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megj23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood and Murder
Minor: Racism and Homophobia
erin_lovell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
stubbornlybookish's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I want to start and say that this is not a bad book, or that it's not worth reading. If you find yourself interested in it I still would recommend it. I personally didn't super enjoy my time while reading it. This is a major case of it's not you, it's me.
Black Water Sister follows Jess, a closeted, recent college grad who moves back to Malaysia with her parents, to find herself maybe haunted by her incredibly difficult (and deceased) grandmother. Jess unwillingly finds herself roped into a plot involving mob bosses and vengeful gods with potential massive consequences.
I don't think this was done poorly. Frankly I think Zen Cho is successful with what she sets out to accomplish. Her themes discussing family, culture, immigration, queerness, and how they intersect was great. I honestly wouldn't have minded if she leaned into them even more.
I didn't love the plot. Anything to do with the divine I was down for. But a lot of the story just had us waiting around for things to happen and the mob stuff wasn't leaned into enough. The plot just left me indifferent and a little bored.
Jess was a fine MC. I didn't have any real complaints. Her struggles were compelling and her character arc was mostly satisfying.
I wasn't in love with the writing style. Maybe that is where my disconnect comes from. I found the description to be lacking in places. And overall the prose just wasn't my favourite. I think there was an opportunity to really develop some atmosphere in places and I wasn't a fan of how Zen Cho chose to execute that.
Black Water Sister follows Jess, a closeted, recent college grad who moves back to Malaysia with her parents, to find herself maybe haunted by her incredibly difficult (and deceased) grandmother. Jess unwillingly finds herself roped into a plot involving mob bosses and vengeful gods with potential massive consequences.
I don't think this was done poorly. Frankly I think Zen Cho is successful with what she sets out to accomplish. Her themes discussing family, culture, immigration, queerness, and how they intersect was great. I honestly wouldn't have minded if she leaned into them even more.
I didn't love the plot. Anything to do with the divine I was down for. But a lot of the story just had us waiting around for things to happen and the mob stuff wasn't leaned into enough. The plot just left me indifferent and a little bored.
Jess was a fine MC. I didn't have any real complaints. Her struggles were compelling and her character arc was mostly satisfying.
I wasn't in love with the writing style. Maybe that is where my disconnect comes from. I found the description to be lacking in places. And overall the prose just wasn't my favourite. I think there was an opportunity to really develop some atmosphere in places and I wasn't a fan of how Zen Cho chose to execute that.
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Medical trauma
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