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lukka2008's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
4.0
I first read [b:The Lotus Palace|17348286|The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1)|Jeannie Lin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370774599l/17348286._SY75_.jpg|24088994] but while I found the historical context and setting interesting the story didn’t really moved me. My initial deception with Jeannie Lin’s The Pingkang Li Mysteries series was remediated with [b:The Jade Temptress|18246316|The Jade Temptress (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #2)|Jeannie Lin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1376998262l/18246316._SY75_.jpg|25697039].
First, I found the interaction between elite courtesan Mingyu and Constable Wu Kaifeng to be more compelling. What I didn’t realize at first is that a constable is a lowly servant. For Wu Kaifeng to be a constable meant that a relationship with an elite courtesan like Mingyu was way out of his station. Even though Minguy is worshipped by all she is nothing more than a glorified slave owned by Madame Sun who can't escape her powerful and undesired suitors. Even being seen in public with Wu Kaifeng could hurt Minguy reputation. I was really interested in seeing how Jeannie Lin was going to make their relationship work. Another point that I found interesting is that courtesans are always putting on act and thus it made it difficult to differentiate when Minguy feeling were genuine from when she just used someone to get what she want.
Compare to [b:The Lotus Palace|17348286|The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1)|Jeannie Lin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370774599l/17348286._SY75_.jpg|24088994], I found this book to be more historically interesting particularly in the exploration of the status and hierarchy in China during the Tang Dynasty.
While the murder plot in the first book seemed only a ruse for the characters to be able to interact, here the murder mystery had is own place in the story. The romance did not took over the mystery plot, the investigation was more of the backbone of the plot. Solving a murder without criminal forensics can prove compelling but Wu Kainfeng shown great ingenuity as he used his clues to solve elements.
A really enjoyable historical mystery romance
First, I found the interaction between elite courtesan Mingyu and Constable Wu Kaifeng to be more compelling. What I didn’t realize at first is that a constable is a lowly servant. For Wu Kaifeng to be a constable meant that a relationship with an elite courtesan like Mingyu was way out of his station. Even though Minguy is worshipped by all she is nothing more than a glorified slave owned by Madame Sun who can't escape her powerful and undesired suitors. Even being seen in public with Wu Kaifeng could hurt Minguy reputation. I was really interested in seeing how Jeannie Lin was going to make their relationship work. Another point that I found interesting is that courtesans are always putting on act and thus it made it difficult to differentiate when Minguy feeling were genuine from when she just used someone to get what she want.
Compare to [b:The Lotus Palace|17348286|The Lotus Palace (The Pingkang Li Mysteries, #1)|Jeannie Lin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1370774599l/17348286._SY75_.jpg|24088994], I found this book to be more historically interesting particularly in the exploration of the status and hierarchy in China during the Tang Dynasty.
While the murder plot in the first book seemed only a ruse for the characters to be able to interact, here the murder mystery had is own place in the story. The romance did not took over the mystery plot, the investigation was more of the backbone of the plot. Solving a murder without criminal forensics can prove compelling but Wu Kainfeng shown great ingenuity as he used his clues to solve elements.
A really enjoyable historical mystery romance
sara11_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the murder mystery and characters more in this novel that the first book in the series. I loved the historical setting (China 850 AD) - how intricate and real the author made it seem.
rachelselene's review against another edition
3.0
”you sit in gardens and dream of forests.”
i have mixed feelings about this one. i jumped right into it after finishing the first book in the series, the lotus palace, which was so rich and evocative that i couldn’t wait for more. jeannie is, as always, an excellent writer with a gift for imagery and sensory descriptions — the writing in this installment is stellar. i liked mingyu, clever and determined and fierce beneath the delicate flower facade, but i never really warmed to kaifeng, even after all the pains jeannie takes to remind us about the softness hidden beneath his lack of eloquence. moreover — the strength of the lotus palace was that it struck a nice balance between substance and romance, but the jade temptress is angst first and mystery second. there’s a whole lot of waffling around while nothing happens except mingfeng pining for one another (i just coined that ship name), and some threads felt unresolved to me at the end.
i actually loved catching up with yue-ying and bai huang — i don’t know if i realized how much fun they were until they were no longer my main characters.
i have mixed feelings about this one. i jumped right into it after finishing the first book in the series, the lotus palace, which was so rich and evocative that i couldn’t wait for more. jeannie is, as always, an excellent writer with a gift for imagery and sensory descriptions — the writing in this installment is stellar. i liked mingyu, clever and determined and fierce beneath the delicate flower facade, but i never really warmed to kaifeng, even after all the pains jeannie takes to remind us about the softness hidden beneath his lack of eloquence. moreover — the strength of the lotus palace was that it struck a nice balance between substance and romance, but the jade temptress is angst first and mystery second. there’s a whole lot of waffling around while nothing happens except mingfeng pining for one another (i just coined that ship name), and some threads felt unresolved to me at the end.
i actually loved catching up with yue-ying and bai huang — i don’t know if i realized how much fun they were until they were no longer my main characters.
mvbookreviewer's review
5.0
The Jade Temptress is the second book in The Pingkang Li Mysteries, and tells the story of Mingyu, the most celebrated courtesan at The Lotus Palace. Even though this book can be read as a standalone, to experience the wide range of emotions the unfolding story exposes the reader to, I would recommend reading the series in order.
Wu Kaifeng, known as Constable Wu is a man of serious demeanor, having never shown an interest in her, unlike men of the caliber that Mingyu usually spends her time with. But the murder of Mingyu’s long term patron General Deng Zhi brings Wu and Mingyu together in a way that deepens the awareness that had sizzled to life between them from almost the beginning. of their acquaintance, though neither had acknowledged the fact at first.
While Mingyu is beauty personified with every man who comes to The Lotus Palace enamored by her presence, Wu is the opposite of what one would call “handsome” in the classical sense. But his strong presence, his demeanor, the way he holds himself, his strong sense of seeing justice through, and the way he is helplessly ensnared by the strength of character that Mingyu hides from most; all that and more makes Wu a formidable character, one that I fell head over heels in love with from the minute I came across him in the first book.
Mingyu’s past, the way she had become the most sought after courtesan at The Lotus Palace is one that grabs the emotions of the reader. Similar is how Wu grew up, his character even then one that was different from most children. How Jeannie Lin creates such beauty in a world where murder, jealousy, and traversing the treacherous waters of Chinese imperial politics is one that continues to amaze me. I would always come back for more because similar to authors like Sherry Thomas, Jeannie Lin is one of a kind and there is no giving up on that.
I absolutely loved the story that unfolded in The Jade Temptress, more so than the first book in the series. I have a thing for strong and silent heroes, and Constable Wu personifies all that and more. Mingyu is not the average heroine material that you encounter in most romance books, but she is endearing in so many ways that I fell for her just as hard when it came right down to it.
As the story reached its ultimate conclusion, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty and utter perfection that Jeannie Lin created with the characters, the story, and the ending. I loved the way Kaifeng bought the one thing that mattered most to Mingyu, and yet, waited patiently, biding his time until Mingyu came to him on her own volition. That was profound in a way I cannot describe, because for a woman such as Mingyu, that was a gift that was priceless. I loved the tidbits that showed the struggles both of them go through to make a different life for themselves together – and that in essence clinched the deal for me.
This is one of Jeannie Lin’s best works, and comes highly recommended for fans of beautifully crafted romance novels.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Wu Kaifeng, known as Constable Wu is a man of serious demeanor, having never shown an interest in her, unlike men of the caliber that Mingyu usually spends her time with. But the murder of Mingyu’s long term patron General Deng Zhi brings Wu and Mingyu together in a way that deepens the awareness that had sizzled to life between them from almost the beginning. of their acquaintance, though neither had acknowledged the fact at first.
While Mingyu is beauty personified with every man who comes to The Lotus Palace enamored by her presence, Wu is the opposite of what one would call “handsome” in the classical sense. But his strong presence, his demeanor, the way he holds himself, his strong sense of seeing justice through, and the way he is helplessly ensnared by the strength of character that Mingyu hides from most; all that and more makes Wu a formidable character, one that I fell head over heels in love with from the minute I came across him in the first book.
Mingyu’s past, the way she had become the most sought after courtesan at The Lotus Palace is one that grabs the emotions of the reader. Similar is how Wu grew up, his character even then one that was different from most children. How Jeannie Lin creates such beauty in a world where murder, jealousy, and traversing the treacherous waters of Chinese imperial politics is one that continues to amaze me. I would always come back for more because similar to authors like Sherry Thomas, Jeannie Lin is one of a kind and there is no giving up on that.
I absolutely loved the story that unfolded in The Jade Temptress, more so than the first book in the series. I have a thing for strong and silent heroes, and Constable Wu personifies all that and more. Mingyu is not the average heroine material that you encounter in most romance books, but she is endearing in so many ways that I fell for her just as hard when it came right down to it.
As the story reached its ultimate conclusion, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty and utter perfection that Jeannie Lin created with the characters, the story, and the ending. I loved the way Kaifeng bought the one thing that mattered most to Mingyu, and yet, waited patiently, biding his time until Mingyu came to him on her own volition. That was profound in a way I cannot describe, because for a woman such as Mingyu, that was a gift that was priceless. I loved the tidbits that showed the struggles both of them go through to make a different life for themselves together – and that in essence clinched the deal for me.
This is one of Jeannie Lin’s best works, and comes highly recommended for fans of beautifully crafted romance novels.
Rating = 5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
tangodiva's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this much better than The Lotus Palace, and I loved that one, so.......
Jeannie Lin is one of the few bright spots in historical romance. I would saw her and Sherry Thomas are pretty much it at this point.
Mingyu is one of the best heroines I've read in, oh, EVER.
Jeannie Lin is one of the few bright spots in historical romance. I would saw her and Sherry Thomas are pretty much it at this point.
Mingyu is one of the best heroines I've read in, oh, EVER.
nic55's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
This was so excellent, it made me come back and write my first review in months.
I had a feeling this would work better for me than the first, and I was very right. First of all, I love a romance with actual stakes and this one had them. Both characters were in vulnerable positions with shit to lose and valid reasons not to trust the other.... and they had to consider external factors in a fairly nuanced way before choosing each other. Mingyu and Wu Kaifeng were guarded af due to their life circumstances, and I'm a sucker for seeing two guarded people let down their walls in romances. Particularly with Mingyu's relationship to being a courtesan and having to weigh the pros and cons between security in society and true freedom. They just really had to work through some shit, and that journey made the HEA so satisfying. The mystery in this one was much more compelling than the first, and I was engaged the whole way through. The writing was just as beautiful too, I love how real Jeannie Lin makes this setting feel.
Since starting school, my reading has taken a huge hit, especially within romance. Ya girl has been struggling🥲 So reading a romance that really captured me like this was MUCH needed and makes me excited to take advantage of my summer. I'm glad this Jeannie Lin worked so well for me, definitely has the potential to join my list of go-to historical authors.
I had a feeling this would work better for me than the first, and I was very right. First of all, I love a romance with actual stakes and this one had them. Both characters were in vulnerable positions with shit to lose and valid reasons not to trust the other.... and they had to consider external factors in a fairly nuanced way before choosing each other. Mingyu and Wu Kaifeng were guarded af due to their life circumstances, and I'm a sucker for seeing two guarded people let down their walls in romances. Particularly with Mingyu's relationship to being a courtesan and having to weigh the pros and cons between security in society and true freedom. They just really had to work through some shit, and that journey made the HEA so satisfying. The mystery in this one was much more compelling than the first, and I was engaged the whole way through. The writing was just as beautiful too, I love how real Jeannie Lin makes this setting feel.
Since starting school, my reading has taken a huge hit, especially within romance. Ya girl has been struggling🥲 So reading a romance that really captured me like this was MUCH needed and makes me excited to take advantage of my summer. I'm glad this Jeannie Lin worked so well for me, definitely has the potential to join my list of go-to historical authors.
the_discworldian's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
spess's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
talkadyen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0