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A review by kimkaisgf
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
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.