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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Zen Cho's Spirits Abroad is a fun collection, with a lot of Malaysian background to the stories. She doesn't waste time on explaining the Malay words she uses, but it's usually perfectly clear from context, or easy to look up.
I don't quite know why it didn't work for me: there was nothing I could pinpoint as disliking in any of the stories, but something about the collection as a whole kind of dragged for me. I know I've liked some of the short stories in isolation, too, because I know I'd read a couple of them before -- so I'm under the impression it just wasn't the right time for me with this book.
All the same, I'm glad I finished it. I vaguely remembered 'The Terracotta Bride', but it surprised me all over again, and I really liked the imugi trying to become a dragon, as well. Maybe it wasn't the right moment for me, but there was still a lot to enjoy, reading it piecemeal the way I did.
I don't quite know why it didn't work for me: there was nothing I could pinpoint as disliking in any of the stories, but something about the collection as a whole kind of dragged for me. I know I've liked some of the short stories in isolation, too, because I know I'd read a couple of them before -- so I'm under the impression it just wasn't the right time for me with this book.
All the same, I'm glad I finished it. I vaguely remembered 'The Terracotta Bride', but it surprised me all over again, and I really liked the imugi trying to become a dragon, as well. Maybe it wasn't the right moment for me, but there was still a lot to enjoy, reading it piecemeal the way I did.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
mysterious
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
adventurous
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Short stories aren't generally my thing, but I enjoyed a lot of them in this collection.
Many of the stories have interesting explorations of gender, queerness, traditions, and spirituality. I particularly enjoyed If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again and The Terra-cotta Bride.
I don't think I've read anything written in Malaysian English before, and thought it added a lot of depth to the characters and the worlds they inhabit. On a personal level, it also made me pretty nostalgic, as it reminded me of the way my Malaysian grandpa would talk to us growing up.
Not all the stories blew me away, but I really appreciated the collection and am glad I picked it up as part of my r/Fantasy bingo card. It has made me interested in picking up some of Zen Cho's novels.
Many of the stories have interesting explorations of gender, queerness, traditions, and spirituality. I particularly enjoyed If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again and The Terra-cotta Bride.
I don't think I've read anything written in Malaysian English before, and thought it added a lot of depth to the characters and the worlds they inhabit. On a personal level, it also made me pretty nostalgic, as it reminded me of the way my Malaysian grandpa would talk to us growing up.
Not all the stories blew me away, but I really appreciated the collection and am glad I picked it up as part of my r/Fantasy bingo card. It has made me interested in picking up some of Zen Cho's novels.
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Spirits Abroad was such a fun and unexpectedly heartwarming read. I really enjoyed how Zen Cho took classic horror and folktale elements and reworked them into something more poignant and emotionally grounded. Even though these were short stories, the characters felt real and fleshed out — I found myself caring about them almost immediately. There’s a strong sense of authenticity in the way the stories are told, and I loved how each one had its own emotional texture.
While not every story hit quite the same for me, the majority resonated deeply. The House of Aunts especially stood out — it stuck with me long after I finished it and even sent me down a rabbit hole looking up the mythology behind it. Rising Lion – The Lion Bows and The Earth Spirit’s Favourite Anecdote were also favourites; they each had this perfect blend of wit, warmth, and just a touch of the eerie.
What I really appreciated about Zen Cho’s writing is how much empathy and relatability she brings to all her characters, human or not. There’s a sense of humanity woven through every story — even in the most fantastical settings, the emotions feel grounded and familiar.
Overall, this was a joy to read. A lovely, thoughtful anthology that manages to be both playful and touching at the same time.
While not every story hit quite the same for me, the majority resonated deeply. The House of Aunts especially stood out — it stuck with me long after I finished it and even sent me down a rabbit hole looking up the mythology behind it. Rising Lion – The Lion Bows and The Earth Spirit’s Favourite Anecdote were also favourites; they each had this perfect blend of wit, warmth, and just a touch of the eerie.
What I really appreciated about Zen Cho’s writing is how much empathy and relatability she brings to all her characters, human or not. There’s a sense of humanity woven through every story — even in the most fantastical settings, the emotions feel grounded and familiar.
Overall, this was a joy to read. A lovely, thoughtful anthology that manages to be both playful and touching at the same time.