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altogetherbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
a_ab's review
3.0
This book dragged very badly in the middle. It was still somewhat enjoyable, but significantly less so than the first book. Worse still, the mystery and motivations were rather weak in the first book and made even less sense here.
The atmosphere and historical details (although I cannot properly judge their accuracy) remain the most interesting aspects of the series.
I am not thrilled about the progression I am seeing, but since this is only the second book I have read by this author, I probably will give this series another chance in the future.
The atmosphere and historical details (although I cannot properly judge their accuracy) remain the most interesting aspects of the series.
I am not thrilled about the progression I am seeing, but since this is only the second book I have read by this author, I probably will give this series another chance in the future.
veereadstoomuch's review
4.0
This time Harriet is part of the police force and doesn't "run" into the crime scene. This book felt like more of a "Harriet" book (versus the first one, I felt like it was very much Curran).
The crime is a young woman is brutally murdered (in her sleep?) in her bed. Harriet gets involved because of her work with Curran and also because of the murder victim's sister-in-law (she's the female who can help Curran).
The mystery was interesting. There was no way to guess (although I did try and I was wrong a few times!). The descriptions of Singapore and the times were interesting. I do like that.
I actually started book 3 accidentally before I started this book, so my brain did get a little muddled. There's more of the back story of Harriet's past and of Curran's past (and Li An). You get more of the character development of both characters.
The crime is a young woman is brutally murdered (in her sleep?) in her bed. Harriet gets involved because of her work with Curran and also because of the murder victim's sister-in-law (she's the female who can help Curran).
The mystery was interesting. There was no way to guess (although I did try and I was wrong a few times!). The descriptions of Singapore and the times were interesting. I do like that.
I actually started book 3 accidentally before I started this book, so my brain did get a little muddled. There's more of the back story of Harriet's past and of Curran's past (and Li An). You get more of the character development of both characters.
stephccs's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
gawronma's review
5.0
There is only one word to describe this book and that word is Wow. The characters, the setting and mystery was great. I felt that I was in Singapore with Harriet and Curren. The secondary characters were wonderfully well developed.
meggrz's review
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
nicolet2018's review
4.0
I was wondering if this book ties into the first book's plot because of the title. I enjoyed Singapore Sapphire so much and was very excited to pick this up.
This was just as good as the previous book because I learnt more about characters I like such: Harriet, Curran and Li An. Their pasts holds secrets and more is revealed but not everything. Harriet recounts the traumatic experience of being force fed in Halloway because of her suffragists ties. Oh, that scene was the hardest to read. I think it is one of the hardest scenes I have ever had to read. Then more is revealed on why Curran and Li An are so secretive. They barely escaped with their lives in Penang because her brother is a powerful opium lord. Curran also gets a little in who his father was and it doesn't sound good as the military call him "coward".
The mystery in this novel is not tied to the characters of the first book, I was thinking it might be linked to the baddies but nope. Harriet and Li An get more interaction which is nice. It was also sad to see the racism between the British and any other non white race. It was even sadder to see women judging women especially with Li An because Huo Jin calls her a slut and they are both Chinese!
Harriet still struggles with overstepping her bounds in the investigation as she tries to find out the truth but puts herself in danger. Curran constantly has to tell her that she is not a police officer and that grates because she is very perceptive and has helped him in his investigations.
I was wondering if they would develop some romantic connection but I do like Curran and Li An together. At least Harriet gets some chances to go on dates.
The setting is close to my heart since I am Singaporean. It is really cool to read about how familiar places were like in the past, well, just life in general then. The British army has it's customs and different positions and that was interesting to find out more about too.
I could not really guess what would happen for the main mystery and was surprised at the end.
This had naunced characters who I want to get to know better and good writing. I flew through the novel. Where is the third novel?
This was just as good as the previous book because I learnt more about characters I like such: Harriet, Curran and Li An. Their pasts holds secrets and more is revealed but not everything. Harriet recounts the traumatic experience of being force fed in Halloway because of her suffragists ties. Oh, that scene was the hardest to read. I think it is one of the hardest scenes I have ever had to read. Then more is revealed on why Curran and Li An are so secretive. They barely escaped with their lives in Penang because her brother is a powerful opium lord. Curran also gets a little in who his father was and it doesn't sound good as the military call him "coward".
The mystery in this novel is not tied to the characters of the first book, I was thinking it might be linked to the baddies but nope. Harriet and Li An get more interaction which is nice. It was also sad to see the racism between the British and any other non white race. It was even sadder to see women judging women especially with Li An because Huo Jin calls her a slut and they are both Chinese!
Harriet still struggles with overstepping her bounds in the investigation as she tries to find out the truth but puts herself in danger. Curran constantly has to tell her that she is not a police officer and that grates because she is very perceptive and has helped him in his investigations.
I was wondering if they would develop some romantic connection but I do like Curran and Li An together. At least Harriet gets some chances to go on dates.
The setting is close to my heart since I am Singaporean. It is really cool to read about how familiar places were like in the past, well, just life in general then. The British army has it's customs and different positions and that was interesting to find out more about too.
I could not really guess what would happen for the main mystery and was surprised at the end.
This had naunced characters who I want to get to know better and good writing. I flew through the novel. Where is the third novel?