The Girl with a Thousand Faces by Sunyi Dean Published by Macmillan Audio on May 5, 2026
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 308
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads
From the USA Today bestselling author of The Book Eaters comes The Girl with a Thousand Faces, a Gothic tale set in a historical Hong Kong that meshes ancient myths and local legends into a haunting story of ghosts, grief, and women who will not forgive.
When Mercy Chan washes up on the shores of Hong Kong with no family, no money, and no memories, the only refuge she finds is the infamous, ghost-infested slum of Kowloon Walled City. Since then, she has rebuilt her life, working for the local triad as a ghost talker and dealing with the angry and bitter spirits who haunt the district. The filthy gutters and cramped alleyways of Kowloon have become her home.
But the past Mercy can’t remember isn't done with her. An unusually powerful ghost has infested Kowloon’s waterways, drowning innocents and threatening the district. It claims to know Mercy—and secrets from her past that are best left forgotten.
As Mercy is drawn into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with this malignant spirit, she begins to realize that the monster she fights within these walls may well be one of her own making.
What a fascinating story! I went into this novel with no expectations and it truly blew me away. From the first page, this book has had me in a chokehold.
This novel is really hard to describe. It isn’t a typical ghost story. It isn’t a typical thriller or mystery. It’s got elements of historical fiction but the way it blends with the supernatural creates a more modern feel to the story. However you may want to describe it, I can definitely say it is unique.
We have 2 timelines in the story. Both are immersive and able to capture readers’ attention. The author has described Kowloon and Hong Kong in the 1940s – 1970s beautifully; even with the ghostly elements, it is easy to visualize. The characters in both timelines are well-developed, making it easy to connect to them. But the real beauty here is the way the author brings emotional depth into this historical gothic tale. The way grief, anger, and trauma are depicted is so raw and meaningful. There is nuance and complexity in the way these emotions are expressed, creating space for reflection.
Although it sounds like a heavy book, it never truly felt that way. There were moments of levity and humour. The plot in the beginning is intriguing and fast-paced. The characters are all really well-written. These elements keep the reader’s interest steady.
The narrator also deserves praise; she created an immersive experience for readers/listeners. I never struggled to distinguish between the various characters or timelines. Her storytelling made the emotions more poignant, which heightened my experience.
Overall, this was a great novel. I am so glad I listened to the audiobook and I look forward to more creative stories by Sunyi Dean in the future.
