Fishbone Cinderella
by Elizabeth Lim
Publication Date: July 23rd 2026
Publisher: Del Ray
Find This Book: Fishbone Cinderella
Source: Physical ARC
Rating: 6/5
A bracelet. A curse. And golden fishbones to be returned to the sea ...
Guangdong, 1940. When Ha Yut Ying narrowly escapes Japanese soldiers by turning invisible, she knows her new-found magic must be kept a secret. But her mother, whose dreams foretell the future, suspects her daughter has changed, and warns her of a curse upon their family. For her protection, she gives her a gold bracelet whose links are shaped like fishbones.
After the war, Ha Yut Ying is sent to live with her father and his second wife, who have become wealthy factory owners in Hong Kong. Her stepmother, jealous of her beauty, forces her to work in the family's shoe factory.
But when Yut Ying collides with a boy on a bicycle on her way to work, she loses her bracelet. The boy is Tommy Yeung, scion of a local soymilk tycoon. And their encounter will change both of their destinies forever...
Fishbone Cinderella is a multi-generational historical fiction novel infused with magical realism about a mother and daughter navigating family curses, the immigrant experience, and the long-lasting impacts of war. I only dabble in historical fiction, but I love magical realism, and I’m a huge fan of Elizabeth Lim’s work, so I knew I had to give this one a try. Lim absolutely delivered and knocked it out of the park.
Fishbone Cinderella primarily follows Yut Ying as she lives through the Japanese occupation of China, life in Hong Kong during the Chinese Civil War, and her eventual immigration to America. The novel’s structure perfectly complements the story. Throughout Yut Ying’s journey, we also get glimpses of her daughter Marigold in present-day (1960s-ish) San Francisco. As the novel progresses, Marigold’s chapters become more frequent, and watching their storylines gradually intertwine was incredibly satisfying.
The themes are the true heart of this novel. Through Yut Ying’s relationships with her mother, her stepmother, and eventually her own daughter, Lim explores the complexities of motherhood across generations. There are family secrets, sacrifices, betrayals, and enduring love woven throughout the story. The theme that resonated with me most was the universal desire to be truly seen and understood—whether by family, friends, or the people we love.
Another thing Lim never misses is setting and atmosphere. Every location feels vibrant and lived-in, and her descriptions immerse you completely in each moment. Whether she’s depicting the turmoil of wartime or the quieter moments of everyday life, every setting feels rich with life and emotion.
I also loved how seamlessly the magical realism aspects were woven into the story. It never overshadowed the historical backdrop but instead deepened the emotional weight of the novel, reinforcing its themes of family, inheritance, and the burdens we carry across generations.
This is a beautiful, emotional story about resilience, identity, and the complicated bonds between mothers and daughters. Even if historical fiction isn’t your usual genre, I think readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a touch of magic will find a lot to love here. It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year and another reminder of why Elizabeth Lim is one of my auto-buy authors.
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