4.46 AVERAGE

mysterious tense medium-paced

Shocked by the sudden loss of her sister to suicide, Nga-Yee's reality begins to crumble. Refusing to believe her younger sister would ever succumb to such despair, she embarks on a desperate quest for the truth behind her tragic death. N, a brilliant hacker who is also impudent, becomes her unlikely ally. His skills are her only hope of navigating the dark maze of the internet. As they descend into this digital underbelly where anonymity fosters cruelty and deception, will Nga-Yee choose to get her revenge for her sister’s death in the name of so-called justice?

The Second Sister by Chan Ho Kei unflinchingly confronts the notion that it's not the technology itself that turns individuals into targets of online gossip and scandal or enables the sexual exploitation of minors. No, it's not the technology nor the internet—it's us. The technology is merely a tool, that reveals the inherent flaws within our society.

“Earning money was a means to an end: to support the household and let her family live happily. But capitalist society lulls us into believing our wages are a goal in themselves, turning us into slaves of money. We forget that as crucial as money may be, there are even more important things that we can't afford to lose.”

As Nga Yee grapples with the loss of her sister, she is forced to confront the truth: the constant struggle to make ends meet casts a long shadow over their bond. The Second Sister highlights the brutality of predatory capitalism and the devastating effects of economic disparity by portraying the struggle to make ends meet and the strain it perpetuates on family bonds to the breaking point. Chan Ho Kei further adds depth to the story by steering clear of simplistic narratives. Individuals caught in a web of their own making can be both victims and perpetrators, blurring the lines between innocence and accountability.

Honest and compelling narratives, a powerful exploration of loss and resilience, and a critical examination of economic disparity and the digital world, are truly what make the Second Sister a standout crime thriller. Truly one of the best reads I had this year.

And hey Chan Ho Kei, a series starring N would be really lovely don't you think?
emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes

Plot twist. Love the character, especially Detective N.

One of the best reads of the year. From the conflict of a girl's suicide, the story evolves into something incredibly complex. Wow!

I deeply sympathize with the main character, who has suffered from losing their only family, struggling with financial difficulties, and facing a reclusive and unpredictable hacker that drains their energy.

I also really like the character N, who consistently maintains their secrecy and can be a dangerous weapon against their enemies. He can kill or punish mercilessly, but will always leave the final decision to the client.

I love how this story is built, starting with the seemingly simple story of a girl’s suicide due to bullying, which then branches out into numerous problems and people from various backgrounds. There are so many twists, especially in the second half of the story, and each revealed fact keeps my eyes glued to the page due to the intense curiosity sparked by the author.

5/5 because this is one of the most well-written stories I have ever read!
challenging emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Just love how every truth comes to light
dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
informative mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

kaget saat liat bukunya setebal itu. Tapi tidak mematahkan semangat hingga selesai hanya dalam 3 hari karna buku ini terlalu bagus