courtney12345's review against another edition
3.0
Let me sum up the book. A women is haunted, OD's, wonders various parts of the spirit world and then marries a dragon ,she just met, instead of the one she was promised to.
mimela78's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
rtd's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
alirenreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
An exceptionally written story full of folklore, the afterlife, and exploration into the unknown. This is a book that I am looking forward to revisiting in the future.
blearywitch's review against another edition
4.0
I've a soft spot for books based in my home country especially since there aren't many in English as the original language. I gave it points mainly for being Malaysian, for being based in my favourite city Malacca (apart from my hometown Penang), for being original, and for being very beautiful and descriptive. I did think that it was at parts a little dragged out - the Plains of the Dead, the skulking around and getting lost parts. I also expected more suspense and thrill but it was mostly just hovering on the ledge of my thrill-o-meter without really getting there. I'd recommend it if one is interested in the culture, the Taoist religion, bits and pieces of history, and the world of spirits and dreams. It is a very good Malaysian historical fiction and we don't have much of that in English!
booktrunks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really mystical and charming tale! I picked this up as a Blind Date book based off of a one sentance synopsis that promised ghosties and family drama and love and I got exactly that! I thought that Li Lan was a really fun character because she had that sassy and stubborn aura that can be really fun, but she wasn't very dependent on others throughout the book, so she kind of grabbed Ghost Life by the handlebars and was determined to figure it out! All in all, I highly recommend this one, and had a whole lot of fun reading!
kimkaisgf's review against another edition
3.0
Read this review and others on my blog ✨
Actual Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Yangsze Choo's strength lies in her world building. Unfortunately, this is also her weakness. I must confess, although this book had been on my list for quite some time I only purchased it recently: a) because of the Netflix series which has been adapted from it, and b) because I finally have the free time to peruse its pages.
Speaking of romance, I just have to mention how I adore Er Lang. He seems to be the only one who makes Li Lan's petulance seem adorable; framed by their banter and his presence, I enjoy Li Lan's presence throughout the novel a lot more. Er Lang is witty, resourceful and of sharp mind; he is obviously the diamond amongst Li Lan's other matches such as Tian Bai, or Lim Tian Ching. If only Choo had given us more of the dreamy "minor government official." I suppose, ultimately, my problem with The Ghost Bride is the character arc Li Lan goes through: or its lack. She matures, and it is an organic growth but so much of the character is lost in the fragments of the illusory world that Yangszee Choo has created. And oh, how beautiful this world is. Choo's descriptions are palpable, so imagined that the scenes feel real, almost hallucinatory in their quality, in their vivid state.
Overall, The Ghost Bride was an enjoyable read. I managed to pore through the book in a matter of two days, reading only a few hours at a time. Yangsze Choo is obviously a master at creating worlds enticing enough to sink its tenterhooks into you.
Actual Rating: 3.5 ⭐
Yangsze Choo's strength lies in her world building. Unfortunately, this is also her weakness. I must confess, although this book had been on my list for quite some time I only purchased it recently: a) because of the Netflix series which has been adapted from it, and b) because I finally have the free time to peruse its pages.
Spoiler
The Ghost Bride, starts out well, establishing characters and setting with ease. Choo gets into what is the initial conflict pretty early into the novel; she spends a decent amount of time developing this conflict, and Li Lan's plight is sympathetic. Who wants to marry a snivelling, spoiled brat? Living or dead? The problem with Choo's world building is the multiple subplots she creates, especially when Li Lan arrives in The Plains of the Dead. It becomes a little difficult to keep up with the tangled storylines relating to Li Lan's family, and the Lim families. I understand what she was attempting to do, what with the reconciliation of Li Lan and her mother; however, all this focus on the secondary and tertiary subplots often left a lot to be desired, especially in the romance department.Speaking of romance, I just have to mention how I adore Er Lang. He seems to be the only one who makes Li Lan's petulance seem adorable; framed by their banter and his presence, I enjoy Li Lan's presence throughout the novel a lot more. Er Lang is witty, resourceful and of sharp mind; he is obviously the diamond amongst Li Lan's other matches such as Tian Bai, or Lim Tian Ching. If only Choo had given us more of the dreamy "minor government official." I suppose, ultimately, my problem with The Ghost Bride is the character arc Li Lan goes through: or its lack. She matures, and it is an organic growth but so much of the character is lost in the fragments of the illusory world that Yangszee Choo has created. And oh, how beautiful this world is. Choo's descriptions are palpable, so imagined that the scenes feel real, almost hallucinatory in their quality, in their vivid state.
Overall, The Ghost Bride was an enjoyable read. I managed to pore through the book in a matter of two days, reading only a few hours at a time. Yangsze Choo is obviously a master at creating worlds enticing enough to sink its tenterhooks into you.
styliani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
carlylwbug's review against another edition
3.0
I'm not exactly sure how to rate this novel. I came into it thinking it would be more of a historical fiction romance novel, but it ended up being heavily influenced by mystic themes and the Chinese depiction of the afterlife.
The first part of the book dragged. I found myself skipping paragraphs in hopes of encountering some action or plot. The second half of the novel, the pace really picked up. I enjoyed the storyline, after getting used to the mysticism, and I enjoyed the references to Malaysian culture. I did get confused at what exactly was being investigated and who it was being investigated by, but I really enjoyed the ending of the novel.
Overall it was a good novel and I learned a lot about overseas Chinese perspectives on the afterlife.
The first part of the book dragged. I found myself skipping paragraphs in hopes of encountering some action or plot. The second half of the novel, the pace really picked up. I enjoyed the storyline, after getting used to the mysticism, and I enjoyed the references to Malaysian culture. I did get confused at what exactly was being investigated and who it was being investigated by, but I really enjoyed the ending of the novel.
Overall it was a good novel and I learned a lot about overseas Chinese perspectives on the afterlife.