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

Xie Lian is questioned about his red-clothed companion from the events of the last volume. Later he is sent off on a mission to investigate a distress call near Ghost City, Hua Cheng's territory. There is adventure, tenderness and some of Xie Lian's past surfacing. Many questions are still left unanswered and there are now even more questions.

I've been enjoying the build up on the relationship between the two leads, but want to mention that there are dark themes and situations in this story. There is more world building with the ghost realm revealed to us in this volume. This time Xie Lian has different companions. It was exciting to see his dynamic with new people. We also get to witness Hua Cheng being himself. I'm looking forward to more developments in their relationship.

The pacing was exciting at the beginning, started to trail off as we approached the end and immediately picked up at the last second. But then the story pivoted to a flashback arc suddenly. Some of the language and dialogue choices in this translation feel unexpected and there is noticeably more cursing.

Content Warnings

moodreaderhan's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 ‘Rolling Dice With Heated Stares And Soft Touches’ Stars! *fans myself again*

My Brief Summary:

Off to the Ghost City we go! Xie Lian is given a task by the heavenly officials, which he is more than happy to go on if it means the chance to possibly see his new/old friend San Lang aka Hua Cheng, who rules over the city and is one of the four calamities and a supreme ghost. The Ghost City (as its name suggests) holds all kinds of ghosts with trouble that may come in between him completing his mission.

Xie Lian has been warned of Hua Cheng, but when the two are together, no one can deny how different Crimson Rain Sought Flower is to our prince than to anyone else. Will Xie Lian be able to complete his mission? What happens when a familiar boy with bandages appears again? What other difficulties will arise? What lies between Hua Cheng’s and Xie Lian’s chemistry and connection?

Thoughts:

Oh my! Our slow burn continues on, and I am obsessed with HuaLian! Just when I thought Hua Cheng would take awhile to come back, he didn’t leave us or Xie Lian waiting for long! Can’t keep these two apart, and I am grateful for it.

Let’s dive into the good stuff.

What we get:
-GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS ART!
-Wacky ghosts
-Sensual gambling (with adorable half eaten buns as a prize for one fine gentleman in particular)
-Oblivious companions
-Interior design conversations (iykyk - just live together!!)
-The reverse Ariana Grande ‘You want it, you got it!’ from Hua Cheng to Xie Lian
-The introduction to a scimitar named Eming
-Low-key High-key innuendos everywhere
-Side character shenanigans
-Fighting scenes
-Shoulder touches/massage
-A heartbreaking and lovely bandaged boy that is basically adopted by Xie Lian and us (readers)
-Moments where those who have a degradation kink might really enjoy :):)
-Tomfoolery everywhere
-Painful scenes
-HuaLian moments too pure for words that are just enough, but never enough!

Characters
>Xie Lian: An angel and a badass rolled into one being! He either doesn’t give an f*ck what others think, will fight his beliefs, is self-sacrificing, or just shooting (unknown to himself) heart-eyes at Hua Cheng. There is no in betweens for me when it comes to him.
>Hua Cheng: The ‘I hate everyone but you’ energy is so strong with him, and I eat up every moment of it. HC is a simp in the purest sense, and I hope you never change! Also I am, respectfully, in love with you.

This story is primarily adventure based, but gets really emotional, funny, dark, mysterious and inspiring! I can’t wait to see what lies in store for our main characters, and for the readers!

P.s. If you can’t find me, it’s because I’m still rolling around laughing on the ground after Xie Lian said he can’t get erect to a random stranger. BYEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Would I recommend this and to who:
Yes!! For those who loveeee a good slow burn!
And you better love it or fear the wrath of us HuaLian simps (primarily maya and anmol will bring the hellfire)!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
Paperback
How did I discover this:
anmol!! maya, lila and I get to tagalong for the adventure and fall in love with the volumes more and more as we go!
Pace:
Medium
POV:
Xie Lian

Quotes:
”Hua Cheng chuckled lighting” … “Xie Lian’s heart skipped a beat”

“Whether you’re here to see me or not, I’m happy either way.”

“A home has a family. A place where someone lives alone is not a home … if it’s home, then even a small place like Puqi Shrine is a million times better than my Paradise Manor.”

“If you ask, I’ll deliver”

“fight me and you will surely die.”

“Does that mean everytime I roll a two, I can see you?” … “If you want to see me, it won’t matter what you roll. I will appear.”

“The moment Hua Cheng left, Xie Lian immediately sense the void behind him and turned around in a rush, running a few steps after him.”

“Those who are destined to shine, I must let them shine.”

“If one day I ascend, I will surely do all that I said today and become a power to behold!”

Triggers:
Violence, Gore, Blood, Injury, Body Horror, Death, Abuse, Torture, Murder, Grief, Kidnapping, Swearing, War/Battles, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Illness, Bullying, Toxic Relationships, etc.

_______________________________

Here for the “plot” and “story-building” 🤭 yup that's what I'm invested in!

BR with the babes - anmol, maya and lila

Content Warnings

comicsandbookdragon's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Overall I enjoyed the story. This entire arc was unserious, and had a Scooby Doo vibe. MXTX got lucky, because I don't think that was the intent, but here we are. I was having a great time right up to "SEIZE HIM! SEIZE THAT WEIRD GUY!".

The way AAVE was used during the initial scenes with Qi Rong nearly soured everything. This says A LOT not only about the translators, but the editors too. I nearly didn't finish it. What actually kept me reading was the back story. While that was a bit longer than it needed to be, I was too nosy to just skip it.

Of note: I am not feeling the way the footnotes were done. They are a little too non -academic for my tastes. They didn't inspire down the rabbit hole reaction. Which was.....disappointing.

Content Warnings