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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
<strong>I’m committed </strong>
Here’s to reading another story with multiple volumes.
This is the first of Priest’s series that I’m reading (own others but haven’t started) whether the credit goes to the author or translator or a nice balance between them the world building and story was very easy to follow for a first volume as there is a more modern tone to the speech then some of the historical fantasy. With this one being a steampunk fantasy perhaps that’s why?
I really enjoy Gun Yun’s personality especially his relationship with his assistant/aide. Gives the same vibes of an eccentric master like Sherlock and a strait laced side kick that’s constantly covering for him like Watson.
There’s an age gap between the to MCs with the Chang Geng being 14 when the story starts but any intimate/romantic feelings at this point in the story are solely that of the younger Chang Geng and it’s felt along side mentorship/idolizing.
This one feels heavy on the court politics like Peach Blossom House publication of the Imperial Uncle but not as angsty and has hints of mystical/fantasy.
Here’s to reading another story with multiple volumes.
This is the first of Priest’s series that I’m reading (own others but haven’t started) whether the credit goes to the author or translator or a nice balance between them the world building and story was very easy to follow for a first volume as there is a more modern tone to the speech then some of the historical fantasy. With this one being a steampunk fantasy perhaps that’s why?
I really enjoy Gun Yun’s personality especially his relationship with his assistant/aide. Gives the same vibes of an eccentric master like Sherlock and a strait laced side kick that’s constantly covering for him like Watson.
There’s an age gap between the to MCs with the Chang Geng being 14 when the story starts but any intimate/romantic feelings at this point in the story are solely that of the younger Chang Geng and it’s felt along side mentorship/idolizing.
This one feels heavy on the court politics like Peach Blossom House publication of the Imperial Uncle but not as angsty and has hints of mystical/fantasy.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Despite the great writing and interesting story, I can’t get behind the relationship dynamic of the main couple. There was no need to label the older guy as the main characters father, even if they constantly drive the point of “well, not by blood”, “it wasn’t by their choice”, etc. I’m going to have to drop the series.
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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:
No
I honestly am pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book, the characters are very lovable and more than a little infuriating so I can't want to read more of them hahaha.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
At one point while reading this book, I sent this message to a Discord channel with several people who'd already read it: "I love them but I want to knock their little noggins together." Truly, Gu Yun and Chang Geng can be so stupid despite being very smart and competent. They are also both Not Okay in terms of what they each went through when they were kids, and what they go through throughout the book.
Unfortunately, you see, this is pretty much a perfect recipe to make me like characters. I was so invested in them that I felt like my heart was being dug out of my chest sometimes. Conversely, the silly and fluffy stuff made me emit undignified noises that my sister judged me for. Secondary characters like Shen Yi, Chen Qingxu, Cao Chunhua and Ge Chen are also very endearing.
And the writing is beautiful. Priest makes me glad that I can read in Chinese; so many of her lines just hit different in the original language.
I will say that I didn't really like how much time Gu Yun and Chang Geng spend apart. Before you yell at me that that's the whole point, hear me out. I like pining and at many points, the distance was necessary for them to grow and process on their own. Later on, though, it got kind of frustrating how long the war and politicking chapters were, especially as they are peopled by characters I don't care about. I feel this is a me problem though; I'm an impatient little gremlin that can understand in principle the importance of the main couple each doing their thing to establish a peaceful country, but in practice I wanted a higher proportion of the tender moments when they're together, because those feel so precious and intense.
Unfortunately, you see, this is pretty much a perfect recipe to make me like characters. I was so invested in them that I felt like my heart was being dug out of my chest sometimes. Conversely, the silly and fluffy stuff made me emit undignified noises that my sister judged me for. Secondary characters like Shen Yi, Chen Qingxu, Cao Chunhua and Ge Chen are also very endearing.
And the writing is beautiful. Priest makes me glad that I can read in Chinese; so many of her lines just hit different in the original language.
I will say that I didn't really like how much time Gu Yun and Chang Geng spend apart. Before you yell at me that that's the whole point, hear me out. I like pining and at many points, the distance was necessary for them to grow and process on their own. Later on, though, it got kind of frustrating how long the war and politicking chapters were, especially as they are peopled by characters I don't care about. I feel this is a me problem though; I'm an impatient little gremlin that can understand in principle the importance of the main couple each doing their thing to establish a peaceful country, but in practice I wanted a higher proportion of the tender moments when they're together, because those feel so precious and intense.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Changgu is the best thing that ever happened to me ♡