A review by lines__lines
The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho

adventurous hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Despite the backdrop for this story being a "silent war" and the main characters being bandits (or, more accurately, survivors and rebels) this story manages to feel light and warm-hearted. It's fast paced and focuses on the two main characters' small arcs. I say two main characters, but Tet Sang is truly the main character with the most development and Guet Imm provides the catalyst for self-rediscovery. Guet Imm has her own arc as well, but it is more that the reader and Tet Sang learn more about her as she is willing to reveal more of herself to us. For a novella, I still felt that I got plenty of little twists and turns as we discover the pasts of Ah Sang and Guet Imm. This is also a story with explorations of spirituality - of losing faith and regaining it with a transformed viewpoint. The plot is relatively straightforward and thievery-related, but it ties in well with the character development, making for a seamless story experience along with easy world-building. Though the band of bandits encounter danger and there are a few moments of tense action, this book never made me feel stressed that our heroes wouldn't come out on top. And the found family of bandits is a loving little group despite the tensions that inevitably arise; the leaders truly look out for and care for their band, as their members are all outcasts in some way with no other options to turn to in this world. Outside of our main characters, the other party members don't get a ton of development, but they do all have distinct personalities and I wouldn't expect much more than a couple deep characters in a novella. There is room from this story for a follow-up for either another character from the band (I'd hope for more about Fung Cheung, the bandits' beautiful gay ringleader) or to follow Tet Sang and Geut Imm a little more (or both!). A sequel novella or companion short story/stories would not go amiss, but I think as the novella stands that it does provide a satisfying wrap-up. It only gets docked the half a star for leaving me wanting just a liiiittle more!
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