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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
"Black Water Sister" by Zen Cho is a contemporary fantasy that draws heavily from Malaysian culture, mythology, and themes of identity.
The story follows Jess, a recent Harvard graduate who moves to Penang with her parents after they are forced to leave the U.S. due to mounting medical debt. Still grappling with her sexuality and uncertain about her future, Jess unexpectedly begins to hear the voice of her deceased grandmother, Ah Ma. To Jess's surprise, Ah Ma is not just a ghost; she also serves as a medium for a vengeful local deity known as the Black Water Sister.
The book excels in its cultural richness, blending folklore, religion, and daily Malaysian life in an immersive and compelling way. I appreciated seeing a queer Asian American protagonist navigate identity and family expectations in a context that is often overlooked in Western fantasy.
However, the story didn't fully come together for me. Despite a fast-moving plot, the pacing feels uneven, and the narrative often seems disjointed. The book tries to address several significant themes, such as homophobia, generational trauma, gender roles, corruption, and religious conflict, but not all are explored with the same depth. Some elements, like the gangster subplot, feel cartoonish or out of place.
While the novel presents itself as fantasy, it reads more like contemporary fiction with supernatural elements. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it may not meet readers' expectations seeking elaborate world-building or high-stakes magical elements.
The story follows Jess, a recent Harvard graduate who moves to Penang with her parents after they are forced to leave the U.S. due to mounting medical debt. Still grappling with her sexuality and uncertain about her future, Jess unexpectedly begins to hear the voice of her deceased grandmother, Ah Ma. To Jess's surprise, Ah Ma is not just a ghost; she also serves as a medium for a vengeful local deity known as the Black Water Sister.
The book excels in its cultural richness, blending folklore, religion, and daily Malaysian life in an immersive and compelling way. I appreciated seeing a queer Asian American protagonist navigate identity and family expectations in a context that is often overlooked in Western fantasy.
However, the story didn't fully come together for me. Despite a fast-moving plot, the pacing feels uneven, and the narrative often seems disjointed. The book tries to address several significant themes, such as homophobia, generational trauma, gender roles, corruption, and religious conflict, but not all are explored with the same depth. Some elements, like the gangster subplot, feel cartoonish or out of place.
While the novel presents itself as fantasy, it reads more like contemporary fiction with supernatural elements. This isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it may not meet readers' expectations seeking elaborate world-building or high-stakes magical elements.
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated