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4.53 AVERAGE
4.53 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved the book but I stopped reading somewhere near the end and I don't remember enough to come back to it now after more than a year and finish some 100 pages that were left
Alternative summary: you can’t say “no homo” in your second life
I stumbled across some fanart about this series on Tumblr. A few google searches later, I ended up finding the novel online (the unofficial translation by Exiled Rebels). I have been reading this day and night for about three days now, and I have feelings about it.
First, the good stuff: I liked the story, with all its sub-plots and changes in perspective into other character’s stories. I thought all the arcs of the story were captivating, and that everything came together well at the end. I enjoyed the non-linear storytelling. It kept me on my toes, and I thought the flashbacks were well-timed, revealing just enough when appropriate. I loved the dynamics between the characters, and the splashes of humor here and there. There was so much happening in this novel, and some of it was sad while other moments were uplifting. It was a good combination of the two – no unnecessary angst, and no overdone fluff.
Speaking of fluff, I haven’t even started talking about the romance here. I had mixed feelings about the way the romance plot was executed. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the long-standing unrequited love premise (who doesn’t? It allows for so much pining and feels) but I felt like the ending was rushed. We had characters go from unrequited love, mutual pining to suddenly established relationship. While their relationship had slowly been developing from the day they met, the confession was almost rushed. The confession scene fell short for me. I think the build-up had me thinking that it would be something much more eloquent than it was. It was cute, but that was it.
Also, I need a moment to talk about the sex. The first time Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi have sex, LWJ doesn’t really ask before taking WWX. The author makes this seem like a passionate encounter, like oh LWJ is so turned on he can’t help himself, but WWX is in literal pain and has no idea what is happening. I thought it was extremely problematic because it read a lot like rape. I know that wasn’t the author’s intention, but there was no consent. At no point before LWJ inserts himself is there a moment when WWX asks for it. They don’t talk about it – LWJ just apologizes after the fact. For all you hard-core fans out there, imagine WWX as a woman, and reread the scene where they first have sex. You’ll see why it makes me uncomfortable then.
Plus, there are so many rape jokes throughout their sex life. WWX tells LWJ that LWJ should have just taken him back when they were fifteen. Yikes. Rape is not a joke. That was not okay. Also, the entire portrait of LWJ as this domineering, merciless sex partner seemed so contradictory to his behavior when he was drunk (plus, that was scary. If you’re partner asks you to slow down, you bloody well slow down). It was so inconsistent. You want to tell me that a man who passes out after being kissed while drunk has had his sexual awakening?
Oh, and the drunk scenes – WWX takes advantage of LWJ repeatedly. Not to mention the scene where LWJ forcefully kisses WWX. Hello? Where is the consent? Where do we see two people who genuinely respect each other’s boundaries? My opinion on the romance overall: had so much potential, but the result was an immature relationship.
The thing is, I was so absorbed reading this book, and I had so much fun reading it that I want to give it four stars. Plot? Great. Loose ends? Tied. Humor? Present. But the problematic romance genuinely ruined the book for me. Combined with the fact that I can’t judge the writing (since I haven’t read the original Chinese), I’m marking this down to 3 stars.
First, the good stuff: I liked the story, with all its sub-plots and changes in perspective into other character’s stories. I thought all the arcs of the story were captivating, and that everything came together well at the end. I enjoyed the non-linear storytelling. It kept me on my toes, and I thought the flashbacks were well-timed, revealing just enough when appropriate. I loved the dynamics between the characters, and the splashes of humor here and there. There was so much happening in this novel, and some of it was sad while other moments were uplifting. It was a good combination of the two – no unnecessary angst, and no overdone fluff.
Speaking of fluff, I haven’t even started talking about the romance here. I had mixed feelings about the way the romance plot was executed. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the long-standing unrequited love premise (who doesn’t? It allows for so much pining and feels) but I felt like the ending was rushed. We had characters go from unrequited love, mutual pining to suddenly established relationship. While their relationship had slowly been developing from the day they met, the confession was almost rushed. The confession scene fell short for me. I think the build-up had me thinking that it would be something much more eloquent than it was. It was cute, but that was it.
Also, I need a moment to talk about the sex. The first time Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi have sex, LWJ doesn’t really ask before taking WWX. The author makes this seem like a passionate encounter, like oh LWJ is so turned on he can’t help himself, but WWX is in literal pain and has no idea what is happening. I thought it was extremely problematic because it read a lot like rape. I know that wasn’t the author’s intention, but there was no consent. At no point before LWJ inserts himself is there a moment when WWX asks for it. They don’t talk about it – LWJ just apologizes after the fact. For all you hard-core fans out there, imagine WWX as a woman, and reread the scene where they first have sex. You’ll see why it makes me uncomfortable then.
Plus, there are so many rape jokes throughout their sex life. WWX tells LWJ that LWJ should have just taken him back when they were fifteen. Yikes. Rape is not a joke. That was not okay. Also, the entire portrait of LWJ as this domineering, merciless sex partner seemed so contradictory to his behavior when he was drunk (plus, that was scary. If you’re partner asks you to slow down, you bloody well slow down). It was so inconsistent. You want to tell me that a man who passes out after being kissed while drunk has had his sexual awakening?
Oh, and the drunk scenes – WWX takes advantage of LWJ repeatedly. Not to mention the scene where LWJ forcefully kisses WWX. Hello? Where is the consent? Where do we see two people who genuinely respect each other’s boundaries? My opinion on the romance overall: had so much potential, but the result was an immature relationship.
The thing is, I was so absorbed reading this book, and I had so much fun reading it that I want to give it four stars. Plot? Great. Loose ends? Tied. Humor? Present. But the problematic romance genuinely ruined the book for me. Combined with the fact that I can’t judge the writing (since I haven’t read the original Chinese), I’m marking this down to 3 stars.
Update: August 4, 2021
OHMYGOD THIS IS FINALLY GONNA HAVE AN OFFICIAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION ALONGSIDE HEAVEN OFFICIAL'S BLESSING AND SCUM VILLAIN. This novel got me out of my more than 5-year reading slump so this means SO MUCH to me. WangXian means so much.
Plus I've been waiting for years for this to happen and now it's finally here!!!!!! I AM: ECSTATIC. Physical copies will be available this December 2021.
OHMYGOD THIS IS FINALLY GONNA HAVE AN OFFICIAL ENGLISH TRANSLATION ALONGSIDE HEAVEN OFFICIAL'S BLESSING AND SCUM VILLAIN. This novel got me out of my more than 5-year reading slump so this means SO MUCH to me. WangXian means so much.
Plus I've been waiting for years for this to happen and now it's finally here!!!!!! I AM: ECSTATIC. Physical copies will be available this December 2021.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
REALLY COOL!!! Now that I've read it I can see why it's (probably) the most famous danmei novel out there. I still like SVSSS more, but I loooooove everything it has to offer; and I think WangXian is now one of my favorite pairings of all time. I love how genuine they are in their attraction! The extras weren't what I was expecting, tho, but they were fun in their own way.
if you saw me obsessing over this for the last couple of weeks, look away
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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