Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.48 AVERAGE
4.48 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What is the fall of humanity, to a mushroom?
In a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world, where strange creatures roam the areas outside the few cities, and any human can become easily infected and turned into one… there lives a mushroom.
An Zhe, as the mushroom is named by a human, only wants his spore that was stolen from him, as he sets off to infiltrate human society. All he wants is to take it and return to the cave in which he lives, and never emerge again. He doesn’t care about the humans - especially as they would destroy a creature like him.
He’s a bystander looking in, calm as things fall apart, as humanity clings to survival in ever more difficult ways - he simply observes, and yet he changes as well, slowly but surely.
What does it mean to be human? To survive? What justifies the actions we take in our desperation to cling to life, and at what point can you write off another human? How can ruthlessness also be mercy, how can kindness be cruelty?
It’s a deeply sorrowful book, in a way - it made me feel melancholy. Humanity is slipping away, slowly but surely… and more and more die, every day, get infected and change. And yet - there is still potato soup. Still the warmth of another person next to you. Still the hope that the one you have grown to care for will return to you.
I look forward to reading more about this little mushroom.
In a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world, where strange creatures roam the areas outside the few cities, and any human can become easily infected and turned into one… there lives a mushroom.
An Zhe, as the mushroom is named by a human, only wants his spore that was stolen from him, as he sets off to infiltrate human society. All he wants is to take it and return to the cave in which he lives, and never emerge again. He doesn’t care about the humans - especially as they would destroy a creature like him.
He’s a bystander looking in, calm as things fall apart, as humanity clings to survival in ever more difficult ways - he simply observes, and yet he changes as well, slowly but surely.
What does it mean to be human? To survive? What justifies the actions we take in our desperation to cling to life, and at what point can you write off another human? How can ruthlessness also be mercy, how can kindness be cruelty?
It’s a deeply sorrowful book, in a way - it made me feel melancholy. Humanity is slipping away, slowly but surely… and more and more die, every day, get infected and change. And yet - there is still potato soup. Still the warmth of another person next to you. Still the hope that the one you have grown to care for will return to you.
I look forward to reading more about this little mushroom.
adventurous
emotional
sad
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
No
4.5 Stars
Chinese Novels always impress me with their worldbuilding. This dystopian novel was so enjoyable on all accounts. I loved An Zhe as a main character and it was really fun to follow him on his path to fing his spore, but getting more than he set out for. This book was also the definition of ”Don‘t get attached to side characters“, if you know what I mean.
Chinese Novels always impress me with their worldbuilding. This dystopian novel was so enjoyable on all accounts. I loved An Zhe as a main character and it was really fun to follow him on his path to fing his spore, but getting more than he set out for. This book was also the definition of ”Don‘t get attached to side characters“, if you know what I mean.
The unnecessary references to the characters skin colours and frequent reference to one character on the colour of his skin and not name made this an uncomfortable read that I did not see the point of pushing through.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I always forget that safety is what's temporary while danger is eternal. Life isn't something we're owed. Life is a gift."
I devoured this book. I was looking for a dark, dystopian read and this fit the bill. Fascinated with An Zhe. A sentient mushroom morphed into a human, what a cool character. The worldbuilding was really interesting. Loved learning all the lore about the xenogenics, the Judges, the Arbiters, all of the eras previous generations went through. A really good read and looking forward to starting the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
First of all: nonhuman protagonists (that aren’t animals) are my favorite. An Zhe had some an interesting perspective, especially with how everyone describes him as a “bystander.” And the depth of Lu Feng’s unwavering dedication to the human race!! They are simply great for each other because of their opposite ends.
I fell in love with many characters only to lose them, my heartttt.
The world building is very complex and the descriptions they offer is beautiful and complex. For a story that’s “mushroom becomes human and discovers its humanity” it does a terrific job at it. I truly love the apocalypse setting. I came from reading the manhua and craved more as fast as possible. The novel really does go in depth about specific scenes and the emotions the characters feel. I love it very much.
The ending has me itching to pick up the second book IMMEDIATELY but I have so much on my TBR wuwuwu. I hope the second book has more moments with Lu Fend and even better apocalyptic intrigue.
I fell in love with many characters only to lose them, my heartttt.
The world building is very complex and the descriptions they offer is beautiful and complex. For a story that’s “mushroom becomes human and discovers its humanity” it does a terrific job at it. I truly love the apocalypse setting. I came from reading the manhua and craved more as fast as possible. The novel really does go in depth about specific scenes and the emotions the characters feel. I love it very much.