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Hong Kong Nights #1
A Matter of Duty
Noah Potter has come to Hong Kong to find his missing sister, Lianne, who disappeared after leaving him a voice mail pleading for his help. Unfortunately the Hong Kong police are unwilling to help him, so Noah has to find her himself.
Noah’s search for his sister brings him across Wei Tseng, leader of the Dragons, a group of dedicated men and women willing to do whatever it takes to keep their district safe from the violence and triads that plague the rest of the city’s underworld. Wei is a man of violence but also one of incredible compassion, and his history is one that resonates with Noah, igniting a passion neither man expects.
Together they search for Lianne, a search that will lead right into a conflict with the Dragons’ greatest rivals in the city.
Noah’s search for his sister brings him across Wei Tseng, leader of the Dragons, a group of dedicated men and women willing to do whatever it takes to keep their district safe from the violence and triads that plague the rest of the city’s underworld. Wei is a man of violence but also one of incredible compassion, and his history is one that resonates with Noah, igniting a passion neither man expects.
Together they search for Lianne, a search that will lead right into a conflict with the Dragons’ greatest rivals in the city.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 17, 2018
4 Stars!
This was a very well written entertaining read. I was intrigued by the setting and the story. I couldn't fathom leaving home to go to another country on my own to look for my missing sibling. But that is exactly what Noah does. His older sister is missing in Hong Kong and all he has is a message that he received from her asking for his help. He has no idea how to go about finding his sister but figures going to the police and asking for their help is the obvious next move. Unfortunately they are offering no help at all. They don't believe his sister is really missing. While going over his story he is interrupted by a very angry attractive man demanding answers of his own.
Wei Tseng is the leader of the gang, The Dragons. The Dragons aren't your stereotypical gang. They protect their turf by keeping the people safe from drugs and crime. They're the robin hood of gangs. They only turn to violence when others evade their territory and mean to do harm to their people. That is exactly what is happening now. Young girls from his hood are disappearing only to be found later dead by overdose with no record of ever doing drugs. So far four girls have turned up dead all dying of the same circumstances. Wei knows that this isn't any coincidence and that the police can't keep dismissing them as closed OD cases. So he charges in to demand that they do their job.
This is where both MC's meet. Wei is pacing out front of the precinct having a smoke when he spots Noah coming out of the door looking defeated. He offer's his apologies for his behavior and a ride to wherever Noah needs to go. But Noah declines because being close to this man has him feeling things that has him blushing bright red. He's not here for that. He needs to find his sister and can't be distracted.
Both men come to same conclusion that a club that Wei's missing girls and Noah's sister both occupied most nights holds the answers to what happened to them. That's where they meet again, both looking for answers. The attraction is there and the pull is strong but it takes a backseat to their goal of finding Wei's missing girls and Noah's sister.
The romance side is a slow burn and isn't the main focus of the story and I wish there was more of it. It was the only thing I found lacking in the story.
The cast of characters of this book are great and I can't wait to read some of their stories. Especially Winston and Steels. I look forward to Conroy's as well. I loved him.
This was a great start to what will no doubt be a great series.
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I RECIEVED AN ARC FROM NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.**
This was a very well written entertaining read. I was intrigued by the setting and the story. I couldn't fathom leaving home to go to another country on my own to look for my missing sibling. But that is exactly what Noah does. His older sister is missing in Hong Kong and all he has is a message that he received from her asking for his help. He has no idea how to go about finding his sister but figures going to the police and asking for their help is the obvious next move. Unfortunately they are offering no help at all. They don't believe his sister is really missing. While going over his story he is interrupted by a very angry attractive man demanding answers of his own.
Wei Tseng is the leader of the gang, The Dragons. The Dragons aren't your stereotypical gang. They protect their turf by keeping the people safe from drugs and crime. They're the robin hood of gangs. They only turn to violence when others evade their territory and mean to do harm to their people. That is exactly what is happening now. Young girls from his hood are disappearing only to be found later dead by overdose with no record of ever doing drugs. So far four girls have turned up dead all dying of the same circumstances. Wei knows that this isn't any coincidence and that the police can't keep dismissing them as closed OD cases. So he charges in to demand that they do their job.
This is where both MC's meet. Wei is pacing out front of the precinct having a smoke when he spots Noah coming out of the door looking defeated. He offer's his apologies for his behavior and a ride to wherever Noah needs to go. But Noah declines because being close to this man has him feeling things that has him blushing bright red. He's not here for that. He needs to find his sister and can't be distracted.
Both men come to same conclusion that a club that Wei's missing girls and Noah's sister both occupied most nights holds the answers to what happened to them. That's where they meet again, both looking for answers. The attraction is there and the pull is strong but it takes a backseat to their goal of finding Wei's missing girls and Noah's sister.
The romance side is a slow burn and isn't the main focus of the story and I wish there was more of it. It was the only thing I found lacking in the story.
The cast of characters of this book are great and I can't wait to read some of their stories. Especially Winston and Steels. I look forward to Conroy's as well. I loved him.
This was a great start to what will no doubt be a great series.
Happy reading dolls! xx
**I RECIEVED AN ARC FROM NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.**
April 4, 2017
Oohh.....I liked this one a lot! A new author and/series for me.
I really enjoyed this fast paced and entertaining story. I was hooked right from the prologue and the pace of the story didn't slow down until the end. I couldn't read fast enough to see what was going to happen next. I liked Noah right off the bat and I really felt for him as he struggles to find his sister in a country he's never been to before. And, Wei.....what a perfect anti-hero he was.
The mystery part of the story was really good but I especially loved the romance aspect of it. The chemistry between the two men is immediate and it jumps off the pages at the reader. I felt like the author did an excellent job of balancing the mystery and the action scenes with the romance and the relationship development.
There are a host of side characters and they all added to the plot. There is a subtle set up of the next book and the couple that will star in it. The world building was also well done and it set the atmosphere of Hong Kong in a way that let me picture I was there.
This was a new author for me and I'm always really excited when I find a new author and/or a new series to read. I'm going to have to go back and read his back catalogue.
I had no complaints about this book and really can't fan girl it enough. It was really well done and it is a definite recommend from me.
I really enjoyed this fast paced and entertaining story. I was hooked right from the prologue and the pace of the story didn't slow down until the end. I couldn't read fast enough to see what was going to happen next. I liked Noah right off the bat and I really felt for him as he struggles to find his sister in a country he's never been to before. And, Wei.....what a perfect anti-hero he was.
The mystery part of the story was really good but I especially loved the romance aspect of it. The chemistry between the two men is immediate and it jumps off the pages at the reader. I felt like the author did an excellent job of balancing the mystery and the action scenes with the romance and the relationship development.
There are a host of side characters and they all added to the plot. There is a subtle set up of the next book and the couple that will star in it. The world building was also well done and it set the atmosphere of Hong Kong in a way that let me picture I was there.
This was a new author for me and I'm always really excited when I find a new author and/or a new series to read. I'm going to have to go back and read his back catalogue.
I had no complaints about this book and really can't fan girl it enough. It was really well done and it is a definite recommend from me.
maybe-not
January 4, 2019Was interested in reading this one, but, for some reason, this author blocked me on social media... we've never interacted... *shrugs*
April 28, 2017
With out much of a plan, Noah Potter goes to Hong Kong to find his missing sister. Little does he know that his path is on a direct collision coarse with a gang called the Dragons. The Dragons rule the east side, and are known to be bad asses. What Noah finds is a complex system of gang rule, corrupt police, and vengeful rivalries.
To say I liked this book is an understatement. It was well written, with complex characters involved in a thrilling plot line. Having an affinity for all things Asian, it left me wanting more, much more.
To say I liked this book is an understatement. It was well written, with complex characters involved in a thrilling plot line. Having an affinity for all things Asian, it left me wanting more, much more.
March 17, 2017
Review can be read at It's About The Book
4.5 stars
This book has an amazing prologue. I was hooked from the first page. It certainly sets the tone for how intense and dark the book is going to be. I don’t think it was quite as gritty as it could have been. The playful brotherhood of the gang keeps things from getting too heavy. Their bond is well developed through the writing and promises more stories to come. Both from the larger plot and from some of the Dragons falling in love. The next couple is set up well and the plot thickens so to speak as far as the struggle for power on the streets of Hong Kong. The fight to keep their people safe in this book is just the beginning.
A Matter of Duty takes us to Hong Kong where gangs rule different parts of the city. Not all gangs run things the same way. This book revolves around the Dragons. A group of men who took back their neighborhood by force years before. They fought a brutal war in the streets to save their people from the gang who held them all hostage growing up. So they’re good guys that have done some bad things. Things they had to do. I personally love characters that straddle the line between good and bad. Their leader Wei takes his duty very seriously. He knows that someone is always waiting for a chance to take him out and take the Dragons down. When an American named Noah shows up flashing a picture of his missing sister around Wei takes notice. Noah’s sister left him a desperate message. She’s in real trouble this time and begs her brother to help her. Noah travels to Hong Kong all by himself looking for clues to her disappearance. The cops are no help. Wei thinks Noah’s sister may have met the same fate as some of his neighborhood girls. Bringing Noah into the life of the Dragons.
I really liked this book. There’s a camaraderie between the dragons. One that says you fight for what is right. I really appreciated how when pushed these guys will do what’s necessary. They don’t want to kill or hurt people but they have to maintain their reputation. It also helps that you REALLY hate the bad guys. The only real issue I had with this book is the guys get to the declarations of love pretty quickly. To be fair they go through a lot in the small amount of time they know each other. They have an intense case of insta lust too but that was super sexy. They try to resist it building up the tension. Wei throws out innuendo flustering Noah. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes so falling for each other seems like a bad idea but Noah and Wei can’t seem to help it. The murder mystery was very good. Brutal and hard to read at times but it definitely sets the tone for how volatile the streets of Hong Kong can be in this book. There’s a constant power struggle between the gangs. This is going to be an ongoing story arc that I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Things are going to get worse before they get better. I also appreciate how the author lends an authenticity to the city and characters that doesn’t come off as gimmicky. Sounds like each book is going to feature a new couple but you’ll need to read these in order. This is an addicting and memorable first book to a promising new series. I highly recommend!
4.5 stars
This book has an amazing prologue. I was hooked from the first page. It certainly sets the tone for how intense and dark the book is going to be. I don’t think it was quite as gritty as it could have been. The playful brotherhood of the gang keeps things from getting too heavy. Their bond is well developed through the writing and promises more stories to come. Both from the larger plot and from some of the Dragons falling in love. The next couple is set up well and the plot thickens so to speak as far as the struggle for power on the streets of Hong Kong. The fight to keep their people safe in this book is just the beginning.
A Matter of Duty takes us to Hong Kong where gangs rule different parts of the city. Not all gangs run things the same way. This book revolves around the Dragons. A group of men who took back their neighborhood by force years before. They fought a brutal war in the streets to save their people from the gang who held them all hostage growing up. So they’re good guys that have done some bad things. Things they had to do. I personally love characters that straddle the line between good and bad. Their leader Wei takes his duty very seriously. He knows that someone is always waiting for a chance to take him out and take the Dragons down. When an American named Noah shows up flashing a picture of his missing sister around Wei takes notice. Noah’s sister left him a desperate message. She’s in real trouble this time and begs her brother to help her. Noah travels to Hong Kong all by himself looking for clues to her disappearance. The cops are no help. Wei thinks Noah’s sister may have met the same fate as some of his neighborhood girls. Bringing Noah into the life of the Dragons.
I really liked this book. There’s a camaraderie between the dragons. One that says you fight for what is right. I really appreciated how when pushed these guys will do what’s necessary. They don’t want to kill or hurt people but they have to maintain their reputation. It also helps that you REALLY hate the bad guys. The only real issue I had with this book is the guys get to the declarations of love pretty quickly. To be fair they go through a lot in the small amount of time they know each other. They have an intense case of insta lust too but that was super sexy. They try to resist it building up the tension. Wei throws out innuendo flustering Noah. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes so falling for each other seems like a bad idea but Noah and Wei can’t seem to help it. The murder mystery was very good. Brutal and hard to read at times but it definitely sets the tone for how volatile the streets of Hong Kong can be in this book. There’s a constant power struggle between the gangs. This is going to be an ongoing story arc that I can’t wait to see how it plays out. Things are going to get worse before they get better. I also appreciate how the author lends an authenticity to the city and characters that doesn’t come off as gimmicky. Sounds like each book is going to feature a new couple but you’ll need to read these in order. This is an addicting and memorable first book to a promising new series. I highly recommend!
August 30, 2017
Noah finds himself constantly questioning whether he is making the right choices. Abroad, in an unfamiliar land he must rely on his intuition and chose carefully about who to rely on in his hunt for his sister.
I was surprised at how quickly I was drawn into the story. I particularly liked the depiction of Hong Kong.
Having received a frantic message from his sister Lianne, American Noah Potter decides to travel to Hong Kong and search for her there in an attempt to retrace her last known steps.
Noah's guilt at taking some time out to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hong Kong whilst he searches for his sister also provides food for thought along with some welcome vignettes of day to day experience in Hong Kong.
His struggle to understand, and to assimilate some of the culture and language, adds to the sense of unfamiliar and foreboding.
Early on, Noah contacts the police but finds them less than anxious to look for his sister, leaving him with the distinct impression that if he wants to find Lianne it will be through his own endeavour.
Equally frustrated with apparent police apathy and condescension is Wei Tseng, the leader of vigilante gang the Dragons. Dedicated to cleaning up their streets and the neighbourhood where Lianne disappeared, Wei and the Dragons are concerned that a number of local girls are missing and subsequently found dead in their area. The authorities seem content with a death by overdose explanation.
What intrigues me most about 'A Matter of Duty' is the ambiguity between right and wrong and corruption and honour. These underlying principles interweave with integrity, justice and human worth. The choices people make that can be the difference between life and death, disgrace, respect or disdain.
Unsurprisingly, Noah and Wei's paths cross as they search for the catalyst behind the disappearances.
This could have been a dark and tragic story, but it is saved by the comradery and humour of members of the street gang the Dragons, and the growing attraction between protagonists Noah and Wei.
I find the story immersive and really interesting especially the different cultural experiences and perspectives of the protagonists. The interplay between the secondary characters is affecting and the dialogue seems realistic interspersing Cantonese with English (the glossary is at the back of the book).
Altogether,this is an enjoyable and fast paced read, I look forward with some anticipation to reading the next book in the Hong Kong Nights series 'A Matter of Courage'.
** My thanks to the author and the Male/Male Romance group's Don't Buy My Love event who provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. **
I was surprised at how quickly I was drawn into the story. I particularly liked the depiction of Hong Kong.
Having received a frantic message from his sister Lianne, American Noah Potter decides to travel to Hong Kong and search for her there in an attempt to retrace her last known steps.
Noah's guilt at taking some time out to enjoy the sights and sounds of Hong Kong whilst he searches for his sister also provides food for thought along with some welcome vignettes of day to day experience in Hong Kong.
His struggle to understand, and to assimilate some of the culture and language, adds to the sense of unfamiliar and foreboding.
Early on, Noah contacts the police but finds them less than anxious to look for his sister, leaving him with the distinct impression that if he wants to find Lianne it will be through his own endeavour.
Equally frustrated with apparent police apathy and condescension is Wei Tseng, the leader of vigilante gang the Dragons. Dedicated to cleaning up their streets and the neighbourhood where Lianne disappeared, Wei and the Dragons are concerned that a number of local girls are missing and subsequently found dead in their area. The authorities seem content with a death by overdose explanation.
What intrigues me most about 'A Matter of Duty' is the ambiguity between right and wrong and corruption and honour. These underlying principles interweave with integrity, justice and human worth. The choices people make that can be the difference between life and death, disgrace, respect or disdain.
Unsurprisingly, Noah and Wei's paths cross as they search for the catalyst behind the disappearances.
This could have been a dark and tragic story, but it is saved by the comradery and humour of members of the street gang the Dragons, and the growing attraction between protagonists Noah and Wei.
I find the story immersive and really interesting especially the different cultural experiences and perspectives of the protagonists. The interplay between the secondary characters is affecting and the dialogue seems realistic interspersing Cantonese with English (the glossary is at the back of the book).
Altogether,this is an enjoyable and fast paced read, I look forward with some anticipation to reading the next book in the Hong Kong Nights series 'A Matter of Courage'.
** My thanks to the author and the Male/Male Romance group's Don't Buy My Love event who provided a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review. **
May 4, 2020
A very generous 3 Stars.
Okay, here's the thing: Gangs are first and foremost a business. Some run guns, others deal drugs, and a few are involved in sex-trafficking. So, that's what the rival gangs in this story were up to. Either I missed it or it was never explained exactly how the Dragons made their money, and they seemed to operate as some sort of Benevolent Society organization by protecting the Eastern district of Hong Kong...but how did they fund this operation? I kept waiting to see if some of the businesses or neighborhoods paid some sort of protection money, even voluntarily, but nope. I couldn't get passed that since I didn't notice actual jobs either. Sure, there was an honor thing amongst them, and there was some prestige to being a Dragon...but was that all? Again, maybe I missed it.
Also, I know that Hong Kong has a lot of Westerners living and working there, but it seemed like EVERYONE except for Wei had an American/British first name...and that just didn't seem realistic. (Enlighten me, please, if this is an actual thing.) I appreciated that there was little Cantonese because unless a writer is proficient, it's kinda cringy...but again, everyone seemed to speak English almost all the time. (I listened to this one so maybe there was some sort of stylistic notation in the text version, like italics or brackets like in Hailey Turner's books when Sergei is speaking Russian, to inform the reader when the characters were NOT speaking English? IDK.)
Was not fond of the narration at all, either. Lots of repeated, corrected passages where the first attempt wasn't edited out of the file, and several mispronunciations. Had there been more Chinese phrases and names, I'd say it really should have been performed by Greg Tremblay...
Argh, the more I think about it, the more I wanna lower the rating to 2.5 stars!
Okay, here's the thing: Gangs are first and foremost a business. Some run guns, others deal drugs, and a few are involved in sex-trafficking. So, that's what the rival gangs in this story were up to. Either I missed it or it was never explained exactly how the Dragons made their money, and they seemed to operate as some sort of Benevolent Society organization by protecting the Eastern district of Hong Kong...but how did they fund this operation? I kept waiting to see if some of the businesses or neighborhoods paid some sort of protection money, even voluntarily, but nope. I couldn't get passed that since I didn't notice actual jobs either. Sure, there was an honor thing amongst them, and there was some prestige to being a Dragon...but was that all? Again, maybe I missed it.
Also, I know that Hong Kong has a lot of Westerners living and working there, but it seemed like EVERYONE except for Wei had an American/British first name...and that just didn't seem realistic. (Enlighten me, please, if this is an actual thing.) I appreciated that there was little Cantonese because unless a writer is proficient, it's kinda cringy...but again, everyone seemed to speak English almost all the time. (I listened to this one so maybe there was some sort of stylistic notation in the text version, like italics or brackets like in Hailey Turner's books when Sergei is speaking Russian, to inform the reader when the characters were NOT speaking English? IDK.)
Was not fond of the narration at all, either. Lots of repeated, corrected passages where the first attempt wasn't edited out of the file, and several mispronunciations. Had there been more Chinese phrases and names, I'd say it really should have been performed by Greg Tremblay...
Argh, the more I think about it, the more I wanna lower the rating to 2.5 stars!
February 6, 2017
A really interesting adventure and first in a series. I look forward to seeing where it goes :)
August 1, 2017
A Matter of Duty
(2,75 stars)
This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review contains spoilers!
Again a tough one to rate because I’m kind of two minds.
One the one hand I really liked the plot and the story and wanted to read more of it when the story finally got some kind of speed and drove me into it. But on the other hand there were those first chapters when it was really hard for me not to put the book away and the abrupt ending which really left me kind of unsatisfied. I’d had wished it to be more emotional.
Actually the book started really great and thrilling. But then there was this switch and everything went on so slowly… Which is not a bad thing per se. But the way the story is told and how the characters describe their feelings didn’t get me at all. The thing is, both men are actually torn between the fight they have to struggle and fall in love at exactly this unfitting time. And I mean they do state that but it didn’t get or convince me at all. This story isn’t just a romance where two men get to know each other and fall in love, it’s also about a series of rapes, a war between two Chinese gangs and two Americans getting in the middle of this. This sounds like a lot of action and emotional struggles. And I actually hoped getting that when I started reading the book. Don’t get me wrong I’m not the kind of person who is so into the action thing but when I read the plot of a book I have certain ideas where it’ll lead me and well, this one led me to crime scenes but to me they appeared as some kind of side stuff although they were the main topic of the story… I know that sounds confusing but let me explain…
The story starts with this injured girl being in real huge trouble calling her brother for help. But the thing is the girl is in Hong Kong and the brother home in the US. So when he finally arrives in Hong Kong three weeks have passed. And that’s the first point that kind of irritated me. Okay Noah, the brother, states that he didn’t listen to the voicemail message his sister left until one week later because he was angry with her. But when he finally did he immediately felt that she was in real trouble so what the sh… takes him another two weeks following her without even having a plan?
Okay I tried not to question this. So when Noah finally arrives in Hong Kong he decides asking the police for help. That’s where he gets to know Wei and feels immediately attracted to him. And then the whole love story starts… Well kind of… Because now this emotional part starts with the two men falling in love and explaining to each other why they can’t give in to their feelings which didn’t convince me at all. I don’t know why but the emotions didn’t jump onto me.
When I was at about 70% of the story I was still on the second day of the plot and Wei tells himself for the third time that he wouldn’t kiss Noah in his fragile state and Noah does quite the same except that he talks about his bad conscience thinking about sex and feeling attracted to a guy when his sister is still missing and in danger. And I mean I totally get those feelings but I didn’t feel them when they were told in that book.
I can’t even tell the exact things that disturbed me. Maybe it were those many long descriptions of the different places the characters were which really took a lot of speed from the action. Or maybe it were all the statements of the gang-members about Wei wanting Noah and having sex with him and Noah still didn’t believe it without really explaining his doubts. Maybe it was the fact that I had already read 70% of the book, was still on the second day and nothing really flashing had happened so far, except some talking and a burglary. Or maybe it was all of this that didn’t tear me into the story. But that changed when I reached that 70%. Suddenly the story gained momentum.
It comes to a fight and eventually the two guys confess their love to each other. I liked those 30% pretty much although the author once mixed the names of the two main characters which got me a little confused but wasn’t really disturbing.
One thing I really didn’t quite get through the whole story was how Noah could understand so much of the different conversations which weren’t exactly addressed to him. Maybe I should first explain that the story is told from different point of views but always in the third person. So the narrator is not an omniscient one, he is just telling the thoughts of one person per chapter. Although you or better I sometimes got the feeling that he has a hard time doing so because he sometimes describes thoughts of a person that can’t be known by the character who is in the spotlight at that moment. It’s really hard to retrace why Noah understands most of the things people talk when he is around. I mean I totally get that his friends would talk in English to him or even to each other whenever he is around but seriously two Asian gang-bosses wouldn’t fight in English just that he could follow their discussions, would they?
To summarise my opinion, all in all the idea for this story is a quite good one. But for my taste it’s developing far too slowly. And I don’t know why but I didn’t get the feelings and suffering from the two main characters which really made me kind of annoyed at the beginning. Then there was a short part when I really got attached to the two men and I thought they finally have touched me and I totally get them but then at the end there is Noah’s statement that he was somehow relieved that his sister has already been dead when he arrived at Hong Kong. He’d have tortured himself forever if she had been still alive when he came to Hong Kong and he couldn’t have saved her then. But seriously??? Why not still having this bad conscience about taking three weeks to finally come to Hong Kong???
And then there is this ending. The two men totally lost me there again because it came far too quick and there was a real lack of emotions for my taste.
But besides all these points the plot was quite interesting and I think I’ll read the next book of this series not least because I liked the two-side character Winston and Steel and the unspoken thing that goes on between them.
(2,75 stars)
This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This review contains spoilers!
Again a tough one to rate because I’m kind of two minds.
One the one hand I really liked the plot and the story and wanted to read more of it when the story finally got some kind of speed and drove me into it. But on the other hand there were those first chapters when it was really hard for me not to put the book away and the abrupt ending which really left me kind of unsatisfied. I’d had wished it to be more emotional.
Actually the book started really great and thrilling. But then there was this switch and everything went on so slowly… Which is not a bad thing per se. But the way the story is told and how the characters describe their feelings didn’t get me at all. The thing is, both men are actually torn between the fight they have to struggle and fall in love at exactly this unfitting time. And I mean they do state that but it didn’t get or convince me at all. This story isn’t just a romance where two men get to know each other and fall in love, it’s also about a series of rapes, a war between two Chinese gangs and two Americans getting in the middle of this. This sounds like a lot of action and emotional struggles. And I actually hoped getting that when I started reading the book. Don’t get me wrong I’m not the kind of person who is so into the action thing but when I read the plot of a book I have certain ideas where it’ll lead me and well, this one led me to crime scenes but to me they appeared as some kind of side stuff although they were the main topic of the story… I know that sounds confusing but let me explain…
The story starts with this injured girl being in real huge trouble calling her brother for help. But the thing is the girl is in Hong Kong and the brother home in the US. So when he finally arrives in Hong Kong three weeks have passed. And that’s the first point that kind of irritated me. Okay Noah, the brother, states that he didn’t listen to the voicemail message his sister left until one week later because he was angry with her. But when he finally did he immediately felt that she was in real trouble so what the sh… takes him another two weeks following her without even having a plan?
Okay I tried not to question this. So when Noah finally arrives in Hong Kong he decides asking the police for help. That’s where he gets to know Wei and feels immediately attracted to him. And then the whole love story starts… Well kind of… Because now this emotional part starts with the two men falling in love and explaining to each other why they can’t give in to their feelings which didn’t convince me at all. I don’t know why but the emotions didn’t jump onto me.
When I was at about 70% of the story I was still on the second day of the plot and Wei tells himself for the third time that he wouldn’t kiss Noah in his fragile state and Noah does quite the same except that he talks about his bad conscience thinking about sex and feeling attracted to a guy when his sister is still missing and in danger. And I mean I totally get those feelings but I didn’t feel them when they were told in that book.
I can’t even tell the exact things that disturbed me. Maybe it were those many long descriptions of the different places the characters were which really took a lot of speed from the action. Or maybe it were all the statements of the gang-members about Wei wanting Noah and having sex with him and Noah still didn’t believe it without really explaining his doubts. Maybe it was the fact that I had already read 70% of the book, was still on the second day and nothing really flashing had happened so far, except some talking and a burglary. Or maybe it was all of this that didn’t tear me into the story. But that changed when I reached that 70%. Suddenly the story gained momentum.
It comes to a fight and eventually the two guys confess their love to each other. I liked those 30% pretty much although the author once mixed the names of the two main characters which got me a little confused but wasn’t really disturbing.
One thing I really didn’t quite get through the whole story was how Noah could understand so much of the different conversations which weren’t exactly addressed to him. Maybe I should first explain that the story is told from different point of views but always in the third person. So the narrator is not an omniscient one, he is just telling the thoughts of one person per chapter. Although you or better I sometimes got the feeling that he has a hard time doing so because he sometimes describes thoughts of a person that can’t be known by the character who is in the spotlight at that moment. It’s really hard to retrace why Noah understands most of the things people talk when he is around. I mean I totally get that his friends would talk in English to him or even to each other whenever he is around but seriously two Asian gang-bosses wouldn’t fight in English just that he could follow their discussions, would they?
To summarise my opinion, all in all the idea for this story is a quite good one. But for my taste it’s developing far too slowly. And I don’t know why but I didn’t get the feelings and suffering from the two main characters which really made me kind of annoyed at the beginning. Then there was a short part when I really got attached to the two men and I thought they finally have touched me and I totally get them but then at the end there is Noah’s statement that he was somehow relieved that his sister has already been dead when he arrived at Hong Kong. He’d have tortured himself forever if she had been still alive when he came to Hong Kong and he couldn’t have saved her then. But seriously??? Why not still having this bad conscience about taking three weeks to finally come to Hong Kong???
And then there is this ending. The two men totally lost me there again because it came far too quick and there was a real lack of emotions for my taste.
But besides all these points the plot was quite interesting and I think I’ll read the next book of this series not least because I liked the two-side character Winston and Steel and the unspoken thing that goes on between them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2018
This book was provided for free by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is one of those cases in which I really liked the story, romance, and writing but I still had some issues with the content choices. I'm going to review it fairly because of that.
As a romantic mystery, this is a great read. The chemistry (though bordering on insta-love) between naive foreigner Noah and tough gang leader Wei is steamy, always taking the sexual tension to the next level. I also really loved the tight mystery plot about Noah's missing sister and possible ties to both a rival gang and a corrupt police department. It's a straightforward mystery, one that we've seen before in movies and TV, but it still works because it provides thriller-level tension without making it too complicated or convoluted.
But the elephant in the room is the fact that this is a white American author writing a story set in Hong Kong with an Asian POV character. And sometimes, it got a little clumsy. There's a lot of cultural stuff going on here that I'm not familiar with, and therefore, I don't know if they're correct. The author has spent time in Japan and Korea, but not in Hong Kong--so I'm guessing he's familiar with Asian culture but not specifically with Hong Kong culture or even Cantonese. I think there are a lot of missteps in this book, but also a lot of good stuff.
I really like Wei as the romantic hero because he goes against romance (especially M/M romance) stereotypes of Asian men. I've read a lot of crap books with Asian men who are written to perpetuate the stereotype that they aren't masculine or viable as strong love interests. Wei is strong in both body and mind, portrayed as the ideal man in the bedroom or in a fight, and even if he's not a perfect character, he's still a pretty good one. There is also a lot of diversity within the Dragons--young and old, loud and quiet, smart and stoic. It's sad but true--gay romance lacks good characters of color, so a series with many good Asian characters is one to watch.
My main point of contention was the idea of the white guy coming in and becoming the instant object of desire for the alpha leader, especially since it is obvious that there are a lot of gay Hong Kong men in Wei's circle who would probably make great romantic partners. It reeks a little too much of White Savior--here's the "pure," sweet white guy coming into seduce the hardened gang leader. The trope is discussed within the narrative--the gang has issues with Noah and his sister taking priority over the many Hong Kong and Chinese women kidnapped and raped, and when Noah makes cultural missteps, they are corrected. But it still wasn't a perfect dynamic.
The whole "Noah has a little Asian in him" joke after he has sex with Wei wasn't very good. This would be funny if a Hong Kong writer was doing it, or if actual Asian men were saying it. Coming from a white author, it's gross. Sorry, but that's just the way it is sometimes.
The idea that gweilo as as bad as a racial or homophobic slur is a misstep. After looking it up, it's pretty much the same as saying cracker or gringo--it isn't super nice, but it's certainly not a slur. Wei "protecting" Noah from that word seems a little corny to me.
I didn't mind the whole "white hat" gang idea regarding the Dragons. We see it all the time in American fiction--the "good" motorcycle or street gangs, the ones with morals and ethics, the ones who clean up after the bad guys. Why can't we have a Hong Kong gang of Robin Hood-type men? Would it be better to characterize them as reprehensible criminals? Sometimes, creative liberties make for a good story, and this is one of those times.
The I enjoyed the story, it still stands that this is another book about a white person in a foreign country. They get old after a while. But on the bright side, in the next two books, all of the romantic leads are the characters from Hong Kong. No more tourists, no more foreign lovers. J.C. Long is a talented romance and mystery writer, so I'm definitely excited to keep going with this series. I think the good has great potential to outweigh the bad. I'd rather support a talented writer who can learn and grow than write off a book because the representation might not be 100% accurate. We need to hold our writers accountable while still keeping in mind that there is always space to get better.
This book is one of those cases in which I really liked the story, romance, and writing but I still had some issues with the content choices. I'm going to review it fairly because of that.
As a romantic mystery, this is a great read. The chemistry (though bordering on insta-love) between naive foreigner Noah and tough gang leader Wei is steamy, always taking the sexual tension to the next level. I also really loved the tight mystery plot about Noah's missing sister and possible ties to both a rival gang and a corrupt police department. It's a straightforward mystery, one that we've seen before in movies and TV, but it still works because it provides thriller-level tension without making it too complicated or convoluted.
But the elephant in the room is the fact that this is a white American author writing a story set in Hong Kong with an Asian POV character. And sometimes, it got a little clumsy. There's a lot of cultural stuff going on here that I'm not familiar with, and therefore, I don't know if they're correct. The author has spent time in Japan and Korea, but not in Hong Kong--so I'm guessing he's familiar with Asian culture but not specifically with Hong Kong culture or even Cantonese. I think there are a lot of missteps in this book, but also a lot of good stuff.
I really like Wei as the romantic hero because he goes against romance (especially M/M romance) stereotypes of Asian men. I've read a lot of crap books with Asian men who are written to perpetuate the stereotype that they aren't masculine or viable as strong love interests. Wei is strong in both body and mind, portrayed as the ideal man in the bedroom or in a fight, and even if he's not a perfect character, he's still a pretty good one. There is also a lot of diversity within the Dragons--young and old, loud and quiet, smart and stoic. It's sad but true--gay romance lacks good characters of color, so a series with many good Asian characters is one to watch.
My main point of contention was the idea of the white guy coming in and becoming the instant object of desire for the alpha leader, especially since it is obvious that there are a lot of gay Hong Kong men in Wei's circle who would probably make great romantic partners. It reeks a little too much of White Savior--here's the "pure," sweet white guy coming into seduce the hardened gang leader. The trope is discussed within the narrative--the gang has issues with Noah and his sister taking priority over the many Hong Kong and Chinese women kidnapped and raped, and when Noah makes cultural missteps, they are corrected. But it still wasn't a perfect dynamic.
The whole "Noah has a little Asian in him" joke after he has sex with Wei wasn't very good. This would be funny if a Hong Kong writer was doing it, or if actual Asian men were saying it. Coming from a white author, it's gross. Sorry, but that's just the way it is sometimes.
The idea that gweilo as as bad as a racial or homophobic slur is a misstep. After looking it up, it's pretty much the same as saying cracker or gringo--it isn't super nice, but it's certainly not a slur. Wei "protecting" Noah from that word seems a little corny to me.
I didn't mind the whole "white hat" gang idea regarding the Dragons. We see it all the time in American fiction--the "good" motorcycle or street gangs, the ones with morals and ethics, the ones who clean up after the bad guys. Why can't we have a Hong Kong gang of Robin Hood-type men? Would it be better to characterize them as reprehensible criminals? Sometimes, creative liberties make for a good story, and this is one of those times.
The I enjoyed the story, it still stands that this is another book about a white person in a foreign country. They get old after a while. But on the bright side, in the next two books, all of the romantic leads are the characters from Hong Kong. No more tourists, no more foreign lovers. J.C. Long is a talented romance and mystery writer, so I'm definitely excited to keep going with this series. I think the good has great potential to outweigh the bad. I'd rather support a talented writer who can learn and grow than write off a book because the representation might not be 100% accurate. We need to hold our writers accountable while still keeping in mind that there is always space to get better.
March 31, 2023
3.4 Stars
This book is about an american looking in Hong Kong for his disappeared sister and running into Wei Tseng, a local gang leader to whom he feels instantly attracted and offers his help.
- I really like when my m/m romance has a mystery/crime/suspense plot on top of the romance and that is definitely the case here. And I thought the mystery was quite well done. I especially liked that not everything went on with pink glasses. If for example several chines girls had been drugged, raped and killed but Noah's sister had escaped with just her hair a bit tangled - as it often happens in romance to make the book a touch more feel good - I would have liked that less. Here I found the ending more realistic.
I also really liked the Hong Kong setting, the involvement of dryads and such. It made for an interesting change of scene.
I did like the characters - especially Wei Tseng. Noah seemed a bit bland and Mary Sue-like at times, but he wasn't horrible. Clearly there was an attempt to make the secondary characters interesting and appealing as well - especially as they partly seem to be turned into main characters in the follow-up. This didn't quite work out for me. I still like mostly Wei Tseng.
As for the romance ... I wasn't quite that happy in that regard. For one this is a series case of instalove. And despite the interestingly different setting, the romance itself was a bit meh and a bit "read it all before" and most of all a bit stereotypical with Wei, the fighter with the hard body, developing this instinct to "protect" Noah who is of course the bottom without the two ever talking about switching things around. I mean, okay, many m/m romances are like that - but that just makes me long even more for authors to break out of this mould and try something different. And this is defintely not different but same old same old.
Despite that overall I enjoyed the story. The second volume though will be about a couple that was a rather boring side cast here and I am not sure if I can muster the enegery to read it.
This book is about an american looking in Hong Kong for his disappeared sister and running into Wei Tseng, a local gang leader to whom he feels instantly attracted and offers his help.
- I really like when my m/m romance has a mystery/crime/suspense plot on top of the romance and that is definitely the case here. And I thought the mystery was quite well done. I especially liked that not everything went on with pink glasses. If for example several chines girls had been drugged, raped and killed but Noah's sister had escaped with just her hair a bit tangled - as it often happens in romance to make the book a touch more feel good - I would have liked that less. Here I found the ending more realistic.
I also really liked the Hong Kong setting, the involvement of dryads and such. It made for an interesting change of scene.
I did like the characters - especially Wei Tseng. Noah seemed a bit bland and Mary Sue-like at times, but he wasn't horrible. Clearly there was an attempt to make the secondary characters interesting and appealing as well - especially as they partly seem to be turned into main characters in the follow-up. This didn't quite work out for me. I still like mostly Wei Tseng.
As for the romance ... I wasn't quite that happy in that regard. For one this is a series case of instalove. And despite the interestingly different setting, the romance itself was a bit meh and a bit "read it all before" and most of all a bit stereotypical with Wei, the fighter with the hard body, developing this instinct to "protect" Noah who is of course the bottom without the two ever talking about switching things around. I mean, okay, many m/m romances are like that - but that just makes me long even more for authors to break out of this mould and try something different. And this is defintely not different but same old same old.
Despite that overall I enjoyed the story. The second volume though will be about a couple that was a rather boring side cast here and I am not sure if I can muster the enegery to read it.
September 6, 2017
Noah and Lianne Potter grew up in a prosperous family headed by a cold and domineering father. Noah and Lianne had to learn to depend on each other for everything, and Noah became very protective of his sister. As happens between siblings, an argument crops up, and despite their closeness, Lianne leaves for Hong Kong without a word to Noah. Feeling hurt, and being stubborn and childish, Noah ignores Lianne’s calls. But as the weeks pass, he finally decides to listen to her message—and is devastated to discover Lianne is in serious trouble.
Hong Kong becomes a place of danger for guilt-ridden Noah. In search of his sister, and with no help from the police, he takes a chance on Wei Tseng, who is as dangerous himself as are the gangs in Hong Kong. Growing up in the New Territories, Wei Tseng spent most of his life fighting triad members in the slums. After the great war ended the Nine Star gang, Wei Tseng became the leader of the Dragons. Now, his territory is being threatened—a place that he has sworn to protect with his life.
There’s no one Wei or Noah can trust. Wei needs to end whoever is killing young girls from his territory, and Noah needs to find Lianne, no matter what. Even though Noah knows Wei is a dangerous man, he knows he needs Wei’s help to find his sister.
A Matter of Duty was an unexpected surprise. J.C. Long takes readers to Hong Kong and into a world of deceit, corruption, discrimination, not knowing who to trust, and mysterious disappearances. I was hooked from the very start; the story is well plotted, and there’s an abundance of interesting characters. I liked the gradual build of Lianne’s mystery, and learning about Noah and his sister’s life, growing up, as well as Wei’s plight to protect everyone around him. This was my first time reading J.C. Long, and I look forward to more.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Hong Kong becomes a place of danger for guilt-ridden Noah. In search of his sister, and with no help from the police, he takes a chance on Wei Tseng, who is as dangerous himself as are the gangs in Hong Kong. Growing up in the New Territories, Wei Tseng spent most of his life fighting triad members in the slums. After the great war ended the Nine Star gang, Wei Tseng became the leader of the Dragons. Now, his territory is being threatened—a place that he has sworn to protect with his life.
There’s no one Wei or Noah can trust. Wei needs to end whoever is killing young girls from his territory, and Noah needs to find Lianne, no matter what. Even though Noah knows Wei is a dangerous man, he knows he needs Wei’s help to find his sister.
A Matter of Duty was an unexpected surprise. J.C. Long takes readers to Hong Kong and into a world of deceit, corruption, discrimination, not knowing who to trust, and mysterious disappearances. I was hooked from the very start; the story is well plotted, and there’s an abundance of interesting characters. I liked the gradual build of Lianne’s mystery, and learning about Noah and his sister’s life, growing up, as well as Wei’s plight to protect everyone around him. This was my first time reading J.C. Long, and I look forward to more.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
December 31, 2019
Where has this series been all my life? lol. This is an amazing start to this series and I can't wait to delve into the rest of this series. Holy crap. You know, people judge so often. If people have tattoos or ride motorcycles or are a part of some form of gang, they are always bad. And that is so not true. And this book proves that it's not true. One of the MC's made a comment at one point in this book, about how this particular 'gang' were the lesser of two evils. And it's true but not true. Even though their methods of keeping the peace at times is rough, it's necessary to help save the loved ones in their community. Never judge a book by it's cover. You never know what you're going to get. And in this book, there is some bad stuff going on. Stuff that could be triggers, like being drugged, raped and murdered, but instead of letting things pass them by, these guys are doing what they can to prevent it from happening to more and more people. they are trying to weed out the bad. And even though, the two MCs have to go through a heck of a lot, they also manage to find something they haven't found with anyone else.
It's a heck of a series. I love J.C.'s books from day one and this one just proves how much I love them even more.
It's a heck of a series. I love J.C.'s books from day one and this one just proves how much I love them even more.
April 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this! It was a fun (and at times gritty) blend of suspense and hot, hot romance. As always, I like my romance with a heavy dash of plot, and A Matter of Duty offers exactly that (plus an intriguing glimpse into a very different setting). The last few chapters really had my on the edge of my seat.
It's not easy to depict the development of a relationship that takes place over such a short period of time, but here it happened so naturally that I never questioned the characters' budding feelings of each other. It was quite expertly done. The side characters were also one of may favorite things about this book, especially Winston (I understand that the next book in the series will focus on him, and I couldn't be happier!)
The only thing that bothered me slightly while I was reading were the occasional POV slips, but it was nothing particularly jarring. Oh, and I would have loved to know more about Noah's past (and how he got 'em fighting skills!). I hope we get to see more of him and Wei in future installments.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants riveting action coupled with sizzling romance.
It's not easy to depict the development of a relationship that takes place over such a short period of time, but here it happened so naturally that I never questioned the characters' budding feelings of each other. It was quite expertly done. The side characters were also one of may favorite things about this book, especially Winston (I understand that the next book in the series will focus on him, and I couldn't be happier!)
The only thing that bothered me slightly while I was reading were the occasional POV slips, but it was nothing particularly jarring. Oh, and I would have loved to know more about Noah's past (and how he got 'em fighting skills!). I hope we get to see more of him and Wei in future installments.
In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants riveting action coupled with sizzling romance.
March 23, 2017
new series...
new author for me...
bring it on!
i like this one a lot!
Wei and Noah is <3<3<3
new author for me...
bring it on!
i like this one a lot!
Wei and Noah is <3<3<3
February 5, 2018
Very meh story for me. I could not go past my amazement at the existence of the Dragons, a Hong Kong gang made of white hats (!) trying to protect "their" territory against their nefarious neighbors the Twisted Vipers, not so much that I resented the life in a city where I spent a month being crudely sketched as a barely underground network of criminal thugs than because I found the plot redolent of ill-informed, Western prejudices against Eastern Asia in general and mainland China in particular. The romance is not rushed, but it fails to develop in a smooth manner either; the pacing tries too hard to be breathless, what with overly generous action scenes with guns and blades, all of them rather shabbily put into choreographic terms (the author is not gifted with a flair for picturesque or evocative writing, beyond his descriptions of places and food); the sleuthing part of the plotting makes little sense, as it was deviced mostly as the means to have both heroes meet and fall in love while risking their life; and please do not get me started on the characters, not one of whom stands to detailed examination as more than caricatures (does Mr Long even know about pluridimensionality ?). Noah is your average, twinky Farang with more spunk than brains, pun intended, Wei (who quite expectedly is the standard top: well endowed, charismatic and manly) seems to have stepped out of the Crying Freeman manga, minus the commanding presence and raw sensuality Mark Dacascos brought to the role in Christopher Gans' live adaptation, the other Dragons serve only as fillers with their own little bystories that amount to pure and simple crack, for lack of a better word for so much vacuousity (the big, beta one loves tending to his car and shagging his lady friends, another, the bottom-feeder, has a love-hate relationship to his buddy, and so on and so forth), the villains are made of so much cardboard that they should burst into flames as soon as they begin talking and acting (I reserve a special mention for the fat, oily, cowardly Farang of a club owner; the two-timing ringleader of the Vipers, a Jet Li clone snagged from any one of his worst movies, and the transparently conniving police superintendent do not rate much better). Finally, for a powerful (?) gang, the Dragons live in a rather modest abode, do not seem well off and only amount to a small operation - a close-knit family of four or five with nameless soldiers in case of need, hardly a Triad or a branch of the Yakusa. This was anticlimactic, to say the least; likewise the police in general and inspector Hong in particular get short shrift for fear they would imperil the plotting. This book is not utter garbage, like J. Hali Steele's White Blood or Elizabeth Varlet's Fierce and Fabulous, neither is it a big pile of crack such as Tara Lain's Cowboys don't Ride Unicorns, for it has some qualities and shows good promise, plus we really do lack MM romances written in Asia, but it comes perilously close to irrelevance.
Read
March 18, 2018I think I’m going to go ahead and call this a DNF. I really did want to finish this book, but after 50%, it’s just kind of a drag to keep reading. The writing style wasn’t very engaging to me, and the instalove romance put me off since that’s 100% not my thing.
(Also, I'm fairly certain there was a rape joke in this book, which I found pretty shocking?)
I myself can’t directly comment on the depiction of Hong Kong, as I’m not from there. However, my friend grew up in Hong Kong, and so I ended up peppering him with questions about this book’s depiction of Hong Kong. So, here are some notes:
- Given that English isn’t Hong Kongers’ native language, they really shouldn’t be saying things like “ain’t” in English…
- I get that many authors have this infatuation with writing the characters’ dialogue in English and then throwing a few words of a foreign language (in this case, Cantonese) in their dialogue. However, this feels narratively weird, because if the characters are speaking Cantonese and it’s being translated for the English-speaking reader, why are only a few words left untranslated?
- I have been informed that “pour the yum cha” is NOT something actual Hong Kong people would say, first because “yum” is a verb in this context, and second because “yum cha”, despite literally referring to tea, actually means “brunch.”
- I have also been informed that public baths don’t exist in Hong Kong. Or at least, my friend, who is Hong Kong born and raised, has never heard of them.
- Some of the romanization of the Cantonese might be off; “char siu pau” is one that I noticed (should be “cha siu bao”).
- *Speaking of which, apparently "Wei Tseng" is not even a Cantonese name—"Wei" is Mandarin, and "Tseng" is the Taiwanese romanization.
- I get that Noah’s reaction to the dim sum is probably realistic of a white person in Hong Kong, but I’m really tired of the implication of “Wow, check out how weird Chinese food is!!”
- This is a personal thing, but as an Asian American reader, I was not very amused by the jokes about Noah, a white person, having "some Asian inside him."
- The author seemed to be trying to decentralize the “specialness” of the white character from the narrative set in Hong Kong, based on some things Noah says in his internal narration; however, I don’t think the author was entirely successful. For example, some Dragons initially call Noah “gweilo” and, based on Wei’s extremely angry reaction and insistence that they apologize, I thought it was a racial slur. However, it’s...apparently not to the level of a racial slur at all, which makes it feel kind of like the narrative is going out of its way to coddle the white character’s feelings.
- Nitpick: At some point, Noah says it was hard for him to pick up emotional tones in Cantonese because it’s a tonal language. That’s NOT what a “tonal language” means—tonal languages can still carry emotion in a speaker’s tone of voice.
(Also, I'm fairly certain there was a rape joke in this book, which I found pretty shocking?)
I myself can’t directly comment on the depiction of Hong Kong, as I’m not from there. However, my friend grew up in Hong Kong, and so I ended up peppering him with questions about this book’s depiction of Hong Kong. So, here are some notes:
- Given that English isn’t Hong Kongers’ native language, they really shouldn’t be saying things like “ain’t” in English…
- I get that many authors have this infatuation with writing the characters’ dialogue in English and then throwing a few words of a foreign language (in this case, Cantonese) in their dialogue. However, this feels narratively weird, because if the characters are speaking Cantonese and it’s being translated for the English-speaking reader, why are only a few words left untranslated?
- I have been informed that “pour the yum cha” is NOT something actual Hong Kong people would say, first because “yum” is a verb in this context, and second because “yum cha”, despite literally referring to tea, actually means “brunch.”
- I have also been informed that public baths don’t exist in Hong Kong. Or at least, my friend, who is Hong Kong born and raised, has never heard of them.
- Some of the romanization of the Cantonese might be off; “char siu pau” is one that I noticed (should be “cha siu bao”).
- *Speaking of which, apparently "Wei Tseng" is not even a Cantonese name—"Wei" is Mandarin, and "Tseng" is the Taiwanese romanization.
- I get that Noah’s reaction to the dim sum is probably realistic of a white person in Hong Kong, but I’m really tired of the implication of “Wow, check out how weird Chinese food is!!”
- This is a personal thing, but as an Asian American reader, I was not very amused by the jokes about Noah, a white person, having "some Asian inside him."
- The author seemed to be trying to decentralize the “specialness” of the white character from the narrative set in Hong Kong, based on some things Noah says in his internal narration; however, I don’t think the author was entirely successful. For example, some Dragons initially call Noah “gweilo” and, based on Wei’s extremely angry reaction and insistence that they apologize, I thought it was a racial slur. However, it’s...apparently not to the level of a racial slur at all, which makes it feel kind of like the narrative is going out of its way to coddle the white character’s feelings.
- Nitpick: At some point, Noah says it was hard for him to pick up emotional tones in Cantonese because it’s a tonal language. That’s NOT what a “tonal language” means—tonal languages can still carry emotion in a speaker’s tone of voice.
March 2, 2017
Welcome to the underworld of Hong Kong. I promise you will like it here. And even if you don't, you might not be allowed to leave - at least not alive. So be careful of who you trust and watch your step.
This book hooked me right from the start and I just ploughed right through it. I just loved the plot and it was very well executed. I mean you have mysterious disappearances, gang war, corruption, deceit, betrayal, all dangerous and all connected and tangled in a web of lies and mistrust - what’s not to like?
What would you do to find your loved one? What lines are you willing to cross? How far would you go? Is everything really as they seem? Who can you trust?
I liked the fact that all the information to Leanne's disappearance wasn't simply given at the beginning, and throughout the book and left the readers guessing and trying to figure out how it all was connected. Sure some major plot points were as obvious as blinking neon lights and could be seen from miles away, but I still enjoyed them. After all, with so many books out there it becomes increasingly difficult to write about something never seen before. At least when it comes to contemporary fiction. There is only so much and so far the writers can go and still have a credible plot.
What I disliked in this book was the relationship between Noah and Wei. It never rang true to me. Sure the lust part was fine, but for me the relationship never progressed from that stage. Out of nowhere they are in love and are planning a life together – that didn’t jive with me. It would’ve been so much better to let them have more time to get to that point, get to know each other and forge a deeper connection, but I guess you can’t have it all.
The ending of the books was a bit too abrupt for me, it felt rushed. I would've liked a bit more of a closure and breathing room to take it all in. I mean what happened next? How did they deal with the consequences, the after math? I wanted another chapter to catch up with it all, I felt a bit like I was left high and dry.
It was a very enjoyable read and I had a hard time putting the book down and was truly engrossed in the story from the first page. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series and find out what happens next in the world of the Dragons.
I was provided with a free copy of the book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This book hooked me right from the start and I just ploughed right through it. I just loved the plot and it was very well executed. I mean you have mysterious disappearances, gang war, corruption, deceit, betrayal, all dangerous and all connected and tangled in a web of lies and mistrust - what’s not to like?
What would you do to find your loved one? What lines are you willing to cross? How far would you go? Is everything really as they seem? Who can you trust?
I liked the fact that all the information to Leanne's disappearance wasn't simply given at the beginning, and throughout the book and left the readers guessing and trying to figure out how it all was connected. Sure some major plot points were as obvious as blinking neon lights and could be seen from miles away, but I still enjoyed them. After all, with so many books out there it becomes increasingly difficult to write about something never seen before. At least when it comes to contemporary fiction. There is only so much and so far the writers can go and still have a credible plot.
What I disliked in this book was the relationship between Noah and Wei. It never rang true to me. Sure the lust part was fine, but for me the relationship never progressed from that stage. Out of nowhere they are in love and are planning a life together – that didn’t jive with me. It would’ve been so much better to let them have more time to get to that point, get to know each other and forge a deeper connection, but I guess you can’t have it all.
The ending of the books was a bit too abrupt for me, it felt rushed. I would've liked a bit more of a closure and breathing room to take it all in. I mean what happened next? How did they deal with the consequences, the after math? I wanted another chapter to catch up with it all, I felt a bit like I was left high and dry.
It was a very enjoyable read and I had a hard time putting the book down and was truly engrossed in the story from the first page. I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series and find out what happens next in the world of the Dragons.
I was provided with a free copy of the book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
May 8, 2017
4 Hearts
What a fantastic start to new series!! I’m so pleasantly surprised about this book. It’s always a little scary starting a book from a “new to you” author but I shouldn’t have worried. J.C Long delivers a fast paced murder/mystery romance that was an intense page turner. I loved the cultural diverse aspect of this story so much. You could tell that this author knew what he was talking about and did his research which I really appreciated. He was able to capture the greatness and seediness of Hong Kong. I love when I reading a book, getting enraptured in a story and also learning stuff.
Noah Potter has come to Hong Kong after getting a disturbing message from his sister. His investigation into his sister’s disappearance meets with roadblock after roadblock. Frustrated and feeling defeated Noah isn’t prepared to meet, Wei.
Wei Tseng is sick and tired of the gangs in Hong Kong. Wei and the Dragons are dedicated to cleaning up the streets but a slew of missing women leaves him frustrated and looking for answers. He isn’t prepared to be drawn to Noah.
Noah and Wei join forces to figure out what’s happened to Noah’s sister and the missing girls, with the help of the Dragon’s.
I liked how Noah and Wei’s connection was intense and immediate. I loved the Dragons. The strong characters really added to the story in the absolute best way.
Strong writing that immediately pulled me into the story and great character development. This was a great mystery too because I really wanted to know what happened to the girls…I won’t spoil it for you all though. Just know this is a page turner.
Definitely recommend and I can’t wait for Winston’s story…!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
What a fantastic start to new series!! I’m so pleasantly surprised about this book. It’s always a little scary starting a book from a “new to you” author but I shouldn’t have worried. J.C Long delivers a fast paced murder/mystery romance that was an intense page turner. I loved the cultural diverse aspect of this story so much. You could tell that this author knew what he was talking about and did his research which I really appreciated. He was able to capture the greatness and seediness of Hong Kong. I love when I reading a book, getting enraptured in a story and also learning stuff.
Noah Potter has come to Hong Kong after getting a disturbing message from his sister. His investigation into his sister’s disappearance meets with roadblock after roadblock. Frustrated and feeling defeated Noah isn’t prepared to meet, Wei.
Wei Tseng is sick and tired of the gangs in Hong Kong. Wei and the Dragons are dedicated to cleaning up the streets but a slew of missing women leaves him frustrated and looking for answers. He isn’t prepared to be drawn to Noah.
Noah and Wei join forces to figure out what’s happened to Noah’s sister and the missing girls, with the help of the Dragon’s.
I liked how Noah and Wei’s connection was intense and immediate. I loved the Dragons. The strong characters really added to the story in the absolute best way.
Strong writing that immediately pulled me into the story and great character development. This was a great mystery too because I really wanted to know what happened to the girls…I won’t spoil it for you all though. Just know this is a page turner.
Definitely recommend and I can’t wait for Winston’s story…!!
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
March 26, 2018
*Got this book from NetGalley*
Trigger Warnings:
This was...good. It had to be good, since I started it at 9 pm and stayed up til midnight finishing it in one go. If a book's not good, I'm not going to do that. It's just that my feelings are vaguely mixed about certain aspects; specifically, that I feel like the romance doesn't actually add to the book all that much. But on the whole, it was an interesting and fast-paced book with a gripping plot and a rich setting, and I would recommend it on those grounds for sure.
I'll start off with the things that I liked:
-The setting was pretty cool. I've never been to Hong Kong, but the descriptions and the bits of Cantonese (although I didn't understand it) brought me back to my time abroad in China and Taiwan. It actually made me want to visit Hong Kong, even though the book was about a lot of dark stuff happening there.
-The plot was fast paced and interesting, and definitely kept you interested. I really enjoy mysteries, and the mystery in this book was well constructed and also nicely set up to continue on to future books in the series.
-I enjoyed the dynamic among the Dragons a lot. Although I do find it a little unrealistic whenever everyone is just ridiculously cavalier and accepting of LGBTQ folks (and most of them are LGBT, based on what I've seen about the future books), but it didn't bug me too much this time. I did think that the constant joking about their boss's sex life was a little overdone, but it is nice to see a bunch of characters that are super masculine, but not threatened by the idea of queerness.
And a few things I didn't like:
-Good lord, the romance took up way too much of the time. It's not that I was opposed to the couple; I thought they were fine. But they didn't give much basis for them having a relationship besides being super attracted to each other and going through scary situations together. I mean, the whole book takes place over what, a week? Within a week of meeting . It's just...a little much for me.
-The other thing about the romance that bugs me is the constant mention of how the two leads get erections whenever they see each other. Not having a penis, I can't say how realistic or unrealistic this is, but when first sees , I highlighted a sentence and put the note, "I am so sick of the insta-erection trope." And that trope kinda carries over throughout the whole thing. The author does not want to let you forget that they are very attracted to each other, but it's like...I get it! They're two hot people who are attracted to each other! Great! Now please show me whether they're actually compatible based on their personalities and not just their dicks.
-This is not actually an issue, but I was confused that at one point they threw in a line of Mandarin, while the rest of the lines in another language were Cantonese. I mean, I know that a lot of people in Hong Kong speak both, plus English, but Wei saying a sentence in Mandarin to Noah, who doesn't speak Mandarin or Cantonese was just random to me.
-Although it was realistic, I was a little disappointed that it turned out that
To sum up: Great plot, gritty and fast-paced and enjoyable for those aspects. The romance was a little underdeveloped/overemphasized, but not to the point that it ruined the book. I did really enjoy the gradual reveal of the background of Wei and the Dragons, and the situation in Hong Kong on the whole, and I would read the other books. I would recommend this book, with the caveat that people who have a weak stomach about women getting raped and murdered might have a tough time with some parts.
Trigger Warnings:
This was...good. It had to be good, since I started it at 9 pm and stayed up til midnight finishing it in one go. If a book's not good, I'm not going to do that. It's just that my feelings are vaguely mixed about certain aspects; specifically, that I feel like the romance doesn't actually add to the book all that much. But on the whole, it was an interesting and fast-paced book with a gripping plot and a rich setting, and I would recommend it on those grounds for sure.
I'll start off with the things that I liked:
-The setting was pretty cool. I've never been to Hong Kong, but the descriptions and the bits of Cantonese (although I didn't understand it) brought me back to my time abroad in China and Taiwan. It actually made me want to visit Hong Kong, even though the book was about a lot of dark stuff happening there.
-The plot was fast paced and interesting, and definitely kept you interested. I really enjoy mysteries, and the mystery in this book was well constructed and also nicely set up to continue on to future books in the series.
-I enjoyed the dynamic among the Dragons a lot. Although I do find it a little unrealistic whenever everyone is just ridiculously cavalier and accepting of LGBTQ folks (and most of them are LGBT, based on what I've seen about the future books), but it didn't bug me too much this time. I did think that the constant joking about their boss's sex life was a little overdone, but it is nice to see a bunch of characters that are super masculine, but not threatened by the idea of queerness.
And a few things I didn't like:
-Good lord, the romance took up way too much of the time. It's not that I was opposed to the couple; I thought they were fine. But they didn't give much basis for them having a relationship besides being super attracted to each other and going through scary situations together. I mean, the whole book takes place over what, a week? Within a week of meeting . It's just...a little much for me.
-The other thing about the romance that bugs me is the constant mention of how the two leads get erections whenever they see each other. Not having a penis, I can't say how realistic or unrealistic this is, but when first sees , I highlighted a sentence and put the note, "I am so sick of the insta-erection trope." And that trope kinda carries over throughout the whole thing. The author does not want to let you forget that they are very attracted to each other, but it's like...I get it! They're two hot people who are attracted to each other! Great! Now please show me whether they're actually compatible based on their personalities and not just their dicks.
-This is not actually an issue, but I was confused that at one point they threw in a line of Mandarin, while the rest of the lines in another language were Cantonese. I mean, I know that a lot of people in Hong Kong speak both, plus English, but Wei saying a sentence in Mandarin to Noah, who doesn't speak Mandarin or Cantonese was just random to me.
-Although it was realistic, I was a little disappointed that it turned out that
To sum up: Great plot, gritty and fast-paced and enjoyable for those aspects. The romance was a little underdeveloped/overemphasized, but not to the point that it ruined the book. I did really enjoy the gradual reveal of the background of Wei and the Dragons, and the situation in Hong Kong on the whole, and I would read the other books. I would recommend this book, with the caveat that people who have a weak stomach about women getting raped and murdered might have a tough time with some parts.
September 1, 2017
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked the the book until 83%, then sadly it went downhill from there fast!
I would give the first 83% 4-Stars, the rest of the book -1 Star. 3-Stars in total.
American Noah Potter receives a distressed phone call from his sister, that while on holiday in Hong Kong she got herself in some kind of trouble and needs his help fast. He makes his way to Hong Kong to come to her aid. After his arrival he realizes she's missing and no one seems able to help him locate her. The local police seems unwilling to help, that's when he meets Wei Tseng, whom turns out to be the leader of the local triad called the Dragons. They're instantly drawn toward each other. Other girls in the district have gone missing as well and so Wei agrees to help Noah in his search.
I kept thinking go to the embassy you moron. They give a somewhat satisfying answer as to why he can't go there.
Several Characters are introduced with their name and nickname, and I thought OMG I'm terrible with names, how will I ever be able to remember them all? Turned out not to be necessary at all. Most of them lurk conveniently in the background and only a hand full get dialoge and on page action.
I found the book enticing. I was drawn into the story real quick and was pleasantly surprised by a good story, my last books having been somewhat of a letdown.
There were a few editing errors and once they used the wrong character name, which was irritating.
As mentioned above at 83% the story goes to shit. Noah is being told what to do in a certain situation (again) as he got in trouble before. Aaand he does the exact opposite. But not just Noah, at this point everyone is trying to outdo everyone else in being the biggest idiot around!
Maybe it is more bearable if you know this is happening... Maybe it's just me.
I really can recomend the first 83% of this book.
I will read the second installment because I'm willing to give the author another try and because I'm interested in what is happening to the characters.
I really liked the the book until 83%, then sadly it went downhill from there fast!
I would give the first 83% 4-Stars, the rest of the book -1 Star. 3-Stars in total.
American Noah Potter receives a distressed phone call from his sister, that while on holiday in Hong Kong she got herself in some kind of trouble and needs his help fast. He makes his way to Hong Kong to come to her aid. After his arrival he realizes she's missing and no one seems able to help him locate her. The local police seems unwilling to help, that's when he meets Wei Tseng, whom turns out to be the leader of the local triad called the Dragons. They're instantly drawn toward each other. Other girls in the district have gone missing as well and so Wei agrees to help Noah in his search.
I kept thinking go to the embassy you moron. They give a somewhat satisfying answer as to why he can't go there.
Several Characters are introduced with their name and nickname, and I thought OMG I'm terrible with names, how will I ever be able to remember them all? Turned out not to be necessary at all. Most of them lurk conveniently in the background and only a hand full get dialoge and on page action.
I found the book enticing. I was drawn into the story real quick and was pleasantly surprised by a good story, my last books having been somewhat of a letdown.
There were a few editing errors and once they used the wrong character name, which was irritating.
As mentioned above at 83% the story goes to shit. Noah is being told what to do in a certain situation (again) as he got in trouble before. Aaand he does the exact opposite. But not just Noah, at this point everyone is trying to outdo everyone else in being the biggest idiot around!
Maybe it is more bearable if you know this is happening... Maybe it's just me.
I really can recomend the first 83% of this book.
I will read the second installment because I'm willing to give the author another try and because I'm interested in what is happening to the characters.
February 5, 2018
**I received a copy of A Matter of Duty from Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
A Matter of Duty by J.C. Long is the first in the authors Hong Kong Nights series. This is the first time I've read anything by Mr. Long and was surprised how fast paced the story was.
When Noah Potter receives a call from his sister Lianne that gives him the chills as she 's in trouble in Hong Kong. So he heads there without any knowledge of who to ask for help. After receiving none from the police, a waitress in the restaurant beneath his sister's apartment gives him Wei Tseng the leader of the Dragons. They know everything but he's pretty sure that a rival gang, Nine Stars has most likely a part of Lianne's disappearance . Little does he know that when he meets him that there will be an attraction so deep between them. Will Noah find Lianne in time or will she become yet another casualty of an American in Hong Kong who vanishes without a trace?
Wei Tseng has a suspicion that Noah's sister is among the women that he knows are missing but the link to a night club may prove to be a clue to the who and why they are missing. When he hears that Noah is also looking for someone he decides to help him find Lianne. Wei also feels a instant attraction to Noah and offers to have him stay in his apartment. But will Noah stay in Hong Kong when and if he finds his sister? Will Wei and Noah find their HEA or will the Nine Star tong take it all away when Noah is kidnapped?
The middle part of the story is a bit dark and be aware there is a warning of rapes which could be a trigger for some readers. There is a Cantonese dictionary at the end as a lot of conversations are in this language. I'd give the book a high 4 star rating but am on the fence if I'll read the rest of the series which are due out in the next few months.
A Matter of Duty by J.C. Long is the first in the authors Hong Kong Nights series. This is the first time I've read anything by Mr. Long and was surprised how fast paced the story was.
When Noah Potter receives a call from his sister Lianne that gives him the chills as she 's in trouble in Hong Kong. So he heads there without any knowledge of who to ask for help. After receiving none from the police, a waitress in the restaurant beneath his sister's apartment gives him Wei Tseng the leader of the Dragons. They know everything but he's pretty sure that a rival gang, Nine Stars has most likely a part of Lianne's disappearance . Little does he know that when he meets him that there will be an attraction so deep between them. Will Noah find Lianne in time or will she become yet another casualty of an American in Hong Kong who vanishes without a trace?
Wei Tseng has a suspicion that Noah's sister is among the women that he knows are missing but the link to a night club may prove to be a clue to the who and why they are missing. When he hears that Noah is also looking for someone he decides to help him find Lianne. Wei also feels a instant attraction to Noah and offers to have him stay in his apartment. But will Noah stay in Hong Kong when and if he finds his sister? Will Wei and Noah find their HEA or will the Nine Star tong take it all away when Noah is kidnapped?
The middle part of the story is a bit dark and be aware there is a warning of rapes which could be a trigger for some readers. There is a Cantonese dictionary at the end as a lot of conversations are in this language. I'd give the book a high 4 star rating but am on the fence if I'll read the rest of the series which are due out in the next few months.
May 5, 2020
4 stars
Noah comes to Hong Kong in search of his older sister, who has gone missing. The police aren't much help, but a man who Noah met in the police station offers his help. Noah turns him down, but when their individual searches end up taking them to the same night club, Noah figures that having someone who is a native to the city will only help.
Wei is the leader of a "benevolent" gang. He and his cohort are trying to figure out why girls from their territory are winding up dead of drug overdoses when their families insist that they never did drugs.
When I first started reading this, I was not aware that this was about a gang. The precis says "a group of dedicated men and women", which doesn't necessarily translate into gang. This was a "nice" gang, in that they didn't want drugs in their territory, didn't use prostitution or ask for protection money. Uh...how does this gang and the gang members make money? Because they don't work that I noticed. I mean, taking care of their district was a full time job. Anyway, it's nice that they are a "nice" gang, but it's completely Utopian.
If I had been aware that it was about a gang, I'm not sure I would have read it, since the glorification of criminal activities is the one hard limit that I've found. And that would have been too bad, because I liked the story and the characters. Noah and Wei worked well together as characters and in trying to figure out what was going on. I found the love aspect a little hard to believe, since they had only known each other for a few days, and most of that was spent trying to figure out what was going on in the district, but I still enjoyed it.
There were a few editing issues, a couple of dreaming flashbacks, and while the case and the love was resolved by the end of the book there was a little tag at the end that was a portent of what is to come.
Noah comes to Hong Kong in search of his older sister, who has gone missing. The police aren't much help, but a man who Noah met in the police station offers his help. Noah turns him down, but when their individual searches end up taking them to the same night club, Noah figures that having someone who is a native to the city will only help.
Wei is the leader of a "benevolent" gang. He and his cohort are trying to figure out why girls from their territory are winding up dead of drug overdoses when their families insist that they never did drugs.
When I first started reading this, I was not aware that this was about a gang. The precis says "a group of dedicated men and women", which doesn't necessarily translate into gang. This was a "nice" gang, in that they didn't want drugs in their territory, didn't use prostitution or ask for protection money. Uh...how does this gang and the gang members make money? Because they don't work that I noticed. I mean, taking care of their district was a full time job. Anyway, it's nice that they are a "nice" gang, but it's completely Utopian.
If I had been aware that it was about a gang, I'm not sure I would have read it, since the glorification of criminal activities is the one hard limit that I've found. And that would have been too bad, because I liked the story and the characters. Noah and Wei worked well together as characters and in trying to figure out what was going on. I found the love aspect a little hard to believe, since they had only known each other for a few days, and most of that was spent trying to figure out what was going on in the district, but I still enjoyed it.
There were a few editing issues, a couple of dreaming flashbacks, and while the case and the love was resolved by the end of the book there was a little tag at the end that was a portent of what is to come.
August 27, 2017
A Matter of Duty (Hong Kong Nights #1) by J.C. Long
Noah Potter receives a stress call from his sister, Lianne Maureen Potter. She had gone to Hong-Kong in search of an adventure. Upon his arrival, Noah gets little help from the police. But while at the police station, Noah meets Wei Tseng, leader of the Dragons gang. Their attraction is strong, fast, and mutual.
Disappointed with the police's response -- or lack thereof -- Noah seeks comfort and help from the Dragons. It turns out that the Dragons, led by Wei, have eliminated the Nine Stars gang and have ruled the Hong-Kong's Eastern District for five years. A series of girls have disappeared and have died of tainted drug overdoses. Later it's revealed that they were made sex slaves as part of the process. And, just like with Lianne, they are associated with the popular Club K.
Wei clearly realizes that Lianne is another of the victims and takes Noah under his wing. But their sexual attraction gets a better part of them as they move to solve the crimes that are affecting the Eastern District.
The book is narrated from the third person point of view of the protagonists. The character development needs some work. I didn't identify with the main characters as much as I would have liked to. They seemed to be cliches rather than real people. The sex scenes are good, and most of the writing is as well. The story itself was not believable but the book makes for a quick, easy, and interesting read.
Noah Potter receives a stress call from his sister, Lianne Maureen Potter. She had gone to Hong-Kong in search of an adventure. Upon his arrival, Noah gets little help from the police. But while at the police station, Noah meets Wei Tseng, leader of the Dragons gang. Their attraction is strong, fast, and mutual.
Disappointed with the police's response -- or lack thereof -- Noah seeks comfort and help from the Dragons. It turns out that the Dragons, led by Wei, have eliminated the Nine Stars gang and have ruled the Hong-Kong's Eastern District for five years. A series of girls have disappeared and have died of tainted drug overdoses. Later it's revealed that they were made sex slaves as part of the process. And, just like with Lianne, they are associated with the popular Club K.
Wei clearly realizes that Lianne is another of the victims and takes Noah under his wing. But their sexual attraction gets a better part of them as they move to solve the crimes that are affecting the Eastern District.
The book is narrated from the third person point of view of the protagonists. The character development needs some work. I didn't identify with the main characters as much as I would have liked to. They seemed to be cliches rather than real people. The sex scenes are good, and most of the writing is as well. The story itself was not believable but the book makes for a quick, easy, and interesting read.
August 3, 2017
Four and a half stars rounded up to 5
This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Matter of Duty got me in from the start with its description of a young woman trying to get help. We see her climbing and then crawling up the stairs to her apartment and I could feel the desperation in her movement.
Noah arrives in Hong Kong a few weeks after his sister appealed for help and the story involves his search to find her. The story also involves the disappearance and murders of a number of young local women
After arriving in the city, Noah meets Wei Tseng, the leader of a local gang. It’s obvious that these two men are fated to have a relationship but all through the book I wondered how this would come about. The developing romance is there but it is not the focus.
I don’t want to say anything else about the content of the story. Please read if you want to know what happens.
I liked the author’s writing style and I definitely liked the story line. J.C. Long is a new author to me and I will be reading more as he writes and I will definitely be reading the sequel to this story.
Highly recommended.
This book was provided to me for free by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A Matter of Duty got me in from the start with its description of a young woman trying to get help. We see her climbing and then crawling up the stairs to her apartment and I could feel the desperation in her movement.
Noah arrives in Hong Kong a few weeks after his sister appealed for help and the story involves his search to find her. The story also involves the disappearance and murders of a number of young local women
After arriving in the city, Noah meets Wei Tseng, the leader of a local gang. It’s obvious that these two men are fated to have a relationship but all through the book I wondered how this would come about. The developing romance is there but it is not the focus.
I don’t want to say anything else about the content of the story. Please read if you want to know what happens.
I liked the author’s writing style and I definitely liked the story line. J.C. Long is a new author to me and I will be reading more as he writes and I will definitely be reading the sequel to this story.
Highly recommended.
August 17, 2017
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Noah Potter, a Caucasian American, is in Hong Kong to find his missing sister. During his search, he crosses paths with Wei Tseng, leader of Dragons triad who is also trying to get the police to pay attention to missing girls in his territory. Wei takes Noah under his protection and helps him in the search for his sister.
The story was a bit longer than it probably needed to be due to repetition and overly description scenes; by the end I found myself skimming some of the drawn out scenes. While I got a mental image of Wei, I didn’t get a good one for Noah. I liked the characters well enough, but felt ambiguous about them getting together—it could happen or not and I would have been ok.
Spelling errors and word misuse combined with overlong sentences took me out of the story occasionally. There were also few changes in POV that got me lost.
I am interested enough in the Dragons that I want to read the next book about Winston and Steel.
Noah Potter, a Caucasian American, is in Hong Kong to find his missing sister. During his search, he crosses paths with Wei Tseng, leader of Dragons triad who is also trying to get the police to pay attention to missing girls in his territory. Wei takes Noah under his protection and helps him in the search for his sister.
The story was a bit longer than it probably needed to be due to repetition and overly description scenes; by the end I found myself skimming some of the drawn out scenes. While I got a mental image of Wei, I didn’t get a good one for Noah. I liked the characters well enough, but felt ambiguous about them getting together—it could happen or not and I would have been ok.
Spelling errors and word misuse combined with overlong sentences took me out of the story occasionally. There were also few changes in POV that got me lost.
I am interested enough in the Dragons that I want to read the next book about Winston and Steel.
April 3, 2020
A Matter of Duty is the first book in the Hong Kong Nights series by author J.C. Long. I loved this story. Has a good action-packed mystery going on and the characters connection whew that is scorching hot.
Noah has come to Hong Kong to find his sister. He has a ton of personal baggage about her and finding her. He loves her he wants to find her; he is also upset with how he last left things with her.
I liked Noah his love is boundless both for his sister and for Wei.
Wei is a complex character. The vigilante hero vibe he gives off makes him dangerous to betray. He has spent most of his life fighting for the people in his territory.
These two their connection is really good. I loved getting to know both of these complex men. I did not want this book to ever and it is going on my keeper shelf. When you want a good mystery thriller romance this is a great book to pick up.
Five Shooting Stars
Noah has come to Hong Kong to find his sister. He has a ton of personal baggage about her and finding her. He loves her he wants to find her; he is also upset with how he last left things with her.
I liked Noah his love is boundless both for his sister and for Wei.
Wei is a complex character. The vigilante hero vibe he gives off makes him dangerous to betray. He has spent most of his life fighting for the people in his territory.
These two their connection is really good. I loved getting to know both of these complex men. I did not want this book to ever and it is going on my keeper shelf. When you want a good mystery thriller romance this is a great book to pick up.
Five Shooting Stars
June 4, 2018
While it kept me entertained on a long flight, A Matter of Duty didn't really do much more than that. The premise is interesting and has potential to do a lot more, but the characters are too jovial for a story about missing girls and local gangs. It really made for a weird tone. The character descriptions for anyone who is not Wei or Noah are also so vague that I didn't really know who was who, and the story didn't feel inherently about Hong Kong. There's nothing more beyond a few phrases in Cantonese that really ties it to the locale.
This is a real solid effort, but I don't know if it's enough to make me continue the series.
This is a real solid effort, but I don't know if it's enough to make me continue the series.
May 12, 2018
Important note: the rating is not the book's fault. Rather, I don't even know whether it is the book's fault. The narration of the audibook was such a hurried monotone I couldn't get into it, no matter what, and at this point I can't even tell if I liked the story beyond the voice or not.
September 23, 2017
3.75 stars.
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