This was unfortunately a case of the novel not being for me, and as someone outside of the YA age group and this feels like it lands on the younger side of YA, I can accept that. I was also a little thrown off when I started this after not reading the synopsis for months and having it begin in a modern-day setting instead of a fantasy world, as the cover might suggest. Those concerns aside, I think this does a good job of feeling realistic to this age group in terms of how the kids speak and act. The best part is the folklore and mystery that come with the fantastic elements. While this does overall struggle a little with pacing, once the magic starts to appear it the story does become more interesting and seems to pick up. I think I would recommend this, but more for those in the age group.

This was an interesting story about friendship, family and reincarnation but this wasn't what I expected from it. Huong's (Trac's) manipulation of Jolie (Nhi) wasn't what I expected. I'd hoped they actually WERE united against their brothers and that something had gone wrong when they first tried to sacrifice themselves to the world. Learning that Huong was the one who betrayed her didn't sit right with me for some reason. I guess I'd always hoped that their brothers were the problem.

There are sometimes books we are certain we will love and therefore set high expectations for, perhaps too high. The reason I wanted to read the lost queen was because it's based on the Trung Sister, iconic figures in Vietnam who symbolize so much and have deeply inspired me. So, I began reading it with specific hopes for the characters, their personalities and their relationship.
While the beginning was very promising, intriguing and immersive, and despite the fact that I have no complaints about the author's writing style, I unfortunately struggled a lot with the characters and the story overall. It felt as though the book was divided into two parts: the first, fully immersive and setting up the plot, was compelling, but the second part felt rushed - too much happened too quickly. The development of the relationship between the two main characters (cithout giving too much away) and the unfolding of the plot itself felt hurried.
I would have appreciated a longer book that allowed more room to develop certain aspects of the story, as the core idea really interested me. Unfortunately, it was the execution and the choices made that ultimately didn't manage to convince me.

I gave this a couple chapters, but it just wasn't for me. I felt no connection to the main character and no interest in what happened in her high school drama. I was curious if it would continue this way or if things would change, but other reviews confirmed what I was already feeling, so I DNFed at 8%.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

I was very excited to read a story based on Vietnamese folklore and history and figured I might get a little lost at first as I came to familiarize myself with it all. However, this book failed to pull me in. It took way too long for the story to get going, it felt disorganized, the relationship between Jolie and Huong was weirdly romantic before revealing they were sisters. It was hard to stay motivated to see how the story played out. Which is too bad because the importance of the Trung sisters to the Vietnamese and that there were dragons and reincarnation and other exciting elements really led me to be excited about this book. Due to the pacing of the story, the flips between present and past with time travel-y stuff mixed in, led me to be confused and to fail to really engage with the book. I will not be continuing the series unfortunately. There is lots of potential here so maybe they made the right kind of edits for the final version!

Really nice story based on Vietnamese mythology. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I'll read more from Aimee Phan.

This book did a great job of mixing modern-day life as a teen with historical history (and legend). I was totally sucked in. While at times I felt like the reborn ancient beings often acted like the teenagers whose bodies they were inhabiting, this isn't a new trend in terms of how the powers of mythology (no matter where you are in the world) often act. So I think my frustration with that aspect was purely down to when I read it and the politics of my own life during that time. Overall, it was a great read, and if you like modern retellings of myth and legend but you want to expand beyond the numerous Greek/Roman/Norse mythologies, this is definitely a book to pick up. I can't wait for the next book in this duology!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of this year. I generally love the weaving of mythological fantasy into the modern world. There have been a lot of recent books that have taken Asian mythology and weaved those characters into modern settings and wow-ed me. Unfortunately, this one missed the mark a bit for me. I know it's YA but the writing of the modern setting was actually written like a teenager wrote it. That balanced with the flowery language of the myths made for such abrupt transitions. The story has a ton of bullying, which I'm sure is accurate but it didn't make for an easy read. The second half was better than the first from a mythology standpoint but it still felt a bit predictable.

Aimee Phan’s The Lost Queen is a vibrant and emotionally resonant fantasy adventure that blends Vietnamese folklore, contemporary coming-of-age struggles, and the highs and lows of high school life into one fast-paced and heartfelt tale. Aimed at young adult and upper middle-grade readers, this is a story of magic, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to find one’s place in the world.

The novel follows Jolie Lam, a Vietnamese-American teen living in San Jose, whose life is quietly unraveling: her grandfather—a traditional fortune teller—is ill, she’s lost friends, become the target of bullying, and mysterious earthquakes shake the city. Jolie, unsure of her place in the world and grappling with loneliness, suddenly finds herself developing visions that challenge everything she thought she knew. When Huong Pham, a confident and seemingly perfect new girl, arrives at school, a powerful friendship forms—one that soon becomes central to Jolie’s emotional and magical journey.

What makes The Lost Queen stand out is its rich cultural texture. Phan weaves in Vietnamese legends—warrior sisters, dragons, ancient prophecies—with a light but impactful hand. The fantasy elements don’t overwhelm the narrative; instead, they enhance the emotional depth and anchor Jolie’s personal growth in something larger and older than herself. Her relationship with her grandfather is another highlight—tender, layered, and full of quiet wisdom. His stories turn out to be more than just tales, propelling Jolie and Huong into a mission to uncover family secrets and protect their city.

The pacing can feel a bit uneven at times—some scenes fly by while others linger a touch too long—and the plot, while engaging, occasionally dips into predictability for older readers. Still, these are minor flaws in what is otherwise a refreshing, culturally rich adventure.

Final Thoughts
The Lost Queen is a heartfelt and fast-moving blend of teen drama, magical discovery, and cultural heritage. With a compelling heroine, a strong emotional core, and a fascinating folklore-inspired backdrop, Aimee Phan crafts a story that is both entertaining and empowering. It’s ideal for young readers drawn to contemporary fantasy with real emotional stakes, and a wonderful introduction to Vietnamese mythology. A promising start to a duology that leaves you eager for what comes next.

The cover and the premise really intrigued me to pick up this book
The first half was good then the steely started to get dragged which made me lose interest in continuing the novel
I'd like to send my thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book dragged quite a bit with a slight pickup towards the end. I am personally not interested in the next chapter, but there is an audience that will enjoy it.

What an epic read. Honestly. Like first look at the cover. Then you open it and it is such a great story and the characters were just superb.

Jolie is a dragon, but she only remembers that she is when another girl in her school, Huong, a more fully realized dragon, takes her under her wing, so to speak (Vietnamese dragons do not have wings, so this is not literal). Suddenly Jolie and Huong are doing amazing things and working toward realizing their past lives' dreams of...I don't actually know what they were working toward, come to think of it.

As far as the girls' past, reincarnative connection, I started this book with no knowledge of the Trưng sisters' rebellion, and I ended it that way, too. For all that they jumped back and forth between times frequently, I never got much of a sense of what was going on, or how it all fit together in a historical context. Similarly, the relationships at the heart of this book are impressively toxic, and unimpressively fleshed out, like many other aspects of the story (Huong's goals, the Trưng sisters' rebellion, the whole dragon thing).

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what would have made this a better read, but it wasn't a good one.

Aimee Phan’s "The Lost Queen" is a dazzling dance of fantasy, friendship, and cultural heritage, all served on a silver platter of imagination! With a four and a half-star sparkle, this novel is a heart-tugging, mind-boggling journey. Big thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for the sneak peek!
Meet Jolie Lam, a high school sophomore from San Jose, whose splashy swim meet incident and mysterious grandpa set the stage. As the star of the show, Jolie's got that relatable charm, pulling readers into her whirlwind of loneliness and the quest for belonging. Watch her morph from a wallflower into a powerhouse with super skills!
Enter Huong Pham, the school's queen bee, adding a dramatic twist to Jolie's story. Their budding friendship is like a warm hug, packed with trust, loyalty, and self-discovery. Phan masterfully crafts their bond, turning it into the story's heartbeat that’s as believable as it is uplifting.
Now, while "The Lost Queen" is a gem, it does hit a few speed bumps with pacing. Some bits could use a snip-snip to keep the excitement roaring. Plus, the plot's complexity might leave some readers scratching their heads, especially if Vietnamese mythology is new terrain.
All in all, "The Lost Queen" is a spellbinding ride that refreshes the fantasy genre with cultural zest. Aimee Phan’s magic touch blends heritage with storytelling flair, making it both enlightening and entertaining. With lively characters and a tangled plot, this novel is a must-read for adventure seekers craving to transcend time and reality. Jolie Lam’s epic journey will stick with you, leaving you hungry for more from this gifted author!

Entertaining read! I loved the story and the characters were great.

Thanks netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I wanted to love this book. I picked it because it has a beautiful cover but I could not get into it. The first few chapters were interesting but by half way I just couldn't go any further.

The book is a whirlwind!! I love the incorporation of the the mythology into the real world. The main character is strong and kind and you really want to root for her. Her power dynamics between her and her "siblings" just truly keep the story fresh and exciting.

The Lost Queen is a beautiful retelling of the Trung Sisters rebellion with China's invasion of Vietnam.

I felt so lost for the majority of this book - I didn't understand the weaving of having abilities and just jumping through times... it was very weird and even questionable. I did love some things - I loved the mythology, I loved the dragons. Overall though it was a huge struggle which makes me sad as I feel like we need more books with Vietnamese representation!!

Thank you to NetGalley and to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this story a lot. The story was fun to watch unravel even when I thought I was guessing the twists and turns. This book still managed to surprise me at parts. I loved the mythology and the heart of this story. Jolie is a great main character and I love her relationship with those around her. She doesn't always do what's right, but she is very loyal and caring even in times of turmoil and I loved that. I didn't love this book though. There were parts that didn't always feel earned and I felt the ending happened too quickly in a way.

"A heroine like no other, ancient magic unleashed, a fated epic battle--the first book in an enchanting YA fantasy duology inspired by Vietnamese lore, weaving magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery."

What to expect:

💫YA fantasy duology
💫Vietnamese lore
💫Magic

I genuinely enjoyed the blend of Vietnamese folklore, mythology, and magic in this book. It transports you into a captivating fantasy world that you won’t want to leave. While there are some areas that could use improvement, overall, it's a solid start to the series.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons, for this ARC. I can't wait to begin this story.

Pub Date: May 06, 2025

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨