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Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'
Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
36 reviews
fran_buesa's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, and Murder
ehmannky's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
I loved this installment. Like, not only do we finally get a look into Xie Lian's past but we also we get maybe the most romantic gambling scene I've ever read in my life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse
kiwi_33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This just gets better and better.
While the first book takes its time introducing the cast of characters, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng taking up most of the focus as main characters, there is still an air of mystery that surrounds them. While who they are and their relationships to others are explained, their past and the nature of their relationship remains largely unknown. In this second book, we finally get to see more of Hua Cheng and what being a Ghost King entails, and bits and pieces of Xie Lian’s past come back to haunt him, in no time adding great depths to his character.
I absolutely love the side characters in these books. Shi Qingxuan is a genderfluid icon and I love them. We also learn more about Mu Qing and Feng Xin and their shared past. Qi Rong is a bastard. No more needs to be said about him.
Also, the art is absolutely gorgeous.
Once again, I can’t wait to continue reading the officially translated books of this series (and the others). Seven Seas Danmei is doing a fantastic job making this happen, and I hope that the sales show them this is what the fans want.
While the first book takes its time introducing the cast of characters, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng taking up most of the focus as main characters, there is still an air of mystery that surrounds them. While who they are and their relationships to others are explained, their past and the nature of their relationship remains largely unknown. In this second book, we finally get to see more of Hua Cheng and what being a Ghost King entails, and bits and pieces of Xie Lian’s past come back to haunt him, in no time adding great depths to his character.
I absolutely love the side characters in these books. Shi Qingxuan is a genderfluid icon and I love them. We also learn more about Mu Qing and Feng Xin and their shared past. Qi Rong is a bastard. No more needs to be said about him.
Also, the art is absolutely gorgeous.
Once again, I can’t wait to continue reading the officially translated books of this series (and the others). Seven Seas Danmei is doing a fantastic job making this happen, and I hope that the sales show them this is what the fans want.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, and Violence
cait's review against another edition
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Abandonment
aardwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Love these weird idiots and their absolutely wild problems.
In all honestly, Xie Lian is a delightful exploration of character and I would read about him doing his taxes
In all honestly, Xie Lian is a delightful exploration of character and I would read about him doing his taxes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
tinyjude's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Murder
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