The Master Jeweler

A Novel

De: Weina Dai Randel

Narrado por: Christine Lin

From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Night Angels comes the epic story of a brilliant young woman’s dangerous rise to fame in the perilous world of jewelry in 1920s Shanghai—and the power of love and friendship.

Harbin, China, 1925. Fifteen-year-old Anyu Zhang discovers a priceless Fabergé egg in the snow and returns it to the owner, Isaac Mandelburg, a fugitive and former master jeweler for Russia’s imperial palace. In gratitude, he leaves her his address in Shanghai and a promise of hospitality, forever altering her fate.

A dazzling world of jewelry shrouded in secrecy and greed awaits, when later Anyu arrives at Mandelburg’s jewelry shop as an orphan. Single-minded and relentless, Anyu will stop at nothing until she masters the craft of jewelry making. But she soon finds herself entangled in the treacherous underbelly of the city, where violent gangsters stalk the streets, vicious rivals seek to exploit her, and obsessive collectors conspire to destroy the people she loves.

From snow-crowned land to diamond-sparkling showrooms to a pristine island on the brink of war, The Master Jeweler chronicles an exciting journey of a bold prodigy artisan—including her losses and triumphs—in a glamorous yet perilous world of treasure.

©2025 by Weina Dai Randel. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Christine Lin narrates this vivid and immersive account of a Chinese orphan girl who, through a series of amazing circumstances, becomes the protégé of a Russian Jewish master jeweler.... Lin gives Anyu a sweet, gentle voice that underscores her initial naïveté and malleability. Lin also creates the soft but wholly sinister voice of the evil Kawashima Yoshiko. This audiobook is a glittering account of a time, place, and talent that introduces a set of characters made viable by both the author and narrator."—AudioFile Magazine

“Randel brings 1930s Shanghai to vivid life in this fast-paced story of beauty and courage in the face of violence.”—Booklist

“Filled with incandescent prose that matches the luster of the gems being burnished for jewels, this novel will pull readers into Anyu's story…Highly recommended for all readers…”—Historical Novels Review (Editors’ Choice)

Very Nice

I actually cried at the end. I wish there was another chapter ot two to explain a little more. (Sorry don’t want to spoil the ending but you’ll know what I’m talking about)

It was beautiful

I love how intricately jewelry design was put in, along with the techniques and history attached to it. The descriptions were beautiful but not overly flowery, it paints beautiful pieces of the jewelry that was seen and created. Anyu’s story was very inspiring, how everyday may be a struggle but we still live. Even with the worst hands, there’s still a silver lining to it all, even if we’re stripped of everything that we can still be happy

Great story line

This is a very different story line. I enjoyed the information on jewelers. Towards the end, it felt like the author was trying to wrap up the book quickly. I was fully engaged during the first half.

✨ Review of The Master Jeweler by Weina Dai Randel

The Master Jeweler is a dazzling historical fiction novel set in 1920s Shanghai, chronicling the rise of Anyu Zhang—a gifted young woman whose journey from orphan to artisan unfolds in a world of glittering jewels, dangerous ambition, and emotional depth.

💎 What Makes It Shine

• Rich Historical Setting: Randel paints Shanghai with cinematic detail, from snow-covered Harbin to opulent jewelry showrooms and war-torn streets A.
• Compelling Protagonist: Anyu is a fierce, complex heroine whose growth is shaped by hardship, artistry, and moral choices. Her evolution feels authentic and emotionally resonant .

• Intricate Themes: The novel explores gender roles, artistic ambition, and the tension between integrity and survival. It’s not just about jewelry; it’s about what we sacrifice to shine .

• Craftsmanship Meets Storytelling: Randel’s descriptions of jewelry-making—from Fabergé eggs to enamel work are both technically precise and metaphorically rich


📚 Reader Praise

• Goodreads users rate it 4.37/5, praising its emotional depth, vivid prose, and unforgettable characters
• Critics call it “a glittering tale of resistance and courage” and “historical fiction at its best”.


🧠 Final Thoughts

If you love stories of resilience, artistry, and richly layered historical worlds, The Master Jeweler is a gem worth discovering. It’s a tale of transformation and where beauty is forged in fire, and every cut reveals a deeper truth.

Don’t waste your time!

Every time the plot started to get the slightest bit interesting, implausibility and formulaic predictability interceded. I struggled to get through it and I’m sorry I wasted my time.

One of the worst books I’ve ever listened to.

The reader reads it as if it is a children’s book. Story is ridiculous. I couldn’t wait for it to end. If it weren’t for this thing, a book club book, I would’ve bailed early. Nobody in the Book Club liked it either.