Beautiful, complex, layered, heartbreaking, riveting.

Modern retelling of Vietnamese Mythology.

This was so interesting, I enjoyed this book a lot. I look forward to future books in this series.

I now want to read even more Vietnamese mythological books.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Lost Queen is hard to define in a good way. Aimee Phan weaves a complex narrative between Vietnamese mythology and the modern world, not a retelling, not inspired by, and not a remix. A unique story for those who enjoy mythology and fantasy.

Jolie is 15 years old, half Vietnamese and half American, being raised by her paternal grandparents after her father abandoned her when she was 7, long after the death of her mother. Like many teens, she had a falling out with her two best friends, leaving her socially isolated and bullied by other students. Unlike other teens, her grandfather is a thầy bói, a fortune teller - and it looks like Jolie may have inherited his gifts, although all known thầy bói in the past have been males of her father's line. But there is far more going on than that, as Jolie will soon find out.

Books based on mythology are among my favorites, and I had high hopes for this one; novels using Vietnamese mythology are rare, and this one started well. But it stumbled as it went on; despite a solid start, the middle was muddled (where DID those eggs come from?) and the ending seemed rushed. I don't know if the author was trying to complete her story within a page limit, if she knows the mythology she uses in the novel so well she slid over pieces that should have been explained, or something else, but the last third of the novel was choppy when compared to the beginning, and somewhat hard to follow. Even in the beginning, some of the details were inconsistent; for example, readers know from the beginning of the novel that the main character, Jolie, lost her mother at birth, but midway through the story, she tells another character than her mother died of cancer early in her life - the discrepancy is never explained. Still, for those interested in mythology - especially Asian mythology - this novel is worth reading. Hopefully, as the underlying idea is good, the planned sequel will benefit from better editing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Lost Queen is a modern retelling inspired by the Trung sisters. It has Vietnamese rep with dragons and reincarnation for a contemporary YA book.

I was really wanting to like this book. It has everything I like for a magical read. There is a mix of dreams, flashbacks and time travel that makes it hard sometimes to figure out where we are in the story. I don't feel any connections to the characters, didnt care what happened to them. The book to me focused too much on the high school drama and not on the mythology or lore. The magic wasn't explained thoroughly enough to me.

Did not like the reveal of Jolie being Huong's sister. The vibes I was getting at first was romantic not sisterly. That was jarring when it was revealed. Also did not like that the Trung sisters turned on each other cause of jealousy. That didn't feel natural or real to me. They are revered as symbols of resistance.

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Teen for an EARC of the Lost Queen

This wasn't exactly the novel I was looking for when I think of Vietnamese inspired fantasy, but I do appreciate that it tried. The story was a little confusing at times, which really detracted from my reading experience. But most of all, Jolie was a mean girl who gave pick-me vibes with how condescending she was about girls who wear makeup. Her hatred for her classmates went beyond the typical teen angst of being misunderstood and awkward and went straight to vitriolic territory. I really wanted to like this book but it was a little hard.

I appreciate the author's take on the story of the Trung Sisters and putting the spotlight on such important Vietnamese historical figures.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I enjoyed this YA fantasy with elements drawn from Vietnamese folklore. Really nice interweaving of source material with magic.

This is a Trung sisters retelling that ended up leaving me confused.

The book started strong. We meet Jolie, who had a freak swimming competition accident one year ago and her previous best friends are now mean girls who leave her miserable. Then at another swim meet, she saves a popular girl Huong and this starts a series of events where Jolie discovers more about her past. There are memories regained, reincarnation, true identities revealed, and time travel.

This book started off strong but then just fell apart. The second half was just a jumble of rushed action, decisions that didn’t make sense, reconciliations, betrayals, giving and receiving of magical elements with no explanation, and family dynamics filled with resentment but no depth. It felt rushed and completely confusing.

1.75 ⭐️

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

Jolie Lam comes from a long line of Thây Bói—Vietnamese fortune tellers—and she has always respected her grandfather’s gift for the craft. The Thây Bói ability passes down the male line in families, which prompted Jolie’s father to leave her in her grandparents’ care eight years earlier. Strange things have been happening in Jolie’s midst lately, though—things that can only be properly explained by supernatural means. And with each new revelation, the truth and the life Jolie has always known are called into question, and Jolie must sort through all the facts in order to realize her own destiny. This compelling young adult novel blends Vietnamese folklore and culture with contemporary American society in a way that stands out from similar novels in this genre. Brief chapters lay out succinct, intentional scenes that often generate more questions than answers. As the novel progresses, readers learn about Vietnamese folklore through the lens of an American girl with Vietnamese roots, effectively enriching the reader’s understanding, especially when these stories are unfamiliar. Alongside the supernatural elements are the conflicting emotions Jolie is feeling, including her ostracization from her friend group at school, her grandfather’s descent into dementia, and her own existence being raised by Vietnamese grandparents in the United States. Readers who identify with more than one culture will especially empathize with Jolie’s story, while others will observe the circumstances of Jolie’s reality in a compelling and unique light. Best for young adult readers due to the intensity of the plot, this novel is approachable and engaging for a range of teen readers. The first in its series, this book sets the stage for a sequel and is a memorable addition to library collections for young adult readers and up, especially those with an interest in global folklore and magic realism.

I was really excited for this book! Inspired by Vietnamese lore and a retelling of famous women? Gimme more, please. However, this one felt a bit awkward in many ways.
I loved that it was a contemporary fantasy but on the other hand, to me, the balance was off. I wish we left the high school swimming drama behind and delved more into the lore.
Reirnacarnation is a hit or miss for me, and while I enjoyed the girls figuring out the truth, the shift was jarring. To me, the relationship between Jolie and Huong read a bit romantic, but then they were reirnacarnated sisters...
I also wish that details and references were weaved into the story rather than be told in exposition or separate sections.
Overall, it feels that this was overly ambitious and tried to do and be too much in a short time. I would still read future books by this author, though!

I DNF-ed this pretty early on. It just felt very flat and awkwardly paced, and wasn't keeping my attention. The cover is gorgeous and the premise is really intriguing, but it just wasn't for me!

I guessed the ending very early on in The Lost Queen. I think because I’m just a suspicious person or the fact that I read a lot of stories like this and it was obvious. Aimee Phan creates a great world filled with magic and drama. I think knowing the answer kind of dulled the journey for me. The ending though seemed a little rushed which is funny to say seeing that the book is over 360 pages.

I wish the ending left me wanting to read the sequel, but it doesn’t. The first book didn’t create a need to know what else happens. This isn’t to say that The Lost Queen isn’t good, it just feels complete.

Read it and let me know what you think.

If my younger self would have read it, They surely would have loved it! Although the magical elements were making the world fascinating, somehow I found the characters not well written. Maybe I was hoping for more

Recently I've been reading books involving Asian cultures. What I have learned is that they all have deep seated belief systems that cause one to pause and think. It is quite fascinating reading and unlike what most people are used to reading.

Author Aimee Phan does a stellar job of sharing their culture in this Sci Fi Fantasy book. Her creative descriptions in both the US high school scenes and the past Vietnam through a portal are believable and well executed drawing the reader into a storyline that keeps them on their toes. The shock of who the good guys and the bad guys are was done with finesse. As Jolie and Huong become closer the reader will learn a shocking surprise but not as shocking as how it ends.

There are so many twists to the story that the reader will need to stay alert and pay attention so they can see where the storyline ends up and why. I found it a great read and can't wait till the next book.

What I took away from this book is that everything isn't always what it seems... to follow ones intuition. It will know the truth.

Though a bit scattered, I did enjoy this YA adventure. I will say, it's refreshing to read a YA book that actually feels like YA nowadays! More Vietnamese inspired books, please!

Book review: 3/5 ⭐️
Genre: YA fantasy/mythology
Themes: coming of age, myths & legends, sisterhood
📖 Read if you like: Six Crimson Cranes, An Arrow to the Moon

I was really excited for this book, because I just discovered Vietnamese mythology following a recent visit. This book was a really interesting adaptation of the legendary Trung sisters who fought against the Han warriors of old. This origin story is seeped in lore and fantastical dragon beginnings. An original feminist tale of warriors that stood against the tyranny of invading men.

To this ancient story is a modern day San Jose where we meet Josie “Loser Lam”. In a sort of coming of age story, Josie has become a social pariah after having a jarring and visceral vision. Bullied by her best friends and abandoning pool life, Jolie believes these visions are linked to her family’s history of thay boi - those gifted with the sight. When the most popular girl in school takes a shine to Jolie, her life begins to change in more ways than one. Huong is not just any popular girl, but her legendary sister. As abilities and memories come trickling in, the bond between these sisters grows, as does the looming threat of their elder brothers.

I really liked the magical elements of the past and the juxtaposition of a modern day California teen to ancient Vietnam. For the first half of the book I was engaged and really enjoyed the reference to Vietnamese culture, old and new. I started growing to the characters, but by the end this had vanished. The big reveal shifted the tone of the story and characters in a way I didn’t really like. I understood the basis for all this sibling rivalry was power, but it felt like there could be so much more to this story than jealousy and more control.

I also found the last third of the book to be so complicated and unbelievable in the context of the story. Rewarding bullies and choosing to trust them over a sibling after a year of cruelty seems so naive and made Jolie such a flat character. The gods are always mercurial and powerful, yet she was reduced to a morality story on the value of human beings and forgiveness. I didn’t jump on board to this decision and really could not understand how all this barely acquired power could be shared or mastered in a car ride. The ending was just so rushed and I was lost for a lot of the game changing moments. The eggs were an odd addition that was barely explained and formed a critical life saving element to so many of the character. I started off enjoying this one, but there were a few too many holes in the magical system that made it difficult for me follow.

I didn’t know this was a duology and truthfully the way it ended, it could have been a standalone. While it had a strong start, the finish left somerthing to be desired for me personally. Still this was a great read for AAPI moth. Thank you to Colored Pages BT, Penguin Teen and Aimee Phan for a copy of this book.

“The last few weeks, I’d been suppressing and wishing away these visions, but they kept coming, infringing upon my reality.”

I loved that part, when we don’t know what is a dream, a true event, hallucinations, or the rising of fantasy elements. Our reality wobbled at the same time as the MFC’s, and adding the challenges her grandfather had to deal with at the same time just increased that feeling, making the reading truly engaging. These blurry lines, moving all the time, and the helping hand that emerges from that fog constituted my favorite parts of the book.
The WB made me discover some Vietnamese folklore, which was new to me. I loved that it first happened through her grandfather and his book (that book is something!) as it made the MC get back in touch with her roots and her cultural legacy, as much as it introduced the information to the reader in a very progressive –and not overwhelming– way. It helped to keep some mystery too, and honestly I could never say which character could be trusted, and which couldn’t. I loved that uncertainty, just as much as I loved the Sisterhood motif, pictured in all its beauty –and “ugliness”. In the end, Joli Lam has to face many twists and turns and to learn how one can take responsibilities, and that making choices isn’t always easy –and certainly never black or white. I loved that she had to do that without having all information in hands, as its probably the best way to picture how life works, and made of this story a great initiatic journey, with an end that completely left me hanging, (im)patiently waiting for book 2.

Thank you to the author, ColoredPages PR and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story. It’s definitely YA, but there were little moments that stuck out to me, especially at the end, that felt deeper than your typical YA coming of age.

I am not very familiar with Vietnamese mythology, so it was fun to learn about mythos that’s new to me. And there’s a lot of interesting lore covered in this story!

There’s a special focus on friendships, sisterhood, & being true to yourself.

I can’t say much else without spoiling some major plot points. I will say: I had some issues with some characterizations as the story progressed that fell flat to me. That is the major reason why I rated this 4 stars, instead of anything higher.

That said, I really did enjoy reading this story & I think that teenagers, especially those with Vietnamese heritage will absolutely love this book.

The Lost Queen instantly caught my eye—the premise and cover drew me in, and I was excited to dive into a story inspired by Vietnamese lore, which I haven’t explored much before.

I loved how the book brought Vietnamese culture and mythology to life. The dragons, the legendary Trưng sisters, and even the Thai boy—everything was beautifully woven together and fascinating to follow!

Jolie’s journey of self-discovery was really engaging. Watching her unravel the memories of her past lives and search for her true identity kept me hooked. I also liked seeing her reconnect with her old friends, though, honestly, they were kind of frustrating—too mean and annoying at times.

There’s a twist that genuinely surprised me, but aside from that, the pacing felt a bit off. Some parts, especially the dreams and flashbacks, were confusing. The last 30% of the book was probably the hardest to follow—it felt rushed, with no time to process one major event before another unfolded.

It wrapped up with a small cliffhanger, setting up the final book in the duology.
I might continue reading, but I’m hoping things will be more developed and explored in the next installment!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: bullying, toxic friendship, death, violence, brief mention of blood, murder and war

I felt like this book was a tad all over the place. It had potential but just didn't really land for me. I did however really enjoy learning about the Vietnamese lore!

The Lost Queen is the retelling of the Trung sisters' rebellion retellings, the story of China's invasion of Vietnam. Jolie is high school student who does not really feel like she fits in. It does not help her grandfather is seen as a joke within their community of being some sort of fortune teller. One day, she finds herself saving Huong, a popular girl, and developing a bond that will unlock buried secrets and past lives.

The longer I sit on this and think about the review, the more I am inclined to feel a little let down by this story. It was very confusing at times the when reality was being blurred by the characters' abilities to jump through realms and times. So the events that were happening were questionable of "how is this happening in a pool?" The Lost Queen deserved to have more time and better editing, as it has the potential to be a great story. I did enjoy some aspects, such as the mixing in the mythology and retellings with the story, and of course the dragons. However, no matter how much I loved certain parts of the book, the parts that were lacking were hard to overlook. Rooting for the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley, GP Putnam's Sons books for Young Readers for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review. Full reviews on Storygraph and GR.