Not really a review, as I gave up after four chapters. I must admit that I am an impatient reader.

Beautiful cover, intriguing title, interesting blurb & setting, and neat writing. It, in fact, reminded me of a book (from the very same publishing house) that I loved. However I could not connect with the storytelling and the characters. The dialogues were not very engaging.

Thank you for the copy. Sorry it didn't work for me.

This historical fiction novel takes the reader on a journey throughout Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s when a Russian refugee family takes in Anyu it takes her on a journey of finding her abilities to become a master jeweler but that leads her to some dark and sinister characters leading to the upheavle of the Japanese army invading China at the brink of WWII. An amazing journey for the reader and an epic coming-of-age adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A historical fiction that takes readers from Harbin, China, in 1925 to Shanghai to Hong Kong in the 1950s. Anyu Zhang, our female protagonist, comes to the aid of Issac Mandelburg, a fugitive and master jeweller, one winter night. In thanks, Isaac gives Anyu his address in Shanghai and offers her hospitality should she ever visit the city. As fate would have it, Anyu soon finds herself an orphan when her mother dies. So she heads to Shanghai. While Issac's family members are unsure of the outsider, Anyu begins working in their jewelry shop. This will set her on a path of dazzling jewelry, lifelong friendships, and even love.


Weina Dai Randel is a fantastic author. If you are a lover of historical fiction, then you need to add her books to your ever-growing TBR. This is my third read of one of her titles( The Last Rose of Shanghai and Night Angels being the other two), and once I start reading them, I cannot stop. The Master Jeweler had all the elements that would also make an interesting movie. Anyu is a flawed character- she speaks without thinking and is persistent, much to the annoyance of the other characters. But she loves deeply and makes mistakes, and sometimes this costs her a lot of happiness. Sometimes my reaction was to groan and say " Oh, Anyu," but it's her story, and I had to let her live it.

Don't forget to add Weina Dai Randel to your reading list!





#TheMasterJeweler #NetGalley
Publication Date 24/06/25
Goodreads Review 01/08/25

a gripping read with a unique story set in 1920s-30s china.
the master jeweler follows anyu, a poor young girl who has a tough childhood, but everything changes after she returns a mysterious item dropped in the snow. this simple act of kindness leads to a new life for her in shanghai. iit’s a powerful tale of love, loss, resilience, and transformation.

An exciting page-turner, with a really unusual storyline. Set in China in the 1920s – 30s, we follow the life of a penniless young Chinese girl Anyu, and her initially challenging and tragic childhood, which takes an unexpected turn after picking up an unusual item dropped in the snow at a station and returning it to its owner.
This good deed forges a change in her fortunes and leads her to a new life in Shanghai. This delightful tale teaches us much of the history of China at the time, with rise of opposition from the Japanese army. More than this, we learn about the trade of silversmithing and training to be a master jeweller, and fashion trends of the time, and the fierce competition between rival jewellers of different nationalities.
It is a tale of exile, of love and loss, of generosity and the strength to keep going. It is highly exciting and very well told.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the arc

OMG! One of my fave books of the year!

Historical fiction is far from my fave genre, but this one has enough background to feel transported immediately to China after WWI, but without delving too deep into geopolitical affairs.

The characters were so compelling and well characterized. Although those who were the "bad" ones sometimes felt a little bit too cartoonish, everyone had a role to play in the story, and within a few pages, you could understand and connect with them immediately. Anyu's arc is so well done, we follow her for decades and you undertand her motives, even when she's making a mistake, which tells you how good her character is. She might have a gift for crafting jewerly, but her resilience is her best quality.

I couldn't put this book down because of how addictive it was! It's very fastpaced, with lots of turns and moments where you hold your breath, waiting and fearing what would happen next. It's very telling how much research the author did, and I appreciate that all the information (like the process of jewelry crafting, historical facts, and physical descriptions) was just enough, and not excessive.

The found-family aspect and overall message made me so happy (which is why some scenes hurt so badly)

Lastly, the ending is perfection!!! and I'll be thinking about it for a long time :')

I really enjoyed this story, Weina Dai Randel is a new author for me and I shall now be looking out for what else she has written.

This is the story of Anyu, orphaned in early 20th century China. Travelling from the harsh winters of Harbin to Shanghai, Anyu crafts a new life for herself as a jeweler. The details of the jewellery – including the exquisite Faberge eggs – is fascinating, but the thrill and pace of the story as it gets mysterious and dangerous adds for some great excitement.

I struggled so much with this book that it put me into a reading slump. There were several times when I wanted to shelve it as DNF, but I persisted.

The book's cover may look impressive, but the actual content isn't. The book started off well but then soon lost all focus. The main character Anyu was dislikable - she lacked emotional depth and I really didn't care for her at all. I did appreciate the historical background and the details when it came to the description of jewellery but that was about it.

The writing and the plot were all over the show. There were many time lapses and just too many things happened; half the time, Anyu seemed to be playing detective.

I really enjoyed this book! The historical fiction was rich and well-written, and the story pulled me in. Anyu started off super annoying, but I loved her character development through the second half of the book.
I wasn't a fan of the age-gap romances, and all the deaths were disappointing, but they did make the story more emotional and intense. Overall, a great, dramatic book with strong writing and a satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Weina Dai Randel for an ARC of this book!

This book was a book. The author created an interesting story and cast of characters but the execution didn't do it for me. Stilted dialogue, and lack of descriptive language made it difficult for me to get through. However this author wrote a book, which is really hard, so overall it was just ok.

With beautiful prose, detailed historical research, and a fascinating look at intersectional history, The Master Jeweler is an excellent literary historical fiction novel that sparkles like a Fabregé egg. It’s been *so* long since I’ve read a good historical fiction novel, and this book hit all the right notes.

The first thing that stood out to me was how vividly Randel is able to portray the historical setting without it becoming too heavy-handed or preachy. I loved the subtle way the geopolitics were conveyed and how the landscapes, from wintery Harbin to bustling Shanghai to frenetic Hong Kong, were developed as if they themselves were characters. While those who aren’t familiar with the political landscape of Nationalist China may struggle to fully untangle the complex web of international politics that played out in Shanghai in the 1920s and 1930s, I think Randel does an excellent job with providing just enough context to keep the reader informed. I especially loved seeing the exploration of intersectional history and solidarity between stateless Russian Jews and ethnic Chinese—this is something that is rarely discussed even in academia.

The prose is also stunning. Randel really did her research on the jewelry-making process, and I loved the dazzling visual descriptions of all of the jewelry. Like the setting, the jewelry also seems to be its own character—instead of being reduced to an object that furthers Anyu’s character growth, the jewelry is a powerful symbol that invites meditations on greed, craftsmanship, and the commodification of art for status. I really appreciated how Randel refused to shy away from exploring the commodification of art and its role in perpetuating racial and socioeconomic division.

I don’t want to spoil too much of the actual plot because the characters truly surprised me at times, but I will say that the found family in this book is just *chefs kiss*. In particular, Esther and Anyu’s relationship was so heartwarming and a fantastic example of softer and more subtle female bonding. I also loved seeing how the Mandelburgs adopted Anyu as one of their own, though I wish there was a bit more exploration of how racism affected their unusual family arrangement.

The only thing that didn’t quite sit right with me after further reflecting on the book was the flatness of some of the side characters, but I’m willing to excuse that because the book is singularly funneled through the main character, Anyu. I really grew attached to Anyu and deeply emphasized with both her personal plight and her unwavering love for her artwork, so it didn’t bother me too much that many of the side characters seemed to lack some depth and that their actions were only explored via their impact on Anyu. The romance is the main thing that suffers because of this singular focus on Anyu—it felt a bit forced and definitely a little icky if you were to view it objectively instead of subjectively through its impact on Anyu. I especially struggled with how Randel portrayed the romance (?) between Anyu and Isaac due to the age gap. I think there’s an appropriate commentary on how the lines between mentorship, paternal, and romantic love were blurred between them, but the short scene about Anyu having “daddy issues” (quoted because this is literally said in the book lol) was frustratingly played off as a moment of brevity rather than an interrogation of the impact of war and orphanage on Anyu’s psyche. I wish that moment was explored further, perhaps also through a racial lens to better flesh out how racism and white supremacism affected ethnic Chinese women in high society Shanghai. Too often, this book seems to glaze over the racial violence and politics that dominated Nationalist Shanghai, so I would have appreciated a more in-depth look at that. Unfortunately, this seems to be the trappings of the book’s genre(s)—upmarket book club/women’s fiction, especially of the historical variety, is geared towards an overwhelmingly white female readership. As a Chinese-American woman whose own family history and identity is inexorably tied up in anti-Chinese racism, Orientalism, and the Yellow Peril, I was left a tad unsatisfied by the unexplored impacts of race, gender, and class on Anyu’s story.

Objectively, I’d rate this book four stars just because the plot only really works because of Anyu’s agency, but I loved Anyu so much that my rating is caught between 4 stars (on merit/craft) and 5 stars (for emotional impact). The plot was twisty and intriguing, and I loved the sheer amount of detail and research that Randel poured in this book, but I unfortunately can’t give the book 5 stars due to the somewhat flimsy characterization of the supporting cast and the unexplored/ambiguous critique of race and class in Nationalist Shanghai. Still, The Master Jeweler is an excellent work of literary historical fiction that stands out in a market dominated by repetitive and often derivative WWII novels.

4.5/5 stars (rounded up to 5!)
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a solid read. Interesting sorry about a female jeweler during complicated historical times. A little doe at the start but then they packing picked up and it was an enjoyable read.

Atmospheric and lyrical, I was pulled in from the very first page and could not stop reading. Anyu's journey was a vivid experience, and this is a book I'll be reading over and over again!

This novel had me at Imperial Faberge Egg. Love the all the details, especially as it related to jewelry making and historical Shanghai. Bonus, the author included a secret society. Brava!

absolutely devoured this book — it’s historical fiction with grit, heart, and just the right amount of glitter. anyu’s journey from the icy chinese border to the chaos and glamour of 1920s shanghai pulled me in from page one. she’s fierce, determined, and wildly talented, carving out her place as a jeweler while danger and betrayal close in from every side. between gangsters, secret societies, and a fabergé egg with serious plot-power, this story delivers tension, emotion, and beauty in every chapter. perfect if you love character-driven stories with high stakes and rich historical texture.

15 year old Anyu, living under harsh circumstances with her mother, but never has to work or learn a bit about social customs, nor to fend for herself. Nonetheless her mother taught her languages, maths, drawing and morals. Thus, when she finds a Fabergé egg, she gives it back and in exchange the jeweler gives her a handkerchief with the adress of the shop he'll be staying in Shanghai and the promise to take care of her.
As her mother dies, she embarks on the journey to Shanghai where she doesn't even try to help sell jewelry. Instead she is the "chosen one" that becomes a Master Jeweler in only 3 years and is the only one to think about fusing Chinese symbolism with western jewelry making.

Anyo came off like "the chosen orphan with the magical abilitys, but uttlery dumb", there were beautiful descriptions of the settings, but the plot was all in shambles.. Parts that could have helped to give the characters depth were glazed over, instead we got heroics that were plain stupid, no emotional growth and no real gratitude to those who cared for her. The other characters were stereotypical and the tropes used not well integrated. I struggled to go on reading after roundabout 30%. There was no emotional connection to Anyu other than eyerolls.
All in all this book did feel like the author wanted to push in a lot and center it around Anyu, but lacked the background descriptions and depths. The shallowness makes it a read I would, if I would be forced to, recommend for age 14-16 with trigger warnings for violence, forced abortion and war violence.

My thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.
These are my own thoughts and while I did not enjoy reading this book, others might..

I liked this story about a young Chinese woman living in Northern China and has artistic talent, who finds a Faberge egg lying in the snow at a train station. She returns it to the owner, who is very grateful and says she would always be welcome to visit him in Shanghai. After her mother dies, while she is still in her teens, she takes him up on his offer and moves in with his family to be an apprentice. There was a lot of stuff about how jewelry is made, with all the different styles and gems and processes that I found interesting. I started to get a little bogged down in the romance angle of things, but it did not take over the story and soon faded to the background. It covers a lot of violence between the warlords, gangsters, and the Japanese during the 1920s, and also the bombing of Hong Kong during WWII. There is also family drama, betrayals, secret societies, and heartbreak. A great historical novel.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing this book to read and review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC opportunity!

How could I not read a book about a jeweler? I was definitely intrigued by that aspect of the story, but also let down by it. But I don't think this would be an issue for a reader who has never trained in the craft. A few of the plot points verge on the absurd. I don't want to spoil any of the story, so I'll just leave it at that.

That being said, I think many folks will love this book. The story moves quickly, there are characters to root for and baddies to yell at.

This is a quick read. If you liked books like The Storied Life of AJ Fikry or even The Time Travelers Wife, you might like this book

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eCopy to review

The Master Jeweler is everything I want in historical fiction, richly atmospheric, emotionally layered, and utterly unforgettable. From the snow-covered streets of Harbin to the glittering, dangerous world of 1920s Shanghai, this novel swept me away and didn’t let go. It’s a story about Jewellery, survival, and the quiet strength of a girl who dares to shape her own destiny.

💎 Plot Summary
Fifteen-year-old Anyu Zhang’s life changes the moment she finds a Fabergé egg buried in the snow. Returning it to its owner, Isaac Mandelburg—a former master jeweller to the Russian tsars, she’s offered a lifeline: an invitation to his shop in Shanghai. When tragedy strikes and she’s left orphaned, Anyu travels to the city alone, determined to learn the craft of jewellery making.

But Shanghai is no safe haven. Rival jewellers, political unrest, and the looming threat of war close in around her. As secrets from her past surface including her connection to a powerful warlord, Anyu must decide who she wants to be: a pawn in someone else’s game, or a master of her own fate.

✨ What Worked

Anyu’s Journey: Her transformation from a frightened girl to a confident artisan was deeply moving. She’s a quiet force, and I loved watching her grow.
The Craftsmanship: The descriptions of jewellery-making are exquisite. Every gem, every setting, every design choice felt meaningful.
Shanghai as a Character: The city pulses with life: opulent, corrupt, beautiful, and brutal. It’s the perfect backdrop for a story about transformation.
Found Family: The bond between Anyu and Mandelburg is tender and complex. Their relationship was one of the emotional anchors of the novel.
Themes of Identity & Legacy: The novel explores what it means to create something lasting in a world that’s constantly shifting.

🧾 Final Thoughts
The Master Jeweler is a rare gem, elegant, immersive, and emotionally resonant. It’s a story about finding beauty in broken things, and about the courage it takes to shape your own future. I couldn’t put it down, and I won’t forget it anytime soon.

If you love historical fiction with depth, danger, and dazzling detail, this one’s for you.

The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel is a rich, emotional, and intricately crafted historical fiction novel that charts the rise of a young orphaned girl, Anyu, in early 20th-century China as she evolves into a master of her art. Set against a backdrop of political upheaval, cultural shifts, and artistic brilliance, this is a propulsive coming-of-age story rooted in resilience, grief, ambition, and self-discovery.

What struck me most was how immersive this book felt. From the detailed process of jewelry-making (which I found absolutely fascinating) to the emotional complexity of Anyu’s relationships, every part of this novel pulled me deeper into her world. While the jewelry is dazzling, it’s the character work that truly shines—especially in the found family dynamics, which brought warmth and grounding to the heavier themes at play.

There’s a subtle but impactful critique running through the book about how normalized assault and the loss of bodily autonomy were—and still can be—for women, especially young women. Anyu’s experience with assault is portrayed with nuance and painful realism, particularly highlighting the complicated, often blurry, aftermath survivors can face in understanding or naming what happened to them. Randel handles these moments with sensitivity, never sensationalizing but rather illuminating the personal, internal chaos such experiences cause. It left me with a lot to reflect on.

Romance, too, plays a complicated role. There are multiple love interests, each representing different seasons of Anyu’s life. Her connection with Isaac, while emotionally resonant, treads a morally gray line due to the significant age gap and power imbalance. As her mentor and a father figure, his presence raises important questions about boundaries, timing, and emotional responsibility. And while their relationship is never romanticized in an unrealistic way, it’s written with care that acknowledges the discomfort without dismissing the emotional truth Anyu feels.

One of my favorite aspects of the book was its fusion of art, history, and culture—from Fabergé eggs to cross-cultural artistic influence, from the legacy of the Opium Wars to Jewish migration in China. These layered historical details added such rich texture and made the setting feel vividly alive.

Who Should Read It?
-Female-centered historical fiction
-Art and craftsmanship (especially jewelry-making)
-Complex emotional dynamics
-Found family and slow-burning personal growth

Final Verdict
A beautifully written, emotionally layered novel full of cultural richness and deeply human questions. While not always easy to read, The Master Jeweler is tender, powerful, and unforgettable. Come for the artistry, stay for the heart.

Grateful to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Weina Dai Randel or the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.