I am in a major reading slump right now, so it is no fault of this book, but it was just not vibing with me. I was just looking for the thing to get me hooked again and unfortunately this wasn't it. Again, that is not to say this was not a good book, I was just not in the mood for it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

An incredibly moving, debut coming of age #ownvoices YA story featuring a queer Cambodian American teen girl whose life gets turned upside down when her father is deported back to Cambodia and her mother goes with him, leaving her with her older sister who is busy planning her wedding.

Soma finds her voice in slam poetry and prepares to compete in her school's spoken word contest but her family life is stressful and navigating her sexuality is also complicated coming from a strictly religious family. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Elizabeth Acevado and Angie Thomas.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This was a standout debut and I look forward to reading more by this author!!

CW: alcoholic and depressed parent

Love to see a YA book about a queer Cambodian teen, since that's an identity I haven't see represented in YA very much! I tried to get into this book and unfortunately just couldn't; it's very much a character-driven story and I think I just needed a bit more plot/movement. But that's totally a me problem! I know many teens who love slice-of-life books and I think this one will be a hit for them.

I'll be recommending this one at my library to fans of The Poet X, Piecing Me Together, or Color Me In!

There is one lesson to learn from this book. No matter your background, voice is power.
Somar Kear has a lot to deal with. Her Ba is deported to Cambodia, her sibling is being weird, and a video of her venting has gone viral. A lot is going on in Vichet Chum’s debut novel, and like her main character, it is a lovable hot mess.
Similar to Somar, Chum’s language in the story captures the chaotic mess life can be for children in separated families, for people of color, for members of the LGBTQIA+, and for anyone who has had to grow up amid unexpected changes. No matter the background you will find a personal connection to the story. This connection helps to drive home the theme that your voice is powerful.
Through verses of slam poetry, Somar has the means to process all the changes and survive the newfound popularity that comes with going viral. Words have power so do the voices that share them. That's the big takeaway from Chum’s first novel.
Fans of realistic fiction and young adult stories will find themselves at home in Somar’s rapidly changing world.

A heartwarming YA story about family in difficult times. Some parts may have resonated more with me if I was younger (like the mc’s long sections about her insecurities), but overall thought this was an important story to tell.

Soma Kear has posted a video of herself without thinking too much about it and it resonated with a lot of people. She has a lot to say at the moment. Her dad was just deported and her mom joined him in Cambodia so it's just her and her sister whom isn't the sweetest and has a lot on her plate since she's about to get married. And so, she starts doing slam poetry for everyone to see and it changes things in her life but also adds to her current load.

This was pretty good. I really enjoyed getting to know Soma with her flaws and all. And I enjoyed seeing her friendships and other relationships evolve. The most captivating relationships in this, for me, were the family ones. I really liked that part. I did have some trouble focusing through it all but that's definitely a me problem at the moment. I actually learnt some things reading this about Cambodia and Cambodian culture and also slam poetry. I really enjoyed this book and its main character, and I'm excited to read more from Vichet Chum.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to Kween due to the intriguing premise, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, I’ve heard many stories about deportations, especially in recent years, and I appreciate how this story navigates that, while also focusing on centering Cambodian culture and heritage even in the midst of this trying time, especially as that’s a culture I don’t know a ton about.
But I also loved that this book was about a messy Cambodian queer teen in the midst of it all. Soma is dealing with her family’s situation the best she can, and there’s a great study of contrasts in how each family member interacts with the situation differently, but for her she struggles with her fear that he may never come back and reeling over that, and growing intentionally distant as a result. But I also love how she explores her own passions, particularly for slam poetry, and really comes into her own through that, really finding her voice.
My one difficulty was with some of the slang. On the one hand, this could be a sign that I’m not the target demographic, but I’ve also seen other reviews pointing out that it’s not necessarily something other teens would use either. So I can’t say whether it’s accurate or not, and it was much more jarring initially, and got much less so once I got into the “flow” of the story.
Personal nitpicks aside, I found this book enjoyable, and would recommend it if you’re looking for a YA contemporary that touches on tough topics and cultural issues, while also centering the coming-of-age narrative.

🦇 Kween by Vichet Chum Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❝ Step into your legacy. ❞

❓ #QOTD Who is your favorite poet? ❓

🦇 After Soma's Ba was deported back to Cambodia, her life became a hot mess of emotion. To try to make sense of it all, she puts her thoughts into verse, never expecting her video to go viral. When Soma's bestie pushes her to take those lines and rhymes to the mic for their school's spoken word contest, she has to decide if she's brave enough to put herself out there; to be vulnerable in her discussion of Cambodia's history, the fear that her Ba won't come back, and that her life may never be the same. Debut author Vichet Chum's Kween is a celebration of Khmer identity, queerness, and embracing the complicated histories that shape who we are and want to be.

❝ She drew that connection. She got personal so that she could get universal. Maybe that was the key: get into the icky personal stuff, draw it out in detail, and put it against rhythm to Frankenstein something that could maybe feel like a mirror to a stranger. ❞

💜 What. A. Debut. Vichet Chum CAME TO PLAY with these wicked rhymes and heartfelt truths. Soma's voice is fun, vibrant, and energetic, bounding off the page with a single line. Though I know there are readers who won't feel at home with her quick wit and dynamic, Gen Z ramblings, this story speaks louder because of it. The real hero of the story is the authenticity; the raw depth of exploration into a Cambodian-American teen living with the ache of losing a parent who is still alive. Chum shines a light on the Khmer Rouge genocides (a footnote in American history I don't recall learning) and how that trauma can echo between generations. As a second-generation Palestinian-American, I empathized with Soma, who feels connected to the past as a part of her history, but disconnected and distant from it as well. This emotional, inspiring story is a reminder that immigration and deportation stories are still a present problem that shouldn't be ignored. Most of all, I LOVED Soma's rhymes. I performed in a spoken word trope and still write my own poetry, but I've got nothing on Soma.

🦇 Though the bulk of the story spans over two-ish weeks, the pacing was a little slow for me. The biggest problem is the bulk of the story is internalized as Soma processes her emotions, leaving very little action and imagery for us to focus on. I also wish there was more focus on the relationships—between Soma and her sister, Soma and her parents, and Soma and her potential bae. Soma's interactions with her father are one-sided, over email, but there's so much beauty in his words that I wish we'd gotten a little more. The interactions Soma does have with people (whether her sister, bestie, or teacher) have a major impact on her self-discovery. Those conversations are what lead Soma to grow as a character, but most of those interactions are short compared to her internal dialogue. As much as I loved this story, it feels like there's a missing element that's keeping it from truly wow-worthy.

❝ It’s one thing to write your story, and then it’s another to go public. It becomes no longer just yours. Other people judge it, identify themselves in it, or sometimes, yes, reject it altogether. But hopefully, we tell our stories responsibly, and after that, we hope there are more...So tell your story, and develop hard scales. ❞

🦇 Recommended to anyone who loves a real, raw story about self-identity. For fans of Gabby Rivera, Ibi Zoboi, and Elizabeth Acevedo. I had tears in my eyes by the end of this one.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🎤 YA Fiction
🎤 Debut Novel
🎤 Poetic Prose
🎤 Queer Cambodian MC
🎤 Lesbian MC / Sapphic Ship

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #Kween #VichetChum #HarperCollins #QuillTreeBooks #Netgalley

While the story is original and compelling, getting through the text felt like a chore. Soma's voice is grating and regardless of how authentic or realistic a portrayal of a Cambodian-American teen in Lowell, Massachusetts it might be, it did not translate well to the page. An audiobook adaptation might be more accessible, but as is the book feels and sounds like an adult trying to write a convincing teen. I struggled to get through this book and am not sure I will finish it. An audiobook adaptation may work really well.

Overall, I had high expectations that were not met. Though it is not for me, the subject matter and story make it likely I will suggest it to some teen readers.

First person narration with lots of internal monologue is a risky choice and would normally turn me off, but Soma has a Voice. I can't imagine any other perspective working for this story. First person also allows a seamless transition to and from her raps, which are central to the story. Great book.

I read this book in one sitting. I really loved written dynamic between Soma & her friends; the felt dynamic between Soma and her family. Soma's verses go viral after she posts a slam poetry video. All she knew was that her rhymes were urgent. On fire. An expression of where she was, in that moment. Her Ba's deportation back to Cambodia changes everything. Her Ma is gone trying to help her Ba adjust back on Cambodia. Her older sister is now in charge with a new authoritarian tone towards Soma & her upcoming wedding. Her friends, her crush, her sister's fiancé are all pushing her to enter into school's spoken word contest. But is she brave enough to level up? Is she ready to pour her feelings into her rhymes? Is she ready to be her authentic self in front of a crowd? This debut is a beautiful celebration of Khmer identity, queerness, and embracing the complicated histories that shape who we are and want to be. 4.5 stars.

This book is personally hard to review, as I realized during the reading, I was not the intended target.

The protagonist, Soma, is very much a self-absorbed teenager throwing a huge tantrum. I spent way too much of the early part of the book mentally telling her to suck it up buttercup.

Given the nature of the story/situation, it's very understandable the way she's acting. Yet, her father being deported didn't only affect her, but she makes it seem that way. Not caring how others might be coping, or dealing with the situations, and other aspects of their life. All very woe is me.

If you can get past all that, there's a lot more to the story. How Soma eventually uses poetry to excites her thoughts, and reminds about her survivor situation, and immigration policies in general. How each person/family deals with the same trauma differently. How family members can process things differently based on age, and what was previously experienced.

I can see what the author was doing - trying to shed information on the Khmer Rouge genocides, which is maybe a footnote if it's taught in the US at all, and the trauma associated with it. Plus touch upon the horrible immigration and refugee policies in the United States.

I really hope that this book finds the intended audience to love it; unfortunately, it's not me. Though I will likely continue to think about it from time to time. And would recommend it to anyone looking for a book that speaks about immigration and deportation experiences.

An emotional, inspiring story about a young queer Cambodian-American girl who struggles to speak her truth in the aftermath of her father's deportation. I really enjoyed this unique tale that is perfectly YA - I've never read about a Cambodian MC before so learning about Soma's culture was really engaging. I also enjoyed her sisterly dynamic with Dahvy, as well as her relationship with Brittany (wish we got to see more of their romance!) I also wish we got to see more of Soma's relationships with her parents as they are absent for the majority of the book. Finally, I didn't care for the enormous amount of slang in this book (teenagers don't use abbreviations IRL !!) but I still appreciated this book for the story it was trying to tell and felt engaged for the most part, so I definitely plan on checking out Chum's future works!

Loved that this book had queer and Asian representation. Was a fast and insightful read. Made me think about what queer people of already marginalized groups go through.

um no. an absolute hard pass. someone should burn this piece of trash in the garbage can because it did not serve. there are so many things wrong with "kween" that I'll have to make a list. I can't wait until it's released because obviously the other ARC readers don't see now much of a flop it is. like yall have to be PRETENDING atp.

let's start light before getting into the messier parts, because honestly, there was so so much of that.

1) The Characters

why the HELL are all of the characters so boring and generic? the author literally gives you a description of the character to make them seem so cool and "ooh different" and "diverse!😝" but the characters themselves don't potray that. they're so boring and they all talk the same for some reason. let's not get started on how soma is an annoying, whiney teenager who complains about every single thing and is really petty, ungrateful and insensitive. her character is also very inconsistent, with how one minute she is complaining and then in another she gets preachy (obviously the author trying to impose his own views on the reader) about immigration and rights!! like girl, how is this even coming from the same person. not to mention for a book like this, soma does a lot of preaching and her "woe it's me we are so oppressed, absolutely all white people are bad speech." like I'm black and have had my own share of racism from not just whites, but there are a lot of good white people out there too.

ALSO the main character is a child smoking Marijuana with her friend but no one is advising her against it? Honestly, a horrible example.

2) the lingo
nobody uses "TBH" in a sentence or "AF" or "4eva." that was seriously so cringey.




3) BLATANT RACISM !
yay!! my favorite part. there is so much racism it's hypocritical at this point. first let's point out how the character Soma who is cambodian is always for some reason misusing AAVE as well as her friends?? it was oh so annoying to read and got tiring. also, soma states her favorite author is John kerouc (seriously another point of the author trying to push stuff on people because what teenager who says 4eva knows who the hell that is.) But John keroauc is actually a racist? One of his books about the road trip or whatever literally states that it would have been better if black people were still on the plantation 😒 and this is who our protagonist worships?? to make matters worse, she brushes him off as "misogynistic." BUT GIRL HE IS LITERALLY A RACIST WTHH?? you do much ranting why don't you do your research, dummy?

Annd let's talk about the part where she steals the name "Kween" (hence the title) which is actually a term coined by black FOR black people (Paris is Burning) but the main character adapts it and justifies it as her "culture" because she is named after some queen. cultural appropriation is very much real and alive in this one
😔

4) the author is disrespectful towards other religions

yeah OK probably unpopular opinion here but I hated the constant disrespect that soma and other characters had towards Christianity. like?? it's pretty obvious the author had some motive. he literally writes soma making a mockery of The Lord's Prayer and then he makes Ruben quote "I like these clothes better than what some God-fearing man wears." You didn't even have to include that first of all. please do not forget that people actually believe in God and get offended (like myself). you look dumb, dude. no one is out here calling the buddha obese and fake but here we are.


*Sigh*

In conclsuion, this book was a big dumpster fire and straight up sucked ballz❤️.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher of HarperCollins Children's Book, and the author Vichet Chum for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed how Chum showed how trauma within a family can differ between siblings and how much Soma's older sister is characterized. Typically trauma is solely devoted to one individual member of the family, while Chum provides a portrait of how trauma affects the family. While the parents are underdeveloped as characters and rather flat, the real highlight is between the sisters and their relationship as it develops in the absence of their parents. I liked how casual Soma's queerness was and how the romance subplot was developed. I also liked the open ending and no matter whether her Ba returned and got citizenship or stayed, Soma will continue moving forward in her future.

Because of the comps to Ibi Zoboi and Elizabeth Acevedo and the mention of verse in the synopsis, I wrongly assumed this would be a verse novel, which is the main reason I requested this. Of course I love prose novels too, so I wanted to give it a fair chance despite my disappointment, which is probably on me but the messaging in the synopsis could have been clearer.

Unfortunately though, I found myself really not enjoying this. This was mostly due to the voice, which uses a lot (a LOT) of slang, which really took me out of the story. I can't imagine any teen actually speaking like this, it was so over the top, and it really prevented me from enjoying the content. I didn't think it would be fair to rate this book negatively because of this, so I decided to DNF.

In return for an honest review, I received an ARC.

Kween is a young, first generation Cambodian living in the United States. Struggling with her father being departed, her Mom not being present, her sister getting married, her friends, her poetry, her crush......so much for a young teen to navigate. Good story, the wedding descriptions were fun. Kween is a strong, young lady with a story to tell.

My little southeast Asian heart felt so seen while reading this it's not even funny. I'm personally Laos so being the neighbor to the author was nice, having family living in Lowell right now was even more crazy to me. If I had read this back in the day when I was in High School, man, I would've ate this up and I still strongly enjoyed it. I loved Soma, she was cool, calm, collected. How every first gen Asian American kid usually is. Juggling your traditions and religion while trying to be what we call normal, fitting in with everyone at school. Being a somebody. Overall, it was a great book. I didn't mind it at all.