Synopsis for The Nine Fold Heaven (from the book jacket):
When Shadow, a gifted, ambitious magician, competed
with the beautiful Camilla for the affections of organized crime leader Master
Lung, she almost lost everything. Hiding out in Hong Kong, performing in a
run-down circus, Shadow has no idea that Camilla, too, is on the run with her
lover, Jinying – Lung’s son.
Yet while Camilla and Shadow were once enemies, now
their only hope of freedom lies in joining forces to eliminate the ruthless Big
Brother Wang. Despite the danger, Shadow, Camilla, and Jinying return to
Shanghai. Camilla also has her own secret agenda - she has heard a rumor that
her son is alive. And in a city teeming with spies and rivals – including the
vengeful Rainbow Chang – each battles for a future in a country on the verge of
monumental change.
About Mingmei Yip (from the book jacket):
Mingmei Yip was born in China, received her PhD from
the University of Paris, Sorbonne, and held faculty appointments at two
prestigious universities in Hong Kong. She immigrated to the United States in
1992, where she now lives in New York City.
Review:
I reviewed Mingmei Yip’s Song of the Silk Road a
couple of years ago, and found it fascinating, at times mesmerizing. Many
readers here at What Women Write may not be aware I spent a considerable amount
of time in Asia back in the 1990’s – with destinations in Thailand, Malaysia,
Vietnam and Hong Kong. I’m not generally a mystery/thriller sort of girl, but I
do enjoy novels set in Eastern cultures and I love the 1930s, so I was pleased
to review The Nine Fold Heaven.
The story is certainly original, and Yip is an
expert at putting in details to bring her settings to life. I not only have an
idea of what Shanghai looked like, but also what it sounded and smelled like.
The same goes for Hong Kong, only my impression there is enhanced by memory
because I’ve been to that city and know the basic layout.
The Nine Fold Heaven is the second book featuring
Camilla and the rival gangs with whom she is entangled. It can stand alone, but
if people dive into this one without having first read Skeleton Women, Camilla
may come across as highly unsympathetic to begin with. As I got to know her and
understood her past, detailed in the first book, she grew on me and I genuinely
hoped she would find happiness. She is a strong, brave woman, very bright,
manipulative by necessity, and trained not to have emotions. Her humanity
shines through in her quest to find her baby son and also in her relationship
with the blind orphan, Peiling.
If you enjoy mystery/thrillers and novels set in the
East, definitely pick up one of Yip’s books. In addition to the ones mentioned
above, she has also written Petals From the Sky and Peach Blossom Pavilion.
Disclosure
of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of the book mentioned above
gratis in the hope that I would mention it on this blog. Regardless, I
only recommend books I've read and believe will appeal to our readers. In
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” I am making this statement.
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