madamenovelist's review against another edition
- 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
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.nialiversuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, Murder, Blood, Death, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Injury/injury detail, Outing, and Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Infidelity
iirenecassini's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Physical abuse, Death, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Lesbophobia, Gore, Grief, and Sexual violence
Minor: Classism, Outing, Self harm, Torture, Racism, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Cursing
adancewithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
We meet Jess when she first hears a voice in her head. She doesn't realize then that her grandma, who she has never met, has started haunting her. Not until the move to Malaysia is complete and Jess is in a complete new world, being taken over by her grandma who has ulterior motives for sticking around.
The absolute feels that we get from Jess is what makes me adore this book. Moving to Malaysia, hiding being queer and then being haunted by the grandma you never met, it is a lot. And then when your grandma ghost wants you to go and save a shrine for the ghost that was attached to her, well, your world gets put upside down.
If that sounds like a whirlwind, it is. For Jess. But for us as readers the pace is a tad bit slower. We get plenty of time to regroup alongside of Jess. To understand who Jess is and how her family works. Why her mother always kept her away from her grandmother and uncle.
I also quite appreciated Jess' family. Her uncle who is a bit of a mess, her mom who loves her but has quite the backpack, her aunt who is more observant than you would think.
All in all I think Black Water Sister is once again a great read from Zen Cho.
Moderate: Grief and Cancer
sulinde's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Death, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Violence, Sexual violence, and Racism
Moderate: Homophobia and Xenophobia
Minor: Cancer, Cannibalism, and Deportation
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Jess is a compelling protagonist. Imperfect, determined, brave.
This Malaysian dark fantasy novel has deep roots in history, folklore, spirituality, and queer experiences.
Ah Ma and Jess' unconventional, claustrophobic, dynamic relationship was my favourite aspect of this. She is haunted and possessed by her funny, wise, cutthroat grandmother and they use this time to bond, learn, grow. Unwind the cycle of grief, pain, and trauma.
Graphic: Blood, Outing, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Rape, Grief, Injury/injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm and Cancer
Minor: Alcohol
orla_h's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Violence, Murder, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Grief
Minor: Sexual assault
charny's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Blood, Cancer, Death, Rape, Racism, Pregnancy, Murder, Outing, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Kidnapping, and Injury/injury detail
lauraglovestoread's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Black Water Sister follows Jess, a young Malaysian-American woman who has just moved back to Malaysia with her parents. Just when she's got enough mundane issues to worry about -- not being out to her parents, a long-distance relationship, the challenges of finding a good job post-graduation, the pressures exerted by her extended family -- the voice of her recently deceased grandmother turns up in her head and before long, Jess is (in the author's words) "[fighting] gods, ghosts, gangsters, and grandmas in 21st century Penang." I appreciate so much about this book -- the rich descriptions of the setting, the comedic elements interspersed with more serious themes, and the development of Jess' character. There is a strong feminist element to Black Water Sister -- it centers multiple generations of women, and addresses trauma, violence, loss, and family tensions and divisions with nuance. This is the second of Zen Cho's books I've read, and my favourite thusfar.
<i>Content warnings:</i> sexual assault, sexual violence, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, racism, xenophobia, violence, murder, domestic violence, gore, grief, medical content
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Misogyny, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Violence, Murder, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Gore, Grief, and Medical content
lucystolethesky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Death, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Outing, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Rape, Misogyny, Injury/injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, and Cancer