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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Did I like it? Yes
Do I recommend it? Yes
Do I recommend it? Yes
Positives
I really like the silkpunk world and politics (even though I have to pay attention to things more closely). Chang Geng as a main character is so fun because he’s smart but also flawed (like his emotional repression). But it’s more complicated than that because his history has created the desperate need to trust and have someone who cares for him, which is at odds with his perception of masculinity and the independence he feels he needs to survive.
I also like the writing style priest uses a bit more than MXTX.
Negatives
I felt that a lot of the representation was questionable at times, specifically for Cao Niangzi and “the barbarian tribes”. I just find the “barbarian” archetype uncomfortable and distasteful. With regard to Cao Niangzi, it isn’t clear what their gender is, only that people don’t take them seriously especially because of their flirtatious nature.
Lastly, I still just find the series’ romance really questionable. While Chang Geng clearly doesn’t view Gu Yun as his father figure (mostly because he’s not been allowed any safe spaces for emotional vulnerability), Gu Yun does reflect on his thoughts on and experiences with fatherhood when considering his relationship with Chang Geng. Knowing where the series is going, I still find elements of their relationship concerning at this point and I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
medium-paced
I did not care about what happened next at all, and the dynamics of the main ship were icky
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gu Yun. No other reason.
adventurous
mysterious
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
mysterious
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
Love the main dynamic as well as the disability representation with one of the main characters. I also really like the political machinations - complex yet easy to follow.