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.

In The Lost Queen, Aimee Phan weaves contemporary fantasy with Vietnamese folklore in an intriguing way.

I loved learning about Vietnamese mythology, and I think the reincarnation element with the two sisters added an interesting layer to the story.

This tale, packed with mystery and legends, takes us on a journey to acceptance, belonging and self discovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the eARC.

Aimee Phan’s The Lost Queen is a lush and imaginative blend of contemporary fantasy, Vietnamese mythology, and coming-of-age drama that casts a fresh spell on the YA genre. With a protagonist who starts off isolated and uncertain, the story blooms into a fast-paced, magical tale of identity, legacy, and the power of female friendship.

Jolie Lam is instantly compelling—a girl haunted by visions, grief, and the weight of family expectations. Her connection with Huong Pham, the school’s glamorous queen bee, could have easily fallen into cliché territory, but Phan builds their friendship with nuance and emotional weight. As the girls unlock latent powers and uncover their mythic ties to Vietnamese goddesses and queens, the story gains both depth and urgency.

The use of Vietnamese culture and folklore is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. It enriches the narrative without ever feeling like exposition, and gives The Lost Queen a unique cultural anchor in a genre that still too often centers Western mythologies. Jolie’s growing fluency in Vietnamese, her connection to her grandfather’s cryptic prophecies, and the dreamlike journey through portals and past lives all add texture and richness.

The plot occasionally wobbles under the weight of its many moving parts—portals, visions, reincarnations, and betrayals—but the stakes remain high, and Jolie’s emotional arc keeps things grounded. The twists are satisfying, and the central mystery is layered enough to keep readers turning pages.

With strong themes of cultural heritage, found family, and reclaiming inner strength, The Lost Queen is both empowering and exhilarating. It’s a story about girls who dare to believe in their own power—and in each other. A beautiful and thrilling start to what promises to be a memorable series.

Read if you like:

Mythology/folklore
Reincarnation
Vietnamese history
Fantasy elements
Gorgeous writing

My thoughts:

The Lost Queen had so much potential and while it lived up to it in some ways, it fell flat in so many others. I wanted to love this one but I just ended up being confused by much of it.

Aimee Phan’s gorgeous writing is the only saving grace when it comes to The Lost Queen. The writing, while being easy to read and rather simple at times, was absolutely lovely. Aimee Phan painted such a vivid picture of both modern day San Jose as well as historical Vietnam.

The Vietnamese mythology was fascinating but ultimately hard to follow. I admit to knowing nothing about Vietnamese folklore and history so that may have caused some of the confusion. It may be easier to follow if you are already familiar with the story of the Trung sisters. The pacing of the story didn’t quite work either. It felt like there was a lot of buildup only for the big battle at the end to be extremely rushed and anticlimactic.

There was some confusion for me regarding the flashbacks and the stories from Jolie’s mythology book. There were times when I couldn’t tell what was myth and what was supposed to be an actual flashback from her past life.

As far as the characters go, I’m torn. I both loved and hated Jolie. She was so easy to relate to in some aspects, like her family situation and the bullying she was dealing with from her classmates and former friends. However, she was so meek at times that I couldn’t stand it. She let people use her and walk all over her. I wanted her to stand up for herself so badly. She did come into her own a bit over the course of the book but there wasn’t enough growth to satisfy me. The remaining characters were so one-dimensional I honestly struggled to tell some of them apart. The male characters in particular all just blended together. There really weren’t any stand out characters in the book and most of the secondary characters were entirely forgettable.

Don’t even get me started on the magical aspects of The Lost Queen. Most of the magical elements to this story were beyond baffling. The different elements, distributing/sharing the elements, the portals; none of it made any sense to me. This book genuinely made me feel stupid at times because I struggled so hard to follow along.

Overall, The Lost Queen wasn’t for me. I appreciate the idea behind it and I loved learning about the Trung sisters but there were too many confusing elements for me to fully enjoy it.

TL;DR

The Lost Queen presents a fascinating and gorgeously written look at the Vietnamese story of the Trung sisters. A truly unique premise, it unfortunately didn’t quite work in the execution. A lack of character development and some puzzling magical elements made The Lost Queen fall flat and while I enjoyed most of it, I couldn’t fully immerse myself in this story. I cannot see myself reaching for the second book in this duology.

The Lost Queen is a new duology for young adults or middle-grade readers. Its contemporary set in California,  inspired by Vietnamese folklore, Jolie Lam has grown up listening to her family's stories, prophecies, and legends, her grandfather is a fortune teller and although it's a power inherited by men, she also begins to have visions, and an accident will happen that will get her into trouble at school. 

It's like a coming of age with magic. Jolie doesn't know what is happening. Since an incident last year, she has lost friends, she has been the target of bullying, her grandfather has become ill, and more earthquakes are happening in the city. A new popular girl arrives at school (Huong) just when Jolie needs someone, and they soon become friends, just like sisters. 

It is contemporary, it's not super heavy in fantasy, but it was one of my favorite parts. The legend of the warrior sisters, dragons, and their fight against evil is fascinating. Another of my favorite parts is Jolie's relationship with her grandfather; it's sweet, and I like all the knowledge her grandfather has. 

All the incidents that happened last year are no coincidence. Jolie learns more about family secrets, her grandfather's stories are true, and now she and Huong will have to save the city. Jolie trusts Huong completely, but as the story progresses, she discovers that there are still secrets to uncover. She has to trust her instinct and have more confidence in herself.

Its fast passed, kind of messy and that's why it hooks you, its a cool mix between teen high school drama with mythology and adventure, as an adult I think there are things that don't take you by surprise and that you guess, but I think teen will enjoy it and I'm curious for the sequel. 

Thanks to Colored Pages Book Tours, Penguin Teen and Aimee Phan for the copy.

Read it if you like:
Middle Grade or Younger YA Fantasy
Rick Riordan Presents Books
Vietnamese Folklore
Family and friendship

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the earc in exchange for an honest review.

This book wasn't exactly what i was expecting which is my own fault. I was expecting more focus in the mythology than we got especially at the start.
I did not connect much to the characters which made me enjoy the book a bit less, the story feels incredibly slow and incredibly rushed at the same time.
The writing is really easy to follow and get into and i really love all the cultural bits especially relating to fortunetellers and mythology.

This book was quite fascinating. The writing was really well done for this and I think it helped set the atmosphere in a way. It touches on subjects like bullying and mental health As Jolie tries to figure out whether she’s succumbing to a breakdown like her grandfather and seeing things or if she’s more. I totally get her on this as my late grandfather was also losing his memories and control. Once she starts spending time with Huong, she eventually learns of who she really is. Kind of a self discovery story, this book is steeped in a Vietnamese mythology tale that I didn’t know about. The only thing I felt confused on (and this is probably on purpose), is the transitions from reality to a vision that Jolie experience more and more. I’m reminded a bit of how I dream where I transition from one scene to the next. Reading over those parts, I understood better about it so I think this was on purpose to let the reader experience that. This was a fascinating read and one I appreciated a lot because I got to understand a little bit of a culture through this book. Now having read it, I would read it again to experience it in a different light

The Lost Queen by Aimee Phan is the first in this YA Fantasy Duology and is so freaking cool, wild, and an exciting ass journey!

I love the water aspect and how everything starts in the pool. Between things like the random murkiness of the water and Jolie essentially being in two places at once while swimming in the beginning, it automatically pulled me in!

I also really enjoyed the deep rooted Vietnamese lore mixed in with the more well known style of fantasy. It was a cool way to bridge the two together while also bringing more awareness to Vietnamese culture. I can’t wait to see more things like this coming to the forefront of fantasy, and genre fiction in general. The more diverse, the better. There’s so many stories around the world that want to be told and deserve to be told, so let’s keep sharing them!

I’m so excited for more people to dive deep into this amazing story!

If you love a good retelling with a deep rooted Vietnamese lore, magic, and mythology, then this is for you! Not to mention the aspects and of course the entire thing being fantasy. There’s so much going on in this story and it’s waiting for you to experience it too!

I know this just came out, but I’m so ready for book 2!

*This was an honest review for a complimentary copy of The Lost Queen from Aimee Phan via NetGalley

The beginning is very slow in my opinion. I had suspicions of what was happening but there was little to no advancement of the characters for a while. The pace picks up after the halfway mark and keeps going until the end. The end left a bit to be desired and quite a few questions. I do like the lore behind everything and the use of power. I don’t like that the only closure we get are for Jolie and Huang, we don’t know what happens to any of the minor characters.

DNF at 33%. This is just not for me at this time.

The premise is really cool: the Vietnamese legends, the Trung Sisters, are reincarnated into two modern-day high school girls. They don't know that yet, though, and are beginning to see mystical traits emerge from within them. Jolie, the MC, hates this, as some of these traits and visions have ostracized her and caused people to bully her. Huong, the other girl, is saved during a swimming accident by Jolie one day though (Thanks to Jolie's visions) and they strike up a friendship.

To me, this book was written in a much younger perspective than it should have been. Jolie is a sophomore in high school, around 15, but talked and acted like a middle schooler. The scenarios all seemed extra far-fetched, and even for an urban fantasy, I couldn't get into it. The plot, pacing, and scenes are really confusing to me, where one moment we're in a vision, the next, we're driving somewhere with people who seemed to appear out of nowhere, in the vision, except in reality actually? If that sentence confused you, yeah, that's where I'm at too, which is why I needed to give it up, at least for now.

I just was not hooked and had no desire to keep going. Which I hate, because the Trung Sisters are really cool to learn about, and I love mythology-based books. Others might love this though, so give it a try if it sounds cool to you!

Thanks to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the e-ARC!

✨| A blend of the past and the present. This was a heartfelt story of self-discovery in a magical way. Reflective. Lyrical. Rich with culture. The layers of this story unfold slowly but meaningfully.

I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

I loved the Vietnamese mythology and lore in this one! With elemental magic, time travel, lost memories and dragons, the mythology was rich and captivating. It did take a while for the story to really capture me as we spend a lot of time in the high school setting dealing with high school drama. I wish we’d spent more time immersed in and understanding the mythology. At its core, this is a story of the complicated relationship between two sisters made more consequential by the fact that they’re dragon queens. Jolie’s character arc into becoming more confident in herself and recovering her memories was enjoyable. The villain brothers we don’t actually spend much time with and their characters were pretty surface level. And maybe that’s the point, that these gods are shallow and don’t deserve the elements. The parts after Jolie’s friends became involved really captivated me and I’m excited to see how everything plays out in the second part of this duology.

Thanks to Colored Pages Tours and the publisher for the review copy, thoughts are my own.

✨✨Tour stop✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

If you loved Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao then go get this book immediately! This book much like Iron Widow has a strong willed FMC and epic battles! There is also some beautiful Vietnamese mythology in this book as well!
I practically swallowed the last 60% of this book whole with how quickly I read it. The whole time I was reading this book I had a bad feeling about a certain character and quickly realized I was totally right about how deceptive they are!
I highly recommend this book! Thank you  @coloredpagesbt @penguinteen & @aimeephanwrites for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review and for having me as a part of this book tour!  #TheLostQueenTour #coloredpagesbooktours #books #bookreviewer #arcreader #booktour #yabookstagram

YA Fantasy with imaginative Vietnamese lore and world building. If stories with High School drama, Bullying, building alliances and finding your inner strength appeal to you then this book will be right up your alley. I enjoyed the first part of the book which is loosely a retelling of the legendary Trung sisters; queens who led the Vietnamese army against the Han warriors, but it lost momentum towards the end of the book and felt a little rushed. A lot of information to digest but the author made it work.