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bookswithboz 's review for:
Black Water Sister
by Zen Cho
4 ⭐️ A gorgeous urban fantasy rich with Malaysian culture, emotion and representation that feels authentic wrapped up in a world of gods, ghosts, gangsters and grandmas
I didn’t know much about this book going into it other than the premise summed up perfectly by the author on twitter: ‘A stressed zillennial lesbian fights gods, ghosts, gangsters & grandmas in 21st century Penang.’
This book was a change from all my other most recent reads but it was a welcome and refreshing one. The raw emotion, the portrayal of Malaysian culture, and the troubles of both a young, closeted south- east asian lesbian as well as the struggle and strength of two other women who, regardless of their own actions, were wronged by the men in their lives was written so beautifully with so much feeling.
As someone who knows barely anything about Malaysian or South-East Asian culture this was such an interesting and insightful read, there were some references to place names or places in general that I was unsure on but this wasn’t at all a bad thing- it meant I looked into ESEA culture and learnt more about it. I loved the use of lore, religion, superstition and spirits in the story, it gave it a magical realism feel and felt as if it could be real, as though someone could tell me they had been chosen as the medium for a spirit and that they were currently possessing them and I wouldn’t bat an eye lid or question it at all! The portrayal of family life and the dynamics/relationships within families were portrayed authentically - this book explored the ups and downs without glossing over anything, again making it feel so real and relatable. It was really easy to become immersed in this version of 21st Century Penang and it feel like a non fantasy world despite the ghosts and spirits spilling out of it.
Although this book can be funny at times and have hints of mystery in others it does also feel very serious at points too. It comes with quite a few trigger warnings: there is discussion and scenes of abuse and assault, both physical and sexual as well as murder so check the content warnings for this before reading it.
This really felt like a book that the author had poured everything into- the feeling just radiated from the page which added to its beauty.
I didn’t know much about this book going into it other than the premise summed up perfectly by the author on twitter: ‘A stressed zillennial lesbian fights gods, ghosts, gangsters & grandmas in 21st century Penang.’
This book was a change from all my other most recent reads but it was a welcome and refreshing one. The raw emotion, the portrayal of Malaysian culture, and the troubles of both a young, closeted south- east asian lesbian as well as the struggle and strength of two other women who, regardless of their own actions, were wronged by the men in their lives was written so beautifully with so much feeling.
As someone who knows barely anything about Malaysian or South-East Asian culture this was such an interesting and insightful read, there were some references to place names or places in general that I was unsure on but this wasn’t at all a bad thing- it meant I looked into ESEA culture and learnt more about it. I loved the use of lore, religion, superstition and spirits in the story, it gave it a magical realism feel and felt as if it could be real, as though someone could tell me they had been chosen as the medium for a spirit and that they were currently possessing them and I wouldn’t bat an eye lid or question it at all! The portrayal of family life and the dynamics/relationships within families were portrayed authentically - this book explored the ups and downs without glossing over anything, again making it feel so real and relatable. It was really easy to become immersed in this version of 21st Century Penang and it feel like a non fantasy world despite the ghosts and spirits spilling out of it.
Although this book can be funny at times and have hints of mystery in others it does also feel very serious at points too. It comes with quite a few trigger warnings: there is discussion and scenes of abuse and assault, both physical and sexual as well as murder so check the content warnings for this before reading it.
This really felt like a book that the author had poured everything into- the feeling just radiated from the page which added to its beauty.