This was a perfect fall read, with its vintage vibes from the 1930s and the chilling atmosphere that come from the mystic art of shamanism. I had a wonderful time following the girls who worked so hard to make their dreams come true!

Racism is so prevalent in the film industry that their talents are overlooked cuz their appearances take precedence, and they struggle to earn even minor roles at the start. But with the help of the summoned ghost, they're able to finally get smaller roles and are still treated as nobodies. And it was so painful and also rewarding to see them give their all and still have hopes that they'd become stars if they keep trying. And they do see some changes in the way people start to treat them as they showcase their talents. The willpower and strong beliefs of our FMCs shines throughout the novel, and I liked their character growth towards the end.

I always love stories that have some amount of paranormal elements in them, and this tackled that aspect very well. With Issa belonging to a family of shamans, we're introduced to a world of seance and summonings, and a dabble into the darker side at times. The last part of the novel took a sinister turn that I saw coming but was still shocked at everything that happened within those few chapters. And I was satisfied with the way everything ended, and how their friendship lasted after going through such arduous times. And I'm glad that Issa and Olivia finally had their dreams come true, and also found out how precious their bond is. Will definitely recommend this if you're looking for something both eerie and also fun at the same time.

Thanks NetGalley for the digital Arc!

Moody, atmospheric, and totally captivating. It's definitely speculative fiction, but I love that "Silver and Smoke" dabbles a bit in historical as well. Having spent some time in Los Angeles, I was delighted to read about the Hollywood scene during that particular time period. I also really enjoyed reading about the Vietnamese experience, which I happen to know very little about. The voice and authenticity of Issa pulled me right in and kept me reading late! That being said, it was the magical realism that kept me turning pages: nothing like a good "ghost" story! Overall, this story does great work bringing new perspectives/backdrops/characters to a beloved genre, and Van Hoang executes flawlessly.

I loved the subtle tension hanging over the story from the start of Silver and Smoke by Van Hoang. Just enough to leave you feeling unsettled the entire time you're reading.

We follow two best friends, Issa and Olivia, in their journey to become movie stars in Hollywood's Golden Era. Given their Vietnamese background, they have a hard time breaking into the business until they seek help from Issa's gang leader grandmother. Who happens to be dead. But Issa comes from a long line of shamans who can easily summon spirits, and grandma has met a fellow spirit in the afterlife who was a famous actress and agrees to help the girls. For a price.

There's just enough 'is this a good idea?' suspense hanging over the characters as the story progresses to keep you turning pages. I enjoyed the dynamics between the two girls as they figure out their changing relationship amid the differences in their success levels. Along with the poignant commentary on not only being women in Hollywood but also immediately labelled as 'exotic.' I only wish we had more time with the climax of the plot and the ending. It felt too rushed after all the buildup, and I wanted to see more of how the characters' stories played out in the future.

Ok - this was another five star read from this author! I absolutely loved this book. The plot was fascinating and from an era that I have always been very interested in. I loved the supernatural aspect that blended perfectly with the struggles of the real world.

I also loved that this was a struggle between two friends and their relationship more than anything. It would have been so easy to just write another romance where the struggle is between the couple - but by making it the two best friends, it was so much more interesting!

Overall, a great stand alone read that I feel like anyone would enjoy - and you don’t have to commit to a 8-9 book series to get your fantasy and action!

It's a great book. Unique and captivating story. Kudos to the author, Van Hoang. I want to read more of her books. I wish I could get an ARC Physical book copy,'cause I just read it on Epub online.

The novel skillfully explores the price of fame and the lengths one will go to achieve their dreams, all while maintaining an enchanting and immersive narrative. A truly spellbinding read that’s as imaginative as it is poignant.