My Five Word TL:DR Review : This Series is Seriously Good

TGWNF is a book that I’ve been wanting to read for quite some time. I loved The Girl With Ghost Eyes and was so desperate to read the next instalment but then in the way of a lot of great books this one seemed to get left behind in the ever mounting furore of deadlines. So, this year I’ve been taking a look back at my TBR and trying to read at least one book a month to make a small dint in my backlist books

The first book in the series was wonderful. Please check out my review here. And. I’m pleased to say that the second instalment is equally breathtaking. What a wonderfully unique storyteller Boroson is. I can’t remember reading a series before with such attention to detail. Clearly the author has taken research to the next level and this is reflected in the story. 

Once again we return to the world of Li-lin. She is an amazing character. Beset with prejudices and inequalities she is a woman unafraid to take chances to help others and stand by what she feels is the right way to behave. 

I’m not going to over elaborate on the plot – especially as I’m so late to the party there are already some excellent reviews available that tell you everything you need to know. Suffice to say that we pick up not long after the first instalment.  Li-lin has been disowned by her father. She is working for a local gangster. Her life is undoubtedly a struggle, she is grieving for her husband and she now finds herself with a new mystery to ponder. A young girl has died in the most unusual circumstances and dark magic is suspected. 

What I really loved about this. 

Once again Li-lin is an amazing character to read about. I love this character and I think in this instalment, she goes through an incredible story arc, particularly where the relationship with her father is concerned. 

I mean, the imagination here is incredible. I could go into great detail about spirit trains and tiger priests but to be fair if I get started there’s little hope that I’ll be able to stop. Instead take my word for it, this is a fascinating world. I seriously don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this before with the depth of world building, which isn’t to say such books don’t exist of course, just this feels like such a great exploration of culture, tradition, folklore and superstition. 

Overall, I had a really good time reading the next instalment in Li-lin’s journey and whilst the mystery here was wrapped up nicely I hope that we will return to this world again. 

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion. 

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars