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leasummer's review against another edition
4.0
This is a murder mystery, with a shot of romance and a lot of American-Chinese politics thrown in. I am not a reader of mystery but enjoyed Lisa See's book [b:Snow Flower and the Secret Fan|1103|Snow Flower and the Secret Fan|Lisa See|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1327880508s/1103.jpg|1453585] so our book club decided to read this one.
The plot is fascinating. The description definitely paint a vivid picture of life in China as well as that of a Chinese immigrant (legal or illegal). I enjoyed her writing style. The romance was fulfilling and the political aspect was intense and captivating.
I was not pleased with the ending but discovered this is the first book in a three book series, so that explained the abruptness. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
The plot is fascinating. The description definitely paint a vivid picture of life in China as well as that of a Chinese immigrant (legal or illegal). I enjoyed her writing style. The romance was fulfilling and the political aspect was intense and captivating.
I was not pleased with the ending but discovered this is the first book in a three book series, so that explained the abruptness. 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
grandmashenanigans's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookrunner's review against another edition
Just couldn’t get into it. Could tell this was an early work. Also hyperfixated on Robin Hobb so…
kappafrog's review
This got too gruesome for me so I stopped. I hadn't been enjoying it. The characters are one-dimensional (except for Hulan), the romance was boring, the case was not that interesting. The best part was the Cultural Revolution nostalgia restaurant.
synastrii's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
vickie101101's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
missyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
I read Dragon Bones before I read this. Wish that it had been the other way around. Getting the background on a character from the first in a series is more fun when read in order. Lisa See also has matured as a writer between Flower Net and Dragon Bones. I will pick up The Interior next.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook narrated by Elaina Davis (abridged)
From the book jacket: In the depths of a Beijing winter, the U.S. ambassador’s son is found dead – his body entombed in a frozen lake. Around the same time, aboard a ship adrift off the coast of Southern California, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Stark discovers the corpse of a Red Prince, a scion of China’s political elite. The Chinese and American governments suspect that the deaths are connected, and they join forces to see justice done. In Beijing, David teams up with the female police detective Liu Hulan, in an investigation that takes them to every corner of China and sparks an intense attraction between the two.
My reaction
Before she rocketed to fame with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan See wrote a short series of mysteries, of which this is the first. What I liked most about this book was the look at China – from karaoke bars to the neighborhoods housing the working class, from high-powered businessmen to prostitutes, See gave the reader a look under the blanket of the typical tourist-friendly experience. The plot is convoluted and full of twists and turns, as much political intrigue as murder mystery.
Liu Hulan is an interesting and conflicted character. Having been educated in the U.S. she seems a logical choice to partner with the U.S. attorney for the investigation. But their previous relationship and the personal issues between them kept distracting me from the central mystery.
Elaina Davis does a good job of narrating the audiobook, but it wasn’t until after I had listened to about half of it that I realized it was an abridged version. Fortunately, I had the text as well so could read the full book, which meant I got much more of Liu Hulan explaining Chinese culture to David than action.
From the book jacket: In the depths of a Beijing winter, the U.S. ambassador’s son is found dead – his body entombed in a frozen lake. Around the same time, aboard a ship adrift off the coast of Southern California, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Stark discovers the corpse of a Red Prince, a scion of China’s political elite. The Chinese and American governments suspect that the deaths are connected, and they join forces to see justice done. In Beijing, David teams up with the female police detective Liu Hulan, in an investigation that takes them to every corner of China and sparks an intense attraction between the two.
My reaction
Before she rocketed to fame with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan See wrote a short series of mysteries, of which this is the first. What I liked most about this book was the look at China – from karaoke bars to the neighborhoods housing the working class, from high-powered businessmen to prostitutes, See gave the reader a look under the blanket of the typical tourist-friendly experience. The plot is convoluted and full of twists and turns, as much political intrigue as murder mystery.
Liu Hulan is an interesting and conflicted character. Having been educated in the U.S. she seems a logical choice to partner with the U.S. attorney for the investigation. But their previous relationship and the personal issues between them kept distracting me from the central mystery.
Elaina Davis does a good job of narrating the audiobook, but it wasn’t until after I had listened to about half of it that I realized it was an abridged version. Fortunately, I had the text as well so could read the full book, which meant I got much more of Liu Hulan explaining Chinese culture to David than action.
purpleowl6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0