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.