In "Dim Sum Asylum" by Rhys Ford, readers are taken on a thrilling journey through a magical version of San Francisco where magic and magical beings are real. The story follows hardworking detective Roku MacCormick as he navigates the complexities of investigating crimes involving magic in the Chinatown precinct. As Roku and his new partner, Trent Leonard, delve into a case involving animated objects and mysterious killings, they form a solid partnership while combating magical crime. The book is praised for its vivid worldbuilding, complex characters, and seamless integration of Chinese and Japanese elements into the narrative.

Characters:

Characters are complex, with backgrounds that intertwine their roles in the story, displaying relatable struggles and growth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is richly descriptive, humor-filled, and culturally integrated, allowing readers to naturally absorb the story's unique elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a detective dealing with the aftermath of a shooting incident involving his partner, leading to his internal investigation and a new partnership with a rookie cop, all set against the backdrop of magical crime in an urban fantasy world.

Setting:

The setting is an imaginative version of San Francisco's Chinatown, blending magical realism with vibrant cultural elements.

Pacing:

Pacing is dynamic, alternating between slower, character-driven moments and rapid action sequences, keeping readers engaged.

I HATED running first thing in the morning. Even in a fog-drenched San Francisco when the temperatures were on the colder side, it was too early and too damned hot to be pounding through the narrow si...

Notes:

The book is set in a magical version of San Francisco's Chinatown, where dragons and magical beings exist.

Roku MacCormick, the main character, is half fae and half human, which makes him unique among cops.

Roku's partner, Trent Leonard, is a Splice, a person whose DNA was altered to include fae genes.

Roku's mother was a full-blooded fae and a cop, which adds complexity to his character.

The Arcane Division investigates crimes involving magic in this world.

A significant plot point involves Roku having to shoot his own partner after a hostage situation.

Dim Sum Asylum is a nickname for the Chinatown precinct's special division tackling magical crimes.

The author, Rhys Ford, blends humor and romance into the urban fantasy genre.

The book features a case involving a magical sex idol creating chaos in Chinatown.

Readers appreciate the vivid worldbuilding and cultural references throughout the story.

The story weaves in Chinese and Japanese words naturally, enhancing the cultural experience.

The setup suggests potential for future stories or a series, with loose ends to explore.

Dim Sum Asylum was compared to Carnival Row and the early Dresden Files due to its rich world and engaging characters.

Has Romance?

There is a significant romantic aspect between Roku and Trent, making romance a central theme of the story.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

Chinatown cop Roku gets Trent, a new partner he can’t trust, to add to the crime family he doesn’t want and a spell-casting serial killer he desperately needs to find.

June 2017

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244 pages

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (2):

Read It (1)
Did Not Finish (1)

1 comment(s)

fimbud315

Loved It

1 year

A surprisingly good book. Nice to read MM romantic suspense that is not part of the series. The book is an elongated version of a short story but you don't feel it at all. It’s full and complete.

This book presents a very interesting world of magic, unlike any other. All the action takes place in Chinatown and all the magic is related to Asian culture. It seems to me that we more often find Celtic, Ancient Greek or even Egyptian beliefs in books, so it's fantastic to see something new and different.

This also applies to the main characters. Roku and Trent are half faeries, and they both have a tragic past. Their past could be even more prominently displayed in the story because I would like to know more about it. But I can go with what I got. Either way, they are both very remarkable, complex characters and together they make a great pair.

The story is a quick read, it is full of action, and suspense is interesting and not obvious. Different threads intertwine well. Although Roku and Trent know each other very briefly, their affair also seems credible.

What can you read after
Dim Sum Asylum?

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Dim Sum Asylum

Rhys Ford

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