Welcome to Litsy!

I've been meaning to read this book for a while now and wow. WOW. I can't believe the author went there, kudos to her!

As usual, the story is really well written. I love the web of "is it fantastical or real" that was never really explained, as well as the theme of the 5 virtues and how all of them had "something wrong with them". And the Ghost Bride crumbs!!! #magicalrealism #mystery #spooky

⚠️ ?

*Cat (Serene) is not allowed on the table
This was the wrong time to read this book. I thought it was well crafted. Chan handled the multiple times and POV well. I was never confused where or who we were dealing with. I appreciate this being an area that is a historical blind spot for me (British Malaya occupied by Japan)
The writing is obviously debut level, a bit chunky, occasionally trying to do too much. But she gets her points across.

#WhereareyouMonday @Cupcake12
I'm in 1890s Malacca, Malaysia.

#FictionalTraveler June: A place you'd like to visit
(Forestalling August: Someplace hot and November: Asia) @julieclair
#GottaCatchEmAll #Dhelmise or #Goomy @Puddlejumper

#AsianLiterature #spirits #Asia #summertime

I liked the premise, but I wanted a bit more from this book. The writing could have been a little more polished. There are places where the narrative jumps around between the present and the recent past awkwardly. The family dynamic is fascinating, but the plot line with Jess' girlfriend feels like an afterthought. It just needed to be pulled together a little more.
@queerbc @puddlejumper

The concept was amazing. Deceased grandmother takes over Jessamyn's body to fight a multibillionaire who wants to destroy sacred Hindu spots. I enjoyed this book so much. #QueerBC @PuddleJumper

A motherless daughter recalls her upbringing after her mother left their family in British Columbia to return to her homeland in Brunei. Now that Liew is a mother herself, she‘s unable to stop thinking about her own who she last saw when she was 11 years old. This is a memoir of searching for answers: how could her mother abandon their family? Where is she? Is she still alive? What is the meaning of “home”?

I dipped in and out of this. Some of them I liked more than others

#QueerBC

I really liked the viewpoint of the main character. As a Malaysian-American, Jess straddles the line of both cultures. It's an element that comes into play multiple times throughout the story. I loved learning about the spirits and the clash between religions. The only thing that grated on me was Jess' naivete. Overall, a fast-paced read full of pissed off spirits.

Great author choice for this month's #queerbc @PuddleJumper

Jess, having recently moved to Malaysia w/ her parents, starts hearing a voice in her head that claims to be her grandmother who needs help w/ some unfinished business. Only then Jess gets mixed in w/ a god, gangsters, & family secrets.

I really loved the world building & the fantastical elements in this. But there was something about how Jess & Ah Ma‘s relationship shifted that bugged me. & this got much darker than I usually enjoy.🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Happy Pride Month everyone! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The tagged book is my choice for June‘s #QueerBC and I can‘t wait to get to it. I‘ve loved everything else I‘ve read by Zen Cho, although this looks pretty different.

#SundayFunday Hope you all have a safe and wonderful day, and don‘t forget to tag me!