Harbour of Hungry Ghosts

Chronicles of the Yiugwai Hunters #1

by Eliza Chan

A family of demon hunters find their hands full when unfamiliar monsters start stalking the streets of Opium War-era Hong Kong, in this historical fantasy adventure from the No. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author Eliza Chan.

The Au family serve the people of Hong Kong as demon hunters and blessing shrines, honoring the dead and dealing with dangerous yiaoguai incursions. The expectations on eldest daughter Kiamling are high, which is not something her strict grandmother and mentor will let her forget.

However, when British colonists interrupt a hungry ghost ritual, and her grandmother disappears, Kiamling must step up and lead the search.

Her bumbling language pupil Archie and her youngest sister Jingling will offer aid, alongside Hoi Gor, Kiamling’s recently returned childhood crush from Canton.

But when British fables mingle with local Chinese monsters, how can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?

Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Historical Fiction, Adult, Fiction, Historical Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Eliza Chan is a Scottish-born fantasy author who writes about East Asian mythology, British folklore and reclaiming the dragon lady, but preferably all three at once. Her short fiction has been published in The Dark, Podcastle, Fantasy Magazine and The Best of British Fantasy.

Her debut novel FATHOMFOLK is inspired by mythology, folklore, East and South-East Asian cities and diaspora feels. It will be published by Orbit in Spring 2024 with the sequel to follow.

In her free time, Eliza can be found tabletop gaming, cosplaying, crafting and toddler wrangling. She lives in Manchester with her family and a sizeable collection of dragons, Totoros and (mostly toy) weapons.

Reviews

[rina · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf @43%

Unfortunately I'm going to have to dnf this one 😔

I'm so disappointed that this didn't work out for me because I had really high hopes. The premise sounded incredibly fun, but the story felt like it was missing something and never fully captivated me the way I expected it to.

The prose was overly descriptive, which made a lot of the scenes drag and slowed the pacing down significantly. I found the characters quite dull, so I struggled to feel emotionally invested in anyone or anything that was happening. The portrayal of British colonialism was also very watered down.

I was promised epic demon hunting!!! Instead, the entire story felt strangely lacking 🙁

Thank you to Eliza Chan and Orbit Books for the ARC! Harbour of Hungry Ghosts releases July 28, 2026.

────

finished: 05/19/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭

pre read: 05/03/26 𖥻𓈒 ꒱ ੭
ꗃ aapi read #1
in honour of asian heritage month, what better book to read than a demon hunting epic fantasy set in opium war-era hong kong?!! thank you to the publisher for accepting my arc request within hours 🤭 really hoping this one delivers as i'm in dire need of a good epic fantasy <3

side note: i have SO many promising books planned for aapi month, so i think may will be a really good reading month. i'm excited 🤭

[trice]

i've been seeing more novels based on/in hong kong lately and it makes me so happy :)) the cover & premise also look amazing!!

[Christian Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is an enjoyable fantasy novel, set in Hong Kong during the period of British colonialism. The book follows the main character Kiamling, along with her younger sister, her childhood crush, and a British soldier as they encounter ghosts and monsters. Kiamling comes from a family of Yiugwai Hunters who are experienced in keeping the balance between light and dark supernatural forces, but when British and Chinese ghosts and monsters mingle together, she finds herself face to face with an unfamiliar foe.

Although the beginning of the book unwinds somewhat slowly, it soon picks up the pace and I found it difficult to keep myself from reading the next chapter to find out where the story would go. The author does a good job of creating well developed characters, focusing on their complex relationships while staying centered on the main story of magic and monsters. Underlying the narrative is also a conflict of cultures that is highlighted in the struggle between British and Chinese folklore. The book also had many twists and turns that are reminiscent of surprises and revelations found in the best mystery novels.

Recommended for those who enjoy fantasy with a historical setting or for those who like solving mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[☆amber☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was such a unique and thought provoking read! What drew me to this book was not only the gorgeous cover but also the fact that it is set in Hong Kong. As someone who is from British/European background and who’s partner was born and raised in Hong Kong, this book solidified the deep respect and admiration towards the culture and customs that make Hong Kong such a unique city and country, and all the ways the British forcibly attempt to diminish their culture.

We follow the Au family, in particular Kiamling, who serve the people of Hong Kong by blessing their shops, shrines and homes, ensuring the ghosts and spirits are honoured. Kiamling, as the eldest daughter, is expected to take over the family business. As the British disrupt the annual Hungry Ghost festival and her grandmother disappears, Kiamling takes charge of the search alongside the help of Archie, a British civil servant, Jingling, her sister, and Hoi gor, a childhood friend. As Chinese and monsters begin to intermingle with the introduced British folklore, loyalties are tested under the exploration of colonialism.

The historical aspects of this book highlight the profound impact that the British had on the culture, language and built environment of Hong Kong during the beginning of their occupation in the 1800s. Many of the things the British men said in the book enraged me at their efforts to diminish and, at times, try and convert the Hong Kong people’s religion and way of dressing to the “correct British way” when in reality it is an attempt to extinguish the Hong Kong culture (the fact that Archie, who is learning Cantonese can’t even address Kiamling by her read name and instead addresses her as Miss Kim???)

When it clicked to me that the “hungry ghosts” named in the title refers to, of course, the hungry spirits that Kiamling and her family ensure are fed well and honoured, but also the British people due to their hunger to take over the Island of Hong Kong in order to benefit their Empire (also known in Cantonese as ‘gweilo’ - literally meaning ghost person) I was SHOOK by the incredible creativity and complexity of this fantasy novel.

If you love historical fantasy and urban fantasy books about ghost hunters and relationships with A LOT of tension, then you will love this book! Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is releasing on the 28th July.

[Ellie Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

“Harbour of Hungry Ghosts” follows an eldest daughter ghost hunter in 1800s Hong Kong searching for her grandmother, who has mysteriously disappeared.

This book reads like a YA novel despite the fact that it seems to be marketed for adults. I found it enjoyable but the themes and historical plot points are very overt and spelled out clearly — like an action movie — which is perhaps the intent. The book includes major plot points around the opium war and British colonialism that are interesting but feel rather forced, mostly because the main character happens to overhear British civil servants talking in quite explanatory ways about their intentions to start a war. The dialogue is very modern despite the period setting.

As Eliza Chan notes in the introduction, the book is an homage to Hong Kong style martial arts movies and I think is enjoyed best with this contextualisation. I think this book will appeal to younger readers looking for an engaging mix of historical fiction and fantasy as well as older readers who enjoy plot driven fantasy with some history mixed in. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Liz Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for the free ebook version of Harbour of Hungry Ghosts! I had a challenging time rating this book because it was compelling reading mostly and parts of the book were fantastic. But a lot of it dragged. It read like a YA and was, in my opinion longer than it needed to be. It was mostly satisfying reading, but the parts that weren't are hard to overcome - the main character isn't particularly likeable, but I was still rooting for her. The supporting characters we don't get enough of to really care about them. I don't understand anything about Por Por's callous attitude towards her granddaughters, or Jingjing's motivations and desires, etc. Ultimately I did enjoy this book, but probably not enough to watch out for the sequel.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Set in 1850s Hong Kong, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts follows Kiamling, the eldest daughter of a family of demon hunters, as she searches for her missing grandmother while strange new monsters begin appearing across the city.

Blending Chinese folklore, ghosts, history, the story creates a rich setting that felt incredibly immersive.

I especially loved the incorporation of Cantonese culture and mythology, which made the world feel unique and vibrant.

While the pacing occasionally slowed for me, the fascinating folklore, family dynamics and the supernatural mystery kept me engaged throughout.🔆🐉

Thank you orbit books us for the opportunity to read this book!!

[Svea · Rating 3 out of 5]

On paper, I loved a lot about what Eliza Chan presented us with in her newest novel. The era and setting is fascinating and there are a lot of really good ideas and themes. I absolutely adored the idea of a colonising/occupying force also bringing with it its very own monsters and myths, and the way these myths collide and engage with the native ones. It's what really made this book shine.
The story is exciting too: a young demon hunter, ostracised but also needed by society and full of ideas to change and improve upon old traditions of her trade that are constantly being shut down by her demon hunter big shot grandmother suddenly has to fend for herself and put all these ideas to the test when said grandmother disappears. Also, of course, she has to find a way to get her grandmother back and last but not least also has to take care of her sister. Lots of different kinds of mythological beings and monsters she has never seen before stand in her way. It's very colourful and very fun while never shying away from the realities of a Hong Kong occupied by the British who not only barely see the actual rightful inhabitants of Hong Kong as worthy human beings, but are all also more or less just biding their time until even the tiniest thing happens that might justify all out war with the Chinese emperor. There is honestly a lot of complexity in the way Chan tells her story and I really commend her for that.

I genuinely had a really good time with all of that premise.
Sadly, I wasn't really enamored with most of the characters involved. The most interesting ones are Kiamling, our protagonist, and her little sister Jingling. Not only do they have an interesting family dynamic as a whole, with lots of trauma and secrets in their past, but their sibling dynamic is also just really well done. Sadly, this is not the central relationship. It's definitely important, but it also regularly takes the back seat for the love interests to be more prominent. And they're just not good at all. The clear main love interest is interesting on paper but also a very predictable kind of character, and the way their relationship progressed didn't make the final I love you feel earned at all. It was a lot of tell and too little show, because what was shown had potential and was at times cute but never provided the kind of depth and development that would organically lead into big love declarations. Which did take away a lot of the emotional punches of later scenes between them. There's also a second love interest and while he, once again, was interesting on paper and provided yet another insight into the historical setting, he was barely a character at all. We were told about the kind of relationship he has with Kiamling and it's clear what Chan was trying to do with them, but I felt him a rather unnecessary addition the the character cast. Or well, at least the fact that he was built up as a love interest, which I do think will take on a more prominent role in a sequel. It does have to be said that the romance is not the major focus of this novel, and everything apart from it is a lot more fun.
There were also some story developments that I felt very a bit on the nose and one bit in the epilogue that made me roll my eyes a little because it suddenly made Kiamling's little gang a MUCH bigger historical deal than I felt made sense for them, but these are admittedly subjective and obviously I wouldn't want to spoil anything.

Still, despite my criticism (and mind you, I'm just a really character driven reader) I do recommend interested readers to check this one out. It's more complex than I first thought, though at times not quite as complex as I was then hoping it would be. It has a good protagonist you can easily root for and that is allowed to have flaws while also not being the most beautiful girl ever to walk the Earth, which I'm always grateful for, there's a really well done sister dynamic that has potential to become even better, the fantastical parts of the world building are great and the historical parts fascinating and enraging at the same time. A quintessential 3 star book that I'm sure will find its audience.

Many thanks to Orbit/ Little Brown Book Group and Netgalley for the arc!

[LadyoftheBlade (Britt) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Orbit for an e-arc of Harbour of Hungry Ghosts! To start off, I guess I just don't understand how a novel is categorized as YA versus Adult. While the novel does deal with heavy themes (racism, colonialism, drugs and drug trade (opium), death, religion, and the mention of brothels), it does not read like an adult novel. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I do wonder how many readers will end up missing out on this novel because it is classified as adult rather than ya. That being said, I also did not realize that this is a duology (? or series?). Thankfully, the plot wraps up in a satisfying (if not heartbreaking) way.

The novel is from the POV of Kiamling, a yiugwai hunter living in Hong Kong with her grandmother (Por Por), and her sister (Jingling). Kiamling is looking to prove to her grandmother that she is capable of taking over her duties, while also doing them her own way. However, there is a cultural divide happening in Hong Kong as British soldiers are moving in, building their own church, and dismissing local customs and beliefs. They have also brought with them opium and a (not so secret) desire to start a war with China after a dispute with their treaty agreement. The lone Chinese representative on the British council successfully advocates for the Hungry Ghost festival to still take place. However, after British soldiers disrespect the ghosts, a huge shadow beast appears. While trying to keep the citizens safe, Por Por is abducted by a shadow beast that isn't in any mythology that Kiamling is aware of, she enlists the help of Archie, a slightly nerdy British scholar with secrets of his own.

The novel is an interesting blend of British and Chinese mythology and customs. I really liked getting to learn about myths I am familiar with through the eyes of Kiamling. I also really liked the sporadic POV of Archie. Archie is a little nerd and I adored him. Aside from Archie, my favorite character was Jingling. Her story arc was such an interesting one to follow and she stole every page she was on. The author pulled absolutely no punches when it came to describing just how racist and abusive the British colonizers were to Kiamling and the other locals.

However, for all of the positives, there were absolutely some downsides. I found the pacing to be quite slow (almost glacial), but the atmosphere and the world building was so interesting that it kept me wanting to know what happened next. Kiamling goes through the typical coming of age novel growth of learning to listen and care about other's opinions. Although, this type of arc is interesting with a protagonist that is the elder sister and is at least nineteen (if not twenty or twenty one). I absolutely adored Archie and loved that we got a peak inside of his head. He acts as an incredibly good foil to Kiamling. There is a romance sub-plot (love triangle?ish?), but it does not really go anywhere due to plot reasons. I personally think the novel could have still read the same if it was depicted as a strong friendship, but I digress.

Overall, it was a solid novel and I'll definitely read the second volume. The ending left me a bit sad, but the main conflict of the novel does reach a resolution.

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First of all, what a beautiful cover! Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan is an amazing historical fantasy that features Hong Kong and the Cantonese language. The story revolves around Kiamling, the oldest daughter of a family of exorcists. When her grandmother is kidnapped by a monster, it's up to Kiamling and a group of unlikely allies to defeat the monsters and find the culprit who released these monsters into the world. Will Kiamling be able to find her inner strength and banish these monsters from Hong Kong? And will she end up finding love along the way?

Here is an enchanting excerpt from Chapter 1:

"The dozens of joss sticks had already burnt to red spikes, ash like ribbons of shed snakeskin, and still Por Por had not returned. Kiamling threw another handful of hell notes onto the fire. They curled up in the flames, bright as tiger stripes before fading into the darkness. The heat rose to greet her. White and orange tongues flickered hungrily against the shadows between sunset and nightfall, the living and the dead.
Back in Canton, an auspicious date would have been chosen for the ceremony. Preparations and offerings made for days beforehand. Here they only had one night. Kiamling was tempted to start the ritual without her grandmother. She knew exactly what needed to be done."

Overall, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a wonderful #ownvoices fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of The Ghost Bride and Jentry Chau vs the Underworld. One highlight of this book is how it is an #ownvoices novel. My parents were immigrants from Hong Kong, and I grew up speaking Cantonese, so I can't explain how validating and emotional it felt to see these aspects of my culture in a fantasy novel. This is one of very few times when I've seen this happen, I can't support the author enough for having Asian representation, particularly people from Hong Kong, in this novel.

Another highlight of this book is how fast-paced it was. Although this book is on the longer side, I sped through it because I had to know what happened next. I also loved how the author blended British myths with Chinese ones. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would have to say that I wasn't a fan of the romance. While I don't mind romance in fantasy novels, and I am actually a huge fan of romantasy, I just wasn't really rooting for the main couple to end up together. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of fantasy books in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in July!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I really didn’t enjoy this book. A month for me to read a fiction book is eternity. On paper it should have been a perfect book for me, young woman and her grandmother fight demons and try to settle hungry ghosts in Hong Kong as the British start… invading. There is some additional parts that mention witchcraft from the uk but not as much as I’d hoped. I guess I’d hoped for Buffy meets charmed where everyone gets on well and fight the demons and look after the hungry ghosts finding a shared purpose and make friends……….
I think, as a white British person, the red flag should have been the time this was set. Maybe if it had been before the British got there it would have been more enjoyable and that’s my fault for not thinking the book through. I’ve read enough history to realise this was not a good time, maybe I thought it was fiction and everyone would be lovely.
The British were horrific, the racism was just horrible to read and the guilt I felt was not nice. I know other people might not take that on board or not struggle with it but I spent much of the book cringing. I think if you have any sense you will realise there was extremely bad behaviour towards non white people in Hong Kong, it did feel even worse with the current political climate. It made me think how humans can just behave so badly. I guess that’s not what I enjoy in a book.
I did not really notice the romance, others might.
The protagonist and her sister were characters I liked but I wanted them to just get out of the place they were in. The action was never ending and felt overwhelming.
Why, with all the complaints, is it a 4 ⭐️. Well I’ve never written a book. This is a very well written book and if you are interested in demons, hungry ghosts, lots mystical action and Hong Kong and Western imperialism then you will love this book. I could imagine it being a film and it doing very well.
I can see a set up for another book and it’s set in the uk, I think. I would want to read it but think I would be scared to. I’m glad I read this, it reaffirmed how awful British imperialism was and whilst I don’t think any of my ancestors left Wales or moved far beyond the mines the sense of collective guilt for racism can’t be a bad thing.
I hope it does well and I’m sure it will find its readers, Sod’s Law it will be the new Hunger games and I do thing I would have loved it before I’d had my son and gone totally soft.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own extremely rambling, honest and personal opinion.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

4.5. stars

HARBOUR OF HUNGRY GHOSTS is set during the early years of the British colony in Hong Kong as the city is built - and the British prepare to use it as a foothold in China (and its silver markets). These tensions and the build up to the opium wars are the backdrop to the book. I found this a really fascinating setting. Most of what I see written about colonial era settings occurs after the colony is established so this was a different part of the process of colonialisation that was really interesting to see explored in fiction.

The magic system of this book draws on Chinese mythology around the afterlife but also blends in British folklore too. I really liked how this reflected the collision between these two cultures. Plus it makes it a real challenge for Kiamling. She knows how to handle he creatures of her own society (even if she's impatient and rushes at times!) but now has to learn about and deal with an entirely new class of monsters, plus the blending of them.

The book is told almost entirely from Kiamling's perspective (with a few chapters from British civil servant Archie's perspective). In contrast to the multi-POV of her first duology (where the three perspectives allows the book to explore the diversity of experience within the diaspora community), the single perspective gives a claustrophobic feel of someone under attack from all sides. You can't get away from Kiamling and her troubles, the demands on her from her community, from the British, from her job.

Having read this just after a re-read of FATHOMFOLK, it was interesting to see the compositional similarities between the two books. They're both first books in duologies, with similar structures and types of events in the finales. The two books feel very different thanks to the settings and magic systems - but the emotional devastation of the finale is the same! Go in with your heart prepared...

Having now read three books by Eliza Chan back-to-back, I really wish the second book in this duology was out so I could continue reading her work!

[Donna's Book Addiction Book review Arc Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Harbour of Hungry Ghosts
By Eliza Chan
Pub Date: 28 July 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts delivers a richly atmospheric blend of historical fantasy, folklore, and monster hunting set against the backdrop of Opium War-era Hong Kong—and honestly, the premise alone had me hooked.
Eliza Chan creates a world where Chinese mythology collides with British folklore in such a fresh and fascinating way. The concept of a family tasked with honouring the dead while battling supernatural threats felt incredibly original, and I loved how deeply rooted the story was in culture, tradition, and history.
Kiamling was a compelling protagonist—strong, determined, and carrying the heavy burden of family expectations. Her relationship with her strict grandmother added emotional depth, while the supporting cast brought plenty of intrigue. I especially enjoyed the childhood sweetheart turned merchant-pirate angle (because who doesn’t love a little tension 👀).
The real standout for me was the setting. Hong Kong during the Opium War felt vivid, immersive, and alive, with the Hungry Ghost Festival adding such a hauntingly beautiful layer to the story. The monsters were imaginative, eerie, and made the story feel like Buffy meets historical fantasy in the best possible way.
At times, the pacing slowed in places where I wanted the action to move faster, but the rich world-building and unique mythology kept me invested throughout.
Overall, this was an imaginative and culturally rich fantasy filled with monsters, family duty, folklore, and historical intrigue. If you love stories like Babel mixed with supernatural action similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this one is definitely worth adding to your TBR.
Perfect for readers who love:
✨ Historical fantasy
✨ Mythology & folklore
✨ Monster hunters
✨ Family drama
✨ Strong female leads
✨ Atmospheric settings
#BookReview #HarbourOfHungryGhosts #ElizaChan #HistoricalFantasy #FantasyBooks

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a historical fantasy novel set in Hong Kong, China, during the period of British colonialism. The Au family have dedicated their lives to the people of Hong Kong by blessing shrines, honouring the dead and dealing with dangerous monsters.

This was a great story with memorable characters and an engaging plot. This is a bit of a slower read, so when I initially picked it up, it honestly wasn’t the right time for me to fully engage myself in the story; I was looking for something a little more fast-paced, and I wasn’t getting what I needed, so I had to close the book on it temporarily. However, once I was in the right frame of mind, I was fully engaged in the story. The characters, especially Kiamling, were strong; they had depth. Kiamling in particular was having a hard time, but as the story progressed, her confidence grew along with it; her growth flowed well with the story, and by the end I was extremely pleased with her character. The family dynamics with her grandmother and sister were very relatable. You could understand where she was coming from. I loved the banter between her and her friend Hoi Gor, it reminded me of my relationships with my friends.
What I wasn’t completely all for was her relationship with Archie and how it played out. It wasn’t that I was against it; I just didn’t find it believable. I would have preferred if it was just left as growth between new friends.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. Again, it was a slower pace; there were some longer chapters, but they were mixed in with some shorter ones and obviously there was a lot to the story to draw me in. There were some jaw-dropping moments that had me on the edge of my seat. It was a great story, and I’m looking forward to the next book.

A quick mention of the cover, it’s absolutely stunning!

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit US for the Advanced Reader's Copy!

[caffeinated_reads3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main concept of this book, a melding of traditional Chinese mythology that meets British fantastical lore that happens with the colonization of Hong Kong/China. A young girl comes from a multiple generations of ghost speakers, and doing her best to keep the peace of the afterlife and the dead, as the British come in and disrupt the livelihoods and traditions that have kept the peace. Kiamling has to face the familial expectations and pressures, things are not always black and white, to realize that her home country is changing and so are the monsters she has yet to face.

I personally did 100 percent enjoy this edition of the book. The first 50-60% of the book felt as though the author was trying to cram in as many misadventures until the big plot twist/final boss reveal came into the picture. I would have personally enjoyed the story more if there was a little less fluff, maybe one less story/big bad to fight. It also seemed a distraction from the main story for the sister to have her storyline as well, though I understand the importance of role it played in the overall story and message of parental/family norms and expectations. The romance was yong and sweet, very befitting of a YA story.

The mix between Chinese mythology and Britain based lore was an interesting way to convey the melding of cultures and/or the introduction of different ideals that occurs with colonization. Additionally how Kiamling has to adapt her way of combat as her environment changes around her. The topic of language is brought up in this story as well, including the nuances how it changes over time based on region, the people, and the need to facilitate communication.

I am not here to tell an author how to do their job, this is just my opinion. I do wish that this could have been condensed in a way to be a standalone versus a duology or series.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blending eastern and western mythologies with historical events (and figures), Eliza Chan’s Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was a vibrant and intricately crafted Fantasy that I really enjoyed.

It’s set in 1850s Hong Kong and explores the impact of British colonialism on the region and its rich culture (from the POV of a family of all female Demon Hunters) that I found really nuanced and complex.

Especially as our FMC, Kiamling (a stubborn, short tempered and prickly character) finds her family’s way of life (and the safety of their community) threatened by new monsters. Which she is left fight alone, when her grandmother disappears mid battle.

I will admit, pacing-wise it was a bit of a slow-burn. But the action that slowly unravels, the emotional depth we explore and mythology surrounding the yiugwai was soo compelling. I could easily spend hours navigating all the folkloric details.

As an FMC, Kiamling was a little standoffish at first, which did take some getting used to. But I liked peeling back her emotional layers, and exploring her struggles with anxiety, isolation and family expectations (and her conflicting need for validation, and independence from the legacy and duties her family upholds.)

There’s a lot of trauma, classism, and colonial oppression to unpack, but Chan explores it all soo seamlessly! I wasn’t a huge fan of the love triangle aspect, as it didn’t feel as compelling to me as Kiamling’s sisterly bond with Jingling, and the familial ties of duty and legacy that she navigates (though still pretty enjoyable nonetheless.)

Overall, this was an emotionally epic, Fantasy romp with a Jiangshi/ martial arts movie-style plot and Buffy meets Song of Silver vibes that I found wonderfully. captivating.

Also, thanks to Nazia & Orbit Books UK for the proof.

[Jada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.

The Au family have been yiugwai (demon) hunters for generations. Family legend says their line leads all the way back to the sister of the god of demon hunting himself, Chung Kwai. As the eldest daughter, Kiamling shoulders the responsibility of carrying on the family legacy, taught and guided by her grandmother's painstakingly official ways. Since the British have claimed Hong Kong as a colony, they have gotten in the way of the local customs and traditions. After disrupting the Hungry Ghosts festival, a dangerous new beast appears and seizes Kiamling's grandmother. Together with her sister, a childhood friend, and an English gentleman, Kiamling must exorcise the new beasts and save her grandmother before it's too late.

I've loved mythology and folklore inspired stories ever since I got into the Percy Jackson series in middle school! The blending of European and East Asian mythology in Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was something I never knew I needed! I adored each of Kiamling's relationships. Her grandmother putting her under intense pressure while always lecturing without praise. Her sweet and friendly sister who is always by her side but whose dreams may not be the family ideal. Her childhood friend who ran away heartbroken years ago but has returned as a merchant-pirate. The slightly awkward and endearing English civil servant who came from a humble background as a scholarship student and wants to improve his Cantonese. They all make for such an interesting and lively crew! Hitting on themes of colonization, racism, greed, tradition, family, and love, this historical fantasy was everything I wanted and more!

[Y.N.]

Thank you to Netgalley and Little brown books/Orbit UK for the eARC

There is a lot working for “Harbour of hungry ghosts”. The setting, to begin with. Historical, with tweaks to fit with the author’s vision, but still keeping a good sense of the “reality” of Hong Kong at that time period. Richness of the culture and spirituality, too, with the ghosts and the talismans, imbued into the world, colliding with the religion and monsters from the colonisers. The atmosphere is a little gritty, showing the complexities of the colonial impact.

Then comes the theme of family. And finding your place, making it, centered around a young main character, still learning her trade from her grand-mother, trying to keep food on the table for them and her little sister. Of course things get complicated, what with the new monsters and everything, as well as some sort of romantic subplot.

On paper, things I could enjoy a lot. In reality, I couldn’t get into it. I don’t really know why. It’s not badly written. There are enough things going on to make it interesting, as stated above. The characters are nice enough. But they felt too shielded away for me to care about what was happening. Maybe because a lot of elements are very well known if you have read a lot of fantasy books. It was similar enough that my mind simply blanked off and wanted to skip ahead, not having something new enough to latch upon.

Honestly, I’m a bit sad I couldn’t get into it. Reading something familiar isn’t an issue most of the time, especially with a setting that hasn’t been that used yet. But, well, here it didn’t work for me.

Despite all this, I think it will appeal to a good readership, interested in the impact of colonisation, angry female character and a good pinch of ghosts.

[Kameron Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I was excited about this book going into it, and I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint. Fast paced, action packed, and a wonderful blend of Chinese and British folklore.

Kiamling as a main character is a bit aggravating…and I love it. I love complex main characters, the ones that make you want to pull your hair out and scream at them at times. Kiamling is obstinate. A bit self-centered. She’s reckless. She thinks she’s always right. But at the end of the day, she has a big heart and wants to help people. It may not always come across that way, but she’s always just trying her best. Even though she’s aggravating, she’s likeable because she’s realistic. Her growth throughout the story kept me invested.
This book was a dive into culture and the way colonialism affects it. We see so many different perspectives from townsfolk and how their lives have been impacted. Throughout the book, we learn so much about culture and tradition, and I loved that it tied into the story rather than bland infodumping. It felt deeply immersive and atmospheric. The way British and Chinese folklore was intertwined was so well done and I don't have the words to express how cool the melding of this was.
I feel like this book had a bit of everything - action, drama, romance, magic/folklore/supernatural elements, banter, heartfelt moments, plot twists. One complaint I had was that a lot of the dialogue felt a bit out of place and too modern for the setting, but it's something I was able to overlook because I enjoyed the story. Overall, I really, really enjoyed the book and I hope there is a sequel to follow.

I can't wait to get myself a physical copy of this book when it comes out! 🤍

[Holly Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am tempted to give this 5 stars.

This is the most creative treatment of the Hungry Ghost stories that I've read in the past few years. I fully expected this to be very similar to The girl with a thousand faces (which I LOVED) or maybe close to The Ghost Bride"

And, if I am being honest, it did start out a bit like that. I felt the beginning- as our characters are introduced- was a little bit draggy and had a few odd turns of phrases which turn out to be part of this author's writing style.
If I had been reading this from the library, I might have returned it. Because I had an advanced copy from Orbit, I decided to continue on. IT WAS worth all the set up!

Chan took a bold and inventive approach to the Chinese and British relations in the 1890's to tell a Ghost Hunting story like nothing else I've read. I did sit for 3 hours to finish it because the action became so exciting, I needed to finish.

No Spoilers- Our Main character is a Ghost Hunter in training. She is cocky, self assured, brash and prickly. She is clearly not ready to be on her own, but like many of us, she can't really see that. On the night of a Hungry Ghost Festival, things seem to be going along well until the British soldiers sent to this Hong Kong region decide to join it strictly for fun. The British fail to respect important traditions, and suddenly a beast like no other is on the loose in Hong Kong and Kiamling, our main character soon finds herself left to address it with very little support.
Can Kiamling conquer the beast? Does she have what it takes?
If you are at all curious, you'll want to pick up this "East Meets West" supernatural story, and enjoy it to the end, which sadly will leave you wanting book 2

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is the tale of two cultures clashing and blending, in ways we don’t even notice or see. This book asks - how does cultural blending affect ghost hunters?

One of the strongest recurring ideas is the blending of cultures - English and Chinese not just colliding, but mutating into something new, a third entity. The book doesn’t treat colonial influence as only political or economic; it seeps into mythology and the supernatural, too.

I loved the look of the Chinese culture in the early stages of British colonialism with the introduction of opium, tea with sugar and cream, and white boys who can’t speak Cantonese. But at the same time, we get glimpses of the devastation that colonialism brought, especially through the opium trade. Kiamling and her family experience the way Hong Kong Chinese communities are judged and mistrusted both by the British and by their own people.

At its heart, this is Kiamling’s story of growth. She starts off sheltered, immature, and honestly a bit frustrating to follow. She’s pushed into independence before she’s ready, and a lot of the book is her struggling to keep up with it. But that struggle is the point. The situation and others around her encourage and force her to become more grounded, more self-aware, and more capable.

The pacing isn’t perfect. Around the 35% mark, the story drags and feels like it’s circling and slowing down. But once it picks up again around the mid-point, it becomes much harder to put down. Kiamling herself is - let's be honest - a difficult protag to root for at the start, but her growth pays off in a satisfying way.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the setting, both the time and the place. Historical fantasy is a very cool genre, and when one is set somewhere unfamiliar to me, it feels like taking a wild trip to an embellished past. The weaving together of both Chinese and British folklore was interesting and cleverly done.

The author created an engaging world. The magic was like nothing I have read before in fantasy fiction. The villains of this story were both the real-life imperialist Englishmen and the legendary underworld monsters. I know which bogeymen I’d prefer to have in my town, and it’s not the ones in linen and tweed.

Although I liked the original setting, I didn’t love the book. The main character is an ass and it takes far too long for her to slightly improve. I’m not sure if she was meant to be so unlikable, but for me, she was such a selfish headstrong jerk that it made her hard to root for (and baffling that she had more than one man interested in her). The weakness of this book was definitely in the lack of nuance brought to the characters. Also, the language used both in conversation and in the main character’s thoughts was out of place for the time. The author should have committed one way or the other - either they think and speak in today’s language, or they think and speak in period appropriate language. The back and forth tone kept taking me out of the story.

I think this book would be enjoyed by younger readers - the main character is 20 and her sister is 18, and in many ways this is a coming of age story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit books for sharing this ARC with me.

[37bees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbour Of Hungry Ghosts really stood out to me for its incredibly rich cultural background. The story is so deeply rooted in Chinese folklore and traditions, and it gave me strong Babel-vibes in the best way—thoughtful, layered, and immersive. The setting is honestly exquisite; it feels vivid and alive, and I especially loved how the magic system is tied so closely to the culture. It adds a level of authenticity and uniqueness that made the worldbuilding one of my favorite parts of the book.

That said, I didn’t fully connect with the protagonist. I found her a bit frustrating at times, and I think that feeling hit harder because I had a similar experience with the main character in the book I read right before this. It’s not that she’s badly written—she’s complex and flawed—but something about her just didn’t click for me.

The romance was subtle and nicely done, but I didn’t feel like it was essential to the story. It worked, but I probably would have enjoyed the book just as much without it.

Overall, this is a beautifully crafted story with stunning worldbuilding and a strong cultural core. Even though I struggled a bit with the protagonist, it’s still a really memorable read that I’d definitely recommend—especially if you enjoy atmospheric fantasy with depth and cultural richness.

*Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own*

[Nocturne Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a mixed bag genre novel combining the works of Historical Fiction and Fantasy written by Eliza Chan that honors her knowledge of East Asian Mythology. It is set to release on July 28th, 2026. Thank you as always Netgalley and Orbit Publishing for the early access read. Just a disclaimer, I love learning about different cultures. There is just something about soaking up the information in the format of Fantasy works that just speaks to me in a more chilling way. Monsters? Ghosts? MYTHOLOGY?!?! I learned so much, laughed, teared up, and thought to myself woah. Wait a minute. Back up here. After reading this novel, I feel motivated to take a deep dive and research the topic more thoroughly. I am also officially team have every fantasy book have a glossary like this one, it really helps soak in the information you are being given! Eliza Chan’s prose is written in such a lyrical way, it makes the more gut-punching scenes all the more impactful. WAIT, WHAT CAN SHE DO? Eliza Chan has turned a topic such as Colonization into a thought-provoking Fantasy novel embracing culture and your own skills. My one discrepancy would be I wish the characters acted their age, they seemed much more immature than they should given their occupation and the number of years they have under their belts. A little before the halfway point, it seemed like an important plot line was just discarded and petty actions took over. 3 ⭐ 

[Valarie - WoodsyBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a difference between something being slow in order to build atmosphere and allow for character development versus being monotonous. Harbour of Hungry Ghosts felt tedious in its pacing, there were a lot of descriptive passages but they never seemed to progress the story.

In a similar vein, I don't mind an unlikable main character when there is active development to either become less unlikable or provide solid reasoning for why they remain unsympathetic. I had hoped that with time Kiamling would grow and become the witty, strong, demon hunter she was destined to be but she never rose to the occasion.

There was a base to the story where I could see the vision, moments and passages that truly stood out, but overall I felt like the story wasn't as fleshed out as I'd hoped. The ghosts were fascinating, the setting was interesting, the history was informative, but there was just something missing to really pull everything together to form an engaging plot.

I think character development is a huge factor in a story like this, where you can get lost or bogged down by the dense descriptions of the world building and history. That lack of development was a huge factor in my enjoyment of the book but there is a potential for progression in that element as the series goes on. I don't think I'll continue reading the series but I do believe there is an audience who will appreciate and enjoy it more than I did.

[Alessa]

Unfortunately, this one wasn't for me and I ended up DNFing at around 40%.
The concept of the book is really cool and I thought I was going to be obsessed with it, but sadly, the execution didn't live up to the premise in my opinion.
My two biggest critiques are about the plot and the FMC. Regarding the latter – she was just a bit insufferable. I understand what the author was trying to do and I do appreciate the FMC trying to bring an innovative approach into her craft, but the arrogance with which she did it just turned me off her. Not that I don't appreciate a woman who knows her worth, but there's a difference between justified and unjustified arrogance, and the FMC falls into the latter category.
The plot was also strangely boring for a book with such a cool demon-hunting concept. There was some action, sure, but it felt quite repetitive and at almost halfway through the book, I didn't feel like the plot was really picking up.
The writing was overly descriptive, which is not something that always bothers me, but here it took out momentum that the book would have desperately needed.

The setting and worldbuilding saved the book for me, as well as the underlying messaging around colonialism, which I thought was done really well, but ultimately, that was not enough to keep me invested in reading the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

[Annabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is little history, a little fantasy, folklore, romance, and demon slaying all encased in a pretty cover. The story takes place during the early part of the British occupation of Hong Kong and the Opium Wars. With all of the British arriving, it only makes sense that they bring their myths and lore with them. And when the foreign fabled monsters start making mischief, it falls on the local demon hunter to deal with the mess. Kiamling is a bit of a mess, herself, an imperfect protagonist with family issues, romantic issues, and a need to grow up (though she is sure that she knows everything already). The adventure packs some action as well as a mystery, but the strength of the story lies in the progression of Kiamling as she learns and matures. The other central characters, her sister, her recently returned childhood friend, and the Brit who is determined to make her his tutor, shine in their own way and add more charm to the story. The twist as the mystery unravels was interesting and I am curious to see where the sequel takes the main characters. Overall, an entertaining read for anyone who wants a bit of a monster mystery with a romp through nineteenth century Hong Kong.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Orbit Books) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

[Lexa Starling · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You are a stubborn bull, an iron-beaked chicken, a ghost-stirrer, but not a two-faced snake. You think I've never thought a bad word about you and Por Por before? Wanted to villain-hit the pair of you? We all have those feelings. We're only human."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 🫑

Oh fantasy, how I have missed you. 🥹 Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was the PERFECT book to pull me out of my romance era and straight back into epic fantasy.

Described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Babel, the story follows Kiamling, the eldest daughter of a family of demon hunters in 19th-century Hong Kong. When her grandmother, Por Por, is kidnapped by an insidious monster, Kiamling sets out on a dangerous mission to bring her home.

This story felt so clever and original. It’s culturally rich, witty, atmospheric, and packed with action right until the very end. I absolutely loved Kiamling in all her stubborn, naïve, flawed glory. She is brave, resilient, determined, occasionally hilarious, and at times SO frustrating that I wanted to shake her through the pages. 🤣

The found family dynamics were one of my favourite parts of the book. The banter between the characters genuinely made me laugh out loud and balanced the darker moments perfectly.

This feels like the start of a truly incredible fantasy series and I already cannot wait to see where the story goes next. ✨

Thank you so much to @orbitbooks_uk for the ARC!

[BonniePB · Rating 4 out of 5]

The worldbuilding of Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is amazing if you're like me and unfamiliar with this period of Chinese history, culture, and customs. The magic system is tied into those things, which gives it a grounded quality. Chan is so successful with the immersion that everything feels real. The strong themes surrounding the complexity of family relationships and expectations, as well as relevant feminist issues, are worked cohesively into the storylines. The friction of British economic imperialism in China is enhanced by a blending of Chinese and British folklore.

I have to say that Kiamling is probably one of the most frustrating main characters I’ve ever read. This is part of her coming-of-age style character arc, but she really infuriated me at times. I did enjoy the developing relationship between Kiamling and Archie–it’s the sort of subtle, slow-burn you might find in a Leigh Bardugo book.

The dialogue and prose has a youthful modernity that took me out of the historical setting a number of times, making me forget we were in mid-19th-century China; it felt like we were actually in the mid-20th-century. That being said, I think a modern prose versus a more historical one will resonate better with most readers, so this is very much a Me Problem.

Thanks to Orbit for the eARC via NetGalley.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC. Review left voluntarily.

I really wished I loved this more than I did since I love Asian inspired fantasy and horror. By all accounts this should have been an easy 5 star for me. So much care went into this, glossery at the front along with a Dramatis Personae, while being set in the period where Britain was starting off having Hong Kong as a colony. The monsters/folklore I thought was amazing too by blending Chinese and Germanic folklore. Really though, setting and lore was *chefs kiss.*

Alas, what took me out so often was dialogue that felt.... out of place? Out of place for the moments, the characters, and settings. The best way I can describe this is that some of these felt like abrupt switches in tone or coming just off as forced. Internal monologues even felt like there was a reliance on over explaining, when the MC would have "grown" or learned, there is a lot of how she would have acted prior or just simply leaving it as something short as "see, she can learn/did learn."

Lastly, and this is more of a nitpick that I blame The First Law audiobooks for (grimaced). I would latch onto when descriptive words were used... a lot... smarting/smarted, gawking/gawked.

Its really one of those books for me where the setting itself almost saves the entire experience for me.