Single Sashimi

I was surprised by this book. It was portrayed to me as "chick-lit," which I thought would be a boring read for a guy like myself. Boy, was I wrong! The plot is riveting--I HAD to keep reading to find out what happens next! There is also a great deal of humor--laugh-out-loud stuff! But best of all, this book didn't feel like fiction. These people were real. I cared about them and wanted to know where they'd end up. The main character is a wonderfully realistic portrait of a successful, driven individual, who also has a boatload of insecurities and flaws. The supporting cast likewise is filled out with very "real" people that I've known in my own family and friends. The ending was surprising to me--satisfying but very unexpected. And very real. I'll definitely be reading more of Camy Tang's books. You should too!

Sashimi is a Japanese dish of thinly sliced fish served with wasabi - or Japanese horseradish made into a paste from the root plant, wasabi. Understanding the title of Camy Tang's latest release, Single Sashimi, I believe Camy Tang has indeed created a character that is fresh, spicy and delectable - Venus Chau. Single Sashim is the third book in the Sushi series, and it is hands down my favorite! Venus Chau is a smart, aggressive talented software programmer who is trying to make a place for herself in the male dominated world of video/computer gaming. Venus has combined great discipline and sheer determination to re-create her image both physically and emotionally in order to reach the pinnacle of success in her chosen field. However, as a Christian, she is struggling to determine whether or not she is actually seeking God's direction or whether she is simply going forward in her own strength and only performing her daily devotions and prayer from sheer routine and without meaning. Surrounded by a colorful, vocal set of cousins who are also fellow Christians, Venus finds a true sounding board for the unexpected events that begin to take place as this story unfolds. Suddenly, her grandmother and mother begin to insert themselves into a variety of personal situations in her life at the same time her carefully crafted career path begins to unravel. What on earth is going on? Well, God's ways are always so much higher than our ways, and it is absolutely beautiful to watch the way He reveals Himself to Venus! Besides the colorful family dynamic, there is an eclectic cast of co-workers, inner-office spies, investors that aren't all they appear to be and a series of events that will keep you reading at a frantic pace. Interspersed among the action are scenes that will have you holding your sides with laughter!! That opening scene with the malodorous soup, the first meeting with the youth group and the Jell-o....man, that was hysterical! My hat is off to you Camy Tang! Your characters are very real and very believable. Single Sashimi simply rocks!! Pick up a copy today!

Venus Chau is a lead developer for a gaming company. She's in prime position to being promoted until her unethical coworkers cause her to start looking elsewhere. She finds herself at another company headed by CEO Drake Yu. There's tension between the two because in the past, Drake used Venus to benefit his company. Venus is still touchy about that especially since she's still uneasy about the dramatic weight loss she had a few years ago. She has to suck up and gain some self confidence however if she plans to help Drake and his new company AND stop her old one from stealing her work. In my opinion, this was the best book of the series. I have never read any fiction book, secular or non fiction, that has a woman in charge at a video game industry. Most people do not think that girls like to play video games so it was wonderful to see that stereotype broken in this book. Also for once it was so nice to see a female lead in a chick lit book be bossy and taking charge but not being snooty about it. Venus is a professional and it shows in her work ethic. I applauded the way she treated the people at the new company. One cannot start up a new company where everything is a free for all and Venus showed them the correct way to succeed. I loved reading about her relationship with Drake. Right from the get go you could feel the zing in the air between them. This book had some of the sleaziest bad guys I've read in a while. I think what makes it worse is that people like Yardley and Edgar really do exist, with their abhorrent unethical ways. I wanted bad things to happen to them from the beginning. Thank goodness, Grandmother has toned down in this book. If you've read my previous reviews of the series, you know that she was one of my major complaints. Whether Venus is her favorite out of the four, or whatever other reason, she has mellowed out a lot and her demands are almost reasonable. On the other hand, Venus' mom must take after her own mother with the pushy and annoying way she treated Venus. Luckily there's redemption in the future for her. I would say out of the three books, this is the least Asian-y in the series. There is splashes of Asian American culture thrown in but the focus is mainly on Venus and the video game companies. Personally I much preferred this. It was nice seeing in the first book, Asian culture in full force. However it's also nice just to have an Asian American character just be, without drawing too much attention or making a big deal that she is a minority. I'm sad to see this series ending. Unfortunately we won't see Jenn getting her own full book but she should be showing up as a short story soon. This has been a breakthrough series in the Christian fiction industry and I am so glad that it was written. I shall miss these cousins, it's pretty much like reading about my own family! HIGHLY recommended.

Venus, the business-minded, career-driven "sushi" cousin, has a life most people would envy - she's drop-dead gorgeous, makes good money, and is brilliant to boot. As her close-as-sisters cousins begin to find love and settle down, her life on the career fast-track begins to feel as though it's lacking something. It doesn't help that her devotions time has become rote, just one more item to squeeze into a packed day. Venus has struggled for years to be taken seriously in the male-dominated gaming industry, since she's often overlooked for promotion or seen as only "eye" candy, particularly since her dramatic weight loss. When Drake, a charismatic former boss, offers her a high-profile, temporary job plus help starting her own gaming company, Venus is torn. If she can overcome her latent insecurities and give Drake a chance to prove himself, she might just discover that this God appointed chance at love is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she can't micro-manage or schedule... Single Sashimi is chock-full of Camy Tang's trademark humor and spiritual insights that also made the first two novels in the Sushi Series such enjoyable reads. It's particularly fun watching the always proper Venus get taken entirely out of her comfort zone (like volunteering to work with a wild church youth group). As her life spirals out of control, Venus gradually rediscovers her identity in Christ and the joy of surrendering every aspect of her life to God. It's a hard call to make, but I think Drake is my favorite hero of the series - his reintroduction to Venus took my breath away. His transformation from driven, amoral exec to sensitive, growing believer is realistic and compelling. The tension between Venus and Drake practically crackles with electricity - she doesn't know what to make of him, and he's more than up to the task of overcoming her prickly armor. Tang excels at creating very real characters. Over the course of three books, these four cousins are so real they've grown to feel like friends, and their journeys of faith and self-discovery are challenging and thought-provoking. The Sushi Series is smartly written and the characters are unforgettably real, the novels striking a delicate balance between thoroughly enjoyable escapism and life-changing, thought-provoking truths. I can't wait for Camy's next book!

I had so much fun visiting Camy Tang's strong-willed Asian cousins again. I am so hopeful this series isn't over. Single Sashimi is my favorite so far, and I loved the other books. Funny, fast paced, great characters, great plot, great romance. I loved this book. I love Venus. I'm even starting to like Grandma...a little. A must read.