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nypeapod's review against another edition
5.0
A book set in the 1930s in Malaysia I believe. it is excellently written. The characters are well developed and interesting. You are left with questions at the end - was any of the characters a man eating tiger?
slayciespider's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book I’ve read by the author, who is very good at getting you caught up in the Chinese supernatural, where it feels like at any moment you can slip between the two worlds by complete accident. I’ll say that I prefer her first novel, The Ghost Bride, as far as achieving that supernatural world creation. The romance in this book also fell flat for me and I felt it didn’t even need to happen. Not a match that I was rooting for. Overall, this was a great escape into 1930’s British colonial Malaya.
ebtdean's review against another edition
3.0
I’m perplexed by this book. On one hand the imagery and the attention to detail is stunning and really pulls you in... so that feels like 5 stars to me. On the other hand, there is a weird stepbrother/stepsister romance which doesn’t feel fully thought out. In addition to that, about 3/4 through the book things get really weird and suddenly there are two killers for two different and unrelated reasons. It didn’t feel fully planned out or organized well. I also did care for the end of the book where suddenly people were dying frequently and it didn’t seem to have a purpose.
I almost wish the writing in this book was less vivid and engaging, it would have made the book a solid 2/3 stars. But the detail and history was really beautiful.
I almost wish the writing in this book was less vivid and engaging, it would have made the book a solid 2/3 stars. But the detail and history was really beautiful.
clairemdrake17's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly, I loved the romance in this book. And the world was so rich and magical!
erinjp123's review against another edition
2.0
I feel like I would have really liked this book without the unnecessary and creepy AF Bro/Sis romance. I liked the world and the characters, especially in the Ren half but it just got weird. Like the fantasy was fine but whyyyy write that in?
kiravelan's review against another edition
4.0
temporary rating! might change (and also might write a review) once i think about it more. overall, i enjoyed it a lot! the narrator's voice in yangsze choo's books really appeals to me, though it might not suit everyone. and i really love how much of choo's stories are inspired by or revolves around folklores.
juliales's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Very funny, interesting cultural tidbits
kabamango22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75