Wen-yi Lee

When They Burned the Butterfly

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review! Wen-yi Lee's fiery adult debut is not to be missed. Set in 1970s Singapore, Lee crafts a narrative steeped in history, rage, dangerous gods, and gangsters always ready to fight. Adeline is a main character that keeps you on your toes and tugs you along with her on all her decisions. What really shines about this novel is the biting prose that Lee does so well. Adeline's rage and grief is felt so viscerally through the prose and it is no surprise that these emotions intertwine so fluidly and deeply with all the themes of the story as you continue on. This book is a fire in itself, blazing through your heart and lingering after you finish the last page. If you enjoyed: the intensity of R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War, the mystery and historical fantasy setting of Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights, and the action and found family of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows, you will find so many things to love in this book.

When They Burned the Butterfly

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