After a promising start,Weina Dai Rande's 'The Master Jeweler' seemed to lose its way a bit and overall I found it quite unsatisfying.
The story line is an interesting one, the exploration of the world of high-end jewellery-making fascinating and the historical detail - set between the two World Wars, mainly in Shanghai - and romantic interest, offered so many opportunities. However, none of these, perhaps apart form the jewellery theme, seemed to be developed successfully. Some of the many themes seemed to be picked up and dropped too easily and others just didn't seem very believable. There were missed opportunities galore and even more frustrations.

All of that said, it's an easy read and I finished it, unlike some other reviewers who, overall, didn't seem to enjoy it. It was a bit of a romp, so not too taxing and maybe that's why Randel didn't dwell on some of the more serious aspects and real events that were only just touched on. The main character - Anju - isn't readily likeable, but I guess that may be as a result of portraying. girl who has had a harsh upbringing and a sense of not belonging. Her focus was on survival and perhaps this characteristic was responsible for her seeming to be hard-hearted and somewhat unemotional. I didn't think this detracted from the novel, though it did make it harder to care what happened to her. I think fewer coincidences and changes of heart, along with a little less 'oriental' stereotyping would have helped too, but I'm sure many readers will love this book - just not quite my cup of tea.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it, stuck with me & would recommend
I made it through this story so quickly because I loved the setting of occupied Shanghai, found the main character compelling, and the world of jewelry and jewelry design fascinating. The story moves briskly and was very dynamic.

The narrator, Christine Lin, did a great job, I had no trouble understanding who was saying what, where, when, with what expression/intension.

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, NetGalley, and author Weina Dai Randel for providing me with a digital ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. The Master Jeweler is out June 24, 2025.

This was a very interesting story that focused more on the jewelry world during WWII and beyond. The connection of all the characters was well woven throughout the story. The jewelry aspect was really interesting and reading about Anyu becoming a master Jeweler herself. I grew up always looking at my mimi's faberge eggs so I enjoyed that part.

Heartbreakingly beautiful and a wonderful look into the lives of those living in an occupied Shanghai before and during WWII. Although Anya’s journey was long and difficult I loved listening to how a brave young woman advocated for herself, and others while living during a time and place where it was seen as wrong. Anyu’s resiliency in the face of anything life gave her moved the story along beautifully. I loved the parallels between Anyu and her mother’s story, but how Anyu ultimately made a decision that her mother never could. In the end Anyu was brave, fearless, and fought hard for those she loved and this is her real story and why I loved this book so much. Another fantastic part of why I loved this book was the detailed descriptions of the jewelry making process and how much Anyu enjoyed and loved the work that she did. I can’t wait to read more stories by Weina Dai Randel

“A good jeweler makes jewelry but a master jeweler builds relationships.”

Anyu wants to make jewelry, but early in the twentieth century, this wasn’t really an option for young ladies in Shanghai. But war was brewing and loyalties were being tested; unexpected things were happening.

This is a story of love and family and creativity and honor. It’s a story of deceit and loss, dedication and danger.

A work of historical fiction, I loved the unique perspective on the WWII time period and Anyu’s story. Her fierce spirit and relentless drive were inspiring and fascinating at the same time.

The audio of this book held my attention, and I loved hearing the creative descriptions of the jewelry and the jewelry-making processes. And how stunning is this cover?

Do you have any jewelry that holds sentimental value for you?

📚 ARC Review: The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

As a lover of historical fiction and Asian literature, I was immediately drawn to The Master Jeweler—and it did not disappoint. I listened to the audiobook (ALC), and from the very beginning, I was pulled into Anyu Zhang’s journey.

From a chance encounter with a Fabergé egg to finding herself in the glittering yet perilous world of high-end jewelry, Anyu’s path is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her transformation—from a naive, impulsive girl to a resilient and determined artisan—was one of my favorite aspects of the book. Watching her fight to prove herself and earn her place in her found family was emotional and rewarding.

The story moves quickly across years, but I was never confused. The pacing felt natural and kept me fully engaged. I also appreciated how the relationship between Anyu and Isaac was handled—it felt more like a deep father-daughter bond, which gave the story additional emotional depth.

What truly stood out for me was the detail around jewelry-making—it was immersive, enchanting, and rich with cultural texture. The inclusion of a powerful secret society within the world of jewelers, and the role of greed and betrayal, added a compelling layer of tension and intrigue.

The Master Jeweler is a story of growth, ambition, and resilience—set against a vivid historical backdrop. I highly recommend it to fans of character-driven historical fiction with emotional depth and a unique setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance publishing for the advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book review: 4/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: found family, artisans, discrimination, secret societies
📖 Read if you like: The Mountains Sing, The Lotus Shoes

This journey of a little girl who becomes an orphan only to find a new family and a new profession as a woman is a great saga. Yet her life is plagued with misery, some of her own making and others simply a matter of circumstance and perhaps her share of bad luck. With revolutions and wars, invasions and migrations this is a story that travels through China to Hong Kong and beyond. A story of capture and imprisonment, of deceit and greed. Yet it is also a story of love and creativity, of finding purpose and staying true to yourself.

By chance, a 15-year old Anyu discovers a Faberge egg in Harbin. An honest girl she returns it to Isaac Mandelburg, a refuge and former master jeweler in imperial Russia. As a token of thanks, he leaves his address in Shanghai hoping they will meet again. This chance meeting will set about a chain reaction that will see Anyu entering the dazzling and dangerous world of jewellers. With a single-minded determination and inspired talent, Anyu will stop at nothing until she herself becomes a master jeweler. As she becomes inexplicably entwined with local gangsters and secret societies, she will soon discover how valuable she truly is and what greedy rivals are willing to do to acquire what they covet.

It is a very Dickensian tale with a heroine that is steadfast and truthful if naive. She seems to willingly walk into dangerous situations with outcomes that can be easily spotted by everyone but her. It was odd that she also made the same mistakes as her mother in some respect, but I suppose these are all growing pains. I tried to remember she was very young for the majority of this book and her outlook and emotional state reflect that, especially in her decision making. There were many other characters that rounded out this orphan’s tale though most were transient in the storyline.

The world of jewelry making was truly dazzling and the process enchanting. I got lost in the artistry and all the interwoven plot points. Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for an eARC and audiobook. Christine Lin did a brilliant job of performing this book perfectly adapting ages and district profiles and accents to all of the characters. Her reading really made this story come alive. It almost had a cinematic quality. While I have really been enjoying audiobooks some parts need to be savoured and read slowly. Grateful to be able to approach this one in a tandem read.

3.5 stars

This historical novel focuses on the life of a Chinese woman named Anyu, and her experiences from the 1920s to the 1940s. During this time, Japan was invading China, and civil war in Russia was driving residents to flee the country.

In 1925, fifteen-year-old Anyu and her mother are living in near-poverty in Harbin, China, near the Siberian border. Anya's mother was once the mistress of the warlord Zhang, but Zhang is a womanizer with seven wives, and he doesn't care about his out-of-wedlock daughter Anyu or her mother.

Anyu wants to go to school, but can't because education is reserved for the wealthy. So Anyu stays home and learns from her accomplished mother: mathematics, Russian literature, English, and how to draw. Anyu is drawing pictures near the train station one day, and finds a velvet bag that contains an exquisite egg-shaped ornament crafted from smooth crystalline shells, their surface engraved with luminescent, feathery filaments that sparkle. Supporting the egg is a translucent rock-like gemstone, carved to resemble a glacier overflowing with a rivulet of diamonds. The egg opens to reveal an elegant trellis basket holding a bouquet of white flowers with gold stamens inlaid with gemstones.

A Russian man rushes up to Anyu, and - in poor Chinese - says the bag is his, and asks for it back. Anyu isn't about to be fooled, and says the man must tell her what's in the bag and and how he got it. The Russian says the bag contains a Fabergé egg called the Winter Egg, and he's a jeweler who helped craft treasures for the Romanovs that ruled Russia. When the imperial palace was about to be breached during the Russian Revolution, the Romanovs gave him the Winter Egg for safekeeping.

Anyu returns the bag, and the grateful Russian says he's Isaac Mandelburg, and he's on his way to his uncle's jewelry shop in Shanghai. Isaac gives Anyu a silk handkerchief with the address of the jewelry store, and says he'll help her if she ever comes to Shanghai.

This incident changes Anyu's life.

A few months later, when Anyu is sixteen, the Japanese bomb Harbin and Anyu's mother is killed. Anyu has no one to turn to, so she pawns her one valuable possession - a necklace from her mother - and buys a train ticket to Shanghai, which is over 1,000 miles away. In Shanghai, Anyu makes her way to the Mandelburg jewelry store. Isaac takes Anyu in over the objections of his family - Russian Jews who view Anyu as a Chinese stranger in their midst. (Note: I was interested to learn that a good number of Russian Jews settled in China, and according to Wikipedia, there are still enclaves of practicing Jews in the country.)

Before too long Anyu becomes a member of the Mandelburg clan and - after much cajoling - Anyu convinces Isaac to teach her to be a jeweler. This is unprecedented, because in the Mandelburg family, and among Russians in general, women NEVER become jewelers.

As all this is going on, the Japanese are taking control of cities across China, and a Japanese collector is determined to acquire all the Fabergé eggs that once belonged to the Romanovs. The collector will do ANYTHING - including using spies, honeytraps, coercion, collusion, and murder - to get the treasures. This puts the Mandelburg family at risk.

As Anyu gets a little older, she learns to make beautiful jewelry, but she also makes some very poor decisions. Moreover, Japanese soldiers in Shanghai, along with hooligans and protection gangs, make the city a terribly dangerous place.

In the 1930s, with the Japanese becoming more and more aggressive, Anyu finds herself in dire circumstances. Anyu is a resilient woman, though, with skills that are valued. By the 1940s, gray-haired Anyu is in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation (not a spoiler; the book opens with this scene). By now Anyu has suffered loss, heartbreak, and servitude, but she's also a beloved 'auntie' who's known romance and acclaim.

I was interested to read about the artistry involved with designing and making jewelry, and also the risks associated with jewelry-making, such as: injured fingers and hands; burns from harsh chemicals; lung damage from poisonous fumes; strained eyesight, etc.

I enjoyed the book, my major critique being that Anyu sometimes does foolish things, like drinking two bottles of whiskey and taking up with an obvious wrong 'un. Anyu also smokes too much and sleeps too little, all to further her jewelry-making career. I wanted Anyu to make better choices, but then it would have been a different book, so it's all good.😊

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Christine Lin, who does a fine job.

Thanks to Netgalley, Weina Dai Randel, and Brilliance Audio for a copy of the book.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the free eARC and Brilliance Publishing for the free ALC! All opinions are my own.

This historical fiction novel follows the main character, Anyu, from her childhood in Harbin, China and beyond, as circumstance forces her to forge her own path in the world. As the title suggests, she discovers her passion and talent for jewelry-making along the way. Her journey takes place against the backdrop of geopolitics in the 1930s and 1940s, as Japan pushes it way further and further into China.

I'd definitely recommend this to historical fiction lovers who may not have read much about this time period in this part of the world. I cared about Anyu and those close to her, and I was invested in her story. At times I found the historical exposition a little heavy handed and not as nicely woven into the story as in other parts of the book, but I still enjoyed reading it and learning about Anyu's world. There was also plenty of suspense and drama as the plot unfolded!

I listened to a pretty large portion of this on audio thanks to the fact that I had an ALC available too. It was narrated by Christine Lin, who did a great job!

The Master Jeweler is an ingeniously expanded historical fiction novel, written in simple yet captivating prose.

Anyu’s journey, filled with equal parts sorrow and joy, vividly captures an artisan's life in a challenging environment. The descriptions of jewels and jewelry-making are awe-inspiring, showcasing the author's diligent research. This book definitely sparked my curiosity about famous jewels, particularly Fabergé eggs! I noticed a few unresolved plot threads, but they were a minor issue.

This was my first read by Weina Dai Randel, but l'm eager to explore her other works. If you're seeking a well-rounded historical fiction novel, this one skilfully presents the realities of war, its consequences, prejudices, and eventual acceptance.

The audiobook's narration is exceptional as well, adding an extra layer of depth to the already engaging narrative!

*Thank you so much to Brilliance Publishing and the author for sending me an advance copy of this novel.*

I was originally introduced to the work of Weina Dai Randel through her Empress of Bright Moon duology, and found her writing entrancing. When I discovered that she wrote a book about Jews escaping the Holocaust by fleeing to China, and devoured that one despite not reading Holocaust fiction for the most part. I made an exception because it was about a different element of the wartime experience than I didn’t know much about, and loved The Last Rose of Shanghai. So this one caught my attention, and I’m so glad I was approved for it.

The Jewish community’s presence in Harbin, China dates back to 1898, with Jews fleeing antisemitic violence in Russia and Europe, better social status, and seeking out new economic opportunities with the development of the Chinese Eastern Railway. While I did know that there was a Jewish community in Harbin, I didn’t know much about it other than that it was there, and Harbin is an exceptionally cold city. So reading about a young girl from Harbin who finds a bag containing a Fabergé egg which enchants her and leads her to cross paths unwittingly with a master jeweler who worked for the Imperial Family before the Russian Revolution. Now a fugitive, Anyu’s interaction with Isaac Mandelburg lasts no more than a few moments, but in gratitude for returning his bag, he gives her his address in Shanghai and offers her hospitality if she ever comes to Shanghai.

Anyu can’t stop thinking about the Fabergé egg, and how beautiful it was. It wasn’t long before a tragedy leaves her with no option other than heading to Shanghai and tracking down the jeweler. All she wants is the opportunity to learn how to become a jeweler, even after being told multiple reasons why: the legacy of jewelry making was passed down from father to son for centuries, and definitely not shared with outsiders; she wasn’t part of the family; and the big one, that there weren’t female jewelry makers. She takes a job working in the failing Mandelburg jewelry store, but doesn’t have much skill at sales, and has a single-mindedness in her desire to learn how to make jewelry.

I loved the characters. Anyu is stubborn and determined, and no one can stop her if she has her mind set on something. She’s a bit dazzled when she makes it to Shanghai, because it is a much busier (and dangerous) city than she realizes. It isn’t long before she realizes that the Mandelburgs are being extorted by a local gang, and shortly we realize the depth of Anyu’s will. The Mandelburgs are the only people in the world that she has, and they become sort of a replacement family for her, with Isaac and his brother, along with Isaac’s son and daughter. His daughter, Esther, butts heads with her father over Anyu’s presence. She has learned enough of the world to be leery of strangers and even worse, coming from a country where Jews were persecuted and treated as second class citizens, she has no desire to interact with outsiders.

Anyu is such a complex character—a mixture of Chinese upbringing and having to survive by her wits and skills, she comes across as morally gray, and at times, she’s unlikable. But she is also unshakably loyal, even at risk to herself, and she’s got a lot to learn about surviving in Shanghai in the 1930s and 1940s, even as war creeps closer and Shanghai is occupied by Japanese soldiers. I warmed a lot more to Anyu as the story went on, and she shows immense amounts of growth, almost as if this is a coming-of-age book set in the Gilded Age version of Shanghai. The dazzling world of jewelry turns out to be unexpectedly dangerous, and Anyu walks into this danger blindly at first, but her choice that time ends up working out well for her. She makes a lot of choices as she ages from a naïve teenager to an adult who has seen dizzying highs and staggering lows. One constant is that she always takes responsibility for her actions.

The side characters in the book feel so real, and having access to the audiobook made them feel even more real. Christine Lin narrates the book, and she does outstanding with Chinese words, the Shanghai dialect, and some solid European accents. It made the reading feel much more immersive for me, and echoes the same heavily Russian and Yiddish accented speech I’ve heard my entire life. Over time, the Mandelburgs grow to see Anyu as a family member, and it was so interesting to see the intersection of Jewish refugees with the rich culture and life of Shanghai.

We do get a view of the Chinese experience through Anyu, and especially her jewelry creating process, where she often chooses a design that is reminiscent of Chinese culture, such as an animal with symbolic meaning to Chinese people. However, there’s also a good view into what life was like as a stateless Jew in the 1930s and 1940s, feeling as if no place is safe. I felt like this one did a good job of exploring two very different cultures on the surface, and highlighting the commonalities.

Despite having the skills to make glamorous and exclusive jewelry, Anyu’s journey is not an easy one. She makes poor choices and good ones, and I mourned her difficult and ultimately bad choices, and celebrated her accomplishments with her. There is a very angsty master/apprentice relationship, with Isaac being significantly older than Anyu and trying to maintain the status quo without leading her on. Anyu has more than just this one romance, there are a total of three, but I loved seeing what each relationship brought to Anyu and helped her learn.

Ultimately, this is an outstanding book, and the audiobook is fantastic. I loved seeing all the complex interactions between the characters, and especially enjoyed how the relationship between Anyu and Esther went from adversarial and unwelcoming (on Esther’s side) to a real, solid friendship that nothing gets in the way of. I found it fascinating to get so much insight into this period in China and especially Shanghai, and even more so to the whole process of jewelry making. I’m not sure why I was surprised to learn that their devotion to the art of jewelry making had terrible effects on so many body systems. But this was a book I found to be immensely enjoyable and impressively researched.

A beautifully crafted historical fiction tale, capturing love, loss, war, betrayal, greed and conflict, set amongst the world of jewelry making.

The story begins in 1920’s China when fifteen-year-old Anyu Zhang discovers a priceless Faberge egg. When she returns the egg to its owner, her fate is forever altered by Isaac Mandelburg, fugitive, Russian Jew and former master jeweler for Russia’s imperial palace. Soon enough she is in Shanghai and has her sights set on becoming a master jeweler. The story follows her struggles, raw ambition, tragic love affairs, and experiences of oppression.

I was captivated by this well-researched story, featuring vivid descriptions, compelling characters and plenty to learn about jewelry making, Faberge eggs and the conflicts of the time.

The audiobook is narrated beautifully, and the audio production offers an immersive and enjoyable historical fiction saga.

With thanks to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy, in exchange for an honest review.

Here we have the story of Anyu, an orphan living in Shanghai who winds up one of the most sought-after jewellers in the area. The tale is exciting, the time and place so novel to me that I couldn't predict what would happen next, and a rich plot that traverses a lifetime. Anyu isn't a historical figure, but through her we're given a glimpse at the atmosphere and pivotal events in that part of the world.

Anyu is complex and a bit inconsistent. Frankly, it felt like the author used her to sample bits and pieces of history. But there is enough of a fully-fleshed character that I found myself rooting for her near the end, hoping she would reconnect with one of her true loves. Her relationships with others cover the gamut and keep the reader hooked. Yes, she has romantic dalliances, but the real heart of the story is her craft, her friend, and her adopted son. In fact, I felt a little disappointed that there was a mentor and ingenue bit ... I was glad that the author made room for other relationships. Not all of them were lovely; you'll feel anger and pain on Anyu's behalf as she grows up under rather harsh circumstances and various people attempt to take advantage of her talent.

I was also captivated by the antagonist in the third act: a possibly trans, katana-wielding Japanese women who simply prefers to dress like a man and whose only goal in life is to gather the precious egg creations of the master jewellers.

The narration, apparently by the author, was excellent.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars for this sweeping historical fiction novel centered around Anyu, an orphan who stumbles upon a priceless Fabergé egg. When she returns the egg to a mysterious man, he promises a favor in return—one Anyu later claims after her mother’s death. This sets her on a journey from her remote hometown to bustling Shanghai.

There, Anyu is thrust into the dazzling but cutthroat world of jewelry making—facing fierce competitions, navigating the threat of thieves, and, of course, encountering love. As we follow her path from girlhood to womanhood, the backdrop of a rapidly changing China (politically and socially) mirrors her personal transformation.

Randel does an excellent job weaving in historical context—particularly the nuanced relations between China, Russia, Japan, and India during this period. However, at times the novel felt like it was trying to do too much. I often struggled to pin down its central focus: was it about the family dynamics within the jeweler’s household, or was it a sweeping love story filled with heartbreak? The narrative sometimes lost clarity amidst these competing threads.

That said, it was an engaging read and I’m grateful for the glimpse it offered into this fascinating time period and the world of master jewelers.

Thank you to NetGalley, Weina Dai Randel, and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m glad to see that I’m an outlier here with my review. In theory The Master Jeweler had a lot that should have worked well for me. I’m sure it’ll be a huge success.

Sadly I found that it seemed to jump rapidly from one situation to another with no real explanation, huge lapses of time and gaps in the story., I was tempted more than once to Dnf, but I held on in the hope that the story would tie together. For over 11 hours worth of audiobook there were plenty of opportunities to fill the gaps. It also felt overly westernised.

The audio grated on me.

A disappointing outcome for me.

My thanks to Brilliance Publishing via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

When teenage Anyu does a favour to amastic craftsville who is a refugee from the Russian court, she has no idea that she is about change to the course of her life. But when she takes advantage of the jeweller's offer by travelling to Shanghai and training in the craft, she unlocks a very different future - albeit one that is not without its challenges.

This is a sweeping historical saga by a skilled author. It will be enjoyed by those who like epic novels that go beyond the big events in history to how the lives of individuals are impacted by those events.

I really enjoyed The Master Jeweler—it's a beautifully written story with rich detail and strong emotional depth. One of the standout elements for me was the main character's development. Watching her grow and evolve throughout the story felt authentic and rewarding, and I found myself genuinely rooting for her.

I listened to the audiobook version and thought it was exceptionally well done. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life, especially with the wide range of accents. It added an extra layer of immersion to the story and made each character feel distinct and memorable.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book, especially if you're interested in historical fiction with a strong, character-driven narrative. The audio version is especially worth checking out!

Thank you to Weina Dai Randel, Brilliance Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Master Jeweler* by Weina Dai Randel is a historical fiction novel that explores themes of ambition, friendship, betrayal, and sacrifice. The story follows Anyu, an unforgettable heroine, as she navigates the competitive jewelry industry in 1920s Shanghai. With its vivid descriptions, relentless plot, and richly drawn characters, this novel is a gritty, Dickensian rags-to-riches story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I love the grit!
The book is a masterpiece of historical fiction, with writing that's as dazzling and opulent as the jewels its characters strive to create. Anyu's journey is a stunning tale of yearning, passion, and sacrifice, spanning Shanghai's golden age to the turbulent years of the Japanese occupation and beyond.

*Rating: 5/5 stars*

This book was really interesting and I was intrigued by all of the jewel crafting aspects. I also liked Anyu's story even if at times I felt it was a bit over the top. There were a couple of little things that got under my skin, such as her love interest with Isaac, but it wasn't enough to sour my opinion of the book on the whole. I didn't understand why Anyu spent so much of her time learning about jewel crafting and wanting to master the craft with every fiber of her being and then decides to drop it for a pretty frivolous reason in my opinion. I understand that this was a plot point so I won't go into detail as to spoil anything but it irked me for sure.

Aside from some small annoyances with this book I had a great time listening to this one and the audio narrator does a great job.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for access to the ALC in exchange for an honest review.