Reviews with content warning for War - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1

look. the writing is not my cup of tea. the pacing, the introduction to the world building and to the characters are imperfect. but the characters took my breath away and I haven't been able to think about anything else since. I had to order the rest of the books immediately and I can't wait to receive them. I literally cannot wait. my brain is broken, send help.
I already know this story is gonna be something extraordinary

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fullybookedlola's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was very good and I loved it. Sometimes though, the translation seemed off and some sentences did seem to not make complete sense. But overall, I really liked reading it and after putting it off for half a month, I was right back and could follow along where I had left off.
I love MXTX's writing style, it does feel unique, though it looks like it is sometimes too much telling the story instead of showing it, but luckily it doesn't put me off.
Loved reading this novel after waiting a long time!

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achlys47's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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flovntic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Great depictions of classism, characters with complex motives, fun storyline and delighting relationship of the main couple made readin this a beautiful journey, making the series my favourite of MXTXs

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emergencily's review against another edition

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4.5

1500 page slow burn Chinese martial arts fantasy gay romance novel? It's like they set up a mouse trap and this bait was personalized just for me.

A lot of fantasy romance novels fall into the trap of either focusing too much on crafting their worlds, leaving the development of the characters and romance to the wayside, or the reverse situation. Thankfully, MXTX manages to balance all of these reasonably well.

The plot is genuinely interesting and well-crafted. The author's somewhat excessive use of time skips can sometimes stall the pacing and confuse you when reading. And for readers unfamiliar with the tropes & terms of xianxia, combined with a large cast (each of whom has about 5 different names and titles) it means it takes some perseverance to get through the first volume and make sense of it all. But once the story hits its stride, it's a page turner of a murderous action, thriller and mystery rolled into one.

The MC, Wei Wuxian, is the star that holds it all together. You can't help but fall in love with his mischief, lackadaisal arrogance, and enduring kindness. Seeing his character grow over the course of the novel is a treat. The highs he hits only makes the lows he falls to from his own hubris even more painful (and trust me. He falls low, and takes everyone around him down with him). He's also strongly situated as a character within a larger cast full of characters who are all interesting, loveable and frustrating in turns in their own rights. All the recurring characters are connected by a web of complex and unique relationships - emnity, sworn brotherhood, rivalry, servitude - that the story takes its time nurturing. And of course the relationship btwn Wei Wuxian and his love interest Lan Zhan as it grows over the decades, withstanding death, war, and time, is the one you root for the most.

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