did love names to film titles. It starts to introduce the importance of seeing those like you which left me surprised to see that isn't a weighed factor later in some decisions.

Other than pacing, I think the thing I was wanting more of was a more concrete view of how this ability and system worked on the summoner side. We learned several neat tricks and the process, but I wanted a little more time to feel the extent. I also would have loved a little more time exploring the gang war.

As a whole, this story is more for those looking for one that will bring the era to life, to like to see tested friendships, complex family dynamics, and a general positive coming-of-age self-discovery when there are different elements of power and fame at stake. But if you're looking for a gradually darkening, tension building, story this might disappoint just a tad.

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!