Dim Sum Asylum Paperback – 9 Jun. 2017

Really enjoyed this latest Rhys Ford tale, though I had Google on speed dial at times, checking out translations & some of the folklore mentioned.As usual with a Ford book, it was beautifully written with some very evocative descriptions of her home turf (San Francisco), which again has made me add the place to my travel list, even if there aren't any real life dragons sitting on top of the gates of Chinatown! Am hoping Ford will turn this into a series as the Arcane SFPD seem to have plenty of work ahead due to all those pesky fae and other critters getting into trouble.Another highly recommend Ford tale, very different from 'There's this Guy' that came out in March, though the beautiful writing remains. My only slight criticism (& especially considering Ford hasn't fully confirmed that this is going to be a series) is that it would have been improved if there had been a little more back story of both Roku & Trent and there certainly seemed to be some loose threads/unanswered questions at the end..

An advance reading copy of "Dim Sum Asylum" by Rhys Ford was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.I read the short story, of which this is a very much expanded version, and liked it, but I like the longer version even more. I especially liked the world-building. The vivid descriptions of Chinatown, of San Francisco painted a very realistic and life-like picture. The location is almost like one of the characters in the story, a character that I love. The picture that she painted made me both feel like I'd been to Chinatown and it made me want to go there. It made me want to eat all those, to me, strange and scary dishes with names that I don't know how to pronounce. Since I'm not a brave eater, that's quite a feat.Another aspect I really liked was the magic. It was not laid out in every minor detail, instead it was explained as much as necessary to follow the story and seemed an organic part of the story and its background.Finally, the characters. For me this one was all about the POV character. Rokugi (Roku) brought the short story to life for me and he's even more intriguing in this novel-length version. Complicated, hurt, loyal, fierce and a cop through and through, he was the linchpin of this story. His drive and passion made this feel like a detective story with some romance elements thrown in, which in this case is not a bad thing at all. The romance aspect served to further inspire passion in a guy who's already pretty passionate; the romance doesn't detract from the detective story, it reinforces it and makes for a very enjoyable and compelling read. Highly recommended!!

Brilliant! I had previously read the short story version of this in a "collection" and then immediately put it on my "to buy" list as I so wanted to read more of these characters and their world. I read this from the beginning, enjoying re-reading the first part again, and so enjoying the whole book. I loved the ending part and the convoluted relationships. Only one lovely sex scene but what a great fantasy story with villains and familial twists. I look forward to re-reading this whole book again. (I also learnt a lot of new words - that was fun too! Initially I nearly got put off by some of the detailed descriptions, but I soon adapted to how it was written and loved it.) I liked the cat too!

I just love the worlds she weaves. I love the writing style and the characters. Dragons and monsters and Fae, sexy cops and a good storyline. What's not to love?

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.I must be the slowest snail on the block, I really must!! There I was, reading this, and the thought hits me "I've read this before. Where have I read this before. Who stole Rhys Ford's work. How did they get it before it was released" All those thoughts hit me, and I got as far as writing at email to Ms Ford, telling her all this stoopid stuff going through my head.THEN!! Then I read that little bit at the top of the blurb bit, saying its an expanded full length version of a short that appeared in the Charmed and Dangerous Anthology (published August 2015) But I didn't write a review for it, and I must have read at least this one. So, apologies Ms Ford, for being such a duh!So, the book. An extremely well written book, with all the delights that Ford throws at us from San Francisco and China Town and the Arcane Crimes Division. Full of those little things she chucks in, you know the ones?? The ones that make you think "say what now??" and "did he just say that?" and "what did he just say?? no, that can't be so!" The ones that make ME slow down, and have to go back because, I'm sure he didn't just do what he did after that! Those sorts of things, this book is full of and I did love that.BUTFor me, and this pains me deeply to say, this book didn't quite do it. I've no bloody idea why, either. It's told only from Roku's point of view, in the first. And I didn't mind that here. Yes of course I wanted to hear from Trent, but once I'd resigned myself to the fact he doesn't have a say, I was okay with it.I should also mention this. While READING, I could hear (or at least a semblance of) Greg Tremblay. I could hear him reading this to me, and it makes me really really wish I had waited for (any possible) audio version of this book, because, while I'm not a fan of READING single point of view, when it comes to LISTENING, I do enjoy single point of view more.And I'm beginning to waffle. So I'll stop now, because waffling does not make for a good review.4 solid stars, (and I'm sorry I didn't love it!)**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Loved this

Absolutely loved it. Classic Rhys Ford. Crime, mystery and murder, (a la Ms. Ford), with a twist. I enjoyed the supernatural element and the world building. Beautifully descriptive writing with broken, but endearing characters. Interesting secondary characters too. Highly recommended. 5+ *s.