The writing in Power of the Matchmaker is very detailed and will immerse you in universe of Mae’s countryside hometown. The characters and the plot are quickly set up and overall the story moves at a very fast pace since it was a novella. Though the story is only 60 pages long I never felt that it was written in haste and that plot was rushed.

I felt that Mae Li seems to be a bit innocent of a character, but then I had to consider her age and naiveté. She is heartbroken by the match maker’s decision not to pair her up with Chen and overnight she makes the decision to leave her family and home to go to Shanghai. Upon her immediate arrival she realizes it is too late to turn back and that she is unprepared for city life and the dangers that come with traveling alone.

I love reading historical fiction novels so Power of the Matchmaker was a perfect fit for me. The buildings, clothing style, and transportation is written in such detail that it takes the readers back in time to ancient China. It’s almost as if you are traveling on the same journey that Mae Li is on.

This was a great novella and prequel to the series. Even though the story is short, it was very entertaining and it set the tone for the rest of the books that will be released in 2016. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series. ( )

I greatly enjoyed this story, it was told in a very powerful way. I formed an instant connection with the characters and I am very excited to see where this series is going to go. ( )

The Matchmaker is the beginning of a new book series, and the basis for these books is the becoming of The Matchmaker, now known as Pearl. Well to do Chinese families hire the village Matchmaker to match their children, and the children never go against the wishes of their family, it is just not done.
Can you imagine your devastation when you are told you are going to marry a man you really can’t stand, while another holds your heart? This is what brought Mae to leave the security of her home and family and head to Shanghai and the unknown.
She is near death when she is found and her life becomes changed forever, all she seems to possess of her old life is the beautiful combs her beloved gave her.
We are about to travel in the shoes of the Matchmaker, and as such, we will be changing lives.
I received this Novella from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Book Promotion, and was not required to give a positive review. ( )