Reviews - Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

460 reviews for:

Ballad of Sword and Wine: Qiang Jin Jiu (Novel) Vol. 1

Tang Jiu Qing

4.39 AVERAGE

szaaa's review

3.0

haven't attached YET with the characters :/

savvynewts's review

4.5

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

lexihworth's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

lightningmcqueer's review against another edition

3.5

dark funny tense fast-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

arcticaster's review

5.0

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Oh my GOD this was good. I cannot stress enough just how incredible not only the main plot of political machinations was, but how delicious the budding romance was as well, in the glimpses we get in this first novel their verbal interactions are SO well written and laced with tension.

There is a ton to keep track of with the main plot and you definitely have to infer a lot of information with what is provided to you, so I had to keep notes and reference the character sheet often. I also would reference videos about the novel frequently to hear what others interpreted and I definitely learned things I initially missed.

I enjoyed the multiple references to historical Chinese literature throughout the novel, with notes on where the reference came from in the margins. The rest of the writing used a lot of allegory and metaphor to paint a vivid picture of both the surroundings and internal thoughts of the two main characters with really lovely poetic description.

"Outside, snow was falling, but there was no festive atmosphere within. Messes piled up one after another, and the bright sights of Qudu were like gauze skimming the surface of an open wound, hiding the injury even as pus dirtied the ground. The snow came at a perfect time: concealing everything so beautifully one could pretend not to see the filth beneath, allowing all to keep living like drunkards in this fool's paradise." (p 96)

The corruption in the capital is deep and entrenched, and throughout the book you really feel an understanding that corruption isn't solved solely by the death of one tyrant, or the next in line behind them, but through a slow systematic change in power. That freedom should be inalienable for all people no matter their family background.

The main characters, Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye, purposefully go to great lengths to be publicly misjudged in their character which makes it interesting to see how they react to the world around them in different environments, and try to pick out what is genuine.

Mild spoiler-y thoughts on their feelings, no plot spoilers:

It's sometimes hard to understand what Shen Zechuan desires and how he feels about Xiao Chiye throughout the novel because he keeps it hidden so well, but there's a lot of good allegory used to indicate it. Usually through the visualization of light and lanterns. I think it might be building for us to understand that Shen Zechuan views Xiao Chiye as warmth and light.

"Shen Zechuan stood unmoving and watched Xiao Chiye ride away. His smile faded, leaving an unfathomable stillness. As that silhouette diminished into the distance, the setting sun dipped below the horizon, its orange light slipping under Shen Zechuan's feet and racing toward the shadow of Xiao Chiye." (p 208)

From Xiao Chiye's perspective I think this shows in his desire for freedom, his fascination with wild things that can't be tamed. A wild creature definitely describes Shen Zechuan well.

"All right — you say you want to fly, but can you really?"
Releasing the grasshopper, Xiao Chiye craned his neck to look up at Zuo Qianqiu, saying in all seriousness, "I can learn to tame falcons. Once I tame one, his wings will belong to me. Wherever he flies, I will have flown there too. A man has to adapt, Shifu."
Zuo Qianqiu looked at him for a long time. "Then you are stronger than me. I'm a fool who cannot adapt." (p 368)

I can't praise this author and translator enough, mwah ♥️