What do you think?
Rate this book
The Girl With a Thousand Faces
Not yet published
Expected 7 May 26THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW NOVEL FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE BOOK EATERS
A haunting dark urban fantasy set in a historical Hong Kong, where ancient myths and local legends combine in a story of ghosts, grief and women who will not forgive.
Mercy Chan is a triad exorcist with a mysterious past. After washing up on the shores of Hong Kong with no memory during World War II, she found a home in Kowloon Walled City, an infamous, ghost-infested slum full of lost and traumatised civilians. Since the war ended, Mercy has rebuilt her life and found work as a ghost-talker for the local triad, dealing with the angry and bitter spirits who haunt this place.
But the past she can’t remember won’t let her go. An unusually powerful ghost lurks in Kowloon’s waterways, drowning innocents and threatening the district. Unnervingly, it claims to know Mercy—and her forgotten childhood.
As Mercy is drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with this malignant spirit, she begins to realise that the monster she fights within these walls may well be one of her own making.
A haunting dark urban fantasy set in a historical Hong Kong, where ancient myths and local legends combine in a story of ghosts, grief and women who will not forgive.
Mercy Chan is a triad exorcist with a mysterious past. After washing up on the shores of Hong Kong with no memory during World War II, she found a home in Kowloon Walled City, an infamous, ghost-infested slum full of lost and traumatised civilians. Since the war ended, Mercy has rebuilt her life and found work as a ghost-talker for the local triad, dealing with the angry and bitter spirits who haunt this place.
But the past she can’t remember won’t let her go. An unusually powerful ghost lurks in Kowloon’s waterways, drowning innocents and threatening the district. Unnervingly, it claims to know Mercy—and her forgotten childhood.
As Mercy is drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with this malignant spirit, she begins to realise that the monster she fights within these walls may well be one of her own making.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2026
131 people are currently reading
31822 people want to read
About the author
Sunyi Dean
14 books1,826 followersFacebook || Instagram ||Threads || Bluesky ||
Sunyi Dean is a writer of speculative fiction. Originally born in Texas and raised in Hong Kong, she now resides in a Yorkshire cottage full of music and books.
Her most recent novel, THE GIRL WITH A THOUSAND FACES, was inspired by her upbringing: her old high school was once a mission house on the edge of the original Walled City, and her grandparents survived the Japanese occupation during WW2.
In her spare time, she likes buying whisky, collecting dumbbells, and dying in jiu-jitsu. She also founded the Hugo-nominated Publishing Rodeo Podcast with fellow Tor author, Scott Drakeford.
Sunyi Dean is a writer of speculative fiction. Originally born in Texas and raised in Hong Kong, she now resides in a Yorkshire cottage full of music and books.
Her most recent novel, THE GIRL WITH A THOUSAND FACES, was inspired by her upbringing: her old high school was once a mission house on the edge of the original Walled City, and her grandparents survived the Japanese occupation during WW2.
In her spare time, she likes buying whisky, collecting dumbbells, and dying in jiu-jitsu. She also founded the Hugo-nominated Publishing Rodeo Podcast with fellow Tor author, Scott Drakeford.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews
Read
May 5, 2026Edit: It's out! Hurrah! At last.
After much struggling over the past few years, including a lengthy process that involved redrafting many times from scratch, I've finally got a book that both myself and my editors are happy with. I'm sorry about the second person; I know that's not always popular, but it does mean that the story can give a 'close' POV while still hiding facts from the reader.
For the kind folks who are asking, I can't yet give a sequel to Book Eaters, sorry! I know what that book would be and have an outline written down somewhere, but I need to finish my current contract first :) the good news is that I’m close to completing that first contract.
QUICK WARNING: There is no romance in this novel, for very valid Story Reasons, I'm afraid! I thought I'd mention that as the lack of such elements can be a dealbreaker for some readers, and I'd hate for someone to read it and feel disappointed.
#####
AUTHOR’S NOTE (updated: 6 Sept 2025)
(as included in the back of this book)
Spelling conventions in this book
Chinese given names are commonly two-syllable combinations, prefaced by a family name, or surname. There are different ways to represent that two-syllable construction in English; sometimes those first names have a space between syllables, or a hyphen. Sometimes they are written together a single two-syllable construction.
I’ve been inconsistent across the book in how I represent those names; this is a deliberate choice. When possible, I combine syllables because I don’t want readers to interpret Daiyu as two separate names, for example. This is also how my own name is written; my mother chose to write “Sunyi” rather than “Sun Yi,” because she knew that in English the “yi” might be misconstrued as a middle name, when it is not.
However, for other names—for example, Kit Ling—I opted to add a space between syllables, in order to guide the pronunciation a little more. If written like “Kitling,” I think most Western readers would understandably rhyme that with “Kipling.” This is due to how different languages handle stressed and unstressed syllables.
In other cases, I sometimes made an aesthetic choice. I felt intuitively, for example, that “Lau Yik” looks straightforward when written with a space, whereas “Lauyik” might give English readers pause.
The topic of how to best present non-Anglo names can be really sticky, and I hope that I have not been insensitive in my methods. My goal is only to present the names as accessibly and accurate-sounding as possible, while still respecting the pinyin system and the language itself.
On the subject of English names in a Chinese setting
Hong Kong has a long and complex history with English-sounding first names. For many young people, choosing an English name—especially before going abroad—is something they spend time and effort on. Not all Chinese names translate easily to English, and also some folks just enjoy the fun of it.
When my mother moved from Hong Kong to Texas in the late 1980s, she picked the name Lisa for herself. To this day, even though she has now reverted to her original given name, there are still a few people who know her as Lisa. When I was much younger, I often used my middle name, Robin, while in America. Some of my Texan relatives continue to use “Robin” to this day, despite my requests to be addressed as Sunyi. In this book, Mei Chi opts to acquire the English name of Mercy.
I will also freely admit that giving a slightly different name is a useful tool for helping the reader to keep track of the varying timelines, which do get quite complicated in places. However, having known many people who move seamlessly between their English and Chinese names, I think she would fit right in.
On the subject of translated names
For the most part, character names are untranslated in the book, but not always. This inconsistency is something I wrestled with enormously; there’s a weirdness to having certain terms or names translated in a book which is set in a non-English environment, while others remain the same.
Ultimately, I decided that leaving names in their original form was truer to how Chinese people think about names. For example, my own name means God’s Child, but nobody who says my name is thinking of me as God’s Child. They think of me simply as Sunyi, even among Cantonese speakers. Despite the fact that most Chinese names have a directly translated meaning, the context shapes how people perceive/hear those names.
In a similar way, we might meet someone called Pierce Brosnan, and think of him only as the person called Pierce—and not as the action verb, “pierce.” Therefore, I felt that writing “Mei Chi” gave a better sense of how her name would be “heard” by Chinese speakers, rather than writing “Beautiful Pond,” fun though that would have been.
In Mei Chi/Mercy’s case specifically, I thought it was also useful to show the phonetic similarities between her English and Chinese names, which is a part of why she picks Mercy in the first place.
The two characters who buck this trend are Cobra Lily and Red Bird. This is because their situations are unique. Cobra Lily’s “real” legal name is a secret, known only to herself and the government officials she briefly speaks to; her “triad name” is a chosen identity, meant to represent her status as its leader, and to convey her power. The same is true for Red Bird. Her name is taken to represent her identity as a sex worker, and to protect her privacy from the men she encounters.
In both cases, the meanings of their names are more important than the sound of them. When other people speak of Cobra Lily, or Red Bird, they are hearing the words individually, because their names are more like titles. A similar example in English might be the famous 1980s wrestler Shirley Crabtree, who was known as “Big Daddy” in the ring.
On the subject of translated words
I mostly use English terms throughout because that’s the language this book is written in. However, some words actually convey better through context than they do through crude translated terms, e.g., dai pai dong or cha chaan teng. I could say “cafe” instead of cha chaan teng, but that has an association for me which is European in origin. Besides, modern Hong Kong has cafes, too, and they are often quite different from a cha chaan teng.
In short, I’ve tried to use common sense or artistic license for what feels appropriate, and to convey a sense of cultural flavor in things that I particularly love about Hong Kong without drowning English readers in unfamiliar terms.
A note on Cobra Lily, and the historical figure of “Mother Snake”
The character of Cobra Lily is entirely fictional, but she does draw from a real-life lady gangster named She Aizhen. Originally born into a wealthy Shanghainese family, Aizhen was fascinated by the criminal underworld at an early age, despite her privileged upbringing and expensive education. At fourteen, she fell pregnant with a gangster’s child. When he refused to support her, she threatened him with a knife until he agreed to marriage. When her second husband cheated on her, she stormed the house of his mistress, threatened the other woman with guns, and scratched the skin from her face.
She Aizhen’s life was marked by extraordinary violence and unusual contrasts. She was beautiful and intelligent, but also brutal and viciously cruel. She defied a thousand different gender barriers and social strictures, but also tortured and murdered wantonly, and even sided with the Japanese during World War II. Much like Cobra Lily, She Aizhen was a difficult person to categorize: a compelling force of nature, both monstrous and revolutionary.
A further note on Guanyin/Kwun Yam, and Ma Zu
Historically, Guanyin/Kwun Yam is a wholly separate entity from Ma Zu, and better known as a powerful and important goddess of mercy, rather than as a sea goddess. Guanyin originated from Hinduism, specifically the male bodhisattva known as Avalokitesvara. Buddhism derives much of its lore from Hinduism, including some of the deities.
As Buddhist/Hinduism spread and diverged across distances, Guanyin was sometimes portrayed as a gender-fluid deity, or more commonly as a woman in East Asia. As my mother put it, “Guanyin was born a man, but we know her now as a woman.”
The reasons for this are complex and fascinating, and draw in part from Guanyin’s ability to incarnate in different bodies and take different forms. I have attempted to capture some of that gender fluid history here, in how Guanyin/Kwun Yam is represented.
Meanwhile, Ma Zu’s origins differ enormously. Unlike Guanyin, who has always been divine, Ma Zu was born a human child with selective mutism (hence her name, Lin Moniang, which means ‘Silent Girl’). She had the ability to control storms and astrally project her spirit.
Over time, in certain locations, Ma Zu cults and Guanyin cults became enmeshed in their beliefs. Though Ma Zu is widely accepted as an elevated human, some cults believe that she was actually an incarnation of Guanyin in human form, which would go some way to explaining her devotion to Guanyin (Ma Zu’s goddess of choice), and her amazing supernatural gifts. This, combined with Guanyin’s ocean affinity in certain regions, led to a blending of those stories.
The historical literature leans heavily on them being separate figures with separate histories, but in this novel, I’ve adopted the interpretation that Ma Zu was an incarnation of Guanyin, hence the strange sea-cavern temple, and the carvings that depict interactions with jiaoren. (For context, Ma Zu famously threw herself into the ocean after the death of her father, and in some legends she encountered strange creatures beneath the waves.)
As always, there’s a balance to be struck between respect for beliefs, and the desire to weave those rich traditions into story form. I hope that what I have done will be of interest, rather than of offense, to those who worship both or either of these deities.
After much struggling over the past few years, including a lengthy process that involved redrafting many times from scratch, I've finally got a book that both myself and my editors are happy with. I'm sorry about the second person; I know that's not always popular, but it does mean that the story can give a 'close' POV while still hiding facts from the reader.
For the kind folks who are asking, I can't yet give a sequel to Book Eaters, sorry! I know what that book would be and have an outline written down somewhere, but I need to finish my current contract first :) the good news is that I’m close to completing that first contract.
QUICK WARNING: There is no romance in this novel, for very valid Story Reasons, I'm afraid! I thought I'd mention that as the lack of such elements can be a dealbreaker for some readers, and I'd hate for someone to read it and feel disappointed.
#####
AUTHOR’S NOTE (updated: 6 Sept 2025)
(as included in the back of this book)
Spelling conventions in this book
Chinese given names are commonly two-syllable combinations, prefaced by a family name, or surname. There are different ways to represent that two-syllable construction in English; sometimes those first names have a space between syllables, or a hyphen. Sometimes they are written together a single two-syllable construction.
I’ve been inconsistent across the book in how I represent those names; this is a deliberate choice. When possible, I combine syllables because I don’t want readers to interpret Daiyu as two separate names, for example. This is also how my own name is written; my mother chose to write “Sunyi” rather than “Sun Yi,” because she knew that in English the “yi” might be misconstrued as a middle name, when it is not.
However, for other names—for example, Kit Ling—I opted to add a space between syllables, in order to guide the pronunciation a little more. If written like “Kitling,” I think most Western readers would understandably rhyme that with “Kipling.” This is due to how different languages handle stressed and unstressed syllables.
In other cases, I sometimes made an aesthetic choice. I felt intuitively, for example, that “Lau Yik” looks straightforward when written with a space, whereas “Lauyik” might give English readers pause.
The topic of how to best present non-Anglo names can be really sticky, and I hope that I have not been insensitive in my methods. My goal is only to present the names as accessibly and accurate-sounding as possible, while still respecting the pinyin system and the language itself.
On the subject of English names in a Chinese setting
Hong Kong has a long and complex history with English-sounding first names. For many young people, choosing an English name—especially before going abroad—is something they spend time and effort on. Not all Chinese names translate easily to English, and also some folks just enjoy the fun of it.
When my mother moved from Hong Kong to Texas in the late 1980s, she picked the name Lisa for herself. To this day, even though she has now reverted to her original given name, there are still a few people who know her as Lisa. When I was much younger, I often used my middle name, Robin, while in America. Some of my Texan relatives continue to use “Robin” to this day, despite my requests to be addressed as Sunyi. In this book, Mei Chi opts to acquire the English name of Mercy.
I will also freely admit that giving a slightly different name is a useful tool for helping the reader to keep track of the varying timelines, which do get quite complicated in places. However, having known many people who move seamlessly between their English and Chinese names, I think she would fit right in.
On the subject of translated names
For the most part, character names are untranslated in the book, but not always. This inconsistency is something I wrestled with enormously; there’s a weirdness to having certain terms or names translated in a book which is set in a non-English environment, while others remain the same.
Ultimately, I decided that leaving names in their original form was truer to how Chinese people think about names. For example, my own name means God’s Child, but nobody who says my name is thinking of me as God’s Child. They think of me simply as Sunyi, even among Cantonese speakers. Despite the fact that most Chinese names have a directly translated meaning, the context shapes how people perceive/hear those names.
In a similar way, we might meet someone called Pierce Brosnan, and think of him only as the person called Pierce—and not as the action verb, “pierce.” Therefore, I felt that writing “Mei Chi” gave a better sense of how her name would be “heard” by Chinese speakers, rather than writing “Beautiful Pond,” fun though that would have been.
In Mei Chi/Mercy’s case specifically, I thought it was also useful to show the phonetic similarities between her English and Chinese names, which is a part of why she picks Mercy in the first place.
The two characters who buck this trend are Cobra Lily and Red Bird. This is because their situations are unique. Cobra Lily’s “real” legal name is a secret, known only to herself and the government officials she briefly speaks to; her “triad name” is a chosen identity, meant to represent her status as its leader, and to convey her power. The same is true for Red Bird. Her name is taken to represent her identity as a sex worker, and to protect her privacy from the men she encounters.
In both cases, the meanings of their names are more important than the sound of them. When other people speak of Cobra Lily, or Red Bird, they are hearing the words individually, because their names are more like titles. A similar example in English might be the famous 1980s wrestler Shirley Crabtree, who was known as “Big Daddy” in the ring.
On the subject of translated words
I mostly use English terms throughout because that’s the language this book is written in. However, some words actually convey better through context than they do through crude translated terms, e.g., dai pai dong or cha chaan teng. I could say “cafe” instead of cha chaan teng, but that has an association for me which is European in origin. Besides, modern Hong Kong has cafes, too, and they are often quite different from a cha chaan teng.
In short, I’ve tried to use common sense or artistic license for what feels appropriate, and to convey a sense of cultural flavor in things that I particularly love about Hong Kong without drowning English readers in unfamiliar terms.
A note on Cobra Lily, and the historical figure of “Mother Snake”
The character of Cobra Lily is entirely fictional, but she does draw from a real-life lady gangster named She Aizhen. Originally born into a wealthy Shanghainese family, Aizhen was fascinated by the criminal underworld at an early age, despite her privileged upbringing and expensive education. At fourteen, she fell pregnant with a gangster’s child. When he refused to support her, she threatened him with a knife until he agreed to marriage. When her second husband cheated on her, she stormed the house of his mistress, threatened the other woman with guns, and scratched the skin from her face.
She Aizhen’s life was marked by extraordinary violence and unusual contrasts. She was beautiful and intelligent, but also brutal and viciously cruel. She defied a thousand different gender barriers and social strictures, but also tortured and murdered wantonly, and even sided with the Japanese during World War II. Much like Cobra Lily, She Aizhen was a difficult person to categorize: a compelling force of nature, both monstrous and revolutionary.
A further note on Guanyin/Kwun Yam, and Ma Zu
Historically, Guanyin/Kwun Yam is a wholly separate entity from Ma Zu, and better known as a powerful and important goddess of mercy, rather than as a sea goddess. Guanyin originated from Hinduism, specifically the male bodhisattva known as Avalokitesvara. Buddhism derives much of its lore from Hinduism, including some of the deities.
As Buddhist/Hinduism spread and diverged across distances, Guanyin was sometimes portrayed as a gender-fluid deity, or more commonly as a woman in East Asia. As my mother put it, “Guanyin was born a man, but we know her now as a woman.”
The reasons for this are complex and fascinating, and draw in part from Guanyin’s ability to incarnate in different bodies and take different forms. I have attempted to capture some of that gender fluid history here, in how Guanyin/Kwun Yam is represented.
Meanwhile, Ma Zu’s origins differ enormously. Unlike Guanyin, who has always been divine, Ma Zu was born a human child with selective mutism (hence her name, Lin Moniang, which means ‘Silent Girl’). She had the ability to control storms and astrally project her spirit.
Over time, in certain locations, Ma Zu cults and Guanyin cults became enmeshed in their beliefs. Though Ma Zu is widely accepted as an elevated human, some cults believe that she was actually an incarnation of Guanyin in human form, which would go some way to explaining her devotion to Guanyin (Ma Zu’s goddess of choice), and her amazing supernatural gifts. This, combined with Guanyin’s ocean affinity in certain regions, led to a blending of those stories.
The historical literature leans heavily on them being separate figures with separate histories, but in this novel, I’ve adopted the interpretation that Ma Zu was an incarnation of Guanyin, hence the strange sea-cavern temple, and the carvings that depict interactions with jiaoren. (For context, Ma Zu famously threw herself into the ocean after the death of her father, and in some legends she encountered strange creatures beneath the waves.)
As always, there’s a balance to be struck between respect for beliefs, and the desire to weave those rich traditions into story form. I hope that what I have done will be of interest, rather than of offense, to those who worship both or either of these deities.
January 12, 2026
Generational trauma is perpetual but so are cats! (no I will not elaborate)
A ghost-talker confronts her missing past and the ghosts that linger in Sunyi Dean’s historical gothic feat, The Girl with a Thousand Faces. It feels like eons since I first discovered Sunyi Dean and drifting back into her work feels as languorous as a cat taking a long stretch in the sun—entirely out of sorts with the actual tone of Dean’s sophomore novel: a historical gothic fantasy all about ghosts and the cycles we perpetuate. The Girl with a Thousand Faces is as cutthroat as the ghosts left to steep in sadness, anger, and regret. At the helm, Mercy Chan, a fifty something ghost talker with a mysterious past facing down a ghostly killer intent on forcing her to confront her own forgotten ghosts. The Girl with a Thousand Faces makes the reader into a kind of specter, wandering Kowloon Walled City alongside Mercy as she unravels the past. Dragged down deep into waters ancient and strange, Sunyi Dean weaves a startling narrative that will have you questioning the true villains, be they paranormal or man made. Vindictive ghosts are one thing, but Dean’s true talent lies in her glimpse into the real horror beneath, the devastations of war, grief, and generational traumas—with everything a cost of ignoring that pain. Brave this strange ghostly saga and whatever you do don’t look down.
Read my review
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
A ghost-talker confronts her missing past and the ghosts that linger in Sunyi Dean’s historical gothic feat, The Girl with a Thousand Faces. It feels like eons since I first discovered Sunyi Dean and drifting back into her work feels as languorous as a cat taking a long stretch in the sun—entirely out of sorts with the actual tone of Dean’s sophomore novel: a historical gothic fantasy all about ghosts and the cycles we perpetuate. The Girl with a Thousand Faces is as cutthroat as the ghosts left to steep in sadness, anger, and regret. At the helm, Mercy Chan, a fifty something ghost talker with a mysterious past facing down a ghostly killer intent on forcing her to confront her own forgotten ghosts. The Girl with a Thousand Faces makes the reader into a kind of specter, wandering Kowloon Walled City alongside Mercy as she unravels the past. Dragged down deep into waters ancient and strange, Sunyi Dean weaves a startling narrative that will have you questioning the true villains, be they paranormal or man made. Vindictive ghosts are one thing, but Dean’s true talent lies in her glimpse into the real horror beneath, the devastations of war, grief, and generational traumas—with everything a cost of ignoring that pain. Brave this strange ghostly saga and whatever you do don’t look down.
Read my review
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
March 19, 2026
This didn't end up being the all-time favorite read that I was hoping for, but I still have to admire the author for telling an intriguing ghost story full of grief, vengeance and memory through such an unusual and bold narrative structure. This book certainly wasn't what I expected when I first picked it up and it also never stopped playing with my expectations as the story went on. I loved the first introduction that I got to this world. It's 1975 in the Walled City of Kowloon where the days are hot, the atmosphere is dark and the ghosts are plenty. It's the place where 50-something-year-old Mercy Chan works as a ghost talker for a triad queen, together with her ghost cat Bao. (I will never leave a cat unmentioned in my reviews, and Bao is important to me and to the story.) Nowadays Mercy is badass, snarky and just has her shit together, but her past is another thing entirely. She once washed up on a shore with no memories of her prior life, but she was already heavily scared and had a unexplainable violent nature. In present day she gets wrapped up in the planned demolition of Kowloon and in multiple unusual murders, and I was ready to read a 400+ page book of all of that. But the author had other plans and spends a good chunk of the book on telling the backstory of multiple characters thirty-three years in the past instead. It's what I meant when I mentioned the unusual and bold narrative structure, but I have to be honest: the change of pace kinda killed the original momentum for me. I had a hard time getting into the backstory, set in WWII when China was occupied by the Japanese, but overall I can see what Sunyi Dean tried to do here. And I also think that her plan worked out, just not super smoothly. But I found myself slowly invested in the past storyline and I also was rewarded for my patience with a pretty good twist. For a long time I had problems with seeing this as one coherent story, but now I can think about it as a whole. It's a story about war and trauma shaping people, about being driven by hate and rage, but also about being haunted by terrible decisions. There's a bleak and hopeless atmosphere throughout the whole book and even though it's a fantasy novel, it felt very grounded in reality and in human emotion. At parts it read like a horror novel, at parts the real-life war history took over and then it turned into a supernatural ghost story again. (At one point I even thought that it might turn into a monster romance, but fortunately the book didn't go that far.) It was quite the experience and it really had me involved in the story of two women throughout their lives (and deaths). I'm sure that this book will appeal to many readers, but be sure to expect the unexpected with this one.
Make sure to also check out AG's review when it's up. We did a buddy read :)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Make sure to also check out AG's review when it's up. We did a buddy read :)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperVoyager for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Currently Reading
May 4, 2026"ghost-talker" is my new dream job
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just look at this beautiful cover, it's stunning. This book has the most organic blend of all the genres that I love—fantasy, horror, folklore and historical fiction. If you’re looking for a more diverse read with a kick of magical realism, look no further.
A woman washes up on shores of Hong Kong and finds refuge in ghost-infested slums of Kowloon Walled City. She has no other option but work as a ghost talker. One day, a very powerful ghost comes to her city and begins causing havoc. It claims to know all about this woman and her past secrets, some of which are best left forgotten.
This is a stunning Gothic tale set in the historical Hong Kong about women who cannot forgive. It explores themes of war, grief, trauma and forgiveness while blending history, sorrow and fantasy through dual timelines and multiple POVs.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!
Narrator: Natalie Naudus (award winning!)
Duration: 13 hours and 2 minutes
Speed: 1.25x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio/Tor Books and the author, Sunyi Dean for an early ALC!
Publication date: May 5, 2026
A woman washes up on shores of Hong Kong and finds refuge in ghost-infested slums of Kowloon Walled City. She has no other option but work as a ghost talker. One day, a very powerful ghost comes to her city and begins causing havoc. It claims to know all about this woman and her past secrets, some of which are best left forgotten.
This is a stunning Gothic tale set in the historical Hong Kong about women who cannot forgive. It explores themes of war, grief, trauma and forgiveness while blending history, sorrow and fantasy through dual timelines and multiple POVs.
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!
Narrator: Natalie Naudus (award winning!)
Duration: 13 hours and 2 minutes
Speed: 1.25x
Many thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio/Tor Books and the author, Sunyi Dean for an early ALC!
Publication date: May 5, 2026
Read
January 7, 2026
Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:
Sunyi Dean's debut novel, The Book Eaters, was a bloody good time and one of my favorite books of 2022, so I was wicked excited to learn she has a new book coming in 2026! It's a historical dark fantasy set in Hong Kong about a woman named Mercy Chan. Mercy arrived in Kowloon years earlier with no memory of who she is and has since made a life as a ghost talker for the triad. But then a murderous spirit starts drowning people, and catches Mercy's attention. The spirit claims to know her and her unremembered past. And if Mercy can't remember where she came from and how she ended up in Kowloon, it may drag her down into the depths for good. —Liberty Hardy
Sunyi Dean's debut novel, The Book Eaters, was a bloody good time and one of my favorite books of 2022, so I was wicked excited to learn she has a new book coming in 2026! It's a historical dark fantasy set in Hong Kong about a woman named Mercy Chan. Mercy arrived in Kowloon years earlier with no memory of who she is and has since made a life as a ghost talker for the triad. But then a murderous spirit starts drowning people, and catches Mercy's attention. The spirit claims to know her and her unremembered past. And if Mercy can't remember where she came from and how she ended up in Kowloon, it may drag her down into the depths for good. —Liberty Hardy
April 2, 2026
Thank you so much for the arc HarperCollins UK | HarperFiction | HarperVoyager!
„But home is never more beautiful than when
you see it for the last time.“
🌊rogue spirits
🪦ghost-infested slum
🌊memory loss
🪦ghost-talker
🌊early-fifties protagonist
„The past is an endless ocean on which we can sail forever without returning home.“
What I liked:
- The plot twist was soo good! I thought I’d figured it out but it was way more complex than I thought. It makes me want to reread the story to notice all the little hints and informations I missed!
- I absolutely loved the worldbuilding! Mostly set in a ghost-infested slum, an unpopular relic of the last World War, filled with ghosts and people who never had the chance to recover from the horrors of the Japanese occupation. The whole story is about traumatized individuals trying to survive, and even ghosts are not spared from exploitation and betrayal. The way ghosts were used and treated during the war was a twist I found especially interesting and sadly realistic if humanity were ever able to use them.
- Bao, the murdery ghost-cat! I love him and I would read a whole book just about him!
What I didn’t like:
- Some parts felt a tad too slow for me, but it didn’t bother me much.
„If each person only corrects the crimes that they have committed themselves, then the world will be full of pain, because evil men do not care about injustice, and so never correct their own.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 4,75/5
👥 Characters: 5/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 5/5
📝 Story & Plot: 5/5
✨ Vibes: 5/5
•Is this my go-to genre? yes
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
„But home is never more beautiful than when
you see it for the last time.“
🌊rogue spirits
🪦ghost-infested slum
🌊memory loss
🪦ghost-talker
🌊early-fifties protagonist
„The past is an endless ocean on which we can sail forever without returning home.“
What I liked:
- The plot twist was soo good! I thought I’d figured it out but it was way more complex than I thought. It makes me want to reread the story to notice all the little hints and informations I missed!
- I absolutely loved the worldbuilding! Mostly set in a ghost-infested slum, an unpopular relic of the last World War, filled with ghosts and people who never had the chance to recover from the horrors of the Japanese occupation. The whole story is about traumatized individuals trying to survive, and even ghosts are not spared from exploitation and betrayal. The way ghosts were used and treated during the war was a twist I found especially interesting and sadly realistic if humanity were ever able to use them.
- Bao, the murdery ghost-cat! I love him and I would read a whole book just about him!
What I didn’t like:
- Some parts felt a tad too slow for me, but it didn’t bother me much.
„If each person only corrects the crimes that they have committed themselves, then the world will be full of pain, because evil men do not care about injustice, and so never correct their own.“
✍🏻 Writing style: 4,75/5
👥 Characters: 5/5
🌍 Worldbuilding: 5/5
📝 Story & Plot: 5/5
✨ Vibes: 5/5
•Is this my go-to genre? yes
•Will I buy a physical copy: yes
•Will I read more books by the author: yes
Currently Reading
May 4, 2026every one of my mutuals has loved this one, which is making me excited 🙇🏽♀️
________
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
________
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
Did Not Finish
April 21, 2026Sincere thank you to Sunyi Dean for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!
DNF @ 50%
I’m very disappointed, this having been one of my highly anticipated reads this year. Normally I have no qualms about giving a rating for a DNF, but this time I’m not going to do so just because I think this might equally be a me problem.
I think this book is trying to tell too many stories. Not in an ambitious, sprawling sort of way. The book is only 320 pages but there is just such a hodge podge of plot crammed in, it’s hard to really connect with any one thing in particular. The first third of the book focuses entirely on Mercy Chan and her ghost talking ability, her life in Kowloon Walled City nestled into Hong Kong. A petition is being put forth for Kowloon, the only home she’s ever known, to be demolished. Nearly as soon as this story is established, there’s an abrupt shift to the past, to the childhood that Mercy Chan no longer has any memory of. Once the story shifts, the narrator and the POV change which is confusing and odd. Suddenly the story is being told from first person POV, something that was not done in the beginning of the book, and the narrator is now omniscient.
I have read other books where very far into the story an entirely secondary story takes place with a different POV character. The first that springs to mind is The Last Contract of Isako. It can be done, but it has to be done carefully. When your reader develops a connection with the main character and then the author pulls the rug and switches to a new main character, it can easily lose the reader. That’s what happened to me with this story. Once the perspective was changed away from Mercy Chan, and a new narrator was added and a first person POV, I could not connect again. After that I found myself struggling to even pick up the book.
In addition to this soup of plot points, writing techniques and timelines, I also found the dialogue extremely clunky. Every character seemed to speak exactly the same way, making it difficult to even discern who was speaking, or find real personality in the characters.
Overall this one wasn’t for me, but I still appreciate being given a chance to early read and review by this author and give them all my best wishes for future books!
DNF @ 50%
I’m very disappointed, this having been one of my highly anticipated reads this year. Normally I have no qualms about giving a rating for a DNF, but this time I’m not going to do so just because I think this might equally be a me problem.
I think this book is trying to tell too many stories. Not in an ambitious, sprawling sort of way. The book is only 320 pages but there is just such a hodge podge of plot crammed in, it’s hard to really connect with any one thing in particular. The first third of the book focuses entirely on Mercy Chan and her ghost talking ability, her life in Kowloon Walled City nestled into Hong Kong. A petition is being put forth for Kowloon, the only home she’s ever known, to be demolished. Nearly as soon as this story is established, there’s an abrupt shift to the past, to the childhood that Mercy Chan no longer has any memory of. Once the story shifts, the narrator and the POV change which is confusing and odd. Suddenly the story is being told from first person POV, something that was not done in the beginning of the book, and the narrator is now omniscient.
I have read other books where very far into the story an entirely secondary story takes place with a different POV character. The first that springs to mind is The Last Contract of Isako. It can be done, but it has to be done carefully. When your reader develops a connection with the main character and then the author pulls the rug and switches to a new main character, it can easily lose the reader. That’s what happened to me with this story. Once the perspective was changed away from Mercy Chan, and a new narrator was added and a first person POV, I could not connect again. After that I found myself struggling to even pick up the book.
In addition to this soup of plot points, writing techniques and timelines, I also found the dialogue extremely clunky. Every character seemed to speak exactly the same way, making it difficult to even discern who was speaking, or find real personality in the characters.
Overall this one wasn’t for me, but I still appreciate being given a chance to early read and review by this author and give them all my best wishes for future books!
Review of advance copy received from Author
fierce, tender, twisty and compelling, this is a novel about hate and forgiveness, family and betrayal, and the endless hurt of war and anger.
I loved it.
I loved it.
April 28, 2026
God, I love stories about angry women. Two wronged children become two powerful, vengeful adults (?) and, honestly, a girl can still dream.
It took me a minute to settle into this one, but once I did, I was all in. The eerie urban-gothic atmosphere was everything, and while it’s classified as horror, there was really only one scene that truly spooked me (mostly because I’m terrified of the ocean). The story feels folksy, mythical, deliberate, and deeply intelligent. Definitely one of those novels where you can feel how much heart the author poured into every page.
Its themes are dark, real, and resonant: generational trauma, the lingering consequences of war, and the messy, painful complexities of family. Both main characters are refreshingly flawed and compelling in their own ways. Mercy is a middle-aged ghost-talker who is just fucking over it lol.The other protagonist is an unapologetically pissed-off and problematic badass.
The narrative is ambitious, and while I admire what it’s reaching for, I do think it could have benefited from a bit more tightening. Converging timelines are tricky, and parts, particularly in part three, felt somewhat clunky. Some of the stylistic choices, especially the POV shifts and heavy use of subject ellipses, occasionally pulled me out of the story. They created an interesting reading experience, but a heavier hand in editing might have made them more effective.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, inventive, and memorable story. I think this will find a devoted audience, especially among readers who love gothic fantasy with sharp teeth and something meaningful to say.
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a minute to settle into this one, but once I did, I was all in. The eerie urban-gothic atmosphere was everything, and while it’s classified as horror, there was really only one scene that truly spooked me (mostly because I’m terrified of the ocean). The story feels folksy, mythical, deliberate, and deeply intelligent. Definitely one of those novels where you can feel how much heart the author poured into every page.
Its themes are dark, real, and resonant: generational trauma, the lingering consequences of war, and the messy, painful complexities of family. Both main characters are refreshingly flawed and compelling in their own ways. Mercy is a middle-aged ghost-talker who is just fucking over it lol.The other protagonist is an unapologetically pissed-off and problematic badass.
The narrative is ambitious, and while I admire what it’s reaching for, I do think it could have benefited from a bit more tightening. Converging timelines are tricky, and parts, particularly in part three, felt somewhat clunky. Some of the stylistic choices, especially the POV shifts and heavy use of subject ellipses, occasionally pulled me out of the story. They created an interesting reading experience, but a heavier hand in editing might have made them more effective.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, inventive, and memorable story. I think this will find a devoted audience, especially among readers who love gothic fantasy with sharp teeth and something meaningful to say.
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
The Girl With A Thousand Faces is a brilliant genre-blending novel, halfway between Gothic horror and urban fantasy, written by Sunyi Dean, published by Tor. After an astounding debut with The Book Eaters, I had high hopes for her sophomore novel, and it totally exceed my expectations, delivering not only a novel with a heart-pounding story about family bonds, grief and ghosts, but which is also bold with its narrative structure, playing with them to eventually tie all together to make this a memorable book.
Mercy Chan, a woman without memories, washes up on the shores of Hong Kong, finding refuge working as a ghost-talker in the infested streets of Kowloon Walled City; but when one day, a powerful ghost comes to her city and start causing havoc, threatening to be the final nail in the coffin that will allow the council to tear down what has been her world for the last thirty-two years. But behind this ghost there are more things that are also tied to Mercy's past, some secrets that could destroy her life and might need to remain buried.
It's difficult to convey in words why this book is such a brilliant literary piece. While I understand the structure chosen by Sunyi Dean to tell this story (apparently unrelated timelines, different perspectives) might be confusing for some readers, it's part of what makes this a memorable novel; what starts as a ghost story evolves into a family plot whose consequences we are experiencing now, with some revelations that invites us to rethink which role is each character playing. At the end, what we are reading is a story that hides trauma and grief at its core, excellently portrayed by the words of the author.
The setting is another remarkable aspect of this novel: not only by how well Dean has portrayed invaded Hong Kong and the post war situation, but how it is blended together with a ghost theme that is tightly woven with how ordinary people is forced to pay the metaphorical cost of war; it is refreshing to have a historical ESEA location as the setting, especially when the mythology is also imbued into the story.
In terms of pacing, this is a bit of a tricky book to define, mostly due to how it is structured; I didn't find it slow (I kinda devoured it), but there are some sections where I just trusted the author to pull it all together (and honestly, the execution is just chef kiss).
The Girl With A Thousand Faces is simply excellent; I don't think I can really capture in words how good this novel is. A demonstration of Dean's writing skills, a remarkable genre-blending story that is already a candidate to end up being one of my favourite books of the year!
The Girl With A Thousand Faces is a brilliant genre-blending novel, halfway between Gothic horror and urban fantasy, written by Sunyi Dean, published by Tor. After an astounding debut with The Book Eaters, I had high hopes for her sophomore novel, and it totally exceed my expectations, delivering not only a novel with a heart-pounding story about family bonds, grief and ghosts, but which is also bold with its narrative structure, playing with them to eventually tie all together to make this a memorable book.
Mercy Chan, a woman without memories, washes up on the shores of Hong Kong, finding refuge working as a ghost-talker in the infested streets of Kowloon Walled City; but when one day, a powerful ghost comes to her city and start causing havoc, threatening to be the final nail in the coffin that will allow the council to tear down what has been her world for the last thirty-two years. But behind this ghost there are more things that are also tied to Mercy's past, some secrets that could destroy her life and might need to remain buried.
It's difficult to convey in words why this book is such a brilliant literary piece. While I understand the structure chosen by Sunyi Dean to tell this story (apparently unrelated timelines, different perspectives) might be confusing for some readers, it's part of what makes this a memorable novel; what starts as a ghost story evolves into a family plot whose consequences we are experiencing now, with some revelations that invites us to rethink which role is each character playing. At the end, what we are reading is a story that hides trauma and grief at its core, excellently portrayed by the words of the author.
The setting is another remarkable aspect of this novel: not only by how well Dean has portrayed invaded Hong Kong and the post war situation, but how it is blended together with a ghost theme that is tightly woven with how ordinary people is forced to pay the metaphorical cost of war; it is refreshing to have a historical ESEA location as the setting, especially when the mythology is also imbued into the story.
In terms of pacing, this is a bit of a tricky book to define, mostly due to how it is structured; I didn't find it slow (I kinda devoured it), but there are some sections where I just trusted the author to pull it all together (and honestly, the execution is just chef kiss).
The Girl With A Thousand Faces is simply excellent; I don't think I can really capture in words how good this novel is. A demonstration of Dean's writing skills, a remarkable genre-blending story that is already a candidate to end up being one of my favourite books of the year!
May 2, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
i picked up this book because it was a bit out of my comfort zone compared to what i normally read, but was intrigued by the concept of the spirit world and a ghost talking main character in historical china. i was not disappointed in the slightest!
this book took me on a journey unlike any i’ve ever read, and i was enthralled from beginning to end.
Mercy Chan washed up on the shores of Hong Kong as a child with no memories amidst the Japanese occupation of WWII. she finds her place in Kowloon city, a crowded complex overrun by ghosts who have yet to move on from unfinished business. but Mercy is a ghost talker with the exceptional ability to speak with spirits and help them attain closure to move onto the spirit world- through whatever violent means they require.
Mercy is haunted by a spirit of her past that she can’t remember anything about, and the demon has begun to kill people in Kowloon city to get closer to Mercy for reasons unknown.
the story progresses in many twists and turns that i refuse to go into any more detail about because i want everyone to go in blind!
the characters and relationships are wildly complex, being the driving force of the plot itself. i don’t say this lightly, but it also has one of the craziest plot twists i’ve ever read- totally didn’t see coming!
i picked up this book because it was a bit out of my comfort zone compared to what i normally read, but was intrigued by the concept of the spirit world and a ghost talking main character in historical china. i was not disappointed in the slightest!
this book took me on a journey unlike any i’ve ever read, and i was enthralled from beginning to end.
Mercy Chan washed up on the shores of Hong Kong as a child with no memories amidst the Japanese occupation of WWII. she finds her place in Kowloon city, a crowded complex overrun by ghosts who have yet to move on from unfinished business. but Mercy is a ghost talker with the exceptional ability to speak with spirits and help them attain closure to move onto the spirit world- through whatever violent means they require.
Mercy is haunted by a spirit of her past that she can’t remember anything about, and the demon has begun to kill people in Kowloon city to get closer to Mercy for reasons unknown.
the story progresses in many twists and turns that i refuse to go into any more detail about because i want everyone to go in blind!
the characters and relationships are wildly complex, being the driving force of the plot itself. i don’t say this lightly, but it also has one of the craziest plot twists i’ve ever read- totally didn’t see coming!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sunyi Dean has crafted a haunting and deeply atmospheric masterpiece in The Girl with a Thousand Faces. This is one of those books that, despite being a dark urban fantasy, feels deeply rooted in reality. Set against the historical backdrop of 1940s and 1970s Hong Kong. The sense of place is vivid and immersive, and it became one of the main reasons I loved the story so much.
The novel blends historical reality with supernatural horror, focusing on the lasting impact of war, particularly the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. A large portion of the story takes place in Kowloon Walled City. I found it fascinating. I had to pause the book to look up videos and read articles about it. I even dug out an old copy of Bloodsport to revisit its depiction of the setting. That kind of curiosity does not happen unless a book truly brings its world to life.
The story unfolds across two timelines, with our main character, Mercy Chan, at its heart. While the narrative feels grounded in reality, it also introduces deeply original elements that blend gothic fantasy, history, and emotional depth into something unforgettable. The plotting is handled with precision and ambition, and the level of control here left me genuinely impressed. Twists land with impact, and the layered mystery keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Technically, it is a strong novel, but what truly elevates it is its emotional core. The book explores grief, generational trauma, the scars of war, and the possibility of forgiveness with nuance and care. The relationships feel raw and authentic. They are messy, complicated, and often heartbreaking in ways that feel very real. The narrative moves between past and present with confidence, weaving together its themes and character arcs into something cohesive and powerful.
This is a difficult book to describe because every time I try to define it, it seems to resist that definition. It is both what you expect and its opposite. Everything about the premise might suggest a heavy, serious story, and it certainly deals with dark material, including death and brutality, so checking trigger warnings is a good idea. At the same time, it has moments of humour and warmth that beautifully balance the tone. There is even a ghostly animal companion who brings unexpected levity and charm to the story.
I really loved the audiobook narration. It honestly made the whole experience so much more immersive for me. Natalie Naudus did such an incredible job bringing the story to life, and I found it so easy to get pulled into the atmosphere because of her performance. She handled all the different characters really well, and I never felt confused about who was speaking, even in more complex scenes. The emotion she brought to the narration added so much depth, especially during the darker, more intense moments. I had also recently listened to Japanese Gothic, which she narrated expertly, so I already knew I loved her style, and this performance just reinforced that. Overall, I feel like the narration really elevated the story and made it even more engaging.
In the end, The Girl with a Thousand Faces is unsettling, emotional, and richly imagined, but also surprisingly human at its core. It is the kind of book that not only tells a compelling story but also pushes you to learn more about the world it is set in, and that is something truly special.
The novel blends historical reality with supernatural horror, focusing on the lasting impact of war, particularly the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. A large portion of the story takes place in Kowloon Walled City. I found it fascinating. I had to pause the book to look up videos and read articles about it. I even dug out an old copy of Bloodsport to revisit its depiction of the setting. That kind of curiosity does not happen unless a book truly brings its world to life.
The story unfolds across two timelines, with our main character, Mercy Chan, at its heart. While the narrative feels grounded in reality, it also introduces deeply original elements that blend gothic fantasy, history, and emotional depth into something unforgettable. The plotting is handled with precision and ambition, and the level of control here left me genuinely impressed. Twists land with impact, and the layered mystery keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Technically, it is a strong novel, but what truly elevates it is its emotional core. The book explores grief, generational trauma, the scars of war, and the possibility of forgiveness with nuance and care. The relationships feel raw and authentic. They are messy, complicated, and often heartbreaking in ways that feel very real. The narrative moves between past and present with confidence, weaving together its themes and character arcs into something cohesive and powerful.
This is a difficult book to describe because every time I try to define it, it seems to resist that definition. It is both what you expect and its opposite. Everything about the premise might suggest a heavy, serious story, and it certainly deals with dark material, including death and brutality, so checking trigger warnings is a good idea. At the same time, it has moments of humour and warmth that beautifully balance the tone. There is even a ghostly animal companion who brings unexpected levity and charm to the story.
I really loved the audiobook narration. It honestly made the whole experience so much more immersive for me. Natalie Naudus did such an incredible job bringing the story to life, and I found it so easy to get pulled into the atmosphere because of her performance. She handled all the different characters really well, and I never felt confused about who was speaking, even in more complex scenes. The emotion she brought to the narration added so much depth, especially during the darker, more intense moments. I had also recently listened to Japanese Gothic, which she narrated expertly, so I already knew I loved her style, and this performance just reinforced that. Overall, I feel like the narration really elevated the story and made it even more engaging.
In the end, The Girl with a Thousand Faces is unsettling, emotional, and richly imagined, but also surprisingly human at its core. It is the kind of book that not only tells a compelling story but also pushes you to learn more about the world it is set in, and that is something truly special.
May 3, 2026
This has been such a fun Japanese ghost thriller. There are so many threads that are written together so thoughtfully to not overcomplicate the story arc. If you love a perfectly painted thriller this is for you! I absolutely loved Mercy and her ghost cat.Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2025
I was so lucky to get this earc from Sunyi Dean and this book soon became one of my favourite ever! The girl with a thousand faces is a dark urban fantasy set in Hong Kong, mixing myths, local legends, angry spirits and powerful and women who don't want to forgive.
Mercy Chan is a triad "ghost talker". After losing the memory of her first twenty years, before WWII, after washing up on the shore of Hong Kong, she rebuilt her life in the Walled City in Kowloom, a famous ghost-infested slum, where she lives now. But a murderous ghost is set to destroy her city and exact vengeance from her, for something she did in the past. If only she could remember who she was.
The girl with a thousand faces is hauntingly beautiful, eerie, gorgeous and beautifully written. The author has the great ability of capture your attention right away and one of the best thing is how Sunyi Dean leads you to believe in someone and something, to cheer them on and then, suddendly, to change all the cards on the table and making you realize you actually didn't understand anything. Split in four parts, with different POVs, and during the Chino-Japanese war and 30 years later, the reader is thrown into the complex and painful story of Hong Kong, its ghosts and inhabitants, following the news, the massacres, the cruelties. I've learned so many things I didn't studied before and I was both glad to have my knowledge expanded and horrified by what I've learned.
This is a story of grief and revenge, resentment and horror, generational trauma and how traumatizing and damaging can be if there's not forgiveness. It's a story about familial bonds and, like in The book eaters, the complex and often painful relationship between a mother and a child. The reader follows two women and their stories, their mistakes and cruelties, fights and willingness to live and experience the world, to exact revenge. It's a story about angry ghosts and hurt girls. Girls who have been abandoned, hurt and betrayed and their anger and fury.
It's a story about war and blood, spirits and ghosts, pain and revenge, and it's written so poetically.
I loved every single thing. One of the best book I've ever read.
Mercy Chan is a triad "ghost talker". After losing the memory of her first twenty years, before WWII, after washing up on the shore of Hong Kong, she rebuilt her life in the Walled City in Kowloom, a famous ghost-infested slum, where she lives now. But a murderous ghost is set to destroy her city and exact vengeance from her, for something she did in the past. If only she could remember who she was.
The girl with a thousand faces is hauntingly beautiful, eerie, gorgeous and beautifully written. The author has the great ability of capture your attention right away and one of the best thing is how Sunyi Dean leads you to believe in someone and something, to cheer them on and then, suddendly, to change all the cards on the table and making you realize you actually didn't understand anything. Split in four parts, with different POVs, and during the Chino-Japanese war and 30 years later, the reader is thrown into the complex and painful story of Hong Kong, its ghosts and inhabitants, following the news, the massacres, the cruelties. I've learned so many things I didn't studied before and I was both glad to have my knowledge expanded and horrified by what I've learned.
This is a story of grief and revenge, resentment and horror, generational trauma and how traumatizing and damaging can be if there's not forgiveness. It's a story about familial bonds and, like in The book eaters, the complex and often painful relationship between a mother and a child. The reader follows two women and their stories, their mistakes and cruelties, fights and willingness to live and experience the world, to exact revenge. It's a story about angry ghosts and hurt girls. Girls who have been abandoned, hurt and betrayed and their anger and fury.
It's a story about war and blood, spirits and ghosts, pain and revenge, and it's written so poetically.
I loved every single thing. One of the best book I've ever read.
May 1, 2026
Sunyi Dean’s The Girl with a Thousand Faces is a blend of historical fantasy and gothic horror that lingers long after the final page.
Set in a vividly rendered postwar Hong Kong, the story follows Mercy Chan, a ghost-talker scraping out a life in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, who is forced to confront a dangerous spirit tied to the past she cannot remember. Interwoven with her story is that of a young girl who flees to a remote, haunted island on the eve of the Japanese invasion, where something ancient and patient waits beneath the surface.
This is very much a character-driven novel, and Mercy immediately stood out to me, not least because she has a ghost cat companion who completely stole my heart. The setting is another highlight. The claustrophobic, labyrinthine atmosphere of the Walled City feels alive in every sense, and it even sent me down a rabbit hole researching Hong Kong’s history, which made the reading experience even richer.
What really sets this book apart is its structure. It begins almost like a fantasy murder mystery, grounded and tense, before taking a sharp and unexpected turn into something far more unsettling and emotionally complex. While I found the first third the most engaging, I appreciated the risks the story takes later on. The shifts in narration and tone ultimately worked for me and made the novel feel memorable.
Dean skillfully weaves together supernatural horror with the very real trauma of war, creating a world that feels both eerie and deeply human. Themes of grief, identity, family, and the lasting scars of violence run through every thread of the narrative.
I also experienced this story as an audiobook, and the narration by Natalie Naudus added another layer to an already immersive tale. She captures the emotional weight of the characters with great care, conveying both the quiet grief and the rising tension in a way that pulled me deeper into the story. Her performance felt nuanced and engaging throughout, making it easy to stay connected even as the narrative shifts in tone and structure.
This is not always an easy read, but it is a powerful and unique one that rewards patience and emotional investment.
I’m grateful to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this book in advance and share my thoughts.
Set in a vividly rendered postwar Hong Kong, the story follows Mercy Chan, a ghost-talker scraping out a life in the infamous Kowloon Walled City, who is forced to confront a dangerous spirit tied to the past she cannot remember. Interwoven with her story is that of a young girl who flees to a remote, haunted island on the eve of the Japanese invasion, where something ancient and patient waits beneath the surface.
This is very much a character-driven novel, and Mercy immediately stood out to me, not least because she has a ghost cat companion who completely stole my heart. The setting is another highlight. The claustrophobic, labyrinthine atmosphere of the Walled City feels alive in every sense, and it even sent me down a rabbit hole researching Hong Kong’s history, which made the reading experience even richer.
What really sets this book apart is its structure. It begins almost like a fantasy murder mystery, grounded and tense, before taking a sharp and unexpected turn into something far more unsettling and emotionally complex. While I found the first third the most engaging, I appreciated the risks the story takes later on. The shifts in narration and tone ultimately worked for me and made the novel feel memorable.
Dean skillfully weaves together supernatural horror with the very real trauma of war, creating a world that feels both eerie and deeply human. Themes of grief, identity, family, and the lasting scars of violence run through every thread of the narrative.
I also experienced this story as an audiobook, and the narration by Natalie Naudus added another layer to an already immersive tale. She captures the emotional weight of the characters with great care, conveying both the quiet grief and the rising tension in a way that pulled me deeper into the story. Her performance felt nuanced and engaging throughout, making it easy to stay connected even as the narrative shifts in tone and structure.
This is not always an easy read, but it is a powerful and unique one that rewards patience and emotional investment.
I’m grateful to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read this book in advance and share my thoughts.
May 5, 2026
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars.
Set in Hong Kong primarily between the 1940s and 1970s, we initially follow Mercy Chan, a woman in her fifties who has lost her childhood memories, making a living talking to angry ghosts. At the same time a vengeful ghost is haunting the city, with the potential to cause massive destruction. As Mercy tries to deal with the ghost, secrets regarding her past come to the surface.
This was a tale of revenge, the effects of trauma, and war, all brilliantly woven into a gothic urban fantasy. The characters are layered, and the story captivating. I love that Mercy is a woman in middle-age with the life experience and aches and pains that accompany it. The other characters we meet were fascinating too, with their motivations clear.
The book does so much with only 320 pages, it was very impressive.
4.5 stars.
Set in Hong Kong primarily between the 1940s and 1970s, we initially follow Mercy Chan, a woman in her fifties who has lost her childhood memories, making a living talking to angry ghosts. At the same time a vengeful ghost is haunting the city, with the potential to cause massive destruction. As Mercy tries to deal with the ghost, secrets regarding her past come to the surface.
This was a tale of revenge, the effects of trauma, and war, all brilliantly woven into a gothic urban fantasy. The characters are layered, and the story captivating. I love that Mercy is a woman in middle-age with the life experience and aches and pains that accompany it. The other characters we meet were fascinating too, with their motivations clear.
The book does so much with only 320 pages, it was very impressive.
April 27, 2026
If you know me, you know I love metaphorical books about generational trauma, and The Girl With A Thousand Faces hits all the right notes for me!
We have a 50+ year old ghost hunting protagonist (can’t tell you how much I love older women in fantasies), a cute and deadly cat spirit, a complicated and intricate multigenerational plot spanning over fifty years and encompassing Japan’s invasion of China in WWII, vengeful lady ghosts, critique of gentrification, and some pretty cool trans rep.
The narrative was ambitious and surprisingly tender and personal in parts, brutal and unforgiving in others. I loved it.
Many thanks to Sunyi Dean for the physical proof and NetGalley and Tor books for the digital ARC!
We have a 50+ year old ghost hunting protagonist (can’t tell you how much I love older women in fantasies), a cute and deadly cat spirit, a complicated and intricate multigenerational plot spanning over fifty years and encompassing Japan’s invasion of China in WWII, vengeful lady ghosts, critique of gentrification, and some pretty cool trans rep.
The narrative was ambitious and surprisingly tender and personal in parts, brutal and unforgiving in others. I loved it.
Many thanks to Sunyi Dean for the physical proof and NetGalley and Tor books for the digital ARC!
June 11, 2025
Sunyi kindly sent me an advanced copy to read and review…
‘Girl with a thousand faces’ is an alternative universe-ish ghost story set in and around Hong Kong during and after world war 2– a history that I’m sure many of us know little of. Parts of the story are quite gut-wrenching - sunyi does an excellent job of exploring the horror of war without detracting from the main story which follows a ghost hunting (ghost therapist?) woman named Mercy who remembers nothing of her past prior to washing up on a beach. I won’t give anything else away but this book would be a perfect ‘studio ghibli’ production, in my opinion.
Sometimes beautiful, sometimes horrific, ‘GWATF’ is a book of a thousand themes. I adored it!
‘Girl with a thousand faces’ is an alternative universe-ish ghost story set in and around Hong Kong during and after world war 2– a history that I’m sure many of us know little of. Parts of the story are quite gut-wrenching - sunyi does an excellent job of exploring the horror of war without detracting from the main story which follows a ghost hunting (ghost therapist?) woman named Mercy who remembers nothing of her past prior to washing up on a beach. I won’t give anything else away but this book would be a perfect ‘studio ghibli’ production, in my opinion.
Sometimes beautiful, sometimes horrific, ‘GWATF’ is a book of a thousand themes. I adored it!
June 30, 2025
Thank You Sunyi Dean for the ARC of this book!!
This was an amazing ride! When you start reading it you think you know where the story is going and around 40-50% in, it makes a unexpected turn and it takes you in a completely different direction. It is intriguing and dark, filled with vengeful spirits that are both beautiful and terrifying (like Labubu dolls!!!����). Just like "The Book Eaters", this book has a way to portray and discuss grief, trauma and resentment that resonates so strongly with me, not to mention that Sunyi Dean's writing is really beautiful.
I felt a little confused about some parts of the story, particularly towards the end, but I understand that it is still a work in progress so some of that may change in the final version (which I will read, for sure). I think if you liked "Bat Eaters and Other Names for Cora Zheng" by Kylie Lee Baker you may like this book too. The underlying themes are different but the setting and the vibes are definitely there.
This was an amazing ride! When you start reading it you think you know where the story is going and around 40-50% in, it makes a unexpected turn and it takes you in a completely different direction. It is intriguing and dark, filled with vengeful spirits that are both beautiful and terrifying (like Labubu dolls!!!����). Just like "The Book Eaters", this book has a way to portray and discuss grief, trauma and resentment that resonates so strongly with me, not to mention that Sunyi Dean's writing is really beautiful.
I felt a little confused about some parts of the story, particularly towards the end, but I understand that it is still a work in progress so some of that may change in the final version (which I will read, for sure). I think if you liked "Bat Eaters and Other Names for Cora Zheng" by Kylie Lee Baker you may like this book too. The underlying themes are different but the setting and the vibes are definitely there.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! What a phenomenal book to start 2026 with. I was amazed with the complexity of this book. It took me a longer time than I anticipated to finish bc I was blessed to have an ARC on my kindle and the font was messing with me. This was a beautiful story of ghosts, love, loss, anger, generational trauma, betrayals, and forgiveness. Mercy was a character that you instantly fell in love with. As her story unfolded, you earned new respect for her throughout her personal growth journey. It would have been a little easier to know the story was told from third person in the beginning and what her role was within the larger story. But I understand why Suyni chose to leave us in mystery until later in the book. With the end, I felt the righteous rage of our main characters and cried with their healing. As with the Book Eaters, The Girl with the Thousand Faces is one I will be talking about for years to come!
oh and bao? bao is a favorite character and a total bad ass kitten.
oh and bao? bao is a favorite character and a total bad ass kitten.
September 12, 2025
Thanks so much to Sunyi Dean for an e-ARC - so excited to be one of the first to have read The Girl With A Thousand Faces.
Sunyi Dean sweeps readers into a Hong Kong WWII era ghost story that had me racing through the pages. Fantastic twists and turns - a compelling beautifully written novel, which is at turns creepy and heartrending, with an intriguing premise and complicated women characters. Highly recommended!
Sunyi Dean sweeps readers into a Hong Kong WWII era ghost story that had me racing through the pages. Fantastic twists and turns - a compelling beautifully written novel, which is at turns creepy and heartrending, with an intriguing premise and complicated women characters. Highly recommended!
April 24, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving an eARC of this book from Book Huddle and Tor Books, for which I am very grateful. Their fantasy books are really top-tier, and TGWATF fits right in with their other brilliant publications!
While I cannot stand watching horror movies (sorrynotsorry), I find that spooky reads are a lot more to my liking. So, a ghost story with complex, not-always-likeable female characters who thirst to raise a little hell and strive for revenge? Sign. Me. Up.
I’m a fan of historical fiction, and love expanding my horizons by learning of different cultures. After all, what is the point of time on this planet if not to grow beyond our bubble, whether that is temporally or geographically? Having family members who survived and died in conflict during WWII, I often find myself returning to that terrible time of our history. (Maybe for kernels of wisdom that may help us get through our own terrible time.) I admit that I have much more limited knowledge of how WWII was experienced outside of Europe, and am grateful for the opportunity to learn more through this book, and readings I have done beyond it since.
Other than appreciating the historical context, and liking to see women who make terrible choices and feel Rage, this book touched upon a topic that I come back to time and again: Forgiveness. Is it always possible? What are the limits of forgiveness? Who deserves it and who does not? Do we forgive for the other person, for ourselves, or is it for us both?
A few other factors I really enjoyed: 1) A cat will always warrant appreciation, 2) The mythology of ghosts and how they’re seen (pun unintended) by the locals, 3) Location descriptions that immerse me in the landscape, 4) The unravelling of the mystery of the two main characters and how they’re intertwined. I think the pacing at the beginning was a tad on the slower side, but things really pick up in intensity and world-building.
Overall, a great read! Always thought-provoking, periodically heart-breaking, at times laugh-aloud funny, and certainly memorable.
While I cannot stand watching horror movies (sorrynotsorry), I find that spooky reads are a lot more to my liking. So, a ghost story with complex, not-always-likeable female characters who thirst to raise a little hell and strive for revenge? Sign. Me. Up.
I’m a fan of historical fiction, and love expanding my horizons by learning of different cultures. After all, what is the point of time on this planet if not to grow beyond our bubble, whether that is temporally or geographically? Having family members who survived and died in conflict during WWII, I often find myself returning to that terrible time of our history. (Maybe for kernels of wisdom that may help us get through our own terrible time.) I admit that I have much more limited knowledge of how WWII was experienced outside of Europe, and am grateful for the opportunity to learn more through this book, and readings I have done beyond it since.
Other than appreciating the historical context, and liking to see women who make terrible choices and feel Rage, this book touched upon a topic that I come back to time and again: Forgiveness. Is it always possible? What are the limits of forgiveness? Who deserves it and who does not? Do we forgive for the other person, for ourselves, or is it for us both?
A few other factors I really enjoyed: 1) A cat will always warrant appreciation, 2) The mythology of ghosts and how they’re seen (pun unintended) by the locals, 3) Location descriptions that immerse me in the landscape, 4) The unravelling of the mystery of the two main characters and how they’re intertwined. I think the pacing at the beginning was a tad on the slower side, but things really pick up in intensity and world-building.
Overall, a great read! Always thought-provoking, periodically heart-breaking, at times laugh-aloud funny, and certainly memorable.
May 1, 2026
3.75⭐️ Ultimately this book told a great story, but I’m not sure if I f*** with with some of the delivery. It had an interesting plot, pleasantly surprising format, and I admire the way it brought the war-torn years of Hong Kong’s history as a setting. I really liked Part 1, the mysterious horror story, and Part 3, because I so appreciate a villain who’s vengeance was unapologetic. I also liked Mercy a lot, her parts were my favorite.
Part 2 was important and wistful, but its considerably slower pace compared to Part 1 made the story felt sluggish. Part 2 was also where/when the overexplanation in the narrative started. It could have remained more mysterious like in Part 1 where things were already quite heavily implied (there was really no need to spell everything out)! I wish Part 2 was more compact so it could have delivered a bigger punch.
Part 4 could really have been fantastic but instead it went too hard on the overexplanation, moralizing, and therapy-speak: it insisted upon the message and delivered it as explicit as possible, instead of letting the story be the message (and for the reader to discern the message, if any).
Despite the things that I disliked about the storytelling, I had a good time reading it and I think a lot of people will love The Girl with a Thousand Faces.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley and HarperVoyager UK.
Part 2 was important and wistful, but its considerably slower pace compared to Part 1 made the story felt sluggish. Part 2 was also where/when the overexplanation in the narrative started. It could have remained more mysterious like in Part 1 where things were already quite heavily implied (there was really no need to spell everything out)! I wish Part 2 was more compact so it could have delivered a bigger punch.
Part 4 could really have been fantastic but instead it went too hard on the overexplanation, moralizing, and therapy-speak: it insisted upon the message and delivered it as explicit as possible, instead of letting the story be the message (and for the reader to discern the message, if any).
Despite the things that I disliked about the storytelling, I had a good time reading it and I think a lot of people will love The Girl with a Thousand Faces.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley and HarperVoyager UK.
March 2, 2026
Mercy Chan is a well known ghost talker within Hong Kong’s Walled City. Despite her fame and fortune (?), she cannot recall anything from her earlier years. All she knows is that she showed up on the shores of Hong Kong one day during WWII. Who exactly is Mercy Chan? Just because she can’t remember, doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth remembering. Someone out there will stop at nothing until she does.
It’s so hard to review this book without giving anything away. But im gonna try. This book is an amazing blend of fantasy, horror, and history. The timeline jumps between the 1940s and the 1970s, adding a good touch of cultural layers. It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the book, but once I got in, I couldn’t get out.
The story is not black and white; there are so many layers, so much lore, history, pain, grief, and horror. The characters are perfectly flawed, selfish in their own ways, but also sympathetic to readers. Where do our choices land us? What is justice worth? And how far are you willing to go for that? Then I got to the twist and I was 😶 never judging anything prematurely ever again.
This book gave me a ton of throwback memories, and I can only imagine how long it took to research and write this (5 years per the author!). Highly recommend to fans of the genres, or if you like Asian lores, or cats.
It’s so hard to review this book without giving anything away. But im gonna try. This book is an amazing blend of fantasy, horror, and history. The timeline jumps between the 1940s and the 1970s, adding a good touch of cultural layers. It took me a little while to get into the rhythm of the book, but once I got in, I couldn’t get out.
The story is not black and white; there are so many layers, so much lore, history, pain, grief, and horror. The characters are perfectly flawed, selfish in their own ways, but also sympathetic to readers. Where do our choices land us? What is justice worth? And how far are you willing to go for that? Then I got to the twist and I was 😶 never judging anything prematurely ever again.
This book gave me a ton of throwback memories, and I can only imagine how long it took to research and write this (5 years per the author!). Highly recommend to fans of the genres, or if you like Asian lores, or cats.
January 5, 2026
A ghost story and a mystery and a historical fiction and an urban fantasy - Sunyi continues to work her genre-crossing magic. A story about women who become ghosts - about people who disappear; the relationships between families; the generational trauma caused both by war, and by individual injustices.
Mercy Chan, a ghost-talker employed by the triad, must solve the mystery of a particularly vengeful murder in order to save her Kowloon home from demolition. But as the trail she follows begins to touch her own forgotten past, Mercy realises not all her sins have been forgotten.
With a breathtaking dual narrative and prose both tender and sharp, Sunyi reveals layers of story with exquisite pace and timing. I was enthralled: she has absolutely honed her craft.
(This is the kind of book where - halfway through, and from thereon, you start frantically flipping back to the beginning to reread with fresh eyes and gather the breadcrumbs carefully laid. There are not many books where I long to underline and annotate and tab, but this is one of them. There are so many exquisite lines. There are so many truths both painful and beautiful.)
Retribution, reparation, rebirth - the kind of story that hit me particularly hard but, I think, will resonate with nearly everyone.
Mercy Chan, a ghost-talker employed by the triad, must solve the mystery of a particularly vengeful murder in order to save her Kowloon home from demolition. But as the trail she follows begins to touch her own forgotten past, Mercy realises not all her sins have been forgotten.
With a breathtaking dual narrative and prose both tender and sharp, Sunyi reveals layers of story with exquisite pace and timing. I was enthralled: she has absolutely honed her craft.
(This is the kind of book where - halfway through, and from thereon, you start frantically flipping back to the beginning to reread with fresh eyes and gather the breadcrumbs carefully laid. There are not many books where I long to underline and annotate and tab, but this is one of them. There are so many exquisite lines. There are so many truths both painful and beautiful.)
Retribution, reparation, rebirth - the kind of story that hit me particularly hard but, I think, will resonate with nearly everyone.
May 3, 2026
The Girl With A Thousand Faces was so unique and imaginative with moving timelines and all the ghosts! An easy 6⭐️. I had a feeling this would be one of those books that creeps up on me in its profoundness and I was not let down. So much feminine rage inside and you can easily see how it’s warranted on both accounts (rage isn’t even enough… what comes after that?!?)
Two women who’ve been abandoned and left for dead as children let their pain and hurt morph into a destructive, monstrous path of vengeance towards those who’ve wronged them. Finding out how their stories intertwined was shockingly sad, filled with many “OMG!!!!” and honestly brain-altering moments. The shore sister and sea sister plot 🫨 this is powerful storytelling about the pain humanity carries. It has rage and a raw understanding that humanity can never truly change through death and rebirth if you’re still carrying generations of trauma with you when you go. That forgiveness can heal and sometimes there can be peace… even after a long war.
The various timelines can be confusing as you read, but I’m a multi-timeline lover and found it was best to just let this story flow over me. It all came together in an emotionally poignant way. You can tell the history woven in was well researched and written with care and understanding. Letting pieces of the past mesh together with ancient myths and local legends. I won’t forget this haunting tale and definitely need to get my hands on a gorgeous physical copy. Natalie Naudus was an exceptional narrator and fit perfectly for voicing Sunyi Dean’s story.
“Pain doesn’t end with death. Karma doesn’t die with the body. Hate and anger continue one generation to the next as souls return damaged and we build an evermore twisted society. I think humanity must have always been like this. I think this is why we all hurt all the time.” ——> 😭😭
I have so many lines typed in my notes from this listen. My favorite though?
“👏🏻 INTENT 👏🏻 DOES 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 EXCUSE 👏🏻 HARM 👏🏻 The pain we carry does not negate the hurt caused.” ——> claps added by me because my god does that need to be shouted from the rooftops.
***Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
Two women who’ve been abandoned and left for dead as children let their pain and hurt morph into a destructive, monstrous path of vengeance towards those who’ve wronged them. Finding out how their stories intertwined was shockingly sad, filled with many “OMG!!!!” and honestly brain-altering moments. The shore sister and sea sister plot 🫨 this is powerful storytelling about the pain humanity carries. It has rage and a raw understanding that humanity can never truly change through death and rebirth if you’re still carrying generations of trauma with you when you go. That forgiveness can heal and sometimes there can be peace… even after a long war.
The various timelines can be confusing as you read, but I’m a multi-timeline lover and found it was best to just let this story flow over me. It all came together in an emotionally poignant way. You can tell the history woven in was well researched and written with care and understanding. Letting pieces of the past mesh together with ancient myths and local legends. I won’t forget this haunting tale and definitely need to get my hands on a gorgeous physical copy. Natalie Naudus was an exceptional narrator and fit perfectly for voicing Sunyi Dean’s story.
“Pain doesn’t end with death. Karma doesn’t die with the body. Hate and anger continue one generation to the next as souls return damaged and we build an evermore twisted society. I think humanity must have always been like this. I think this is why we all hurt all the time.” ——> 😭😭
I have so many lines typed in my notes from this listen. My favorite though?
“👏🏻 INTENT 👏🏻 DOES 👏🏻 NOT 👏🏻 EXCUSE 👏🏻 HARM 👏🏻 The pain we carry does not negate the hurt caused.” ——> claps added by me because my god does that need to be shouted from the rooftops.
***Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First of all… the cover. I am OBSESSED. I loved it so much I’m literally using it as my phone wallpaper. ^^
Second… ghosts. And not just ghosts, but a ghost-talker/ghost ... therapist FMC? I'm here for it!
Now, I’m usually not a big fan of historical books, especially ones set around wartime, but this one pulled me in with the premise and I’m glad it did.
The story (first part, at least) follows Mercy, who washed ashore in Hong Kong with no memories and survived by hiding in Kowloon Walled City, a ghost-infested slum. Now she works as a ghost-talker, dealing with restless spirits… until a powerful and dangerous ghost appears, claiming to know her past.
(Also… shoutout to Mercy for not seeing the point of making the bed after she wakes up. I mean, we could be besties!)
Alongside that, we get a second timeline set 33 years earlier, following a girl and her mother fleeing war to an island filled with its own dark history.
The premise? Amazing. Ghosts, folklore, legends… all the good stuff.
That said, I think what I struggled with the most was the structure. The story is split into larger sections instead of alternating chapters, and at times it felt like I was reading two separate books that eventually connect. I do think I would have enjoyed it even more if the timelines were more interwoven.
I also expected a bit more from Mercy’s storyline in the present. While what we get is interesting, I found myself wanting more exploration of her life and work as a ghost-talker.
Surprisingly, I ended up really enjoying the past timeline on the island. I didn’t expect that, but the story builds up nicely and the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Overall, this is a heavy, emotional read, full of grief, revenge & generational traum, but it also touches on resilience and forgiveness by the end.
Despite my usual hesitation with historical fiction, I read this in one sitting, which says a lot.
⭐ 4 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
Second… ghosts. And not just ghosts, but a ghost-talker/ghost ... therapist FMC? I'm here for it!
Now, I’m usually not a big fan of historical books, especially ones set around wartime, but this one pulled me in with the premise and I’m glad it did.
The story (first part, at least) follows Mercy, who washed ashore in Hong Kong with no memories and survived by hiding in Kowloon Walled City, a ghost-infested slum. Now she works as a ghost-talker, dealing with restless spirits… until a powerful and dangerous ghost appears, claiming to know her past.
(Also… shoutout to Mercy for not seeing the point of making the bed after she wakes up. I mean, we could be besties!)
Alongside that, we get a second timeline set 33 years earlier, following a girl and her mother fleeing war to an island filled with its own dark history.
The premise? Amazing. Ghosts, folklore, legends… all the good stuff.
That said, I think what I struggled with the most was the structure. The story is split into larger sections instead of alternating chapters, and at times it felt like I was reading two separate books that eventually connect. I do think I would have enjoyed it even more if the timelines were more interwoven.
I also expected a bit more from Mercy’s storyline in the present. While what we get is interesting, I found myself wanting more exploration of her life and work as a ghost-talker.
Surprisingly, I ended up really enjoying the past timeline on the island. I didn’t expect that, but the story builds up nicely and the twist genuinely caught me off guard.
Overall, this is a heavy, emotional read, full of grief, revenge & generational traum, but it also touches on resilience and forgiveness by the end.
Despite my usual hesitation with historical fiction, I read this in one sitting, which says a lot.
⭐ 4 stars
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
May 6, 2026
Let me start with the obvious - the cover is mesmerising and gorgeous! I love it! The story inside is even more captivating, with its heavy and magnetic atmosphere that holds you in a chokehold until the very last page.
Mercy Chan has no recollection of her past, but somehow she manages to build a life in the ghost-haunted city of Kowloon as the triad's famed ghost talker. Until one day, the past she doesn't remember comes knocking at her door with a vengeance. The prose and storytelling are so immersive that you can almost feel the harrowing atmosphere of ghosts, post-war suffering, and loss... but at the same time, there are those small glimpses of fresh air and friendship. The themes of anger, pain, and revenge are developed in such a compelling way that it makes you ponder so many questions. One saying that came to mind was, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," and when enough is enough... after pain and suffering make a full circle? A bittersweet and satisfying ending was the perfect wrap-up to that emotional journey.
Absolutely brilliant read!
Mercy Chan has no recollection of her past, but somehow she manages to build a life in the ghost-haunted city of Kowloon as the triad's famed ghost talker. Until one day, the past she doesn't remember comes knocking at her door with a vengeance. The prose and storytelling are so immersive that you can almost feel the harrowing atmosphere of ghosts, post-war suffering, and loss... but at the same time, there are those small glimpses of fresh air and friendship. The themes of anger, pain, and revenge are developed in such a compelling way that it makes you ponder so many questions. One saying that came to mind was, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," and when enough is enough... after pain and suffering make a full circle? A bittersweet and satisfying ending was the perfect wrap-up to that emotional journey.
Absolutely brilliant read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 289 reviews