The Girl with No Reflection is a brilliant ride that offers a new and unique concept that is both exhilarating and chilling. It is the type of fantasy that gets the world-building out of the way pretty early in the story and encourages the reader to engage with the mechanics of the world. That worked perfectly for me, as part of the fun was trying to figure out the applications of the mirror world on the plot before the characters could explain them to me. That is superb world-building right there.

But Keshe Chow’s debut isn’t the type of story that is satisfied with only introducing a unique concept. No, it also offers a cast of incredible characters. Ying Yue is exactly my type of protagonist. She is brave, smart, and witty but also not without her share of flaws, which makes her very relatable as a person.

The fun thing about a story with two worlds, the original and the mirror, is that we get two distinct universes with their own rules, and the cast is multiplied by two, which keeps a certain sense of intrigue since the reader is always trying to figure out the differences between the original and the mirror and, most importantly, who they are seeing right now.

I am genuinely struggling to give this story all the praise it deserves for the simple reason that all the stuff I want to gush about all day are either plot spoilers or world-building spoilers, and for me personally, the journey of discovery was the greatest thing about this book, so I don’t want to take this away from anyone.

Overall, The Girl with No Reflection is one of those books that not only lives up to the hype but manages to surpass it. It’s a brilliant story that offers incredible world-building and so many fascinating characters. Each turning of a page offered an unexpected turn in the plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. This is a fantastic debut by Keshe Chow, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

What is your reflection were sentient?
The Girl with no Reflection by Keshe Chow was another one of my most anticipated releases of 2024. I am so happy the book lived up to the expectations and can’t wait for all those who love Asian Fantasy to read this!
The story is off with a slow start, but the mesmerizing and lyrical writing style and the vivid images largely compensate for this initial feature. When the protagonist, Ying, enters the mirror world, things really start to pick up and so many unimaginable twists and turns follow one after the other. I loved the mythological and the royal elements, which are blended seamlessly into the narrative.
The only issue I had with the book is that at times it read like middle grade, at times like a new adult. Moreover, I think that having a glossary of Chinese terms could have helped understand them. But, overall, I think it’s a very solid debut novel.
I think this book is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Lim and Judy L. Lin
Thank you so much Netgalley and the Published for providing me with the e-arc in exchange for an honest opinion!
4.25 stars

For a debut novel, Keshe Chow absolutely blew me away with this book. The asian mythology, the royal court setting, the concept of the reflection counterparts, every part of it was beautiful. What drew me into this book was the cover, and then when I read that there was a whole other world revolving around the characters' reflections I was wondering in my head how this could play out and this book blew every expectation for what I thought. Our character Ying is betrothed to the Crown Prince but what she thought would be an absolute fairytale but the prince is cold, and indifferent towards her and her happiness falls apart. She is locked in her room and she ends up seeing things in mirrors / reflections of water and that's when she meets her mirror counterpart and they swap places and she meets the mirror prince and he's everything she ever wanted.
The setting of this book, in both the mirror and real world, was absolutely amazing. I love asian dramas revolving around the royal court so this was perfect for me. The politics that revolve around the royal court are always intriguing and can get a bit messy so watching it unfold was great and I couldn’t put the book down. And everything that happens revolves around the mirror world? The twists and turns oh my god, A M A Z I NG ! Parts I was able to predict only because I had bad feelings about certain things but even with the predictability I was pleased. I was worried that this book wouldn't leave me satisfied since its a stand alone, but it didn’t the ending was perfect for this story and left me satisfied enough.
Overall I’m super excited to read more books by Keshe Chow and I can’t wait to see what she does next. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Childrens/Delacorte Press for the e-arc exchange for an honest review.

Captivating and enchanting, 'The Girl with No Reflection' is a mesmerizing Chinese fantasy that seamlessly blends elements of young adult fiction with an epic love story.

The concept of traveling through mirrors adds a unique and intriguing dimension to the narrative, drawing readers into a world filled with mystery and wonder.

I am incredibly grateful to NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to dive into this spellbinding tale. From the very first page, I was hooked by the twists and turns that unfolded, keeping me eagerly turning pages to uncover the next surprising revelation. Despite its intricacies, I found myself effortlessly devouring the story, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative.

For fans of epic fantasy, 'The Girl with No Reflection' is an absolute must-read. Its blend of adventure, romance, and fantastical elements creates an immersive experience that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking an enchanting journey into a world of magic and intrigue.

This was a pretty good book. The writing and plot could have been a little better. And the female main character was kind of all over the place.

Well-written and very fast-paced. Despite knowing who the bad guys would be, I kept doubting myself and thinking "what if there's a plot twist and they turn out to be genuinely helpful in the end?" So that was a fun guessing game. I wasn't a big fan of the insta romance, though I know why it's there.

I did feel the plot dragged out a bit and there's so much going on, and so much the MC needs to figure out first. I thought the battle would almost be over, but turned out I was still at 50%. I liked it, but didn't LOVE it enough to keep reading. Which is just a 'me' thing since I need to really really be invested to finish a book.

I really enjoyed all the mythology and fantasy aspects of this book. It was a fun adventure with lyrical writing that reminded me of six crimson cranes or daughter of the moon goddess. However, the main character felt really dumb when it came to guys. This book was a weird mix of giving me middle grade and then new adult moments based on how she acts and what happens around her. I expected this book to feel longer than it was. I'm excited to see what this author writes next with a different main character

Despite the beautiful cover, and the great concept, this book fell completely flat to me. I really wanted to love and care about the main character, and I wanted to be lost and immersed in a world—that just simply didn't happen. What I got instead was something that felt oddly rushed in places, and flat in others. The characters never grabbed me, and I never really believed in their struggles or relationships.

Thank you netgalley for the E-arc
I INHALED THIS BOOK. I am an Asian reader and grew up watching Asian dramas with my mom. A lot of them about palace life etc. I love the fighting and loved it even more when a female lead was a great warrior.
This book gave me ALL of that. I felt nostalgia as I read and the supernatural aspect of it was so intense and I couldn’t put it down. Even from the first four chapters. Played beautifully in my head as a horror movie because it was so beautifully written. I hope all the book boxes pick this one up because ya girl needs a special edition of this to reread.

And can we talk about the cover? It is dark and beautiful. My favorite read this year I think.

Sadly, I had to DNF. I just can’t bring myself to read a book that is written in third person. This makes me really sad because I was so excited to read it.☹️

I really liked this book, and I think the world-building and character creation worked great together. I found them to be dynamic and very entertaining to read. I was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint, I can't wait for it to come out so that I can have a physical copy of it

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for a chance at reading this book prior to publication.

I love my Chinese fantasy. I do! Who would have thought I would be addicted to the world of CDramas and books with gods and goddesses?
This book sounded so interesting and different that it was part of my 'must read' books of 2024.

After finishing it. I'm giving it a kind three stars where if anything it's firm in the 2.5 out of 5 camp.

The problems mainly had to be with the 'tone' and the characters/romance.

Here we have a fantasy kingdom that seems to be rooted in Chinese mythology and folklore. So you would think that the characters act very reserved, follow customs and or attitudes of those from the various dynasties (since this is a fantasy, there can be leniency). There is a very modern tone to this which clashes with the time period. There is the use of 'fuck' 'shit' 'damn' being thrown about, there is dialogue which would make more sense hearing in today's society than in this feudal kingdom. It honestly threw me off. ...

... which then bleeds over into the romance. The romance, which I could *understand* where the writer was going with it, I walked away with thinking that this prince (both of them, though there is one good one in the end) are jack-holes. The author gives a reason for the prince being how he is, but with his writing, his 'failed' attempts at wooing her, his conflict? It did not match what the author wanted us to believe of the prince in the end after we find out what's up with him an why he is acting how he is. He frankly comes away rude, brash, juvenile, and I did not want her to end up with him.

The main thing I walked away enjoying was the story, the mirror world, and the little (though there) court intrigue. It was just sad that the lackuster romance and modern tone / dialogue killed any sort of real enjoyment from this book.

Just finished reading this and wow, it was quite an adventure. I loved the premise and the concept of sentient reflections so the story already had my attention from the get-go.

The romance though, wasn't the strongest aspect of the book and could've been more nuanced with more character depth. The writing style also felt a bit juvenile at times but the plot was quite engaging with enough twists to keep me hooked.

Overall this was a solid debut and a fun read that most YA fantasy readers will enjoy. I look forward to reading more from this promising new author in the future!

3.75 stars ⭐

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately drawn to this book the moment I read the description—a mirror world that is nearly identical to our own? A prince who is rhe complete opposite of the cold and distant husband that Ying was forced to marry? How intriguing! I could never have predicted the twists and turns the story would take us on next!

Ying was a little timid and naïve to me at first but she quickly became a determine and brave hero, showing compassion to her reflection and to her servants, risking her own life to save the prince (despite his cold treatment of her) and her kidnapped maid. Despite not knowing who can be trusted and having been constantly betrayed by the people around her, Ying never gives up trying to fulfil the prophecy and seal the mirror world forever. She has such a big heart.

Ying and Zhang’s relationship ran hot and cold for a good portion of the book— I’m guessing it was supposed to be a watered down enemies-to-lovers plotline— but I felt the majority of their love was actually attraction for most of the book. Their banter was top notch and it wasn’t until they started opening up to each other that I felt their feelings were actually true. I am glad we got to see the gradual growth of their relationship and the realization of their mutual love for each other.

The Chinese mythology was a wonderful addition. All the creatures and the use of alchemy were things that I had a vague notion of from watching C-dramas in the past but were explored in much more depth within the story.

My only issue with the book was that I wish there had been footnotes or a glossary for people unfamiliar with the Chinese vocabulary. While most of them were decipherable from the context, there were a few that I had to go look up.

Overall a fun and thrilling adventure filled with flashes of horror (I may never look at a mirror the same way again!) and a wonderful love story!

Yes! I've found my favorite dreamy combination of Eastern mythology meets YA fantasy and epic enemies-to-lovers romance! I plan to use all my nerdy bookworm powers to put this unputdownable fantasy novel on your radar! The well-executed world-building, the perfectly described two alternate universes—one a powerful Eastern empire and the other through the mirror where imprisoned reflections of each person and mythological creatures are trapped—and the high chemistry between Princess Ying Yue and her reluctant, cold-hearted groom-to-be, Prince Zhang, are the highlights of this book. Combined with fairytale-style storytelling, they quickly pique your interest from the first page. The increasing tension, fastening and riveting pacing, and intriguing storytelling lure you into a combination of fairy tale, mythology, and Eastern folklore that turns into an addiction, making readers want to sing love songs from the rooftops to show their appreciation for this book (at least that's what I did, and I chose several Swift songs for it).

The story revolves around Princess Ying Yue, who has a great curiosity about paranormal things even though her family taught her otherwise, preferring reliable facts. When the famous matchmaker of the crown predicts she might be the best suitor for the crown prince, her dreamy expectations turn into a nightmare as she's been caged in a palace quarter for three months. On the wedding day, her husband's cold and impolite manners make her understand that she will be doomed to an unhappy marriage, chained to a life without loved ones, in the royal palace where her seven predecessors are rumored to have mysteriously vanished.

When she finds out her own reflection leads a life in the mirror, which opens up an alternate universe, and receives a request from her reflection to switch places, which may help her reflection gain enough power to survive until she returns to her life through the mirror, she accepts the offer quickly. That also means Princess Ying Yue can embrace her own freedom without being forced to marry a neglected cruel prince. As soon as she sets foot beyond reality through the mirror, she meets the Mirror Prince, who is kind, caring, and totally opposite of her cold husband. Even though they look exactly the same, her heart slowly gives in as their attraction reaches its peak. But when she realizes her reflection has a secret agenda and not only herself but the entire empire might be in dreadful danger, she must fulfill her prophecy, becoming the heroine the empire needs. However, she must navigate a dangerous game, choosing between the princes and deciding who she can truly trust and unleash her full potential to save the empire.

Overall, I devoured the entire book in one very long sitting until my eyes got red and dry, but it was truly worth it! This is definitely one of the best books of the year that you shouldn't miss, and it deserves even more than five stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This was a really refreshing and fun fairy tale. Cute, funny, scary and romantic - all the things I like best in a book. I enjoyed Ying, the main character a lot, and her unique predicament - as well as the various characters surrounding her. I will say, I've read a lot of fantasy and never quite seen something like this, with the mirror world. If you enjoy Asian-inspired fantasy like Daughter of the Moon Goddess and A Magic Steeped in Poison, this is a great one for you.

I received this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

THE GIRL WITH NO REFLECTION is difficult to rate. On the one hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the concept, however, the pacing and character really dragged it down.

THE GIRL WITH NO REFLECTION is about a young princess Ying, who is being forced into marrying a distant and cold prince. But when she starts seeing impossible things in the mirror, Ying is thrown head-first into a parallel world, full of dangerous creatures and mysteries that span generations. But not all is as it seems in the mirror world, or her own, and Ying is forced to learn to trust, even when she can't trust her own destiny.

But the characters, pacing and general world building left a lot on the table.

I wish I liked this more. This isn't to say I didn't have a good time. I found Chow's authorial voice strong, if not a little stilted, but there was a distinct fairy-tale like style to the prose. It will definitely appeal to YA readers who are fans of Stephanie Garber's Once Upon a Broken Heart and other such romantasies.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this!!!!! I really liked the setting, characters, and premise. All of this was a lot of fun to read and pretty easy to follow. If you like characters that want love and to be loved as well as a strong FMC, you should read this. It is a great debut novel. I will say that there are times where the break between chapters can get a little choppy and the characters might give you a little whiplash. Overall, a good debut novel with a gorgeous cover.

I really did enjoy this book, but it just felt like it was bogged down a little bit with the romance aspect of this book. I really wanted more of the mirror world and the dragons more than the love triangle. Other than the pacing of the book, I really liked the premise. It was fun and had a sense of unease through the beginning of the book almost like a horror novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!

The Girl With No Reflection is a fabulous debut incorporating both horror and fantasy elements, with lots of reference to Chinese myths, in a court setting.

First, I’d like to mention that after a couple of chapters I started being a little scared of mirrors, which just goes to show how easily enthralled I was with Keshe’s worldbuilding! In The Girl With No Reflection, our main character, Ying Yue, is awaiting her marriage to the Crown Prince, though he’s kept her locked in her rooms and unable to explore the palace. Ying then begins to start seeing her reflection do things that differ to herself, and becomes terrified when something actually starts to get closer to her.

Shortly, she ends up in the “Mirror World” herself, with the Prince’s cold-shoulder having led her to not even think twice about the idea of skipping her own wedding for that. Ying meets the Mirror Prince here, her husband-to-be’s reflection, and finds him far more charming than the one she is meant for.

The story remains at a fast pace throughout, whilst Ying struggles to decipher who can and cannot be trusted. On multiple occasions she acts a strong main character, repeatedly putting those she loves before all else. She made some dubious choice along the way, but they just helped her grow as a character in general.

I won’t spoil who it is, but I will say that the romance was rather lovely! Some elements of it felt a little quick, but it fit within the fast pace of the story and all of the emotional turmoil poor Ying was being put through.

As the cover itself hints towards, we also get a dash of mythical creatures in this story! The way that a couple in particular were included was fabulous to read, and it definitely added to my enjoyment of the story on the whole.

Overall, I just really enjoyed The Girl With No Reflection, and I’m very excited to read what Keshe writes next!