Usually, I'm a very character-focused reader. If the characters aren't well-developed, it's difficult for me to become interested in the story. The Ghost Bride breaks that rule for me. I would say that the characters and their relationships with each other aren't particularly strong, but I didn't mind because the prose was so beautifully written and the exploration of Chinese folklore was incredibly compelling. Following Li Lan through the underworld as she struggles to escape an unwanted, ghostly suitor gives a lovely, detailed imagining of a Chinese afterlife that includes both the fantastical and a really interesting system of litigation. I would love to read more stories set in this universe.

Just a few details to keep in mind about this book: 
First, this story is very slow. I didn't mind because I enjoyed the prose and the world-building. But this is not an action-packed story. 

Second and more importantly, there is a great deal of fatphobia in this book. Li Lan's unwanted suitor is described as overweight and that is used to vilify him. He is a bad person because he is trying to force a young woman into marriage against her will. His weight shouldn't be a factor in it. I couldn't tell if this was meant to be a character flaw of Li Lan's. I hope it was an intentional flaw just as her judgment against women who use their sexuality to their advantage is presented as a flaw that she overcomes. But she never overcomes her superficial outlook on others. So it's hard to say if this is intentional or a bias of the author's.