The strength of this book lies in its ability to maintain its suffocating and exhausting (kind of) tension for the first 75%. The setting was very atmospheric, dark, and not really full on terrifying but more unsettling than anything else. However, there is a sharp disconnect when you reach the last 25% of the book. The ending felt like it had to rush so much to wrap up the threads, which stood in contrast to the meticulous build-up of the earlier chapters. It went from a very engaging gritty vibe to a squashed cringe fest in the end. I don't need some big revelation to enjoy a book nor do I need the mystery to be unsolvable, I just need it to flow smoothly but that ending was disappointing for me. I want to give a different perspective when it comes to Daniel x Hannah's relationship. If you look at it through the lens of trauma and survival, I see it one of the most honest parts in the book. It’s not a romance. I didn't see it as such. It's more of a fight or flight response. Using another person for emotional regulation in the middle of a traumatic attack is messy, dark, and it can be perceived as ugly, but it is deeply human. It serves as a narrative for the distress they are both experiencing throughout, not only with their environment and the situation they're stuck in, but within themselves as well. I appreciate that CJ Leede didn't try to sanitize it or make it "cute" or "fluffy." It was uncomfortable, which felt true to the characters' mindsets, in my opinion. Another thing, I don't know The Shining. Well, now I do, after I did some research (promise I don't live that much under a rock), but I see the resemblance and inspiration after. Seems like those that love to read horror/thriller/paranormal have such an established line of books, films, and references, and it's pretty fun to see that within the community, reviewers, and authors. Shout out to you guys because I do not have the heart to handle material that freaks me out! I've screamed at every horror movie I've seen, I'm not exaggerating. Some scenes were very much, ew. Also, a little unhinged and insane. Tillman was a favorite of mine, LOL. I know that's crazy to say but in a really weird way... he had a sort of whimsy charm to him? Guy was overall comedic relief but in a really weird, aloof way. This definitely was an attempt with a lot of ambitious themes and overall, some were executed better than others. I wasn't too taken aback by the writing style which was a surprise to me, I was kind of expecting to not roll with it but I didn't hate it. Anyways, the cover just looks awesome! 10/10 for it. Let me know if you've read this or plan to check it out. I know it's been a hit or miss for some and this sat in the middle for me. Glad I picked it up and gave it a chance!

What a rich, immersive collection of short stories, to navigate us through the city that is in constant and continuous transformation. I think what really got to me the most was how Xu Xi wrote with unforgiving, sharp-edged, yet sentimental care into every political event mentioned through the eyes of the private lives, the ones who lives through history but often aren't in the focus in their stories, and instead highlights everyone in a respective space that makes it feel more lived-in than anything else.

I also do really enjoy short stories that challenge not only me, but they answer such questions about belonging, language, and identity in a world, specifically in this case, Hong Kong, that undergoes several transformations shaped by war, foreign involvement, integration with others, and so on. And that way that's all done through humor, grief, and my favorite - that super direct anger at erasure that critically points out what the actual TRUE sentiment is throughout. But it's done in such a matter that is calculative. I will say, I think this might be just a common thing about short stories, etc but sometimes it can be difficult to get attached to characters because it ends in such a manner. I will commend it though for how Xu Xi navigated the lack of continuity and instead balanced it out in such a generational manner.

Fascinating, although, I do feel like some collections require some cultural and historical knowledge, which I do see creating some friction with readers, potentially? However, the first couple pages explaining the purpose of this, the knowledge and fascination of Xu Xi, was SO NICE. So well articulated, complete and utter respect for the craft and recognition and I think it would be any reader's due diligence to research more anyways. That was definitely thought out and an absolute great addition to the book altogether. But also, some of the ways the short stories are written can be much for some, slow, too fast, too rushed. It's all dependent on who's reading it, but anything with a sprinkle of history and discussions regarding it is a cup of tea for me.

I will note that my favorites in here were The Yellow Line and Famine. 10/10!

Thank you Gaudy Boy x NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

Publication Date: July 1, 2026