diff --git a/deker_server_adapters/base.py b/deker_server_adapters/base.py
index 9a107dd..0723b3d 100644
--- a/deker_server_adapters/base.py
+++ b/deker_server_adapters/base.py
@@ -263,12 +263,14 @@ def read_data(
                 message=f"Timeout on {self.type.name} read {array}",
             )
 
-        numpy_array = res.json  # type: ignore[call-overload]
-        shape = array[bounds].shape
-        if not shape and numpy_array.size:
-            return numpy_array[0]
+        data = res.json  # type: ignore[call-overload]
+        if isinstance(data, list):
+            data = np.array(data, dtype=array.dtype)
+            np_array = np.array(data).reshape(array.shape)
+        else:
+            np_array = array.dtype(data)
 
-        return numpy_array
+        return np_array
 
     def update(self, array: "BaseArray", bounds: Slice, data: Numeric) -> None:
         """Update array/varray on server.