Book Review: The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

 Wow.  WOW.   Wow. 

I really enjoyed this book by Christina Li.  I am not entirely sure that the way it is being marketed is helping it succeed.  This really isn't a mash up of Mexican Gothic and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It is also NOT "brimming with romance" So... I feel like a lot of readers who were looking for those two items were mightily disappointed.  I'm still wondering exactly where the romance was in the room with us. 

    This really is a literary fiction novel with elements of horror, mystery and magical realism. It is very well constructed, engaging and the plot unfolds well.  I really enjoyed the audiobook as well. 

No Spoiler synopsis:  Two estranged families must come together for the reading of a will of a famous, but mysterious and reclusive relative. In a surprise, one family inherits the lion's share; the other feels they must contest the will, leading to both families occupying the family mansion for some times.  During this time, readers move between two timelines, which reveal the past and the present as the week in the mansion evolves. 

  Within 352 pages, there is a lot to unpack. 

***** Alert- Spoilers ahead**********

There is discussion of immigration to the United States, family expectations, the "American Dream" , power dynamics in relationships of all sorts, Motherhood,  generational trauma, and history, and quite a lot more. This would be a good book for a book club because it is very accessible for many readers. Although the story seems somewhat unique- The themes all have threads that almost any reader can pick up and find relatable. 

So I enjoyed this novel, felt it was very well written and constructed overall and I gave it 4 stars. 

The only thing I do find kind of strange is that... AGAIN SPOILER ALERT....  

We have a sentient garden. It has killer plants. 

Also in the past 5 years we have had Mira Grant's Overgrowth,  and  Eat the Ones you Love by Sarah Maria Griffin, which also contain sentient plants that quite invade people's personal space. I find that coincidence kind of strange  but I did enjoy all three of these books, so I suppose with a few more it can become it's own  Plant horror genre. 

So do I recommend?  YES.  If you want some modern day drama tied up with the past, combined with some creepy magical plant elements, this is a great one to read.  Just check your triggers! 

STATS

First Published  May 2025

Pages: 352

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings:  violence, murder, theme of abuse and loss, Supernatural killers, child death, Domestic violence, racism, classism.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)