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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an epic story!
I started reading this book after the drama was aired and what a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Admittedly, I feel like my reading experience was fabulous because I did love the drama so much, the characters all delivered their performances of their respective roles so well. I love all the characters; everyone has layers and feel so real. I root for Jing to end up with Xiao Yao but Zhuan Xu and especially Xiang Liu both have special places in my heart. Especially Xiang Lu. He can be toxic but my heart aches that only that bird guy knows about all he does for Xiao Yao and Jing so they get their happy ever after. All in all, a very great story to lost yourself in.
I started reading this book after the drama was aired and what a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Admittedly, I feel like my reading experience was fabulous because I did love the drama so much, the characters all delivered their performances of their respective roles so well. I love all the characters; everyone has layers and feel so real. I root for Jing to end up with Xiao Yao but Zhuan Xu and especially Xiang Liu both have special places in my heart. Especially Xiang Lu. He can be toxic but my heart aches that only that bird guy knows about all he does for Xiao Yao and Jing so they get their happy ever after. All in all, a very great story to lost yourself in.
I can’t believe I finished this book in three days. Actually since I already watched season 1 of this book. I skipped lots of chapters in between. There is almost no change between the adaptation and the book.
The Ending; is kinda what I’ve expected but still something that I did not wish for. Since we all have preferences and opinions, some people(or most) will perceive this as a happy ending. But, sadly, not for me.
I bawled my eyes out during the epilogue. I was still holding on until the last chapter but the epilogue took me out.
I know that this ending is the most realistic, beautiful and the best for all the characters. But, i wish the book has a couple more chapters and a different ending. What can I do..I just loved Xiang Liu and Zuan Xu more than Xiao Yao.
The Ending; is kinda what I’ve expected but still something that I did not wish for. Since we all have preferences and opinions, some people(or most) will perceive this as a happy ending. But, sadly, not for me.
I bawled my eyes out during the epilogue. I was still holding on until the last chapter but the epilogue took me out.
I know that this ending is the most realistic, beautiful and the best for all the characters. But, i wish the book has a couple more chapters and a different ending. What can I do..I just loved Xiang Liu and Zuan Xu more than Xiao Yao.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was better than the previous book. I fully enjoyed the direction it went and the plot points to get there. The story had more elements in it, and makes more sense. The plot is very elaborate, there is a lot of events going on, but it is not developed to full potential. Get a little bit of romance, politics, family struggle but it doesn't dive into any specific conflict. There is not enough strategy written in; the characters just solves the problem. I would have like to see the characters demonstrate their cleverness more. For Zhuan Xu, he had a very big climb to the top but readers don't actually see all the strategy, schemes and relationships he utilized to get there. It was disappointing because the journey seems epic to go against all odds.
Despite the shortcoming, I enjoyed the story as a whole.
Despite the shortcoming, I enjoyed the story as a whole.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars. I binged Lost You Forever on Netflix over the weekend and I was intrigued by how the female lead was strong till the end of the season, and the romance is quite 'equally divided' among the three male leads without the quality of the show suffering (usually cdramas are pretty bad at both). I then picked this up because I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this is the same author as The Time Never Back, which was such a great character-driven coming-of-age high school story that was really nostalgic.
Koala translated this online and their translation is pretty good. Their commentary also added depth to the story. I started around chapter 30/31 which is where the Netflix drama stops. The story is divided into three volumes. Volume 1 is on Xiaoyao's past, volume 2 is on Cangxuan's rise to power (he's called Zhuan Xu in the novel for some reason), Volume 3 is on Xiaoyao's true heritage and more political machinations. In the novel, it's much more clear who she'll end up with from the beginning. Tbh I liked the actor for Cangxuan but I just can't see him in a romantic relationship with Xiaoyao. They seem better as 'family who chooses each other over everyone else'. Xiang Liu though. Tan Jianci is a fantastic choice.
Anyway, Tong Hua writes well and her stories come off a bit more mature than many other webnovels I've read. The story is a good length and she doesn't drag it out, and I loved the character growth Xiaoyao goes through. It was very rewarding when she acknowledged that her relationship with Tushan Jing was so messed up because she never fought for it. She was so afraid of losing people that it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The three male leads also have consistent characterizations and each undergo their own change and growth. I love character-driven stories and loved this.
So sad about Xiang Liu tbh...
Koala translated this online and their translation is pretty good. Their commentary also added depth to the story. I started around chapter 30/31 which is where the Netflix drama stops. The story is divided into three volumes. Volume 1 is on Xiaoyao's past, volume 2 is on Cangxuan's rise to power (he's called Zhuan Xu in the novel for some reason), Volume 3 is on Xiaoyao's true heritage and more political machinations. In the novel, it's much more clear who she'll end up with from the beginning. Tbh I liked the actor for Cangxuan but I just can't see him in a romantic relationship with Xiaoyao. They seem better as 'family who chooses each other over everyone else'. Xiang Liu though. Tan Jianci is a fantastic choice.
Anyway, Tong Hua writes well and her stories come off a bit more mature than many other webnovels I've read. The story is a good length and she doesn't drag it out, and I loved the character growth Xiaoyao goes through. It was very rewarding when she acknowledged that her relationship with Tushan Jing was so messed up because she never fought for it. She was so afraid of losing people that it became a self-fulfilling prophecy. The three male leads also have consistent characterizations and each undergo their own change and growth. I love character-driven stories and loved this.
So sad about Xiang Liu tbh...