A Whole Different World // REVIEW: Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan

Title: Rich People Problems (Crazy Rich Asians #3)

Author: Kevin Kwan
Publication Date: May 23rd 2017
Publisher: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
Part of a Series?: Yes, Book 3 of the Crazy Rich Asians Series
I Got A Copy Through: Penguin Random House International
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Blurb Description: Kevin Kwan, bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend, is back with an uproarious new novel of a family riven by fortune, an ex-wife driven psychotic with jealousy, a battle royal fought through couture gown sabotage, and the heir to one of Asia's greatest fortunes locked out of his inheritance. 
When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her bedside--but he's not alone. It seems the entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe, ostensibly to care for their matriarch but truly to stake claim on the massive fortune that Su Yi controls. With each family member secretly fantasizing about getting the keys to Tyersall Park--a trophy estate on 64 prime acres in the heart of Singapore--the place becomes a hotbed of intrigue and Nicholas finds himself blocked from entering the premises. As relatives claw over heirlooms, Astrid Leong is at the center of her own storm, desperately in love with her old sweetheart Charlie Wu, but tormented by his ex-wife--a woman hell bent on destroying Astrid's reputation and relationship. Meanwhile Kitty Pong, married to billionaire Jack Bing, finds a formidable opponent in his fashionista daughter, Colette. A sweeping novel that takes us from the elegantly appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a schoolyard kidnapping to a gold-leaf dancefloor spattered with blood, Kevin Kwan's gloriously wicked new novel reveals the long-buried secrets and rich people problems of Asia's most privileged families. 

I bought into all the hype this book was getting over Twitter where EVERYBODY was talking about it. When I requested it from Penguin Random House International, I had no idea it was the third book in the series, which led to my three day binge of this INSANE series and a still ongoing slight book hangover.

Before I begin,

1.       I visited Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong about a month before diving into this BRILLIANT series, which made the places a lot more real to me, and I loved that experience.

2.       I’m Asian (Indian to be more specific) and I love how Indian culture is also thrown into this book, ESPECIALLY in Rich People Problems.

So, let my Rich People Problems rant/ review begin:

Graphic from National Book Store

IDEA:

I should probably talk about the idea for the series as a whole, which quite simply is PURE genius! Being Asian, I’ve seen my fair share of those ULTRA RICH people (maybe not as rich as the people in this series) but I’ve seen them around/ know them. This book embodies extravagance, love, gossip, beauty, couture, status and most importantly, money.

It’s so different from the normal world we live in and the ENTIRE Crazy Rich Asians series has this power to make you forget your normal life and live in theirs.

WRITING:

There are so many characters in this book, and the writing is just gorgeous. Sometimes a chapter is told from one person’s point of view, and sometimes you’re given a location and the viewpoints keep switching between the people present there. It was truly a different experience to read from SO MANY people’s points of view to understand everybody’s motivations better.

I also SPECIFICALLY loved that we heard from Nick’s grandmother, Sun Yi in Rich People Problems, because even though everyone was talking about her, she was the one character I felt like I didn’t know.

PLOT:

The plot of Rich People Problems was by far the MOST interesting one of the series. The whole series has revolved around one underlying questions of WHO would inherit the gigantic fortune of the Young/ Shang clan and well, THIS WAS THE BOOK WHERE WE FOUND OUT! I spent most of the time wanting to JUST FLIP and reach the part where everything was announced, and it took such an effort for me to not!

Other Books in this Series

CHARACTERS:

I feel like I KNOW these characters. In the span of three books and three days I got to know Nick, Rachel, Astrid, Charlie, Eleanor, Eddie, Oliver, Kitty, Colin and every other secondary character we saw this glamourous world from.

While Nick and Rachel were this solid, dependable couple, Astrid and Charlie have been my OTP for the entire series. I loved the two of them together, and specifically flipped pages to see when I’d hear from them next.

There’s honestly too much I want to talk about and very little I can talk about without spoiling it. If there is a sequel, I will jump across continents for it!

A different kind of world, a diverse cast of characters thrown in a whirlwind of money, family, fame, status, love and all things Asian!  

.Kevin Kwan is the author of "Crazy Rich Asians," the international bestseller now being adapted as a major motion picture. The sequel, "China Rich Girlfriend," will be released on June 16, 2015. Born and raised in Singapore, Kwan has called Manhattan home for the past two decades but still craves pineapple tarts and a decent plate of Hokkien mee. 

Please visit Kevin at: Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest

Have you had the chance to read this series yet? What did you think of it? 

Have you visited Singapore/ Hong Kong/ Macau/ Bangkok? What did you think of it? 

I do hope you guys dive into this series because it is SO WORTH IT!