Author: Mingmei Yip
Format: ARC
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: June 25, 2013
Source: HF Virtual Book Tours
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a historical-fiction fan.
From Goodreads.com: "In this mesmerizing new novel, Mingmei Yip draws readers deeper into the exotic world of 1930s Shanghai first explored in Skeleton Women, and into the lives of the unforgettable Camilla, Shadow, and Rainbow Chang.
When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed with the beautiful Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her lover, Jinying--Lung's son.
Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless Big Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda--she has heard a rumor that her son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals--including the vengeful Rainbow Chang--each battles for a future in a country on the verge of monumental change."
My Two Cents:
"The Nine Fold Heaven" is a historical fiction novel that takes place in exotic 1930s Shanghai. This book is a follow on to Yip's "Skeleton Women," which I have not had a chance to read. For the most part, "The Nine Fold Heaven" can be read as a stand-alone novel. It did make me want to go back and read "Skeleton Women" though to get a little more insight into the backgrounds of the characters, especially Camilla, who narrates this story. You do get enough detail in "The Nine Fold Heaven" to understand what's going on in the story though so reading "Skeleton Women" is only a nice-to-have and not a necessary.
Oh, I really enjoyed this book. In this book, Camilla has run away from Shanghai only to return to find the son that she gave up. It's dangerous for her to be in the city since all of the city seems to be under the extremely watchful (and dangerous) eyes of Rainbow, the gossip columnist. I really liked Camilla. She's an incredibly strong character. She also has a really good heart. I loved following her adventure in this book. Because this book is the second installment of her story, there wasn't a lot of build up of her character, which left me wanting more.
I loved, loved, loved the setting of the book. I love armchair traveling and I thought that the author gave you a really good sense of what Shanghai must have been like in the 1930s with its dark underbelly filled with gangsters and gamblers. It was absolutely fascinating. I love when books take me to some place that I'm not familiar with. This setting also made me want to go back and read "Skeleton Women" so I could get more of this place. Also, in general, I've found it more difficult to find historical fiction set in Asia than in places like Europe so I'm always very excited when I do find something!
The writing of this book was great. I loved that the story was told from Camilla's point of view. So much of what she is thinking or feeling throughout the book is so important in the story. Yip did a great job of really making Camilla come to life for me in this book. The writing made me want to go back and not only read "Skeleton Women" but to also go back and read some of Yip's other books.
Overall, exotic locales and interesting characters make this book a great hist-fic pick!
Giveaway:
Today I am excited to be able to give away a copy of "The Nine Fold Heaven" by Mingmei Yip (US only). Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow the Rest of the Tour:
Monday, September 16
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Tuesday, September 17
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, September 18
Review at Must Read Faster
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Thursday, September 19
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Friday, September 20
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Monday, September 23
Guest Post at Closed the Cover
Tuesday, September 24
Review at A Bookish Libraria
Thursday, September 26
Guest Post at HF Connection
Tuesday, October 1
Review at Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Thursday, October 3
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Friday, October 4
Guest Post at History Undressed
Monday, October 7
Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, October 9
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Friday, October 11
Review at Silver’s Reviews
This looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI like that the setting is so interesting in this story.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually read this type of historical fiction, meaning set in countries other than Europe...The book does sound interesting though...great review...thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review. I think I'd like the armchair travel aspect of this book too. The setting is just far enough away and long enough ago to be totally exotic.
ReplyDeleteI love traveling the world through books, especially historical fiction. This one sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and review. I enjoyed this book too.
ReplyDeleteMy review is up in October. I never did read her first book, but definitely want to.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My Blog
Great Review... I'm intrigued. Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeletedefinitely a book i would enjoy reading!!
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway!!
I shared Mingmei's Guest Post today and was left with regret wishing I had also joined the tour with a review. I missed out on reading what seems to be a great book.
ReplyDeleteI am captivated with this novel which sounds memorable and very special. Thanks for this great giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDelete