The good: Manor of Dreams is an atmospheric, suffocating novel in the tradition of all haunted house books. The world of the book feels small and enclosed, tight and choking, for both the reader and the characters involved. Christina Li paints an intriguing picture with the allure of old Dollywood combined with immigrant generational trauma. I was engaged from the first page and read the entire book in one sitting. It was compulsively readable.

However, the story has simply too many disparate threads. It feels like Li had so many ideas she wanted to combine into a haunting, when the best ghosts are simple. The book needs a focus. Even so, it may still have been effective if Li had been able to successfully foreshadow what was to come. As it was, there were plot elements that seemed to appear out of nowhere, revealing themselves to be critical pieces of the mystery far too late. There were also plot elements that simply...vanished. Proved inconsequential to the story in the end. What was the point of wasting page space on that? They served no purpose.

Li's characters were also a mixed bag. Some were far more successful and realized than others. Vivian and her daughters, Lucille and Rennie, were the most fleshed out. Elaine, Madeline, and Nora in comparison seemed painted in with the lightest of strokes (especially Madeline and Nora, who I found so forgettable that I consistently mixed them up).

There are other critiques I have, but they're chock full of spoilers, so I'll refrain. I think Li had all the bones of a great haunted story and it could have been masterful. But she tried to do too much all at once with too many characters. Still, I found a lot to enjoy and I look forward to further works from the author.

Christina Li's The Manor of Dreams is an absolute gem that brilliantly blends gothic suspense with family drama, creating a mesmerizing story that will completely captivate readers. Imagine the atmospheric tension of Mexican Gothic meets the Hollywood glamour of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - this novel is a rich, compelling exploration of secrets, identity, and inheritance.

The story centers on Vivian Yin, the first Chinese American actress to win an Oscar, and the complex legacy she leaves behind. When her will unexpectedly throws two different families together in a sprawling Southern California mansion, the stage is set for a gripping mystery that slowly unravels generations of hidden truths. Li's multigenerational narrative is nothing short of masterful, weaving between past and present with remarkable skill.

The mansion itself becomes a character as haunting as any of its inhabitants - a decaying Hollywood landmark that seems to breathe with unspoken stories. Li's exploration of Chinese American identity against the backdrop of Hollywood's golden age adds remarkable depth to what could have been a simple mystery. The cultural nuances are beautifully rendered, bringing an authenticity that elevates the entire narrative.
While the pacing occasionally slows, these moments feel intentional - like taking a deep breath before diving back into the mystery. The linguistic shifts and cultural details aren't complications; they're intricate threads that make the story's tapestry even more fascinating. Li has a remarkable ability to make you feel the weight of family history, the complexity of cultural identity, and the shadows of long-buried secrets.

Is it a perfect novel? Perhaps not. But it's a compelling, thoughtful, and absolutely engaging read that will keep you turning pages late into the night. The way Li navigates family dynamics, Hollywood's hidden corners, and generational trauma is nothing short of impressive.

For fans of atmospheric mysteries, family sagas, and stories that dig deep into cultural identity, The Manor of Dreams is an absolute must-read. Christina Li proves herself to be a powerful new voice in literary fiction, crafting a novel that's both a page-turner and a profound exploration of family, legacy, and the stories we inherit.

Four stars for this gothic thriller that announces Li as an author to watch closely! Highly recommended for anyone who loves mysteries with heart, depth, and just a touch of darkness.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for sharing this innovative gothic thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

This book was like nothing I've ever read before. I was drawn to it because of the plot, and I loved that the majority of characters were of Chinese descent, which is not seen in literature as much as it should be.

The characters were interesting and had a real depth to them. I fell in love with Vivian quickly and loved the beginning of her relationship with Richard.

The book had spooky qualities, but nothing that would keep a reader awake at night. My main problem with the book is that the same spooky events kept happening, at least in a related way. There were no shocks or surprises. I also felt that the book came together for the ending in just a few short pages, and the ending was not at all satisfying. I think some additional massaging of the story itself could make for a really great book - one I could see ending up as a film.

Dreamy and weird and creepy, with a haunted, rotting mansion and an even more haunted garden; a contested will; and a lot of secret history that gets unearthed - such a perfect family gothic story. My one issue was the randomly interspersed Chinese characters - reading on kindle allowed me to translate sometimes, and sometimes the text immediately translated, but I worried I was missing things when I couldn’t get a translation, and it did sometimes take me out if the flow of the story because it was so random (using an English term three times, then Chinese characters, then English again, then Chinese written in English characters). I bet it would have worked better if I was multilingual but sadly I am not. That’s such a minor thing, though, and otherwise I loved this and devoured it, really getting into the creepy heavy atmosphere and sitting with the flawed, grieving characters and watching the house and its ghosts slowly devour them.

Fans of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo,” for sure, will love this. This is so much more, though. The characters are complicated, not always likable, and the plot is exceedingly well-developed.

Genre: Gothic/Domestic/Gay/FantasyFiction
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub. Date: May 6, 2025

Protagonist Vivian Yin is the first Chinese actress to win an Oscar. After her death, three generations of her Chinese-American family, with an estranged family friend, gather together for the reading of their matriarch’s will. All hope to inherit Vivian’s grand Southern California estate, which they soon will learn to be a haunted house. The novel explores the cost of the American Dream. I enjoyed reading the family and friends part of the story. However, too much is crammed into the book—wife abuse, gay and straight love affairs, an evil, haunted garden, and Hollywood tales, making the story feel cramped. Although I usually like gothic fiction, “The Manor of Dreams” was not for me, though you may enjoy it more than I did.

A book of epic proportions! This was highly engaging and entertaining. Li's craft of her characters was above my expectations. This is going to be an impressive title for book clubs. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

When Vivian Yi dies, her daughters expect to inherit her estate. Imagine their surprise when the will is read, and Vivian’s house is left to her former housekeeper, Elaine. Lucille, Vivian’s elder daughter is certain that Elaine must have forced her mother to alter her will. The two families decide to spend a week in the house, mostly because Lucille believes she can uncover the truth and reclaim her inheritance.
The story is told in two timelines. Vivian when she was young and married, Richard, settling in this grand house and watching her hopes and dreams wither away.
In the present, Lucille fights to discover the truth. Madeline and Nora, daughters of Lucille and Elaine form an unbreakable bond. One that displeases their mothers. Many secrets about Vivian’s life are revealed, and I felt so bad for her (even though some of her choices wound up ending in catastrophe). When the history of the house is fully revealed, I was unsure if anyone would get out alive.

Two families gather for the reading of the will of Vivian Yin. The Yin family, consisting of her daughters, Lucille and Rennie, and grand-daughter Madeline. The Deng family, Elaine and her daughter Nora. The older women all grew up together in the Yin family manor. Elaine and her family working at the manor. As the families gather at the manor for the reading of the will, tensions are high but when the contents are revealed, tensions explode. The atmosphere reveals secrets and the past comes rushing into the present. Hallucinations, visions, ghosts, the smell of rotting dirt, is the manor alive or is this just anxiety? Why does everyone stay away from the garden? What happened in the past to cause such distrust between the families?

This story is told with different narratives which blend seamlessly together. As the secrets of the manor begin to unravel, the characters and the plot develop well together, building the story to the climax. The background of the characters was fascinating and I found the creepiness of the manor spot on! The history of the Chinese immigrant in the 1800s was informative and added another layer of depth to the story. This is a well-written, well thought-out story. Part gothic horror, part dysfunctional family drama and part rags to riches, don’t miss this epic tale.

I loved the use of Hollywood in this novel and how it had that mystery was used in this book. The characters worked well in this world and enjoyed how good Christina Li wrote them. Christina Li has a strong writing style and was able to get invested in what was happening and glad I got to read this. It was everything that I wanted and enjoyed how good everything was.

Oh this one was FUN! A spooky ooky old house, unreliable narrators, and long-buried family secrets. It was a bit slow to get started, but once the ball started rolling downhill with the plot, I was hooked. I loved the atmosphere in the house as well as the oppressive secrets suffocating the residents. highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good gothic horror - I found it in many ways reminiscent to Starling House, which is probably my favorite read of the last few years.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

A super compelling story of two connected multi-generational families. The main character Vivian Yin, is dead. But the story unfolds in two timelines -- now and back then. Back then, Vivian was a Chinese immigrant who won an Oscar and lived with her movie star husband in a big fancy house near LA. Sounds picture perfect, right? Then why did she basically disappear from her daughters' lives, leaving then stunned when the lawyer's reading of the will reveals that Vivian has left the house to someone else? In the now, Vivian's daughters and granddaughter are grappling with their family's history, while the daughter and granddaughter of Vivian's housekeeper and closest friend are waiting for them to get out of their house. But the damage to their family seems to have sinister roots within the house itself -- literally. The granddaughters are told to keep out of the garden, but of course they don't -- and some secrets do come to light.

I really loved this book -- something about the way the author wrote really brought these characters to life and when I wasn't reading, I was picturing the characters in this spooky old house, wondering what they were up to, and what would happen next. Big rec for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Angie Kim. Enjoy!!

The Manor of Dreams is an intriguing novel about two families as they come together to claim a large house that has been left to one of the families. The characters were revealed in their backstories from different points of view. I don't usually read gothic novels, but this one drew me in.

I picked this up because of the premise and a friends' recommendation. I am a sucker for gothic horror in any format I can get my hands on and so seeing this book compared to other gothic horror novels I was rather excited. And I wasn't let down. In fact The Manor of Dreams pulled me out of a reading slump that has kept me tangled up for an entire month. I was so riveted by the characters and the generational timelines, working together to solve the mystery of what was happening that I was compelled to read even though a nasty cold that sucked my energy.

Christina Li manages to write about three generations in one book without overloading the reader with character or ruining the three storylines that she threads together in order to tell the story. I found that the generational trauma in The Manor of Dreams was balanced very well in that you didn't feel as though Li was trying to force it into the story. Which, with a trope and genre as popular as "generational trauma" seems to be at the moment, was refreshing. Every reveal was powerful and meaningful, touching and mournful.

I can't wait to recommend this to my friends and look forward to the release of the novel!

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li is a mesmerizing sapphic gothic fantasy set in a decaying mansion in Southern California. The story follows two Chinese American families brought together by a twist in the will of Vivian Yin, the first Chinese actress to win an Oscar. As they move into the mansion, they uncover dark secrets and are haunted by a sinister presence. Li's evocative writing vividly captures the mansion's eerie atmosphere and the haunting beauty of its gardens, while the tender sapphic romance adds depth to the narrative.

This novel is more than just a ghost story; it's a profound exploration of family, identity, and the cost of the American dream. The well-developed characters grapple with their own secrets and ambitions, making their journey both heartbreaking and compelling. Christina Li has crafted a modern gothic tale that is as haunting as it is beautiful, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease and a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling. If you enjoy gothic fiction with a sapphic twist, this book is a must-read.

As for the spice level, it's more of a slow burn with a dash of heat—think of it as a cozy fireplace in a haunted mansion rather than a blazing inferno. The romance is tender and poignant, with just enough sizzle to keep things interesting without overshadowing the gothic mystery.

Wow! What a read this one was!

I normally veer away from heavy family dramatics in books, it’s just not something that interests me. But when I read the blurb for this one I know I had to read it. Haunted house vibes? Yes please I love me a good horror!!

I love that this wasn’t too full on but kept that eerie, something is wrong with this place vibe throughout. We have two timelines going on, and as things are revealed in the present, disturbing things are also revealed in the past. There isn’t a wasted page between the two, and things that seem somewhat irrelevant for a while become glaringly relevant pretty soon after.

This was full of twists and turns, and while I guessed at one of the twists there was no way I could have fathomed the other half of the story. This was very full on, and heart shattering. I had so many emotions by the end of this, and felt for both sides of the coins in this story.

Things are definitely not always as they seem.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher Avid Reader Press for the opportunity to read this book early! Highly recommend if you love a bit of an eerie paranormal horror thriller.

“The Manor of Dreams” involves two Chinese-American families that resided in an estate in Altadena California where they raised their respective daughters. Richard Lowell, a famous actor and producer married to Vivian Yin, a once famous actress from the eighties, had the estate built for her on top of the ruins of a property that belonged to his family. Richard died in 1990, but Vivian lived in the house until her death in 2024, becoming a recluse in her last few years. When the two families gather together at the crumbling estate for the reading of the will, they discover that Vivian unexpectedly bequeathed the house to Elaine, her housekeeper’s and groundskeeper’s daughter, instead of her own children, Lucille and Rennie.

After bitter squabbling, the two families agree to reside in the house together for a week, while Lucille tries to gather evidence that Elaine coerced Vivian to change her will and then poisoned her. As the families stake out their separate floors and rooms in the house, Madeline and Nora, Lucille and Elaine’s daughters, respectively, form an unlikely bond despite their families animosity towards each other.

Based on the book’s description, I was expecting a lot of gothic elements surrounding the creepy house, and while there were some, it was infrequent until the ending. Instead, the book seemed to focus on the various relationships past and present among the family members, slowly revealing the basis for their mutual distrust and hatred, culminating in a dramatic denouement. While I enjoyed the first 25% of the book, which established the characters, I found myself losing interest until the last 10% of the book. The book had its good qualities, which included an atmospheric, crumbling mansion and well-drawn characters; however, I think it would have benefited from more gothic elements. (This might be my own particular bias, as I was expecting something more along the lines of my favorite cult drama, “Dark Shadows.”) Other readers might enjoy the slow build up to the shocking ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for providing me an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

eArc from Avid Reader Press and netgalley... 'The manor of Dreams' by Christina Li is a modern, multi-generational gothic horror with a cast of Chinese American characters haunted by shame and guilt, and a desperate need to provide a comfortable life for their loved ones which ultimately leads to their ruination.

This was a slow start for me because the writing style seemed more YA and the characters needed more fleshing out early on. This is probably due to Li shifting from writing YA to writing adult fiction. However, the multiple perspectives and dual timelines built the story and characters in layers, creating complexity and suspense and by the middle of the book, I was engrossed in the story.

Overall, I enjoyed the mystery and revelation of family secrets; it was satisfying to find out what was being withheld as the mystery of Vivian's last days were solved, but there was also a sense of tragedy as it became clear that lack of open communication pushed family members away from each other and caused pain and mistrust. Patterns repeated themselves and characters were unable to heal as they buried secrets and feelings deep, in some cases taking their secrets to the grave. I thought the depiction of dysfunctional marriages; sapphic first loves; and the context of Chinese people's early migration to America and struggles within Hollywood were explored sensitively.

I liked the setting and time periods, but the gothic horror didn't immediately grip me. I would have liked more atmospheric tension and build up of dread; there was an overeliance on the visual imagery being grotesque to create a sense of horror and some of the visions didn't add anything to the story. The horror wasn't that gothic or atmospheric for me so it took a backseat to the family drama, but if you don't like your books too scary, then it's probably just right. I did apprecate the use of horror tropes to make the families confront the past and the description of the ways the house slowly tightens its grip on the inhabitants.

The things that really didn't work for me were inconsistencies which might be cleared up in proofreading.

'The Manor of Dreams' is similar to 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia as the cultivated natural world provides the horror and the estate becomes a prison, but the hidden pasts, repeated mistakes and mother-daughter relationships reminded me of Amy Tan's 'The Bonesetter's Daughter'. I would recommend this novel mostly based on Vivian's timeline and how her choices affect her family, as well as the themes.

TW: domestic abuse.

Thank you to Avid Reader Press and Netgalley for making this eArc available to read.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I loved the initial mystery, the mansion, and the families. The plot for most of the novel worked well. Had a good range of characters. Some I liked more than others, but because you have multiple pov switches you can find at least one or two you like. Occasionally, I wisished we followed less characters, but I do think they were relevant to the story. However, the ending was confusing and therefore unsatisfactory, especially as one character's fate was unclear to me. I also thought the resolutions for characters post-mansion could have been longer. Still, a fun read!