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4.63 AVERAGE
4.63 AVERAGE
Re-read Oct 2023. It is the sad state of cnovels nowadays where I'm reduced to rereading QJJ and priest, sigh. The newer novels just don't compare. This is still one of my absolute favorite cnovels (maybe trim the second half a bit) because of how well-written the two main characters are
This has got to be one of the best Danmei I have ever read, to be very honest. Everything about it is close to perfection - the writing is beyond excellent, the worldbuilding is pristine, the politics, the scheming, the battles, the portrayals, the side-characters, the plot, it is all an epic masterpiece.
But the best bit has to be the power couple. Nowhere in my many years of reading have I come across a power couple so tremendously perfect for each other (Mme de Merteuil and Chevalier Valmont came very close, but then he went and fell for the most annoying character ever written) so well attuned to one another and their needs, so caring and loving of each other. This is enemies to lovers done well, but far more than that. This is finally the one novel that starts with the CP loathing each other (and one of them even harming the other with dire consequences for the rest of his life) but that suddenly find an irresistible physical and sexual attraction for one another - the scene where Lanzhou goes into a brothel and asks to be shown naked men just to make sure he feels attracted to them, but then doesn't, which forces him to admit it's only Xiao Chiye that makes him feel that way is PRICELESS.
There's this unspoke rule that NO RELATIONSHIP WORTH ITS SALT starts out as sex, and this book proves it all wrong. For quite sometime, the only thing that keeps these two together is sex, is how horny they feel for each other - though Lanzhou pretends not to be quite into it, but that's one of the issues I have with Danmei, you always have a reluctant partner, and it's usually the bottom. But that attraction begins to unravel and starts becoming something other, through Xiao Chiye's obsession with Lanzhou and the way Lanzhou himself starts to melt and open up to this adoration. There are three defining moments for me in their relationship that really had my heart beating like mad - when SL throws himself into XC's arms in the river, when they make love in the steppes and SL finally confesses his love, and when XC saves SL from falling off that balcony. These are only topped by the scene at the Shashi sinkhole when SL faces his biggest fear, his most enormous trigger, in a moment fo despair so well written my heart was beating out of time, to make sure he can save XC. If this novel had nothing more to it (but it has so much!) than the dynamics between the main couple, it would be worth it, it would be a great story, a beautiful, deep, rich love story. As it is, this novel goes beyond the love tale portrayed between these pages and strongly positions itself in the role of a historical, societal study of China and its many tangled webs of power over its history. It's definitely worth a read for the historical lessons alone, but if that is not enough - besides the main CP you get another one that will break your heart, if, like me, you're into this kind of pain.
An easy five star for this masterpiece.
But the best bit has to be the power couple. Nowhere in my many years of reading have I come across a power couple so tremendously perfect for each other (Mme de Merteuil and Chevalier Valmont came very close, but then he went and fell for the most annoying character ever written) so well attuned to one another and their needs, so caring and loving of each other. This is enemies to lovers done well, but far more than that. This is finally the one novel that starts with the CP loathing each other (and one of them even harming the other with dire consequences for the rest of his life) but that suddenly find an irresistible physical and sexual attraction for one another - the scene where Lanzhou goes into a brothel and asks to be shown naked men just to make sure he feels attracted to them, but then doesn't, which forces him to admit it's only Xiao Chiye that makes him feel that way is PRICELESS.
There's this unspoke rule that NO RELATIONSHIP WORTH ITS SALT starts out as sex, and this book proves it all wrong. For quite sometime, the only thing that keeps these two together is sex, is how horny they feel for each other - though Lanzhou pretends not to be quite into it, but that's one of the issues I have with Danmei, you always have a reluctant partner, and it's usually the bottom. But that attraction begins to unravel and starts becoming something other, through Xiao Chiye's obsession with Lanzhou and the way Lanzhou himself starts to melt and open up to this adoration. There are three defining moments for me in their relationship that really had my heart beating like mad - when SL throws himself into XC's arms in the river, when they make love in the steppes and SL finally confesses his love, and when XC saves SL from falling off that balcony. These are only topped by the scene at the Shashi sinkhole when SL faces his biggest fear, his most enormous trigger, in a moment fo despair so well written my heart was beating out of time, to make sure he can save XC. If this novel had nothing more to it (but it has so much!) than the dynamics between the main couple, it would be worth it, it would be a great story, a beautiful, deep, rich love story. As it is, this novel goes beyond the love tale portrayed between these pages and strongly positions itself in the role of a historical, societal study of China and its many tangled webs of power over its history. It's definitely worth a read for the historical lessons alone, but if that is not enough - besides the main CP you get another one that will break your heart, if, like me, you're into this kind of pain.
An easy five star for this masterpiece.
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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:
Complicated
“It was as if he wanted to leave it all to Shen Zechuan– His horse, his eagle, his heart.”
There is something absolutely insane in a well written enemies-to-lovers trope. It’s the insults, disguised in fake-courtesy, the tension of the characters coming toe to toe, the connection between two people who hate each other, yet still find respite and comfort in each other because they are the only other person who can understand their suffering.
The way Xiao Chiye and Shen Zechuan’s relationship developed, in this world of political struggle and war, felt so natural to me. They absolutely ADORE each other and support the other in reaching their goals in every way possible, while still following their own. Both of them are such incredibly strong individuals, but they still chose to depend on each other because they have such a deep understanding of each other…
Both of them challenge each other in a way nobody else does and that becomes SO clear in their tension throughout the entirety of the book and even after their relationship goes through a significant change this tension still remains, it just gains a softer undertone. That whole transition between them wanting to rip each other apart because they remind each other of everything they’ve lost in life to them wanting to build a life together….
Can you tell how much i loved this book? I really hope you can because it was an absolutely incredible read, even if it got kind of overwhelming at times.
Got licensed in English, I'm waiting for the official release for a better translation
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Never have I ever read a book that made me feel all the emotions. I felt happy, sad, frustrated while reading it. I was giggling and kicking feet at some parts, I was thinking of giving up on it more than a few times (because of the political theme which is not my thing).
I know I was warned about the political part and that I should NOT read it if I don't like it cause it's very very very heavy on politics. I was definitely not ready for the amount of pages it had and how much time I spent reading it. And finally I am free.
The only reason this isn't a 5
I know I was warned about the political part and that I should NOT read it if I don't like it cause it's very very very heavy on politics. I was definitely not ready for the amount of pages it had and how much time I spent reading it. And finally I am free.
The only reason this isn't a 5
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Violence
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Trafficking
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
THE BEST ENEMIES TO LOVERS EVER WRITTEN!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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:
N/A
"Unruffled is the orchid that grows on stone steps. Boundless is the horizon of the boat that crosses the sea of misery. Wide is the heart that accommodates a hundred rivers, and broad is the vision that encompasses a thousand lakes."
Sharp, intricate and elegant to the point of perfection. If you've ever seen Nirvana In Fire (琅琊榜), Qiang Jin Jiu is just that type of story.
The author sets a massive stage for a story worth of being called an historical epic, weaving all sorts of topics and presenting an exquisite ensemble cast. At the center of all, stand Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye: cunning, strong, and bold in their youth, they're initially pit against each other by a system they both fall prey to, only to slowly join hands first driven by lust and common interests, and later through an unyielding, fiery devotion which sets to topple and burn the old system – it's not simply love, it's revolution.