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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This started out a bit dull and I was rather hesitant to like the book - because of the setting and the inherit power structures of any relationship that could come out of that setting. However the book really leaned into that and discussed the power dynamics which was really interesting. I love that was explored in a historical romance - I know many historicals does this but many doesn't.
I like that the book explores the complexity of privilege and power in their relationship. I like that the drama of their relationship doesn't stop with their first love making. The class differences are still there. Their relationship continues to evolve.
It's really interesting to see that it is him who has to do all of the emotional work on the relationship, while she is the one thing thinking of the practicalities of their situation. She is the one not believing their relationship to can work, which I found really interesting.
I know it is a romance so it has to have a romantically happy ending, but I actually found that a bit disappointing. Because it just seemed unrealistic and the rest of the book had felt so real. And the bedroom scene after the wedding was just flat - unlike the rest of the book, it did ignore the power dynamics at play. Yue-ying is not a high born lady, how will she fair in the social circle of his family? That is completely ignored, one can hope it comes up in the next book though.
I really liked the personality of Yue-ying, she is very much a realist and not a dreamer or a romantic, she sees the world that she lives in for what it is. Which is a very hard thing for her to do - it would be so much more pleasant for her to let herself believe in the romance of it all.
The book has so many female characters and interesting relationships between them - this is not one of those books where the protagonist don't have any female friends - Yue-ying makes friends everywhere she goes.
The murder mystery was kind of blah if you ask me - this was very much a romance.
Trigger warning: Yue-ying has been a sex slave in a low class bodel - this is part of her character and affects her.I liked the way it was handled. I liked that it was allowed to be a real issue for her to be physically intimate with the person she is in love with. However I did think she overcame it a bit to easily - but again that is a properly a romance thing. However it was nice that he was the one doing the emotional work on this front too.
I like that the book explores the complexity of privilege and power in their relationship. I like that the drama of their relationship doesn't stop with their first love making. The class differences are still there. Their relationship continues to evolve.
It's really interesting to see that it is him who has to do all of the emotional work on the relationship, while she is the one thing thinking of the practicalities of their situation. She is the one not believing their relationship to can work, which I found really interesting.
I really liked the personality of Yue-ying, she is very much a realist and not a dreamer or a romantic, she sees the world that she lives in for what it is. Which is a very hard thing for her to do - it would be so much more pleasant for her to let herself believe in the romance of it all.
The book has so many female characters and interesting relationships between them - this is not one of those books where the protagonist don't have any female friends - Yue-ying makes friends everywhere she goes.
The murder mystery was kind of blah if you ask me - this was very much a romance.
Trigger warning: Yue-ying has been a sex slave in a low class bodel - this is part of her character and affects her.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The idea of a Chinese historical romance is so exciting to me, but I was hardly going to enjoy the book based on that pretext alone. Gladly I can report that THIS WAS SO GOOD and doesn't fall into any clichés, hard or soft, about life in a pleasure district. Jeannie Lin examines, fairly and astutely, exactly what it means to be a woman whose life is enfolded in the concept of the courtesan: the necessity of illusion; the strange mix of autonomy and instability; the small space in society which you are allowed to frequent, that sometimes feels like a prison. Obviously my bourgeois senses are ticked off by courtesan-ship and if you have those yours may be too, but this is far from a book that says "being a courtesan is a horrifying consignment that is a stain on the whole moral character of a society that allows it, and marriage is the wonderful equalising saviour of these women". It is far too subtle for that. But there is some truth in the tail end of that statement. For almost all women who live in the Pingkang Li (I would exempt the pleasure house madames) marriage is truly a freedom — perhaps the strongest freedom they can find — because it grants them a respectable position, meaning they are accepted in more spaces, and if their husband is the enlightened sort who loves them, then they are not bidden by anyone. And isn't that really the point of historical romance? To line up marriage (the concretion of true love) with liberation?
Anyway, onto the romance. It's so good!!! It's the classic trope of coming from different worlds: Bai Huang is easygoing, aristocratic, stable, in command. He can afford to be romantic because life, in his imagination, is easy. Yue-ying is toughened, unexpectant, principled, and only as free as a woman of her station can be. She is not given to ridiculous flights of fancy, because she cannot afford to be. The really wonderful thing, then, is that Bai Huang can afford to be, and his love for her really does make her life better — not just because love is such a wonderful thing and tra-la-la — but in the practical ways that matter, like having a stable future to hope towards and a home that is hers.
But the quality of the romance is exquisite too. It's such an organic thing, you know? He sees her and talks to her and wants her from the beginning, but the capacity in which he wants her only deepens the more he knows her. There's none of this "our love is too hard so we must part" — instead, he plots to make it work on the level he wants. And some people aren't at peace with the ending because it's too unrealistically happy. Me? I don't care. If historical accuracy is sacrificed (and really, if you're here for historical accuracy you're in the wrong genre), it should be on the pyre of a happy ending to a romance between two people who deserve it. Plus, in the thousands of years of Chinese culture there's been countless stories of immortal lovers, so the idea of two socially unmatched people being together forever is not so much unheard of as a fantasy found only in fiction. And that is what this is…
Admittedly the mystery is not the most clear-cut thing in the world, but if I'm to choose between satisfying mystery and satisfying romance we all know I'd go for the latter. Also there were some really tantalising hints dropped about the couple in the next book, which I am EXCITED by!!
I've forgotten to mention the Yue-ying/Mingyu sisterly relationship! I don't have any sisters, or know closely of any, so honestly the concept of sisterhood remains a mystery to me. However I would almost venture to say this is the beating heart of the novel, and the romance is the beautiful stuff which happens on top. Yue-ying and Mingyu's relationship is the one which undergoes the most change throughout the novel. Fundamentally they always love each other, but the way in which they behave around each other is different: at the start, there is a pronounced and mutually respected distance; by the end, there is an honesty and closeness that comes naturally from equality in a relationship. By contrast, Bai Huang and Yue-ying are practically always honest with one another, and the real change in their relationship comes with realising and accepting what they mean to each other.
Read this book I swear to God you won't regret it. Literally what more do you want? The romance is uplifting and sort of inevitable in the very best way; the mystery is quite intriguing and has a really nice ethical kick to it; the setting is brilliantly sketched; the whole thing has that serene, elegant, steady, practical tone that in my mind (i.e. the mind of someone who originates from the damn place) is really quite Imperial Chinese.
And also — maybe because this is set in China where standards of masculinity aren't so exhaustingly unemotional — Bai Huang lets himself feel. In so many romances the hero doesn't want to feel, doesn't think himself capable of love, is only in it for the sex at first, finally gets frustrated and lets his feelings loose in a rush of emotion because he will literally explode if he holds them in a moment longer. Bai Huang doesn't give a shit about keeping his emotions close to his chest/repressed so deeply not even he knows they're there. I've said that every word in this book cuts deep, but nowhere is this so true than in Bai Huang's thoughts about Yue-ying.
Saddle up for the next book where Yue-ying's sister, a poetically beautiful and glamorous courtesan finds love with the one man who isn't charmed by her (but the twist is… he's beyond charmed. He's in love). I foresee a lot of Jeannie Lin books in my future.
Anyway, onto the romance. It's so good!!! It's the classic trope of coming from different worlds: Bai Huang is easygoing, aristocratic, stable, in command. He can afford to be romantic because life, in his imagination, is easy. Yue-ying is toughened, unexpectant, principled, and only as free as a woman of her station can be. She is not given to ridiculous flights of fancy, because she cannot afford to be. The really wonderful thing, then, is that Bai Huang can afford to be, and his love for her really does make her life better — not just because love is such a wonderful thing and tra-la-la — but in the practical ways that matter, like having a stable future to hope towards and a home that is hers.
But the quality of the romance is exquisite too. It's such an organic thing, you know? He sees her and talks to her and wants her from the beginning, but the capacity in which he wants her only deepens the more he knows her. There's none of this "our love is too hard so we must part" — instead, he plots to make it work on the level he wants. And some people aren't at peace with the ending because it's too unrealistically happy. Me? I don't care. If historical accuracy is sacrificed (and really, if you're here for historical accuracy you're in the wrong genre), it should be on the pyre of a happy ending to a romance between two people who deserve it. Plus, in the thousands of years of Chinese culture there's been countless stories of immortal lovers, so the idea of two socially unmatched people being together forever is not so much unheard of as a fantasy found only in fiction. And that is what this is…
Admittedly the mystery is not the most clear-cut thing in the world, but if I'm to choose between satisfying mystery and satisfying romance we all know I'd go for the latter. Also there were some really tantalising hints dropped about the couple in the next book, which I am EXCITED by!!
I've forgotten to mention the Yue-ying/Mingyu sisterly relationship! I don't have any sisters, or know closely of any, so honestly the concept of sisterhood remains a mystery to me. However I would almost venture to say this is the beating heart of the novel, and the romance is the beautiful stuff which happens on top. Yue-ying and Mingyu's relationship is the one which undergoes the most change throughout the novel. Fundamentally they always love each other, but the way in which they behave around each other is different: at the start, there is a pronounced and mutually respected distance; by the end, there is an honesty and closeness that comes naturally from equality in a relationship. By contrast, Bai Huang and Yue-ying are practically always honest with one another, and the real change in their relationship comes with realising and accepting what they mean to each other.
Read this book I swear to God you won't regret it. Literally what more do you want? The romance is uplifting and sort of inevitable in the very best way; the mystery is quite intriguing and has a really nice ethical kick to it; the setting is brilliantly sketched; the whole thing has that serene, elegant, steady, practical tone that in my mind (i.e. the mind of someone who originates from the damn place) is really quite Imperial Chinese.
And also — maybe because this is set in China where standards of masculinity aren't so exhaustingly unemotional — Bai Huang lets himself feel. In so many romances the hero doesn't want to feel, doesn't think himself capable of love, is only in it for the sex at first, finally gets frustrated and lets his feelings loose in a rush of emotion because he will literally explode if he holds them in a moment longer. Bai Huang doesn't give a shit about keeping his emotions close to his chest/repressed so deeply not even he knows they're there. I've said that every word in this book cuts deep, but nowhere is this so true than in Bai Huang's thoughts about Yue-ying.
That brief moment when their lips had touched in the wine cellar continued to torment him. His heart had been pounding, every muscle in his body tense with anticipation before she had soundly put him in his place with a slap across the face. He had thought he was finally getting close to Yue-ying, when he was never further away.Perhaps I am being forgetful, but honest to God I don't think I've ever read a hero in a romance that is so… open with how he feels. 'Torment' is such a dramatic way to put it but the matter-of-fact tone saves it, and the description of his physical affectation is undeniably genuine, intense, and simultaneously emotional. And because he is so openly emotional and desirous (physical desire, in their relationship, being irrevocably linked to emotion) everything he does is to do with loving her. The playful flirting is an attempt to get her to laugh because he genuinely wants her to be happy; the hairpin gift is not a trick of contract but a thought of her played out in material form. Bai Huang never wants to possess Yue-ying like all those exhausting, tasteless entrepreneurs who only understand ownership and profit. He enjoys her company, thinks she's unique, wants to make her life better, wants to be involved in her happiness. It is really quite uniquely pure.
Saddle up for the next book where Yue-ying's sister, a poetically beautiful and glamorous courtesan finds love with the one man who isn't charmed by her (but the twist is… he's beyond charmed. He's in love). I foresee a lot of Jeannie Lin books in my future.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was really excited for this because it's a romance novel set *not in period England* and it has a mystery at its core, which I always like. But I found the romance itself kinda forced and not enjoyable. The mystery itself was pretty good though there was a lot of miscommunication between characters who should have trusted each other, which prolonged the conflict more than I thought was necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book had everything: a murder mystery, political intrigue, and romance, all set in the Tang Dynasty in ancient China! Fast-paced adventure, likeable characters, relatable emotions. Recommended.
Yue-ying is now my favorite heroine. I love her so much. This is the first historical romance I've read set in Asia, and I cannot wait to read more. Lin has a new dedicated reader.
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars. Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/review-of-the-lotus-palace-the-pingkang-li-mysteries-1-by-jeannie-lin/
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this. It's a mix of a soft romance and a suspense/mystery romance. It was really enjoyable to watch Bai move through his feelings and realize how his actions are seen by others even though his intentions were different. I also liked how Yue-ying worked through her feelings and learned behaviors. The mystery they solved was very intriguing. I usually try to figure it out and do have it figured out before the big reveal, but I just rode along with them throughout. This whole story swept me along and I enjoyed every moment of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Rape, Kidnapping
I marked "rape" due to the sexual slavery/forced prostitution.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Romance + adventure + Chinese history = sign me up! The mystery was genuinely intriguing and had several turns along the way. The plot twist reveals about characters all felt inevitable when you learned them. It was the "AH!" of something you should have known slapping you in the face rather than the "huh?" of an unearned twist. I love Jeannie Lin's books because I learn things about life in China in various historical periods from them. They're a refreshing change from UK-based historicals.