Reviews with content warning for Xenophobia - Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2

such an improvement over the first volume. this actually feels more like the story we should've been getting from the start as it is actually a story. the pacing, plot lines, and character exploration is much better in this installment rather than the previous.

it (mostly) moves past the arduous set up of volume one, while still introducing new plot threads and character information in an organic matter. this one had an actual plot within it that felt like a main story, even when it traveled in different directions. we begin to fill in the outline of xie lian, though much of hua cheng is still left a mystery. i will say it was nice to see him in his element in

his domain, ghost city

the side characters are also finally important to the narrative and one actually kicks off another portion of the plot, that is very illuminating for our protagonist, and previously unseen antagonist

green ghost, qi rong.

the misogynistic undertones that are present in the first book are largely absent from this one thankfully, but that's only really because there's no women here.

the reason for it getting a 4.0 is the fact that for the last hundred pages of this book (and the next TWO hundred pages of volume three) we're relegated to a clumsily introduced flashback arc. my issue with mo xiang tong xiu's writing is that she will introduce concepts very early on, and when she suddenly decides its relevant to the plot, she shoves you backwards into at least around a hundred pages of flashback exposition, and then immediately tries to pick backup where she left off. this doesn't mean i don't enjoy the flashbacks themselves per se, just i don't enjoy their ham-fisted inclusion, and often unnecessary and odd length. too detailed on things that don't matter, and a paragraph of exposition on things that do.

see the beginning conversation during arc two with the state preceptor that could have been cut back, along with the descriptions of xie lian's clothes vs mentioning how he ascended for the first time in a short paragraph at the very end of the volume.

the nature of most web novels is that when they move to trad publishing they could use professional editors. mxtx is absolutely no exception to that, and i'm really beginning to understand why this is eight books long.

as a final, seemingly everpresent disclaimer, translation and related issues abound. please stop saying xie lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry, i got it the first six times.

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cait's review

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

"Right or wrong is very important. If I must choose, then I choose the third path."

It's hard to discuss Volume 2 of Heaven Official's Blessing without spoiling Volume 1. We continue to follow Xie Lian immediately after the events of the first book - as expected, since this was a serialized web novel that has now been split into multiple books as opposed to an actual series written in parts and over an extended period of time. The Crown Prince is still dealing with the consequences of his actions at Banyue Pass when the Emperor asks him to complete a secretive mission to rescue a missing heavenly official who was least heard from outside of the ghost city run by Hua Cheng. Xie Lian is the only person the Emperor thinks can a) be trusted and b) survive a potential run-in with Hua Cheng during the course of the investigation.

I loved this book almost as much as the first one. Hua Cheng and Xie Lian have the best interactions - who knew rolling dice could be so hot?! - and the second half of the novel is finally diving into Xie Lian's backstory from before he ascended the first time, giving us our very first opportunity to really get to know Mu Qing and Feng Xin and the tumultuousness of their relationship from the start. That, along with the introduction of Rong Rong, has me excited to learn more about how we got to this point with Xie Lian's good luck turned bad (I have theories), Mu Qing's seeming hatred of Xie Lian, Feng Xin's seeming indifference towards Xie Lian, and what exactly drove Hua Cheng to be Hua Cheng.

As ever, the character interactions are second to none, the dialogue is hilarious, and the story-telling maintains all of Mò Xiāng Tóng Xiù's signature wit and skill. My only complaint is that I really, really wanted more Hua Cheng, which leads to the fact that I am so excited for Volume 3!

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