Reviews - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (Novel) Vol. 1

I found myself struggling with this book. I’m not familiar with the cultivation genre or traditionally Chinese literature, so it was a learning curve. This wasn’t helped by the translated prose feeling stilted. It also has some prolonged flashbacks that really slowed down the pace of the book in my opinion. I was enjoying myself in the present day with the mystery and the characters’ dynamic; I was wanting for more of that rather than the long-winded backstory exposition and lore dumps.

That being said, this book has the potential to be immensely funny. I read it and gave a play by play to my friend throughout, and there were some points that had us in tears laughing. Definitely recommend coming into this book ready to not take it too seriously and laugh at these idiots who are so obviously in love.

zra_ig's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

WWX drives me up the wall into hysterics.

lulusca's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

deliciouscheese's review against another edition

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4.0

Over the past few years I've watched the drama, watched the donghua, read the manhua, and finally picking up the book series (so I could be a little biased towards my original introductions to this story).

While it was an easy and fun read, I was quite a bit disappointed to find this official translation is far more a transliteration. This is my first time reading an official translation of a danmei, and while it's certainly cleaner and a bit easier to read, it just didn't quite feel right? I was already put off on the first page seeing what I assume was a particular dialect translated into what looked like a southern accent (never did I think I'd see the word "ain't" used in a danmei). In fan translations I've read of other series they're usually heavily footnoted because they choose to leave in all the intricacies of the Chinese language (proverbs, idioms, addressments, etc) which I feel especially aides in better understanding the relationships between the characters. You really don't get that with this novel.

On the story itself I was quite surprised to find that, in contrast to its adaptations that only briefly start as such, the original source spends the majority of this first novel in the 'present' day. We're briefly introduced to Wei Wuxian's death right before the present story of his 'rebirth' begins but then, other than a quite brief flashback to Gusu, most of the past events are being told through short moments of remembrance on Wei Wuxian's part or passing remarks. I have to wonder, with this method of telling the story, if first time reader's miss out on a lot of the emotions certain events, actions, and chracters evoke knowing the characters' pasts.

Sure once you finally get to the past story you can think back on those moments and think "oh" but I don't think it'd have any where near the same impact, especially considering the importance the past holds on the current events. So certainly makes sense that the adaptations decided on a more linear method of story telling.

Now, this is the third series of MXTX's I've read, and while I've never found the writing itself outstanding I am always blown away by the world building (and of course the gut-wrenching tragic pasts of their characters). In just the first novel we're introduced to many different sects/clans and their standing in the world, important figureheads and past events, and methods of hunting, capturing, and killing the different types of ghosts in this world. All while on an exciting hunt for the body parts of an unlucky dismembered individual that gives us connections here and there to tragic past events.

aaiza's review against another edition

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3.0

(Disclaimer: I read an unofficial translation of the original text; this review is also for the entire series, or all of the parts, which I read combined into one volume)

a compelling tragedy (epic like) book
enjoyed the mystery aspect, suspense was built well
really cool world building and fantasy elements
felt the ending lacked closure/was underwhelming
gratuitous (but self-aware?) use of scapegoats
interesting subtext around the effect of environment/experiences on a person's character
interesting subplots
felt a little weird about the lack of main female characters/general portrayal of women -- not sure if it was just meant as a representation of historical views and roles of women at the time the book takes place

aknyy's review against another edition

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3.0

i dont know what i just read, but i read it, and thats all that matters.

snapcracklepoppies's review against another edition

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5.0

I’m so glad I watched the donghua & read the manhua first because reading the novel finally is SO much more enjoyable this way. I’m picking up all kinds of little nuances and hints I would’ve definitely overlooked without the prior experience. The foreshadowing is also SO good. I’m enjoying the subtleties to the interactions between LWJ & WWX; I don’t know how anyone can look at this story and say “oh yes, just a bromance” — LWJ is so fucking in love with WWX it’s not even funny, and even as deep in denial as WWX is he’s also coming to realize his feelings IN BOOK ONE.

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