Book Review: “Power of The Matchmaker” by Various Authors
“Power of The Matchmaker” by
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Novella
Page Length: 60 pages (electronic edition)
Synopsis:
A prequel novella to the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER Series
Mystical . . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .
12 novels by 12 bestselling authors
Released once a month in 2016
Read the matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .
Mae Li has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl for Chen.
Heartbroken, Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village with the clothes on her back and her only possession—a pearl embedded comb, given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.
Upon Mae’s arrival in Shanghai, she quickly learns that she’ll starve within days unless she sells her prized comb or joins a courtesan house. She goes to the Huangpu River and promises the River God that she’ll always be selfless if he will save her from becoming a prostitute . . . Her wish is granted when Ms. Tan, the matchmaker of Shanghai, finds Mae. But Mae must completely change her future and her name if she is to become the next matchmaker. (description from Goodreads)
Review:
The writing in Power of the Matchmaker is very detailed and will immerse you in universe of Mae’s countryside hometown. The characters and the plot are quickly set up and overall the story moves at a very fast pace since it was a novella. Though the story is only 60 pages long I never felt that it was written in haste and that plot was rushed.
I felt that Mae Li seems to be a bit innocent of a character, but then I had to consider her age and naiveté. She is heartbroken by the match maker’s decision not to pair her up with Chen and overnight she makes the decision to leave her family and home to go to Shanghai. Upon her immediate arrival she realizes it is too late to turn back and that she is unprepared for city life and the dangers that come with traveling alone.
I love reading historical fiction novels so Power of the Matchmaker was a perfect fit for me. The buildings, clothing style, and transportation is written in such detail that it takes the readers back in time to ancient China. It’s almost as if you are traveling on the same journey that Mae Li is on.
This was a great novella and prequel to the series. Even though the story is short, it was very entertaining and it set the tone for the rest of the books that will be released in 2016. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series.
Final Verdict:
FTC Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review!
