Jolie Lam is a high school sophomore in San Jose, and she’s known for two things: her bizarre freakout at last year’s swim meet, and her fortuneteller grandfather who has visions of dragons and earthquakes. Jolie is friendless and ostracized, made fun of by the girls she used to be best friends with. Her life takes a dramatic turn for the better when she saves the most popular girl in school during a haunting vision of her own.

As Jolie and Huong bond, they unlock long lost powers, forgotten memories, and ties to legendary queens of ancient Vietnam. This is just the beginning for Jolie as past and present collide over San Juan, forcing her to make a choice that could end up saving or destroying everything she holds dear.

Written by an author of Vietnamese descent, the MC’s heritage comes through clearly. I cannot speak to the authenticity of it, but it feels genuine from my perspective. The teenagers are written like teens, with all the angst and loneliness that goes along with being on the outside of the cool kids’ group. I especially liked the way that traditional dragon lore mixed with modern society. There was just enough fantasy in the book to keep me engaged, and just a bit too much teen drama to make me not love the book.

The beginning third of the book jumps from modern time to “visions”, which took a bit of concentration to understand, and the time hopping in the last third of the book doesn’t make it much easier. It felt like there were three lines of plot going and all of them were being woven around one another until they all rushed to the predictable ending. It might just be me, but I am kind of over the high school heroes tropes. That aside, this is a good book overall, but would have benefitted from additional length and more depth.

*Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A young girl learns to grapple with the mysterious visions and powers she is gradually acquiring while also trying to fit in at her prestigious high school in this urban fantasy inspired by Vietnamese mythology.

Jolie Lam is known as the class weirdo. Between her psychic grandfather and her psychotic break at a swim meet last year, no one wants anything to do with Jolie. That is, until she saves Huong Pham, one of the school's most popular girls, and Jolie's entire world begins to change. As Jolie and Huong's bond deepens, the two girls learn that their connection goes back generations and that there is more to their powers than first meets the eye. The girls begin to experiment with their powers in the hopes of determining just who they really are and just what it means to be a Lost Queen of ancient Vietnam.

For a while, I was seeing this book around literally everywhere. I usually love books based in Asian mythology, so I was stoked to learn that I was accepted for a book tour for "The Lost Queen." Unfortunately, this book seriously made me consider DNFing it, and that is quite the feat for me. I ended up sticking it out and it ended up going somewhere, but I didn't enjoy the ending enough to redeem this book.

The first hundred or so pages of this book were so confusing, jarring, and jumped around so much that I had a hard time following what was happening. I didn't care about literally anything in the book until almost page two hundred, and the main plot line doesn't start rolling until about halfway through this book. The pacing in this one is weird, I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters, and the writing didn't do anything special for me.

This book was a super odd read because it was super confusing but also extremely predictable. In my opinion, the title and cover alone revealed too much and took away most of the wow factor that this book could have had. I don't even read the book flap summary before I start reading, and I still knew most of what happened in this book before I even opened the book.

I was expecting this book to be higher fantasy, so discovering that it was an urban fantasy was a bit of a letdown for me. This one is a little on me, but the cover just makes it seem so magical, and it wasn't nearly as fantastical as I wanted it to be.

I don't want to ramble about my dislike for this book anymore, so I'll cut it here. I hope that this one manages to reach that people that will enjoy it, but I found this one to be very disappointing.

Overall, "The Lost Queen" was a bit of a letdown for me. The beginning was confusing, the plot was predictable, and I couldn't bring myself to like any of the characters. I have no interest in pursuing the second book in this series and will try to put this disappointing read out of my mind as soon as possible.

Thank you to @penguinteen and @coloredpagesbt for gifted copy of this book.

Genre: YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

I enjoyed this book. I loved the inclusion of the Vietnamese folklore between chapters and then weaving the folklore into a modern teenage story. Learning about the legend of The Trung Sisters through this book was an added bonus, and now I want to read more about them. This story was about coming into yourself and finding who you are. It also explored familial dynamics of an older and younger sister and navigating the minefield of being a teenager and coming of age and friendships fracturing. Those former friends become bullies. What teenager wouldn't want magical powers and the confidence of owning who they are?

At its heart it is a coming of age story of an outcast teen stepping into her power. A story of challenging the patriarchy and standing up for what is right in the face of dominant power. I think every younger sibling who wants to carve their own way in the world and get out from under a domineering older sibling will really resonate with the main character. Once again, how I wished I had a book such as this when I was a teenager.

I had such a great time reading THE LOST QUEEN by Aimee Phan that I'm tempted to suggest it is way more than a simple YA story about two high school girls who must claim their identities and work together to save themselves and the world. There is magic, folklore, wild and wonderful threads of myth, sisterhood, and claiming one's fullest and best identity -- plus it's well written, wonderfully plotted, and a great way to keep myself reading way too late into the night. I received a copy of this book and these thoughts are my own, unbiased opinions.

This was an anticipated release for me because it's inspired by Vietnamese lore, but I did not enjoy as much as I wanted to. The pacing was really off throughout the book; a majority of the book felt soooo slow but then the ending felt incredibly rushed and incomplete. I didn't feel immersed in the story because there was so much exposition and things explicitly spelled out for me rather than being gradually revealed. I didn't feel connected to any characters, and some of the girls really exerted mean girl vibes that it put me off reading. The dialogue was so unnatural and awkward, and some of it made the characters feel younger than they actually are in the book. I only really enjoyed Ong Noi and Ba Noi because they reminded me of my own grandparents and would honestly read a whole book about them instead. The legends and lore was interesting and nostalgic because I grew up with them, but they're given to us in separate sections rather than interspersed within the narrative. I'm just so disappointed in how I feel about this book. I wish I could love it because I've been trying to find more Vietnamese-inspired fantasies, but I can't give it more than a 2.5, rounded up to 3 because I did enjoy the unique spin on the Trung Sisters lore and the grandparents.

This young adult fantasy novel is a captivating retelling rooted in Vietnamese mythology, weaving ancient legends into a lush, magical narrative. The story begins at a slow pace, taking its time to build the world and introduce its cast of characters. While the initial chapters may feel a bit confusing—especially with the unconventional point of view—those who stick with it will be richly rewarded.

The POV choice is bold and intriguing, offering a fresh lens through which the mythology is explored. It may take a few chapters to fully settle into the rhythm of the narrative, but once the story finds its footing around the midpoint, it begins to shine. The plot accelerates, and the emotional stakes become much clearer, drawing readers deeper into the heart of the myth.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its attention to detail. Cultural references, atmospheric settings, and mythological elements are intricately layered throughout, making the world feel vivid and alive. Readers who pay close attention will find that even the smallest moments often carry deeper meaning or foreshadow events to come.

This is a story for those who enjoy myth-based fantasy, character-driven narratives, and slow-burn storytelling. It may not be an instant page-turner, but it’s a rewarding journey for those who give it the time and attention it deserves.

A girl discovers that she's begun to see visions just like her fortune telling grandfather... and that she might be far more connected to the dragons of myth than she could ever imagine when she befriends the it-girl of school and unlocks mysterious abilities. Inspired by the Vietnamese lore of the two queens, this story weaves magic, sisterhood, and self discovery. Following a high school teen who has been plagued by visions and ostracized by her school, Jolie Lam finds herself befriending it-girl Houng Pham.... and unleashing her own magic.... but Houng and her are far more connected than Jolie could ever imagine and when magic is unleashed so is a past that she could never imagine. This was definitely a unique retelling of the classic Vietnamese lore and I do think it's a fun spin on the myth. It's a unique story and I do think YA readers, probably younger ones, will enjoy the magic and sisterhood in this.

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

**Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group/Penguin Young Readers Group for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Posted to: NetGalley and The StoryGraph 
Posted on: 15 May 2025

3.4 (rounded down to 3) out of 5 stars.

I was so close to finishing this (68%) so I kind of hate that I just… couldn’t. I found the plot really interesting, the magic new and colorful (quite literally sometimes for those who have read it-), and the unraveling myth really intriguing (especially the way it was being revealed). I really think that this novel would fall well with people who enjoy the mix of modern and magic. There are dips into the past with these characters and stories that pertain to them/the plot, and the way it was all set up was really enjoyable for me.
Personally though, I found the characters began growing flat for me. Around that midway point of the book, things started to grow repetitive. The same cycle started and it seemed like nothing was really changing? The two main characters had an issue, they agreed on what the possible solution could be, but then things never truly felt like they would move on. They kept mentioning how they needed more of their powers to stop the Big Bad Evil (to avoid spoilers), but it was constantly that same note. I personally began to lose the plot too in that things got murky around this middle point too? Some scenes meant to pack a punch feel a little weak and characters just didn’t really give as much as they were in the beginning. It was a strong beginning, but almost feels disjointed from the point where I stopped now that I have the time to sit and etch out my thoughts about it.

Overall, I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. I think if I would have finished it, I might have had a stronger opinion on it, but because I didn’t I think the middle ground three stars is fair and valid! There was potential here and I think the right people can and will find this story and fall in love with it. Personally for me, it didn’t hit the right mark. Maybe I can convince myself to come back and finish it someday, but for now I’ll leave it here. I started to get bored and overly critical of it which would’ve made me be too cynical about it and I didn’t want that either hence why I just put it down here and now for the time being. If anybody else has read this, I hope they find more things to love and enjoy about it that I did!
I think it also just soured for me for that T*sla mention… If I had a nickel for every time I read a book that mentioned that gods-forsaken brand, I would have two nickels which isn’t much, but its weird that it’s happened twice (and pretty close to each other too…)

CONTENT WARNING(S):
Abusive/toxic friendships, blood, war, violence, body horror, drowning mentions (in a premonition scene), natural disasters (cause by magical forces), suicide (in that two characters willingly/purposefully jump off a cliff knowing that they will die but choosing this death over the alternative)

This was a solid book. I really enjoyed the story and the characters but thought that the pacing overall could've been better. I always appreciate and love seeing Viet author getting a chance to tell their story though and this one is no different. I look forward to reading more from Aimee Phan in the future.

There was something about this book that just wasn't scratching the itch in my brain. The story was good and the characters were good, but the flow wasn't cohesive, which is a shame because I love love love reading cultural books of this nature.

Book 1 in the Fantasy duology, The Lost Queen, by Aimee Phan, is story of Jolie, a high school sophomore, who can’t explain the bizarre things happening in her life. The frequent earthquakes in California, the random visions she has and now she can also hear her ex best friends’ thoughts.

Based on the Trung sister’s lore, the sisters who rebelled against the Han dynasty and filled with themes like, reincarnation, sisterhood, dragon, mythology and legends, The Lost Queen is a fast paced novel that follows Jolie. However we also get to see our MCs travelling through time and going back to where it all started, the last war the sisters fought against the Han General. I thought this was going to be a retelling but it’s not. This is more of a settling their dues kind of a story, a game that started thousands of years ago, that sent three brothers hunting their sisters.

I enjoyed Aimee’s writing and the plot. Overall the book is good but the ending felt a little rushed even though it’s just the first book. It’s not a long book so I don’t know why the author decided to rush it in the last few chapters; I think the story needed at least 2-3 m ore chapters. There were too many characters involved and I don’t understand how mortal teenagers getting involved in the ending and playing larger roles like taking over Han warriors made sense, even though there is an explanation given in terms of Jolie/Nhi transferring her elements to her friends. I think I needed a better explanation then as Gods we can transfer our elements to whoever we want. At the end of the day they are still mortals? It felt a little unrealistic and I don’t buy it.
But I would still read the second book and see how the story concludes.

Jolie is a 10th grade student and lives with her Vietnamese grandparents in San Jose. Her grandfather is a psychic and she started having weird visions last year that have led to her having issues at school. The situation takes a turn for the better when a new girl at school starts tutoring her. This is an interesting fantasy book about dragons and powers and I enjoyed it.

Jolie Lam is an ostracized high school sophomore. She had an odd freakout a year ago, and her grandfather had visions of dragons and earthquakes. When she saves popular Huong Pham during a vision of her own, Jolie's taken under her wing. Together, the girls unlock long-lost powers: telepathic abilities, fluency in Vietnamese, and eerie premonitions. They have ties to legendary queens and goddesses of ancient Vietnam, which sets them on a dangerous journey through dreams and portals to reclaim their past lives. Ancient enemies follow them, and Jolie must determine right from wrong before the world ends.

Jolie had been ostracized due to seeing things others don't, and reacting to former friends as if they were terrible creatures. Those former friends bully her and get the rest of the school into it; her grandfather's reputation as a fraudulent psychic and suffering from dementia colors her reputation as well. Huong is a junior to her sophomore status and essentially takes Jolie under her wing. As she does, Jolie's prior abilities heighten. Memories of her past life return, and the threat of dragons coming to destroy the world hangs over them.

The novel uses the story of the Truong sisters, the first queens of Vietnam, as the basis for the past lives. Much of ancient history is mythologized, but there's a core of truth to the stories. Here, the sisters who once ruled are tied to the ancient dragons of legend, and the dragons are interested in the power of the elemental magic that the first dragons had given up. Most of the dragons are selfish and don't care who they hurt, but Jolie, in any of her incarnations, had never wanted to do that. She was always seen as lesser because of it, but it's her ties to others that keep her fighting and working to protect the world. I respect her efforts for it; even without her past life memories, she has an inner integrity that didn't break, even with all of the bullying. I really enjoyed seeing her story.

Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, and Colored Pages Book Tours for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

There’s a lot of potential woven into The Lost Queen. From its stunning cover to its foundation in Vietnamese lore and the legendary Trung Sisters, I went into this one fully ready to be swept up in a lush, mythologically rich fantasy. In many ways, it delivered the promise of something magical, until it didn’t.

The opening unfolds slowly, but there’s a compelling strangeness to Jolie’s visions that keeps the pages turning. She begins as a familiar YA archetype, the girl on the margins, ostracized and misunderstood, marked by something mysterious inside her. I’ll admit, this trope is beginning to feel well-worn, and Jolie didn’t quite do enough early on to make her stand out. Still, once she begins to bond with Huong and those supernatural elements start to surface, I found myself more interested in where things were heading.

Unfortunately, the book's final quarter lost me. The pacing and clarity both faltered, and what should have been a high-emotion, high-stakes finale became an exercise in confusion. There’s a lot happening, but not in a way that felt cohesive. The emotional weight of the ending fell flat because I was too caught up trying to understand what was actually happening. I could feel the significance it was aiming for, but it didn’t land.

The concept itself remains intriguing. Using Vietnamese mythology, weaving in dragons, ancient queens, and spiritual awakening, that’s rich terrain for storytelling. I just wish the narrative had held together better, especially in the end. The language throughout is readable and accessible, fitting its YA audience, and the book is descriptive without ever becoming overly ornate.

Ultimately, The Lost Queen didn’t quite stick the landing for me. It was a story with a strong heart and a unique cultural foundation, but it struggled with cohesion and emotional resonance by the time it mattered most. I’m not sure I’ll continue the series, but I do appreciate what it tried to do. And truly, whoever designed the cover deserves their flowers, it’s a showstopper.

Follow me on Instagram and on TikTok @mythicalreadsreviewer for more reviews!

Maybe this isn’t for me, or maybe it’s the wrong time for me to enjoy it but I’m DNFing at 27%. I can’t focus on it and Jolie’s story isn’t compelling enough to stay focused currently.

An interesting and intriguing story filled with Vietnamese history, fantasy, folklore, and gods reincarnated. It’s set up as a duology but there’s something about it that would have make it work as a standalone as well.

It took awhile for me to get into the story and feel any connection to the characters. The story wasn’t always fast moving
3.5 stars

Thank you for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fun book that focuses on sisterhood and mythology of Vietnamese culture, specifically the Trung Sisters. Just because it's categorized under the "Young Adult" genre, doesn't mean adults won't enjoy it. The story is there!

This is such a strange book, in a good way. It starts off sounding fairly simple, but the plot of the story is revealed to be so much more than that, and with so many twists. Also, the time travel element being pretty much known to everyone in the past sounds so weird but is actually very easy to get used to within the context of the story.

The premise of this book was very unique. The beginning had me intrigued and definitely curious as to how this story would go about. Some of the characters felt not so genuine to me from the start, which made parts of the book very predictable. Some people might enjoy foreshadowing such as this, but I definitely prefer what feels more like a plot twist. I did enjoy the elements of magic throughout and also enjoyed the bond between the main character and her grandparents. The bonds between the friends and enemies felt a little bit unnatural to me however. Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this as an Arc.