Siren Queen is the tale of a girl growing up in the shadow of stardom, who dared to reach for fame on her own terms. Luli Wei is a young girl who refuses to be cast in the stereotypical roles assigned to her, instead choosing to take a chance on embodying a monster. Is this what it will take for her star to rise? What does it really mean to be a monster? How far will she go to achieve her dreams? 

Luli is relentless in chasing her dreams and staying true to herself. I loved reading about her relationships, both with her lovers and her family. She is a fascinating and complex character. Siren Queen is my favorite Nghi Vo yet! It is ethereal, heartbreakingly real, and haunting. Nghi Vo writes with such vivid prose, every word is carefully selected to paint stunning pictures. 

While there is a strong touch of magic within, Vo also shines an unflinching light on the real-world racism and sexism that impacted women and people of color during this time period. Siren Queen is beautifully queer and inclusive, shining a light on the LGBTQ+ members of Hollywood who history might try to erase, but without whom the film world would not be the same. I loved how Vo wrote the magic system, it is the perfect blend of whimsical magic while staying accurate to the time period. 

Siren Queen would be perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I would highly recommend Siren Queen to anyone who enjoys reading about fierce heroines, the glamour and pain of stardom, and the complexities of Hollywood. Thank you to Nghi Vo, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.