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The Devoted
Win a free print copy of this book!
20 days and 00:02:05
100 copies available
U.S. only
A stunning, page-turning love story of family and fate from the author of the acclaimed memoir, Inferno.
Eunha grows up in a quiet village in Hong Kong with little knowledge of the reputation of her father, a Dragon Head and leader of a criminal organisation infamous in the city. While her grandmother does her best to shield her from the violence that underpins their lives, Eunha only has her brother Solomon and their one permitted companion, a boy named Kai, for company.
But when Eunha marries into a supposedly respectable Hong Kong family, the veneer of her quiet life begins to crack. When her young son is kidnapped, she is cast back into the city’s criminal underground and into the orbit of Kai, now a Dragon Head himself. In this world love and loyalty are stalked by fear and betrayal. Will Eunha finally give in to the life she has strived so hard to rise above or was her future always fated?
The Devoted is a beautifully written, unforgettable debut novel of love, family and betrayal from an electric new voice in fiction.
Eunha grows up in a quiet village in Hong Kong with little knowledge of the reputation of her father, a Dragon Head and leader of a criminal organisation infamous in the city. While her grandmother does her best to shield her from the violence that underpins their lives, Eunha only has her brother Solomon and their one permitted companion, a boy named Kai, for company.
But when Eunha marries into a supposedly respectable Hong Kong family, the veneer of her quiet life begins to crack. When her young son is kidnapped, she is cast back into the city’s criminal underground and into the orbit of Kai, now a Dragon Head himself. In this world love and loyalty are stalked by fear and betrayal. Will Eunha finally give in to the life she has strived so hard to rise above or was her future always fated?
The Devoted is a beautifully written, unforgettable debut novel of love, family and betrayal from an electric new voice in fiction.
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh boy… this one is a bit of a mixed bag for me.
The story itself isn’t bad at all. It’s actually quite a sad and emotional one, centered around family, loss and the long shadow of a life tied to a criminal organization.
We follow Eunha, whose father is a Dragon Head in the Triads, and we see her life unfold through both past and present timelines. I did like that structure, it gave a fuller picture of her upbringing and how everything connects.
But… I kept waiting for something more to happen.
The first chapters were fine, and I thought we were building toward something intense, but the story stays very linear and just follows Eunha’s perspective as she tells her story. It felt more like being told what happened rather than experiencing it.
I think part of it is also expectations. I went in thinking this would have more suspense or thriller elements, but it leans much more toward literary fiction and character driven storytelling.
There were moments that caught my attention, especially toward the last 10% when things finally started to come together, and I’ll admit that part had me more engaged.
Also… Kai… yeah... dude, I had a bit of hope. HAD -.-. That’s all I’m saying...
Overall, not a bad book at all, just not what I was expecting, and it didn’t fully work for me.
⭐ 3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.
The story itself isn’t bad at all. It’s actually quite a sad and emotional one, centered around family, loss and the long shadow of a life tied to a criminal organization.
We follow Eunha, whose father is a Dragon Head in the Triads, and we see her life unfold through both past and present timelines. I did like that structure, it gave a fuller picture of her upbringing and how everything connects.
But… I kept waiting for something more to happen.
The first chapters were fine, and I thought we were building toward something intense, but the story stays very linear and just follows Eunha’s perspective as she tells her story. It felt more like being told what happened rather than experiencing it.
I think part of it is also expectations. I went in thinking this would have more suspense or thriller elements, but it leans much more toward literary fiction and character driven storytelling.
There were moments that caught my attention, especially toward the last 10% when things finally started to come together, and I’ll admit that part had me more engaged.
Also… Kai… yeah... dude, I had a bit of hope. HAD -.-. That’s all I’m saying...
Overall, not a bad book at all, just not what I was expecting, and it didn’t fully work for me.
⭐ 3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the ARC.
May 26, 2026
The Devoted by Catherine Cho is definitely a cross between 3.5 and 4 stars. I'm leaning more towards 3.5.
What is interesting is that this book is about a daughter raised by a family who are a part of the Triads. I was expecting more intrigue, maybe a little violence, perhaps a little deeper dive into the modern day mafia of sorts. There are various mentions of families who make millions of things the West take for granted in their Amazon prime deliveries - curtain hooks, super glue, you get the idea. These are not just sweat shops, these are underground organizations who will hurt each other to ensure they're the ones making the most profit.
Instead, The Devoted is a very lush, slow book about Eunha, who is Korean and raised in Hong Kong. I'm not sure why Cho actually chose this approach. It didn't affect the storyline to have her not be Chinese. Regardless, I found the story slow, detached, and many times slightly bored with what could have been happening.
It's a story about being a mother, loving the wrong people, falling into a trap you can't get out. The Devoted is incredibly melancholic, dreary, and I wished there was more ooomph in the overall descriptions of Hong Kong.
Catherine Cho is a well written writer, and I do want to see what she writes next. Just wish this book kept me slightly more enthused.
What is interesting is that this book is about a daughter raised by a family who are a part of the Triads. I was expecting more intrigue, maybe a little violence, perhaps a little deeper dive into the modern day mafia of sorts. There are various mentions of families who make millions of things the West take for granted in their Amazon prime deliveries - curtain hooks, super glue, you get the idea. These are not just sweat shops, these are underground organizations who will hurt each other to ensure they're the ones making the most profit.
Instead, The Devoted is a very lush, slow book about Eunha, who is Korean and raised in Hong Kong. I'm not sure why Cho actually chose this approach. It didn't affect the storyline to have her not be Chinese. Regardless, I found the story slow, detached, and many times slightly bored with what could have been happening.
It's a story about being a mother, loving the wrong people, falling into a trap you can't get out. The Devoted is incredibly melancholic, dreary, and I wished there was more ooomph in the overall descriptions of Hong Kong.
Catherine Cho is a well written writer, and I do want to see what she writes next. Just wish this book kept me slightly more enthused.
2026
February 2, 2026ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Washington Square Press
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Washington Square Press
February 24, 2026
Okay so I read The Devoted a couple weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to sit down and actually write this because it deserves it.This story follows Eunha a young Korean woman raised in Hong Kong by her grandmother far away from her father’s violent world. Her father is a Dragon Head in the Triads and even though her grandmother does everything she can to shield Eunha and her brother Solomon from that life it’s always there in the background. Eunha grows up marries into what seems like a respectable Hong Kong family and tries to build something clean and separate from her past. But when her son is kidnapped she’s pulled straight back into the criminal underworld and back into the orbit of Kai her childhood friend who is now a Dragon Head himself. From there it becomes this intense story about family, loyalty, fate, forbidden love, and whether you can ever truly escape the blood you were born into.I read this around the same time I was reading Jade City and apparently I was just fully in my Chinese mafia era because I ate this up. I loved that it had that same criminal dynasty energy, the power struggles, the honor and violence, but it felt way more intimate and emotional. And the jade dragon theme was everythingggg I was Obsessed. Halfway through I genuinely thought this was going to land at a solid four stars for me. I was invested, I liked the writing, the tension was building but then the ending hit. The character development, especially for Eunha, completely sealed it. Watching her step into her own power and make choices instead of just reacting to the men and the world around her!?That’s what bumped it to five stars. It turned from a good crime family drama into something that actually felt powerfully personal.
Also I am still not over Kai. That’s all I’ll say.I’m honestly so happy I randomly got approved for this on NetGalley because it ended up being one of those surprise favorites. If you loved Jade City and want something with organized crime, complicated family loyalty, and emotional stakes I highly recommend.
Also I am still not over Kai. That’s all I’ll say.I’m honestly so happy I randomly got approved for this on NetGalley because it ended up being one of those surprise favorites. If you loved Jade City and want something with organized crime, complicated family loyalty, and emotional stakes I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Being children of the Dragon Head - a leader within the infamous criminal organization of the Triads - Eunha and her brother Solomon live a sheltered life. When her son disappears, she digs into something deeper than the appearance.
For a premise about a Korean family in Hong Kong, surprisingly the story doesn't focus on dissecting either Korean roots or HK setting. The story, on the other hand, allows a glimpse of the dynamics in modern day mafia, which is heavily centered around power and betrayal. Going through loss and addiction, there's plenty of messiness in this family drama in which characters desire to make their own fate. Yet, I was expecting more tension and emotional investment and what feels like an intentional attempt of exploration of the criminal world reads like a slow narrative that flows like episodes (the transitions between timelines could have been smoother). I read this with a steady anticipation, waiting for the moment.
This is not to say that there aren't some emotional moments and one might appreciate the texture that comes from the characterization. Perhaps I wished for a more weighty exposure (of the events and characters) and despite of the lack of deeper attachment, the last 50 pages drew me in and there was hope for a longer commitment. Also, this is a book that will reward readers looking for an engaging prose.
THE DEVOTED provides unique lens into family in the mafia world. Even if the attempts missed the mark for me, I enjoyed Cho's memoir INFERNO and would read more of this author.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Atria books . All opinions are my own ]
For a premise about a Korean family in Hong Kong, surprisingly the story doesn't focus on dissecting either Korean roots or HK setting. The story, on the other hand, allows a glimpse of the dynamics in modern day mafia, which is heavily centered around power and betrayal. Going through loss and addiction, there's plenty of messiness in this family drama in which characters desire to make their own fate. Yet, I was expecting more tension and emotional investment and what feels like an intentional attempt of exploration of the criminal world reads like a slow narrative that flows like episodes (the transitions between timelines could have been smoother). I read this with a steady anticipation, waiting for the moment.
This is not to say that there aren't some emotional moments and one might appreciate the texture that comes from the characterization. Perhaps I wished for a more weighty exposure (of the events and characters) and despite of the lack of deeper attachment, the last 50 pages drew me in and there was hope for a longer commitment. Also, this is a book that will reward readers looking for an engaging prose.
THE DEVOTED provides unique lens into family in the mafia world. Even if the attempts missed the mark for me, I enjoyed Cho's memoir INFERNO and would read more of this author.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Atria books . All opinions are my own ]
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A kidnapping, Hong Kong's Triad underworld, family secrets, and a heroine forced to confront her past.
Cho's writing is undeniably beautiful. The novel is atmospheric, emotionally perceptive, and vividly rooted in its Hong Kong setting. Using the framework of a kidnapping and the backdrop of the Triad underworld, Cho explores themes of family loyalty, motherhood, identity, and the lasting influence of the past. Eunha is a compelling and layered protagonist whose struggles with belonging and obligation form the emotional heart of the story. The childhood flashbacks are seamlessly woven into the narrative, gradually revealing the relationships and secrets that shape her present-day choices.
My main criticism is that the novel never became quite as gripping as I expected. While the kidnapping plot creates immediate tension, the story frequently turns toward reflection, memory, and family history just as the suspense begins to build. Readers approaching the book as a crime thriller may find themselves wishing for a stronger sense of momentum and urgency.
That said, I can see why this novel will resonate with many readers. It is thoughtful, ambitious, and handles themes of motherhood, devotion, and inherited trauma with nuance and sensitivity. It simply didn't deliver the level of emotional impact or suspense I was hoping for.
Overall, The Devoted is a well-crafted literary family drama that occasionally struggles to balance its thriller elements with its more introspective ambitions. It's worth picking up if you enjoy character-driven fiction, though readers seeking a fast-paced page-turner may come away disappointed.
Cho's writing is undeniably beautiful. The novel is atmospheric, emotionally perceptive, and vividly rooted in its Hong Kong setting. Using the framework of a kidnapping and the backdrop of the Triad underworld, Cho explores themes of family loyalty, motherhood, identity, and the lasting influence of the past. Eunha is a compelling and layered protagonist whose struggles with belonging and obligation form the emotional heart of the story. The childhood flashbacks are seamlessly woven into the narrative, gradually revealing the relationships and secrets that shape her present-day choices.
My main criticism is that the novel never became quite as gripping as I expected. While the kidnapping plot creates immediate tension, the story frequently turns toward reflection, memory, and family history just as the suspense begins to build. Readers approaching the book as a crime thriller may find themselves wishing for a stronger sense of momentum and urgency.
That said, I can see why this novel will resonate with many readers. It is thoughtful, ambitious, and handles themes of motherhood, devotion, and inherited trauma with nuance and sensitivity. It simply didn't deliver the level of emotional impact or suspense I was hoping for.
Overall, The Devoted is a well-crafted literary family drama that occasionally struggles to balance its thriller elements with its more introspective ambitions. It's worth picking up if you enjoy character-driven fiction, though readers seeking a fast-paced page-turner may come away disappointed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Atria Books, Washington Square Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review.
Eunha grew up with her brother, Solomon, under the care of her grandmother and an ajusshi who works for her father. Her grandmother worked hard to shelter them from the darkness that their father surrounds himself with as a leader of the Triads, a dangerous criminal organization. Once Ajusshi's nephew, Kai, comes to stay with the family, the three become close friends.
All grown up, Eunha marries a well off businessman and has a son. But after her son is kidnapped, she's thrust into the darkness that her grandmother fought to keep her away from.
Alternating from Eunha's childhood to the present, The Devoted is an emotional family drama about love, fate, secrets, and finding your inner strength.
I was expecting more of a thriller, but The Devoted is told through Eunha's eyes, keeping most of the inner workings of the criminal organizations hidden. Even during the kidnapping at the beginning, I felt like I was watching helplessly as the men in Eunha's life worked to find her son.
The pieces of Eunha's quiet childhood scattered throughout the story gave off a reflective feeling. The prose and imagery were beautifully done, leaving me with a melancholy aftertaste. I loved the exploration of identity: being Korean in a foreign land, running from the dark parts of your family, and being a woman performing different roles for the men in her life.
Eunha's journey is beautiful, tragic, and filled with strength and love.
Eunha grew up with her brother, Solomon, under the care of her grandmother and an ajusshi who works for her father. Her grandmother worked hard to shelter them from the darkness that their father surrounds himself with as a leader of the Triads, a dangerous criminal organization. Once Ajusshi's nephew, Kai, comes to stay with the family, the three become close friends.
All grown up, Eunha marries a well off businessman and has a son. But after her son is kidnapped, she's thrust into the darkness that her grandmother fought to keep her away from.
Alternating from Eunha's childhood to the present, The Devoted is an emotional family drama about love, fate, secrets, and finding your inner strength.
I was expecting more of a thriller, but The Devoted is told through Eunha's eyes, keeping most of the inner workings of the criminal organizations hidden. Even during the kidnapping at the beginning, I felt like I was watching helplessly as the men in Eunha's life worked to find her son.
The pieces of Eunha's quiet childhood scattered throughout the story gave off a reflective feeling. The prose and imagery were beautifully done, leaving me with a melancholy aftertaste. I loved the exploration of identity: being Korean in a foreign land, running from the dark parts of your family, and being a woman performing different roles for the men in her life.
Eunha's journey is beautiful, tragic, and filled with strength and love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy!
The Devoted is a story of family and fate. Being raised in Hong Kong by their Korean grandmother, Eunha and her brother Solomon live a sheltered life, while their father is the leader of an infamous criminal organization. Now, as an adult, and married into a supposedly respectable Hong Kong family, Eunha's life begins to crack, sending her back into the criminal underground, a world that she once tried to escape.
This book really ended up being a mixed bag for me. It had all the workings to being a 5-star read. It was emotional, it had a compelling story, and it had strong writing. But I kept feeling like the story was just scratching the surface of its own potential. I found myself waiting for the narrative to really dig deeper into the characters and the conflict, to build on the tension and the emotional aspects of the story even more. I think because of that, I never really felt pulled in by the book. I didn’t feel any sense of immersion until the last 15%, but at that point it was a bit too late.
I would have loved to have peeked behind the curtain more with the criminal organization that Eunha’s father led, and to see all the inner workings. It would have just added to the atmosphere.
That said, Eunha’s story was undeniably emotional. While the book didn’t entirely deliver in the ways that I was hoping or expecting, I still appreciate what it was trying to do, and I can see why it may resonate more strongly with other readers.
3.5 stars!
The Devoted is a story of family and fate. Being raised in Hong Kong by their Korean grandmother, Eunha and her brother Solomon live a sheltered life, while their father is the leader of an infamous criminal organization. Now, as an adult, and married into a supposedly respectable Hong Kong family, Eunha's life begins to crack, sending her back into the criminal underground, a world that she once tried to escape.
This book really ended up being a mixed bag for me. It had all the workings to being a 5-star read. It was emotional, it had a compelling story, and it had strong writing. But I kept feeling like the story was just scratching the surface of its own potential. I found myself waiting for the narrative to really dig deeper into the characters and the conflict, to build on the tension and the emotional aspects of the story even more. I think because of that, I never really felt pulled in by the book. I didn’t feel any sense of immersion until the last 15%, but at that point it was a bit too late.
I would have loved to have peeked behind the curtain more with the criminal organization that Eunha’s father led, and to see all the inner workings. It would have just added to the atmosphere.
That said, Eunha’s story was undeniably emotional. While the book didn’t entirely deliver in the ways that I was hoping or expecting, I still appreciate what it was trying to do, and I can see why it may resonate more strongly with other readers.
3.5 stars!
June 4, 2026
Thank you for the free book Atria Books @atriabooks Washington Square Press @washingtonsquarepress , Netgalley @netgalley and Catherine Cho @catherinekcho for this free book! PUBLISHES JULY 14, 2026
“The Devoted” by Catherine Cho ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Family drama. Location: Hong Kong. Time: Past and present.
SYNOPSIS:
Raised in the Hong Kong New Territories by their Korean grandmother, Eunha and brother Solomon live a sheltered life. Their father is a Dragon Head, a leader in the infamous Triads criminal organization. Their grandmother shields them from their father’s violent world-Eunha has only Solomon and Kai, their one permitted companion, for company. When Eunha’s father arranges her marriage into a supposedly respectable family, her sheltered life cracks. Her young son is kidnapped, her cruel husband divorces her, she falls into the city's criminal underground and back to Kai, now a Dragon Head himself. As Eunha leaves innocence behind, her options constrict. She learns about the terrible Triad life she unknowingly was raised in (and now knowingly lives in). Was her future always fated?
FAVORITE BITS:
Immersive details about life in Hong Kong across gender, class and cultural roles.
Cho’s character development.
Her plot twists.
NOT SO FAVORITE BIT:
Chapters move back and forth across time, but there are no chapter headings to alert readers.
It’s layered intrigue and suspense, it’s a gritty look at upbringings and respectability”, it’s quietly powerful, and it’s 5⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳
“The Devoted” by Catherine Cho ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Family drama. Location: Hong Kong. Time: Past and present.
SYNOPSIS:
Raised in the Hong Kong New Territories by their Korean grandmother, Eunha and brother Solomon live a sheltered life. Their father is a Dragon Head, a leader in the infamous Triads criminal organization. Their grandmother shields them from their father’s violent world-Eunha has only Solomon and Kai, their one permitted companion, for company. When Eunha’s father arranges her marriage into a supposedly respectable family, her sheltered life cracks. Her young son is kidnapped, her cruel husband divorces her, she falls into the city's criminal underground and back to Kai, now a Dragon Head himself. As Eunha leaves innocence behind, her options constrict. She learns about the terrible Triad life she unknowingly was raised in (and now knowingly lives in). Was her future always fated?
FAVORITE BITS:
Immersive details about life in Hong Kong across gender, class and cultural roles.
Cho’s character development.
Her plot twists.
NOT SO FAVORITE BIT:
Chapters move back and forth across time, but there are no chapter headings to alert readers.
It’s layered intrigue and suspense, it’s a gritty look at upbringings and respectability”, it’s quietly powerful, and it’s 5⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
his novel is a tremerndous read for so many reasons. The characters are rich, easy to empathize with, to get involved with. The Hong Kong setting is so well realized you';ll finish the book, look up, and wonder why you're not there. Having been to Hong Kong twice trust me when I tell you that every detail is correct, every sound, smell, color, and light. Catherine Cho's writing is always luminous, falling like crystal water, sentence after astonishing sentence.. Eunha is part of a family of Koreans living in Hong Kong. Her father is a Dragon Head, the leader of a powerful triad group, who has insisted in taking her brother, Solomon, under his wing. The close relationship between sister and brother is marvelously developed. This, though, is Eunha's story and what a tale it is. The ups and downs are fully realized, the heartbreaks and triumphs vivid. During tyhe course of the book Eunha learns and grows as she learns more and more about her close-knit family. Her growing strength is at the heart of the story Cho spins so magnificently. This is a book I feel certain everyone will enjoy, even cherish. I wanted to read it all over again the moment I finished it. You will, too. One of my favorite books of the year, Highest recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Cho is very clearly a talented writer. Her prose is lyrical and the rhythm of it reminded me of gentle waves crashing against the land. All that being said, I wish the novel would’ve been better paced. The action was slow, and I found myself putting the book down at times. It was hard to connect to the FMC. Her acceptance of circumstances made me want to pull my hair out. The fight in her doesn’t come about until the very end of the novel, and for me that’s when it finally became interesting. Her lack of agency was grating. This is a character driven novel, so it was hard for me to root for her when it felt like she had no fight in her. The fire in her came too late for me, and her character arc felt rushed.
There weren’t any surprises in the story. In fact, I predicted early on who was responsible for certain actions that take place. The ending was inevitable, and I did feel some satisfaction with the way things played out. Though there’s much loss in this story, it does end with a sense of justice and hope.
Cho is very clearly a talented writer. Her prose is lyrical and the rhythm of it reminded me of gentle waves crashing against the land. All that being said, I wish the novel would’ve been better paced. The action was slow, and I found myself putting the book down at times. It was hard to connect to the FMC. Her acceptance of circumstances made me want to pull my hair out. The fight in her doesn’t come about until the very end of the novel, and for me that’s when it finally became interesting. Her lack of agency was grating. This is a character driven novel, so it was hard for me to root for her when it felt like she had no fight in her. The fire in her came too late for me, and her character arc felt rushed.
There weren’t any surprises in the story. In fact, I predicted early on who was responsible for certain actions that take place. The ending was inevitable, and I did feel some satisfaction with the way things played out. Though there’s much loss in this story, it does end with a sense of justice and hope.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars! The Devoted was a very intriguing read, both while reading the plot and the book itself. However, it was not what I was anticipating. I think that this lowered its overall rating. I had different expectations about the themes and where the plot was going to go. When starting the book, I had the idea it was going to lean more into the mafia/crime organization portion of the story.
This book did fly by. It was honestly a breath of fresh air for a fiction book of this type to have such short chapters that absolutely breeze by. The story moved along. I was not as enthralled with the story as I wish I could have been though. Some parts of the book were absolutely heartbreaking though.
Catherine Cho had impeccable writing styles. Even though this one was not my total favorite, I will definitely be on the lookout for this author's books.
Thank you NetGalley, Washington Square Press, & Catherine Cho for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Devoted is released on July 14, 2026!
This book did fly by. It was honestly a breath of fresh air for a fiction book of this type to have such short chapters that absolutely breeze by. The story moved along. I was not as enthralled with the story as I wish I could have been though. Some parts of the book were absolutely heartbreaking though.
Catherine Cho had impeccable writing styles. Even though this one was not my total favorite, I will definitely be on the lookout for this author's books.
Thank you NetGalley, Washington Square Press, & Catherine Cho for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Devoted is released on July 14, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eunha, a young Korean woman married to a respectable Chinese businessman, lives in a Hong Kong ocean-view apartment as a proper tai tai (a wealthy, married woman of leisure). She has a helper to care for her three-year-old son, Minsuk, and plenty of time to play tennis and gossip with her friends at the exclusive Palm Club. But when Minsuk is snatched off a busy street, Eunha is pulled back into the criminal underworld she has worked so hard to avoid. Could the kidnapping be tied to her brother Solomon’s role as a Dragon Head within the Chinese Triad syndicate that controls so much of Hong Kong? As her well-ordered life begins to spiral out of control, Eunha also gets caught in the orbit of Kai, a childhood friend who had been a favorite of her Dragon Head father and who, too, has achieved success in the Triad. Can Eunha find the strength to resist Kai’s allure and chart a new and different course for herself? Alternating between Eunha’s sheltered childhood in a remote village and her troubled present, memoirist Cho’s (Inferno) elegant, introspective fiction debut is a haunting and emotional tale about family love, loyalty, betrayal, and vengeance.
June 8, 2026
Eunha is a Korean woman living in Hong Kong, the daughter and sister of men who are high up in the underworld on the island. The story alternates between her past, when she's growing up with her brother under the care of her grandmother and an associate of her father, and the present, when her son is abducted and ultimately returned but is taken from her by her sister-in-law. Distraught by her situation, she returns to the underworld and tries to make sense of her life.
This was billed as a mystery/thriller, but I think it was just literary fiction. I had a hard time getting into the story, but I do think the prose was lovely and the book is well written. I enjoyed the setting in Hong Kong and Eunha is a compelling character, but I do think I would have liked it more if it was more of a true thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This was billed as a mystery/thriller, but I think it was just literary fiction. I had a hard time getting into the story, but I do think the prose was lovely and the book is well written. I enjoyed the setting in Hong Kong and Eunha is a compelling character, but I do think I would have liked it more if it was more of a true thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Atria Books and Washington Square Press.
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
A Korean woman whose father leads a criminal organization and her past will put her n danger as she triies to start a new life. She s raised by her grandmother along with her brother a sheltered life is launched in to a dangerous world. When her young son is kidnapped she s thrown into a criminal world as she tries to survive. Sometime the things we are running away will eventually catch up. Can she be able to finally live a life without having to watch her back? T is one woman struggle t gan control despite her family legacy.
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
A Korean woman whose father leads a criminal organization and her past will put her n danger as she triies to start a new life. She s raised by her grandmother along with her brother a sheltered life is launched in to a dangerous world. When her young son is kidnapped she s thrown into a criminal world as she tries to survive. Sometime the things we are running away will eventually catch up. Can she be able to finally live a life without having to watch her back? T is one woman struggle t gan control despite her family legacy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a beautifully written and heartbreaking book. A young woman from a Korean family, growing up and living in Hong Kong, becomes collateral damage from the choices made by her parents, her brother, her husband. In the process, she finally finds herself.
I struggled a little with this book, and that's my fault rather than the author's. I think readers who know anything at all about Korean culture and/or Hong Kong will find it atmospheric. I felt like I was trying hard to keep up; again, that's on me. Having this turn up in my NetGalley feed gave me a little nudge to stretch beyond my usual reading comfort zone, and I'm glad that I did.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley. I received no compensation for this review.
I struggled a little with this book, and that's my fault rather than the author's. I think readers who know anything at all about Korean culture and/or Hong Kong will find it atmospheric. I felt like I was trying hard to keep up; again, that's on me. Having this turn up in my NetGalley feed gave me a little nudge to stretch beyond my usual reading comfort zone, and I'm glad that I did.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from NetGalley. I received no compensation for this review.
Want to Read
June 7, 2026Can you be haunted by a book? If so, that's definitely me and Catherine Cho's memoir Inferno: A Memoir of Motherhood and Madness. So when I heard she was releasing a novel that has something to do with organized crime in Hong Kong, I couldn't add it to my TBR fast enough.
Click here to hear more about this book and my other anticipated releases of the upcoming quarter over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
Click here to hear more about this book and my other anticipated releases of the upcoming quarter over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book says it’s under 300 pages but it’s a dense, heavy less than 300 page book. The story follows past and present day, Eunha as she navigates being the daughter of a crime family in Hong Kong.
The chapters aren’t a 1:1 present day: flash back cadence. Some chapters follow a section of story before a change. However I will say sometimes it’d be present day and there would still be some flashbacks which was a bit confusing - you’re already doing full flashback chapters. Keep them separated. But I digress. There were never any massive a-ha moments but the story is laid out well and you feel the ebb and flow of Eunha’s life as she figures out how to be her father’s daughter, a wife, a mother and the owner of her own destiny.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc.
The chapters aren’t a 1:1 present day: flash back cadence. Some chapters follow a section of story before a change. However I will say sometimes it’d be present day and there would still be some flashbacks which was a bit confusing - you’re already doing full flashback chapters. Keep them separated. But I digress. There were never any massive a-ha moments but the story is laid out well and you feel the ebb and flow of Eunha’s life as she figures out how to be her father’s daughter, a wife, a mother and the owner of her own destiny.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the arc.
May 31, 2026
The writing style of this was really beautiful. The story was captivating and I really liked the air of mystery it had to it. This story was kinda heavy but really interesting with the backstory and lore of the characters.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Eunha
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🐲👶💵
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Grief
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Eunha
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🐲👶💵
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Grief
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fascinating story about a woman who was raised in a crime family, currently lives in a city with a crime underworld, and her child gets kidnapped. This is the first story I’ve read by this author. Her writing was vivid and the characters felt real. She brought many aspects of Hong Kong’s crime underworld to life for me. This story isn’t really a thriller, but it is suspenseful and has lots of heart. I recommend this book if you’re interested in the premise.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.
June 3, 2026
A story about grief loss and retribution. Wonderfully done with have a snapshot into Eunha’s as she grows up as a daughter of a criminal organization with her brother who’s poised to take over and his best friend. As an adult her child is abducted and quickly calls her brother Solomon who she thinks is the reason for the kidnapping. After he’s returned Solomon is killed and his best friend Kai takes over sending Eunha’s world spiraling. Well written the story kept me engaged and was devoured quickly. 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved this so much. (Also, the amazing cover deserves its own 5 star rating, right?!)
I went into it with no expectations. I read the synopsis on Netgalley and thought it sounded different from anything I'd read before.
I was hooked from the beginning. I had no issues with the pace, or the character development. Or anything else. It was great. Extremely entertaining, lots of emotion, impressive storytelling, and made me wish there was another novel by this author already that I could sink my teeth into.
Highly recommend.
I went into it with no expectations. I read the synopsis on Netgalley and thought it sounded different from anything I'd read before.
I was hooked from the beginning. I had no issues with the pace, or the character development. Or anything else. It was great. Extremely entertaining, lots of emotion, impressive storytelling, and made me wish there was another novel by this author already that I could sink my teeth into.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I never watch K-dramas, but this Asian mafia family drama gripped me: think Goodfellas meets Persuasion. This saga set in Hong Kong switches timelines frequently between heroine Eunha's isolated childhood and agonizing adulthood, because the themes of duty and patriarchy stay with her until she is forced to reckon with the past and truth of her unconventional family.
Thank you Atria Books for the physical review copy.
Thank you Atria Books for the physical review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.25⭐️
There were moments I found myself frustrated with our main character but As I read more I understood she was a product, a victim to the life she was born into. To a life that set her up to expect blame when it never rested on her shoulders. I loved watching her find her strength and for taking control of her life.
This story was heartbreaking at it core and I enjoyed my journey with it.
There were moments I found myself frustrated with our main character but As I read more I understood she was a product, a victim to the life she was born into. To a life that set her up to expect blame when it never rested on her shoulders. I loved watching her find her strength and for taking control of her life.
This story was heartbreaking at it core and I enjoyed my journey with it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to love this. I didn't. The reasons
1. So slow, no burn: marked a mystery/thriller
2. Predictable plot and resolution
3. Characters were flat.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
1. So slow, no burn: marked a mystery/thriller
2. Predictable plot and resolution
3. Characters were flat.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC copy in return for my honest review and opinion.
I enjoyed this read and it kept my interest throughout.
I enjoyed this read and it kept my interest throughout.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh what a beautiful heartbreaking story! The story of Eunha, Kai and solomon is absolutely one for the books. My poor Kai. The whole setting, backdrop were so on point. Locved the way it was written.
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