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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was nervous going into this novel. Maomao is no longer working in the rear palace, so the setting is different. This means she doesn't see Jinshi as often, and I was a little worried about where the story could go from here. I shouldn't have been worried.
Maomao has taken over for her father as the apothecary in the pleasure district. She's also now the guardian of Chou-u, formerly known as Kyou-u, and is trying to teach him medicine, something he's not remotely interested in. I found the beginning of this light novel to be a little boring. Not much was happening, and there weren't many little mysteries. It isn't until Jinishi orders her west that we start to see some intrigue. I liked visiting different towns and the western capital. I can see the underlying plot starting to grow. The potential plague of insects is not a good portent, and I'll be interested to see what they do to try to prevent that.
I did like that we had more interactions with Lahan. Maomao doesn't really like her birth family, but Lahan is determined to make her part of the La family and utilize her skills. I think he was a fun addition as a side character. We also got to see more of Suirei, Ah-Duo, and Lishu. I liked the change of setting once they set out on the road. I think it really helped the novel pick up pace.
EDIT:
Maomao has taken over for her father as the apothecary in the pleasure district. She's also now the guardian of Chou-u, formerly known as Kyou-u, and is trying to teach him medicine, something he's not remotely interested in. I found the beginning of this light novel to be a little boring. Not much was happening, and there weren't many little mysteries. It isn't until Jinishi orders her west that we start to see some intrigue. I liked visiting different towns and the western capital. I can see the underlying plot starting to grow. The potential plague of insects is not a good portent, and I'll be interested to see what they do to try to prevent that.
I did like that we had more interactions with Lahan. Maomao doesn't really like her birth family, but Lahan is determined to make her part of the La family and utilize her skills. I think he was a fun addition as a side character. We also got to see more of Suirei, Ah-Duo, and Lishu. I liked the change of setting once they set out on the road. I think it really helped the novel pick up pace.
EDIT:
I was told there is a better fan translation of the epilogue online. Turns out the official translation didn’t do a good job. After reading the fan translation, it is way less alarming. It’s truly unfortunate that the official translation was not as accurate.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
don't know how to feel about that last scene yet but the rest WAS highly entertaining
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
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
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
OH MY!!!!
I was gonna give this book 4 stars but that epilogue bumped it right up. My heart was all the way in my throat.
I have to praise the delicate foreshadowing throughout this series. It’s just right. I feel satisfied when the suspicions I picked up due to the foreshadowing are confirmed.
The pacing in this volume was much better than the last as well. There was always something curious happening!
Oh Jinshi, Oh Jinshi! He’s a very interesting character and I like seeing the way Maomao provokes him. He’s got this side to him that just makes me kick my feet in the air and squeal.
Going DIRECTLY to volume/book 6 tomorrow morning.
I was gonna give this book 4 stars but that epilogue bumped it right up. My heart was all the way in my throat.
I have to praise the delicate foreshadowing throughout this series. It’s just right. I feel satisfied when the suspicions I picked up due to the foreshadowing are confirmed.
The pacing in this volume was much better than the last as well. There was always something curious happening!
Oh Jinshi, Oh Jinshi! He’s a very interesting character and I like seeing the way Maomao provokes him. He’s got this side to him that just makes me kick my feet in the air and squeal.
Going DIRECTLY to volume/book 6 tomorrow morning.
medium-paced