Yangsze Choo
5/5 stars
In British ruled Malaya, the family of recently deceased Lin Tian Ching requests that Li Lan become his ghost bride. After refusing this offer, she begins to be haunted by Tian Ching, as he presses his suit in her dreams. To further complicate matters, Li Lan becomes attracted to his cousin, Tian Bai, angering Tian Ching. She consults a medium to find some peace from her ghostly suitor, but instead finds herself living on the borders of the spirit world. She must help a guardian spirit investigate the Lim family, find a way to put an end to Tian Ching's haunting, and somehow return to the world of the living.This mix of historical fiction and supernatural fantasy is an enthralling and enchanting novel, with a deliciously tangled plot. Choo's lyrical and descriptive writing is a delight to read. The world-building of the spirit lands is well crafted, the historical atmosphere quite believable, and the characters full and engaging. This unusual book undoubtedly deserves a five star rating.
