Review by Booklist Review
Lin (A Magic Steeped in Poison, 2022) makes her horror debut with this standout novel following Ruby Chen, a girl driven to perfection and overburdened with the duties and responsibilities of being the oldest daughter in a Taiwanese Canadian family. Ruby takes on the difficult task of trying to keep her more laid-back sister, Tina, on an academically oriented track that won't displease their parents, but that gets more complicated when Tina is captured by a group of ghouls and returns a completely different person, seemingly under a demonic spell. What's more, Vancouver's Chinatown seems to contain a gate to the underworld, and sinister wishes made at a temple there begin to threaten the community. Alongside the scary events, readers will encounter thoughtful underlying themes exploring the complicated dynamics between siblings, within families, and among the wider community. In an adventure that explores both inner and outer demons, Lin's spine-tingling Chinese-folklore-inspired novel will appeal to readers looking for scares grounded in realistic emotions. Well-known for her stirring fantasies, Lin proves with this novel that she has true promise as a horror author.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Sixteen-year-old Taiwanese Canadian pianist Ruby Chen has always been able to see figures in the shadows, but they've left her alone--until now. Ruby has been busy trying to set a good example for her two younger siblings, 14-year-old Tina and eight-year-old Denny, while also trying to please her strict parents, who are concerned about her future plans and maintaining a stellar reputation within their tight-knit community. When Tina's personality rapidly changes and one of the shadows physically hurts Ruby, the normally nonconfrontational teen finds herself working alongside classmate Shen, also Taiwanese Canadian. Together, they learn more about the spirits and the seemingly benevolent Temple of Fortunate Tidings that Tina has become embroiled with. Ruby and Shen's partnership, a catalyzing relationship, feels underdeveloped compared to Ruby and Tina's riveting familial bond. Still, Lin (Song of the Six Realms) blends vividly imagined scenes of body horror with Taiwanese folklore to craft a compelling story about sisterhood. Equally satisfying is Ruby's character arc, throughout which she contends with the cost of ignoring her own desires to conform to her parents' expectations. An author's note and glossary conclude. Ages 12--up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--An atmospheric horror novel imbued with Taiwanese and Chinese mythology. Sixteen-year-old Ruby Chen bears the weight of heavy parental expectations. On top of this, she has always been haunted by spirits. Her world changes when one attacks her in Vancouver's Chinatown neighborhood, and she is rescued by a boy named Shen who has a tiger tattoo. He, along with his friend Delia, introduces her to a world of deities she has never believed in. Even so, she has to trust her new friends in order to save her sister who is acting unusually. Lin excels at creating dread with every page without resorting to cheap scares. Initially, the book appears to be a simple possession narrative, but really, its themes are multitudinous. Her story is about managing relationships with family and friends which comes with their own horrors. Simultaneously, Ruby also wrestles with identity questions that many children of diaspora communities know too well. Readers' fear while reading is heightened by having such a whip-smart protagonist. Her actions make sense, and readers are with her every page. All of the main characters are Taiwanese. This is sophisticated horror for both fans and non-fans of the genre alike. VERDICT A superb addition to horror collections that will also satisfy fans of mythology, too.--Wilsinia Ocasio
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
When dark forces meddle with her family, a teen discovers a world of gods and demons in Vancouver's Chinatown. Sixteen-year-old Taiwanese Canadian Ruby Chen doesn't make waves. As the eldest daughter of immigrants, she does her best to fulfill her parents' expectations of academic perfection and dutiful obedience. She even stifles her own passion for classical piano just to maintain harmony in her family. But when a malevolent spirit suddenly attacks Ruby and her sister, Tina, on their walk home one day, her life is shaken up. Ruby has always been able to see creatures lurking in the shadows, and she initially tries to move on from the incident. But when Tina starts acting unnervingly differently, Ruby knows she can't just stand by. Desperate for help, she approaches Shen and Delia, two Taiwanese Canadian teens who can also see spirits and who came to her assistance on the day of the attack. Through them, she learns of an ancient conflict that involves a wandering temple that preys on people's deepest desires and the guardians who work to keep evil at bay. Can the teens act in time to banish the dark forces from their community and save Ruby's sister as well? Though the bulk of the book is character-driven, centering on Ruby's introspection, the blood-curdling horror sequences are riveting, and Ruby's search for herself amid familial and societal expectations is equally compelling. A captivating blend of horror and traditional folklore. (content warning, author's note, glossary)(Horror. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
