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wrenl 's review for:
Black Water Sister
by Zen Cho
It’s such an interesting experience reading this book after watching “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Both this book and that movie share a lot in common with the supernatural/sci fi elements, LGBTQ+ Asians, and inter generational trauma.
That being said, I don’t love but I also don’t hate this book. It’s certainly an interesting read with its look at Malaysian/Chinese culture and superstitions. I learned something for sure. But the actual plot meandered a lot, and I kept getting annoyed with Jess being yanked around by the side characters’ subterfuge. And I really don’t get Sherng and Ah Ma’s motivations sometimes. They do things that feel so out of character I’m baffled.
I do appreciate what this book says about confronting your past through the Black Water Sister portion of the ending, but I wanted Jess to do more. She was so reactive and didn’t seem to have any strong motivation. And not just because she didn’t know what to do in life.
Long story short, learned a bit but left wanting more from the characters
That being said, I don’t love but I also don’t hate this book. It’s certainly an interesting read with its look at Malaysian/Chinese culture and superstitions. I learned something for sure. But the actual plot meandered a lot, and I kept getting annoyed with Jess being yanked around by the side characters’ subterfuge. And I really don’t get Sherng and Ah Ma’s motivations sometimes. They do things that feel so out of character I’m baffled.
I do appreciate what this book says about confronting your past through the Black Water Sister portion of the ending, but I wanted Jess to do more. She was so reactive and didn’t seem to have any strong motivation. And not just because she didn’t know what to do in life.
Long story short, learned a bit but left wanting more from the characters