Review of The Last Great Love Song
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- Latest Review: The Last Great Love Song by Paul Callan
Review of The Last Great Love Song
Okay, so I just finished The Last Great Love Song, and guys, I need to talk about it because my brain is still processing. Like, I’m sitting here staring at the cover like, “What even was that?” It’s... a lot. Beautiful, frustrating, haunting, messy—all at the same time. It’s set in Northern Malaya in the 1800s, and it’s got this dreamy, almost hypnotic vibe that sucks you in, but it’s not perfect. Let me just spill all my thoughts to you.
Okay, so the writing? Amazing. Like, I was hooked and couldn’t stop reading. The chapters are short, which makes it way too easy to just keep going, and before I knew it, I was already halfway through. But honestly, I didn’t really feel the emotional stuff until the last few chapters. It’s like the whole book was setting up this huge moment, and then—boom!—it all hits you at the end. Felt a little rushed, but still, it was pretty satisfying.
Now, the characters? Oh my god, they’re just so... real. Like, they’ve got their good moments and their messy flaws, and you can’t help but get totally attached. They’re not perfect, and that’s what makes them so relatable, you know? I don’t really have a favorite, though. But if you ask me who I hated the most? Princess Toh’s husband. Ugh. That guy. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say he’s the worst. Like, I’m still mad at him.
What I loved was the setting. Northern Malaya in the 1800s? It’s such a cool backdrop, and the author does an amazing job of making it feel real. There’s all this Malayan folklore and shamanism woven in, and it’s just so fascinating. Oh, and the food descriptions? Do not read this book hungry. Seriously, you’ll be craving all kinds of stuff. You know how you watch those ASMR food-eating videos, it's exactly that but in written form.
Oh, and talking about the slavery aspect. It’s not something you see a lot in Southeast Asian literature, or at least not in the books I’ve read, so it was really interesting to see it explored here. There’s this forbidden romance between a slave and... well, I won’t spoil it, but it adds so much tension. Like, you’re just sitting there going, “Nooo, don’t do it!” but also, “Yes, do it!”
That said, the suspense build-up felt a little too long for me. I kept waiting for something huge to happen, and when it finally did, it was over way too fast. I think it could have been dragged on a little longer with some details.
This was the only reason why I'm deducting a star. I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. The editing was done perfectly.
But overall? I’d say this book is worth reading. If you’re into fantasy with a dash of Malayan folklore, forbidden romance, and some historical drama, you’ll probably dig it. Just don’t go in expecting a fast-paced thriller, okay? It’s more of a slow, moody kind of ride.
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The Last Great Love Song
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