A review by maxgardner
The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Western, magical realist Kill Bill. I really enjoyed this! Ming is an overall likeable main character, even if he's flawed and on this murderous quest for vengeance, and the cast of characters in the traveling magic show are all well developed and challenge and highlight different elements of Ming's character. The story has great pacing and a sparse writing style, which works well to establish the vibe Tom Lin seems to be going for. I do think some of themes Lin aims to explore, like racism during this time period and Ming's relationship to it, are a little underdeveloped, though what we do get of it in the leader of the magic show is really compelling. And though the ending wasn't a surprise by any means, it felt satisfying. All in all, really solid book, especially for a debut.