What do you think?
Rate this book
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology
A burong descends from Tansang Kenyalang in the midst of a dire catastrophe. A shapeshifter frees Kedah from the dreaded Raja Bersiong only to uncover a darker secret. A woman learns to channel her family’s food magic. A young huntress of supernatural creatures charts her own path of love.
This anthology of short stories offers fresh takes on Malaysian folklore and fairy tales, adds enchantment to the ordinary, and bursts with new, wonderful flavours. Stir a little spoonful of magic into your tea, whether you’re from these shores or from far away.
Stories
Collin Yeoh · Hamizah Adzmi · Ilnaz A. Faizal · Ismim Putera · Joni Chng · Joshua Lim · Julia Alba · Rowan C · Sharmilla Ganesan · Stuart Danker · Syazwani Jefferdin · Zufar Zeid
This anthology of short stories offers fresh takes on Malaysian folklore and fairy tales, adds enchantment to the ordinary, and bursts with new, wonderful flavours. Stir a little spoonful of magic into your tea, whether you’re from these shores or from far away.
Stories
Collin Yeoh · Hamizah Adzmi · Ilnaz A. Faizal · Ismim Putera · Joni Chng · Joshua Lim · Julia Alba · Rowan C · Sharmilla Ganesan · Stuart Danker · Syazwani Jefferdin · Zufar Zeid
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2023
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Anna Tan
32 books179 followersAnna Tan grew up in Malaysia, the country that is not Singapore. She writes fantastical stories and fairy tales, and has short stories included in various anthologies. She helps people publish books at Teaspoon Publishing, which includes yelling at HTML for epub reasons. She is also the editor of NutMag, an annual zine published for and by MYWriters Penang.
Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the current President of the Malaysian Writers Society. She is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersection of language, culture, and faith. She can be found tweeting as @natzers and forgetting to update annatsp.com.
Anna has an MA in Creative Writing: The Novel under a Chevening scholarship and is the current President of the Malaysian Writers Society. She is interested in Malay/Nusantara and Chinese legends and folklore in exploring the intersection of language, culture, and faith. She can be found tweeting as @natzers and forgetting to update annatsp.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 8, 2025
In the introduction, the editor of this anthology, Anna Tan briefly touched upon the subject of Malaysian fantasy fiction or rather the lack of it and when it exist, it's deeply intertwine with the horror/paranormal genre, which is something that made sense to me as a Tidung - Sino-Dusun mix Sabahan myself, listening to some of the folktale from grandma, our folktales do sound borderline horror at times. As a fantasy writer and lover herself, Anna Tan tries to rectify that with A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic, bringing other local writers to write within the genre, strictly sticking into being a purely fantasy forward anthology collection inspired by local myth, mostly in leu of the common mythical and tropes but more importantly, in a hopeful/upbeat tone.
The first two stories within this anthology are, what Anna Tan called folktales and retellings and they perfectly set up the tone of this anthology collection while also sums up the entire thing perfectly.
The first story, Burong is a retelling or folklore about something? It's hard to pin down because it features the bird-like God of War Singalang Burong, the giant snake that thought to be a bad omen - Nabau and Mount Santubong as a backdrop but non of the folktale were written in accordance to their actual myth or folktale at least from the knowledge I gathered from my Iban friends. Instead they played a supporting role or as a tiny element for the story of Shajat. I don't know why this was tagged as folktale or retelling considering the story of Shajat is purely fictional. As a whole, the story is very straightforward in that it tells the story of Shajat's journey of becoming a Burong(bird) warrior but the author, Ismim Putera have the tendency to throw terminology for world building purposes that interrupt the flow of the story that bogs down the pacing of story more than it should. The longer it went on, the more the writing gets obfuscate to the point it was hard to make a sense of it. Another problem I have with the story is Ismim Putera's prose. It's stiff and bland in the generic way I often get from a lot of English fiction written by Malaysian except for YA novel ones but those are a different kind of problem. I find it lacked atmosphere or the sense of awe, attributed to the stiff and bland prose. They hardly paint an immersive or vivid imagery of location or the sense of being in the old and forgotten time.
While Burong was opaque in its storytelling despite the simple plot, Kampar and the Kings of Kedah is the opposite with how straightforward it was, both in the plot and also the way it was written. Just like with Burong it suffered from the same generic Malaysian English fiction stiff and bland prose. There's a modern feel to it from the prose and also the dialogue, very much diminished the sense of period the story tried to convey. The bland prose also took away much of the supposed tension of the mystery the story was unfolding that it was hard to feel any sort of excitement reading it.
The stiff and bland prose is the crux of the problem I had with this anthology as a whole. It not only bogged down the story but it gave most of the story the same voice giving the anthology a faux sense of lacking variety because of how same-y the story sounded.
A few of the stories in this anthology are affected hard by it, mainly the stories that are emotionally driven with the fantasy element being mere dressing or secondary to the characters. Stories such as Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid, Up in Flames by Stuart Danker and Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training by Ilnaz A. Faizal. With better prose, melancholic story such as Visitor in the Night could've been a highlight within this anthology's pages.
If there is any genuinely good stories, it has to be Remembering How to Cook by Sharmilla Ganesan. It was a fun read with prose that flowed well with an emotional hook that had me interested throughout. The fantasy element though, were more subdue akin to "magical realism" rather than outright fantasy or urban fantasy.
For an anthology, a mix-bag is the bare minimum but when it's one out of twelves stories, that's dead on arrival.
The first two stories within this anthology are, what Anna Tan called folktales and retellings and they perfectly set up the tone of this anthology collection while also sums up the entire thing perfectly.
The first story, Burong is a retelling or folklore about something? It's hard to pin down because it features the bird-like God of War Singalang Burong, the giant snake that thought to be a bad omen - Nabau and Mount Santubong as a backdrop but non of the folktale were written in accordance to their actual myth or folktale at least from the knowledge I gathered from my Iban friends. Instead they played a supporting role or as a tiny element for the story of Shajat. I don't know why this was tagged as folktale or retelling considering the story of Shajat is purely fictional. As a whole, the story is very straightforward in that it tells the story of Shajat's journey of becoming a Burong(bird) warrior but the author, Ismim Putera have the tendency to throw terminology for world building purposes that interrupt the flow of the story that bogs down the pacing of story more than it should. The longer it went on, the more the writing gets obfuscate to the point it was hard to make a sense of it. Another problem I have with the story is Ismim Putera's prose. It's stiff and bland in the generic way I often get from a lot of English fiction written by Malaysian except for YA novel ones but those are a different kind of problem. I find it lacked atmosphere or the sense of awe, attributed to the stiff and bland prose. They hardly paint an immersive or vivid imagery of location or the sense of being in the old and forgotten time.
While Burong was opaque in its storytelling despite the simple plot, Kampar and the Kings of Kedah is the opposite with how straightforward it was, both in the plot and also the way it was written. Just like with Burong it suffered from the same generic Malaysian English fiction stiff and bland prose. There's a modern feel to it from the prose and also the dialogue, very much diminished the sense of period the story tried to convey. The bland prose also took away much of the supposed tension of the mystery the story was unfolding that it was hard to feel any sort of excitement reading it.
The stiff and bland prose is the crux of the problem I had with this anthology as a whole. It not only bogged down the story but it gave most of the story the same voice giving the anthology a faux sense of lacking variety because of how same-y the story sounded.
A few of the stories in this anthology are affected hard by it, mainly the stories that are emotionally driven with the fantasy element being mere dressing or secondary to the characters. Stories such as Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid, Up in Flames by Stuart Danker and Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training by Ilnaz A. Faizal. With better prose, melancholic story such as Visitor in the Night could've been a highlight within this anthology's pages.
If there is any genuinely good stories, it has to be Remembering How to Cook by Sharmilla Ganesan. It was a fun read with prose that flowed well with an emotional hook that had me interested throughout. The fantasy element though, were more subdue akin to "magical realism" rather than outright fantasy or urban fantasy.
For an anthology, a mix-bag is the bare minimum but when it's one out of twelves stories, that's dead on arrival.
2023
June 17, 2024📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Teaspoon Publishing
February 2, 2025
Stars: 4 out of 5.
This is a good collection of short stories. I am unfamiliar with Malaysian folklore and mythology, so this was an interesting excursion into new territory. We have a good mix of story genres here, from fantasy to myth to urban fantasy to near future scifi.
I would say that all the stories are worth reading because they all bring something to the table, and showcase a different idea. We have the importance of following your dreams and not giving up, even when everyone thinks that you can't do magic because you aren't born a certain race. Well, maybe you have a different kind of magic. Or the importance of having someone there to lend a compassionate shoulder during your last moments on this earth, even if you are a monster. Or the importance of family and friends.
I really liked this anthology and will definitely look for more stories like these.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a good collection of short stories. I am unfamiliar with Malaysian folklore and mythology, so this was an interesting excursion into new territory. We have a good mix of story genres here, from fantasy to myth to urban fantasy to near future scifi.
I would say that all the stories are worth reading because they all bring something to the table, and showcase a different idea. We have the importance of following your dreams and not giving up, even when everyone thinks that you can't do magic because you aren't born a certain race. Well, maybe you have a different kind of magic. Or the importance of having someone there to lend a compassionate shoulder during your last moments on this earth, even if you are a monster. Or the importance of family and friends.
I really liked this anthology and will definitely look for more stories like these.
PS: I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 29, 2023
Oh my goodness this was an unexpected treat to read!
This anthology series leans heavily on horror fantasy themes, using highly descriptive language and emotional scenes to portray strong stories with new and distinct messages.
Twelve stories are included in this anthology series. I didn’t know much about Malaysian folklore before reading this book, and while I still don’t completely understand some of the myths, I truly enjoyed reading this book and found it to be incredibly refreshing and enjoyable.
If you’re into heavy fantasy themes, this is the book for you.
This anthology series leans heavily on horror fantasy themes, using highly descriptive language and emotional scenes to portray strong stories with new and distinct messages.
Twelve stories are included in this anthology series. I didn’t know much about Malaysian folklore before reading this book, and while I still don’t completely understand some of the myths, I truly enjoyed reading this book and found it to be incredibly refreshing and enjoyable.
If you’re into heavy fantasy themes, this is the book for you.
November 15, 2023
These are not short stories; not your typical Malaysian length shorties anyway. My favourite is ‘Kampar And The Kings Of Kedah’ because of the smoothness in the writing and the constant gentle keeping-you-on-your-toes story development. I also thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince’. Then there are others with simple settings but recognizable characters who tell stories we are somewhat familiar with and not; a slice of interpretation from different authors whom have stepped in to make them their own. The storytelling styles differ greatly in this collection, which would be the very reason why one should pick it up: there’s bound to be one that you’ll be enthralled by!
December 10, 2023
I picked this book thanks to both the cover and the title. The cover was pretty and the title hinted at some Malaysian myths. I figured this would be a good opportunity to learn more about the legends of the world, or read something a little different. Besides, magic was a keyword. However, the writing turned out rather disappointing. There are indeed multiple writers behind the covers, all with different, yet similar writing styles, but the sentence structure with some of them is difficult to follow, the stories have little substance or are superficial, little about the characters or the setting is explored.
I honestly ended up reading several pages twice, thrice, four times because I was constantly forgetting who said what or what happened, who was who. The first story with the buroung was the most difficult of the bunch so far. The last to stories were a little better. The sad part is, none of them were truly memorable.
Ah, and there were some illustrations too but they added nothing to the stories and I personally didn’t enjoy them. They were amateurish.
It’s sad though, with a couple more revisions, I think there was some potential brewing. But who knows, maybe this book makes more sense to the locals.
In any case, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.
I honestly ended up reading several pages twice, thrice, four times because I was constantly forgetting who said what or what happened, who was who. The first story with the buroung was the most difficult of the bunch so far. The last to stories were a little better. The sad part is, none of them were truly memorable.
Ah, and there were some illustrations too but they added nothing to the stories and I personally didn’t enjoy them. They were amateurish.
It’s sad though, with a couple more revisions, I think there was some potential brewing. But who knows, maybe this book makes more sense to the locals.
In any case, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy in exchange for a honest review.
October 11, 2023
L’idea mi piaceva molto: un’antologia di racconti fantasy di autori del sud-est asiatico, intrisi dei miti e della cultura di quell’area. Purtroppo il risultato è mediocre; scritture tiepide, narrazioni noiose, personaggi piatti. Aggiungo una stella perché continuò ad adorare l’idea, e spero che prima o poi si realizzi con n qualcosa di più efficace.
December 15, 2025
Overall, I find this one to be a mixed read. Most of the stories are either too flat or not associated with Malaysian folklore, making it difficult for me to relate to them. Some had potential, but others were just mediocre.
Burong - DNF this one, got so lost and confused in the first half of it that I gave up ☠️
Kampar and the Kings of Kedah - A tale of betrayal and the magic of Raja Bersiong. Loads of political intrigue with a shapeshifter thrown into the mix. It feels like there is too much modern slang…
Visitor in The Night - this one was a solid read and speaks to the various forms of SEA queen, including Puteri Gunung Ledang (one of my favourite classical myths)
Moonlight City of The Hidden Ones - a hint of whimsical to a secret community that exists, and the belief of magic in the world.
Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training - a retelling of Cinderella and her fairy godmother moment, in which her fairy godmother is a fairy in training and, funnily enough, creates havoc!
Remembering How to Cook - Of people reminiscing of their happy memories, they forget when they taste the food of Paati, who is blessed with cooking magic, and her granddaughter, Shree, who hopes to inherit that magic one day.
The Rivers and Lakes - Of a disciple seeking to learn the martial arts from a true master, only to discover that he has a hidden agenda of doing so
Flower Fell - A story about the relationship of nature vs humans in the effects of a curse.
Up in Flames - A young wizard-to-be dreaming of joining the academy of wizards, only to always be turned away due to his race and struggles to finish a spell.
Taxation - A tale of a small agricultural town and its found family, almost getting embroiled in a scheme supporting the opposition to the crown
The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince - This one is probably my favourite; it tells the story of a child prince who can control fire and an orphan child whom he saves, who later becomes his companion and maidservant, using the old king's language to refer to each other.
The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat - A love story about a supernatural huntress and a dragon guardian who is bound to the forest, it's quite sweet!
Burong - DNF this one, got so lost and confused in the first half of it that I gave up ☠️
Kampar and the Kings of Kedah - A tale of betrayal and the magic of Raja Bersiong. Loads of political intrigue with a shapeshifter thrown into the mix. It feels like there is too much modern slang…
Visitor in The Night - this one was a solid read and speaks to the various forms of SEA queen, including Puteri Gunung Ledang (one of my favourite classical myths)
Moonlight City of The Hidden Ones - a hint of whimsical to a secret community that exists, and the belief of magic in the world.
Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training - a retelling of Cinderella and her fairy godmother moment, in which her fairy godmother is a fairy in training and, funnily enough, creates havoc!
Remembering How to Cook - Of people reminiscing of their happy memories, they forget when they taste the food of Paati, who is blessed with cooking magic, and her granddaughter, Shree, who hopes to inherit that magic one day.
The Rivers and Lakes - Of a disciple seeking to learn the martial arts from a true master, only to discover that he has a hidden agenda of doing so
Flower Fell - A story about the relationship of nature vs humans in the effects of a curse.
Up in Flames - A young wizard-to-be dreaming of joining the academy of wizards, only to always be turned away due to his race and struggles to finish a spell.
Taxation - A tale of a small agricultural town and its found family, almost getting embroiled in a scheme supporting the opposition to the crown
The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince - This one is probably my favourite; it tells the story of a child prince who can control fire and an orphan child whom he saves, who later becomes his companion and maidservant, using the old king's language to refer to each other.
The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat - A love story about a supernatural huntress and a dragon guardian who is bound to the forest, it's quite sweet!
November 17, 2023
Overall, this anthology was really beautiful. Readers should know that there are some stories here that are more accessible to a general audience than others, but that's not necessarily a bad thing - it's important for authors to write authentically. Like all anthologies, there were some truly wonderful stories and some I wasn't as enthusiastic about. The ones I loved most were Kampar and the Kings of Kedah by Joshua Lim, The Rivers and Lakes by Collin Yeoh, The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince by Julia Alba, and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi. They all had incredibly cool world building and a sense that while they could be longer, they were finished pieces. My favorite was The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince by Julia Alba - I thought it was such a cool imaginative story and I'm absolutely going to read more of her work. The largest critique I had of many of the other stories were that they felt like the first chapter of a longer novel - they didn't feel complete or satisfying. That didn't mean they were bad - they just weren't my favorites. Overall, I'm really happy I read this book. It exposed me to a culture I'm not very familiar with and stories that will live in my head for a long time. I can't wait to explore some of these authors in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
November 4, 2023
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is, in my belief, intended to be a taste of Malaysian fiction inspired by the country's multicultural folklore and history but is not meant to be a capstone of contemporary Malaysian speculative fic. In other words: for new readers unfamiliar with Malaysia and her patchwork blanket of stories, this anthology gets the ball rolling.
With the range of stories it contains—from supernatural fantasy pulling from traditional Malay folklore, to dystopian homages to Chinese wuxia dramas reminiscent of imported Hong Kong dramas from the 70s to 00s, to Indian slice-of-life magic realism, to (and my initial surprise) the odd one Japanese and few Western-influenced short stories, to contemporary speculative fiction set in KL, and more—and the homages to the country's biodiversity and geography, it is a nice starter pack of fiction that can initiate the unfamiliar to the richness of Malaysia. My favourite stories in this collection are Visitor in the Night, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones, Remembering How to Cook, The Rivers and Lakes, and The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince.
For my own sake, and any others that this review might help, I want to share my musings about the inclusion of Japanese and Western-influenced short stories here. As I mentioned, I was initially surprised at their inclusion as they're not the first things I associate with (modern) Malaysia and her stories. However, when you consider the country's history and the multiple occasions it was occupied by foreign forces between the 16th and 20th centuries, I say: understandable. Colonisation has permanent consequences that can stain and change a country (for better or worse), many of which have lasting effects still seen today. Folklore breathes with the inhabitants and carriers of stories in a given place. History noted the presence of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese in Malaysia. These are facts that cannot be erased. Hence, upon reading the first page of those shorts in this collection, I was surprised, but then not.
For those who know of Malaysia and/or hail from her land, this anthology is like coming home. For those that are new: welcome.
Thanks to Netgalley and Teaspoon Publishing for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.
With the range of stories it contains—from supernatural fantasy pulling from traditional Malay folklore, to dystopian homages to Chinese wuxia dramas reminiscent of imported Hong Kong dramas from the 70s to 00s, to Indian slice-of-life magic realism, to (and my initial surprise) the odd one Japanese and few Western-influenced short stories, to contemporary speculative fiction set in KL, and more—and the homages to the country's biodiversity and geography, it is a nice starter pack of fiction that can initiate the unfamiliar to the richness of Malaysia. My favourite stories in this collection are Visitor in the Night, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones, Remembering How to Cook, The Rivers and Lakes, and The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince.
For my own sake, and any others that this review might help, I want to share my musings about the inclusion of Japanese and Western-influenced short stories here. As I mentioned, I was initially surprised at their inclusion as they're not the first things I associate with (modern) Malaysia and her stories. However, when you consider the country's history and the multiple occasions it was occupied by foreign forces between the 16th and 20th centuries, I say: understandable. Colonisation has permanent consequences that can stain and change a country (for better or worse), many of which have lasting effects still seen today. Folklore breathes with the inhabitants and carriers of stories in a given place. History noted the presence of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese in Malaysia. These are facts that cannot be erased. Hence, upon reading the first page of those shorts in this collection, I was surprised, but then not.
For those who know of Malaysia and/or hail from her land, this anthology is like coming home. For those that are new: welcome.
Thanks to Netgalley and Teaspoon Publishing for providing me with the e-ARC/DRC in exchange for an honest review.
November 18, 2023
This anthology of Malaysian folklore and fairy tales offers fresh perspectives, enchanting ordinary moments, and bursts with new flavors. A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic serves as an introduction to Malaysian fiction inspired by multicultural folklore and history. It includes a range of stories, from traditional Malay folklore to dystopian Chinese wuxia dramas and Indian magic realism. There are also surprising inclusions of Japanese and Western-influenced tales, reflecting Malaysia's history of foreign occupation. Overall, it is a nice starter pack that showcases the richness of Malaysia. My favorite stories include Visitor in the Night, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones, Remembering How to Cook, The Rivers and Lakes, and The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince.
November 20, 2023
One of my favorite things about Fantasy as a genre is jumping right into a new world without having to have any previous knowledge about it.
So when I saw that this was an anthology written by Malaysian authors I figured it would be fine since it's fantasy.
For the most part I was right. Each story does a great job of painting a picture of its own unique world, as all good stories should. But every once in a while I couldn't help but wonder if there was some sub text I was missing. Would I some how get more out of this anthology if I was Malaysian?
I think the answer to that question is no. Even the few times I took to google to translate a phrase, or research a folktale, I never really learned more than I could picked up from the context in the story. Another round of applause for these writers.
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is a wonderful dive into a culture that western audiences may be unfamiliar with but feels familiar berceuse of its close proximity to both China and India. For that reason my favorite story was one that showed modern day Malaysia rather than a more ancient setting. The Dalhia of Hutan Kilat, is a modern day urban fantasy story of a monster hunter who learns to love the magical creatures she is changed to destroy. It was sweet, and I enjoyed googling the creature names to learn more about them.
Whatever your tastes this anthology has something for everyone and definitively proves that fantasy is universal.
So when I saw that this was an anthology written by Malaysian authors I figured it would be fine since it's fantasy.
For the most part I was right. Each story does a great job of painting a picture of its own unique world, as all good stories should. But every once in a while I couldn't help but wonder if there was some sub text I was missing. Would I some how get more out of this anthology if I was Malaysian?
I think the answer to that question is no. Even the few times I took to google to translate a phrase, or research a folktale, I never really learned more than I could picked up from the context in the story. Another round of applause for these writers.
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is a wonderful dive into a culture that western audiences may be unfamiliar with but feels familiar berceuse of its close proximity to both China and India. For that reason my favorite story was one that showed modern day Malaysia rather than a more ancient setting. The Dalhia of Hutan Kilat, is a modern day urban fantasy story of a monster hunter who learns to love the magical creatures she is changed to destroy. It was sweet, and I enjoyed googling the creature names to learn more about them.
Whatever your tastes this anthology has something for everyone and definitively proves that fantasy is universal.
November 24, 2023
*2.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Teaspoon publishing for the ARC!
All in all, this collection was unfortunately a little disappointing. A lot of the stories fell flat for me and I actually ended up skipping some of them. The writing felt a bit clunky and at times even immature. I found myself mostly really liking the idea of some stories (for instance 'moonlight city of the hidden ones' by joni chung) but not loving the execution of that idea (this story felt like a lot of 'telling' and not a lot of 'showing', which was something that i noticed in other stories too).
I did however love learning about Malaysian mythology. Two stories I did like a lot: Kampar and the Kings of Kedah (Joshua Lim) & Visitor in the night (Zufar Zaid).
Thank you Netgalley and Teaspoon publishing for the ARC!
All in all, this collection was unfortunately a little disappointing. A lot of the stories fell flat for me and I actually ended up skipping some of them. The writing felt a bit clunky and at times even immature. I found myself mostly really liking the idea of some stories (for instance 'moonlight city of the hidden ones' by joni chung) but not loving the execution of that idea (this story felt like a lot of 'telling' and not a lot of 'showing', which was something that i noticed in other stories too).
I did however love learning about Malaysian mythology. Two stories I did like a lot: Kampar and the Kings of Kedah (Joshua Lim) & Visitor in the night (Zufar Zaid).
Want to read
October 8, 2023This cover tho 😍
August 29, 2025
2.5⭐
In most anthologies of tales there are hits and there are misses. It was no different in A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology.
I understand that it's definitely not easy for an editor to collate a list of stories for an anthology. But unfortunately, there seemed to be more misses here than there were hits for me. The ones I liked, I really liked. The others, I didn't like or they didn't make any impact on me at all.
Perhaps this was due to the fact that I expected Malaysian fantasy and cultural elements to every story but not every story had these.
These are some of the stories that I enjoyed reading which I felt encapsulated both Malaysian plus fantasy/ cultural elements within the tales very well:-
Kampar and the Kings of Kedah - Joshua Lim
The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince - Julia Alba
Dahlia of Hutan Kilat - Hamizah Adzmi
The Rivers and Lakes - Collin Yeoh
Definitely looking forward to reading more work from these authors.
In most anthologies of tales there are hits and there are misses. It was no different in A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology.
I understand that it's definitely not easy for an editor to collate a list of stories for an anthology. But unfortunately, there seemed to be more misses here than there were hits for me. The ones I liked, I really liked. The others, I didn't like or they didn't make any impact on me at all.
Perhaps this was due to the fact that I expected Malaysian fantasy and cultural elements to every story but not every story had these.
These are some of the stories that I enjoyed reading which I felt encapsulated both Malaysian plus fantasy/ cultural elements within the tales very well:-
Kampar and the Kings of Kedah - Joshua Lim
The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince - Julia Alba
Dahlia of Hutan Kilat - Hamizah Adzmi
The Rivers and Lakes - Collin Yeoh
Definitely looking forward to reading more work from these authors.
November 10, 2023
I'm sorry that none of the stories in this collection really grabbed me. The folklore on which these supposedly drew is rich and interesting, but many of the stories felt very generically magical or magical in a broadly pan-Asian way, including the use of anime tropes. Most of the stories needed significant developmental and/or line editing for length, tone, and clarity, The illustrations hurt the book as well--they're not needed, and they're not good.
December 9, 2023
This collection of short stories is lovely and very interesting. I must admit that it felt more like a fairytales anthology rather than fantasy, but it wasn't a problem for me. I was even surprised by some of them, as their themes were very similar to european ones. I am sure it's a lovely read for kids, but check first, because some stories may be a bit scary !
October 31, 2023
"What better way to seek comfort than in a fairy tale?" Quite a question posed in this little book.
This is an anthology of very different stories and they come together in what becomes a generally good book.
I will say some of the stories were not as strong as others. There were definitely two that stood out as something the authors wanted to make bigger but had to constrain for the sake of a 'short' story.
There were some that really got me, either because I loved them or they broke my heart, like Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid. The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince by Julia Alba was a lovely story about family, found family and acceptance. And I absolutely loved Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones by Joni Chng and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi. Those secret touches of magic in an otherwise day-to-day world is something we could all do with more of. And I just really liked the old man in The Rivers and Lakes by Collin Yeoh. That could absolutely be a longer story or some novella of the man's experiences and learning.
There was one bit in the The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince that made me raise an eyebrow. There the narrator tells us the demons looked similar to humans, then lists all the ways they absolutely didn't. But that was a small thing in an otherwise enjoyable short story.
I don't think every book needs to be the best thing ever since sliced bread and buy it for all your friends. Like I said, there were a couple of stories that didn't click with me the same as the ones I mentioned here and only two I would say I didn't enjoy really. But the book as a whole is good, it's enjoyable, it's light in places and it is so rich with myths you can't help but hope there will be more Malaysian magic in the world to follow it up.
This is an anthology of very different stories and they come together in what becomes a generally good book.
I will say some of the stories were not as strong as others. There were definitely two that stood out as something the authors wanted to make bigger but had to constrain for the sake of a 'short' story.
There were some that really got me, either because I loved them or they broke my heart, like Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid. The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince by Julia Alba was a lovely story about family, found family and acceptance. And I absolutely loved Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones by Joni Chng and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi. Those secret touches of magic in an otherwise day-to-day world is something we could all do with more of. And I just really liked the old man in The Rivers and Lakes by Collin Yeoh. That could absolutely be a longer story or some novella of the man's experiences and learning.
There was one bit in the The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince that made me raise an eyebrow. There the narrator tells us the demons looked similar to humans, then lists all the ways they absolutely didn't. But that was a small thing in an otherwise enjoyable short story.
I don't think every book needs to be the best thing ever since sliced bread and buy it for all your friends. Like I said, there were a couple of stories that didn't click with me the same as the ones I mentioned here and only two I would say I didn't enjoy really. But the book as a whole is good, it's enjoyable, it's light in places and it is so rich with myths you can't help but hope there will be more Malaysian magic in the world to follow it up.
January 5, 2024
I am going to keep this review short and sweet. I am Malay American, and have been craving Malaysian-inspired or -related fantasy works in English for years. There is plenty of historical fiction based in Malaysia, and I will readily read all that, but I so adore and appreciate the intent of the editors of this anthology to create fantastical Malaysian stories that aren’t just written off as “supernatural.” Each of these stories brings something new and beautiful to the canon of growing Asian-inspired fantasy. I couldn’t pick a favorite, and I will refuse to try to, so that you can hopefully read through each of these and enjoy them for yourselves. PLEASE pick up this book if it comes across your desk or shelves! 5 eager and giddy ⭐️s
February 11, 2024
I really loved Kampar and the Kings and Kedah by Joshua Lim, Remembering How To Cook by Sharmilla Ganesan, The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince by Julia Alba, and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi. There is plenty to enjoy here even if you’re not familiar with Malaysian folklore, and I liked the mix of magic, realism, historical settings, and modern ones
October 24, 2024
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic, which was written by various authors, is composed of 12 fantasy stories that were based on Malaysian folktales. Reading retellings of folktales is always a pleasant experience for me.
I think it would be unfair to rate this book as a whole, so I will provide an individual rating for each title, a synopsis, and my opinion on some of the titles.
1. Burong by Ismim Putera - 4★
Flashback story of Shajat, a burong warrior. The majority of the narrative revolves around Shajat's journey to becoming a warrior. Burong is a bird-like creature that resembles humans. I am fond of both world-building and the magic system. It’s beautiful!
2. Kampar and the Kings of Kedah by Joshua Lim - 5★
Kampar, a shapeshifter, was arrested by Bendahara, a king's advisor, for unintentionally starting a rebellion against the king. He was then employed as the guard of Bendahara. He eventually became aware of Bendahara's other agenda and his evil plans, as well as the truth about the past king. The ending is what I find most enjoyable. I really value the choices Kampar made for his life. Additionally, this story includes original folktales and historical knowledge related to a city in Kinta Valley, Perak, Malaysia called Kampar.
3. Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid - 5★
Imagine what you would do if a beautiful, immortal creature came to visit you on a random night? It may sound scary, but thankfully, this beautiful creature is actually just lonely and needs someone to hear her story. The writing-style has calming flow, and I love the creature’s story. The emotion is captured so well.
4. Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones by Joni Chng - 4★
During his travels, Bram visited Bulan Café several times. Each time he went, he saw that there were no other customers and sometimes even the waiter was not present. Eventually, a cafe owner guided him to the kitchen, which ultimately led to a liminal space or another dimension where the Hidden People live called Moonlight City. The world-building is stunning. The story about Hidden People and Moonlight City is also fascinating and at times heartwarming.
5. Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training by Ilnaz A. Faizal - 4★
Rosetta is a seamstress. A fairy came up to her one night after she finished a dress order for a customer. The fairy is currently in training and will be responsible for giving Rosetta a makeover. The friendship that is formed despite their chaotic dynamics is something I enjoy. It’s adorable.
6. Remembering How to Cook by Sharmilla Ganesan - 3★
A tale about Shree's struggle to cook food with magical abilities. Shree's family is known for having a gift of food magic, but she believes she doesn't possess it yet. As she tried to practice, she reminded herself of her memories of her late grandmother and all the magical foods she had tasted. It was unfortunate that the ending was so abrupt that the magical feeling seemed to disappear suddenly.
7. The Rivers and Lakes by Collin Yeoh - 3★
An action-based fantasy story about special people who have martial arts gifts. The fantasy aspect is impressive, but I question the absence of the folktales necessary to form the core of this anthology.
8. Flower Fell by Syazwani Jefferdin - 3★
An intriguing tale that is based on ancient Japanese mythology, Hanahako disease, an illness that occurs when one experiences unrequited love. Although this is in my best interest, the abrupt ending is a disappointment.
9. Up in Flames by Stuart Danker - 4★
Liam dreamed of being a wizard, but the magic school only prioritized Neesha ethnicity because they believed only Neesha people had the talents required for wizardry. The story is a great example of perseverance and not giving up for our dreams.
10. Taxation by Rowan C - 3★
This one probably the most complex fantasy in this book. It has great world-building, magic system, and political system. Despite being predictable, the plot is not bad. It's just that I can't quite grasp the point. I had assumed it would be about the taxation system in their world. It was indeed, in the beginning, and I am intrigued by it. But it turns out the story is mostly about the fight against the power-hungry conspirator.
11. The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince by Julia Alba - 5★
In the event of unwelcome circumstances, Embun has to travel from her village to the palace. She then assigned to tend to Zahir, the prince, every time he returns from fighting demons. I am fond of the warm friendship that exists between every character. They are generally likable. The characters' ability to handle conflict is also something I love. So is the maturity of the king, who as a parent is willing to admit his mistakes and apologize to his son.
12. The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi - 4★
Seri Dahlia is a huntress of supernatural creatures, who wields a powerful keris. When she supposedly hunts for creatures in Hutan Kilat, the forest near her house, she encounters Terjah, the guardian of the forest. This story is filled with heartwarming moments and explores the friendship between a hunter, a forest guardian, and supernatural creatures. Although it’s mostly having warm vibes, it's scary at some points. The fact that I know the names of the creatures/ghosts makes it even more terrifying.
I think it would be unfair to rate this book as a whole, so I will provide an individual rating for each title, a synopsis, and my opinion on some of the titles.
1. Burong by Ismim Putera - 4★
Flashback story of Shajat, a burong warrior. The majority of the narrative revolves around Shajat's journey to becoming a warrior. Burong is a bird-like creature that resembles humans. I am fond of both world-building and the magic system. It’s beautiful!
2. Kampar and the Kings of Kedah by Joshua Lim - 5★
Kampar, a shapeshifter, was arrested by Bendahara, a king's advisor, for unintentionally starting a rebellion against the king. He was then employed as the guard of Bendahara. He eventually became aware of Bendahara's other agenda and his evil plans, as well as the truth about the past king. The ending is what I find most enjoyable. I really value the choices Kampar made for his life. Additionally, this story includes original folktales and historical knowledge related to a city in Kinta Valley, Perak, Malaysia called Kampar.
3. Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid - 5★
Imagine what you would do if a beautiful, immortal creature came to visit you on a random night? It may sound scary, but thankfully, this beautiful creature is actually just lonely and needs someone to hear her story. The writing-style has calming flow, and I love the creature’s story. The emotion is captured so well.
4. Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones by Joni Chng - 4★
During his travels, Bram visited Bulan Café several times. Each time he went, he saw that there were no other customers and sometimes even the waiter was not present. Eventually, a cafe owner guided him to the kitchen, which ultimately led to a liminal space or another dimension where the Hidden People live called Moonlight City. The world-building is stunning. The story about Hidden People and Moonlight City is also fascinating and at times heartwarming.
5. Rosetta and the Fairy-in-Training by Ilnaz A. Faizal - 4★
Rosetta is a seamstress. A fairy came up to her one night after she finished a dress order for a customer. The fairy is currently in training and will be responsible for giving Rosetta a makeover. The friendship that is formed despite their chaotic dynamics is something I enjoy. It’s adorable.
6. Remembering How to Cook by Sharmilla Ganesan - 3★
A tale about Shree's struggle to cook food with magical abilities. Shree's family is known for having a gift of food magic, but she believes she doesn't possess it yet. As she tried to practice, she reminded herself of her memories of her late grandmother and all the magical foods she had tasted. It was unfortunate that the ending was so abrupt that the magical feeling seemed to disappear suddenly.
7. The Rivers and Lakes by Collin Yeoh - 3★
An action-based fantasy story about special people who have martial arts gifts. The fantasy aspect is impressive, but I question the absence of the folktales necessary to form the core of this anthology.
8. Flower Fell by Syazwani Jefferdin - 3★
An intriguing tale that is based on ancient Japanese mythology, Hanahako disease, an illness that occurs when one experiences unrequited love. Although this is in my best interest, the abrupt ending is a disappointment.
9. Up in Flames by Stuart Danker - 4★
Liam dreamed of being a wizard, but the magic school only prioritized Neesha ethnicity because they believed only Neesha people had the talents required for wizardry. The story is a great example of perseverance and not giving up for our dreams.
10. Taxation by Rowan C - 3★
This one probably the most complex fantasy in this book. It has great world-building, magic system, and political system. Despite being predictable, the plot is not bad. It's just that I can't quite grasp the point. I had assumed it would be about the taxation system in their world. It was indeed, in the beginning, and I am intrigued by it. But it turns out the story is mostly about the fight against the power-hungry conspirator.
11. The Fiery Tale of Embun and The Prince by Julia Alba - 5★
In the event of unwelcome circumstances, Embun has to travel from her village to the palace. She then assigned to tend to Zahir, the prince, every time he returns from fighting demons. I am fond of the warm friendship that exists between every character. They are generally likable. The characters' ability to handle conflict is also something I love. So is the maturity of the king, who as a parent is willing to admit his mistakes and apologize to his son.
12. The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat by Hamizah Adzmi - 4★
Seri Dahlia is a huntress of supernatural creatures, who wields a powerful keris. When she supposedly hunts for creatures in Hutan Kilat, the forest near her house, she encounters Terjah, the guardian of the forest. This story is filled with heartwarming moments and explores the friendship between a hunter, a forest guardian, and supernatural creatures. Although it’s mostly having warm vibes, it's scary at some points. The fact that I know the names of the creatures/ghosts makes it even more terrifying.
March 29, 2024
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic, edited by Anna Tan, is a delightful anthology of short stories by Malaysian authors and featuring the legends and tales of Malaysia as elements of those stories. A handful of the stories are also themed around cooking and food, and others around family, though not all share these themes.
The stories in this anthology were wonderful, but a few stood out especially for me. “Visitor in the Night” by Zufar Zeid includes a forgotten goddess and the gorgeous stories she recounts. Rowan C’s “Taxation” depicts a fantasy-style society in which monthly taxes to the central government are a significant plot point, while also showing a family unit comprising four adults in two couples and the children of one couple (which I really love as a version of a family not seen as much in Western fiction). Sharmila Ganesan’s “Remembering How to Cook” is a beautiful tale of magical food and memory and family. “Up in Flames” by Stuart Danker is a cute twist on dreams and prophecy as they intersect in a young person who wants to be a wizard no matter what. Finally, “The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince” by Julia Alba, about an orphan girl and the prince who saved her, combines beautiful prose and a powerful message about expectations and normalcy.
Though I haven’t mentioned all of the stories in this anthology, every one of them is equal parts exciting and moving. If you’re wanting to expand your reading horizons into a culture you may know little about, A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is a fantastic starting point!
The publisher provided me with an advance copy of this anthology for review consideration.
The stories in this anthology were wonderful, but a few stood out especially for me. “Visitor in the Night” by Zufar Zeid includes a forgotten goddess and the gorgeous stories she recounts. Rowan C’s “Taxation” depicts a fantasy-style society in which monthly taxes to the central government are a significant plot point, while also showing a family unit comprising four adults in two couples and the children of one couple (which I really love as a version of a family not seen as much in Western fiction). Sharmila Ganesan’s “Remembering How to Cook” is a beautiful tale of magical food and memory and family. “Up in Flames” by Stuart Danker is a cute twist on dreams and prophecy as they intersect in a young person who wants to be a wizard no matter what. Finally, “The Fiery Tale of Embun and the Prince” by Julia Alba, about an orphan girl and the prince who saved her, combines beautiful prose and a powerful message about expectations and normalcy.
Though I haven’t mentioned all of the stories in this anthology, every one of them is equal parts exciting and moving. If you’re wanting to expand your reading horizons into a culture you may know little about, A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic is a fantastic starting point!
The publisher provided me with an advance copy of this anthology for review consideration.
July 13, 2025
A Spoonful of Malaysian magic is a fantasy short stories compilation revolving the myth, or modern-blended fantasy, around SEA. It was written by all Malaysian authors but some stories didn't take place only in Malaysia. It combined many cultures and varied residents of the country. One story has Japanese inspired names, the other talking about Chinese war art, and the other about food and cooking from India ancestors.
It has twelve stories range from mythical creatures, demon fighting, whismical fairies, and modern day adventures with a dash of valuable life lessons.
The first story is quite off-putting for me I hold to continue reading. When I picked it up, I breeze through the other 11 just fine.
Born and raised in Sumatera, tale about Kampar and Orang Bunian were familiar even though the author gave their own twists and retelling voice. Visitor in The Night was so gooood and Flower Fell left me unsettled (even though the end was good).
Loving how the characters varied in age. I thought it will be middle-gradey, and delighted to find a 40 yo female lead in Remembering How to Cook (so heartwarming).
If you're into fantasy stories revolved around SEA, varied in tone and vibes and ghosts and demons and dragons, give this book a go!!
It has twelve stories range from mythical creatures, demon fighting, whismical fairies, and modern day adventures with a dash of valuable life lessons.
The first story is quite off-putting for me I hold to continue reading. When I picked it up, I breeze through the other 11 just fine.
Born and raised in Sumatera, tale about Kampar and Orang Bunian were familiar even though the author gave their own twists and retelling voice. Visitor in The Night was so gooood and Flower Fell left me unsettled (even though the end was good).
Loving how the characters varied in age. I thought it will be middle-gradey, and delighted to find a 40 yo female lead in Remembering How to Cook (so heartwarming).
If you're into fantasy stories revolved around SEA, varied in tone and vibes and ghosts and demons and dragons, give this book a go!!
December 15, 2023
An enjoyable collection of Malaysian short stories, some set in the ancient past -- reminiscent of mythological tales -- and others set in the present. As a whole, they offer a glimpse into the diversity and cultural breadth and wealth of Malaysia; each tale giving the reader a view into Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous society, past or present.
The contributors, likewise, are drawn from Malaysia's multiethnic community; this is truly an anthology representative of the Malaysian landscape. I especially liked this anthology is a work offered by a Malaysian press; this is truly a work of OwnVoices, written for a wide audience of Malaysians as well as non-Malaysians.
While I have my favorites among these tales, all were engaging. On the whole these stories are well-crafted, the prose smooth and evocative. Most of the stories include Malaysian "jargon": Manglish in some cases, Malay and Muslim sayings in others, or modern urban colloquialisms. Readers unfamiliar with Malaysian culture will be able to discern meanings from the text; though a familiarity with Malaysian culture will deliver a greater impact.
The contributors, likewise, are drawn from Malaysia's multiethnic community; this is truly an anthology representative of the Malaysian landscape. I especially liked this anthology is a work offered by a Malaysian press; this is truly a work of OwnVoices, written for a wide audience of Malaysians as well as non-Malaysians.
While I have my favorites among these tales, all were engaging. On the whole these stories are well-crafted, the prose smooth and evocative. Most of the stories include Malaysian "jargon": Manglish in some cases, Malay and Muslim sayings in others, or modern urban colloquialisms. Readers unfamiliar with Malaysian culture will be able to discern meanings from the text; though a familiarity with Malaysian culture will deliver a greater impact.
December 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Teaspoon Publishing for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology was such a fascinating and fun read! I've never read any Malaysian stories and this collection spoiled me! Many of the stories read like myth and folk tales and it provided so much color and texture to what little I know of Malaysia. Malaysia is a multicultural place and the anthology I think represents that really well with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous peoples' cultures in the selected stories. If you're unfamiliar, I think this does a great job of providing some cultural background to Malaysia.
All of the stories were gorgeously written with detail and clearly a lot of love. I don't necessarily have a favorite or even a story that I didn't like, but the first story was a bit heavy as an opener for me so I deducted a star. BUT overall, the collection's stories were each engaging, interesting, and fun to read. I honestly think this may be the first instance in which a collection did not have a droop of a story. Each story hit well and other than the opening story, I thought the story organization did a great job.
A Spoonful of Malaysian Magic: An Anthology was such a fascinating and fun read! I've never read any Malaysian stories and this collection spoiled me! Many of the stories read like myth and folk tales and it provided so much color and texture to what little I know of Malaysia. Malaysia is a multicultural place and the anthology I think represents that really well with Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous peoples' cultures in the selected stories. If you're unfamiliar, I think this does a great job of providing some cultural background to Malaysia.
All of the stories were gorgeously written with detail and clearly a lot of love. I don't necessarily have a favorite or even a story that I didn't like, but the first story was a bit heavy as an opener for me so I deducted a star. BUT overall, the collection's stories were each engaging, interesting, and fun to read. I honestly think this may be the first instance in which a collection did not have a droop of a story. Each story hit well and other than the opening story, I thought the story organization did a great job.
October 27, 2023
This beautiful book is an anthology of 12 fantasy short stories written by 12 different authors set in Malaysia or that weave in Malaysian folktales or retellings of Malaysian myths.
The cove attracted me most to this book and the short stories did not disappoint me. Each story weaved its own magic and fantasy around me that I finished the majority of the book in one sitting (the first story was hard for me to get into). I loved so many of these that it's hard to pick my favorite from the book -- but Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid pulled at my heartstrings and made me feel so many emotions. I loved these stories so much!
I hadn't read a lot of Malaysian fantasy stories or Malaysian stories in general. After reading this anthology, I see so much how multicultural the country is and hope that more Malaysian stories get published in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Teaspoon Publishing for letting me have an ARC of this book for an honest review!
The cove attracted me most to this book and the short stories did not disappoint me. Each story weaved its own magic and fantasy around me that I finished the majority of the book in one sitting (the first story was hard for me to get into). I loved so many of these that it's hard to pick my favorite from the book -- but Visitor in the Night by Zufar Zeid pulled at my heartstrings and made me feel so many emotions. I loved these stories so much!
I hadn't read a lot of Malaysian fantasy stories or Malaysian stories in general. After reading this anthology, I see so much how multicultural the country is and hope that more Malaysian stories get published in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Teaspoon Publishing for letting me have an ARC of this book for an honest review!
December 9, 2023
I am going to keep this review short and sweet. I am Malay American, and have been craving Malaysian-inspired or -related fantasy works in English for years. There is plenty of historical fiction based in Malaysia, and I will readily read all that, but I so adore and appreciate the intent of the editors of this anthology to create fantastical Malaysian stories that aren’t just written off as “supernatural.” Each of these stories brings something new and beautiful to the canon of growing Asian-inspired fantasy. I couldn’t pick a favorite, and I will refuse to try to, so that you can hopefully read through each of these and enjoy them for yourselves. PLEASE pick up this book if it comes across your desk or shelves! 5 eager and giddy ⭐️s
December 1, 2023
There were a few good stories in this and a few that were not great. Some of them felt a little disconnected and boring or like they were part of a bigger story and the reader wasn't given enough information to understand what was going on fully. Despite being a Malaysian story anthology, a few were clearly based off other cultures.
Each story gets one illustration. I read an advanced copy so I'm unsure if the art was final, but if it was, it's cute but lacking detail.
CW: blood, cannibalism, death, death of a loved one, cancer, body horror, racism, fire, death of parents
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
Each story gets one illustration. I read an advanced copy so I'm unsure if the art was final, but if it was, it's cute but lacking detail.
CW: blood, cannibalism, death, death of a loved one, cancer, body horror, racism, fire, death of parents
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.
December 30, 2023
This....was pretty lackluster. I liked it okay I guess. The one that stood out to me most is The Rivers and Lakes. There are also a few that made me wonder, "But what's Malaysian about these stories apart from the authors?" because the stories are so generic.
Okay okay I'm being harsh but there are also a few that are okay to read like Kampar and the Kings of Kedah, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones, Remembering How to Cook and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat. The last couple actually ended way too soon for me. I wanted more :(
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Okay okay I'm being harsh but there are also a few that are okay to read like Kampar and the Kings of Kedah, Moonlight City of the Hidden Ones, Remembering How to Cook and The Dahlia of Hutan Kilat. The last couple actually ended way too soon for me. I wanted more :(
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
November 21, 2023
I truly enjoyed this little book of small tales. It was stepping into a whole new world of different adventures, lore and myth. Some stories were easy to gobble up and fall in love with; others were harder to get through. Two of my favorites were about the food magic and the last one about a dragon and a huntress. There is no spice, just light romance. I would recommend this book to those looking for fantasy outside of the usual tropes and flair of what’s out there right now.
Thank you Netgalley and Teaspoon Publishing for this wonderful read.
Thank you Netgalley and Teaspoon Publishing for this wonderful read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews