Status Updates From Black Water Sister

Well, well, well. Look who’s having a paranormal family reunion in order to take down a corporate gang boss while also going blonde…

I feel like the thematic elements weren’t executed as well as they could have been; I also wasn’t a fan of the pacing or writing style. For a novel that seemed to want to emphasize family dynamics & intergenerational dilemmas, there wasn’t much closure in that department or fluidity. Idk. This book wasn’t unbearable, but I didn’t particularly enjoy it either 🫪

—like the inclusion of the SA scene either, it felt unnecessary. The treat of violence & feeling of danger were present already via the kidnapping; the SA took me off guard & felt like it was for shock value tbh. I have liked where Jess has expressed her anger & frustration, both through supernatural stuff & conversations, & I’m hoping she comes out by the end of the novel 🫪 we’ll see.

Unfortunately, I feel like the pacing was rather slow in the first half+ of the book. It’s high stakes, but doesn’t feel like it. I’m also not very personally invested in the characters. I wish that, for a novel incorporating the complexity & importance of family, the family interacted more with one another. It’s usually just family member + Jess. Even Jess’s parents don’t interact much. I don’t—

I will say, the modern elements of Penang & the description of the different ethnicities & people living there has been good so far. But the other cultural aspects that are seemingly thematic (Malaysian deities & spirits) seem rather lacking in explanation or intrigue.

—that hasn’t been explored much at all until now!!

—The fantasy almost feels like a subplot. I wish we could hear a few mythological tales, some more about the gods, even what ghosts are called in Hokkien (besides referring to them as brothers). This novel just doesn’t interest me much atm, with little action & not enough delving into cultural mythology or how Jess & her family tie into this until now. Jess is basically the “chosen one” trope but—

I wish I was enjoying this book more :/ I don’t dislike it, but I feel like it went from 0 to 100 without any significant buildup. We just now started to reveal some of the more interesting secrets about her family; I wish we knew more about Ah Ma being a god’s vessel. I mean, how cool is that?? & yes we’ve known so little. Also, I don’t feel like I’m learning much about the culture depicted here—

ngl I wish there was more action so far! We’ll see :P

—written format quite as fluidly. Although, this is what the author must feel is most authentic, which I respect.

—with Hokkien more often. This is what Jess always she does in reverse. From a reading perspective, I think that’d be easier; plus, I’d love to learn more Hokkien words & phrases as it’s not a language I’m familiar with! I know that verbally, how it’s written in the novel is very common (again, I’m a first gen in a family of SE Asian refugees). However, it doesn’t translate (no pun intended) to the—

—the Hokkien & English dialogue spoken by Jess’s relatives in Penang; rather than grammatically incorrect English. I don’t inherently mind reading it, but given how much her relatives speak (more than Jess herself!) it gets a bit taxing to read. I feel like it disrupts the flow of narration at times. I’d prefer for the relatives to speak what English they can to Jess, then supplement what they don’t know—

—identity with their family’s culture, but still. Would be nice to see. Like how people mention they’d like to read more happy stories simply about queer love, not queer trauma (also applicable here with a closeted MC). It doesn’t bother me significantly. But wow, would it be nice to see a fellow lesbian Asian MC who is open with their loved ones! On another note, I wish there was more of a blend between—

—palatable for a general audience who may not be familiar with Asian &/or Malaysian (in this case) culture. That being said, as an Asian-American who adores my traditions, rituals, & culture… I just find it old. I wish we could celebrate the MCs culture in a knowledgeable fashion from the very beginning of the book in more cases! Ofc, that’s usually the end point we get to, the MC balances their own—

I like this so far; Jess definitely seems very millennial core, even though she’s the same age as me, but that’s ok lol. I do wish (& I’m not criticizing this novel in particular, just this kind of book in general) that coming of age novels with MCs in the Asian-American diaspora would stop making said MCs know so little about their own culture, history, & heritage. I know it’s not uncommon, & it is—

Not Jess thinking everything about kind, sensitive Sherng screams The Godfather.

I too miss Chinese New Year money…