deepakchecks's review against another edition
4.0
Jessamyn Teoh had grown up in the United States but due to financial and health considerations, had to move to Penang, Malaysia. This is a world of ghosts and gods, to which Jess had remained skeptical throughout her life, until her grandmother Ah Ma's ghost takes over her body.
Ah Ma wants to take revenge on a gangster Ng Chee Hin, who has apparently taken over a plot in which resides the temple of the Black Water Sister. This set of events sours her relationship with Sharanya, her gay partner from the States, and Jess gets knee-deep involved in the conflicts that she struggles to find a way out.
The twists keep on coming. Jess befriends Sherng, Ng Chee Hin's son and brings him to the temple for discussions when Ah Ma double-crosses her and tries to get her to kill Sherng. Jess accidentally destroys the statue of Black Water Sister, who then threatens Jess to give her a sacrifice in return. Jess's mother reveals her past, and there is a wonderful twist involving Ah Ma and Ng Chee Hin. How Jess manages to get herself out of this mess is what forms the rest of the plot.
Seeped in Malaysian folklore, there are some genuine masala moments, well-thought characterizations and interesting twists, but the mood of the novel felt off sometimes, where I was unsure how serious to take the threats of the ghost, and the tie-up also felt unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, a good read.
Notes:
* Good things come from front, the not-so-good things come from the back, Aoboey Kong is the guardian protecting against this.
* Kuan Kong, the God of War - one with red face and beard, every Chinese restaurants have an altar with him.
Baju Melaya - is a traditional Malay costume, originated from the court of Malacca Sultanate and is traditionally worn by men in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, parts of Indonesia (especially Sumatra and Kalimantan), southern Philippines, and southern Thailand. It literally translates as Malay dress
Ah Ma wants to take revenge on a gangster Ng Chee Hin, who has apparently taken over a plot in which resides the temple of the Black Water Sister. This set of events sours her relationship with Sharanya, her gay partner from the States, and Jess gets knee-deep involved in the conflicts that she struggles to find a way out.
The twists keep on coming. Jess befriends Sherng, Ng Chee Hin's son and brings him to the temple for discussions when Ah Ma double-crosses her and tries to get her to kill Sherng. Jess accidentally destroys the statue of Black Water Sister, who then threatens Jess to give her a sacrifice in return. Jess's mother reveals her past, and there is a wonderful twist involving Ah Ma and Ng Chee Hin. How Jess manages to get herself out of this mess is what forms the rest of the plot.
Seeped in Malaysian folklore, there are some genuine masala moments, well-thought characterizations and interesting twists, but the mood of the novel felt off sometimes, where I was unsure how serious to take the threats of the ghost, and the tie-up also felt unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, a good read.
Notes:
* Good things come from front, the not-so-good things come from the back, Aoboey Kong is the guardian protecting against this.
* Kuan Kong, the God of War - one with red face and beard, every Chinese restaurants have an altar with him.
Baju Melaya - is a traditional Malay costume, originated from the court of Malacca Sultanate and is traditionally worn by men in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, parts of Indonesia (especially Sumatra and Kalimantan), southern Philippines, and southern Thailand. It literally translates as Malay dress
eschewed's review against another edition
4.0
zen cho writes the stories i wish i could write. penang hokkien representation always gets me emotional. ❤️
stefhyena's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Nothing is ever perfect but from my perspective- considering what I want and need to read this was close. It gave me a lot to think about as it centred cultures and spiritualities not my own. It had a post-historic, feminist take on the world without compromising believability (oddly) or humour (of a sarcastic sort). The character of Sherng was perfect, he was not allowed to become a love-interest, a villain or a good guy. He was the "nice guy" who does not get cooies just for existing among worse men.
This was everything! I am going to track down Zen Cho to see what else she has written.
xx Loved it!
This was everything! I am going to track down Zen Cho to see what else she has written.
xx Loved it!
slvernon's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a mixed bag. On one hand, the setting was incredible; bright and vibrant, an wonderful backdrop for an interesting premise. On the other hand, the story itself fell a little flat for me. I found the protagonist a little bland, and the plot and dialogue repetitive. Cho is clearly a competent writer but I personally was underwhelmed with this novel.
(Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.)
(Many thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.)
madamenovelist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Murder, Cursing, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Body horror, Gore, Torture, Classism, Death of parent, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
The death/gore/violence is more graphic than the sexual assault. The assault starts but is cut off immediately (cue violence). So if you are very sensitive, I would say this book is too graphic.shadesofdivine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thechaoshour's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger warnings: violence, attempted murder, attempted rape
A great book for others, but only ok for me. I just didn’t really understand how all the religious stuff connected with the gangster stuff. It felt weird. And I wish we had gotten to know more characters other than our MC, who was also a little under developed.
I did really love that the setting was Malaysia and that we got to see some really interesting family dynamics. I just wished they had been a little more detailed.
If you want something short and easy to read this is still a great choice! A good book, just not so much for me.
A great book for others, but only ok for me. I just didn’t really understand how all the religious stuff connected with the gangster stuff. It felt weird. And I wish we had gotten to know more characters other than our MC, who was also a little under developed.
I did really love that the setting was Malaysia and that we got to see some really interesting family dynamics. I just wished they had been a little more detailed.
If you want something short and easy to read this is still a great choice! A good book, just not so much for me.
jpegging's review against another edition
5.0
Zen Cho's worldbuilding coupled with a stressed out freshly graduated disaster lesbian in an urban fantasy Malaysia dealing with her grandma's ghosts and sexy snake gods 5/5 stars for sure
negcol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wrbueche's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5