Black Water Sister - Zen Cho

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⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Magdalene)

Jessamyn has just moved back to Malaysia with her parents, jobless after graduating and firmly in the closet while her girlfriend waits for her in Singapore. As she's adjusting to life in Penang, her dead grandmother whom she never met starts talking to her and forcing her to get involved with Malaysian gods, mediums, a temple, and a rich man's son who doesn't want to believe his dad is the bad guy.

This book immediately immerses you in Malaysian culture, and it was refreshing to have a ghost/possession story based on a set of beliefs that aren't Western. Most of the characters speak in Malaysian English, which was also really interesting for me, a language nerd, to hear in the audiobook. I do wish there had been more descriptions of places and food for a stronger sense of place, but otherwise I found this to be an exciting, compelling story of spirits and revenge, but also family and finding your place.

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