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There are currently 26 member reviews
for When They Burned the Butterfly
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Ann H. (Boulder, CO)
Confusing at Best
Somehow, I didn't identify with the characters in this book. Maybe it was because my knowledge of Singapore was limited. I can appreciate the role the various gangs played in the story. Having the butterfly burned seemed to be part of what happened when gangs began usurping power. The butterfly tattoo was almost a character in the story in the story. It had its effects. The girls with the butterfly were loyal to each other which is commended.
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Kristina
Because writing
I enjoyed of reading When They Burned the Butterfly. I haven't read Wen-yi Lee before, and found myself stopping at multiple points to appreciate her writing. Sometimes it was a powerful line, other times a stunning description of the world around them. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction and fantasy as well as a bit of romance. It's an intriguing read and I look forward to reading it again with the knowledge I have now to see if anything new stands out to me. The book is vast, and I think it would have been more enjoyable as a two book series as there is so much life and movement in the book to take in. Overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any other books by the author.
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Rosemary C. (Golden, CO)
Not for Me
I don't usually read books of the fantasy genre, but I was eager to broaden my horizons with this one. Wen-Yi Lee is a good writer, and I stuck with the book until the end, but I just couldn't enjoy the story. The characters were interesting but the ubiquitous gratuitous violence and chaos were off-putting for me and I just couldn't draw any purpose or meaning from them. I can appreciate the creation of an alternate world in 1972 Singapore, the lesbian characters and the nod to feminism, but this reader ultimately just couldn't draw satisfaction with the book.
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Susan U. (Waukesha, WI)
DNF
Im sorry but I just couldn't get into this book. I do think for the right audience it will be well received. It is well written. The story just didn't connect for me.
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Louise H. (KINGWOOD, TX)
VIOLENT RIVAL STREET GANES IN SINGAPORE
The many deadly rival street gangs in this fantasy each have their own magical power and tattoos to identify them. When seventeen year old school-girl Adeline loses her mother, whom she discovers is the Red Butterfly, leader of the violent Butterflies, Adeline drops out of school, becomes a member and matures very quickly, falling in love with the new leader. She adapts to the customary violent ways in a war to keep the Butterflies alive. This 450 page saga-like writing takes place over several months. The author's descriptions of places and situations are thorough, and she does a good job of summarizing the outcome of, sometimes long, thought/discussion decision making processes. She also does a good job of explaining the logic behind the motivation of each rival gang.
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Thelma H. (Ostrander, OH)
When They Burned The Butterfly
Adeline's world is turned upside down at the death of her mother. Who would want to kill her mother and why?
I usually don't read a lot of fantasy books but I enjoyed this book. This book takes place in Singapore, 1972 and that was interesting to me. The Butterflies are a close knit community. As the story evolves you meet characters of the factions of society.
There were two things about the book that caused me to feel like I might not finish the book though: there are many characters to keep track of. For this reason I found the story to be confusing and the story was slow in the middle.
This book deals with a lot of grief, loss and love. The author has a dense writing style that can give readers the feeling that are in the book.
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Patricia S
Intriguing Story but it did not draw me in
When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee is a novel that weaves together threads of Singaporean history, fantasy, queer romance, and action. set in a world of gangsters who serve as conduits for their gods/goddesses. Set against the backdrop of a world where gangsters act as vessels for their gods and goddesses, the novel invites readers into a realm of magic and myth.
The story centers on Adeline Siow, a loner schoolgirl gifted with the power to summon flames. Her journey to uncover the truth behind her mother's death draws her into the mysterious Red Butterfly gang—a group of girls who, like Adeline, possess the gift of fire. This premise is both intriguing and original, promising a blend of danger, discovery, and heartfelt connection. For me, however, that promise was not fully met.
Lee's prose is often hauntingly lyrical, evoking grief, tenderness, love, and longing, as well as intense violence with sensitivity. The world-building is intricate, and the cast of characters is interesting although I felt that many lacked significant character development. Despite the book's strengths, the characters and plot did not fully draw me in. It was a slow read for me.
Nevertheless, the novel sparked a genuine curiosity about Singaporean history and the real Red Butterfly female gang, underscoring Lee's ability to root fantasy in cultural reality.
Ultimately, When They Burned the Butterfly is a bold and imaginative debut—a tapestry of history, magic, and empowered women. Though it did not resonate with me on every level, I appreciate its ambition and the complex world Wen-yi Lee has crafted. This is a novel for readers eager to explore new landscapes, both literal and emotional, and for those seeking stories where the boundaries between reality and myth are blurred.
My thanks to Tor Publishing Group and Wen-yi Li for this Advanced Reader Copy.
