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4.54 AVERAGE
4.54 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting
Minor: Bullying, Blood, Cannibalism, Pregnancy
I recently binged the cdrama, The Double (2024) and liked the engrossing plot, the green flag romance, and that the female villains were well written. Picked up this author's other book and am pleasantly surprised to find this just as bingeable. Mo Shu Bai still sets the standard for a good romance for me but the love story between the main leads was very sweet and wholesome. I also liked the constant plot twists and numerous plot developments. I've read a lot of cnovels and it's been a while since family politicking and political intrigue captures my attention (I did skim the first 20 chapters of this LOL). I read her malicious empress rebirth novel (read about 50 chapters or so?) and didn't like it but this is good.
This follows the story of a girl who secretly takes on the identity of her brother, realizes she excels at the military, and becomes a renowned general. Due to circumstances, she is killed by her husband due to political scheming. She's reborn in the body of a young lady who has the same name as her. With this do-over, she gets revenge. She joins the army in disguise as a boy again (Mulan vibes) and catches the eye of the commander. She levels up in military prowess and proves herself.
Pretty similar premise as The Double, and it's full of my favorite tropes like hidden identity, secret past, fake marriage, etc. I really like that this author's heroines don't revolve around their relationships; in fact, they're constantly hustling for their careers and there are arcs where the heroines handle trouble by themselves with their formidable talents.
On to this author's other novels. Her revenge rebirth stories are really good.
This follows the story of a girl who secretly takes on the identity of her brother, realizes she excels at the military, and becomes a renowned general. Due to circumstances, she is killed by her husband due to political scheming. She's reborn in the body of a young lady who has the same name as her. With this do-over, she gets revenge. She joins the army in disguise as a boy again (Mulan vibes) and catches the eye of the commander. She levels up in military prowess and proves herself.
Pretty similar premise as The Double, and it's full of my favorite tropes like hidden identity, secret past, fake marriage, etc. I really like that this author's heroines don't revolve around their relationships; in fact, they're constantly hustling for their careers and there are arcs where the heroines handle trouble by themselves with their formidable talents.
On to this author's other novels. Her revenge rebirth stories are really good.
Beautiful and heartwrenching.
Early in the story, He Yan tells Xiao Jue her secret:
"I like the moon. The moon does not know"
Later, he gives himself to her:
"Do you like the moon?"
"Like."
"Then the moon is yours now."
In the end, we learn of Xiao Jue's secret:
"She did not know that the moon also had its own secret.
She is the moon's heart, the moon's lover, the beginning of his heart, and the end of it.
This is the secret of the moon."
Spoiler
Absolutely loved the recurring theme of the moon in the book. Even when He Yan was blinded by her family, she still wanted to see her moon.Early in the story, He Yan tells Xiao Jue her secret:
"I like the moon. The moon does not know"
Later, he gives himself to her:
"Do you like the moon?"
"Like."
"Then the moon is yours now."
In the end, we learn of Xiao Jue's secret:
"She did not know that the moon also had its own secret.
She is the moon's heart, the moon's lover, the beginning of his heart, and the end of it.
This is the secret of the moon."
That epilogue punched a hole straight through my heart. 3.75 stars.