Rita Chang-Eppig

Deep As the Sky, Red As the Sea

Lindsay

As far as she was concerned, honor was scarcely different from stupidity.

All anyone could do in this world was try to stay alive and pray that, when the time came, Heaven would overlook whatever crimes one had committed to survive.

How full of nothing all humans are, Shek Yeung thought absently, just bits of substance drawn and held stubbornly together by will, animal habit, and the fear of what comes after.

I feel remorse for some of the things I’ve done. I would do all of them again. What is remorse if not a privilege, the time to sit alone and cry for oneself?

This might be the most compelling argument for the existence of gods I have ever read… based on 39 years of personal anecdotal evidence… 

Apiecalypse Jen

The gods do not suffer happy mortals, because happy mortals don’t need gods. Something was going to happen to her, and it was going to be devastating.

Very interesting fictionalized version of one of the last female Chinese pirates to plunder the seas. I didn’t know what to expect out of this book but it was very compelling, fast-paced, and moving throughout. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for more pirate fiction in their life!

Katie Allard

A pirate tale set in historical China. Elements of child bearing and what it is to be a vulnerable in a place when vulnerability is not acceptable. It’s a tale of ruthlessness and survival. Some CW for the way sex workers are treated and how they are compelled to be in the industry by being taken as slaves and children. Good for fans of historical stories and stuff set on boats. Also for folks who are interested in the rise of Imperial China.

An immersive story set in 19th century China, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, is based on the life of Shek Yung, who rose from prostitution to command thousands of pirates. This isn't a feel-good story, and Shek Yung is not a hero; she's a true pirate. However, I was captivated by her story and the of China during this time. It was fascinating to see the lengths Shek Yung would go to survive. 

That said, the story is slow and internal, primarily spent in the head of Shek Yung. It's not a swashbuckling saga, and the writing took me out of the story a few times. But I did enjoy learning about this fascinating time in history.

Cheri McElroy

An immersive story set in 19th century China, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea, is based on the life of Shek Yung, who rose from prostitution to command thousands of pirates. This isn't a feel-good story, and Shek Yung is not a hero; she's a true pirate. However, I was captivated by her story and the of China during this time. It was fascinating to see the lengths Shek Yung would go to survive. 

That said, the story is slow and internal, primarily spent in the head of Shek Yung. It's not a swashbuckling saga, and the writing took me out of the story a few times. But I did enjoy learning about this fascinating time in history.

At the end of the day this was a good literary historical fiction that was absolutely failed by the marketing. There’s an underlying thread of myth but it never felt more than just that. If the piracy aspect is what drew you in, it’s more of a backdrop than anything else with a little more focus on the politics of pirates, which I enjoyed. It was a well researched and well written book and I hope it finds its target audience eventually.

Deep As the Sky, Red As the Sea

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