This is the story of the woman named Anyu, starting as a 15-year-old girl living in Harbin, China who discovers a Faberge egg which was part of the Romanov's treasures. She returns it to the rightful jeweler who eventually provides her shelter and guidance in Shanghai.

Anyu's love for jewelry design and making blossoms under the master jeweler's guidance and her recognition brings dangers as gangs and other evil-doers begin to follow her closely and attempt to steal the infamous egg. Her journey through life is one of great toil and turmoil but the story is an impactful look into this point of history.

The Master Jeweler is a page-turning blend of historical fiction, cultural richness, and emotional depth. Set against the vibrant yet turbulent backdrops of Shanghai and Hong Kong from the ~1930s to the ~1950s, the novel masterfully captures an era of upheaval, resilience, and constant reinvention.

At its heart is a deeply moving story of survival and artistry, following the protagonist from her teenage years, when she is orphaned, through decades of hardship, loss, and perseverance. As she rebuilds her life, her love for fine jewelry, especially the legendary Fabergé eggs, becomes both her refuge and her path to building an identity of her own. Randel’s meticulous research shines through in the exquisite descriptions of craftsmanship, making the world of master jewelers come alive with dazzling detail.

Beyond its intimate focus on one woman’s journey, the novel also sheds light on the struggles of stateless Russian Jews, forced to navigate exile and reinvention in foreign lands. Through their experiences, the book subtly explores themes of displacement, resilience, and the enduring power of art, which at times can turn into a deadly, criminal obsession.

Richly evocative and emotionally resonant, The Master Jeweler offers a highly satisfying reading experience.

I really enjoyed this book. The story takes us through many places in China, beginning in Harbin, where the main character Anyu grows up, and becomes orphaned. Shanghai, where Anyu finds a home, and a purpose. Entering into the world of fine jewelry making. I really loved this part of the book. The description of the jewelry that she and her mentor create are stunning, and you can really envision each individual piece. Then moves onto Hong Kong, fleeing from the Japanese soldiers and in impending takeover.
I really enjoyed Anyu’s character and her fierce determination for survival, and success. Never once giving up.
I have never read a book by this author before, but I will be picking up one in the future. I would definitely recommend this book.
Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the EArc.

I really wanted to like The Master Jeweler—it had such great potential to be a 5-star read. The story starts off promising, but then it all falls apart after the stolen necklace incident. Like, what happened there? The gangsters don’t come after her, and that whole scene just ends without any resolution. I was really confused by that. And don’t get me started on Anyu’s decisions in that part. She just goes off without a plan, ends up losing a finger, and then somehow walks away with the necklace. It felt like the author didn't put much thought into this part at all.

Speaking of Anyu, her character is so frustrating. The author want to show she’s supposed to be strong despite her tough upbringing, but instead, she just comes off as rude and inconsiderate to me. There’s this one line where she talks to older, more experienced people like she’s already the best thing to ever happen to the jewelry world. I get that she’s confident, but it felt completely out of place for an 18-year-old who’s just starting out.

And honestly, the romance with Isaac was hard to buy into. He's older than her and has a daughter older than her age, so why would Anyu, coming from a small village in China during a war, fall for him so easily? It felt forced and unrealistic to me.

After the necklace incident, I just couldn’t keep going. The plot choices, the writing style—everything just disappointed me. The premise was great, but it didn’t live up to its potential. Definitely a letdown.

DNF at chapter 22.

The Master Jeweler, a novel by author Weina Dai Randel, transports the reader in the bustling, danger-laden streets of in 1920s Shanghai, brought to life with precision and care thanks to the vivid description and rich historical context... and this is definitely the pounding heart of this book and the author's forte. The plot is engaging and embellished with la meticulous attention to the artistry of jewelry making.
But the thing that really had me hookes was the main character's journey: Anyu's quest is driven, not only by pure ambition, but a heartfelt longing for acceptance and belonging.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Weina Dai Randel for the ARC!

Enjoyed this book so much. Anyu, is just a young girl and has lost her mother. She goes to Shanghai to find the man she found a valuable, jeweled egg for. He promised to help her if she ever needed it, and she now does badly. She loves watching how jewelry is designed and made and wants to do this herself. She sets her sights on becoming a Master Jeweler.

This story captures so much history that took place in Shanghai in the early Twentieth Century. It features war, love, and loss and how large a price both Anyu and her found Jewish Family are willing to pay to carry on the tradition of jewelry making and preserving their family. It is difficult to know who to really trust, but when you find those people you need to hold tight and fight for them forever. Beautifully told story where I learned so much about jewels, faberge eggs, conflicts, wars, betrayal, and love.

Thank you NetGalley, Weina Dai Randel, and Lake Union Publishing for a Copy of this Book. I always leave reviews of books I read.

"Maybe freedom was knowing she had made mistakes in the past but she could do right in the future"

This was an enjoyable read; an interesting plotline that I've definitely not come across before. It follows the life of Anyu, an orphan girl who finds purpose in becoming a master jeweller. Her life is one of blessings and curses, some follies of her own choices, and the love of the people surrounding her.
Decent world building where we explore different characters from Anyu's perspective. Written really well and in a way that really pulls you in - I found I couldn't put the book down during the second half. I think the character depth fell short for me so I didn't have any strong feelings for any of them, but the ending did the novel justice. A pleasant read.

This novel is impossible to put down, starting from the second sentence. It'll grip you and keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the end!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this novel, as the setting and premise were very promising. Unfortunately the writing itself was just not to my taste. While I love learning about time periods through historical fiction, I wasn't a fan of the way the exposition felt almost wiki-like at times rather than naturally flowing. I was also having trouble connecting with the characters, which unfortunately meant that I did not feel as motivated to continue. I am sure that those who have enjoyed this author's other works will have a great time! Just not me.

I wanted to like this more than I did. It had all the elements that make a great historic novel. A strong female leader, adversity, sisterhood, love and intrigue. But it did not rise to the occasion and take all these amazing parts and produce the amazing story I hoped for. A good read but not compelling.

This was such an amazing read! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't wait to learn more and more as I read. I felt myself trying to solve some of the small mysteries but also rooting for the FMC. Randels reading was compelling and truly sucked the reader into the story.

The Master Jeweler follows Anyu as she journeys through life wrapped up in the world of jewelery.

I found the first chapter really interesting, and was so intrigued to see how the story played out. However, as I kept going I found the writing style really awkward and clunky. There was a lot of repetition and a lot of telling the reader what was happening instead of showing.

I really appreciate how much care went into the history, especially in China and Russia at the time. However, sometimes I felt overwhelmed with information. It also felt incredibly rushed in the end.

The Master Jeweler transported me to China where I learned a lot about jewelry creation.

Anyu is a young girl who loses her mother very young and by chance of a meeting, she settles in Shanghai with a Russian family where she will learn the art of jewelry with Isaac. Suffice to say that it is an incredible epic that unfolds over the pages of this novel. There are a few small flaws, what happens to them is sometimes a bit big, a bit exaggerated and it is not always very realistic. But the suspense is there, the characters are endearing so we let ourselves be guided by the author and we have a very good time.

I really liked the descriptions of the places, Harbin first, then Shanghai and finally Hong Kong. I learned a lot about the history of the places, colonization .... I loved all the characters, even the secondary characters are very successful. Small downside for Mr Bellefeuille, as a French person, I find him a bit caricatured but for the others, they are all very endearing.

I had not yet read novels written by Weina Dai Randel, but this one makes me want to discover others.

"The Master Jeweler," a novel by bestselling author Weina Dai Randel, takes readers on a riveting journey through the treacherous world of 1920s Shanghai's jewelry scene.

The story begins in 1925 in Harbin, China, where fifteen-year-old Anyu Zhang finds a Fabergé egg and returns it to Isaac Mandelburg, a master jeweler who once served Russia’s imperial palace. This act sets her on a course to a dazzling yet dangerous world.

Orphaned and alone, Anyu arrives in Shanghai and joins Mandelburg, entering a world of secrets, avarice, and the art of jewelry making. Her determination to master the craft entangles her with ruthless gangsters, rivals, and obsessive collectors.

Anyu's journey is one of ambition and resilience. As the protagonist, she pursues her passion relentlessly, facing both triumphs and losses. The supporting characters add depth to the story, revealing the complexities of loyalty, betrayal, and the human spirit.

The novel explores themes of ambition, survival, and the price of success, resonating with contemporary issues like gender inequality and exploitation of talent. Anyu’s struggle to maintain integrity in a corrupt world mirrors discussions about ethics in business and personal empowerment.

Randel’s writing captures the opulence and danger of 1920s Shanghai. The detailed descriptions immerse readers in Anyu's world. The narrative structure builds suspense, keeping readers invested in her fate.

"The Master Jeweler" conveys its messages through compelling storytelling and rich character development. The emotional response to Anyu's struggles and victories is profound, inspiring readers to reflect on their experiences with ambition, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams.

Within its genre, the book distinguishes itself through its focus on Chinese history and culture, offering a fresh perspective compared to Western-centric narratives.

Fans of Randel’s other works will appreciate her ability to blend historical fiction with personal stories, creating a compelling and educational reading experience. Like "The Last Rose of Shanghai," which explores forbidden love in WWII Shanghai, "The Master Jeweler" delves into a unique historical setting, providing insights into a little-known aspect of the world.

Set in Shanghai we follow a teenage girl, Anyu. We follow her story as a pinch of luck landed her a job as an apprentice to a master jeweler. The premise of this is interesting and the writing was decent. but I just didn't connect with any of the characters, thus I wasn't that attached to the story itself.

This is the first book of the author that I read and I must say, I was captivated from the beginning. We follow the story of a young girl and her mother who are struggling. Through her journey she meets a master jeweler from Russia who is currently hiding and so the journey to become a master herself begins for our Protagonist.

The writing is amazing and the way Randel describes the world and the Jewellery makes you wish you could actually dive in and see for yourself.

Fantastic! The premise of an orphan girl going on to become a master jeweller enticed me in and it didn't disappoint me in the slightest.

The plot starts with Anyu and her mother, struggling to get by in Harbin, when she meets Isaac, a Russian former Imperial jeweller who's hiding a secret. He offers her aid and soon she becomes a member of the family, learning the ways of jewellery-making.

From the get-go I was captivated and I enjoyed watching Anyu grow throughout the novel into a master jeweller. I also thought her characterisation was excellent and her decisions believable even when they stung. She experiences great highs and lows, all of them palpable in each page, and the overarching themes around belonging and war are woven in with care.

The only thing I think could be improved is the pacing as for most of the novel it's well-paced but towards the end I found it a little rushed. But, for the most part I loved it!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC!

4.5 stars rounded up

The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel is a propulsive, emotional, historical fiction novel that takes place in China in the early to mid twentieth century. It centers around a young girl named Anyu who is orphaned and her journey to becoming the titular master jeweler. It is due to be published on June 24, 2025 and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

This was my first experience with this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was drawn in by the description and the title. I loved this book and I could not stop reading it. It is well written and well paced. The characters had distinct voices and I especially enjoyed the found family aspect of it. I found myself fully immersed in the world of the story and captivated by the vivid description.

Learning about the jewelry making process was fascinating but what really drew me in were the relationships. Come for the art and stay for the fast paced drama. With the exception of a few character choices, I truly enjoyed this and would recommend it highly.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story! Anyu was such a likable character and I found myself cheering her on. She went thru So much in her life. The jewelry piece was really amazing and I loved learning about it!

I really enjoyed this historical fiction epic about one woman's wild and adventurous life in 1920s Shanghai amid gangsters, gold and then war.

Anyu is a complicated character, often unlikable but with an unshakable belief in her own moral code. An orphan, she was raised by a single mother who had a scandalous affair with a warlord. She finds a priceless Faberge egg in a train station, where she often goes to escape and draw. She gives it back to its owner, a Russian Jew and a jeweler who is so touched by her honesty that he offers to take care of her if she ever makes it to Shanghai.

After her mother dies, she makes her way to him and finds his family, who owns a jewelry making shop fallen on hard times. Without talent as a saleswoman, she becomes enamored instead with jewelrymaking, where her true talents lie. She can create magic out of silver in a world where women can't ask for more.

The story follows her meteoric rise to fame amid war, struggles and oppression, her star-crossed love with the much older jeweler who took her in and her other tragic love affairs. The only constant through the years has been her love for her craft, which makes her rich and then turns her blind.

Anyu lives a very sad life, destined to never hold onto requited love, always hunted. But above all else it's a story of stubborn survival against all odds set against an intriguing backdrop, a time in history I'd like to know more about. We get lots of WWII history but mostly from the European side. Books like this really bring history to life. At times I found her character frustrating and shallow, but mostly I deeply admired her and her incredible life. It was never only about the jewels she made; it was also about the relationships that made her, and the kinds of love that aren't all romantic.

Some content warnings include forced abortion, loss of a child and sexual assault, along with all the trauma of life in a war zone and as a refugee. But it never felt bleak or hopeless; I always felt Anyu would survive, even if it wasn't a happy life. Maybe moments of happiness are all we can hope for. This really showed how difficult it was for women in that era to hold a successful career, and the racial divisions that made it even more difficult.

A beautiful, sweeping epic that captivated me the whole way through.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.