A review by deepakchecks
Black Water Sister, by Zen Cho
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