I really loved this book much more than expected (mostly bc I sometimes don’t expect incredible things from the booker shortlist and it could have easily read quite cheesy). It was unlike any book that I have read in that it was incredibly incredibly atmospheric and the setting could have carried the book alone! Ok I so loooove the vibes of Malaysian highlands and I am biased but I think I am also correct. 

The setting really stood out, but I think there is plenty to love aside from that. The characters are really interesting and it feels like you are dropped into a whole mystery that unfolds very perfectly and at exactly the right pace. It’s funny because it is so atmospheric that you feel somewhat removed and that the stakes are lower than a pure mystery book (despite some pretty intense subject matter) but I really enjoyed this vibe. Also, some really cool interesting plot additions that added extra ✨sparkle✨ like the Japanese tattoo culture and Japanese suicide bombing and the communist Malaysian insurgence and even birds nests and their interactions with the orang asli

The main characters like aritomo, tatsuji and the pretoriuses were also enigmas that unfolded in such a delicious (ick) way. Highly recommend, gna read house of doors next and really happy that malaysia has such talented and original authors wooooo. Loved the writing about peranakan culture