Fantastic! The premise of an orphan girl going on to become a master jeweller enticed me in and it didn't disappoint me in the slightest.

The plot starts with Anyu and her mother, struggling to get by in Harbin, when she meets Isaac, a Russian former Imperial jeweller who's hiding a secret. He offers her aid and soon she becomes a member of the family, learning the ways of jewellery-making.

From the get-go I was captivated and I enjoyed watching Anyu grow throughout the novel into a master jeweller. I also thought her characterisation was excellent and her decisions believable even when they stung. She experiences great highs and lows, all of them palpable in each page, and the overarching themes around belonging and war are woven in with care.

The only thing I think could be improved is the pacing as for most of the novel it's well-paced but towards the end I found it a little rushed. But, for the most part I loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up

The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel is a propulsive, emotional, historical fiction novel that takes place in China in the early to mid twentieth century. It centers around a young girl named Anyu who is orphaned and her journey to becoming the titular master jeweler. It is due to be published on June 24, 2025 and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

This was my first experience with this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was drawn in by the description and the title. I loved this book and I could not stop reading it. It is well written and well paced. The characters had distinct voices and I especially enjoyed the found family aspect of it. I found myself fully immersed in the world of the story and captivated by the vivid description.

Learning about the jewelry making process was fascinating but what really drew me in were the relationships. Come for the art and stay for the fast paced drama. With the exception of a few character choices, I truly enjoyed this and would recommend it highly.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story! Anyu was such a likable character and I found myself cheering her on. She went thru So much in her life. The jewelry piece was really amazing and I loved learning about it!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction epic about one woman's wild and adventurous life in 1920s Shanghai amid gangsters, gold and then war.

Anyu is a complicated character, often unlikable but with an unshakable belief in her own moral code. An orphan, she was raised by a single mother who had a scandalous affair with a warlord. She finds a priceless Faberge egg in a train station, where she often goes to escape and draw. She gives it back to its owner, a Russian Jew and a jeweler who is so touched by her honesty that he offers to take care of her if she ever makes it to Shanghai.

After her mother dies, she makes her way to him and finds his family, who owns a jewelry making shop fallen on hard times. Without talent as a saleswoman, she becomes enamored instead with jewelrymaking, where her true talents lie. She can create magic out of silver in a world where women can't ask for more.

The story follows her meteoric rise to fame amid war, struggles and oppression, her star-crossed love with the much older jeweler who took her in and her other tragic love affairs. The only constant through the years has been her love for her craft, which makes her rich and then turns her blind.

Anyu lives a very sad life, destined to never hold onto requited love, always hunted. But above all else it's a story of stubborn survival against all odds set against an intriguing backdrop, a time in history I'd like to know more about. We get lots of WWII history but mostly from the European side. Books like this really bring history to life. At times I found her character frustrating and shallow, but mostly I deeply admired her and her incredible life. It was never only about the jewels she made; it was also about the relationships that made her, and the kinds of love that aren't all romantic.

Some content warnings include forced abortion, loss of a child and sexual assault, along with all the trauma of life in a war zone and as a refugee. But it never felt bleak or hopeless; I always felt Anyu would survive, even if it wasn't a happy life. Maybe moments of happiness are all we can hope for. This really showed how difficult it was for women in that era to hold a successful career, and the racial divisions that made it even more difficult.

A beautiful, sweeping epic that captivated me the whole way through.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Master Jeweler is more than just a story about jewelry—it’s a powerful tale of resilience, family, and finding hope in the darkest of times. Despite its backdrop of glittering treasures and ruthless collectors in 1920s Shanghai, the heart of the story lies in its emotional depth. Anyu’s journey is not just about mastering the craft but about surviving loss, forging unbreakable bonds, and refusing to give up even when the odds are stacked against her.

I loved the fact that her driving force for success isn't just pure ambition but more from her longing to be accepted, which made her more likable in my opinion. What makes this book stand out is how Quinn seamlessly uses jewelry as a storytelling device rather than the focal point. Even without an understanding of fine jewelry, readers will find themselves engrossed in the emotional struggles and triumphs of Anyu’s life.

Ultimately, The Master Jeweler is a deeply moving story about perseverance, the power of family—whether by blood or by choice—and the hope that can shine even in the bleakest moments. Whether you love historical fiction or simply enjoy stories of strong characters overcoming adversity, this novel is a definitely worth reading.

Review for a Netgally find!
This book had its hooks in me from page 1 and it did not let go. I flew through this book. I found I was rooting so hard for the main character to hold onto something good. I loved this book, I found it easy to read (without being boring). It’s was an engaging story that you just need to know what’s going to happen next. It was heartbreaking but so so good. Highly recommend!

“The Master Jeweler” by Weina Dai Randel is the story of a 15 year old Chinese girl from a remote village who finds a priceless Faberge egg and returns it to the owner. The owner a Jewish fugitive and former master jeweler for Russia’s imperial empire offers her a place to live. Ultimately, she becomes a jewelry prodigy after becoming an orphan. Her dangerous journey during 1930’s Shanghai intrigued me right away, but I found the writing style awkward and thus the book became a very slow read so I never became invested in the characters or the narrative. I am sure many other Historical Fiction fans will feel differently.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“The Master Jeweler” by Weina Dai Randel is the story of a 15 year old Chinese girl from a remote village who finds a priceless Faberge egg and returns it to the owner. The owner a Jewish fugitive and former master jeweler for Russia’s imperial empire offers her a place to live. Ultimately, she becomes a jewelry prodigy after becoming an orphan. Her dangerous journey during 1930’s Shanghai intrigued me right away, but I found the writing style awkward and thus the book became a very slow read so I never became invested in the characters or the narrative. I am sure many other Historical Fiction fans will feel differently.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Master Jeweler is a beautifully told historical fiction tale, telling the story of Anyu, who at the age of 15 is taken under the wing of a Jewish master jeweller.

Set in Shanghai. this is a book with a wonderfully descriptive style and I loved reading of Anyu and her learning of her trade. The Faberge egg has always amazed me, it has exquisite beauty and I fully understood the meaning of why Anyu was mesmerised too.

This book has everything, it is sad, but it is quite a wondrous read and I really didn't want it to end

This book is so so so so good. I was immediately pulled in and ripped in half. This is not a light hearted story, but one with a lot of depth, history, culture, and heartbreak and hope.

This one is a bit too heavy for me currently, even though every part of me wants to continue reading it, I need to put it down and pick it back up when I can handle this one. It’s so beautifully written, well-executed, interesting, and the cover is beyong gorgeous.

I am so incredibly grateful to have received a free ecopy of this book. This is my honest feedback I am leaving voluntarily.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and was invested in the lives of the characters. The description of the book enticed me and the beginning of the story did the same. The setting is one I haven’t read of before and the look into that time period and the political and cultural landscape of the time was very interesting. The descriptions of the jewelry and scenery were vivid and I could picture clearly what the author was describing. I will say I struggled a bit with the writing at certain points - there were some abrupt transitions and jumps in the story that felt a bit rushed.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Weina Dai Randel for the ARC!

I was captivated by Anyu’s journey and the setting of this book. There were compelling characters and relationships, beautiful descriptions (I really can’t understate this), and such smooth prose throughout. Anyu’s search for connection was relatable and moving, and there were so many touching and heart-wrenching moments.

As far as caveats go, the pacing did feel a bit uneven at times—some things happened and passed by so quickly compared to how much weight they had and the pace of the surrounding context. And a few things stretched belief. Mr. Du really never found out anything about the necklace? And some characters were just… there. They could’ve been more developed given how present they were in the book, like the family Anyu lived with. Just seeing glimpses of her relationships with them as things evolved would’ve been nice—it felt like some of that evolution was glossed over. These didn’t eclipse my enjoyment of the book, though, and I would recommend it and am glad I read it. If anything, I think the story could be improved by being expanded upon.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Master Jeweler is a well written historical fiction novel about a teenage orphan, Anyu, who is taken under the wing of a Jewish master jeweler in 1920s-1940s Shanghai. Initially enamored with a Faberge egg, this is a highly detailed story of resistance and endurance as Anyu learns the intricate skill of jewelry making in a dangerous time of war. Randel has exhibited her meticulous research and attention to detail in this richly layered, atmospheric and captivating read. With thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC book. It is the story of a young orphan, Anyu, who becomes a famous master jeweler in 1920s-1940s Shanghai. She is trained by a Jewish master jeweler who escaped from Russia with a Fabrege egg. It was interesting to learn about the competition and treachery among the master jewelers of the time. It was just an ok read for me. Interesting information but I didn't think the writing was very good. Short clipped sentences. A bit superficial.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, Weina Dai Randel, and NetGalley for this ARC!

I have always been fascinated with Yoshiko Kawashima's story. She is a highly polarizing and controversial historical figure. The plot and the way the story came together with a Russian Faberge egg that led to so many events were done well. I just found the narrative style to be less immersive and moving. It read more like a retelling of a nonfiction story with straightforward "tell not show" storytelling. I prefer more lyrical and powerful styles that really bring the readers into the story and make you feel the story rather than relaying events. The writing style is three stars but I added an extra star for how different and interesting the story was.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I just finished an amazing historical fiction book.The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel was so engrossing.

The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel. The Master Jeweler was a very interesting story. Describing all the jewelry they made detail by detail.