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sherwoodreads's review against another edition
Wuxia is a genre that has kept reinventing itself over millennia of Chinese history. I recollect reading that a literary critic and scholar bitterly complained about its hoary cliches and the rotten public taste for such tales--and that was a couple centuries BC.
Every time it gets stamped out by the government it comes back in a new form. These days it seems that the Xuanhuan form is firmly in the mainstream, and gaining popularity fast among English-speaking readers. I think Jin Yong, who reinvented the form for the modern reader, is in a direct line to this often hilarious, definitely tongue-in-cheek wuxia adventure that combines some cultivation novel tropes with modern sensibility and narrative drive.
I see that it has a zillion reviews already, so I'm not going to add yet another recap. I'll just say that I had a blast reading this book. Everybody is the hero of their own story, including the anti-hero hero, and even the villains. The result was such fun--I'm looking forward to more, because this was definitely a setup for a series.
Every time it gets stamped out by the government it comes back in a new form. These days it seems that the Xuanhuan form is firmly in the mainstream, and gaining popularity fast among English-speaking readers. I think Jin Yong, who reinvented the form for the modern reader, is in a direct line to this often hilarious, definitely tongue-in-cheek wuxia adventure that combines some cultivation novel tropes with modern sensibility and narrative drive.
I see that it has a zillion reviews already, so I'm not going to add yet another recap. I'll just say that I had a blast reading this book. Everybody is the hero of their own story, including the anti-hero hero, and even the villains. The result was such fun--I'm looking forward to more, because this was definitely a setup for a series.
seforana's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
czeleia's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
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
4.0
birdsat4am's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
surprisingly funny writing with characters i really enjoyed. will be reading the next one :>
kcr928's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
readwithiffy's review against another edition
4.0
Wuxia-inspired fantasy with a twist on the chosen one trope. I really enjoyed Jian and Taishi’s dynamic - the naive, spoiled kid with his older, tough mentor (with a soft spot). The worldbuilding was layered and refreshingly unique. There’s more POVs but Sali grew on me towards the end, through her journey as a leader in the tough times for her people. Qisami didn’t seem as fleshed out as a later pov, but served as comedic relief, the twisty assassin and her shadow crew. All the characters have their own new relationships with unexpected folks, but by the end, I love the little squad Jian had… you know found family gonna get me. 🥹
This would’ve been ranked higher if the plot didn’t become a slog in part 2. There was a point where I was only interested in Jian’s chapters, my baby idc. I also wished the conflict with the Zhuun and the Eternal Khan and his people were a bit more developed. Some things like the pods were hard to visualize. While I love how witty this book is, the humor landed flat for me sometimes, but overall I binged this story, would recommend!
This would’ve been ranked higher if the plot didn’t become a slog in part 2. There was a point where I was only interested in Jian’s chapters, my baby idc. I also wished the conflict with the Zhuun and the Eternal Khan and his people were a bit more developed. Some things like the pods were hard to visualize. While I love how witty this book is, the humor landed flat for me sometimes, but overall I binged this story, would recommend!
imaginethisreader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
loucs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
samscorner's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
momoj8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75