Bound and Unbound: A paranormal novella duology
Ali Hazelwood
The Ghost Bride
by Yangsze Choo
About this book
A startlingly original voice makes her literary debut with this wondrous coming-of-age story infused with Chinese folklore, romantic intrigue, adventure, and fascinating, dreamlike twists
One evening, my father asked me whether I would like to become a ghost bride. . . .
Though ruled by British overlords, the Chinese of colonial Malaya still cling to ancient customs. And in the sleepy port town of Malacca, ghosts and superstitions abound.
Li Lan, the daughter of a genteel but bankrupt family, has few prospects. But fate intervenes when she receives an unusual proposal from the wealthy and powerful Lim family. They want her to become a ghost bride for the family's only son, who recently died under mysterious circumstances. Rarely practiced, traditional ghost marriages are used to placate restless spirits. Such a union would guarantee Li Lan a home for the rest of her days, but at a terrible price.
After an ominous visit to the opulent Lim mansion, Li Lan finds herself haunted not only by her ghostly would-be suitor, but also by her desire for the Lims' handsome new heir, Tian Bai. Night after night, she is drawn into the shadowy parallel world of the Chinese afterlife, with its ghost cities, paper funeral offerings, vengeful spirits, and monstrous bureaucracy—including the mysterious Er Lang, a charming but unpredictable guardian spirit. Li Lan must uncover the Lim family's darkest secrets—and the truth about her own family—before she is trapped in this ghostly world forever.
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2026
- ASIN
- B00E67H916
Reader Reviews
November 9, 2015
I could write so much about this book. But why bother boring people. The main thing is this is such a wonderfully crafted story. Very original. You've never read anything like it I bet. If you're interested at all in the spirit world - what happens in-between life & death or after death then this will satisfy your hunger for that. If you're interested in Asian culture and beliefs this is also very revealing and educational. If you like unique love stories, again this is one special book that...
June 25, 2016
5 out of 5 Stars I started this book expecting it to be one thing, then it spun around on me and went in a completely unexpected direction, and I definitely enjoyed the ride! Li Lan, an impoverished but genteel Chinese girl living in Malaya, receives an offer of marriage--to a dead man. The man's wealthy family,are seeking a bride to help his soul rest in peace, an arrangement the dire financial straits of Li Lan's family makes hard to resist. But resist she does, and Li Lan soon finds herself...
October 2, 2015
This book's Kindle edition was on sale for $.99 in June 2015, and I am so glad I snatched it up! I wasn't sure quite what to expect as I began reading, but quickly became intrigued. The 19th century setting combined with supernatural plot elements and intrigue makes for a very interesting read. I learned a good deal about Chinese folklore while reading this book - don't skip the author's comments at the end which describe real folklore, and how she chose to interpret it and weave it into her...
September 27, 2013
I have to first say that my review may be prejudiced because I bought the book under the impression that it was a historical novel. It may have been, but I couldn't really tell--the story could have been set in just about any time period, though I believe it was supposed to have been the late 1800s or early 1900s. The time really isn't relevant because (1) the Asian culture is so different from Western culture that it's going to be a real \"jump\" of a read for any Western reader, and (2) half...
August 25, 2015
What a wonderful book and a complete surprise! I had not idea what to expect from THE GHOST BRIDE but I was pleased and happy I read the book for the Book Club task of the Goodreads #Seasonal Reading Challenge! The book worked for me on many levels. It is an excellent historical novel set in 19th century Maylay (now Malaysia) and contained a lot of information on the customs and rituals of death in Asian countries. I also can see it as a Gothic novel with the young heroine facing so many trials...
