AUGUST BOOK CLUB: ANA HUANG'S 'KING OF ENVY'

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Image: Hachette Australia 

Our August Book Club pick is Ana Huang’s King of Envy.

We’re five books into Ana Huang’s Kings of Sin series, and August’s Book Club selection is King of Envy. Following the seven deadly sins, Envy has found its stage. Huang’s achieved something incredible, in that her storytelling ability has improved with every book. 

King of Envy had the perfect blend of action suspense, humour and beautiful moments.

The twists and turns were just brilliant. With every passing chapter you knew something was bound to happen, and when it did it still caught you by surprise. Every character was important. The tapestry created through all these vital characters was just stunning to behold. Huang also brings a sense of nostalgia utilising characters from previous books, who work seamlessly within the story, contributing vital elements and always bringing delight.

It’s interesting, there are elements of King of Envy that you can somewhat liken to Persuasion by Jane Austen. Obviously there are themes that are a huge difference between the two. However the similarity in both books are the way in which Vuk (King of Envy) and Anne (Persuasion) operate, focusing on listening and observing. Vuk makes his own deductions from that characteristic, much like Anne Elliot. 

The imagery that Huang conjures is really captivating, on page eighty nine she describes a moment in time, where you feel you are also embedded within it. I don’t know if a book has ever elicited the response I had (especially within the first half) whilst reading this. I’m referencing a certain reveal. I also love how Huang, at times, chooses to end each chapter. That being cliffhangers that have a somewhat cinematic element to it. At one point it reminded me of a scene from Moulin Rouge! when Christian says “so I returned… to the Moulin Rouge… one… last… time.” 

One thing is for sure, I didn’t want it to end. We have two more books to look forward to in this series, so I can’t wait to return to this world and these characters again. 

Ana Huang’s King of Envy is available through Hachette Australia.