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Chronicles of the Yiugwai Hunters #1
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts: A brilliant new fantasy series from the no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author
"My name is not Kim, it's Kiamling. It means Sword Spirit. I was forged to cut down the undead. Demons and monsters aren't just in your storybooks, they walk among us."
The Au family serve the people of Hong blessing shrines, honouring the dead and dealing with dangerous monster incursions. The expectations on eldest daughter Kiamling are high, which is not something her strict grandmother will let her forget.
When the British disrupt the Hungry Ghosts festival and her grandmother is seized by a strange new monster, Kiamling must step up and lead the search. She is aided by unexpected Archie, an earnest civil servant, Hoi gor, childhood sweetheart turned merchant-pirate and Jingling, her younger sister keeping secrets of her own. Kiamling must figure out who is behind the incursion and more importantly, how to defeat them.
With British fables mingling with local Chinese monsters, can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Babel meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 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 No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Eliza Chan.
The Au family serve the people of Hong blessing shrines, honouring the dead and dealing with dangerous monster incursions. The expectations on eldest daughter Kiamling are high, which is not something her strict grandmother will let her forget.
When the British disrupt the Hungry Ghosts festival and her grandmother is seized by a strange new monster, Kiamling must step up and lead the search. She is aided by unexpected Archie, an earnest civil servant, Hoi gor, childhood sweetheart turned merchant-pirate and Jingling, her younger sister keeping secrets of her own. Kiamling must figure out who is behind the incursion and more importantly, how to defeat them.
With British fables mingling with local Chinese monsters, can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Babel meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer - 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 No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller Eliza Chan.
Audible Audio
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Eliza Chan
25 books396 followersEliza 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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 🤭
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 🤭
July 28, 2026
I received an ARC of Harbour of Hungry Ghosts in return for an honest review.
The beginning of a new historical fantasy series with the awesome premise that we follow a family of demon hunters… of course I was going to pick this up!
We are thrown into the political tensions of Opium War-era Hong Kong. Kiamling is struggling under the high expectations placed under her by her Grandmother, and the stakes on her decisions will increase tenfold.
Eliza Chan creates a cast of really solid, strong characters who feel dynamic. For me the strongest part of the characterisation was the interactions between characters. Each scene between Kiamling and Archie felt seamless and sharp.
The structure of this book is formed through many short chapters, which really injects life and urgency into a story that is in large part a mystery. This approach was great in creating that “just one more chapter” feeling that all readers love. It made it really easy to binge through Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. As I have not read any other Chan, I do not know if this is her usual approach, or something unique to Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. But, it certainly works here.
A strong start to a new historical fantasy series (we need more of this sub-genre!) that I’m looking forward to continuing when book 2 is available. Definitely feels fresh in setting and in premise, and it is carried out with intensity and clearly crafted characters.
4/5 STARS
The beginning of a new historical fantasy series with the awesome premise that we follow a family of demon hunters… of course I was going to pick this up!
We are thrown into the political tensions of Opium War-era Hong Kong. Kiamling is struggling under the high expectations placed under her by her Grandmother, and the stakes on her decisions will increase tenfold.
Eliza Chan creates a cast of really solid, strong characters who feel dynamic. For me the strongest part of the characterisation was the interactions between characters. Each scene between Kiamling and Archie felt seamless and sharp.
The structure of this book is formed through many short chapters, which really injects life and urgency into a story that is in large part a mystery. This approach was great in creating that “just one more chapter” feeling that all readers love. It made it really easy to binge through Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. As I have not read any other Chan, I do not know if this is her usual approach, or something unique to Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. But, it certainly works here.
A strong start to a new historical fantasy series (we need more of this sub-genre!) that I’m looking forward to continuing when book 2 is available. Definitely feels fresh in setting and in premise, and it is carried out with intensity and clearly crafted characters.
4/5 STARS
Want to Read
March 22, 2026i've been seeing more novels based on/in hong kong lately and it makes me so happy :)) the cover & premise also look amazing!!
June 16, 2026
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.
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.
August 17, 2026
Review originally on JamReads
The Drowned World duology was an absolute blast to read, so when Eliza Chan announced her new release, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts, was an absolute no-brain decision to pick it; and let me tell you that it delivered a lot, not only due to how smartly she blended together history and fantasy, getting the most from the historical Hong Kong setting, but also using the opportunity to examine how different cultures interact, the complexity of certain family relationships and all while delivering a fun and romp story about yiugwai hunters with many excellent action scenes.
Eliza Chan immediately throws us into the tensions of the Opium War-era Hong Kong, putting us in the shoes of Kiamling, a yiugwai hunter struggling under the expectations placed by her grandmother. However, after a group of British colonists interrupts a hungry ghost ritual, her grandmother disappears in the chaos that arises; Kiamling must step up and lead the search. But the creatures are changing, British myths are becoming part of the Chinese monsters; in that situation, Kiamling will need to try to solve all, acting on her own way, but just with the help of her younger sister Jinling, an old friend returned from Canton, and a bumbling English pupil, Archie, who will introduce her to many of the stories she will need to learn.
Kiamling is a deliciously complicated main character, whom Eliza Chan uses as a channel to explore many of the themes that are part of this novel. Her role in the family is a difficult one, as she's expected to carry the mantle of her grandmother, so the expectations are over the roof, but she's not too fond of tradition; at the same time, she wants to secure the best future possible for Jinling. Messy families are a common element in Chan's novels, and it's no different on this occasion.
She's trying to fill the gap left by her grandmother once she disappears, allowing her to better understand many of the apparently contradictory realities her grandmother was facing, reinforcing the bond of the family.
Even if she makes mistakes, you will find yourself cheering for her, hoping she will finally find the way and find the strength to fight, even if that means breaking her own heart (iykyk).
Using Opium War-era Hong Kong as the setting was the perfect choice, showing the confrontation between two different cultures that one could say represent opposite values in themes like progress and preservation. However, I think it was really smart to show those Chinese creatures becoming affected by British myths, a metaphor about how eventually colonization forces the native population to accept those foreign parts into themselves.
The pacing is excellent, and I loved how the action scenes are so reminiscent of martial arts movies with an extra touch of fantasy; I practically devoured the book (and finished with a broken heart).
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a superb novel, a perfect choice if you are looking for a historical inspired fantasy that, while it takes the opportunity to be serious and examine big themes, also decides to be funnier at moments (the comp of Buffy was really on point). I'm so curious to see where Eliza Chan will take us next!
The Drowned World duology was an absolute blast to read, so when Eliza Chan announced her new release, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts, was an absolute no-brain decision to pick it; and let me tell you that it delivered a lot, not only due to how smartly she blended together history and fantasy, getting the most from the historical Hong Kong setting, but also using the opportunity to examine how different cultures interact, the complexity of certain family relationships and all while delivering a fun and romp story about yiugwai hunters with many excellent action scenes.
Eliza Chan immediately throws us into the tensions of the Opium War-era Hong Kong, putting us in the shoes of Kiamling, a yiugwai hunter struggling under the expectations placed by her grandmother. However, after a group of British colonists interrupts a hungry ghost ritual, her grandmother disappears in the chaos that arises; Kiamling must step up and lead the search. But the creatures are changing, British myths are becoming part of the Chinese monsters; in that situation, Kiamling will need to try to solve all, acting on her own way, but just with the help of her younger sister Jinling, an old friend returned from Canton, and a bumbling English pupil, Archie, who will introduce her to many of the stories she will need to learn.
Kiamling is a deliciously complicated main character, whom Eliza Chan uses as a channel to explore many of the themes that are part of this novel. Her role in the family is a difficult one, as she's expected to carry the mantle of her grandmother, so the expectations are over the roof, but she's not too fond of tradition; at the same time, she wants to secure the best future possible for Jinling. Messy families are a common element in Chan's novels, and it's no different on this occasion.
She's trying to fill the gap left by her grandmother once she disappears, allowing her to better understand many of the apparently contradictory realities her grandmother was facing, reinforcing the bond of the family.
Even if she makes mistakes, you will find yourself cheering for her, hoping she will finally find the way and find the strength to fight, even if that means breaking her own heart (iykyk).
Using Opium War-era Hong Kong as the setting was the perfect choice, showing the confrontation between two different cultures that one could say represent opposite values in themes like progress and preservation. However, I think it was really smart to show those Chinese creatures becoming affected by British myths, a metaphor about how eventually colonization forces the native population to accept those foreign parts into themselves.
The pacing is excellent, and I loved how the action scenes are so reminiscent of martial arts movies with an extra touch of fantasy; I practically devoured the book (and finished with a broken heart).
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is a superb novel, a perfect choice if you are looking for a historical inspired fantasy that, while it takes the opportunity to be serious and examine big themes, also decides to be funnier at moments (the comp of Buffy was really on point). I'm so curious to see where Eliza Chan will take us next!
September 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! It's a historical fantasy set in mid-19th century Hong Kong under British colonial rule. I loved Kiamling, our protagonist and demon slayer. At the beginning she's very hot-headed and immature, and I think that will put some readers off, but I loved her feisty attitude and her slow character development into a full-fledged hunter. I was invested in her relationships, because they felt so complicated and real: her love-hate relationship with her grandmother who goes missing, her realization that her little sister is growing up and becoming her own person, and her super adorable romance with dorky Archie :')
But most of all I LOVED the worldbuilding in this book. The vibes, the atmosphere, how vivid and rich the setting was. This novel is a love letter to Hong Kong and its melting pot of cultures and peoples. The fact that creatures from English folklore started to creep into the land because of British occupation was a good metaphor for the history behind everything. I could imagine everything so clearly. The author lovingly took inspiration from Chinese mythology, martial arts films, wuxia, everything. It was so delightful to read Kiamling fight by controlling her qi or throwing out fu talismans or appeasing ghosts with offerings. I've read a LOT of Asian fantasy at this point but very few are as immersive in all aspects as this one. Harbour of Hungry Ghosts uses a lot of tropes and imagery that are common in East Asian media but somehow haven't made their way into Asian fantasy in English yet.
The mid-19th century setting also includes the British colonization of Hong Kong, and it shows that there isn't such a thing as benevolent colonialism. Even the kindest British authorities view the local Chinese as children to be educated or Westernized, as they actively look down upon their race and their culture. In the empire's eyes, Hong Kong is just another place to be bled dry for profit, just another pawn on the global war game's chess board.
There was a heartbreaking twist at the end but honestly, kudos to the author because it made sense given the message of the novel and that's what made me want to rate this 5 stars, even though it hurt me. Basically, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was SO MUCH FUN TO READ from beginning to end. It's been a while since I was this engrossed in a book. I can't believe that I've barely seen anyone talking about it!
But most of all I LOVED the worldbuilding in this book. The vibes, the atmosphere, how vivid and rich the setting was. This novel is a love letter to Hong Kong and its melting pot of cultures and peoples. The fact that creatures from English folklore started to creep into the land because of British occupation was a good metaphor for the history behind everything. I could imagine everything so clearly. The author lovingly took inspiration from Chinese mythology, martial arts films, wuxia, everything. It was so delightful to read Kiamling fight by controlling her qi or throwing out fu talismans or appeasing ghosts with offerings. I've read a LOT of Asian fantasy at this point but very few are as immersive in all aspects as this one. Harbour of Hungry Ghosts uses a lot of tropes and imagery that are common in East Asian media but somehow haven't made their way into Asian fantasy in English yet.
The mid-19th century setting also includes the British colonization of Hong Kong, and it shows that there isn't such a thing as benevolent colonialism. Even the kindest British authorities view the local Chinese as children to be educated or Westernized, as they actively look down upon their race and their culture. In the empire's eyes, Hong Kong is just another place to be bled dry for profit, just another pawn on the global war game's chess board.
There was a heartbreaking twist at the end but honestly, kudos to the author because it made sense given the message of the novel and that's what made me want to rate this 5 stars, even though it hurt me. Basically, Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was SO MUCH FUN TO READ from beginning to end. It's been a while since I was this engrossed in a book. I can't believe that I've barely seen anyone talking about it!
Did Not Finish
August 31, 2026DNF ~25%. I’m 0 for 2 when it comes to Eliza Chan’s books, and it might be time to admit she’s not an author I vibe with, despite her amazing premises.
Between Fathomfolk’s Nami and now Kiamling, it seems like Chan really likes to write unlikeable protagonists. But the thing is, it’s possible to write characters who are immature, impulsive, and prone to making bad decisions while still being sympathetic enough that the reader will root for them. I don’t think Chan is quite able to strike the balance when it comes to such characters. When it comes to Kiamling, her overconfidence, arrogance, and unwillingness to follow the rules are extremely off-putting considering she’s not portrayed as being very competent or even that selfless/well-intentioned, both qualities that could have balanced out her flaws. It’s difficult to root for her when she swings from “why doesn’t Por Por trust me, I’m totally ready to assume yiugwai-hunting duties independently” to, after being confronted with a costly mistake, “well I’m still learning, you can’t expect me to be perfect all the time.”
Not that Por Por is a sympathetic character, either. In a way, these characters feel like sketches rather than real people: Kiamling is the stock spunky rebel, and Por Por is the strict mentor, but there’s not enough context to understand why these characters act the way they do. Why does Por Por treat Kiamling as harshly as a stereotypical tiger (grand-)mom/cliché Asian (grand-)parent who shows no affection? Why do they get into screaming matches about literally every single thing?
The summary positions Por Por’s disappearance as the inciting incident for the plot, but the pacing actually slows down dramatically after Por Por’s disappearance because Kiamling has no leads and isn’t in a hurry to find Por Por, which is a baffling choice to me. I found my interest in the story diminishing further and further until I had no more drive to pick the book back up, and that’s a shame.
(Also: This is the first book I’ve read where I found the choice of similes extremely distracting. They took me out of the reading experience every time they appeared. May return to this later just to provide some examples.)
Between Fathomfolk’s Nami and now Kiamling, it seems like Chan really likes to write unlikeable protagonists. But the thing is, it’s possible to write characters who are immature, impulsive, and prone to making bad decisions while still being sympathetic enough that the reader will root for them. I don’t think Chan is quite able to strike the balance when it comes to such characters. When it comes to Kiamling, her overconfidence, arrogance, and unwillingness to follow the rules are extremely off-putting considering she’s not portrayed as being very competent or even that selfless/well-intentioned, both qualities that could have balanced out her flaws. It’s difficult to root for her when she swings from “why doesn’t Por Por trust me, I’m totally ready to assume yiugwai-hunting duties independently” to, after being confronted with a costly mistake, “well I’m still learning, you can’t expect me to be perfect all the time.”
Not that Por Por is a sympathetic character, either. In a way, these characters feel like sketches rather than real people: Kiamling is the stock spunky rebel, and Por Por is the strict mentor, but there’s not enough context to understand why these characters act the way they do. Why does Por Por treat Kiamling as harshly as a stereotypical tiger (grand-)mom/cliché Asian (grand-)parent who shows no affection? Why do they get into screaming matches about literally every single thing?
The summary positions Por Por’s disappearance as the inciting incident for the plot, but the pacing actually slows down dramatically after Por Por’s disappearance because Kiamling has no leads and isn’t in a hurry to find Por Por, which is a baffling choice to me. I found my interest in the story diminishing further and further until I had no more drive to pick the book back up, and that’s a shame.
(Also: This is the first book I’ve read where I found the choice of similes extremely distracting. They took me out of the reading experience every time they appeared. May return to this later just to provide some examples.)
August 20, 2026
1800s, in a Britain occupied-Hong Kong plagued by opium - when unfamiliar monsters start stalking the streets, Au Kiamling and other demon hunters are called to solve the issue while her Por Por (grandmother) goes missing.
The setting (Hong Kong and Canton) is easily one of my favorite parts - mystical creatures, demons and folklore populate the pages and I love bonding over the culture, customs and traditions. It's atmospheric and eerie that match the demon hunting narrative, with action-packed scenes that make for a dynamic read.
The short chapters feel addictive, which contrast with the descriptive writing that offers slower savor and might not work for everyone. The foreshadowing is quite satisfying with a sense of humor that invites a delightful experience. As an eldest daughter who constantly seeks validation, Kiamling may not be the most likable, yet alongside the cast of characters, fight their own ghosts and real monsters. This book focuses on the world building, echoing themes of colonialism, friendship and family and more about the introduction of characters and elements; hence, I expect a deeper character development in the next installment(s).
If you're looking for a supernatural fantasy that blends Hong Kong folklore with demon hunting and a dash of history, you'll have as much fun as I had with HARBOUR OF HUNGRY GHOSTS.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Orbit books . All opinions are my own ]
The setting (Hong Kong and Canton) is easily one of my favorite parts - mystical creatures, demons and folklore populate the pages and I love bonding over the culture, customs and traditions. It's atmospheric and eerie that match the demon hunting narrative, with action-packed scenes that make for a dynamic read.
The short chapters feel addictive, which contrast with the descriptive writing that offers slower savor and might not work for everyone. The foreshadowing is quite satisfying with a sense of humor that invites a delightful experience. As an eldest daughter who constantly seeks validation, Kiamling may not be the most likable, yet alongside the cast of characters, fight their own ghosts and real monsters. This book focuses on the world building, echoing themes of colonialism, friendship and family and more about the introduction of characters and elements; hence, I expect a deeper character development in the next installment(s).
If you're looking for a supernatural fantasy that blends Hong Kong folklore with demon hunting and a dash of history, you'll have as much fun as I had with HARBOUR OF HUNGRY GHOSTS.
[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - Orbit books . All opinions are my own ]
July 30, 2026
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: YA Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 28, 2026
👹 Demon Hunters
💞 Close Sisterhood
✨️ Rich Folklore
🧟♀️ Mythological Creatures
The premise was intriguing, and I really appreciated the extensive work the author put into incorporating so many cultural details and rich mythology. I especially loved the unique creatures and folklore woven throughout! Unfortunately, the rest of the story fell a bit flat for me.
While I appreciated the close sisterhood between Kiamling and Jingling, I found Kiamling wasn't a super engaging character to follow. Por Por is cold and callous, constantly telling Kiamling what she's doing wrong and never praising her, but we never find out why. Is it just the comparison game, or something more? On the plus side, I did really enjoy Kiamling and Archie's banter and Cantonese lessons!
I thought the demon hunting was well plotted, and the monsters (plus the methods used to defeat them) were really interesting! However, because the tools used in the fights were so similar every time, it felt a little repetitive and bogged down the pacing. I mostly kept reading just to find out what happened to Por Por!
While this one wasn't a top favorite for me, that doesn't mean it won't be someone else's next 5-star read!
Thank you so much Orbit Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy!
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: YA Fantasy
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: July 28, 2026
👹 Demon Hunters
💞 Close Sisterhood
✨️ Rich Folklore
🧟♀️ Mythological Creatures
The premise was intriguing, and I really appreciated the extensive work the author put into incorporating so many cultural details and rich mythology. I especially loved the unique creatures and folklore woven throughout! Unfortunately, the rest of the story fell a bit flat for me.
While I appreciated the close sisterhood between Kiamling and Jingling, I found Kiamling wasn't a super engaging character to follow. Por Por is cold and callous, constantly telling Kiamling what she's doing wrong and never praising her, but we never find out why. Is it just the comparison game, or something more? On the plus side, I did really enjoy Kiamling and Archie's banter and Cantonese lessons!
I thought the demon hunting was well plotted, and the monsters (plus the methods used to defeat them) were really interesting! However, because the tools used in the fights were so similar every time, it felt a little repetitive and bogged down the pacing. I mostly kept reading just to find out what happened to Por Por!
While this one wasn't a top favorite for me, that doesn't mean it won't be someone else's next 5-star read!
Thank you so much Orbit Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy!
July 24, 2026
I’m so grateful to have received a physical ARC of Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan, but unfortunately this one didn’t quite work for me. I came very close to DNFing it.
One of my biggest issues was the prose. It felt overly descriptive, which slowed the pacing and made it difficult for me to stay engaged. As the story progressed, I also found the plot increasingly confusing, and the major twist ended up being fairly predictable.
I also don’t think the comparisons to Babel and Jade City are particularly accurate. Going in with those expectations set me up for something quite different from what I actually got.
There were aspects I enjoyed, like the setting and Chan does a good job of bringing the world to life. The exploration of British colonialism is woven into the story in an interesting way, although I felt it was somewhat watered down and could have been explored with more depth. I also really enjoyed the interactions between Kiamling and Archie, which was the highlight of the book for me.
The book also read more like YA than adult fantasy, which wasn’t what I was expecting. I also would have liked much more development for the supporting cast, particularly Por Por. Her coldness and callousness towards Kiamling never felt fully explained, making her motivations difficult to understand.
One of my biggest issues was the prose. It felt overly descriptive, which slowed the pacing and made it difficult for me to stay engaged. As the story progressed, I also found the plot increasingly confusing, and the major twist ended up being fairly predictable.
I also don’t think the comparisons to Babel and Jade City are particularly accurate. Going in with those expectations set me up for something quite different from what I actually got.
There were aspects I enjoyed, like the setting and Chan does a good job of bringing the world to life. The exploration of British colonialism is woven into the story in an interesting way, although I felt it was somewhat watered down and could have been explored with more depth. I also really enjoyed the interactions between Kiamling and Archie, which was the highlight of the book for me.
The book also read more like YA than adult fantasy, which wasn’t what I was expecting. I also would have liked much more development for the supporting cast, particularly Por Por. Her coldness and callousness towards Kiamling never felt fully explained, making her motivations difficult to understand.
August 6, 2026
DNF at 28% - I had just come back from Hong Kong when I was approved for this arc, and I was so excited to delve into this story. The idea of creatures and monsters in colonial HK really caught my eye. Unfortunately, I was confused reading this and couldn’t figure out where we were, which character we were with, and ultimately what was happening. I do think this is a good book, but it’s just not for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group for the opportunity to read it.
August 29, 2026
Look, I love a book that represents my culture, especially when it touches on something as culturally specific and, frankly, terrifying as the Hungry Ghost Festival.
So when I heard about Harbour of Hungry Ghosts, I was immediately intrigued. Kiamling comes from a family of exorcists who have spent generations dealing with Chinese ghosts and supernatural creatures, from jiangshi to vengeful spirits. But when the British arrive and disrupt the Hungry Ghost Festival, Kiamling's grandmother, the matriarch of the family, is taken by a supernatural creature. Now she has to navigate a world of ghosts and monsters, find her grandmother, and deal with the growing threat of the British.
The premise alone is so creative, and I really have to applaud the author for attempting something I haven't seen much of before. There is so much Cantonese and Chinese folklore woven into the story, and there were moments where I genuinely thought, “This is the kind of stuff I grew up with.”
The use of Cantonese throughout the book was also something I really appreciated. It added another layer of authenticity and made the world feel much more immersive. You can tell the author has a genuine connection to the culture she's writing about, and I loved seeing elements of it represented on the page.
That said, I did struggle with the writing style. This might just be a me problem, but I often found myself having to reread certain passages to fully understand what was happening. It made the reading experience a little more challenging than I would have liked.
Things also became much more interesting around the halfway point, especially when the story started bringing Chinese and Western folklore together. One moment we're dealing with jiangshi and Chinese spirits, and the next we're talking about fae and other Western supernatural beings. The idea of bringing these two mythologies together is honestly fascinating. It's essentially a whole ecosystem of supernatural beings from different folklore traditions, and I kept wondering how on earth the author was going to make all these different worlds fit together.
Unfortunately, the characters didn't work quite as well for me. Some of the side characters in particular felt more like caricatures than fully realised people. I wanted more depth and personality from them, especially because the world itself was so imaginative.
So when I heard about Harbour of Hungry Ghosts, I was immediately intrigued. Kiamling comes from a family of exorcists who have spent generations dealing with Chinese ghosts and supernatural creatures, from jiangshi to vengeful spirits. But when the British arrive and disrupt the Hungry Ghost Festival, Kiamling's grandmother, the matriarch of the family, is taken by a supernatural creature. Now she has to navigate a world of ghosts and monsters, find her grandmother, and deal with the growing threat of the British.
The premise alone is so creative, and I really have to applaud the author for attempting something I haven't seen much of before. There is so much Cantonese and Chinese folklore woven into the story, and there were moments where I genuinely thought, “This is the kind of stuff I grew up with.”
The use of Cantonese throughout the book was also something I really appreciated. It added another layer of authenticity and made the world feel much more immersive. You can tell the author has a genuine connection to the culture she's writing about, and I loved seeing elements of it represented on the page.
That said, I did struggle with the writing style. This might just be a me problem, but I often found myself having to reread certain passages to fully understand what was happening. It made the reading experience a little more challenging than I would have liked.
Things also became much more interesting around the halfway point, especially when the story started bringing Chinese and Western folklore together. One moment we're dealing with jiangshi and Chinese spirits, and the next we're talking about fae and other Western supernatural beings. The idea of bringing these two mythologies together is honestly fascinating. It's essentially a whole ecosystem of supernatural beings from different folklore traditions, and I kept wondering how on earth the author was going to make all these different worlds fit together.
Unfortunately, the characters didn't work quite as well for me. Some of the side characters in particular felt more like caricatures than fully realised people. I wanted more depth and personality from them, especially because the world itself was so imaginative.
August 16, 2026
4.5⭐️
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts follows Kiamling, a demon hunter in Hong Kong, at the time of British colonisation. I would file this under historical fantasy, as some characters and events are inspired by history.
I loved the mix between Asian and occidental cultures and superstitions, and how legends and folklore could evolve when several people from different horizons live together.
The prose was beautiful, and there was a healthy dose of female rage mixed in, along with some Chinese words and expressions which really helped to get into the story.
The only little thing I might have to say is that the pacing was a bit slow at time, and action happened in quick, scattered bursts throughout. Other than that, a beautiful story, I was so happy to get to read it in advance!
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts follows Kiamling, a demon hunter in Hong Kong, at the time of British colonisation. I would file this under historical fantasy, as some characters and events are inspired by history.
I loved the mix between Asian and occidental cultures and superstitions, and how legends and folklore could evolve when several people from different horizons live together.
The prose was beautiful, and there was a healthy dose of female rage mixed in, along with some Chinese words and expressions which really helped to get into the story.
The only little thing I might have to say is that the pacing was a bit slow at time, and action happened in quick, scattered bursts throughout. Other than that, a beautiful story, I was so happy to get to read it in advance!
July 29, 2026
The Harbour of Hungry Ghosts was an absolutely magical and enthralling read. Imagine combining Chinese mythology and folk customs with European folklore and you get this amazing fantasy novel. This book has so many things I love; a hint of angsty romance that’s a bit of a love triangle (it’s NOT a romance, however), sisterly bonds, lush descriptions, lots of tea, and an FMC you love and root for. Kiamling was so different from other fantasy protagonists. Stubborn and totally unafraid, not caring who doesn’t like her, and giving as good as she gets. I can’t wait for the next book which takes the characters to London!
Thank you so much to Orbit for the arc!
Thank you so much to Orbit for the arc!
August 17, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
August 2, 2026
Au Kiamling is a ghost hunter in Hong Kong under British rule, when a creature abducts her grandmother (Por Pot) in a supernatural attack during the ghost festival. This is Kiamlings change to step up and prove herself handling the family business and bringing back Por Por. Yes, the Au family business is dealing with the undead and protecting the living. And no, things don't exactly go smoothly for her.
She starts tutoring British civil servant Archie and they strike up a friendship - his knowledge of British folklore proving surprisingly useful at times. Together with her sister and a childhood friend, they deal with various monster attacks while figuring out how to save Por Por, and uncover a number of secrets on the way.
I really struggle to rate this book. The concept is great, the setting is interesting, and the writing is pretty good. It's such a cool plot, but I just did not enjoy the main character. Kiamling is supposed to be an adult, but read to me as an especially unpleasant teenager, and with the story being written from her perspective, I struggled to care. I really liked all the prominent side characters, but with a fairly self involved narrator, never learned nearly as much about them as i would have liked to. The story is very action heavy, and there are a number of cool battles with various types of undead (shoutout to the stone lions). Without spoilers, the blending of Chinese folklore with imported British stories and the church of England was really cool and well done. I also really appreciated the depiction of Hong Kong under British colonial rule, although I found the depiction of the British presence and information on their political machinations pretty superficial. This made sense considering the POV though. Honestly, apart from finding the POV unpleasant, I really like the book - unfortunately, that one thing is a fairly key part of the reading experience.
All in all this is a good, action-packed monster slayer novel in a very interesting setting. As long as you don't mind a story being told from a somewhat unpleasant perspective, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. If relating to the main character is as important to you as it is to me, id give this one a skip. Unless you're an arrogant teenager, that is!
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group for sharing an ARC of this with me via Netgalley. As always, my opinions are my own.
She starts tutoring British civil servant Archie and they strike up a friendship - his knowledge of British folklore proving surprisingly useful at times. Together with her sister and a childhood friend, they deal with various monster attacks while figuring out how to save Por Por, and uncover a number of secrets on the way.
I really struggle to rate this book. The concept is great, the setting is interesting, and the writing is pretty good. It's such a cool plot, but I just did not enjoy the main character. Kiamling is supposed to be an adult, but read to me as an especially unpleasant teenager, and with the story being written from her perspective, I struggled to care. I really liked all the prominent side characters, but with a fairly self involved narrator, never learned nearly as much about them as i would have liked to. The story is very action heavy, and there are a number of cool battles with various types of undead (shoutout to the stone lions). Without spoilers, the blending of Chinese folklore with imported British stories and the church of England was really cool and well done. I also really appreciated the depiction of Hong Kong under British colonial rule, although I found the depiction of the British presence and information on their political machinations pretty superficial. This made sense considering the POV though. Honestly, apart from finding the POV unpleasant, I really like the book - unfortunately, that one thing is a fairly key part of the reading experience.
All in all this is a good, action-packed monster slayer novel in a very interesting setting. As long as you don't mind a story being told from a somewhat unpleasant perspective, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. If relating to the main character is as important to you as it is to me, id give this one a skip. Unless you're an arrogant teenager, that is!
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group for sharing an ARC of this with me via Netgalley. As always, my opinions are my own.
May 3, 2026
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.
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.
August 15, 2026
Kind of a mixed bag for me. I really liked the setting of 19th century Hong Kong under British occupation, as well as the whole concept of ghost hunting and the book’s critique of imperialism. Unfortunately, I found the characters pretty disappointing. The protagonist got on my nerves quite a bit, and the romance was criminally underdeveloped. I’m still not sure whether it was meant to be a love triangle or a tragic love story, but neither really worked. Overall, I wasn’t fully convinced by the book, but the epilogue hints at a change of setting in the sequel, which could be interesting. Maybe there’s still room for the series to find its footing and grow from here.
July 2, 2026
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.
July 28, 2026
The Harbour of the Hungry Ghosts follows Kiamling Au, a young yiugwai (demon) hunter who is suddenly forced to shoulder an impossible responsibility after her grandmother her mentor, and the matriarch of their family mysteriously vanishes during an attack at the Festival of Hungry Ghosts.
With her community depending on her, Kiamling soon discovers that British expansion hasn't just brought foreign rule it has also unleashed terrifying monsters and ghosts that don't bow to the traditional wards her people have relied on for generations.
The worldbuilding in this book absolutely blew me away. Eliza Chan effortlessly blends Cantonese mythology, british folklore, magical realism, and historical events into a world that feels incredibly immersive. Every page felt rich with atmosphere, history, and magic, and I found myself completely swept up in it.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was how thoughtfully it explores the effects of British colonialism in Asia. The historical commentary is woven so naturally into the narrative that it never feels preachy or overwhelming. Instead, it adds another fascinating layer to an already compelling fantasy, making the story feel both timely and deeply rooted in history.
The pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end. Between political intrigue, dangerous monster hunts, shocking betrayals, and twists I genuinely never saw coming, I was constantly telling myself, "Just one more chapter." Every time I thought I'd figured things out, Eliza Chan proved me completely wrong.
And Archie! I absolutely adored him. His relationship with Kiamling brought so much warmth and emotional depth to the story, and his character arc ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
At its heart, though, this story is about so much more than ghosts and monsters. It's about family, legacy, duty, grief, and the weight of expectations. The relationships between Kiamling, Jingling, and the rest of their family felt incredibly nuanced and authentic, especially in the way they reflected the complexities of many Asian family dynamics.
The Harbour of the Hungry Ghosts was exactly the kind of book I needed. Equal parts thrilling, atmospheric, emotional, and thought-provoking, it delivered everything I love in historical fantasy. If you're looking for a story filled with rich folklore, unforgettable characters, high-stakes action, and a setting that completely comes alive on the page, I can't recommend this one enough.
Thank you so much to @orbitbooks_uk and @ElizaChanwrites for the ARC! 🫶🏻
Happy publication day! 💖
With her community depending on her, Kiamling soon discovers that British expansion hasn't just brought foreign rule it has also unleashed terrifying monsters and ghosts that don't bow to the traditional wards her people have relied on for generations.
The worldbuilding in this book absolutely blew me away. Eliza Chan effortlessly blends Cantonese mythology, british folklore, magical realism, and historical events into a world that feels incredibly immersive. Every page felt rich with atmosphere, history, and magic, and I found myself completely swept up in it.
One of my favorite aspects of this novel was how thoughtfully it explores the effects of British colonialism in Asia. The historical commentary is woven so naturally into the narrative that it never feels preachy or overwhelming. Instead, it adds another fascinating layer to an already compelling fantasy, making the story feel both timely and deeply rooted in history.
The pacing kept me hooked from beginning to end. Between political intrigue, dangerous monster hunts, shocking betrayals, and twists I genuinely never saw coming, I was constantly telling myself, "Just one more chapter." Every time I thought I'd figured things out, Eliza Chan proved me completely wrong.
And Archie! I absolutely adored him. His relationship with Kiamling brought so much warmth and emotional depth to the story, and his character arc ended up being one of my favorite parts of the entire book.
At its heart, though, this story is about so much more than ghosts and monsters. It's about family, legacy, duty, grief, and the weight of expectations. The relationships between Kiamling, Jingling, and the rest of their family felt incredibly nuanced and authentic, especially in the way they reflected the complexities of many Asian family dynamics.
The Harbour of the Hungry Ghosts was exactly the kind of book I needed. Equal parts thrilling, atmospheric, emotional, and thought-provoking, it delivered everything I love in historical fantasy. If you're looking for a story filled with rich folklore, unforgettable characters, high-stakes action, and a setting that completely comes alive on the page, I can't recommend this one enough.
Thank you so much to @orbitbooks_uk and @ElizaChanwrites for the ARC! 🫶🏻
Happy publication day! 💖
July 29, 2026
Thank you to Eliza for a free ARC for winning the newsletter giveaway ❤️ no expectation of review or anything like that, my opinions are my own!
Representations: https://trello.com/c/VZvUYHOH
Absolutely perfect blend of English and Chinese folklore!
Loved the characters! Really good mix of them, and all different enough that at no point I had any issues mixing them up. The romance is quite a slow burn I felt, and it's not super strong in the foreground, but I quite like that. The end part of the romance though was very interesting, I just wish that'd been explored a little more as it felt a little abrupt! Certainly going to skim back through (I don't really re-read books) and have another read of certain scenes to see if it really was as abrupt as it seems at first though 👀
Kiamling was such an interesting protag. She is absolutely an asshole at points, but the kinda asshole you wanna shout at but you also can understand why they're doing what they're doing. Her character arc was really good to read, very well written.
Jingling just rocks, I love Jingling lmao. Every scene with her was great!
The plot was cool as hell, the blend of folklores and mythology was really well done. This book really showcases some aspects I've not even really seen in tradpub books before! Would have liked to have seen more about the mysteries in Canton though, it is mostly explained but idk I just felt like I was still missing a lot of that side of the story. It kinda felt like the Canton plotline fell through the cracks a little in the overall plot and just needed a bit more meat on its bones.
This book does have a dual PoV and it is handled pretty well imo, but is pretty confusing when it first happens. But after reading a page of the first POV swap I got it so it wasn't too bad. It does serve a pretty good purpose!
Of course, the British occupation of Hong Kong and colonisation is a big topic. It's interesting having Archie be a middle man essentially, a mouth piece of the crown without really fully understanding things, and having his world view slowly eroded over the course of the book just by being with Kiamling and seeing what Hong Kong truly is.
But yeah, highly recommend. Beautiful cover, great characters and just a well written adventure! I can't wait to read the sequel, while this book was pretty neatly wrapped up (you could probably actually read this standalone tbh), I do want to read more of these characters for sure!!
Representations: https://trello.com/c/VZvUYHOH
Absolutely perfect blend of English and Chinese folklore!
Loved the characters! Really good mix of them, and all different enough that at no point I had any issues mixing them up. The romance is quite a slow burn I felt, and it's not super strong in the foreground, but I quite like that. The end part of the romance though was very interesting, I just wish that'd been explored a little more as it felt a little abrupt! Certainly going to skim back through (I don't really re-read books) and have another read of certain scenes to see if it really was as abrupt as it seems at first though 👀
Kiamling was such an interesting protag. She is absolutely an asshole at points, but the kinda asshole you wanna shout at but you also can understand why they're doing what they're doing. Her character arc was really good to read, very well written.
Jingling just rocks, I love Jingling lmao. Every scene with her was great!
The plot was cool as hell, the blend of folklores and mythology was really well done. This book really showcases some aspects I've not even really seen in tradpub books before! Would have liked to have seen more about the mysteries in Canton though, it is mostly explained but idk I just felt like I was still missing a lot of that side of the story. It kinda felt like the Canton plotline fell through the cracks a little in the overall plot and just needed a bit more meat on its bones.
This book does have a dual PoV and it is handled pretty well imo, but is pretty confusing when it first happens. But after reading a page of the first POV swap I got it so it wasn't too bad. It does serve a pretty good purpose!
Of course, the British occupation of Hong Kong and colonisation is a big topic. It's interesting having Archie be a middle man essentially, a mouth piece of the crown without really fully understanding things, and having his world view slowly eroded over the course of the book just by being with Kiamling and seeing what Hong Kong truly is.
But yeah, highly recommend. Beautiful cover, great characters and just a well written adventure! I can't wait to read the sequel, while this book was pretty neatly wrapped up (you could probably actually read this standalone tbh), I do want to read more of these characters for sure!!
May 27, 2026
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!
“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!
August 2, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley.
3.5 ⭐️
Synopsis:
A family of demon hunters find their hands full when unfamiliar monsters start stalking the streets of Opium War-era Hong Kong. The Au family serve the people of Hong Kong as demon hunters and blessing shrines and honoring the dead.
However, when British colonists interrupt a hungry ghost ritual, and her grandmother disappears, Kiamling must step up and lead the search. But when British fables mingle with local Chinese monsters, how can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Review:
When I saw the title of this book I immediately had to pick it up. I grew up in Malaysia and being part Chinese we used to partake in the Hungry Ghost festival. I was so excited for it when @Eliza mentioned it at Fiction Fest back in April so I had been waiting impatiently!
I absolutely loved this book. Having a part of my culture on the main stage in a stand-out title like this filled me with great joy. Eliza expertly weaves Chinese mythology, folklore, Asian family dynamics, humour and vampire slaying and jams packs this into one novel? So much happens and I had to hang on tight to be along for the ride.
I loved the family dynamics between Kiamling and her grandmother and sister (and how real this felt sometimes). As the oldest daughter Kiamling shouldered the responsibly of looking after her family. I love that she starts off shaky but truly grows to become the badass vampire slayer she thinks she is (despite her popo’s criticisms!).
My only issue with this book was the pacing - the story seems to get lost in the middle a little and then the ending felt quite rushed. I understand things needed to be wrapped up before the second book but I could have been ironed out a little.
This was so fun considering the dark subject matter so one you should definitely be checking out!
You will love this if you love:
👻 hopping vampires of the unsexy rotting corpse variety
🐉 hungry ghosts
👻 set in 19th Century China and Hong Kong
🐉 Asian family politics
👻 eldest daughter set to unrealistic expectations has to do EVERYTHING
3.5 ⭐️
Synopsis:
A family of demon hunters find their hands full when unfamiliar monsters start stalking the streets of Opium War-era Hong Kong. The Au family serve the people of Hong Kong as demon hunters and blessing shrines and honoring the dead.
However, when British colonists interrupt a hungry ghost ritual, and her grandmother disappears, Kiamling must step up and lead the search. But when British fables mingle with local Chinese monsters, how can Kiamling prove herself, when the old rules no longer seem to apply?
Review:
When I saw the title of this book I immediately had to pick it up. I grew up in Malaysia and being part Chinese we used to partake in the Hungry Ghost festival. I was so excited for it when @Eliza mentioned it at Fiction Fest back in April so I had been waiting impatiently!
I absolutely loved this book. Having a part of my culture on the main stage in a stand-out title like this filled me with great joy. Eliza expertly weaves Chinese mythology, folklore, Asian family dynamics, humour and vampire slaying and jams packs this into one novel? So much happens and I had to hang on tight to be along for the ride.
I loved the family dynamics between Kiamling and her grandmother and sister (and how real this felt sometimes). As the oldest daughter Kiamling shouldered the responsibly of looking after her family. I love that she starts off shaky but truly grows to become the badass vampire slayer she thinks she is (despite her popo’s criticisms!).
My only issue with this book was the pacing - the story seems to get lost in the middle a little and then the ending felt quite rushed. I understand things needed to be wrapped up before the second book but I could have been ironed out a little.
This was so fun considering the dark subject matter so one you should definitely be checking out!
You will love this if you love:
👻 hopping vampires of the unsexy rotting corpse variety
🐉 hungry ghosts
👻 set in 19th Century China and Hong Kong
🐉 Asian family politics
👻 eldest daughter set to unrealistic expectations has to do EVERYTHING
July 19, 2026
This book had a lot of really poignant things to say about colonisation and the British occupation of Hong Kong and China, and I’d read it for that alone. Kiamling is also a wonderfully stubborn protagonist who I loved to see evolve. The last third was so action-packed and full of amazing imagery that I couldn’t put it down!
It’s a slow build up for sure but well worth sticking it out. It reads kind of YA despite the heavy themes but I didn’t feel like this was particularly a negative. I loved the writing style and the depths and motivations of the characters which made them very human. The combined mythology and how it translated to the demon fighting was a really cool and unique aspect, this book would make an amazing tv show honestly!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
It’s a slow build up for sure but well worth sticking it out. It reads kind of YA despite the heavy themes but I didn’t feel like this was particularly a negative. I loved the writing style and the depths and motivations of the characters which made them very human. The combined mythology and how it translated to the demon fighting was a really cool and unique aspect, this book would make an amazing tv show honestly!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC!
July 29, 2026
Yall im so conflicted. I don’t know how to rate this??
Okay as much as I complained about how slow and descriptive and directionless most of the story was, the pace definitely picked up past the 50% mark. I really enjoyed the chapters towards the end and I appreciated the metaphor of hungry ghosts being the goddamn white people like them being gwai lou. I genuinely appreciated this commentary on the British Empire’s conquest of China and their disgusting greed. But then there were parts that could have had better execution ykwim. Tbh it was just a pacing issue that was affected by the overwhelmingly descriptive nature of the prose. Don’t get me wrong, the descriptions really helped build the world and give it so much depth but STILL, it was a little much 😭😭😭
3.5? 3.75??? 4???? I DONT KNOW!!!!
Okay as much as I complained about how slow and descriptive and directionless most of the story was, the pace definitely picked up past the 50% mark. I really enjoyed the chapters towards the end and I appreciated the metaphor of hungry ghosts being the goddamn white people like them being gwai lou. I genuinely appreciated this commentary on the British Empire’s conquest of China and their disgusting greed. But then there were parts that could have had better execution ykwim. Tbh it was just a pacing issue that was affected by the overwhelmingly descriptive nature of the prose. Don’t get me wrong, the descriptions really helped build the world and give it so much depth but STILL, it was a little much 😭😭😭
3.5? 3.75??? 4???? I DONT KNOW!!!!
July 31, 2026
3.75 stars.
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is an exciting historical fantasy read set against a tumultuous political climate, and a meeting of old world and modernisation at the hands of colonisers. Overall I really enjoyed it, found it pretty entertaining and easy to read, and absolutely loved the cast of characters. I felt like I would have loved more of a commentary on colonialism and British rule, and perhaps a little more of the demon hunting we were promised, but I still found this a great read and can tell how much the author has improved and honed their craft since their debut. While the little romance subplot wasn't necessary in my eyes, the real strength is in the relationship between the sisters, which was an important thread throughout. I also loved the combining of British and Chinese folklore, which really felt unique!
Thank you very much to Orbit UK for a proof of this book!
Harbour of Hungry Ghosts is an exciting historical fantasy read set against a tumultuous political climate, and a meeting of old world and modernisation at the hands of colonisers. Overall I really enjoyed it, found it pretty entertaining and easy to read, and absolutely loved the cast of characters. I felt like I would have loved more of a commentary on colonialism and British rule, and perhaps a little more of the demon hunting we were promised, but I still found this a great read and can tell how much the author has improved and honed their craft since their debut. While the little romance subplot wasn't necessary in my eyes, the real strength is in the relationship between the sisters, which was an important thread throughout. I also loved the combining of British and Chinese folklore, which really felt unique!
Thank you very much to Orbit UK for a proof of this book!
September 5, 2026
I went into Harbour of Hungry Ghosts super excited, fully expecting an action packed story filled with demon hunting but yeah, that’s not really what we got. Since it’s the first book in a series, I get that it’s probably taking its time to set the stage and build up to the good stuff, but the slow pace made it pretty hard to stay invested.
There were definitely a few things I liked. The best part for me was how rich it was in culture and mythology. As someone who loves reading stories rooted in local folklore, I really appreciated all the vibrant cultural details. I also loved the sisterhood between Kiamling and her sister, Jingling. Their relationship felt really warm and genuine.
Unfortunately, everything else just felt flat. Outside of the culture, the world building, and the sister dynamic, the rest of the characters and plot just didn't hold my interest.
If you’re looking for a culture heavy, atmospheric slow burn with sweet family dynamics, you might still enjoy it. But if you’re picking this up hoping for some fast paced supernatural action and demon hunting, you might want to lower your expectations a bit.
There were definitely a few things I liked. The best part for me was how rich it was in culture and mythology. As someone who loves reading stories rooted in local folklore, I really appreciated all the vibrant cultural details. I also loved the sisterhood between Kiamling and her sister, Jingling. Their relationship felt really warm and genuine.
Unfortunately, everything else just felt flat. Outside of the culture, the world building, and the sister dynamic, the rest of the characters and plot just didn't hold my interest.
If you’re looking for a culture heavy, atmospheric slow burn with sweet family dynamics, you might still enjoy it. But if you’re picking this up hoping for some fast paced supernatural action and demon hunting, you might want to lower your expectations a bit.
June 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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!!
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!!
Did Not Finish
July 26, 2026Thank you Netgalley and Orbit Books for the ARC opportunity! I hate to DNF a book, but life honestly is too short to agonize over decisions like that rather than accept that sometimes a book isn't for me. I was excited to see what this book held due to the premise, but I found the pacing too slow and it did not keep me intrigued enough to continue, so I'm going to put this one on my DNF shelf. I hope this will be the only one there for quite a while. I might be inclined to pick it up again when I feel like I can sit with a slower-paced book, but that is not the case right now :(
August 30, 2026
What a privilege to be able to read a story set during Hungry Ghost month, featuring a hilariously uncouth but uptight Cantonese-speaking eldest daughter. 12-year-old me would never believe me if I time traveled just to tell her that one day, she'll be able to she herself, her family, her culture, and even her eventual struggle with diaspora in her favourite fiction.
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