The Wicked and the Willing

03 · Reader evidence

What the evidence says

What readers repeatedly liked

• Complex Characters. Reader felt both possible endings were very much in character for all three characters; Characters praised as well-drawn; Verity is a mix of fragility and strength, mercy and severity; Gean Choo struggles with self-loathing and a desire to be needed; Po Lam is stoic and conflicted; Gean Choo is described as a complex character who is stronger than she thinks, and the reviewer praises Tan for making her more than a stereotype. Supported by 3 sources (source 140, source 524, source 10889).
• Explicit Heat. Called very steamy with excellently written scenes covering mechanics, tone, and atmosphere; The reviewer notes there is plenty of gratuitous sex and violence, and describes the book as sexy. Supported by 2 sources (source 140, source 524).
• Strong Prose. Scenes described as worthy of Anne Rice at her best; Writing rated A+; described as near perfect, readable, full of lovely descriptions, with excellent show-vs-tell instinct; The reviewer calls the book beautifully written, praising Tan’s impressive vocabulary and noting she avoids purple prose. Supported by 3 sources (source 140, source 524, source 11628).
• Rich Worldbuilding. Vampires serve as metaphor for colonialism while also being compelling creatures; compared favorably to Anne Rice; The story is set in 1920s Singapore under British colonial rule and explores power dynamics of race, age, wealth, and gender, drawing parallels between Verity preying on Asian women and British colonization. Supported by 2 sources (source 524, source 11628).
• Strong Plot. Reader was genuinely interested in the plot despite wanting more smut; Story called intense and engaging with tension expertly tightened as relationships become more fraught. Supported by 2 sources (source 140, source 10889).

What readers repeatedly flagged

• Abuse. Content warnings include abusive/toxic relationships and childhood sexual abuse; The book depicts an abusive relationship with Verity exhibiting the calm or honeymoon stage of the abuse cycle, and the reviewer contrasts this favorably with Twilight for not romanticizing the abuse; The review explicitly describes an abusive, controlling relationship. Supported by 3 sources (source 140, source 524, source 529).
• Passive Heroine. FMC Gean Choo is easy to trick and manipulate, frustrating the reader at times; The reviewer felt Gean Choo was too often a passive victim who reacted rather than acted. Supported by 2 sources (source 529, source 10889).
• Graphic Violence. Content warning for blood and gore noted by reader; The reviewer notes plenty of gratuitous violence throughout the book. Supported by 2 sources (source 524, source 10889).
• Noncon. Content warning for noncon noted by reader; The review explicitly describes the central relationship as non-consensual. Supported by 2 sources (source 529, source 10889).
• Violence. Depicts on-page physical assault as noted among the first two books discussed; Content warnings include intense depictions of blood, gore, violence, and torture, plus mild cannibalism. Supported by 2 sources (source 140, source 11624).

Where reader reactions differ

The current sources did not support a recurring split that could be reported confidently.

Individual observations

• Manipulative Heroine. Verity is portrayed as a monster who hides behind charm and extravagant displays of affection, manipulating Gean Choo while preying on Asian women she views as disposable.
• Death. Content warnings include depictions of self-harm and suicide.
• Trauma. Content warnings mention childhood sexual abuse; review notes past trauma of the three women revealed with a delicate touch.
• Rushed Ending. The alternate ending felt underdeveloped and crowded into too little space.
• Satisfying Ending. The reviewer finds it particularly unique that Tan gives the reader two different ending options, one happy and one tragic, depending on which romance the reader chooses for Gean Choo.
• Genre Fans. Recommended for readers interested in dark lesbian romance, lesbian love triangles, and dark vampire romances.
• Low Heat. Reader felt the book was not as smutty as hoped.
• Explicit Comparison. The reviewer compares the orientalist dynamics to Miss Saigon, Madama Butterfly, and The World of Suzie Wong, and contrasts the handling of abuse favorably against Twilight.
• Explicit Recommendation. Reader recommends the author’s other book Captive in the Underworld as a possible next read.
• Uneven Pacing. The final action and switch to climax felt sudden, as if more tension could have been wrung out.

Reader sources

1. featheredturtlepress.wordpress.com – Independent review
2. diversityhorror.com – Independent review
3. www.tumblr.com – Independent review
4. Reddit discussion
5. Reddit discussion
6. Reddit discussion