Responses
No, I think the author did well with some background research. The clothes and buildings weren't that inaccurate. Plus the food, the culture, etc. They did study. I think it's just bias as a Chinese honestly. They have a bias that white skin = beautiful. I'm not saying it's a big deal, but it's sth that East Asians can learn more; body and skin diversity I mean.
I'm really enjoying the storyline, but please tell me I'm not the only one annoyed and upset by the blatant colorism displayed towards Indian, Afghani, Persian, and other Middle Eastern people in this story. You have pale women with bindis, men with white skin named Singh, and Shahs with pale skin as well. Especially since the writer isn't from any of these countries, it's really upsetting to see a story set there with characters "from the region" have no skin tones of people from the region. It really leaves a bad taste in my mouth :(
**Before people get mad, yes I know some Western Asians have lighter skin tones, but almost every single person is fair and pale. This is literally so unlikely and basically impossible for something set in Persia/India/the Middle East***