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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Starting out this book had a lot of potential to be good and to be something that I was truly invested in. The setup was an interesting one given how 'humble' Weiyi as a character is and for having such a high position is loathed by most that surround him. I truly felt bad for him (and still do) for how he's treated as dirt throughout the novel by the rest of the characters and truly he never grows from this perspective either even towards the end of the novel multiple years later. Most of the novel is spent on much of the cast continually punching down at Weiyi.
For being a first-person novel we barely get any introspection from Weiyi and this is something that I feel is truly missed out upon. He has many qualities that would make him an interesting character to any reader and his circumstances truly are quite dire when we meet him.For being a character that is disabled it is hard to believe that this is only mentioned roughly a quarter into the book and not mentioned earlier in the novel is kind of wild to me? A leg injury like that would truly leave the injured party in pain and alter the perspectives of everyone around him significantly. I would have loved to see more disabled representation within Danmei but it felt as though the 'quirk' was given only to add more despair and nothing else. There is no mention of difficulty getting around or leg pain and after the mention of the accident it is hardly brought up again even in Weiyi's internal thoughts. Furthermore, the fact that he is regarded so lowly by everyone around him surely would have something to do with the fact that he is disabled? Yet this is never mentioned nor brought up. In the beginning he is mentioned to be an introspective character but most of the novel is him narrating what he's doing and putting himself down allowing everyone else to step on his back for their own gain. There is no character growth from this.
Lastly, if you're looking for romance, I would not recommend this book. There is little to be found despite claiming that it is a romance. There is little shown/displayed chemistry between Weiyi and Liu Tongyi that I found to be enjoyable and their ending leaves much to be desired. Weiyi spends much of the novel unable to decide who to love despite being thirty one years old for much of the novel and I felt as though he should have known himself better than being wishy-washy about who he was in love with. It never truly felt like a 'love-triangle' and more so Weiyi fumbling around in the dark. I don't want to excuse the novel by saying 'it's more political in nature' because simply it's not. There is somehow little political intrigue and romance.
In conclusion, or TLDR I enjoyed the beginning of the book but the shallow plot, lack of chemistry and content for and between the leads made it difficult to enjoy later in the story.
For being a first-person novel we barely get any introspection from Weiyi and this is something that I feel is truly missed out upon. He has many qualities that would make him an interesting character to any reader and his circumstances truly are quite dire when we meet him.
Lastly, if you're looking for romance, I would not recommend this book. There is little to be found despite claiming that it is a romance. There is little shown/displayed chemistry between Weiyi and Liu Tongyi that I found to be enjoyable and their ending leaves much to be desired. Weiyi spends much of the novel unable to decide who to love despite being thirty one years old for much of the novel and I felt as though he should have known himself better than being wishy-washy about who he was in love with. It never truly felt like a 'love-triangle' and more so Weiyi fumbling around in the dark. I don't want to excuse the novel by saying 'it's more political in nature' because simply it's not. There is somehow little political intrigue and romance.
In conclusion, or TLDR I enjoyed the beginning of the book but the shallow plot, lack of chemistry and content for and between the leads made it difficult to enjoy later in the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Incest, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I have a lot of complex thoughts on this book.
TLDR: If you're looking for a book about pure romance, you will not find it here. There is very little relationship development in this book that matters, and almost nothing between the main character and the intended love interest. Even up until the end, you will be questioning who the main character (Weiyi/Prince Huai/Chengjun) even loves. The plot is shallow, and takes up only really the first half of the book, and even then, in terms of political novels, has much to be desired. All in all, I find appeal in reading it until the first half, where it falls off heavily. In addition the ending is very confusing and surface level. Nothing feels resolved and nothing has really any substance because it's so rushed. Then, add in time jumps that really add nothing, and a plot twist at the end that has little to no flavor because they didn't expand upon it.
I would not recommend reading it, to be honest.
More in depth:
The first half of the book starts out very strong in building the beginning of the story. We get the establishment of the MC, and his relationships with others quite well, and even adds a trope to it that I find interesting.
This being that we establish his relationship with the imperial family, and how he's seen as one of the Great Cancers of the court. We are also introduced to the idea of a character that speaks so forthcoming, that he confuses the people around him, and therefore, they distrust and dislike him. This is ALL of the characters he interacts with, with mostly those closest to him having more complex feelings.
I think it builds on the relationships fine and exactly how you expect for the first part of the book. I think the confusion about love interests is interesting and refreshing, but they take it too far,having the MC be in love with a side character for 90% of the book. They give him little to no actual chemistry with the intended ML, and you end up almost feeling bad for his situation and the way the MC neglects him. While I think he loves the ML at the end, you only get more context in the extras and the book doesn't stand up well without them. Even then, the MCs true feelings on his old flings are never resolved completely, so it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth.
In terms of plot, it leaves much to be desired. The political sphere is pretty uninteresting, and shallow in its production. It lists a few people, but for the most part, the focus is on characters who are unrelated to the court, or they don't make the court relevant to the character. This is to the point you almost forget their positions if they don't mention it enough. ex. Chancellor Liu, Emperor Qizhe are memorable because their position is mentioned almost every page.
All in all, the book is a little less than okay. There is enjoyment to be had, it has funny parts, and Liu Tongyi is a very lovable ML. The MC is a bit unreliable, and it can make the book difficult to read. The plot was lacking, the romance is little to none (romance meaning relationship growth and development to obtain an end goal relationship). Enjoyed myself thoroughly for a good while and the extras are rather decent, so I give it 2.5 stars. Had so much potential, but didn't meet pretty much any expectation it set itself, and didn't resolve most of it's intended issues.
TLDR: If you're looking for a book about pure romance, you will not find it here. There is very little relationship development in this book that matters, and almost nothing between the main character and the intended love interest. Even up until the end, you will be questioning who the main character (Weiyi/Prince Huai/Chengjun) even loves. The plot is shallow, and takes up only really the first half of the book, and even then, in terms of political novels, has much to be desired. All in all, I find appeal in reading it until the first half, where it falls off heavily. In addition the ending is very confusing and surface level. Nothing feels resolved and nothing has really any substance because it's so rushed. Then, add in time jumps that really add nothing, and a plot twist at the end that has little to no flavor because they didn't expand upon it.
I would not recommend reading it, to be honest.
More in depth:
The first half of the book starts out very strong in building the beginning of the story. We get the establishment of the MC, and his relationships with others quite well, and even adds a trope to it that I find interesting.
I think it builds on the relationships fine and exactly how you expect for the first part of the book. I think the confusion about love interests is interesting and refreshing, but they take it too far,
In terms of plot, it leaves much to be desired. The political sphere is pretty uninteresting, and shallow in its production. It lists a few people, but for the most part, the focus is on characters who are unrelated to the court, or they don't make the court relevant to the character. This is to the point you almost forget their positions if they don't mention it enough. ex. Chancellor Liu, Emperor Qizhe are memorable because their position is mentioned almost every page.
All in all, the book is a little less than okay. There is enjoyment to be had, it has funny parts, and Liu Tongyi is a very lovable ML. The MC is a bit unreliable, and it can make the book difficult to read. The plot was lacking, the romance is little to none (romance meaning relationship growth and development to obtain an end goal relationship). Enjoyed myself thoroughly for a good while and the extras are rather decent, so I give it 2.5 stars. Had so much potential, but didn't meet pretty much any expectation it set itself, and didn't resolve most of it's intended issues.
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found this book interesting in that there's no real 'antagonist' or 'enemy' that the main character is working against. Unless you count his own obliviousness.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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
I love this author. I love what she does with her characters. I love that I don't know precisely what she's about to pull. I love that I'm guessing about characters' feelings the entire time.
I read this after I'd read Peach Blossom Debt, so I was familiar with DFGG's style and sunk into it easily. I think I read this in two days. Like with PBD, I imagine there's more to digest on reread, so it's in the pile.
Plot: The older cousin of the emperor (given uncle as an honorary title) weathers constant gossip about his relationships and greed for power. What he really wants is a calm relationship, but what's a palace novel without palace drama?
Like PBD, this one has a love triangle, although this one is legitimate: Prince Huai has feelings for two people that he sorts out across the novel. I never root for the endgame love interest but got my wish in this one as well!!
If you're looking for a tidy, devoted romance, this isn't it. But if you like your humans messy, you might like it.
I read this after I'd read Peach Blossom Debt, so I was familiar with DFGG's style and sunk into it easily. I think I read this in two days. Like with PBD, I imagine there's more to digest on reread, so it's in the pile.
Plot: The older cousin of the emperor (given uncle as an honorary title) weathers constant gossip about his relationships and greed for power. What he really wants is a calm relationship, but what's a palace novel without palace drama?
Like PBD, this one has a love triangle, although this one is legitimate: Prince Huai has feelings for two people that he sorts out across the novel. I never root for the endgame love interest but got my wish in this one as well!!
If you're looking for a tidy, devoted romance, this isn't it. But if you like your humans messy, you might like it.
Content Warnings
Switching in the extras!
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
area man misunderstands every single relationship he has and is misunderstood in turn
-did not expect to enjoy this one as much as i did
-i had a really fun time twisting my mind in knots to try and figure out what everyone was actually thinking
-mc is actually hilarious i love him
-sleeper sadness hits you like a truck
-the twist in the middle really did make me sit up and pay attention though
-did not expect to enjoy this one as much as i did
-i had a really fun time twisting my mind in knots to try and figure out what everyone was actually thinking
-mc is actually hilarious i love him
-sleeper sadness hits you like a truck
-the twist in the middle really did make me sit up and pay attention though
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes