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zepeng's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Never in my life would I have thought that my culture can be written down in paper and ink. It is rare to find a book that features Penang in modern culture, though the prose heavily mixes the old Penang and the new Penang. That said, I had the most fun reading it. It is my culture and my everyday life, I understand every dialogue and cultural reference, I can vividly imagine every scenario. With that, I can finally understand the importance of representation, and for that the author has my deepest gratitude.
While clairvoyance and paranormal activity is not a new trope in fantasy books, tackling it with gods, mediums and superstitions is something fresh in Western literature, though it has deep roots in Malaysian Chinese's culture. To see it presented this way was every bit fascinating and intriguing, and I found myself yearning to read more.
However, to be honest, I found myself less critical while reading since I am busy chuckling at the Manglish, or the Datuk's love for nasi lemak (that one was the funniest). Overall, I found this book highly enjoyable and rate it a generous 4 stars.
Never in my life would I have thought that my culture can be written down in paper and ink. It is rare to find a book that features Penang in modern culture, though the prose heavily mixes the old Penang and the new Penang. That said, I had the most fun reading it. It is my culture and my everyday life, I understand every dialogue and cultural reference, I can vividly imagine every scenario. With that, I can finally understand the importance of representation, and for that the author has my deepest gratitude.
While clairvoyance and paranormal activity is not a new trope in fantasy books, tackling it with gods, mediums and superstitions is something fresh in Western literature, though it has deep roots in Malaysian Chinese's culture. To see it presented this way was every bit fascinating and intriguing, and I found myself yearning to read more.
However, to be honest, I found myself less critical while reading since I am busy chuckling at the Manglish, or the Datuk's love for nasi lemak (that one was the funniest). Overall, I found this book highly enjoyable and rate it a generous 4 stars.
sailor_marmar's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.75
kaitalytic's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
tangiblereads's review against another edition
dark
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Black Water Sister made me appreciate my grandmother because they all pass on. That said, this ghost grandmother was a riot and my favorite thing about the book was the banter between Jess and Ah Ma. Her motivation was wild too. While the plot in this book was good, and a bit complicated, I think the synopsis on the back of the book is a tag misleading about the serious themes. You have domestic violence, spirituality, religion, family expectations and drama, queerness, and sexual assault. Also there is a lot of incorporation of Chinese and other languages words that I couldn't always figure from the context. It slowed down my reading, but I appreciated the incorporation. Also the broken English as well. Very authentic for what is was. This book is a rich incorporation of Chinese and Malaysia culture and I appreciated that. The ending seemed rushed, like a big buildup of action, then a summarization. I didn't like that. Overall, I did enjoy this book, just not as much as I expected to.
20megs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
izzykathryn's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
acrosstickx's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
yanyy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hellobookbird's review against another edition
4.0
"Why you always want to talk to Ah Ma in the bathroom?"
Jessamyn Teoh is closeted, broke and moving back to Malaysia, a country she left when she was a toddler. So when Jess starts hearing voices, she chalks it up to stress. But there's only one voice in her head, and it claims to be the ghost of her estranged grandmother, Ah Ma. In life Ah Ma was a spirit medium, the avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she's determined to settle a score against a gang boss who has offended the god--and she's decided Jess is going to help her do it.
Drawn into a world of gods, ghosts, and family secrets, Jess finds that making deals with capricious spirits is a dangerous business. As Jess fights for retribution for Ah Ma, she'll also need to regain control of her body and destiny. If she fails, the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.
She braced herself for scoldings, guilt trips, emotional blackmail—all the tools with which Asian elders were wont to apply pressure to their wayward descendants.
Per the author's Twitter: “A stressed zillennial lesbian fights gods, ghosts, gangsters & grandmas in 21st century Penang.” I dunno about you but I was sold.
Honestly, Ah Ma carried this book. Her attitude was legendary...lemme share a couple quotes to really sell you:
If you overhear everything I hear, said Jess, why would you need me to tell you what Kor Kor’s friends were saying about Ng Chee Hin?
Sometimes I don’t pay attention lah. You think your life is so interesting meh?
AND
“Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“Like that also must tell you?” said Ah Ma. “I thought you’re so clever, went to university. I have to tell you Malaysia is hot and chili is spicy also, is it?”
AND
You experience everything I experience? said Jess. Don’t you, I don’t know, sleep sometimes?
I’m dead already. Why I have to sleep for what?
Honestly, this is worth the read just for the attitude. That being said, it was also a really good read to explore Malaysian culture and a really great window into familial dynamics that are so different to me as a white, American woman.
Throughout the book was also an underlying subplot for Jess discovering herself which is reflected in her opinion on the temples at the end: "I think it should be what it is. [...] It doesn’t have to be anything else. It’s OK if it fades away. But it shouldn’t be torn out and it shouldn’t be made over.”
Recommended for fantasy fans with a love of humor or Malaysian culture.
readingbycorinne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5