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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
well my only issue is that after 2000 pages of great build-up, mystery and twists the ending was very abrupt and underwhelming, leaving some plotlines unfinished, like even the
Spoiler
last fight is postponed and doesn't actually happen in the novel?? not to mention that the big bad villain dies conveniently because of a toxin that's been eating him away for years before accomplishing his goal...
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
There's a lot of politics which is difficult for me to follow because I'm not good at remembering names of small characters or countries and stuff, so I don't know if that part is written well or not, but the little gambits the characters cook up to trick each other are really cool and interesting. There's a bit of a mystery aspect although the mystery is less like the parlor mystery I prefer that is generally more self-contained and character-deiven, and instead mostly a way to move the plot forward, which is its own different genre of storytelling I feel. Like CSI instead of Poirot. Absolutely the main selling point is the main characters. Cui Buqu is a great character to have by your side and Feng Xiao's (unfortunately well-deserved) arrogance plays off CBQ so beautifully. I feel like most of my enjoyment of the story is just from watching them destroy each other (affectionately). The dramatic parts are suitably exciting, despite the slow pace of most of the writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Drug use, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Murder
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Incest, Kidnapping, Abandonment
The main character is chronically ill. It is presented mostly as a hindrance to his life, and affects his motivations. It instills pity from people who know him, and the narration often reminds the reader of how soon he is expected to die. Other than that, it's not the focus of his character and there are many other parts of him much more interesting and important to the story.
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-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:
No
Well. I really enjoyed this story. The cases were interesting, the side characters good, and I absolutely loved the constant bickering of the two male leads. I enjoyed the fact that Cui Buqu really was constantly pitting Feng Xiao and it developed from Feng Xiao finding it interesting to finding him adorable when he did it. These two really didn't want to change anything about each other (well, actually, I suspect that Cui Buqu genuinely would love it if Feng Xiao just shut up for awhile) and they didn't really soften or temper themselves when they fell in love. Though, like with pretty much every one of these novels I've ever read, as the ML, Feng Xiao was pretty damned accommodating of Cui Buqu. Still, I really did love their relationship with each other.
I only have two complaints; one is that it ended incredibly abruptly. Like, the climax peaked and just as you were stepping over, the book was done. There were a lot of loose ends left dangling and I would've appreciated just a bit more to polish it off. Yes, one can infer a lot of the problems were dealt with because they knew they were problems but I would've liked to actually see it. Secondly, and this one is really just a personal preference, but I wanted some more sugar. Both of these problems could probably be solved when the extras are finally translated and I can read them but I hate relying on extras to give me the closure I want. Partially because half the time, with the extras, the author decides to do something with the pairing that I end up strongly objecting to and it puts a sour taste in my mouth. Partially because wrapping up your loose ends should be part of your main story, not something tacked on after the fact.
Anyway, good story, fun pairing, definitely recommend.
I only have two complaints; one is that it ended incredibly abruptly. Like, the climax peaked and just as you were stepping over, the book was done. There were a lot of loose ends left dangling and I would've appreciated just a bit more to polish it off. Yes, one can infer a lot of the problems were dealt with because they knew they were problems but I would've liked to actually see it. Secondly, and this one is really just a personal preference, but I wanted some more sugar. Both of these problems could probably be solved when the extras are finally translated and I can read them but I hate relying on extras to give me the closure I want. Partially because half the time, with the extras, the author decides to do something with the pairing that I end up strongly objecting to and it puts a sour taste in my mouth. Partially because wrapping up your loose ends should be part of your main story, not something tacked on after the fact.
Anyway, good story, fun pairing, definitely recommend.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is hilarious, the subtle romance is very much intertwined with the plot and keeping track of all the foreshadowing and clues was exciting.
This bl couple Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao very much reminds me of Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing of Faraway Wanderers 天涯客 by Priest. Both Cui Buqu and Zhou Zishu are both sickly and frail yet extremely well connected in spy networks and occupy high positions within the bureau. Of Wushuang, I've read the online English translation by Dust Bunny Translations up to Chapter 87 but have decided to drop it. The translation has quite a few grammatical and syntactical errors, one can still get the story action and progression but it's distracting.
This is a ridiculously fun ride with political plotting & mystery solving as a backdrop to two amoral, competent, and snarky characters who fall in love while scheming endlessly against each other. Do you love undercover fake dating/fake marriage/fake make-outs and similar shenanigans? Then you'll have a blast with this book.
I love that while Cui Buqu is physically frail, he's still incredibly powerful and intelligent, and go head-to-head with Feng Xiao, who's an excellent fighter. They both succeed and fail in equal measures when they scheme against each other, and they eventually care for and end up rescuing each other as well. The equal power dynamics and give-and-take of this relationship is by far one of the best I've read in a long time.
I highly recommend this book for people interested in a rivals-to-lovers dynamic, ruthless & competent main characters, and mystery adventures.
I love that while Cui Buqu is physically frail, he's still incredibly powerful and intelligent, and go head-to-head with Feng Xiao, who's an excellent fighter. They both succeed and fail in equal measures when they scheme against each other, and they eventually care for and end up rescuing each other as well. The equal power dynamics and give-and-take of this relationship is by far one of the best I've read in a long time.
I highly recommend this book for people interested in a rivals-to-lovers dynamic, ruthless & competent main characters, and mystery adventures.