A review by madmadmaddymad
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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

I like the voice of this novel; it’s really written in a way where you can hear the characters speaking. Jess is a fish out of water but also, she is so easy to root for, when she becomes a medium and gets thrust into the inciting adventure of the novel. 

My favorite character was Jess, but I felt for her family. The fear of having a father in remission from cancer, and how hard he has to work. The shame of having a secret girlfriend and being uncomfortable coming out. The attitude of family in this novel was all too real. It was cultural for me, but I’m not Asian, so I liked being immersed in a different culture and family dynamic. 

Loved the ghost and god aspect - I started feeling really fired up when the Black Water Sister was punishing the labor workers for defiling her land - when they were just trying to make a living. She ought to go after Ng Chee Hin, since it was his holding ordering the landscaping and construction. I agree with Jess, when she said it is the whole business of gods to be fair. 
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