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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
Knew nothing about this series or the setting so jumping in blind was really exciting.
Could not even begin go guess where this will lead. Also… the dynamic between the two mmc will be uhhhhhhhhh interesting? lmao
Could not even begin go guess where this will lead. Also… the dynamic between the two mmc will be uhhhhhhhhh interesting? lmao
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Explosive start to a series. The characters and plot are compelling and make continuing a foregone conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
The adult/minor is primarily through dreams referenced and not any physical interactions.
ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ࿐ྂ
„Flowers were like this, all the meaningless love and hatred within a human heart.. must be like this as well.“
Priest never disappoints me (we don’t talk about guardian #3)
„Flowers were like this, all the meaningless love and hatred within a human heart.. must be like this as well.“
Priest never disappoints me (we don’t talk about guardian #3)
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like this volume is setting up for something. There's a lot of working parts, so needing the scaffolding makes sense. I hope there's more character banter coming though!
adventurous
challenging
funny
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"If your heart contains only a corner, worries the size of a house must be squeezed into a corner. If you heart is as large as the world, worries the size of a mountain will be no more than a drop in the ocean."
I really enjoyed this book! Although we are still early in the series the amount of character development that occurs is impressive. I like Chang Geng especially. It's so rare to see a BL character with a mature and self aware personality. Even rarer when it's the younger of the main pairing. Despite being mature for his age Chang Geng is still very young in this volume and it shows in his tendency to make impulsive decisions, his stubbornness, and his conflicted feelings about Gu Yun. In contrast, I wasn't super impressed with Gu Yun. His immaturity and low emotional IQ annoyed me at first, however, he has his moments that lead me to believe he can grow into a mature and dependable person.
I really enjoyed this book! Although we are still early in the series the amount of character development that occurs is impressive. I like Chang Geng especially. It's so rare to see a BL character with a mature and self aware personality. Even rarer when it's the younger of the main pairing. Despite being mature for his age Chang Geng is still very young in this volume and it shows in his tendency to make impulsive decisions, his stubbornness, and his conflicted feelings about Gu Yun. In contrast, I wasn't super impressed with Gu Yun. His immaturity and low emotional IQ annoyed me at first, however, he has his moments that lead me to believe he can grow into a mature and dependable person.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
12/02/2025
4.5 stars for the whole heartbreaking series
I literally have zero expectations coming into this story and it has succeeded to blow me away.
If I have to describe Sha Po Lang , it'd be about the saga of two men who desperately tried to spare their nation from utter destruction, and through that shared cause, a great, enduring, powerful love blossomed between them. If you know anything about the late Qing resistance against foreign powers, Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang screams that era, but it's sort of like a wish-fulfillment on what if China wouldn't need to undergo that Century of Humiliation. Ultimately, it's a story about the revitalization of a crumbling nation, and I'm honestly living for it.
To be honest, I'm not even sure why I had no expectations coming into this book. It had everything I loved from a book: politics, steampunk shenanigans, and well-written characters. But I was happy with that state of mind, because I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if I had too many preconceptions coming to the story.
The plot is overall great. I find it to be especially strong in the first half, but found the second half to be faltering compared to its predecessor. However, I feel that the central relationship between Chang Geng and Gu Yun carried the second half, so I still found the whole experience to be enjoyable. Like, I literally couldn't stop reading it.
Chang Geng is a great protagonist. He can be so incredibly, gut-wrenchingly strong and vulnerable, and being the underdog in the court makes you want to root for him so badly. He's so resilient, even when the odds are stacked against him.
Gu Yun defied all of my preconceptions about him. I realized that I had a certain archetype stamped on him when I walked into the story and this man just ruthlessly annihilated that idea. I love him to bits – he's so capable of being so irritating, endearing, and heartbreaking at the same time. There were moments where he actually broke my heart, even when he tries to laugh it off. Anyways, even if the book doesn't stick with you, I'd fail to understand how the hell you can hate this man. What an unhinged, batshit crazy menace who just refused to bow to destiny. An absolute unkillable madlad.
The side cast is also incredibly compelling. Shen Yi and Gu Yun made a magnificent comedic duo. Chen Qingxu was a needed breath of fresh air in the middle of all the insanity in the story. This story attempts to humanize everyone, even down to the incompetent Li Feng. I like how the story takes its time with most of the cast, but the series never once felt contrived. I also personally found it to be refreshing that the story is plot-heavy, and the romance sort of takes a backseat. It's there, and it'll steal your heart, but the plot stands strong on its own merit, which is really, really cool.
Anyways, I adored this story, and if you're up for some strong disabled rep, political tea, and some steampunk awesomeness, this book is a perfect read for all of that. As for me? Well, I've finally found a new obsession to hyperfixate for a while.
___
09/02/2025
review tbr bc i need 7 business days to process why i never picked this book up until today, but 5 stars
4.5 stars for the whole heartbreaking series
"A pair like Prince Yan and Gu Yun were truly a rare sight."
I literally have zero expectations coming into this story and it has succeeded to blow me away.
If I have to describe Sha Po Lang , it'd be about the saga of two men who desperately tried to spare their nation from utter destruction, and through that shared cause, a great, enduring, powerful love blossomed between them. If you know anything about the late Qing resistance against foreign powers, Stars of Chaos: Sha Po Lang screams that era, but it's sort of like a wish-fulfillment on what if China wouldn't need to undergo that Century of Humiliation. Ultimately, it's a story about the revitalization of a crumbling nation, and I'm honestly living for it.
"In a battlefield, whoever clings to life, will die first."
To be honest, I'm not even sure why I had no expectations coming into this book. It had everything I loved from a book: politics, steampunk shenanigans, and well-written characters. But I was happy with that state of mind, because I don't think I'd enjoy it as much if I had too many preconceptions coming to the story.
The plot is overall great. I find it to be especially strong in the first half, but found the second half to be faltering compared to its predecessor. However, I feel that the central relationship between Chang Geng and Gu Yun carried the second half, so I still found the whole experience to be enjoyable. Like, I literally couldn't stop reading it.
Chang Geng is a great protagonist. He can be so incredibly, gut-wrenchingly strong and vulnerable, and being the underdog in the court makes you want to root for him so badly. He's so resilient, even when the odds are stacked against him.
Gu Yun defied all of my preconceptions about him. I realized that I had a certain archetype stamped on him when I walked into the story and this man just ruthlessly annihilated that idea. I love him to bits – he's so capable of being so irritating, endearing, and heartbreaking at the same time. There were moments where he actually broke my heart, even when he tries to laugh it off. Anyways, even if the book doesn't stick with you, I'd fail to understand how the hell you can hate this man. What an unhinged, batshit crazy menace who just refused to bow to destiny. An absolute unkillable madlad.
The side cast is also incredibly compelling. Shen Yi and Gu Yun made a magnificent comedic duo. Chen Qingxu was a needed breath of fresh air in the middle of all the insanity in the story. This story attempts to humanize everyone, even down to the incompetent Li Feng. I like how the story takes its time with most of the cast, but the series never once felt contrived. I also personally found it to be refreshing that the story is plot-heavy, and the romance sort of takes a backseat. It's there, and it'll steal your heart, but the plot stands strong on its own merit, which is really, really cool.
Anyways, I adored this story, and if you're up for some strong disabled rep, political tea, and some steampunk awesomeness, this book is a perfect read for all of that. As for me? Well, I've finally found a new obsession to hyperfixate for a while.
Gu Yun began to laugh.
"What was it?" Chang Geng pressed.
Gu Yun tugged him closer and murmured into his ear, "I wish... to spend the rest of my life growing old with you."
Chang Geng drew in a sharp breath. After a moment to gather himself, he finally said, "You're the one who said it. A great general's word is worth more than gold..."
"And lo, I am invincible in battle," Gu Yun finished.
___
09/02/2025
review tbr bc i need 7 business days to process why i never picked this book up until today, but 5 stars